Key to the Heart
Chapter 2
by Nat
Sastry stood staring into a black pot over a roaring fire. Green smoke bubbled up from the depths of the pot, making odd shadows be cast upon the cave walls. She took a deep breath and smelled her potion. If she had made it right it should quickly kill any one who drank it.
Her eyes danced over to the prison cells where a soldier from Kolyma was chained up to the ceiling by his wrists. He whimpered when he saw her look to him. An evil smile lit up Sastry's face.
"You know what this is?" she asked sweetly. The chains rattled as the soldier shook from fear. He managed an incoherent sound. "It's a potion, a poison actually. A poison that will kill instantly. That is if I made it right. If I didn't, whoever drinks it shall suffer a long and terrible death."
The chains rattle even more. The soldier drooped ever so slightly, still shaking horribly. Sastry smiled. "All I need is someone to try it for me. Now where am I going to get someone for this?"
The soldier's eyes went wide. Sastry smiled and took her necklace out. On it was a rusty old key. She walked slowly over to the cell. Being ever so slow and careful she opened up the door and let it swing in. She stepped up to the chained soldier and placed a long black fingernail on his cheek.
"Come now, I won't hurt you," Sastry said running her fingernail down his cheek, scratching it hard enough to draw blood. She leaned in close and licked a drop as it fell down his neck. "I'll only kill you," she whispered.
The soldier began to moan. "No!" he managed. Then he began to scream. Sastry paid him no mind as she walked out of the cell and went over to a shelf. Picking up a goblet she looked over at the soldier. He still was trying to break the chains. Sastry smiled as she filled the goblet halfway full of the green potion. Slowly she walked back over to the soldier, taunting him with her seductive walk.
Sastry pinched a nerve on the guard's neck and his struggling ceased. He remained conscious, but considerably weakened. Sastry looked at the soldier as he started to cry. A fake frown formed on her face. "Oh, why the teardrops? Are you scared of dying?"
The soldier's eyes closed. The tears continued to fall. Sastry licked his face dry of all moisture, including tears and blood. "Don't cry. I never make a mistake. It will all be over soon," she whispered in his ear. The soldiers eyes opened, full of rage.
"You heartless, unkind, uncaring WITCH!" he cried out. Sastry looked at him and pretended to be honored.
"Oh, you flatter me. You are too kind to an inexperienced witch like myself," she murmured. "But I could make an exception. I want to know what Dorothy Catalonia Winner has been cooking up with Princess Relena. The other option is of course…" she trailed off and looked at the goblet. "It will kill you either way."
The soldier seemed stunned for a minute. Then a look of anger and relief came into his eyes. "What do you need to know?" he asked.
"Everything, nothing less," Sastry ordered her eyes narrowing. The soldier took a deep breath and looked Sastry in the eyes.
"The princess is being taught magic under the guidance of Lady Dorothy. Lady Dorothy found the talent in her and is teaching her all she knows," the soldier replied.
Sastry looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Is that all you know?" The soldier nodded hurriedly. Sastry smiled. "Thank you, soldier. You have told me very important information," she said and turned. The soldier sighed with noticeable relief. Sastry turned back around. "But, you didn't tell me everything you knew, you lying son of a pig!" Sastry shrieked and was pouring the potion down the soldiers throat before he knew what hit him.
Sastry stepped back. The soldier gasped and made a disgusting sound. A gurgling sound could be heard. Sastry watched as the soldier began to melt. His skin went then the blood, muscles then bones until everything dissolved into a disgusting liquid on the floor. Sastry looked down innocently at the puddle. "Oh my, did I forget to mention what happens when you hide information from Sastry?"
"You always did leave out the minor details," a voice said from behind her. Sastry whirled around looking at Dermail. He stood leaning against the cave walls with his hands over his chest. His robes were dusty and dirty. Sastry's lip curled ever so slightly.
"You stupid son of a bitch!" Sastry yelled at him, lunged and tackled him to the ground. "Leaving me like that at festival yesterday. Stupid pig!" She smacked him with her goblet. Dermail grabbed her wrist, forcing her to drop the goblet.
"Sastry you attacked someone yesterday, totally blowing your cover just like that. Why did you such a stupid thing like that? You weren't jealous were you?" Dermail asked.
Sastry glared at him. "Of course I wasn't. You accusing me of blowing our cover when you go into public kissing up to one of the royal maidens," Sastry practically screamed.
Dermail's eyebrow raised. "Kissing up? Is that what you call it? I was merely making a merry man of myself on such a joyous day. That is the time for celebrating in the kingdoms, dear Sastry," Dermail reminded her. Sastry smacked him.
"Bastard!" she said and stood up, going back over to her cauldron. She looked it over. "I have too much of an ingredient. I need to add more of everything but unicorn blood." Sastry looked evilly at Dermail. "I need something from you."
Dermail sat up on his elbows. "And what would this be Sastry, love?"
Sastry tackled him yet again. "Something only a male can give," she said and kissed him deeply and forcefully.
When they came up for air Dermail snickered. "Does this mean you've forgiven me?" he asked. Sastry ripped his shirt off.
"Think again," she said and traced a fingernail down his chest, drawing blood.
Half an hour later Sastry stood up, licking her finger and holding her goblet once more. "Thank you Dermail. You are forgiven now," She said and went back to her cauldron. Dermail sat up and rubbed his sore limbs.
"Whatever you say Sastry dear," he said and retrieved his clothing. He then walked quickly out of her lair.
Princess Relena Peacecraft and Princess Nina Khushrenada were walking through the stables in complete silence, until Relena couldn't stand it any longer. "What is Milliardo's big secret?" she cried out. "What is it he did yesterday?"
Nina turned to look at her. "You mean he didn't tell you?" she asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Relena looked at her.
"You mean he told you?" she asked. Nina shook her head.
"I would think a brother would tell a sister if he was marrying finally," Nina said nonchalantly.
Relena stopped dead in her tracks. "You mean…he finally asked her?" Relena asked. Nina barely nodded when Relena hugged her. "Oh this is so wonderful. This is just great. We will finally be like sisters."
Nina hugged her back. "Yes, I know it's great. Being in love is so nice. I wish I had someone," she sighed. Relena looked at her and nodded in agreement.
"I know how you feel," she sighed. Nina slapped Relena's arm.
"How in the devil can you say that? You have my brother. I wouldn't be surprised if in a two years or so he proposed to you. Lucky you, you'd become queen," Nina said sadly looking at the ground.
"I don't want to be queen. Your mom looks like she has a hard enough time. I would not like to be queen," Relena replied. Their walk led them out of the castle and towards the forest.
"What about that knight you were dancing with yesterday? He was pretty sweet and handsome. What about him? I think you liked him," Relena said mischievously.
Nina rolled her eyes. "Number one he only danced with me because my father asked him to. Number two, the only way I'll ever see him again is if the castle is under attack or if he is just out here in the woods today and we see him by chance," Nina said.
"You like him," Relena gasped. Nina looked at her.
"No I don't! And do not say it again," Nina said. Relena sighed. They continued on in silence until an animal in pain screamed out.
"What was that?" Relena asked frightened.
Nina stood and glanced around. "Sounded like a unicorn. This way, we've got to help it. If one of those die in here, the vampires will have a field day," Nina said and hurried forward, Relena right behind her.
They hurried into a small clearing where they saw unicorn laying on the ground, wounded. A knight was leaning over it, cooing it and soothing it.
"I won't hurt you. I'm just trying to help," the knight soothed. Nina stepped forward. The unicorn looked at her and made a small noise in it's throat. ~Don't let me die. I must get to the King with a message!~
Nina stared. "What?" she asked. The knight turned his head to look at her. Nina gasped again. "It's you. Knight Trowa," Nina said. Trowa bowed his head.
"Princess, this is not as it seems. I found the unicorn and am trying to save its life. Please do not…"
Nina waved her hand. "It spoke to me."
Trowa looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "The Unicorn spoke to you? How?"
Nina shook her head. "I don't know. Did you hear it Relena?" Nina asked the other princess. Relena shook her head.
"Let me help you knight. I have some very small training in the healing arts," Relena said quietly. As she walked by Nina, she winked. Nina rolled her eyes and stepped up behind her friend.
"My name is Relena Peacecraft, Princess of Kolyma. Please tell my friend the message. She is Nina Khushrenada, Princess of Daventry," Relena said and knelt next to Trowa.
~I know who you are. I also can sense power in both of you female humans. You, Princess of Daventry, have the gift of tongues, while your friend here has the gift of sense and healing touch. My message is this, four evils are gathering, buying their time until the perfect moment to strike. They wish to form an allegiance with the dragons and have them help to kill you and destroy your kingdoms. The dragons are not an easy bunch and will join with whomever show the most virtue. You must go, Princess and gain the respect and honor of the dragons,~ the Unicorn said in his un-voice.
"That's not a message, it's a charge," Nina said. "My father would never let me go on this journey to the dragons."
~Take this knight with you. He is strong and will be of much use to you. Why must you go? Because you have the gift of tongues and will be able to talk to the dragons and understand them.~
"Nina we're going to put some herbs on this wound, it will sting. Tell him that for us," Relena said. Nina looked at Trowa who held a few leafs in his hands. Nina smiled at him and then turned back to the Unicorn.
~Tells your friends I can understand them. And that herb will not sting me, in fact it will merely knock me unconscious. Get a cart from your castle and bring it out here to me. I still need to get into the castle. There is two people there who I need to talk to.~
"Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy?" Nina questioned. The Unicorn ruffled his mane. "I'll take that as a yes. It doesn't appear as though you'll be going anywhere on your own for awhile."
~I'm a unicorn or have you forgotten. I heal very fast. This wound will be gone by tomorrow morning. Although I'm afraid you must leave by then.~
"Don't use that herb!" Nina commanded. "Trowa run back to the castle, get Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy and a cart and bring it all back here. Now!"
Trowa bowed slightly and broke off into a jog back to the palace. Nina looked at Relena. "Just try and tell me you don't like him," Relena taunted.
"I won't even try. You won't believe me," Nina shot back.
Relena smirked. "Of course not, because you like him."
Nina looked back to the unicorn. "I do not like him."
~He's a strong man. There is much to like in him. I can see why you would.~
Nina cursed in a foreign language and turned back to Relena. "Just what I need, a unicorn with an attitude."
Lord Quatre, Lady Dorothy, both Kings and Queen Une sat in the throne room discussing the events from the past day.
"And is the Maiden Janelle okay?" King Khushrenada questioned. The physician Sally Po stood up. The King nodded his head and she gave her report.
"Maiden Janelle is fine. She is week from blood loss and needs to rest but she will recover fine. Her mental health is a different story. I fear she will forever be superstitious and always wear a cross," Sally reported. She bowed and sat down.
Lady Dorothy and Lord Quatre stood off to the side. "Someone's coming with some bad news," Dorothy said quietly watching the far doors. Quatre nodded.
The far doors slammed open and Knight Trowa Barton rushed into the room. He fell face down in front of King Treiz and Queen Une. "Please forgive my rude interruption your majesty, but I need a horse drawn cart and Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy. A unicorn has been wounded in the forest. Princess Nina and Princess Relena are there with it now. Please hurry!" Trowa begged.
Quatre walked over to Trowa and touched his shoulder. "Sally, you are going to come with us," Quatre said and helped Trowa to stand. "Come, lets go get that cart." Trowa nodded and left with Quatre.
King Treiz looked bewildered then became enraged. "HE LEFT MY DAUGHTER OUT IN THE FOREST WITH A WOUNDED UNICORN?!"
"Peace, your majesty," Dorothy said. She looked at Sally. "Let's go." Sally followed Dorothy out of the throne room.
"You, know Treiz, my daughter is out there too with that unicorn. I'm concerned for their safety also," King Dorlian said.
"Oh, come off it you two. They are fine. Both girls have been raised well and they are fine. After all, it's only a unicorn," Queen Une said.
Both Kings turned to her. "A wounded unicorn," they said in perfect unison.
The group came back a little while later, with the Unicorn and both young Princesses. Nina practically ran across the throne room to her father and began to talk rapidly.
"Daddytheunicornsaidineedtogotothedragonsandbefriendthemandmakeallysouttathemsotheywillfightonourside.Butdaddyhesaidihadthegiftfortonguesandthat'showitalkedtohimanddaddyidunwannagodon'tmakemegodragonscareme!" She said all in one breath and fell to knees. She put her head in her fathers lap.
King Khushrenada placed a hand on her head. "Now, Nina, I didn't understand a word you just said. Please say it again, very slowly," he requested.
Nina took a deep breath. "The unicorn talked to me. I was the only one who understood it."
"That's because you have the gift of tongues," Lord Quatre interrupted. He then motioned for her to continue.
"Yea, that's what the unicorn said. But then he said I needed to go to the dragons cause four evils were going to go to the dragons and make ally's with them and turn them against us and then…"
"You are speeding up again Nina. Slowly," her father said. Nina took another deep breath.
"He said I could understand them and I should go and make them our allies. He also said I should take Trowa with me because he was strong," Nina said. King Treiz looked at her.
"Is this all?" he questioned. Nina thought for a second then nodded her head. "Then I suppose we should prepare you for making the trip to Castle Rock."
Nina shrieked. "FATHER! How can you make me? I can't go! I'm scared of dragons! Please don't make me go!" A hand touched her arm. Quatre stood there.
"Your majesty, let me talk to your daughter. Prepare Trowa and Sally Po for the trip to Castle Rock," Lord Quatre said. Nina grinned.
"Thank you Lord Quatre. Thank you, thank you thank you," She said and kissed his hand. "Thank you for getting me out of this mess."
Lord Quatre raised an eyebrow. "I never did that Princess, but we need to talk. Shall we?" he gestured towards the courtyard. Nina glared at him and then walked off, Quatre following her.
"Nina, I believe you are not facing your destiny. That's disappointing, since you have such a wonderful and rare gift. You are the only one that can help us in this issue. The dragons will side with Tuberoff and Hagatha if you don't go to them first. Do you want Kolyma and Daventry to be destroyed?" he asked her.
Nina looked down. "Why me?" she asked softly. "I'm just a child. I can't do anything." Quatre brought his hand towards her head. Nina ducked just in time. "What in the hell was that for?"
"You are not a child anymore, Nina," Quatre said. His eyes were stern. Nina cringed. "You have been treated as an adult for some time now. I know you secretly wish you could be queen. Do you know with an attitude you have now, you could never be queen."
Nina stared at him. "How did you…"
His eyes turned gentle. "Nina, it's the one thing you've always wished for. I've always been able to sense it. Now, will you be strong for your kingdom, your friends and your family? Will you do something to help us all?" Quatre questioned.
Nina looked at him. "I want you to come with me. I can't do it by myself. I will need your help, Quatre."
Quatre looked down, then back into her eyes. "I guess I can permit that. We will after all be traveling across dangerous territory and protecting the princess is my job. Yes, I will come with you."
Nina hugged him tightly, then kissed his cheek. "Thank you dear Quatre. Thank you."
Quatre peeled her off and looked her straight in the eye. "Remember this is something you must do. I will not do it for you. Understand?" Nina nodded. "Good, now lets get packed shall we?"
Hagatha the hag looked at her magic mirror and cursed. "DAMMIT! That damned Unicorn Sastry let loose survived and made it to Daventry. Now, the princess is going to go to the Dragons! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" She threw a blue ball of energy at a huge boulder against the wall of the cave.
Tuberoff watched her. "This may not be so bad. This may work to our advantage. I'll send Mirlena to watch and follow them. Our plans will not be ruined."
Hagatha looked at him. She was still angry but she nodded. "They may only be postponed for a time."
Chapter 2
by Nat
Sastry stood staring into a black pot over a roaring fire. Green smoke bubbled up from the depths of the pot, making odd shadows be cast upon the cave walls. She took a deep breath and smelled her potion. If she had made it right it should quickly kill any one who drank it.
Her eyes danced over to the prison cells where a soldier from Kolyma was chained up to the ceiling by his wrists. He whimpered when he saw her look to him. An evil smile lit up Sastry's face.
"You know what this is?" she asked sweetly. The chains rattled as the soldier shook from fear. He managed an incoherent sound. "It's a potion, a poison actually. A poison that will kill instantly. That is if I made it right. If I didn't, whoever drinks it shall suffer a long and terrible death."
The chains rattle even more. The soldier drooped ever so slightly, still shaking horribly. Sastry smiled. "All I need is someone to try it for me. Now where am I going to get someone for this?"
The soldier's eyes went wide. Sastry smiled and took her necklace out. On it was a rusty old key. She walked slowly over to the cell. Being ever so slow and careful she opened up the door and let it swing in. She stepped up to the chained soldier and placed a long black fingernail on his cheek.
"Come now, I won't hurt you," Sastry said running her fingernail down his cheek, scratching it hard enough to draw blood. She leaned in close and licked a drop as it fell down his neck. "I'll only kill you," she whispered.
The soldier began to moan. "No!" he managed. Then he began to scream. Sastry paid him no mind as she walked out of the cell and went over to a shelf. Picking up a goblet she looked over at the soldier. He still was trying to break the chains. Sastry smiled as she filled the goblet halfway full of the green potion. Slowly she walked back over to the soldier, taunting him with her seductive walk.
Sastry pinched a nerve on the guard's neck and his struggling ceased. He remained conscious, but considerably weakened. Sastry looked at the soldier as he started to cry. A fake frown formed on her face. "Oh, why the teardrops? Are you scared of dying?"
The soldier's eyes closed. The tears continued to fall. Sastry licked his face dry of all moisture, including tears and blood. "Don't cry. I never make a mistake. It will all be over soon," she whispered in his ear. The soldiers eyes opened, full of rage.
"You heartless, unkind, uncaring WITCH!" he cried out. Sastry looked at him and pretended to be honored.
"Oh, you flatter me. You are too kind to an inexperienced witch like myself," she murmured. "But I could make an exception. I want to know what Dorothy Catalonia Winner has been cooking up with Princess Relena. The other option is of course…" she trailed off and looked at the goblet. "It will kill you either way."
The soldier seemed stunned for a minute. Then a look of anger and relief came into his eyes. "What do you need to know?" he asked.
"Everything, nothing less," Sastry ordered her eyes narrowing. The soldier took a deep breath and looked Sastry in the eyes.
"The princess is being taught magic under the guidance of Lady Dorothy. Lady Dorothy found the talent in her and is teaching her all she knows," the soldier replied.
Sastry looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Is that all you know?" The soldier nodded hurriedly. Sastry smiled. "Thank you, soldier. You have told me very important information," she said and turned. The soldier sighed with noticeable relief. Sastry turned back around. "But, you didn't tell me everything you knew, you lying son of a pig!" Sastry shrieked and was pouring the potion down the soldiers throat before he knew what hit him.
Sastry stepped back. The soldier gasped and made a disgusting sound. A gurgling sound could be heard. Sastry watched as the soldier began to melt. His skin went then the blood, muscles then bones until everything dissolved into a disgusting liquid on the floor. Sastry looked down innocently at the puddle. "Oh my, did I forget to mention what happens when you hide information from Sastry?"
"You always did leave out the minor details," a voice said from behind her. Sastry whirled around looking at Dermail. He stood leaning against the cave walls with his hands over his chest. His robes were dusty and dirty. Sastry's lip curled ever so slightly.
"You stupid son of a bitch!" Sastry yelled at him, lunged and tackled him to the ground. "Leaving me like that at festival yesterday. Stupid pig!" She smacked him with her goblet. Dermail grabbed her wrist, forcing her to drop the goblet.
"Sastry you attacked someone yesterday, totally blowing your cover just like that. Why did you such a stupid thing like that? You weren't jealous were you?" Dermail asked.
Sastry glared at him. "Of course I wasn't. You accusing me of blowing our cover when you go into public kissing up to one of the royal maidens," Sastry practically screamed.
Dermail's eyebrow raised. "Kissing up? Is that what you call it? I was merely making a merry man of myself on such a joyous day. That is the time for celebrating in the kingdoms, dear Sastry," Dermail reminded her. Sastry smacked him.
"Bastard!" she said and stood up, going back over to her cauldron. She looked it over. "I have too much of an ingredient. I need to add more of everything but unicorn blood." Sastry looked evilly at Dermail. "I need something from you."
Dermail sat up on his elbows. "And what would this be Sastry, love?"
Sastry tackled him yet again. "Something only a male can give," she said and kissed him deeply and forcefully.
When they came up for air Dermail snickered. "Does this mean you've forgiven me?" he asked. Sastry ripped his shirt off.
"Think again," she said and traced a fingernail down his chest, drawing blood.
Half an hour later Sastry stood up, licking her finger and holding her goblet once more. "Thank you Dermail. You are forgiven now," She said and went back to her cauldron. Dermail sat up and rubbed his sore limbs.
"Whatever you say Sastry dear," he said and retrieved his clothing. He then walked quickly out of her lair.
Princess Relena Peacecraft and Princess Nina Khushrenada were walking through the stables in complete silence, until Relena couldn't stand it any longer. "What is Milliardo's big secret?" she cried out. "What is it he did yesterday?"
Nina turned to look at her. "You mean he didn't tell you?" she asked with a hint of amusement in his voice. Relena looked at her.
"You mean he told you?" she asked. Nina shook her head.
"I would think a brother would tell a sister if he was marrying finally," Nina said nonchalantly.
Relena stopped dead in her tracks. "You mean…he finally asked her?" Relena asked. Nina barely nodded when Relena hugged her. "Oh this is so wonderful. This is just great. We will finally be like sisters."
Nina hugged her back. "Yes, I know it's great. Being in love is so nice. I wish I had someone," she sighed. Relena looked at her and nodded in agreement.
"I know how you feel," she sighed. Nina slapped Relena's arm.
"How in the devil can you say that? You have my brother. I wouldn't be surprised if in a two years or so he proposed to you. Lucky you, you'd become queen," Nina said sadly looking at the ground.
"I don't want to be queen. Your mom looks like she has a hard enough time. I would not like to be queen," Relena replied. Their walk led them out of the castle and towards the forest.
"What about that knight you were dancing with yesterday? He was pretty sweet and handsome. What about him? I think you liked him," Relena said mischievously.
Nina rolled her eyes. "Number one he only danced with me because my father asked him to. Number two, the only way I'll ever see him again is if the castle is under attack or if he is just out here in the woods today and we see him by chance," Nina said.
"You like him," Relena gasped. Nina looked at her.
"No I don't! And do not say it again," Nina said. Relena sighed. They continued on in silence until an animal in pain screamed out.
"What was that?" Relena asked frightened.
Nina stood and glanced around. "Sounded like a unicorn. This way, we've got to help it. If one of those die in here, the vampires will have a field day," Nina said and hurried forward, Relena right behind her.
They hurried into a small clearing where they saw unicorn laying on the ground, wounded. A knight was leaning over it, cooing it and soothing it.
"I won't hurt you. I'm just trying to help," the knight soothed. Nina stepped forward. The unicorn looked at her and made a small noise in it's throat. ~Don't let me die. I must get to the King with a message!~
Nina stared. "What?" she asked. The knight turned his head to look at her. Nina gasped again. "It's you. Knight Trowa," Nina said. Trowa bowed his head.
"Princess, this is not as it seems. I found the unicorn and am trying to save its life. Please do not…"
Nina waved her hand. "It spoke to me."
Trowa looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "The Unicorn spoke to you? How?"
Nina shook her head. "I don't know. Did you hear it Relena?" Nina asked the other princess. Relena shook her head.
"Let me help you knight. I have some very small training in the healing arts," Relena said quietly. As she walked by Nina, she winked. Nina rolled her eyes and stepped up behind her friend.
"My name is Relena Peacecraft, Princess of Kolyma. Please tell my friend the message. She is Nina Khushrenada, Princess of Daventry," Relena said and knelt next to Trowa.
~I know who you are. I also can sense power in both of you female humans. You, Princess of Daventry, have the gift of tongues, while your friend here has the gift of sense and healing touch. My message is this, four evils are gathering, buying their time until the perfect moment to strike. They wish to form an allegiance with the dragons and have them help to kill you and destroy your kingdoms. The dragons are not an easy bunch and will join with whomever show the most virtue. You must go, Princess and gain the respect and honor of the dragons,~ the Unicorn said in his un-voice.
"That's not a message, it's a charge," Nina said. "My father would never let me go on this journey to the dragons."
~Take this knight with you. He is strong and will be of much use to you. Why must you go? Because you have the gift of tongues and will be able to talk to the dragons and understand them.~
"Nina we're going to put some herbs on this wound, it will sting. Tell him that for us," Relena said. Nina looked at Trowa who held a few leafs in his hands. Nina smiled at him and then turned back to the Unicorn.
~Tells your friends I can understand them. And that herb will not sting me, in fact it will merely knock me unconscious. Get a cart from your castle and bring it out here to me. I still need to get into the castle. There is two people there who I need to talk to.~
"Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy?" Nina questioned. The Unicorn ruffled his mane. "I'll take that as a yes. It doesn't appear as though you'll be going anywhere on your own for awhile."
~I'm a unicorn or have you forgotten. I heal very fast. This wound will be gone by tomorrow morning. Although I'm afraid you must leave by then.~
"Don't use that herb!" Nina commanded. "Trowa run back to the castle, get Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy and a cart and bring it all back here. Now!"
Trowa bowed slightly and broke off into a jog back to the palace. Nina looked at Relena. "Just try and tell me you don't like him," Relena taunted.
"I won't even try. You won't believe me," Nina shot back.
Relena smirked. "Of course not, because you like him."
Nina looked back to the unicorn. "I do not like him."
~He's a strong man. There is much to like in him. I can see why you would.~
Nina cursed in a foreign language and turned back to Relena. "Just what I need, a unicorn with an attitude."
Lord Quatre, Lady Dorothy, both Kings and Queen Une sat in the throne room discussing the events from the past day.
"And is the Maiden Janelle okay?" King Khushrenada questioned. The physician Sally Po stood up. The King nodded his head and she gave her report.
"Maiden Janelle is fine. She is week from blood loss and needs to rest but she will recover fine. Her mental health is a different story. I fear she will forever be superstitious and always wear a cross," Sally reported. She bowed and sat down.
Lady Dorothy and Lord Quatre stood off to the side. "Someone's coming with some bad news," Dorothy said quietly watching the far doors. Quatre nodded.
The far doors slammed open and Knight Trowa Barton rushed into the room. He fell face down in front of King Treiz and Queen Une. "Please forgive my rude interruption your majesty, but I need a horse drawn cart and Lord Quatre and Lady Dorothy. A unicorn has been wounded in the forest. Princess Nina and Princess Relena are there with it now. Please hurry!" Trowa begged.
Quatre walked over to Trowa and touched his shoulder. "Sally, you are going to come with us," Quatre said and helped Trowa to stand. "Come, lets go get that cart." Trowa nodded and left with Quatre.
King Treiz looked bewildered then became enraged. "HE LEFT MY DAUGHTER OUT IN THE FOREST WITH A WOUNDED UNICORN?!"
"Peace, your majesty," Dorothy said. She looked at Sally. "Let's go." Sally followed Dorothy out of the throne room.
"You, know Treiz, my daughter is out there too with that unicorn. I'm concerned for their safety also," King Dorlian said.
"Oh, come off it you two. They are fine. Both girls have been raised well and they are fine. After all, it's only a unicorn," Queen Une said.
Both Kings turned to her. "A wounded unicorn," they said in perfect unison.
The group came back a little while later, with the Unicorn and both young Princesses. Nina practically ran across the throne room to her father and began to talk rapidly.
"Daddytheunicornsaidineedtogotothedragonsandbefriendthemandmakeallysouttathemsotheywillfightonourside.Butdaddyhesaidihadthegiftfortonguesandthat'showitalkedtohimanddaddyidunwannagodon'tmakemegodragonscareme!" She said all in one breath and fell to knees. She put her head in her fathers lap.
King Khushrenada placed a hand on her head. "Now, Nina, I didn't understand a word you just said. Please say it again, very slowly," he requested.
Nina took a deep breath. "The unicorn talked to me. I was the only one who understood it."
"That's because you have the gift of tongues," Lord Quatre interrupted. He then motioned for her to continue.
"Yea, that's what the unicorn said. But then he said I needed to go to the dragons cause four evils were going to go to the dragons and make ally's with them and turn them against us and then…"
"You are speeding up again Nina. Slowly," her father said. Nina took another deep breath.
"He said I could understand them and I should go and make them our allies. He also said I should take Trowa with me because he was strong," Nina said. King Treiz looked at her.
"Is this all?" he questioned. Nina thought for a second then nodded her head. "Then I suppose we should prepare you for making the trip to Castle Rock."
Nina shrieked. "FATHER! How can you make me? I can't go! I'm scared of dragons! Please don't make me go!" A hand touched her arm. Quatre stood there.
"Your majesty, let me talk to your daughter. Prepare Trowa and Sally Po for the trip to Castle Rock," Lord Quatre said. Nina grinned.
"Thank you Lord Quatre. Thank you, thank you thank you," She said and kissed his hand. "Thank you for getting me out of this mess."
Lord Quatre raised an eyebrow. "I never did that Princess, but we need to talk. Shall we?" he gestured towards the courtyard. Nina glared at him and then walked off, Quatre following her.
"Nina, I believe you are not facing your destiny. That's disappointing, since you have such a wonderful and rare gift. You are the only one that can help us in this issue. The dragons will side with Tuberoff and Hagatha if you don't go to them first. Do you want Kolyma and Daventry to be destroyed?" he asked her.
Nina looked down. "Why me?" she asked softly. "I'm just a child. I can't do anything." Quatre brought his hand towards her head. Nina ducked just in time. "What in the hell was that for?"
"You are not a child anymore, Nina," Quatre said. His eyes were stern. Nina cringed. "You have been treated as an adult for some time now. I know you secretly wish you could be queen. Do you know with an attitude you have now, you could never be queen."
Nina stared at him. "How did you…"
His eyes turned gentle. "Nina, it's the one thing you've always wished for. I've always been able to sense it. Now, will you be strong for your kingdom, your friends and your family? Will you do something to help us all?" Quatre questioned.
Nina looked at him. "I want you to come with me. I can't do it by myself. I will need your help, Quatre."
Quatre looked down, then back into her eyes. "I guess I can permit that. We will after all be traveling across dangerous territory and protecting the princess is my job. Yes, I will come with you."
Nina hugged him tightly, then kissed his cheek. "Thank you dear Quatre. Thank you."
Quatre peeled her off and looked her straight in the eye. "Remember this is something you must do. I will not do it for you. Understand?" Nina nodded. "Good, now lets get packed shall we?"
Hagatha the hag looked at her magic mirror and cursed. "DAMMIT! That damned Unicorn Sastry let loose survived and made it to Daventry. Now, the princess is going to go to the Dragons! Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" She threw a blue ball of energy at a huge boulder against the wall of the cave.
Tuberoff watched her. "This may not be so bad. This may work to our advantage. I'll send Mirlena to watch and follow them. Our plans will not be ruined."
Hagatha looked at him. She was still angry but she nodded. "They may only be postponed for a time."