After a long, yet mostly uneventful trip back to Amelia's homecity of Saillune. Oft called "The White City" because a majority of the sorcerers and sorceresses there practiced white magic, Saillune was vastly beautiful. The castle where Amelia resided when not traveling was enormous and looked as if it were carved from sparkling white clouds. Its towers were trimmed with gold and great flags of white and silver and blue flew from the tips of their roofs. "Wow, Amelia, it's even prettier than the last time I was here." Tabby smiled upon seeing the castle.

"Why, thank you, Miss Tabby." Curtsying, Amelia grinned. She was glad to be back home after two months of traveling with Tabby, Lina and the others. Now she would be home with her family and most importantly her father.

Before Amelia could invite them all back to the castle, Filia spoke up with a regretful tone. "I'm sorry, everyone, but I must be getting back home. They hadn't expected me back for some time now, but I know they'll be worried I'm gone too long." Flicking her long blond hair from her eyes Filia looked simply devastated to be leaving her friends.

However they said their goodbyes and when Filia had disappeared over the hill they'd just ascended Amelia asked them all to accompany her to the castle. Everyone readily agreed, knowing that it would be much more comfortable and hospitable than any inn. Luckily the path was clear and people that were found on it, kept to the side. Some of them stopped long enough to tip their hats, curtsy or bow to the princess. She would smile and wave back to them, but mostly she kept her attention on her friends.

When they finally reached the castle, news had already spread that the Princess was back and Prince Philionel, Amelia's father, was therefore waiting for them at the gates of the castle. The Prince and Princess looked nothing alike, though it was unmistakable that they were related. Tabby had never seen two people more obsessed with justice in her entire life.

"Oh, Amelia, it is great to have you home!" Philionel scooped his daughter into a giant bear hug. "The castle is always so empty when you're away."

"Oh, Daddy, I've missed you so much! But it is justice that has kept us safe and delivered me home after so long!"

Valgaav turned to Tabby and raised an eyebrow in inquiry.

"I've no idea," Tabby mouthed.

"I see you've brought all your friends with you - and - Tabby Inverse? I haven't seen you around in a long time!" Philionel looked as if he might try and hug Tabby too, but she moved away and greeted him with a firm handshake instead.

"It's great to see ya again, Phil! And I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Valgaav," she pointed the Ryuzoku standing beside her.

Phil shook his hand heartily and introduced himself. Then he warmly invited everyone in, promising a good meal and comfortable rooms for the weary travelers.

Around said meal later on that day, Amelia brought up the fact that the library in her castle was very extensive. "I'm sure you could find something on that Sword you're looking for and maybe even it's more exact location."

"You might be right, Amelia. Would you mind me checking out after we eat?"

"Not at all, Miss Tabby. I'll even show you there myself."

"That would be great."

In his seat beside Tabby, Valgaav leaned over and asked, "Would you like me to help you find it?"

"Of course, Valgaav, what makes you think I wouldn't?"

"Oh, I - I don't know. Just thought I'd ask."

"Well, I don't mind and I'd love you too."

At that precise moment Prince Phil entered the dining hall and ambled over to his daughter's seat at the head of the table. Amelia had been conversing with Zelgadis and Lina, even though Lina was too busy scarfing down a large helping of some sort of baked fowl to really listen or respond to her. Meanwhile Gourry was on his fifth plate of everything (which included that bird and about ten or twenty other dishes) and Zelgadis was calmly sipping his coffee and helping himself to a little of the fowl and some vegetables.

Phil patted his daughter on the back, so hard she nearly choked on her own breath. "Daddy," she said trying to catch her breath, "What do you need?"

"Oh, just checking on my lovely daughter. Have you said anything to that fine young man you were telling me about before you left? I forget his name..."

Amelia's eyes bugged out and she almost spit out the food she'd been chewing. Shaking her head vigorously, she tried to make her father be quiet.

"Was it... oh, it was Zelgadis here!" And then, as the chimera blushed at least ten shades of scarlet, Phil pounded him on the back too.

"Daddy!" Amelia buried her face in her hands trying to hide how her pale skin had flushed crimson.

But Phil only laughed merrily and shook his head. "Only kidding, dear. Do you think your own father would embarrass you that much if it were true?"

The Princess squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that no one was looking at her. Much to the contrary all eyes were wide and fixed directly on Amelia. However, as Phil laughed again and left the room, everyone remained quiet and tried their best to go back to eating. For Amelia and Zelgadis, this feat was just a little more awkward.

Thankfully the rest of the meal passed without any more of those interruptions and even as everyone else retired for some much desired rest, Amelia lead Tabby and Valgaav to her library. Zelgadis had told them he'd be along shortly, once he had a nap and Lina had promised that if she was needed that all they had to do was come and find her. Gourry said he would help too if they wanted.

"You just come get me when you are finished, Tabby. I showed you where I'd be sleeping. Or you can just find a guard to lock up when you're done." Amelia smiled at the two of them and then bowed herself out.

She hadn't been kidding when she'd said it was extensive. There were more than a hundred shelves that went from floor to ceiling and were stacked with all number of books. Some were bound in leather, others were simply large stacks of paper tied with ribbons. So many books, Tabby wondered how she'd ever find anything in them all. She hoped there was some sort of organizational coding that Amelia had forgotten to mention to her.

"Well, Tabby, where should we start?" Valgaav looked as lost as she did.

"Heh. That's a good question." She stepped forward to the first shelf to her left and pulled a book off. It was titled White Magic Through the Ages. Tabby investigated the cover and the immediate pages within for an author but found none. "I guess we just hope we get lucky, eh?"

Valgaav chuckled. "Sounds like a plan."

It seemed for ages they looked and in fact it was a couple of hours before Valgaav and Tabby found three books with "Desert of Destruction" in the title. One contained many sketches and the second dealt with creatures that might be found there. The third provided the information Tabby wanted as she scanned its pages for the name "Gryphonsharp." There was even a sketch of it in the first book. According to the last book, there was indeed a temple, and as Gourry had suggested earlier, it was an oasis. It was a beautiful oasis too, if the sketch was anything reliable to go by.

"Wow, I never knew anything in a desert could look so pretty," Tabby commented as she looked over the sketch. There were trees and a tiny lake of clear blue water, or at least that's how it had been colored. The temple was there too, though a small one it was. Tabby couldn't tell from the sketch however what it was made of or even if the colors were right.

Valgaav had not commented though she knew he was standing right beside her. She could see the flap of his vest through the corner of her eye and his legs if she looked down any. Instead, she looked up and found him looking down at her rather than at the sketches or either of the other books. "I-I, uh..." he stuttered when she discovered him. His face reddened and he bit at his lip.

Tabby found this most amusing, wondering what was going through his mind. She smiled somewhat shyly at him.

"Sorry, Tabby."

"Don't be sorry, Val."

"Guess we should get back to looking, huh?"

"If you want..."

It seemed then that they were staring rather intensely into each other's eyes. A blush still found its way across his cheeks and Valgaav looked, as well as felt, rather awkward. However he still leaned down and halfway to Tabby he closed his eyes. She leaned up, ready to meet his kiss.

"Hey! You two are taking way too long!" Lina Inverse suddenly burst through the door, looking impatient. She stopped in her tracks though at the scene before her. "Oh, uh, sorry, guys." Scratching the back of her head, Lina started to back out of the library.

"No, wait. It's okay. I - we - this isn't - We found a sketch!" Tabby suddenly thrust the sketchbook at Lina in an attempt to drag the attention away from the way she and Valgaav had been holding one another.

Valgaav was scowling, but he said nothing to Lina. Picking up one of the other books they'd found, he pretended to read it while Tabby explained to Lina what they had found.

"So, when are you planning on setting out for this?" Lina questioned the two of them.

"As soon as possible actually. It's about the same distance from here as Rorfinia was from Atlas City. Or at least that's what I'm guessing. I've never been to the Desert before."

"Not too many of us have. We passed it once, on a ship, when the gods' seal was broken."

Tabby nodded thoughtfully. "Are you and Gourry coming with me?"

"I suppose if that's what you want us to do. Otherwise we'll just go back to traveling and beating up bandit gangs for treasure."

Laughing, Tabby patted her cousin on the shoulder. "Well, then I guess I'll have to go tell Amelia and Zelgadis now. I know Amelia will be happy to know we found her library useful."

"Amelia's still in her bedroom right now. I went to check on her before I came here."

"What about Zel and Gourry?"

"Gourry's having a snack and Zelgadis is… well, he's doing something. I can show you where his room is."

"That'd be great. And I hope Amelia doesn't mind us borrowing these books." Tabby motioned to the one in her hands and the two Valgaav was now holding.

"Well, the only thing to do is ask her. Come on, you two."

* * *

"I'm so sorry, Miss Tabby, but I can't go with you." Amelia seemed to be on the verge of tears as Tabby finished asking her if she would go or not. Tabby was alone for the time being because Valgaav had decided to bathe while Tabby recruited everyone.

"How come, Amelia?" Tabby sat down on the edge of the Princess's bed. It was covered in white and carnation pink sheets and blankets with the word "justice" embroidered across the fluffy white pillows. A lacy pink canopy adorned the bed and the posts that held it up were trimmed in gold.

The Princess was silent, looking down into her hands. "I can't go because I don't want to." She looked up at Tabby as if the sorceress might yell at her. It was still odd how much she looked like Lina and how much Amelia expected her to act like Lina.

"Oh, do you mind me asking why?"

"I just miss spending time with my father, and there are so many princessly duties I have to carry out. Besides, Daddy can't be the only one upholding justice around here."

Tabby smiled at that. She knew how important the ways of peace and justice were to Amelia. So she nodded and leaned forward, patting the Princess on the back. "That's okay, Amelia. I understand that you have things to do at home. It'll just mean you won't be there when I get the sword, but that's okay."

"You really do understand, Miss Tabby? You're not angry?"

"Of course not! You have things to take care of at home and I've got things abroad. If I got mad at you for not coming with me, that just wouldn't be fair. It wouldn't be just."

"Oh, Miss Tabby!" Suddenly, Amelia threw her arms around the sorceress and hugged her tight. At first Tabby was startled but she hugged her back to let her know everything was okay. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome, Amelia." Tabby looked around her at the Princess's room.

"I hope you get that sword, Tabby. And you must come back to see me after you do."

"Of course, Amelia. Of course."