Chapter 7
We're Going to be Friends
Meanwhile Xelloss followed Thyruss out of the citadel and into the mountain range. The warlord didn't say where they were heading but it seemed obvious that he was taking the mazoku to be introduced to his new comrades-in-arms.
Eventually, after some marching, they came to a grassy circle set upon the flat top of a mountain. A grassy circle that also housed a group of black standing stones arranged in a circular fashion.
This grassy circle also had someone waiting for them.
It was a woman, dressed in a gorgeous, strapless, blue gown with gold lining. She had the skin of the finest porcelain and a face that was kindly and gentle, yet intelligent and dark. This woman also had ruby red lips and dark hair swung over the back her head and held in place by a gold head band.
The woman smiled warmly at Thyruss as he approached and strode towards him. She greeted the warlord with a gentle palm on his chin followed by a gentle kiss full on the lips.
Eventually, Thyruss broke of the kiss and smiled at the woman.
"Valentina" he said softly.
"My lord" the woman replied. "It is wonderful to see you again"
"And who is this?" she went on, casting an inquisitive gaze at Xelloss.
"He's that new recruit I told you about." the warlord replied. "He's called Xelloss"
"I see" The woman named Valentina said.
"Anyway" she went on. "The others should be here soon. Both of them"
Xelloss blinked at Thyruss. "Both?"
The warlord hesitated with his answer - as if he was uncertain how to answer the question.
"I have two agents in Saillune at the present time" he said. "Consequently, there are only two of my men left to defend my citadel!"
Xelloss didn't reply. Instead he was contemplating on what he had gotten himself into. Does this guy have any idea as to exactly HOW much planning is required to have a revolution?!! If he was planning to overthrow the Saillune ruling house with such a small group of warriors, then he is certainly going to have a tough time doing so.
Just then Xelloss' thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a pair of newcomers to the circle.
One was a man. He was lean of stature and certainly had the appearance of a veteran warrior. The man sported an enormous moustache and a head that was shaved bald apart from a top-knot. He wore only a pair of black trousers, leaving his bare-chest exposed for all to see the amount of scars he had acquired over countless battles. But most impressive of all was the amount of weapons that dangled from the man's belt. There were a impressive collection of blades, knives, daggers and other silent weapons - all of which screamed out as the tools of an assassin.
The other was another woman. But, in Xelloss' mind she looked more battle-hardened than Valentina. This woman had arms that pulsed with strength and might. She also dressed in an impressive breastplate with knee-high boots and a shortened skirt. The woman's blonde hair was cut short - to her ears - and whilst her face was truly feminine, it also showed signs of seeing many battles - mixed with high intelligence.
The two warriors stood to attention before Thyruss. But Xelloss could feel their gaze prying upon him.
"Sir!" the man said. "We've come on your command!"
"Indeed" Thyruss answered. "I want you to meet our latest recruit."
And I assume it is him?" the woman inquired nodding in Xelloss' direction.
The warlord nodded and turned to the mazoku.
"Xelloss?" he said, indicating towards the man. "This is Innotenti. He's under my charge as an assassin, ready to remove any obstacles at my command."
The mazoku nodded but remained silent. He could feel the assassin's gaze upon him - indeed, the man looked like the type whom will gladly slit a throat for two copper pieces. Truly this assassin had the appearance to match his deadly trade.....
"And this" Thyruss went on, indicating towards the woman. "Is Anastacia."
"Pleasure" the woman answered. But even then Xelloss could feel her voice full with contempt for the newcomer.
"Now" the warlord said, addressing his underlings, "Xelloss has offered us new information on the events within Saillune if we allow him in our ranks. I have decided his words worthwhile enough to accept his offer"
"Really?" Innotenti growled - it was fairly obvious that he wasn't liking the mazoku even though they've just met.
"And how does this information help us?" Anastacia demanded, her voice rich in sarcasm.
Xelloss cleared his throat. "Right now, even as we speak....."
"Cut to the chase!" Innotenti snapped, cutting off Xelloss completely.
Xelloss twitched, resisting the temptation to break the assassin's neck. Nevertheless, he opened his eyes and delivered his information in a rather definite manner:
"Lina Inverse is in Saillune"
Immediately, the two mercenaries were swept up in a tsunami of panic! Upon hearing the name of the infamous bandit killer, Innotenti's threatening composure fell away entirely! Anastacia's knees began knocking and her hands began shaking! Even Valentina paled.
Thyruss however, blinked in disbelief whilst Xelloss shielded his eyes with his palm.
"YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS?!?!?!" Innotenti shouted, his voice frightened and his expression frantic.
Anastacia meanwhile shouted at Thyruss: "YOU EXPECT ME TO GO UP AGAINST THAT DESTRUCTIVE BITCH?!?!!?"
The warlord raised an eyebrow. "I take it you've heard of Lina?"
"AND YOU HAVEN'T?!!??" shouted everyone - including Xelloss and Valentina.
"Enough of this!" the warlord boomed, in an attempt to restore order.
Upon hearing the loud, commanding voice of their leader, everyone fell silent.
"Innotenti?" Thyruss snapped. "I want you to go to Saillune and get rid of this.....Lina"
"You're kidding right?" came the reply.
"Oh come on" the warlord snapped, who was now getting quite annoyed. "Why should this Lina be a threat to you, the man whom has killed so many?"
"You sure you haven't heard of Lina?" the assassin demanded. "You don't get out much do you?"
"I have heard of Lina okay?!" Thyruss snarled, irritably. "I have heard of the stories and I am well aware of how destructive she can get. But in any case, she is just another obstacle and any obstacle can be removed if dealt with appropriately!"
"You're asking too much!" Innotenti retorted.
"He's right" Anastacia agreed. "If you send us to kill to Lina then you're sending us to our doom!"
"Listen to me!" Thyruss roared. "Just do what I say! Without question!"
"You're not listening to us aren't you?" Innotenti snapped back.
Xelloss sighed and turned away. Exactly what has he got himself in for?!?
Night descended upon Saillune. But inside the palace itself, it was a hurricane of noise, light and activity. The long lost daughter of Saillune, Gracia, had returned at long last and Phil had ordered a massive banquet in commemoration of this momentous event. Thus, the servants of the place had been running this and that, busying themselves with food preparation, decoration arranging and the general tidying of the palace itself. Indeed, each and every palace servant bore an understanding of this occasion, so they were working with a responsibility and the excitement that this event goes flawlessly.
Sadly, not everyone involved with the banquet shared such sentiments.
"I! Hate! These! High! HEELS!" thundered a grouchy but distinctive voice.
Lina Inverse and Amelia Wil Tesla Saillune both made their way to the dining room dressed in impressive finery in accordance to the demands of the occasion. Amelia was bedecked in an exquisite crimson gown whilst Lina had picked out a black number. Both had accompanying white gloves that reached to the elbows and an impressive selection of jewellery.
But, living a life of constantly on the road and being an infamous bandit killer, hadn't prepared Lina for the nightmare that was high heels!
"Whose idea was it to wear these anyway?" the red-head snapped.
"Relax Lina!" Amelia replied. "It all takes the right amount of patience and balance!"
"Yeah, it would take a princess to know this type of thing"
"What?" Amelia said teasingly. "You defeated Ruby Eye Shabranigdu, Dark Star, and countless other foes and horrors - And yet you can't overcome wearing high heels?"
"Oh yeah?!" Lina growled. "I'll show you!"
"Lina!" Amelia exclaimed in alarm. "Watch out!"
Despite her consistent grumbling, Lina couldn't quite master standing on high heels, let alone walking! Thus, she stumbled left and right, down the hallway. She stumbled into a pillar, before knocking over a decorative ornate bust and finally slamming into a wall!
Amelia winced with the sound of each collision before seeing her friend spawled out onto the floor - the battle with the high heels well and truly lost.
"Lina?" the princess cried out in alarm as she hurried over. "Are you all right?'
The sorceress didn't reply. Instead she moaned in derision.
Amelia opened her mouth to speak.....
....before being cut off by a loud noise coming from up the hallway.
The two adventurers looked up towards the source of the noise and saw Naga. Like her two associates, the raven-haired sorceress was dressed in an impressive dining gown. This one was black with a red skirt and accompanying black gloves. Sadly, this gown did little to change Naga - even in that outfit she was as voluptuous as ever.
Even Lina was impressed - this was the first time she had seen her 'travelling companion' in anything that wasn't the infamous battle bikini.
But now, no amount of finery could stop Naga from moving down the hallway at an extraordinary speed. Her legs were going in all directions, her facial expression was one of panic and her balance awkward.
Then, much to the astonishment of both Amelia and Lina, Naga continued on her way plunging blindly down the hallway. She didn't seem to pay attention to her sister and her former associate.
"Gracia!" Amelia cried out in alarm. She got to her feet and chased after her sister.
Lina chuckled at Naga's predicament. It seems the red-head wasn't the only one having troubles with the nightmare that was high heels.
Elsewhere, Gourry and Zelgadis waited outside the dining room for their friends. Both were in princely clothes kindly lent by the palace itself. Gourry was in a blue tunic with white trousers and a white collar. Zel was in the same outfit but whilst his tunic was blue, his trousers and collar were black.
And although Zel felt ridiculous, Gourry didn't seem to mind at all.
"Wow" the swordsman grinned. "Can't wait to see what Phil has for the banquet"
"You're actually looking forward to this?' Zel replied.
Gourry blinked, before catching onto what Zel was thinking.
"Hey look on the bright side Zel" the swordsman grinned, pointing at the tunic. "It matches your hair and your skin!"
Upon hearing this, Zel nursed his head in one hand as he let out a groan.
Just then, Amelia turned into the hallway. She was followed by Lina and Naga - both of whom were leaning on each other and looking well worn, quite bedraggled and very frustrated. It seems the battle with the high heels had produced no clear victor....
Seeing Lina like this, brought Gourry into action. He quickly moved to her side.
"Lina!" he exclaimed. "Are you all right?"
He quickly let out an assisting hand to which Lina gladly accepted - But this, in turn, left Naga without any pillar of support. Consequently, she hit the floor with a loud thud.
(not that any one seemed to notice).
Lina smiled at Gourry.
"You look nice" the swordsman said.
"And you don't look so bad yourself" she replied.
"I do?" he replied diminutively.
Amelia gently reached out her hand - to which Zel gently took up. The princess smiled at the chimera.
"You look.....amazing" Zelgadis breathed.
"And you look truly handsome" Amelia smiled sweetly - before giggling as a bright red flush burst out across the chimera' face.
"Say" Gourry said. "Where's Sylphiel?"
Upon mentioning the shrine maiden, silence descended the five (including Naga who was still on the floor)
"I don't know" Lina mused. "I didn't see her on the way down here"
"You don't suppose" Amelia said. "That she'll be joined by Aldebrand?"
At the mention of the mercenary, everyone exchanged uneasy glances. They had only just met Aldebrand, but none of them could reach a conclusion about him. They had no idea about his intentions nor his past, so they had every right to be suspicious about him. Matters were not helped by the way he had made such an impression on Sylphiel.
But the amount of persuasion that Syl had to do was astonishing. Eventually, Amelia relented, telling everyone that they had to make their own minds about Aldebrand and the occassion of dinner seemed like the perfect opportunity. She added that if they were nice then, chances are, he could be nice back. Of course Zel was supicious as ever, and Lina scoffed at such a concept - but they eventually agreed.
"I won't be surprised if she will" Amelia said hopefully.
"That's absurd!" Zel growled. "How can he make such an impression so quickly?! She only just met him this afternoon!"
"He doesn't seem so bad to me" the princess protested.
"I wouldn't be so confident if I were you" Zel warned.
"I agree with Zel." Lina said. "I'm certain he's got something to hide."
"Really?" Amelia blinked. "You've never struck me as being someone so quick to make such a judgement"
"You can talk" Lina snorted.
"Gourry!" Amelia snapped. "Talk some sense in her!"
Gourry blinked. Being confronted with two accusing gazes, wanting his support in this arguement. Of course, such arguments usually result in drastic effect. Henceforth, this left the swordsman in a tight spot. Perspiration began dripping from his forehead. His fingers twitched and his lips trembled. No matter what he answered here, it would result in certain death from the one whom he didn't support.
He needed an escape hatch and quick....
"Quiet!" Zelgadis said. "Here she comes!"
Everyone looked up - Except Gourry who breathed a heavy sigh of relief. And there was Sylphiel, dressed in a deep blue dining gown. She too had accompanying white gloves and jewellery. But what was striking was the fact that she was arriving here at the dining room with Aldebrand. Like Zel and Gourry, he was dressed in the same palace donated clothes but he had a black tunic with red trousers and collar.
Aldebrand himself seemed uncomfortable. Being a mercenary he was unused to luxurious living such as this. He had no idea how to act at a table nor how to act in front of royalty. His place was in the battle field, not in dinner table manners. But Sylphiel had to do a lot of work to secure him a place at the table so he should at least be grateful.
Despite how much he feels out of place in a situation such as this.
"Hey everyone!" The Shrine Maiden grinned.
Regardless of everyone's suspicions for Aldebrand, all managed to provide an acceptable greeting.
"All right then!" Lina grinned. "We're all here, then! Lets go get some food!"
Just then, as if on cue, the doors to the dining room opened. A servant brought the colourful lights and delicious smells into the hallway from the dining room. This broke the four from their silence and reminded them as to why they were here:
For the FOOD!
"Dinner is served" the servant proclaimed.
"All right!" grinned Lina and Gourry, who darted off into the dining room without a moments further hesitation.
At the mention of food, Naga leapt to her feet, the frustration of high heels forgotten completely!
"You're not starting any meal without me Lina!" she yelled, as she too darted into the dining room at an incredible speed.
Sylphiel and Aldebrand followed - thus leaving Amelia and Zel standing in the hallway.
The princess turned to the chimera - and then noticed his face was moulded in a grim expression.
"Zel?" she inquired. "Is something the matter?"
The chimera nodded. "Yes there is"
Amelia sighed in derison.
"Let me guess....Aldebrand?"
"There's something about him I can't put my finger on....."
"Come on" she said hopefully. "Can you at least give him a chance?"
The chimera folded his arms and shook his head.
"Honestly, can't you at least try to be friendly?"
Zel snorted.
The princess threw up her hands.
"Forget it" she sighed. "I'm sorry I asked."
But it didn't take her long to adopt a smile that was as sweet as sugar.
"But in the meantime" she grinned. "Would the chimera have the honour of escorting the princess to dinner?"
Despite an enormous blush making it's way across his face, Zel nodded and took his hand in hers.
The dinner itself was certainly a colourful occasion. Philionel sat at the head of the table with his daughters at either side. Lina and Gourry joined Naga at on side of the table whilst Syl and Zelgadis sat with Amelia on the other side. Aldebrand sat at the other end of the table but only Sylphiel and Gourry had enough gall to sit at either side of him.
But regardless of the suspiciousness that was residing at the table, Phil was at his most jovial. And who could blame him? For the first time in a long time, he was dining with his two beloved daughters. The family had been reunited at long last. And as an added bonus, he had the pleasure of being joined for dinner by fine friends....(and an extra).
Yes, the enormity of the situation even had him overlook the appalling table manners of Naga, Gourry and Lina.....
"Yes!" Phil grinned. "Eat up! I'm sure you're all hungry following your life on the road!"
Amelia let out a heavy sigh. Jeez, parents can be embarrassing.....
"So tell me.....Aldebrand" the princess went on, in a conversational manner. "What do you do for a living?"
"I...I am a warrior for hire" came the reply.
"Really?" Lina said.
"Yeah!" Syl added. 'He's good with the swords!"
"Swords?" Gourry blinked, suddenly interested.
"Of course!" Aldebrand said - now that the foundations of conversation have been established, he may as well build on them.
"Cool!" the swordsman grinned. "You know, I happen to have the Sword of Light!"
"You're kidding?" the mercenary blinked in astonishment. "THE Sword of Light?"
Lina blinked - it seems Gourry and Aldebrand have hit off amazingly well.
Oh well, stranger things have happened.....
Just then Philionel stood up, with wine glass in hand, to make a speech.
"I'm so glad my daughter Gracia has returned to me!" he proclaimed. "Why, we have so much catching up to do!"
Naga blinked: "Catching up?"
"Of course!" Phil beamed. "We have so much to talk about! Where you've been, what you've been up to and, most importantly of all, succession!"
Upon hearing this, everything on the table fell into an abrupt but stunned silence.
"SUCCESSION?!" Lina exclaimed. "Are you serious!?"
"Of course!" the Crown Prince grinned. "Gracia is my eldest! She's next in line!"
"So tell me Gracia" he went on, addressing Naga. "How did you meet Amelia?"
The raven-haired sorceress was stunned at being offered the chance of succession. She was equally perplexed at being addressed with such a peculiar alias. Nevertheless, she still managed speech:
"I met her when I was hanging around Xelloss Metallium!" she replied.
Upon hearing, the name of the infamous Trickster Priest, Phil raised an eyebrow. Still, he allowed Naga to continue:
"Yes, I met Amelia when I was going to bring down the evil forces in Dakeyras and show up Lina!"
"Dakeyras eh?" Phil asked, as Lina coughed.
Noticing Zel adopting a grim expression, Amelia quickly spoke up: "Yes, Gracia told me that she used to travel around with Lina!"
"Really?" Gourry inquired. "Funny, she never told me"
Ignoring the swordsman, the Crown Prince went on: "Ah, so you two are friends, hrm?"
Upon hearing this, Lina's face went crashing down onto the plate. Naga, however, found hilarity in the frustration of her rival. So much so, she began relax and do what she did best in a situation like this: Laugh.
"OH-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO!!!!!!!!!!"
All, including Aldebrand, winced. Amelia and Phil however didn't seem to mind at all.
Lina groaned. It seems Naga is truly a Saillune through and through....
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