Zelgadis and Amelia took all of the back roads away from the palace, as to avoid being too obvious. No one payed them much heed anyway, since the only people that were around were shopkeepers closing up for the night. It didn't take long for Zelgadis and Amelia to reach the outer city gates.
Amelia was actually enjoying herself. Having been cooped up in the palace for so long, it was nice to get some fresh air and be able to listen to all of the sounds of the city. She felt a bit guilty traipsing around with a hood pulled over her head, but she knew it was for the best.
Zelgadis was on edge. He hadn't expected to be leaving Seyruun the very same day he arrived, and to be sneaking out as well! He was thankful for the fact that he was no longer a chimera. It was much easier to go walking down the street as a normal human without drawing any attention.
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They walked for well over an hour - Zelgadis wanted to get as far away from Seyruun as possible before setting up camp for the night. He had set a face pace, as was usual when he had traveled with Amelia and the others, but he noticed Amelia seemed to be stumbling more than usual. At first he blamed it on her not being able to see, but the terrain was smooth, and it was fairly dark now so he held little advantage.
"Amelia, are you all right?" he finally asked.
Amelia took a moment to catch her breath before responding. "Yes...I'm all right...my legs are a bit...tired though." Amelia stopped walking. "It's been a while since I walked for this long."
"Why didn't you say something sooner?"
"I didn't want to be even more of an inconvenience."
Zelgadis bit his tongue. Well, if that was the case... "Do you think you can handle riding Hiro?"
Amelia nodded in consent, so Zelgadis helped her mount the horse.
"He's somewhat strong-willed, so I'm going to lead him. Just to be on the safe side."
Zelgadis need not have worried. Hiro, sensing that Amelia - unlike Zelgadis - knew what she was doing, didn't even attempt to bolt. Zelgadis grumbled at this, but was thankful as well.
Finally, after Zelgadis was satisfied they had traveled far enough (and it was so dark he could hardly see his hand in front of his face) he set up camp. That's when he realized there was only one tent.
"Great. Just great." Zelgadis mumbled.
Amelia, who was currently sitting near the fire Zelgadis had built, heard his outburst.
"Is something wrong, Mr. Zelgadis?"
Zelgadis jumped. "No! Nothing at all. I'll just take first watch tonight."
"First? I guess I could take watch, or listen in my case."
Oops... "Oh no, that's not what I meant. I'll keep watch tonight."
"But aren't you tired?" Amelia yawned.
"I'll be fine. You should get some sleep though. Here, I'll show you to your tent. You can handle things from here, right?"
"Mr. Zelgadis! I'm not totally helpless!" Amelia blushed in embarrassment.
"Uh - no, that's not what I meant! I - " Zelgadis fidgeted.
"It's all right Mr. Zelgadis, really. Good night." Amelia smiled, then closed the tent flap.
"Oh, uh, good night."
Zelgadis walked over and sat by the fire, stoking it to keep it burning.
"What have a gotten myself into?"
Hiro whinnied.
"I wasn't asking you!"
Zelgadis pulled out his bed roll and set it up near the fire.
"At least it's a nice night..."
The lull of crickets sent Zelgadis into slumber in a matter of minutes.
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Later (just how much she couldn't determine) Amelia was woken up by a loud noise. She lay still for a moment, trying to figure out just what she was hearing. Whatever it was, it made sound in timed intervals. It didn't sound very friendly, it sounded outright horrendous!
Whatever it was, Zelgadis would have awoke her if it was a threat.
Amelia was about to fall back asleep, but then a thought struck her: what if it had attacked Zelgadis? Amelia didn't hear him, that was for sure. She crept closer to the tent flap and listened.
Whatever was outside was still being as noisy as ever. Amelia thought of what she could do.
If she ran out at it, she'd most likely scare it off. Unless, of course, it attacked her instead of fleeing. Scratch that idea...
If she stayed silent inside of the tent, it might leave her unscathed. But should Zelgadis be in real trouble, waiting would only make things worse! Scratch that...
She still had one option: her magic. True she hadn't used it forever and was unsure how effectively she could use it not being able to see her target, but even if she were to miss she still had a high chance of scaring off the noisy creature. Magic it is!
Amelia crept up right to the tent flap and began to chant as quietly as she could, then she quickly tossed open the flap and yelled, "Burst Rondo!"
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Zelgadis had been sleeping soundly, until he heard a sudden outburst! Having small fireballs exploding around him didn't help! He did the smartest thing he could think of: he yelped!
Zelgadis sat straight up, quickly looking around. The ground around him was scorched and his blanket had actually caught on fire but he was quick to put it out. He glanced over at the only movement he saw: the tent flap.
"Amelia, is something wrong?"
Zelgadis was mildly irritated. Hearing no response, he got up and tromped over to the tent.
"Amelia, are you in there?"
Amelia had been cringing inside the tent just as soon as she figured out just what she had done. She couldn't ignore Zelgadis for long though, so she sheepishly poked her head out of the tent.
"Oh Mr. Zelgadis, I feared the worst! I heard this horrible sound and didn't know what it was so I did the best thing I could think of but then I heard you yell, and Mr. Zelgadis, I'm so sorry!" Amelia was near tears.
"Calm down Amelia, it's okay. Now what was this noise you heard?"
Amelia looked thoughtful. "Well, it sounded big and nasty. Sort of like this." Amelia breathed through her mouth.
Zelgadis sweat dropped. "Amelia, haven't you ever heard anyone snore before?"
"Well I, uh...Oh!" Amelia looked embarrassed. "But I didn't know you snored, Mr. Zelgadis!"
Zelgadis scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Nor I, actually."
Crisis over, Amelia let out a yawn. "What time is it, anyway?"
"Good question. Considering the sun isn't up yet all I can say for certain is very early."
"Sorry I woke you up so rudely." Amelia twiddled her fingers.
"Don't worry about it. The sun should rise soon. Can't you hear the birds?"
"Of course I - oh."
Amelia had been too involved talking with Zelgadis to notice the birds beginning a new day with song.
"Amelia?" Zelgadis noticed she had tuned out. She quickly came to and looked in his direction. "We should have some breakfast before we set off."
"All right, I'll be there in a moment!" Amelia ducked back into the tent.
Zelgadis moved off to get his pack which, thankfully, he had restocked before leaving Seyruun. Nothing like boring trail rations to start off the day.
"Amelia, I'll apologize in advance for the less than fancy meal." Zelgadis smiled sheepishly, but then remembered she wouldn't be able to see him anyway. When he didn't get a response, he looked up.
Amelia, being unable to see, was slowly working her way over to where Zelgadis was. She didn't want to trip, so she was taking very cautious steps. Zelgadis got up and walked over to Amelia.
"Here Amelia, let me help you." Zelgadis took Amelia by the arm and led her over to a nearby log. Zelgadis then handed a small bag to her. "Here, it isn't much, but it should keep you until lunch, or until we reach a town. Whichever comes first. I'm going to go check on Hiro, I'll be right back."
Amelia listened to Zelgadis walk off, but then decided to check on the bag's contents. She reached in and pulled out something soft, but firm. Curious, she smelled it.
"Oh, dried fruit. I wonder what kind it is?"
Amelia chewed on the fruit, determining that it was an apricot, and waited for Zelgadis' return. True to his word, Zelgadis was back soon after.
"Mr. Zelgadis, where did you plan on looking, anyway?"
"Actually, I thought that Sairaag would be the best place to find something, but we'll also look in the towns we pass."
"Oh, of course! Sairaag should be well settled by now." Amelia gave a sad smile. "Poor Miss Sylphiel, having to deal with her home being destroyed...twice."
"Is Sylphiel still in Sairaag? She could be quite helpful if she is."
Amelia shook her head. "No, she moved to Seyruun about 12 years ago to stay with her uncle. She was one of the clerics Daddy summoned to help me."
"I really have been gone too long. Did you ever hear anything from Lina and Gourry? Assuming they stayed together."
"Mr. Zelgadis, of course they are! Miss Lina did write to me about a year ago. She mentioned about her and Mr. Gourry's travels, but I never heard anything from her after that. Oh, I hope they're all right!"
"I'm sure they're fine. If anything had happened to them, we would have heard something. Word travels fast, you know."
"I know all too well! I've been stuck inside the palace since I got sick, for fear word would get out that Seyruun might lose it's future heir to the throne. Daddy was able to keep anything form getting out, but I would have gone crazy had you not come along." Amelia smiled at Zelgadis.
Zelgadis, seeing the gratitude in her expression, coughed nervously. "We really should get moving if we want to reach a town today."
Amelia's face fell. She had been enjoying the chance to talk to another person again. Especially an old (and fondly thought of) traveling companion.
"Do you need help with anything?" Amelia asked.
"No, I can get the tent and bedrolls. However, I'm betting that Hiro would like some company."
Amelia laughed. "Oh, how cruel of us to leave him out!"
"I'll accompany you to him." Zelgadis helped Amelia up.
Zelgadis led Amelia to the nearby tree that the horse was tethered to. Zelgadis then placed Amelia's hand on Hiro's back, then turned to leave.
"It won't take me long. Just stay out of trouble until then."
Amelia looked cross. "Mr. Zelgadis, I -"
Zelgadis placed his fingers over Amelia's mouth.
"I was talking to Hiro." Zelgadis then walked off.
"He sure is an odd one, isn't he, Hiro?" Amelia whispered to Hiro, scratching him behind the ear.
Hiro neighed in agreement.
And thus ends another chapter! I don't have much to say here, other than what I said about Sylphiel being in Seyruun is based off of the Slayers Royal
video game. It may or may not be true in the novels.