The Next Generation 6

A/N: I really have no idea what to say at this time, bec- Wait! I just got an idea!

Kenju Shin: I know you want the fire. But you'll have to be patient. I've got a few ideas, but I can't just put them into play just like that. Don't worry, there'll be fire soon enough.

Anything else? No? Well then on to the fic! P.S. General Veers is the main bad guy, and he has one line in the Star Wars trilogy.





First there was nothing but the cold, empty room, and no one but Van, Yukari, Setto, and Mark. A split second later, daggers flew through the air, and a dozen familiar dark clothed men leaped from the shadows. Now that they attacked in the light, Yukari could get a good look at them. Covered head to foot in thick black cloth, it was amazing how they could see. Not even eye slits pierced their dark fabric. But the assassins seemed to get along just fine without eyes. Each man (if men they were) clutched a jagged sword of a black metal in his gloved hand, and they made not a sound.

That was all Yukari could absorb at a glance. One of them lunged towards her, sword extended. Yukari blocked with her katana and ducked a lightning quick backslash. Her opponent kept up a furious rain of blows directed to her head. Yukari waited. Hitomi had always taught her to never just go berserk in a battle. She should wait for an opportunity and seize it. There!

The black-clothed man thrust at her. Yukari moved slightly to the side, and twisted her arm around the blade. It ripped from its owner's hand, and she struck, smiling as her blade tore open his stomach.

Then the smile faded. The man disintegrated, leaving behind the clothing, dust, and no blood whatsoever. 'What the hell?'

"Yukari!"

Yukari whirled, concentrating. Her next attacker flew backwards, impaling himself upon a sharpened candleholder. Yukari looked up and smiled at Mark, who had warned her.

Waving to her, Mark drew his weapon, an ornate two-handed bastard sword. With his first upward sweep, a head flew dustily through the air. Yukari watched in admiration as he lay into the enemy. 'He's good' She thought. Then she turned back to the enemy.

Van was at a disadvantage. Being on the ground, he didn't have time to draw his weapon. So he rolled, as swords cut the ground. Finally, he managed to yank his scabbarded sword from his belt and used it to parry a downward cut to his head. Holding it still, Van yanked his own sword free and ran the man through. It wasn't quite dead, so Van twisted his blade upward and cut it in half. NOW it was dead. Van regarded the defeated foe with satisfaction before turning to the other three coming at him.

Setto, meanwhile, was jumping, dodging, and just plain running around the room. A couple of the assassin went for him, ignoring the others. Looking back as he twisted around a pillar, Setto saw how closely bunched they were and got an idea. Grinning, he grabbed a torch from the wall and ducked. The blade struck the pillar right where his head had been drawing sparks.

Setto always carried a flask of wine wherever he went. This was partly why Yukari always accused him of being drunk. But sometimes wine had its uses. Grinning, he yanked it from his belt, took a swig, and blew.

Instant flames! The mini bonfire engulfed the killers and they were ashes in seconds. Setto grinned happily and drew his blade.after carefully replacing his wine flask on his belt. Then he sprang into battle, sword twirling, and dancing flashily.

Before too much longer, however, guards burst into the room. Led by the mistrustful captain, they attacked fiercely, each laying down his own life before his king was hurt. In exactly five seconds, the assassins, their numbers already depleted from furious fighting, were nothing more than piles of dust.

"My Lord Van!" The captain cried out. "Are you hurt? What did these murderers do to you? Take them to the dungeon!" He yelled to his men. Turning furiously back to the indignant trio, he pointed an accusing finger at them. "You will pay for trying to kill our king."

Fanelian guardsmen were advancing, when Van stepped in between. "Captain Argus! Stand down!"

Argus was stunned. "But your majesty-!"

"I SAID STAND DOWN!"

The guards instantly stepped back, replacing their swords. Argus' eyes were popping from his head as Van lectured him sternly.

"These people are not here to murder me! You'll notice that I'm still alive and unharmed. Unless I've been struck by a mortal wound in the last three seconds?" Turning about, Van held out his arms so his captain could survey. "Well? Do I appear to be dying to you?"

"N-no my lord".

"Then, calm down already!" Van sighed. Turning back, he said, "I'm sorry. Captain Argus is too protective of me. I'm surprised that I can go anywhere alone!" He sighed. "It's late today, and I was just about to sit down for supper when you came. Would you care to join me?" He beamed at the chorus of voices. "Great! Follow me, and we'll join the other guests."

A thought suddenly hit Yukari, and she pulled Mark forward. "Van, let me introduce Maarken Killowitski" She shrugged at his glare. "Also known as Mark."

"It's an honour to meet you Mark." Van solemnly shook his hand. Mark, who was not used to his own boss treating him respectfully, was speechless. He stammered something and dropped his eyes. Van grinned.

"I want no 'you highness' or 'my lord'. I get that enough from Argus. It's just Van, okay?"

A faint "Okay." was Mark's response.

"Good. Now on to supper. Oh, and Argus. Prepare rooms for our guests, okay?" Not waiting for an answer, Van led his friends from the room.

***

The Fanelian banquet hall reminded Yukari of the banquet hall in Asturia. The Slayers had gone there once when they were paid to intimidate some nobleman, and they got to see the palace. Suffice to say it was too bright, and too happy. But then again, Yukari simply didn't like bright colourful stuff.

Sitting themselves down at the table, they watched the serving maids set out the food. Yukari's stomach gurgled and growled as she realised that all she'd eaten all day was some trail food. And now such succulent delicacies like roast boar and delicately prepared bouillabaisse were being set before her eyes. It was almost too much!

'Get a hold of yourself, Yukari' Her brain scolded her when she contemplated starting on the feast. 'Do you want to seem like a pig?'

'Oh yeah?' Her stomach snarled. 'Who cares what other people think? So long as I can eat, I'm happy!'

'That's exactly the sort of attitude that started the Destiny war. Zaibach decided that they'd get what they wanted no matter what, and look what happened to them?'

'I hardly think that dinner will have the same effect as a destiny prognostication device.'

'Thinking is my job! You're just the stomach!'

'Well at least I have standards! I'm not filled with cobwebs like another organ I could mention!'

'Oh yeah?'

'Yeah!'

'OH WILL YOU SHUT UP?!' Her liver screamed. 'The others are coming!'

Yukari looked up from the arguments of her organs. The other guests were indeed coming.

About a dozen nobles from various lands stepped through the double doors of the banquet hall. Each one passed a curious look at the newcomers sitting by king Van. When their eyes touched Yukari, all the men suddenly smiled in what they no doubt fondly imagined were charming ways. The woman scowled suspiciously at Yukari, but they changed their tunes quick enough when they caught sight of Setto and Mark. Giggling idiotically, they sat down as near to them as they could. One nearly plopped right down in Setto's lap, but another nudged her aside and away from the table.

While all the giggling and smiling went on, Van stood up. He bowed to his guests in the proper Fanelian way and bade them eat. He took a bite and everyone dug in.

After tearing through some grilled piscus seasoned with garlic, Yukari took the time to look around at the guests as she ate. Each was chattering to the others about gossip stuff. Who was sleeping with whom, and so forth. Yukari smiled and shook her head as she drained a glass of pumpkin juice. Nobles. They may imagine themselves the lords of Gaea, but on the inside they're just like everyone else.

Then one of them caught her eye. While fending off the encroaching hand of a well-dressed gentleman at least twice her age, Yukari carefully studied the other girl.

Long honey-coloured hair fell from her pale face down to her shoulders. A delicate hand glumly swirled wine in her glass as soft blue eyes stared at her plate. A light pink dress in Basramian style adorned her body, but she simply seemed to not care.

Curious, Yukari leaned over to talk with Van, pausing on the way to twist the fingers of the gentleman beside her. "Hey" She whispered, "Who's the girl?"

"Which one?"

"The one who looks like her brother was eaten by a dragon."

"Oh, her. Her name is Sabrina Veers."

Yukari did a double take. "Veers? General Veers?"

Van frowned. "That's him. You heard of him?"

"It's a long story. I'll tell you later, but for now, more about her."

"Well, like I said, she's the daughter of Veers, who happens to be Basram's most powerful general. He's second only to the king, in fact. He was supposed to come himself, but he sent a message saying he couldn't make. Something about 'business that will not wait'. He went on to say that he'd send his daughter and a trusted advisor." Van looked around. "He's not here now, but he's always a little late. Apparently it's fashionable." He grimaced at the idea of 'fashionable'.

Setto, who had been listening for a while, leaned over and got a look at Sabrina. "Why is she so sad?"

Van shook his head. "I've got no idea. She prefers to be alone except for meetings. I've never really talked to her."

Setto eyed her sympathetically. "What she needs is a friend." He said. "Maybe I could help her."

Yukari glared at her brother, and was just about to give him an earful, when suddenly, a piercing creak cut through the conversation like a knife through butter. She turned to see who it was. What she saw made her blood run cold and boil at the same time.

There he stood, all in black robes. Like a scene right out of a nightmare. His eyes sucked in the light greedily and dispelled only shadows. His hand entwined around a plain staff carved as a striking serpent. His craggy face framed by his long white hair like this ice on top of Dragon's Peak.

Van stood up. Into the chill silence, he said "Ah, Mr. Kasar. I was just wondering when you would appear."

Kasar smiled politely at Van. "I apologise for my tardiness, your Majesty" He said in his flat emotionless voice. "I was detained by my work."

Van waved cheerfully. "Nonsense. I know how busy one can get. Please join us!"

Kasar bowed slightly, and sat down in the empty space next to Sabrina. The girl got even paler, if that was possible.

Van sat down too. Aside to Yukari, he said, "I've never really liked that guy, you know. There's something about him I just don't get." When he got no response, he turned and looked at Yukari, whose hand was slowly tightening around her goblet. "What's the matter with you?"

Yukari was too overcome with hatred to talk for a moment. This guy, this Andrakus Kasar, is at Varkas yesterday evening, spends enough time at the Mystics' camp to organise an attempted kidnapping, and manages to get to the capital before them? Slowly she hissed, "How long has he been here?"

Van was caught off-guard by the intense anger emanating from his goddaughter. "Uh, about a week".

The goblet was beginning to crumple under the increased pressure of Yukari's fist. "Has he been gone for any period of time?"

Van shook his head. "Nope. He's either in here, the library, his quarters, or with Sabrina."

Trembling, Yukari crushed her goblet, and pumpkin juice spilt onto the table. "That's impossible." She hissed. "Just yesterday evening, he was in Varkas!"

Van's eyes shifted from Yukari to Kasar and back. "Are you sure it was him?"

"Of course I'm sure! He tried to get mom and dad to sign some treaty. But they told him off. I'll tell you the rest later. For now, though, I'm going to have a chat with mister Kasar."

Yukari got up, and selected a new goblet. Ignoring the lecherous looks of the men, the spiteful glares of the women, the amused look of Setto, the alarmed look of Van, and the concerned look of Mark, she strolled along the long table, her sight set on the black cloaked man across the room.

Kasar was calmly eating his food. He didn't look up, but Yukari was prepared to bet her earrings that he knew she was there. Tossing back her hair with a flick of the head, she said, "Ah, Mr. Kasar! Fancy meeting you here."

Kasar looked up at Yukari, a pleasant smile on his face. "Good evening Miss Albatou" He said.

Yukari waved a hand negligently. "It's just Yukari. I don't go in for titles, fancy or otherwise."

"Very well Yukari. What brings you to the capital?" Kasar asked, condescendingly. Yukari resisted the urge to throw her drink in his face.

"Oh, I just thought I'd go and visit my godfather, that's all. You seem to have got here quite fast though. What urgent business would bring someone to ride all night, through dangerous land?"

Kasar smiled broadly. "My lord, the general, has authorised the forming of an alliance with Fanelia. Is that not important?"

Yukari frowned inwardly. That was too easy. "Important, perhaps. But Van would have waited if you had decided to come in the morning. It would have been much safer then."

Kasar shrugged breezily. "I do not fear the night, and the threats of the road are nothing to me."

"What about assassins?"

"Assassins?"

Yukari nodded sagely. Kasar laughed quietly. "My dear girl, why would someone want me dead?"

"I don't know. Maybe to stop this alliance with Fanelia from coming to pass. Fanelia's got a lot of things about her that would interest anyone looking for friends." Yukari glanced around the hall with feigned interest. "I've been studying Fanelia for some time now. I suppose it comes naturally, what with living here and all. But Fanelia has a few important details that might interest a military commander, a General say."

Kasar hesitated for a fraction of a second. "Oh?"

"Indeed. Fanelia has at least four major energist mines, massive quantities of lumber, and a leva stone field. She's a major exporter of grains and vegetables. She's got a major industry in building guymelef. And to top it off, Fanelia has the reputation of being unbeatable. Zaibach levelled her in the Destiny war, and look how strong she is now? If anyone were to conquer or befriend her, they'd be in for a massive propaganda victory." Yukari eyed Kasar shrewdly. "Does any of this interest you?"

"Of course. I'm an ambassador, nothing more."

Yukari leaned forward. "Just between you and me, I think you're a little bit more than an ambassador."

Kasar didn't answer her. He just looked into her eyes. Yukari nearly shivered at the spear of concentrated loathing that pierced her body.

"I must thank you." He hissed. "You've given me much to think about. Let me return the favour." He glanced at his glass, rotating it between two fingers slowly. "I overheard the guards speaking about something intriguing. It seems that assassins tried to kill the king. You should be careful. After tonight, one would think that you and your brother are the kings friends, and decide to.deal with you."

Yukari straightened. Turning to go back to her seat, she tossed over her shoulder, "I wouldn't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

Kasar watched the girl as she strolled back to her seat, slapping groping hands along the way. "So I noticed, my dear." He whispered. "So I noticed."



A/N: Chapter six is done! Now you should know the drill. Press the button at the bottom of the screen and write!