Prelude
The traveller wandered down the empty road. Each step he took, ground the dust beneath him, each step brought a tingle of pain into his legs, each step was a calling to stop and rest. But it mattered not.
The traveller wasn't interested in his world-weary state, nor was he concerned about stopping. What mattered was his destination. He had come so far. He didn't want to turn around and head back where he came from. Back there was a world of devastation and loss. Back to another dead end. Back to another false hope. Back there to something that he didn't want to relive, as long as he was breathing.
Grinding his teeth, the traveller pressed on. He can't stop now.....
Meanwhile, miles away, another lost soul was brooding.
But this new lost soul was situated at a table in the most luxurious of rooms. Splendid objects adorned the walls and floor, making an indeed picturesque scene.
But the room's occupant was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice the rooms decorative appearance. Besides, she had seen it all a hundred times before.
Amelia was bored.
Bored with her father, bored with the palace, bored with her duties, bored of those dull stately visits, bored of those bureaucratic tasks she was stuck with doing, bored of her life.
And bored of being a princess.
How long had it been since she had last seen Lina Inverse? Days? Weeks? Months?
Amelia sighed. It had been so long, that she had forgotten all about her connections with the infamous bandit killer. Sure Lina's reputation preceded her, but she was a loyal and indeed great friend. But then again, it wasn't fit for a princess to associate with such a villainous and troublesome societal menace....
Suddenly Amelia caught herself. No. She mustn't think like that. Amelia's brow furrowed. Dammit! No matter what cause Lina fought for, no matter how low and villainous it was, she still was an important friend. And indeed, a vital contact.
What did it matter if there was a huge difference in social standing between the princess and the sorceress?!
In frustration, Amelia brought her fist down onto the table. Instantaneously, an enormous crack pierced the table's surface. Within the seconds, the crack had spread across the table surface. It then wasn't long before the table found itself being smashed in half. The two newly created pieces of table, now separated from each other, then fell simultaneously to the floor, each with a terrific thud.
Amelia blinked in astonishment at the two wooden constructs that, until recently, used to be a table. Amelia's astonished gaze then travelled to her fist. Did she really destroy the table like that? Wow, looks like she didn't know her own strength.....
....Daddy isn't going to be too pleased.
But why did she do that? Had she really been to wrapped up in her life as a princess that she had truly forgotten her life with Lina Inverse, as an outlaw on the run? Destroying a table like that, was certainly NOT an act of a princess....
Amelia's eyes hardened. She can't hide forever from the truth. Her luxurious lifestyle as a princess had softened her. The past few years of mazoku-slaying, death-defying adventures, and gorging one's self had been most exciting. Those day's were certainly more interesting then this dull lifestyle within the Saillune palace.
Amelia got to her feet, her mind made up. First chance she has, she will escape this monotony that is palace life. No doubt about it, she want's out.
The open road is calling her. And who is she to deny it's seductive proposition?
However, Amelia's bid for freedom came much quicker then expected. Phil had given her commission - One which involved travelling to the next kingdom on a mission in the name of diplomacy.
This certainly didn't give Amelia the best excuse to escape the confines of the palace as she couldn't escape her duties as a princess. But it was better then nothing.
But once Amelia was clear of the city gates, fate played it's hand that it was saving for all this time. And then events took a startling turn around.
Amelia, at this stage, had entered the forest which marked the city limits of Saillune. She didn't travel alone however, she was accompanied by her entourage - which consisted of two of the finest warriors from the Royal Guards. With all three travelling on foot (Amelia insisted that they did - it's been a while and she had a lot of catching up to do), Amelia planned to use her magic to make a rapid escape from the vigilant eyes of the guardsmen and go to seek her own destiny away from the role of a princess.
But this was not to be.
Several pairs of eyes were watching the trio from above. The eyes, in particular. lingered greedily on the princess....
Suddenly, without warning, the trio were descended upon.
Literally!
Four humans of muscular size and strength, leapt down from the trees with a terrific shout of challenge. The two guardsmen looked up only to be knocked off their feet by the newly-emerged attackers! Both guardsmen come crashing down onto the floor as the shock of the ambush became too much to bear.
Amelia flicked her head around, due to the noise of all the commotion. She blinked as she saw four very large and very mean looking brigands keeping her two bodyguards pinned and in check.
Bandits. Amelia thought. But, after spending so long with Lina Inverse, she knew how to deal with these.....
Waving her hands in a particular fashion and relying on a instinct forged without any intrusion from palace lifestyle, she prepared to cast a fireball.
But this was not to be. Suddenly, she was struck from behind by a cowardly blow. A blow that could only be caused from an iron bar. A blow that was enough to send Amelia into unconsciousness.....
Meanwhile, the traveller was nearing the end of his epic long journey. Now he leant against a tree, allowing his tired and laboured limbs a sense of ease. Slowly, the traveller removed his cowl and allowed his head to be rushed by a cool scent of fresh air.
After what he had been through, this rush of fresh air was a welcome relief.
Zelgadis Greywars sighed as he stared out at his goal that stretched out before him: the kingdom of Saillune.
The kingdom certainly didn't look any different from how he remembered it.....
But what was important was that this was a refuge, a sanctuary, a place of friends. And one in particular....
Zel caught himself. What was he thinking?! Sure he was keen on seeing Amelia gain but he wasn't too rapt in allowing her to follow him around in his seemingly never-ending quest. Sure, he knew how much she disliked living the life of a princess but why should she interfere with his battle? His quest to find a cure was his fight and his alone. He expected to go to the ends of the Earth in this mission. So why should he allow himself to be followed around by an enamoured princess?
With a sigh, Zelgadis began to head down the slope and towards Saillune.
And he would've got there, if it wasn't for those bandits that were heading his way.....
Zel blinked as five huge bandits burst into his field of vision and charged up towards his position. What's this?
The bandits bore down towards the chimera, each bearing an expression of triumph and desperation. They were obviously in a mad rush to escape. So much so, that they charged right up to Zel and shoved him out of their path! They were so concerned in fleeing that they were oblivious to the chimera and his appearance. They charged up the slope in a cloud of dust and had disappeared just as soon as they'd first appeared.
Zel blinked up at the route the bandits took. Who were those men and why were they in such a rush? They were bandits no doubt. And, like all bandits do, one of them was carrying a rather large and, indeed bulging, sack.....
But if they were bandits, they were just like any other bandit gang....
Zel got to his feet with a wolfish grin and proceeded to take up pursuit....
Chapter 1
Contents
