Chapter 7
Zelas was comfortably lounging in her throne when her servant teleported before her with the dragon maiden in hand. Zelas sat up slightly in surprise at the sudden intrusion. "Xellos…"
"Mistress Zelas, I humbly beg for your help," Xellos spoke in a rush, his disheveled appearance and blood soaked cloths giving Zelas a vague idea of what happened. She rose from her throne and briskly made her way to Xellos's side.
"Why did you bring her here Xellos? Of all places to take a wounded dragon you bring her into monster country?" Zelas had to admit that this was not one of the smarter things that Xellos has done.
"Forgive me mistress, but this was the safest place I could think of to bring her," Xellos said, bowing his head in apology.
"Hn, so the safest place for a golden dragon would be in the heart of a monster's lair. How ironic," Zelas commented, scanning the dragon before her in an attempt to determine the scope of her injuries. "Well that can't be good," Zelas said motioning to Filia's wing, or what was left of it. "You haven't given her your mark yet have you?"
"No mistress, not yet." Xellos said defeated.
"You do realize neither you nor I can do a thing to heal her without that mark, without it even partly nullifying her resistance to dark magic, her body will simply reject it and could cause her even greater harm," Zelas said, displaying clear annoyance that her servant had yet to mark the dragon, this was going to make things a bit more difficult.
"So, what happened?" Zelas questioned Xellos.
"Dragons," Xellos said, his voice dripping in venom and disgust.
A faint trace of surprise passed over Zelas's features before fading back into an emotionless mask. "Dragons huh? Well I must say that is unexpected," Zelas commented. "But either way, how do you expect me to help her?"
Xellos contemplated this. "I think I have an idea. May I go to Seyruun and collect Miss Amelia? She is an accomplished priestess and could at least heal Filia enough for her to heal herself," Xellos requested. He was positive that he could get Amelia to come along willingly once he explained the circumstances to her.
"You're telling me that you want to defile my home even more with all this holy magic! Oh very well just get it over with. I'll have the dragon taken to one of the spare rooms," Zelas then summoned two of her female servants from outside the door. "Take the dragon girl to one of the large spare rooms in the east wing, be gentle with her and make her as comfortable as possible, and clean her up while you're at it".
"Yes mistress, as you command". One of the servants then turned into what looked like a giant orange boar nearly the size of Filia in her dragon form, with huge jaggedly spiked tusks that curled around the side of its mouth before protruding forwards like two deadly spiked spears. The boar, as carefully as she could, manoeuvred the unconscious Filia onto her back and made her way out the giant double doors of the hall.
"Mistress Zelas, may I suggest that Filia and the ancient egg not be separated, Filia might bring down the whole castle if it isn't with her when she wakes up," Xellos said, holding out the basket containing Val's egg.
"Very well then, you there, take the basket and make sure that it will be within eyesight of the dragon when she wakes up, and don't you dare drop it. If any harm comes to either of them, I'll hang you both in the dungeon by your thumbs and skin you alive," Zelas threatened the second female servant as she took the basket from Xellos and followed after her comrade carrying Filia.
"Thank you mistress, with your permission, I will go now to Seyruun and retrieve the princess Amelia," Xellos said bowing to his mistress.
"Very well Xellos, you may go, and be quick about it!" Zelas said before Xellos teleported out of her mist. –Sigh-'oh L-sama' Zelas thought to herself, 'what am I going to do with him?'
/
"Check," Amelia said, a small smirk forming on her otherwise innocent features as she faced her opponent. "Your turn Mr Zelgadis," she said, grin still in place as the chimera studied the board in front of them.
"Hmm, very good Amelia, but I'm afraid it was not good enough, checkmate!" Zelgadis said with a slight victory grin of his own as he overtook her bishop with his knight, winning him the game.
"Oh no, I was certain that I would be victorious this time, oh how could a warrior of righteousness fall for such an obvious trap. In the name of justice, I challenge you again Mr Zelgadis, and this time justice will prevail!" Amelia was standing with one foot on the chess board in her justice pose, pointing at Zelgadis. Zelgadis could not help but be exasperated at Amelia's antics.
"Amelia, it's getting late, we need to get to sleep, don't you want to give it a rest?" Zelgadis pleaded, he and Amelia had been playing for hours and he was long past ready to call it a night.
"Those who fight for truth and justice do not need sleep, because they will be fuelled by the righteousness in their hearts, now Mr Zelgadis, do you accept my challenge!?"
"Amelia, it's late, I think it's time to stop," Zelgadis said as he began to rise from his chair.
"I couldn't agree more. Now if you're done with your game I'd like to borrow Miss Amelia if you don't mind," The disembodied voice of Xellos sounded in the room as he teleported beside the table facing the pair.
"Oh Mister Xellos," Amelia said.
"You!" Zelgadis spat, standing fully up with his hand on the hilt of his sword ready to draw it at any moment. "What do you want?"
"I just told you, I need to borrow Miss Amelia for a while," Xellos answered looking at Zelgadis with his usual closed eye stare.
"Why? What could you possibly need her for? And what makes you think I'll let you take her you freak?" Zelgadis said, anger making its way into his composure.
Xellos completely ignored Zelgadis and turned to Amelia. "Miss Amelia, I require your assistance with Filia, she has been badly wounded and is in need of healing, I'm asking that you come with me to my mistress's castle to heal her," Xellos said, his demeanor showing nothing as he spoke to Amelia.
"What? What happened? Is Miss Filia ok? Amelia asked, shock written all over her face.
"She's badly hurt, so will you come?" Xellos asked, becoming somewhat annoyed with the repetitive questions.
"Of course I'll come" Amelia started to rise when Zelgadis moved between Xellos and Amelia.
"Amelia, are you sure about this?" Zelgadis asked, worry etched all over his face.
"Of course Mr Zelgadis, Filia is our friend, and it is my duty as a warrior of justice to help friends in need," Amelia said confidently.
"I know that Amelia, but the thing that's worrying me is that Xellos also knows that, Amelia this could be a trap or something and we have no way of knowing," Zelgadis said.
"Even so Mr Zelgadis, if Mr Xellos is telling the truth then Miss Filia needs my help, I have to go." Amelia said grasping Zelgadis's arm in reassurance. "I'll be fine Mr Zelgadis". She then stepped past the gloomy chimera and towards Xellos. "I'm ready Mr Xellos," Amelia said, holding her head up high. Xellos then held out his hand which Amelia then took.
"Don't worry Mr Zelgadis. I'll bring her back in one piece for you," was the last thing Xellos said before he phased out of the room, leaving behind a very peeved chimera.
/
Xellos had teleported directly to the room in which Filia was placed. She had been placed in one of the larger rooms of the castle. She lay unconscious in the middle of the floor on a large makeshift bed made out of a pile of wool rugs and pillows. There was a queen size bed near the back of the room with a vanity and closet on one side and a large window with a veranda on the other, covered slightly with lavender drapes.
"Oh Ceifeed. Miss Filia!" Amelia exclaimed, rushing to Filia's side. "Hold on Miss Filia". Amelia placed her hands over the still form of the dragoness and began to enchant the healing spell. It was a long time before Filia began to stir and finally open her eyes blinkingly.
"Uuuh," Filia groaned. "What happened? Miss Amelia is that you? Where are we?" Filia looked at the unfamiliar surroundings dazedly. Her eyes then landed on Xellos standing in the nearby corner of the room. "Xellos, what happened, where are we?" Filia eyes then suddenly widened in horror "Where's Val!? Xellos is he ok?" Filia then started looking around frantically, desperately trying to find her foster son.
"Calm down Fi-chan, he's right near the top of your head, don't worry he is completely unharmed and in perfect health, well at least from what we can tell from the appearance of his egg," Xellos said calmly as Filia turned towards where Xellos motioned and saw the basket with Val's egg safely tucked inside. Filia relaxed significantly and let out a sigh of relief.
At this time Amelia decided to ask her questions "Miss Filia, What exactly happened to you, especially to your wing?" Amelia asked motioning towards what was left of her wing.
Filia turned her head towards the ground. Amelia noticed that her friend seemed to tense up at the question and began to wonder if she should of kept her mouth shut until Filia was feeling a bit better, but she couldn't help but ask. One of her dearest friend was seriously wounded and she wanted to know who had made her comrade go through so much obvious pain. Amelia took a closer look at her friend and noticed the small trail of tears making their way down Filia's draconic face. "Miss Filia please, don't cry, I'm sorry I asked, I should of just stayed quiet I-"
"Please Miss Amelia. It's ok," Filia interrupted Amelia's apology speech. How could she blame her? Amelia was a kind hearted girl who wanted to protect the innocent. It's no surprise that she would be curious and concerned as to how she came in this condition. "Besides I would think that you have a right to know since you helped to heal me, and I thank you for that Miss Amelia, you have my gratitude".
"But Miss Filia, you don't need to thank me, after all it's nothing a warrior of justice wouldn't do," Amelia preached, sitting tall to emphasize her point. "And besides, your one of my friends, and that's what friends do for each other in times of need," Amelia said, giving Filia a soft smile.
"Even so, I am grateful, and Xellos…" Xellos stood up from his leaning position against the corner.
"Yes Filia?"
"I need to talk to you privately after I've briefed Amelia with the situation," Filia said with a serious tone.
"Very well," was all Xellos said before leaning back into the dark corner.
"Ok then. Now Miss Amelia, I'm going to start from the beginning ok," Filia said turning to Amelia.
"Ok," said Amelia.
Filia managed to tell Amelia most of what happened that day, but when she got up to where Xellos made an appearance, she paused.
"…and I'm sorry, but after Xellos popped up, I can't remember much, the rest is all fuzzy. I remember that I passed out, when I'm not sure though, and then when I woke up I was here and you where healing me. And that's pretty much all I can remember," Filia said in concentration as if she where trying to remember exactly what happened before she fainted.
Through most of Filia's tale Amelia's jaw had dropped and she had a fire in her eyes that would have frightened any normal human, had there been any in the room. "Oh the injustice! I'm sorry Miss Filia but the golden dragons are appearing to be more and more evil the more we deal with them. First it was the massacre of the ancient dragons, and then it was the cover up attempt on our lives, they tried to steal the sword of light from Mr Goury and now this! The injustice is just too much to bear. You may forgive them but I, Amelia Will Testle Seyruun will not. In the name of justice I will punish them!" Amelia then struck her signature pose, sticking her foot on a nearby table for effect.
"I'm afraid that that is impossible at this time Miss Amelia," Xellos finally spoke up from his spot in the corner.
"How do you mean Mr Xellos?" Amelia asked looking towards Xellos with slight confusion.
"Well it's quite simple, they're already dead," Xellos stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh, I see," said Amelia, a small amount of shock and disappointment on her face.
As for Filia, she just simply looked at Xellos, not saying a word or showing any emotion.
"Yes, but thank you again Miss Amelia for all your help. I think it would be best though if you went home now, it's really late, in fact by my calculations it would be nearly dawn back in Seyruun. And I'm sure Mr Zelgadis would be worried sick," said Xellos, his usual playful smile back in place.
"-Gasp- you're right, I need to get home now! I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer Miss Filia, please recover soon ok. And don't forget to stop by Seyruun once in a while. I really miss you ya know".
"I will Miss Amelia, safe trip," Filia bid her friend farewell as she made her way to Xellos's outstretched hand.
"Goodbye Miss Filia, I hope to see you soon," Amelia called out.
"Goodbye," Filia called as Xellos took Amelia's hand and phased out with her in tow.
/
"Where are they? They should have been back hours ago," Zelgadis had been, and still was, pacing the entire study as soon as Xellos had taken Amelia a few hours ago. "GRRrrr, I swear if something has happened to Amelia I'm going to track down Lina and get her to dragonslave that bastard right up the…"
"Missing something Mr Zelgadis?" a voice sounded from above Zelgadis. As he went to look up he was greeted with a Seyruun princess falling on top of him, to which she released a screech, temporarily rendering the chimera deaf.
"Oops, you should be more careful you know," Xellos commented to the entangled pair below him.
"Grrr, why you…" Before Zelgadis could finish Xellos had already phased out, his disembodied chuckling slowly fading after him.