Crystal Points

by Queen

Amid a world spiraling into chaos, the Inner Senshi find themselves drawn- the last, desperate hope of a world on the brink of destruction. A fic for the Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter fans! (Complete!)

7. Episode 6: Restlessness on an Empty Nigh...

Crystal Points

Emania, Land of Infinite Gods

"No, why?"

"Ah, Grendel!"He seemed that instant almost to rise to pity. "You improve them, my boy! Can't you see that yourself? You stimulate them! You make them think and scheme.

You drive them to poetry, science, religion, all that makes them what they are for as long as they last. You are, so to speak, the brute existent by which they learn to define themselves. The exile, captivity, death they shrink from- the blunt facts of their mortality, their abandonment- that's what you make them recognize, embrace!

Death, transfiguration. Ashes to ashes and slime to slime, amen."

- John Gardner,"Grendel"

Episode 6- Restlessness on an Empty Night? The Long Journey Continues.

Looking out across the waters of the river, Lagu, dragon Element of the Water, folded her forelegs, crossing them in a ladylike fashion, and resting her muzzle on her claws. Her tail was curled around the wooden post in the dock, and her eyes reflected a silvery blue moonlight, catching in the prism gem in her forehead, partly obscured by a wisp of her finlike mane.

I cannot understand, Ken, why you so loathe water. Is my company so awful?

She shut her eyes halfway, and waited for a response from behind her. Ken had stayed away from the rippling waves and bobbing boats, primly perched on the shingles of a rooftop across the street.

We balance one another. You would kill me.

She considered that a moment, thinking. Then: In a way. Perhaps.

The red dragon snorted, and tiny curls of flame licked his snout. I'm going to stretch my wings.

Leaving me already? Her tone was amused, teasing. I suppose I am a bad date.

You are. Good night.

Lagu chuckled faintly, and wings rustled as Ken took off into the cool night sky.

Spices filled Rory's senses, the faint ghost trails that hung in the air so many hours. It was easy for her to loose herself in a city, where the buildings blocked off vision, and the haphazard way the buildings had been built made it a labyrinth to navigate. But Rory had a good sense of direction, and she eventually found herself alone, passing by some disturbing nightlife. It was the marketplace now, closed and shuttered, baskets full in day empty by night. The cobbles of the square plaza were lumpy underfoot, and dry in the air. The Princess of the North gathered her cloak around her more tightly, not quite huddling.

Clear in her memory were the events of earlier that day. Then this place had been bustling to the seams, shouting and laughing with riotous color and life. It was overwhelming. Now it seemed like a shell, empty. And that suited Rory's mood, since she was uncertain what she was feeling. An odd nothingness.

Minako had insisted on following Makoto and Balan, and Rory tagged along, shaking her head as Minako commented on everything, from Makoto and Balan to the pretty lacquered jewelry boxes at a vendor. It bothered Rory, to see Makoto and Balan. She wasn't sure why, not really. Balan was her protector and friend. She was glad to see him happy, and Makoto was a wonderful person, with a great destiny. Perhaps she was a bit jealous. If she had been in Makoto's place, she would be having the destiny she always wanted, traveling, adventure...she was in the middle of it now, but it still wasn't her fight. Not really, not with she and Balan leaving as soon as they found a boat downriver. She almost hoped they wouldn't find one, and would continue on with the four strangers and their dragons. Up to the mountains, Ken and Lagu said. Up, high up, will the next dragon be found.

Just Rory, just for awhile. Alone. She didn't like being alone.

So, in the darkness, Princess Aurora wandered.

Dragon eyes are very keen, and if a human were to trade vision with one, they would find all manner of new shadows and shades, shifting though the spectrum of colors. Ken soared high, and with eyes sharper than an eagle's, he would occasionally look down, over the docks and the sleepy...or not so sleepy...portions of town. He avoided the wakened areas, with the smoky scents and the screeching laughter as women and men flirted, or reeled out of taverns open far too late. In disgust, he flipped a wing, and swerved heading back to Rei and a warm bed.

And as Ken flew, he could perceive something that made the back of his mind tingle with warning. So he glanced around, the feeling growing familiar and urgent. He let himself lower down on the wind currents, gliding. Then: Wraiths.

Far below, two shadowy creatures flitted from doorway to lamppost, lintel to sewer, their motions very obviously to search. He supposed it could be just some random monsters; there'd been enough of those lately. But that was unlikely.

So much for our 'safety'....

And on a wingtip, he turned and banked, diving swiftly as an arrow to find Rei.

They were going to be needed, and soon.

Rory sighed, not coming to any conclusions about anything, other than her own approaching sleepiness. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Nice bed. Why did I get out of it?" Well, she tried at least to think of it as a nice bed. Her real bed at the castle, Ansur, was made of goosedown, soft as a cloud. Hay didn't quite compare, but it was better than the ground, and the knots it made in her muscles. They ached. But she kept her lips sealed, not complaining a bit, even though she did wince in pain every now and then. But so were the others, save Balan, who was used to this kind of thing.

She turned, her new goal not wandering, but a good night's rest. For once. It was going to be bad enough when she had to get up in the morning. There were still several hours before dawn, but...sleep. So she turned, and saw two figures standing across the plaza from her. Just standing, black robed and watching. It was unnerving, and being alone, in a strange city, up at night, finally caught up to her. She began to feel some fear. Out by herself. In a strange city. Stupid. What could she be thinking? She didn't even have Balan around to help.

That thought snapped her out of her timidity. She was a Princess, and wasn't she always hoping to prove herself? She took a breath. "Excuse me! You startled me...." even as she said this, she began to angle herself closer to a market stall, and an alley that branched off to one side of it. Ready for flight, if need be. Still too close to the center of the market. But the two figures were very still in the quiet, and one kept his...or her... head tilted to the side.

It was very fast, the motion the leader of the two made. Within a blink of her eyes, she found herself ducking, breathlessly rolling out of the thing's way. From the ground, she pushed herself up, backing away as the thing drew an arm up, spindly and bony, with sunken, dry skin. To her horror and utter fascination, it writhed, a tangle of thorns, sharp and needle-like. She saw this form, and it made her dizzy, considering the damage such a weapon, strange though it was, could do.

Her pause as she thought this was long enough for the second ghost to fly forward quickly, footless, and as she half turned, bringing up her hands in defense, it struck, dragging her several lengths as she struggled. Finally, pain shot up though her back and head, and there was a crashing sound as though wood splintered around her. A market stall. A small crate of dried berries had been left on a shelf, and with the crushing of the front posts, it collapsed downward, the fruit falling in a shower onto Rory's face and clothing.

She felt sick, and blackness hedged her vision.

No, don't sleep.

You might not wake up....

She fought it, straining upward, falling back as a wave of nausea swept over her. It is strange, sometimes, how a mind can focus even though thought vanishes. A strange, contrary concept. Maybe somewhere in the genetic makeup of a human, it became ingrained in the self preservation instinct. So, at this moment, it seemed perfectly natural for her to look around. Then to see the splintered, broken beams of wood she had broken in her fall. What? Something slipped into her eye. Blood?

It was in her fingers in a moment, the broken stick of pole that held up the sign for the market stall. And then it was over her head, as it was in practice at the castle with Balan, or one of her instructors, drilling her in the proper way to use weaponry. She could fight. She was trained.

From across the market square, our thief watched the young woman hold off the ghost for a moment, with a makeshift staff. Pathetic. Better to let it kill you quickly, to avoid the pain. That thorn arm thing was freaky, not to mention plain weird. She crossed her legs, settling in for a show, hand on her chin as she kept a running commentary in her head. Just another minute before it's done.

But to her surprise, this would be a good fight after all. The girl was a river merchant, by the looks of her. Not a nightwalker. Nope, too much clothing, too nice. And she was trained? Impressive, but not going to matter much. She actually kicked the thing off her, and in a spectacular display, actually used the creature for leverage, to peel her out of her position. It was a clean move, and the thief arched her eyebrows, impressed.

What an oddity, one who likes to take walks in the night. Such people were rare, if unheard of, in Aerial. Too dangerous in some parts of town, and the wealthier areas slept hard to wake, sell and barter the next day.

But the girl couldn't fend off the two creatures forever. No one could, not without magic or something. And she was tired, and knocked down again, this time by the arm of thorns. There was the sound of shredding cloth, loud in the silence of their struggle.

The thief pursed her lips.

It was time for the killing blow, the makeshift staff clattering on the ground beside her. In the fall, her hair, bound up in a knot at the nape of her neck, came loosened, and a long trail fell out behind her.

Nobility?

Here?

Impossible!

These things registered at once, and the thief calculated multiple possibilities. No one grew hair that long. It just wasn't practical. Not that she'd seen much nobility, but they were the only ones with the servants and time and idleness to care for it. But it didn't make sense. Where were her guards? Her entourage? In the middle of the night? No way. But it had to be. The clothes, the training.

"Shit," the thief swore. She realized, just then, that she was looking at her hand, fingers splayed in motion, and aimed perfectly at the attackers in black. Three narrow, delicate throwing blades had left her belt, her signature throw, three straight up and down, hitting perfectly. "What in the hell am I doing?"

Ghost number one simply looked down at the knife handles protruding from its chest, then turned to finish off the girl as its partner flew forward so swiftly that the shocked thief had only time enough to register a startled look. Then she crashed into the baked brick of the wall behind her, feeling a inky darkness flow like sticky syrup over her, and she became aware she was on the ground, and of the darkness.

Rory heard a faint clunking sound, and saw three blades sink into the body before her. The detached disinterest in the perfectly marked throw, chest, heart, and lungs. A man would be dead. But this was no man. She took advantage of the moment's hesitation, to grab her splintered staff, to haul it up before her. She heard a muffled human scream as there was a cracking sound, and Rory did not need to look up to know that her helper was no longer able to help.

She brought up the staff again, in defense now weak and uncertain. Adrenaline was coursing though her body, but so was pain, and the latter was overtaking the former. The arm raised again, and it cut the staff in two, Rory finding herself with a stick in each hand, useless.

Then there was a very welcome sound.

Clicking.

The soft sound of footfalls on stone.

"Mars Flame...Sniper!"

Sailor Mars stood at the entrance of the plaza, beside Sailor Mercury, and the two looked ready for battle. Mars had deliberately shot her arrow short, an armslength from her true target. To hit the thing was to hit Rory, and she needed them separate.

"With the blessings of the fire planet Mars, Soldier of War, I am Sailor Mars!"

"And with the blessings of my water planet Mercury, Soldier of Wisdom, Sailor Mercury!"

Rory was too relieved to laugh at their speeches. It held off her attacker long enough for her to roll aside, and as it turned to finish her before either senshi could strike, a blue blur slashed though her vision, Lagu, talons extended and sharp.

There should have been a scream from the thing, bloodcurdling, the sound of nails on a chalkboard amplified though the pain a throat could lend.

But there was none. Only silence. It felt nothing. Reacted to nothing.

Feelingless.

Lagu had hurt it, and in hurting it, slowed it down. Rory scrambled out of the way as the companion creature whisked its way over, levitating and ignoring Rory's crawling form.

They paused, one injured, knives still sticking out of its chest, and blackness rolling wetly down over the front of the robe, from where Lagu had cut it. The water dragon was circling again, coming in for another dive. Mercury and Mars were running forward, and the two wraiths swept in to meet them. The senshi veered off to the side, avoiding the charge as their attackers picked a target.

With its arm upraised, thorns sweeping down, aiming for the head, Sailor Mercury ducked neatly, rolling along the ground to avoid the blow, and coming to her knees with practiced ease. Years of youma battle gave her practice. Distance, for a shot. "Lagu-chan!"

The dragon didn't need to respond, but swept in again, and this time the claws were ducked as Lagu rushed over, belly inches from the ground. It was enough.

"Mercury...." Recovering, the battered creature turned its head, and Sailor Mercury could see beyond its hood, to the empty eyes, black and sightless as a void. There was no reflection of a soul. Only pain. "...Aqua Rhapsody!"

She held out her hand, and the water flowed from her fingertips as the harp was strung then played, shimmering in the darkness of the night. It had no time to react, as the water burned though it like acid, fizzling and popping, the putrid stench of decay.

"Mars!"

Mercury, her battle complete, looked for her friend. This second creature had again hurled itself forward with incredible speed, now at the Soldier of Fire. Mars had no time to react, only bring up her hands, which met with the creature's.

She, too, saw only the blackness in its eyes, the darkness there, without light. Her heels were scraping along the pavement, catching on the ridges of the stones, being worn down as she was slowly, painfully pushed back. She could smell the rotted breath of the thing, close to her face. It lifted its head to see her, and it was lipless and sunken with death.

If it pushed her into a wall, it would crush her. And the market stall was closing in, and Mercury was still fighting.... "Minna...help...."

Their hands were locked together, fingers interlaced as though they danced. And the wraith let its fingers rise up, and they lengthed, sharp as the talons Ken occasionally scratched her with, accidentally. Fear registered on her face as she pushed back, hearing the death of Mercury's opponent. "Mercury!"

"Mars!"

Fire!

Around her hands, flowers of flame blossomed, igniting the sharp claws that she now faced, linked with hers. Though there was still no sound from the thing, Sailor Mars was aware it felt the pain of burning, racing up and down its body as it staggered back in pain, releasing its grip as it clawed at the flames now coursing over it.

"Mars! Down!"

She turned her head, and saw three newcomers racing up, Ken soaring along with them, already winging his way to her. Mars was only too glad to drop down. Let someone else finish it. She could hear the words, "Venus...!"

She felt Ken reach her, and she grabbed him and tucked him down under her and out of any kind of blast range of Venus' kiss.

"...Love and Beauty Shock!"

It hit her attacker dead on, and the fire, combined with the energy pulse, tore it to shreds.

"Mars! Mars!" Mercury reached her first, falling to her knees and grabbing her arms, the senshi of fire still bent over and wide eyed with shock. Mercury scrambled to pull Sailor Mars' hands off from around Ken, and she felt the weight of Lagu land on her shoulder, making nervous noises. "Mars-chan, give me your hands...your hands...." Finally prying them out, she turned them over in her own, running thumbs over her palms, looking for burn marks, lacerations, scorching. Her long white gloves were flamed away, black and smoldering, flapping loosely from her elbows. But her hands were were untouched, and Mercury saw them begin to tremble. "Mar-" she broke off, looking at Sailor Mars, who was actually laughing, eyes closed, silently laughing.

"Mercury-chan! I'm okay! Minna!" The laughter grew a bit more intense as she looked up to see Venus and Jupiter gather around, Venus also kneeling and grabbing a hand to look.

"Mars, how did you....?"

"Ken-chan showed me...I can't believe I actually remembered to do that!"

I told you to listen to me. See how useful my teaching is?

Jupiter, curious, asked, "Mercury, Mars, what were those things?"

"I don't know," Mars replied, hugging Ken again and standing with Venus' help. "Like ghosts or something."

Already analyzing, Mercury had her visor across her eyes, data flashing rapidly as she scanned across the empty marketplace. "Whatever they were, they're quite dead. There are energy signatures in the places they died, but nothing else to go on."

"Rory-hime," Venus realized, looking a few marketstalls down to see where Balan was kneeling beside Rory, over a prone form on the ground. The four Inner Senshi hurried over, and Mercury began to push them back and aside, calling for air and room. Again she began to scan, this time for internal injuries to the woman before them.

"Bruises all up and down her body, and a very nasty bruise on her head. Nothing broken, fortunately. I don't see any signs of concussion. She's going to wake up with a very bad headache, however." Mercury looked at Rory. "Who is she?"

"I don't know...." Rory said softly, shaking her head and withdrawing a bit. "She must have been watching...the threw knives...into the one with the weird arm...slowed it down so I could get out of the way." Rory considered that a half moment, then continued, more firmly, "She's not an enemy. We should help her. Get her back to the inn, and some food and rest."

"Princess, are you sure...?"

"Yes, Balan, I'm perfectly sure," Rory snapped, sounding irritable. Balan was taken aback by her sudden vehemence, but recovered quickly, and nodded, bending down. "All right. Here, I'll carry her." He scooped her up, and Jupiter grabbed up the trailing length of her black cloak, tucking it around her to keep her warm.

"Minna," Mercury reminded them, gently tapping the pin on her bow, and stepping aside a bit, into the shadows. She was followed by the other three, and for a moment that corner of the market was filled with dancing beams of light and power, hidden by a quiet mirage, so that none may see. And when they emerged again from the illusion, Ami, Makoto, Minako and Rei stepped forward, again in their less odd clothing.

In the darkness of a night of stars and moons, two shadows floated not too wide from two mounted figures, one man, one woman, ambling along the rocky trail just outside of Aerial. With a whispered word from Caradoc, he and Daeva had waltzed into the dark courtyard of a stable, and slipped out two very fine horses to carry them into the mountains. The city slums were easy to pass by. No one watched those who obviously had money and prestige. It didn't matter what their business was that late at night. And so the couple headed out, once again into the forested areas that would lead them to their new destination.

Insects scattered away from them, sending the night sounds into silence. It was into this oncoming quiet that Daeva frowned delicately, her downturned lips sending fine wrinkles onto her brow. Caradoc, noticing her sudden pause and mood shift, turned in the saddle, and saw her looking back down the slight rise of hill.

"What is it?"

The frown deepened as she replied, "My friends are dead. Those girls again."

"You're sure?"

"Has to be. Who else? They are beginning to become irritating."

"They have two of the Points with them. They'll be coming after us. We can ride though the night, set something up before they get there."

She sniffed, turning back to the road. "I will set something up. You will get the next Point. I'm growing a little bored with this, love. I want to finish it. Now."

"You're always telling me to be patient. Take my advice this time," he angled his mount over to her, backing up a couple steps and looking at her directly. "Be patient. Let's work together." He took up her hand from off the pommel of her saddle, and smiled down at her faintly. To this, she sighed, a bit defeated, and smiled, touching his face lightly.

"You're right. All the time in the world. It'll be fun working together again."

With that, they released each other, and turned to move more swiftly down the trail.

There was work to be done.

It was dark in the inn, save for the very dim coals in the fireplace. Balan set their strange friend down on one of the long benches nearby, as Makoto placed a small long on the fire, letting more dark orange light into the room, keeping it in shadow, but enough to see.

"Ami, you're sure she'll be all right?"

Ami had out her computer, and was carefully taking a reading of vital signs. "Hai," she agreed after a moment, shutting it and returning it to the tiny pocket dimension it came from. "But as I said, she will have a very bad headache when she wakes up."

"How long will that be?" asked Balan as he pushed back a chair, and cast an uneasy glance up the steps that led to the sleeping quarters.

"I don't know. She may sleep for hours, or she could wake up anytime. It's hard to tell with a head injury."

"What were those things we fought?" Rei asked as she settled herself on the edge of a table, looking out at the others, who shrugged. "It was like a ghost."

"Well," Ami commented, looking at her shoulder, where Lagu sat. "Any ideas?"

They were dead spirits. Evil things, corrupted.

"Dead spirits? Of what?"

There was a murmur though the group as Ami continued to converse with Lagu mentally. The dragon looked at Ken, who had his head down, looking away.

Of things that we mourn, and that should not have died.

Ami repeated this quietly, settling down to look at their 'guest,' and check for any further injuries. It was busywork, because she did not know what else to do.

"Rory-hime, what happened, exactly?" That from Makoto, who had folded her arms in waiting, standing just to the side of the fireplace. "Why did you wander off on your own like that? It's not safe."

"I know...." Rory hung her head regretfully, wincing. Ami noticed it, and stood up to examine Rory's injuries, her sleeve torn and tinged with blood. "Oh, it's just a flesh wound...nothing very bad."

"Still, it needs to be cleaned. Rei-chan, help me find some water and alcohol to clean this with."

Rei hopped off the tabletop, and began to quietly rummage around behind the bar with Ami, quickly producing the alcohol and a clean rag. As Ami ripped Rory's sleeve up to her shoulder, Rory continued her tale. "I couldn't sleep. I wasn't planning on wandering that far into the city. I was actually going to come back. I was turning around, and those things were there. I tried to fight, but...." she bit back a yelp of pain as Ami's liquor-soaked cloth touched the open cuts of her arm. Rory's face began to turn red as she tried to hold back the pain. She spoke though it, nearly hissing. "She was on the roof of one of the buildings. Threw...knives....slowed them down a little, and then....you showed up...." She was squeezing her eyes shut though Ami's ministrations. "Wait, let me sit...please."

Ami hesitated as Rory sat on a barstool, turning her face away as Ami continued to clean off the blood.

"Ami-chan, do you need another towel?"

"No, arigatou, Rei-chan."

Rei returned to her position at the table, Ken coiling himself around her shoulders and watching Ami's movements with a kind of disgusted admiration.The others were frowning, looking between Rory and the sleeping woman.

"What about you? How did you know I was out?" Rory asked after a moment, feeling the air grow palpable.

"Ken-chan and Lagu-chan were out, and Ken-chan was flying back here," Minako informed her, leaning against the side of the bench. "Ken-chan saw some strange creatures flying around in the city, and thought they may be looking for us. They found you first, apparently."

"Lagu-chan was still out, and was just about to return," Ami picked up the tale. "She was airborne when she sensed something amiss. She contacted me, and Rei-chan and I were already out looking for you, when we realized you were gone. Ken-chan was already searching on his own. Rei-chan and I-"

She was interrupted by a low moan from the bench, and their sleeping friend stirred painfully, face screwing up as consciousness let her feel her wounds. They quieted, Ami and Rory abandoning the cleaning to come see.

The thief opened her eyes and winced, wrinkling her nose in distaste as the metallic twang in her mouth turned sour. She faintly tasted her own blood, and as her vision cleared of sleep, she saw faces peering down around her. "Aaahhh...." she tried to back away, but considering she was on a bench, and them before it, and she was hurt, she didn't exactly get very far. "Ow....ugh...."

"Ah, no, here, lean back," the blue haired one urged, shaking her head and motioning her back. She cast a glance around, and saw only concerned faces in the firelight. Again, she looked at the one who spoke, with the odd bluish hair in a braid around her head, like a crown, with a creature on her neck. Beside her, a blonde with a red bow, eyebrows lifted in query. Then, to the side, a brunette with her hair up, arms folded as though unhappy. A raven haired one, standing a bit back, looking mildly suspicious, a strange little familiar wrapped around her neck, similar to the blue haired one's. Then there was the girl who fought, her face filled with a slightly disbelieving relief. Then there was a man.

"Well, hello, handso-" Her near complement ended in a coughing fit, which sent her into a dizzy spell, and two sets of hands eased her back onto the bench, the noble and blue hair.

Ami watched the woman's face pucker into a mask of pain, and she stood, scurrying back to the bar, re-emerging with a tankard and some wine. "Here. Drink this."

"Ah, good girl. Nothing like some ale..." She began to gulp it down, but nearly spat it out. "Uck, what is this?"

"Wine. Just drink it. It'll ease the pain."

"Whatever." She drank again, this time more slowly, and she tried to relax. Whoever these people were, they apparently didn't want to hurt her. That, and she quickly guessed, that since she was alive, and the noble girl was alive, then they must have somehow won the battle. Time to take some advantage of the situation.... "You're a lucky girl, you know," she told the noble one. "Weren't for me, you'd be dead right now. Gave them," she nodded at the others, and watched the frowning faces of raven hair and brunette deepen. Also, noble girl turned red with embarrassment. Good, she knew she shouldn't have been out. Maybe the evening will be profitable after all. Get some money. "time enough to get there, you know."

"Yes, thank you very much."

"No problem." She polished off the dregs of the tankard, and shoved it back at a startled Ami. "I'm sure some coins my way will go far to alleviate the pain and suffering I'm feeling on your behalf." She held her palm out, upward.

Balan rolled his eyes and shook his head in disgust, mirrored by Makoto and Rei. Ami sighed, retreating to put away the borrowed tankard without comment. Minako and Rory, however, were filled with sympathy, and were agreeing with her as she groaned dramatically, moving her hand to her forehead.

"What a drama queen," Rei muttered, and Ken gave mute agreement.

Balan was still frowning, looking at the young woman, trying to determining who or what she was. Her clothes were poorly mended, tattered and rumpled, though in decent enough repair. She wore a very light grey skirt, which clashed slightly with a beige shirt under a very dark red laced vest. Her cloak was black, and in the process of setting her down earlier, Ami had removed it, using it for the pillow she now rested her head on. Otherwise, she was fairly ordinary looking, with slightly narrow dark eyes and lanky brown hair to her shoulders. With a shrug, he decided she was just a street-dweller, probably a thief or something similar, out to magnify her role for some quick cash. But she did help his Princess, she was right about that. He sat down on the table next to Rei, half standing. He could hear Ken clucking his tongue, and knew that at least the dragon was in agreement with him.

"Hey, handsome!" the girl called, and was waving at Balan, who met her eyes. "Mind introducing yourself? I'm sure you must love being surrounded with so many gorgeous women." She was grinning.

"You certainly do seem to be suffering on my lady's behalf, thief. Maybe you should introduce yourself first."

She feigned insult, placing a hand to her heart as though struck. "My good lord! You suggest that my intentions were anything but completely honest? I'm hurt...."

"Balan!" Rory chided, "She probably saved my life. You can at least be civil."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm Balan. That," he motioned faintly, "is..." he considered this quickly, and didn't even pause as he continued, "Rory. That's Minako, this is Rei, and she is Makoto. The one patching you up is Ami."

"Thanks, all. I appreciate your help. It really is too kind of you."

"You're welcome," Rory replied politely, inclining her head. "Are you dizzy? Does your head hurt?"

"Yes, it hurts so much. I'm only dizzy when I...." she moved forward, and it was obvious that she was serious when she began to wobble and fell backward, shaking her head to clear it. "Guess I shouldn't do that."

"Bright, too," Rei mumbled under her breath, and only Balan caught it. He tried not to smile at the running commentary. Then, louder, "As Balan asked, do you mind telling us your name? After all, if we hadn't arrived, you would be dead right now. You owe Ami and I for that."

The thief's face darkened as she realized that Rei was right. Whatever. She could still work the noble. "Too true!" she agreed heartily, smiling and nodding. "You're right. My name, dear friends, is Chastity, but my friends call me Chas, which I prefer only if you are a friend."

Balan commented in an aside to Rei, "Chastity. Understatement of the century."

Rei muffled a smile.

Then Makoto had her turn of deciding that the woman was acting, coming to stand closer to Balan and Rei. Ami returned to stand near her feet, looking down. "How are you feeling, Chastity?" she asked politely, hands folded.

"Oh, I'll live...." she stirred on the bench, and flinched as she felt the bruises. "Shit, that hurts...." And she was pale, settling herself again into her makeshift bed. "Look, thanks...can we continue this..." she yawned, "in the morning? It's nice to meet you all, but I really am not feeling so good...." As though to prove this, she yawned again, and began to stretch, which ended in another body spasm, stretching the bruising.

"Yes of course," Rory agreed, standing and smoothing out her skirts. "Let us handle the inn and all. It's the least we can do. Just get some sleep."

"Thanks...." Chastity managed before she was again slipping into black oblivion.

Morning came with the rustling of men waking around them, then clomping down the stairs to horde into the dining area of the inn, sending serving women scurrying to care for their customers. The group was no exception to this, having paid off the innkeeper at the crack of dawn, who woke to find Chastity snoring on the bench near the bar. Currently, she was wolfing down her breakfast, to the astonishment of the others, who watched with a kind of bizarre fascination.

They sat in a circle, a ring around a large table with plates of eggs, scrambled, and hot sausages steaming up into the air, the welcoming scent wafting though the building and the docks outside, conquering the fishy smell. There was mulled mead out, but apparently the newcomer preferred milk...at least first thing in the morning. She was on her third glass, and shoveling a forkful of sliced bacon into her mouth. "All right," she managed around her food, "you gonna tell me exactly," she paused to swallow, "who you all are?"

"We did do that last night," Rei muttered darkly, not touching her plate. She may have rescued this girl last night inadvertently, but she didn't have to be happy about how pushy she was. Rei tucked a still damp lock of hair behind her ear, and sent Ken-chan rustling his wings on her shoulder. She had been glad for the morning shower, but hearing Chastity belting out dirty lyrics to some sailor song in the next shower stall wasn't exactly her idea of a good start to the day. In retaliation, she had broken into her own 'sailor song' and sang it much better, in her opinion at least, thank you very much. Talk about off key. That, and she ate more than Usagi. And a lot messier.

"Nah," Chastity waved her fork, then plunged it into the eggs, "'S not what I mean." She chewed about twice before swallowing, and then dropped the fork in turn for the milk again. "See, you and blue hair...." she paused, then jabbed a finger at Ami. "What's your name again?"

"Ami-"

"Ami? Got it. Ami." Chastity switched between senshi with a manic pace, wiping a milk mustache off her face as she returned to Rei, who was silently fuming. "You two, you got some seriously weird-ass familiars." Ken instantly bridled, back arching and spiny crest flaming outward in agitation. "I mean, look at that guy," she pointed at one of the men at another table, a grizzled man who needed a shave. On the floor beside him, a dog was devouring a bone, occasionally making barking, satisfied grunts and always keeping an eye on his companion. "See, that's a familiar. Never seen winged lizard-things like yours. So, I figure you're up to something weird. And, since I saved your ladyship here's life yesterday, at the risk of my own well being, I decided I want a cut of the action."

She finished this declaration by picking up the large spoon that was in the eggs, and piling another helping onto her wooden plate.

There was silence around the table, except for the munching of Chastity.

"Look," Rei began, "I don't know where you get your crack-headed ideas, but no one is including you in on anything. You owe us just as much as we owe you for helping out Rory-hime last night. There's no reason we should cut you in on anything, even if were were out looking for...kami-sama, looking for anything! We're not out for treasure, if that's what you're thinking."

Chastity shrugged and leaning back in her chair a moment, tucking her thumbs into her belt as she rapidly thought about that. "Tsk," she made a sound derisively, beginning not to like Rei very much. And, being Chastity, decided to irritate her as revenge. "Do I look heartless?" She put a pained look on her face, trying to look meek. "I know it's hard to trust someone who lives on the streets. But you don't...you don't know! I may be a lowly thief...but I have morals. I'm loyal! I decided I would help you out...and now here I am, being dismissed before I can even suggest-"

"Oh, for the love of-" Rei grumbled, and Ami placed a reassuring hand on her arm to quiet her, knowing that if Rei got into a bad enough mood, she would explode. And a scene at breakfast wasn't exactly needed.

Minako also moved to prevent such a situation. "What do you mean, Chastity? Help us how?"

Chastity sniffled a little, and hung her head, picking up her tankard of milk and swishing it around a little, watching it.

Makoto rolled her eyes, "Out with it. You go on and on about how you want to help us, then make us drag it out of you? Spit it out!"

"All right...." Chastity sighed gustily, as though coming to some great and difficult decision. "I have connections....I'm good with a blade," she flicked her hand up, and in it, two stilettos appeared, then disappeared, a modest but impressive show of ability. "I just want a cut of the profit. One seventh. Fair's fair."

"I already told you! We're not looking for-!"

"Rei-chan!" Ami dragged her down, since Rei was half out of her chair, and some of the murmuring about the room had died out at her shout. "Rei-chan, please?"

She grit her teeth. "Hai...."

"Chastity," Rory asked, speaking quietly. "What do you mean by 'connections?'"

Chastity shrugged, looking at Rory over the rim of the glass. "Well, what do you need?"

There were glances around the table, and Chastity smiled smugly behind the glass, setting it down with her best poker face. Balan replied bluntly, "A boat. To the Fire Mountain."

That, Chastity hadn't expected. "Are you plastered? There's been all kinds of attacks south of here. Ain't safe. There's not gonna be a single pilot who'll take you that far. Not with the rumors going on lately. 'Said there's armies massing. No one wants to fuck with an army."

Rory was blushing a bit at Chastity's choice in words, scratching her head a bit in embarrassment. Makoto frowned, and dug into her own meal a bit, munching on a sausage. "We've heard about the rumors. But there have to be traders running down that way. You've mentioned profit enough in the last day or so. They have to keep the priestesses supplied."

Chastity snorted. "There's enough tithes going up the Mountain to keep those damn prissy-assed priestesses fat enough-"

"How dare you insult those who serve the gods!" Rei exploded, this time fully out of her seat. Ami and Lagu leapt into action again, Lagu leaping onto the table to keep Ken from gouging out Chastity's eyes. "Have you no respect for a religious-"

"Rei-chan!" Ami was standing too, gesturing Rei back into her seat, playing peacemaker. "Rei-chan...we do need a boat...."

Rei didn't apologize, but sat down, grabbing Ken-chan and glaring at the smirking Chastity, who was again helping herself to the food.

"I'm so sorry," Chastity told her, and sarcasm was thinly veiled, "you must care a great deal for the gods. Didn't mean to upset you, Rei-chan." Then she shrugged, which earned her glares from the entire table, save Rory, who was uncertainly trying to figure out why on earth Rei got so upset over something as minor as Chastity shooting her mouth off. Chastity was enjoying all this. They overreacted to everything. It was so amusing.

"Anyway, all the big trading boats won't go south of Aerial. Even with guards and shit like that." She gulped down the last of her milk, and reached for the pitcher on the table, pouring out more.

"Actually," Balan told her, "we'd only need room enough for two."

That gave Chastity reason to pause, lifting her eyebrows in question at the assembled group. "Really? So, which are you running off with, handsome?" She watched the reactions of the group in turn, the Ami one shook her head sadly, Minako looking grim. Rory turned purple. Rei just continued to glare, and Makoto and Balan pursed their lips, frowning. "Oh, come on. Won't you tell? I'm sure I'll figure out which one sooner or later." She grinned winsomely, and decided to have some fun again. "Which one you sleeping with? Big boobs or lizard girl?"

"Sleeping with?"

"Big boobs?"

"Lizard girl?"

That was enough to overturn Rei's chair, and Makoto's fists pounded into the table so hard when she stood, that there was a splintering sound. Balan looked outraged, but seeing that Makoto was getting ready to launch herself across the table, he grabbed her instead, trying to be the calm one. It took both Ami and Minako to calm down Rei, who was still shrieking her fury, while Lagu literally pounced on Ken to keep him from acting while Rei was restrained. The room was staring blatantly now, as everyone at the table was on their feet, except for Chastity, who was sitting and laughing her head off over how easy it was to make fun of them all.

"Look, look," she waved, hands open and appealing. "I'm just having some fun...if it's going to piss you all off so much I'll stop...you're all too funny...." she wiped laughter tears away from her eyes, watching as furious faces turned to startlement, then to fury again, darker as the calmer members of the table convinced the others to settle down. "All right, so Balan, you're with her, huh?" she pointed at Makoto, who again began to stand up.

"You have a problem with that, you b-"

"Mako-chan!" Ami shouted, standing up. "All of you! Especially you!" she focused on Chastity, who was blinking in surprise. "That is truly enough! And stop eating all the food that we paid for! If you can help us, then we would be grateful. I do not know what it is like on the streets, and at the moment, I really do not care!" Ami kept her voice low, but it was not without a certain harshness. She leaned intently down to the table, eyes focusing on one senshi then another, then Chastity, Balan, and Rory. "I do not know your customs so well, but I believe it is rude in any culture to directly insult the people who saved your life. And regardless of how much we appreciate your help, that is no excuse to be so rude! If you know of someone who can take Balan-kun and Rory-hime to the Fire Mountain, then I suggest that you speak now, or else leave us to find a ride alone!"

It was a rare thing for Ami to get so worked up, and right now she was shaking hard as she put herself into a leading position, tears forming in her eyes. Getting her mad wasn't easy, but nothing will stand in the way of water when stormy enough. With that, she turned and left, Lagu-chan launching herself into the air and rushing along after her.

"I'm with Ami-chan," Rei declared quietly, and stood again, this time silently leaving. But before she turned away, she locked eyes with Chastity. "If you want to ever do anything useful with your life other than piss people off, I suggest you do it now." And with that, she left, heading outside into the morning sunlight.

Chastity made a dismissive sound, folding her arms. "What'd I do?"

That earned her flat out glares from Minako, Makoto, Balan and Rory. "I appreciate your help," Rory informed her, "but if you don't stop acting like a..." she hesitated a moment, then continued, "complete bitch," she stumbled, unfamiliar to swearing. After all, that wasn't something a princess did every day. "we will request that you leave at once."

"I was just joking around."

"Your jokes weren't funny," Minako snapped, and began to eat a little. After all, it was going to be a long day, no matter what. "Is there anyone who can take Balan-kun and Rory-hime to the Fire Mountain? If not, then maybe you'd better leave."

"Well, there is one pilot who might, if I can convince him you're on a quest," Chastity drawled, yawning as she then polished off the last of her milk. She stood quickly then, chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Come on! Going to eat all day? We've got to get to the other end of the docks. What you waiting for?"

Astonished, the remaining four stared at her unblinking, mouths open as she sighed, then turned on her heel. "I'll be outside. Whenever you get done...." she let it hang, as though she was making a great sacrifice of time on their behalf. She turned on her heel, then stalked outside, walking right past Ami and Rei, who were standing on the sidewalk, talking with their voices low.

It was actually a few more minutes, besides eating breakfast, before they were actually able to leave the inn and follow Chastity's sauntering form down the docks. Well, she at least tried to saunter. But the memory of pain and the existence of bruises instead led her into an awkward limping motion, which she silently ignored. They quickly packed up their things, few though there were, and trailed Chastity to the far end of the river's boardwalk. It was a clear day, with a light, yet brisk wind that cut across the water, carrying the scent of fish and wood to them, the pleasant smells of a boatyard. But as they walked, the senshi's faces fell, first into disappointment, then into amazement as they stopped.

"Well, here we are," Chastity announced needlessly as she hopped up onto the boat before them.

To this, Rei disgustingly exclaimed, "What a piece of junk!"

The boat was middling size, bobbing awkwardly on the water, covered in a quilt of rust and patches, the sloop slightly off. Chipped and faded paint declared she was called the 'Windmill.'

"You think you can do better?" Chastity sniffed, turning and sticking her head into a cabin and hollering loudly into it. After a moment, a clanging sound could be heard within, and Chastity backed up, standing on the deck.

"Rory-hime," Minako whispered in an aside, "maybe this isn't a very good idea...."

"Minako, we have to-" Rory was interrupted by a loud shout, and the pilot emerged from the cabin, swaying along with the rise and fall of the boat. He was rake thin, and his cheeks were grey and grizzled from not having a good shave in far too long. This fact made his face look gaunt and sunken, hawklike and with a beaky nose, despite the delight in his eyes at having visitors. He swung up out of belowdeck, a tattered cape fluttering around him as he reeled to the side of the boat.

"Ah! Chas, ya sly wench! What've ya brought wit ye now?" He looked between Chastity and the astounded observers on the land, then continued, "Been too long, too long!" Before Chastity could avoid it, she found herself meshed in a spindly armed hug, and was being swung around.

"Uh, hi, Uncle Gull."

This was barely audible to the people on the ground, who were regarding 'Uncle Gull' with amazement. His name being 'Gull' was accentuated by the flapping of wings above them, belonging to a screaming seagull, another familiar.

"So, Chas, my beaut, why you ignore the plea of an old man for company? And who are your comrades in arms who ride beside you?"

Here, Chastity went into full display, as though suddenly choking back a horrible sob. This instantly alerted the old man, who grew alarmed, the seagull above pinwheeling and squawking in frenzy as it pirouetted in the air.

"Oh, Uncle Gull, it's the most horrible thing!"

"Tell me, quickly! What is it that causes you such pain?"

Rei snorted, stepping forward, getting ready to say something sharp about Chastity and pain. But Makoto blocked her, shaking her head.

"Uncle," Chastity said dramatically, taking his hands and looking up into the weathered face. "I have...taken up a quest."

"A quest? A damsel such as yourself? For shame! What has driven a fair lady such as you to the wandering life of a knight? Ah!" He hugged her, and Chastity looked like she was being smothered.

Ami?

She turned her head to the side, tilting slightly so she could better face Lagu, who was quizzically querying, Who is this, she sang slightly, 'Because I'm Don Quixote the lord of La Mancha' that you are thinking about?

To that, Ami stifled a giggle, raising a hand to her mouth. "Later," she whispered quickly, then peered forward, around Balan.

But Uncle Gull was off on his own now, bemoaning the horror that a lone woman in the world must face, braving dangers beyond mortal magining. That the man was senile seemed obvious, but he also appeared harmless enough. Except for the fact he was supposedly the pilot of the boat that would take Rory and Balan to the Fire Mountain.

"Uncle Gull," Chastity asked, finally managing to break his hold on her. "these are my worthy and noble companions! This is the Lady Rory, whose life I have saved with my own two hands, enduring horrible and agonizing wounds on her behalf!"

Rei rolled her eyes, and Ami stifled another giggle, as Makoto shook her head and Minako sighed at the theatrics. But Uncle Gull was now entranced by the rag-tag looking Rory, who was sheepishly scratching her head at the introduction, which hit a little too close to the mark. "Ah, fair lady," he bowed, forgetting Chastity who backed away, seeking escape. Uncle Gull's seagull landed on his arm, and became part of the grand display, from the deck. "I am honored to have a lady of rank and birth....ah," he paused, then hastened to kick the plank down from his boat to the dock. "Please, my humble Windmill will be truly graced with your fair elegance."

"Um, all right," Rory accepted, walking tentatively up into the boat, then hopping down the step, Balan right behind her, the senshi following, not really sure what to make of Uncle Gull and the situation, as they crowded onto the deck.

"Fair lady," Gull bowed again, lower now. Chastity shook her head and frowned, thinking the man ridiculous. "I am at your service."

"I thank you..." Rory paused as she considered, "sir knight?"

To that, Uncle Gull's rheumy eyes lit, full of tears. "Alas! I am but a lowly captain, who dreams far too much. Ah, but to be a knight, in the service of a lady!"

"Yeah, Uncle Gull," Chastity cut in, trying to get back into the conversation, "now you have your chance. Lady Rory here is trying to get to the Fire Mountain."

His face altered drastically, eyes switching from one face to another in disbelief. "My lady, that is very unwise. Do you not know of the danger that lurks to the south?"

"Yes, I do," Rory agreed, trying to play along, "but that is why I need your help. It is very important that I...uh, go...there," she finished lamely, trying to figure out what she should say.

"Fair lady, I may not be a knight, but I cannot allow you to go though such peril! It is too dangerous for a lady of your stature and birth to travel such a dangerous path...."

Ami listened to this, and didn't like the way the conversation was going. She saw Chastity opening her mouth to draw breath, to interrupt him, but she cut in first, interrupting her. "Sir Gull!" she exclaimed, "we know the dangers of what we ask." Relieved that Chastity hadn't broken into her own little speech, she hurried ahead, hoping that Cervantes' famous knight was enough of a model for her to work from. "But we have not told you the full truth. Forgive us for that. But I see now the importance of being truthful to you. I am Ami, and these are my sister...soldiers....Minako, Makoto and Rei. And in fact, this is not a lady who stands before you, but Princess Aurora of the Northland!" She finished this pronouncement with a hushed exclamation, as though saying it too loudly would be heard by the random people who walked along the dock. "And her guardian, Lord Balan of Boreal," Ami finished, gesturing at Balan, who bowed. "The Princess is the keeper of vital information. Surely you know of the darkness that even now prevails upon Emania?"

To this, the river captain nodded, wonderingly staring at the group before him.

"The Silence comes. Aurora is going to bring this information to the High Priestess Lenora. She knows the whereabouts of two of the legendary Crystal Points!"

Hearing that, Uncle Gull took a step back in amazement, and Ami heard a derisive snort from Chastity. To herself, she smiled. The thief didn't believe the story, which of course, is exactly why Ami told it. The truth, at least around the Sailor Senshi, always seemed more difficult to believe than a lie.

Balan recovered his tongue first, and seconded Ami. "It's true," he told the old man, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. "The fate of the world lies in the hands of these young women. If it proves to be too dangerous to you, then we will seek out another whose heart is strong and brave enough to-"

That was more than Uncle Gull needed to hear to convince him to help. The mere suggestion that he was afraid defied the world of chivalry he had created around himself. "Brave enough! Bah! I am merely a riverboat captain, humble in station. But in my younger days I was a fierce fighter! Know that as we sail into the perilous waves of the great Lagu river, I will stand proudly beside you, and fight for the great future that you even now struggle to forge!" He whirled then, pointing at Makoto. The illusion of craziness suddenly dropped as he fell into the pattern of his job on the river. "Untie us from the shore! And you," he pointed then at Rei, "help me to hoist the sail! We will-"

"Wait!" Makoto interrupted, leaping in. "Wait! We aren't coming. We have...uh, duties...elsewhere...."

Uncle Gull's face began to darken at Makoto's words, and Minako leapt in to recover. "She means that it is our duty to discover the locations of the two remaining Points. That's why we need your help so badly. We need a good fighter who can navigate the Princess safely to the Mountain."

That appeased Uncle Gull greatly, and he drew himself up to his fairly considerable height. "Then, fair questing damsels, I wish you the best of luck in your journey." He bowed again, and the seagull familiar paused to imitate his motion. "Chastity! You then will be aiding me in-" he stormed over to the thief, who was hastily trying to scurry away before getting assigned some task, requiring effort she didn't really feel like spending.

"I...guess this is good bye, then," Makoto mumbled quietly to Balan as they stood watching Chastity's predicament. Rory heard this behind her, and turned away, hesitantly. Then she began to call out that she would help hoist the sail, and gave Balan the privacy she knew he would want. Minako, too, heard this, and grabbed Rei and Ami, dragging them down the plank to the dock. She kept them just out of earshot, but well within visual range.

Makoto and Balan, however, were still standing at the ship's prow, awkwardly trying to say their good byes. "Leave it to Minako-chan to get everyone away."

Balan laughed a little, glancing over at the three girls, two openly watching, one with a red face and her hands over it. "It doesn't matter. We'll meet up again. At the Mountain. When you get your dragon. Right?"

To that, she smiled, nodding. "Yeah. I'll tell everyone you said good bye."

"And I'll tell Rory and Chastity."

"Should be an interesting trip for you."

He groaned a little and looked over his shoulder, watching the boom of the sail swing around, Rory desperately chasing it. When it ended up knocking her off her feet, she let out a curse that sounded more like Chastity than herself. Promptly, Uncle Gull launched into an explanation as to why fair ladies of noble rank should not be required to do menial tasks. That, though, made Rory more determined to learn. "Interesting. Yeah, that might cover it."

"Then I'll see you soon," Makoto tried to smile, and shook her head. "Gomen ne, this is...."

She stopped when Balan kissed her lightly on the cheek, and then backed away. "You'd better get going. I've got to go get Rory untangled. And your friends are waiting for you."

Makoto hesitated, thinking about that. It seemed to have many sides to those words. He had to go help Rory, and she had to go with her friends. Yes, she knew it wouldn't last, but it was sweet to think it would. This first, smaller parting, seemed like more than it should be. Somewhat pained, she agreed, stepping away.

Joining the other senshi seemed more difficult than it should have been. She watched him untie the rope holding them to the land, and then stand up. He waved, and she returned it. Then she watched his back disappear to go help his Princess.

"Mako-chan?" she heard from Minako, and was aware of the approaching footsteps behind her. "You'll see him again soon."

Then Rei's voice added, "You two are very alike, Mako-chan. Soldiers. Each very loyal to their Princess."

The boat then began to drift into the stream, the current carrying it rapidly away into the tiny flotilla of sails. Within a few moments, they were unidentifiable among the sails and colored boats, hidden from sight.

Makoto turned around, slowly, and she pushed the thoughts clouding her mind away. Three worried faces looked up at her, waiting. Then she smiled. "You're right. Come on. We've got a world to save. And Ami-chan," she asked, looking at the blue haired one, "you have got to tell me when you learned how to act like that. That's twice I've seen you looking like you should be on camera."

Ami flushed, remembering her very brief moment as 'Serena' and drenching Rory with wine. "Oh, Mako-chan," she teased back still feeling a bit ridiculous, "it's just pretend."

And then the three senshi headed back to get their horses.

They had to get moving. With Rory and Balan relatively safe, for now, then they had to get back to work. Someone sent those creatures from last night. And they would be after the same goal as the senshi. Which meant they had to be close.

******************************************************************************

Ah...that felt good. This chapter pretty much just set up the next half of the fic...I know it was a bit boring. But there will be a lot more action again from here on in. I kept procrastinating with the end of that chapter for some reason. Why I have no idea. Uncle Gull was such a nut...I compare him to 'Don Quxiote' the title character from Cervantes' famous novel. That is who he reminds me of. Not entirely, but pretty close. I'm glad I'm back to just the senshi again...as much as I love Rory, Balan and crew, I kept on introducing more and more new characters...too many. So it's back to basics for a bit. And if you didn't guess, that one, final old character I wanted to get in was Chastity. I was so glad to get a place in for her...she was a bit more exaggerated than I was expecting...but it was a lot more fun to write her that way, and it fit better than a more ah, 'restrained' Chastity...not that that meant she would be restrained...just for Chastity. Well, like I said, more action from here...I'm envisioning the end now, and I am feeling reluctant to write it...hm...well, that's it for this time.

Ja, until next storytime.

-Queen