Chapter 1

The royal guards looked nervous as they escorted the man to meet with the
Princess. They had heard of his reputation as a swordsman, long before his
reputation as a mercenary took precedent over the other. They glanced at each
other as he went in to the meeting room joining the two people inside. The
chimera that was currently visiting suddenly became the least of their
worries.

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Zelgadis Greywords sat his coffee aside as he watched him enter. Zelgadis
felt eyes widened in shock as watched him take the sword from his hip and
placed it beside the other weapons. This was a place to talk not to fight.
He studied more than the outer appearance, he knew better than anyone that
what one looked like on the outside meant nothing. He studied his face, his
expression and the way he moved but nothing told him more than what he saw
in his eyes. Hate, loathing, and disgust. Zelgadis suddenly felt like he was
looking into a mirror as he rose to welcome his old friend. "Hello Gourry
it's been a long time."

"Zelgadis, has it been that long? I haven't noticed it still feels like a
nothing has changed." Shaking hands with the chimera Gourry never met his
eyes.

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Amelia didn't know what to do, how to react to Gourry. She knew he had
changed, she made sure she ws informed of all new pertaining to him no matter
how trivial. She just couldn't believe this was him. He was so cold and
distant, there wasn't even a shadow of his former self left. She forced
herself to stand up and speak without her voice betraying her. "Mr.. Gourry
I'm so glad your here!" Before she could stop herself she hugged him
tightly.

"Hello Amelia, I see not much has changed in your kingdom." Gourry
hesitantly let his arms close around the petite princess before pushing her
away gently.

"Well lets go eat, I've already told them that I would dine alone except for
two guest. There we can talk and catch up on the past." Amelia nervously
smiled and led them to her private quarters.

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Neither Amelia or Zelgadis could have imagined Gourry could have changed so
much. The looked at their friend in a hidden shock. His beautiful long hair
was gone, he had cut it off short and it barley touched his shoulders now.
His face on one side had a jagged scar where someone had managed to touch
him. They both knew that he had become a full time mercenary, often hired
out to settle political disputes between kingdoms. Not an honorable job most
of the time. This didn't scare them though, what made them un easy was some
how at his hip was again the Golun Nova, the Sword of Light. They sat
watching him eat calmly. Neither sure how to approach several subjects.

Zel finally cleared his throat and started it, the meal had been far to
quiet and the silence was enough to smother them. "Gourry, is that the Sword
of Light?" He paid no mind to Amelia cringing at his bold question.

"Yes it is. I need it to take care of a job." Gourry volunteered no more
information.

Zel just nodded, he knew what that job was and he had hoped for all their
sake Gourry would eventually just let it go. He wanted revenge just as much,
but he had learned that loosing your friends wasn't worth the revenge. "How?
Last time I saw it was took back to the Overworld?" He just had to know,
natural curiosity wouldn't let that question rest.

"Just because I'm not a mage doesn't mean that my family doesn't have any in
it. I called on an old favor that was owed to...." He stopped before he said
anymore. He wasn't as naive as everyone thought him to be. He let that slip
away a long time ago.

Amelia started to press the subject but caught the look Zelgadis gave her
and quickly changed her question. "So what bring back to Saillune Mr..
Gourry?" She cringed hearing how her own voice sounded nervous and on edge.

"I've heard rumors for the last few months that the Mazoku attacks have
increased around this region and Zephilia. Ever since the two kingdoms made
an alliance." Unconsciously Gourry let his hand slide down and rest on the
Sword of Light.

"Your hoping that by now he's been resurrected. We All know that he wasn't
killed." Zelgadis didn't miss the look of hate that flashed over his friends
face. He noted how tense Gourry was. Loosing her the way he did..he shook
his head dismissing the thoughts.

"Well Mr.. Gourry I have to go to Zephilia in a week, official duties since
Daddy has let me take over a lot more of them. Do you want to come with me.
Mr.. Zelgadis has already agreed to escort me. It will be like old times!"
Amelia beamed with her energy and zest making Zelgadis cringe in his chair.

"No!" Gourry slammed his hand on the table as he jumped up, knocking his
chair over! "No! Nothing will ever be like old time! Never!" His hand went
to his blade as the door burst open and the guards started drawing weapons
hearing the noise.

"Calm down! Gourry no need for for that. Amelia meant well, you
know!" Zelgadis slowly moved to the startled princess.

"I'm sorry, please your not needed. Leave us now. Wait, prepare a room. Mr..
Gourry will be staying the night." Amelia had learned long ago how to hide
her fear when addressing people and now she was putting every bit of the
knowledge to use. She had never been afraid of Gourry, but now she wasn't so
sure. "You will do me the honor of staying won't you Mr.. Gourry? Please?"

Gourry relaxed when the guards left, he bent over picking up his over turned
chair. He didn't want to stay here, there were to many memories that tried
to surface. He was going to refuse but he looked at Amelia sitting there,
trying to be be calm but he could see how badly he had shaken her. Sighing
inwardly he just nodded. "Yes, I will stay one night and I will think about
going with you."

"Thank you Mr.. Gourry. Mr.. Zelgadis will you show him to the guest rooms?"
Amelia prayed to Cepheid that he would go, they were so many wounds that
needed to be healed. Going to Zephilia would she hoped begin the healing.
She sat alone, giving them time to get nearly to the guest quarters before
she buried her face into her hands crying.

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Zelgadis walked slowly along the way, he glanced at Gourry off to once side.
He didn't know when would be a good time to approach this subject, but he
felt it would be best that Amelia not be there. He was angry at Gourry. They
all hurt, but he was being selfish. 'Here I am, about to lecture the most
selfless person I know about being selfish.' He couldn't help but wonder
just how much life hated him. "Gourry I really think you should come with
Amelia and I to Zephilia."

"Why? What good would my presence be there?" He kept his voice cold looking
straight ahead as he walked.

"What good? How can you even ask that! She asks for you every time I
go there! She tries to hide it but I know better, it hurts her that you
haven't went to see her! Damn it Gourry, Lina is there waiting for you!"
Zelgadis couldn't finish what he was going to say as he felt Gourry's hands
grab his clothes and lift him from the ground before slamming him into the
wall.

His voice was low and dangerous, his eyes held only the promise of pain if
Zelgadis pressed this issue. "Zelgadis, you are my friend so I won't hurt
you, but do not ever try to force me to go to Zephilia. I know she is there.
I know who she waits for, but that man is dead. He died two years ago in a
battle. Now leave me alone, I know the way to the guest rooms." He let go of
Zelgadis, letting him slide to the floor as he turned away.

Zelgadis sat with his back against the wall staring at Gourry's back. Part
of him was numb with shock over the fact that Gourry had just physically and
verbally threatened him. The other part was furious, he wanted to get up and
go after Gourry but he knew now was not the place. Standing slowly he walked
to his own room, needing time to think about what to do.