Part 2.


Filia tried with no avail to keep her dress from getting muddy, but around midday, as she walked into a nearby town, she was a sight to behold. Her hair was streaked and her dress was splattered, and her cloak, torn when she had accidently walked into a thorn bush she had not seen. She had been attacked by robbers twice that morning, once she beat them off with her mace, but the second time they had made off with most of her possessions before she could get free from their hands. All in all, she was a very tired dragon. Spotting an inn in the distance, she walked tward it with staggering footsteps. All she wanted now was some sleep. And maybe something hot to eat. Then she would think it over again. Maybe it was all just a mistake. She could go back to the cottage and say she had been attacked on the way to the market place. The ground was muddy so she could claim she sliped and fell. Was it just her, or did the inn seem just as far as when she had first seen it? Could it be it was moving backwards as fast as I moved forwards, the tired dragon questioned herself? Or could it just be a mirrage...I bet It was just a mirage, she thought...a mirage and I'll never get some sleep...neve...she was cut off from her thoughts as she collapsed in the streets, sleeping soundly.

MEATLOAF!!!!! MEATLOAF!!!!! Zelgadis cryed in anguish. Xellos had tricked him once again. And on the day of his wedding too! He thought he should be protected from tricks on his wedding day. Why had Xellos done this?! Didn't he think Filia would like it better if I had the clair bible and could...could...nonsense, he thought to himself. Filia loves me just the way I am. Why else would she marry me? It was just that dirty rotten Xellos!!!! Zelgadis had gotten the translated letter back from his friend in town today and had been screaming ever since. Oh...he thought...just wait till Filia sees this. Then she'll really hate that darn Mazoku!!!! Not that she didn't already he said quickly to reasure himself. She never could have feelings for that...that...monster. It was crazy. That's what it was, crazy. A crazy old witch who had been lying through her teeth when he decided to get his fortune read the night before his wedding. Crazy old gall, there's no way Filia will trade Xellos over me, after all, I'm her husband. And with that settled he had time for a stray thougth that had been wandering around his mind for the last 1/2 hour. Where was Filia?

Amelia stood in the great throne room looking up at the people who were her mother and father. She should be more respectfull to them, she thought to herself. After all, they are your parents...but she just couldn't manage it. She had grown, not only in height, but in mind since she had last seen them, and to her they seemed almost childish, like she had grown and they had shrunk. They had never done any of the things that she had been doing for the past couple years. And yet, they claimed to be able to feel empathy for any person, no matter how low, in there kingdom. She shook herself. These were disloyal thoughts. She had no right to think them, especially not as the kings daughter. Surely they could reach out to everyone. How else would there be justice in there kingdom? But putting all this aside, she focused her thoughts on them, the two people in the thrones. And she waited, bowed, for what they were about to say.

Xellos stood in front of his lord, Beast Master's chair. He waited for her to finish the little game she enjoyed playing with him. He had never been taken in with it, and he wondered why she enjoyed continuing it even now. Didn't he already prove that he could beat it? He thought with irritation. All he wanted was to get his new assignement and get out of there. He wasn't sure why he seemed so antsy, but it didn't help that Zelas was using up as much time as possible. He saw her glance at him and give him a sort of half smile, almost as if she knew what was irritating him, before she continued with her ruitine. After a few more torturous moments, she finished, and looked at him more fully. She still had that nasty half grin on her face and he was sure she was up to something if only he could figure out what it was.

Zelas smiled with satisfaction at her disicple. Yes, Xel-kun, she thought happily. There is something bothering you. And It's bothering you even more because you don't know what it is. You're impatient I see, but you don't know for what. Now let's see...I've been your guardian for ages, ever since you were little. You're almost like a son to me. I figure it's time I give you a favor for that...and the first thing I ought to do is show you why your so impatient. With that, she leaned forward in her chair (a symbol she was about to issue a comand) and said in a soft, mistakibly sweet voice...now listen carefully Xellos...