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                         ZELGADISS TORN

___________________ Part 5 _________________

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 "Yes…Xelloss will make him—that is, my separated demon part-- his servant.  And, since Xelloss is a Mazouku Lord now, he will train him to be his general, which is better than being a mere servant.  I mean…being the general to a demon lord isn't so bad," Zelgadiss told his friends.  "He can't really survive otherwise.  Demons need a bond… it seems."  Zel looked a bit misty-eyed as he focused on some far-distant tree or bird.  "It, um…that is Greyzel, wanted me back, I could tell.  He needed that bond we shared." 

Amelia placed a hand on his arm, as comforting gesture not lost on him or anyone else. She believed Zel needed to forge a new bond himself, this time to a human…and she planned to make him see that she was just that right one.

Zel smiled slightly, and then chuckled, "Heh, heh…I didn't tell Xelloss, but I had a mind link with the little guy—still do, I think."

"Little?  Is he small?"  Amelia asked.  She held up her other hand fingers a few inches apart to demonstrate just how little she was imagining him to be.

Without the golem-rock part to stiffen his face and mask his emotions, Zel was now more animated.  As he described his 'lost demon part', he touched his face and body, something his friends had never seen him do in the past.  "Well, not so little, in fact he's my size…bluer skin, naturally… still has the wire hair and all…yes, the pointy ears I had.  You would recognize him right off, I think.  Oh, and…horns, two.  Here and here," Zel pointed to his forehead area.   

He continued answering questions posed by Gourry and Lina.  "The horns were about seven inches long and bony looking.  Eyes?  Yes, he had eyes…only two… Mazouku.  I don't know what color, it was too dark, but they must have been light green or blue for me to notice them at all. Not glowing, just lightly colored.  What else made him different?  Oh, umm…lots of fangs and long claws.  What was that, Lina?  No, not JUST like me!  I said he looked like I did, somewhat…more evil.  Xelloss will bring him by in a few weeks…after they are bonded, so if you are all around, you'll see him.  Now that's enough explanation!  I'm famished!"

~*~

A month had passed since Zelgadiss had said those words.  He was finding that he was still pretty nimble and quick, despite his body's loss of the valuable demon parts.  He smiled to himself remembering that momentous day and a few other things his friends had said:

'Seems you still have some magic, ahhh, Zel?'-- from Gourry and from Lina: 'You won, Zel.  You truly are as strong as you always wanted to be!'  

Amelia had said some very nice, but embarrassing things as well, things he had to grow used to since he had agreed to return to Seyruun with the little princess.  That she considered Zel her 'boyfriend' was apparent to everyone and although he had not said anything to the contrary, he had not said anything to lead her to that conclusion either.  He needed work, and the white magic capital of the city-state was the place to start.  Sadly, he was not as strong as before and without the demon shielding, he was vulnerable to attack as any other human.  He was going to have to re-learn swordplay and focus on his defensive moves.  To do this, he asked Gourry to coach him, and to pay for it he was working for Prince Philonel 'Phil', Amelia's boisterous father.

"At least I still have my skills as a shamanist, although the prince seems to value my intellectual capacity far more," Zel smiled confidently.

He had not considered himself a learned man, but after traveling the entire world and having studied at nearly every shrine and store of knowledge, Zelgadiss had gained a rare wisdom and insight called THE BIG PICTURE.  Phil was grooming the handsome young man to become his chief ambassador, to spread the Just and Righteous Word of Seyruun with diplomacy and skillful employment of tack, reason, and strength.  Zelgadiss was blissfully unaware of Phil's plans, which was just as well.  It made him easier to mold.

Lina hung around as well.  She found part-time work as a waitress to be rewarding.  She could partake of all-she-could-eat once a day and tuck away a little rainy-day loose change.  This was temporary, from her point of view.  And to break up the monopoly of the good life, every few days the foursome would take off in pursuit of adventure.  Short ones.  Just for a day or two, including visits to Filia and little Val.  In fact, the roads around Seyruun were becoming so safe from bandits that the city's trade and commerce was increasing measurably.  Prince Philonel was a happy man.

And not only him, Amelia was on cloud-nine.  Surrounded by the comfortable trappings of her home, family, and friends, she went about her daily duties joyfully with a skip to her step and a tune on her tongue.  Everything was going great, except…Zelgadiss.  He was busy.  He was focused on his work and training now instead of his cure, making him a driven man, not a romantic one.  He often joined Lina, Gourry, and Amelia on their adventures, and although he smiled more and appeared to be happy, he was, oddly enough, the same person he had always been—very private and rather solitary by choice.  This she wanted to change… soon… fast… any way she could.  Her opportunity came unexpectedly one day…

          "I need you to visit Atlas City once again, my dear," the prince began instructing his daughter.  "You know that we have a wonderful reputation for diplomacy in matters concerning dragons.  Well, I've been just now been handed a request from the Atlas City-State Council to send an emissary as a third party to oversee some particular dispute discussions.  The details are missing.  In fact, the purpose and goals are missing here, but that may simply be for security-sake or maybe they don't know themselves and are trying to stay out of the trouble.  I don't know!  I had heard that there might be some trouble-- rumors only from a contingent of Green Dragons, mind you—brewing between a troll settlement and the Black Dragons lying to their east."

          "And you want me to go?"  Amelia said, more than asked.

          "Yes, my dearest daughter, but I'd like you to take your friends.  Mr. Greywords in particular, Miss Inverse, and the dragon woman, Miss Ul Copt, if you think she might help the situation.  Now, the Greywords chap I'll talk to now.  Right up his alley, this job is, I think.  The others are up to you."

          "When would you like us to leave?" 

"This week…  As soon as possible."

          Zelgadiss had finished his workout with Gourry and sent his friend off to clean up.  He ripped off his own sweaty shirt and used it to mop off his brow and the back of his neck, beneath his short ponytail, then collapsed on a grassy knoll to stare at the clouds passing overhead.  It was a delicious spring day in every way.  He was happy.  He felt light as a feather-- no rocky protuberances or heavy weight to restrain his face-- so he smiled.  His hair grew fast and now long soft, brown locks hung past his shoulders when not tied back. 

Food.  Now that was a nuisance, having to eat three times a day or feel that nagging reminder.  It seemed that no matter how much he ate, he was still slim, like Lina.  Oh, and he had even grown a bit taller!  He rubbed the calluses, which had formed on his palms, of his right hand against his bare chest and thought, "Yes…life is wonderful!"

          Then he decided to try to contact Greyzel.  He did this twice a day, giving his 'evil twin' a little nudge.  Sadly, as far as he knew, he had received no return call.  Nothing.  The link was still there, Zelgadiss was certain because he could feel it in his mind.  He could feel the one with Xelloss too, but that he did not use.  Ever.  He wanted it gone.  He had hoped it had simply dissolved by this time, but it was there, nonetheless.  So, he wondered, why he had not yet 'heard' from either one of the demons.  Of course, they did not measure time like humans.  What are a few weeks in a life that knows no end?  As a result, he shut down the link after waiting for nothing and rested his mind and his heart.  Life was wonderful.

          "Zel-gaaaaaaaaaa-diss!  Mr. Zel-gaaaa-diss!"  The lovely, dark-haired princess stood in the field below and called up to where Gourry had said Zel had gone—his retreat.

          Life was…full of interruptions, wasn't it?  He sighed and sat up to look in the direction of Amelia's call.  There she stood, waving a scarf as a signal.  So, something is up then.  As he stood up, he brushed off the loose leaves and scanned the ground for his tossed and neglected shirt.  In a quick move, the dark-haired young man snagged up the dirty rag and used it as a flag to wave back, "Coming!"

          He hopped and jogged down the narrow path he had worn in the grass to where Amelia was standing.

          "Beautiful day, what?" he said.

          "Oh…yes it is!" she answered enthusiastically. 

          Zelgadiss looked down and caught her eyes roving over his bare chest.  She noticed the light tan setting off his well-toned muscles and the thin trail of dark hair disappearing into his pants.

          "Um…something important?" he asked quietly.  His first impulse was to cover himself, a reflex he had not yet gotten over.  Besides it was the princess, young, beautiful and, as yet, unmarried.  It would not be proper for him to be half dressed and standing un-chaperoned with the princess; that is, if he cared for such niceties as that.  Probably the many years of camping outdoors and fighting in close quarters with Amelia and Lina had made him unconcerned about appropriate conduct.  No…he knew better, but funny, he didn't care at all.  They were alone and he found he was enjoying the attention he was receiving as her eyes raked over his exposed body once again.

          "Oh!"  Her breath caught in her throat and a blush spread over her cheeks as she met his eyes at last.  What was it she was supposed to tell him?  "Daddy wants to see you right away.  He has a mission for you and Lina and all of us!"  She started to look up, and then lowered her long black eyelashes, sweeping her cheeks.  He's so handsome…He was a gorgeous chimera, but now…he's a man.

          "Is that so?"  Zel smirked.  The little girl was all grown up and interested in him, he could tell.  He had no excuses any more to deny his feelings for her as well, but he waited, not knowing exactly for what.  Maybe he wanted to achieve something first, to be something grander than what he was, something besides being the grandson of Rezo the Red Priest.  "Do I have time to bathe and change clothes?"

          "Uh…huh…" she nodded wide-eyed.  Bathing…it made her think of combing out that long messy hair, no longer wires, but now damp and clinging to his broad shoulders…

          "All right.  Thanks for giving me the message personally, Amelia."  He avoided any further eye contact, but made certain that he brushed her arm with his as they parted.

          Amelia remained transfixed in place, watching him walk off.  Was he flirting with me?  Zelgadiss?  She wondered about this new possibility as her heart fluttered like the wings of a passing butterfly. 

          Then Zelgadiss did something highly eccentric for him, just before he was to pass out of Amelia's view, he turned, looked over his shoulder at her and gave her a small smile and waved with a couple fingers.  To his delight, she was still watching him!  Her hands flew up over her mouth.  Caught!

          She was almost certain that she could hear him chuckle as he disappeared from sight.  There was no doubt about that having been a playful come-on and he had caught her admiring him in return!  So?  Now what?

          Prince Philonel had no difficulty convincing Lina and Company to take to the road to Atlas City.  Not only was Lina hankering for some adventure, but they had an expense account as well!  He spent the greatest amount of time drilling Zelgadiss on potential pitfalls and possible outcomes. 

          "The Trolls are not our enemies, but the Black Dragons are not our friends.  Both are most likely at fault and infringing on all their neighboring land.  Cephied knows we've had our problems with the Black Dragons lately!  Burning up those woods when their controlled fires went out of control!  However, don't let the Atlas City-State Council rope you into some commitment of forces to fight some battle without you and Amelia seeing first-hand what's going on.  If it looks like we should fight fire with fire, then…so be it.  Seyruun is a loyal ally.  I just don't want to bring warfare to our borders on their say-so alone, understand?"  Prince Phil asked.

          Zelgadiss nodded.  "I have never had any interaction with the Green Dragons before so this should be interesting.  Don't worry.  I won't be moved by speeches and outside pressures and you understand Lina has no patience for politics.  Then…of course you know Amelia…er…I mean…Princess Amelia will see to it that the truth is revealed."

          "Yes," the prince grinned revealing a set of huge gleaming teeth.  "That's why I'm sending you.  I know I'll get results."

          "Oh, well just send Lina and you'll get results!"  Zel quipped with a smirk.

          "I mean results that I can live with," Phil chuckled.  "So, I won't keep you any longer.  I know you'll have some preparations to attend to."

          Zelgadiss stood and bowed slightly before leaving the room.  He had stepped partway down the hallway back to his own quarters, when he felt it.  Like a prickling under his scull followed by a whisper, as if a voice was calling him from somewhere inside his head.

          "Greyzel?"  Zel croaked.  Then it was gone.  His 'demon' part had communicated with him, albeit only briefly.

~*~

          The next day Lina and company found themselves on the road, a light drizzle falling, and the sky gray and forbidding.  They were on horseback with light packs and hidden cash to supplement their travels and afford them the comforts of warm, dry rooms in inns and plenty of food. Comforts of this kind made traveling with Lina possible…certainly less nerve-racking.

SHIMMER

          The unanticipated appearance of Xelloss in the overhanging branches startled the horses and it took a few spells from Amelia to settle them down.  "Mr. Xelloss!"  Amelia began with the intention of giving him a lecture.

          Beside the familiar Mazouku bearing his usual benign smile, crouched a slender, blue-faced creature dressed in black who was obviously not human.

          "Greyzel!"  Zelgadiss shouted the delight he felt at the reunion evident in his voice.  He pulled up his horse to a stop and dropped down to the ground.

          "Maaasssster Zelgaaaaadisssss," the blue demon said, hissing slightly through his multitude of fine, sharp fangs.  The slight creature, thinner and more wiry than Zelgadiss, leaped from his perch in the tree and landed inches from Zelgadiss and grasped his hand.  Looking up into Zel's deep blue eyes in silent supplication, the demon appeared ready to reattach itself at once.

          "My, my…" Xelloss said as he floated down to Zel's side.  "It seems he remembers you, Zelgadiss."  Xelloss smiled, but his eyes cracked open and contained no mirth.  "How endearing…"

          It was in fact rather shocking.  Zelgadiss found himself flooded with emotions, mostly warm and tender and didn't know how exactly to express them.  On his first attempt, he clutched his demon likeness in a crushing hug, but withdrew abruptly when the poor creature swooned.

         "Ah…that's too bad," Xelloss murmured.  "If you can't control your emotions a bit, Mr. Zelgadiss, I'll have to take him away.  He hasn't my tolerance for you sappy humans…yet."

          "Oh, er…sorry," Zel said with a faint blush.  He dropped his arms to his sides and stepped back.  "Um, it's good to see you again, Greyzel."  He waited a moment to see if the demon would respond, then giving up attempting to appraise his counter-point's state of well-being, Zel asked, "How are you doing?"

          Greyzel looked worriedly back and forth from Xelloss to Zelgadiss, searching Xelloss' face for an answer.

          "Greyzel, it's okay.  You can talk to him," Xelloss coaxed his charge.  To Lina he said, "This is his first outing since our bonding and I'm afraid he's a bit overwhelmed."

          Lina thought differently and wasn't afraid to tell him so.  "I'd say he looks more afraid of you.  Why doncha leave him and Zel alone awhile?"

          Xelloss shrugged.  He did not like the idea, but saw no harm in testing his bond for a few hours.  "Fine.  Greyzel?  I'll be back.  Have fun!" 

SHIMMER And Xelloss was gone. 

          By this time the others had dismounted and formed a kind of circle around Zelgadiss and Greyzel.  Gourry held out his hand and said casually, "Ah, good ta meetcha.  Um…I'm Gourry…friend of Zel's here."

          Zelgadiss looked at Greyzel who looked at the hand, then back at him.  The way the demon was drooling, made him wonder if he might think Gourry was offering him his hand to bite!  Zel reached out, grabbed Gourry's hand, and shook it.  "See?  It's a greeting."

          Greyzel watched the demonstration carefully and nodded.  Slowly, the demon stretched out its long-fingered, clawed hand toward Gourry.  The big swordsman smiled and gamely clutched the proffered hand and pumped it up and down with his usual good-humor.  "Might wanna trim yer nails," he noted.  Gourry was not being glib, just honest.

          Zelgadiss found his own voice and continued the introductions, "Greyzel?  This is Lina Inverse, a very powerful sorceress."

          Lina stepped forward and grasped the demon's paw in her own.  "Glad ta meet ya too.  You make a pretty cute demon, Greyzel.  Nice hair, but the horns are really over the top." 

          Greyzel grinned and swept a clawed hand through the wiry strands of silvery hair—preening.  Demons loved to be admired as long as the good vibes we not too sweet.  Then his grin deepened.  He turned toward Amelia.

          Amelia hated him.  She knew it was very unjust and unreasonable, but she hated the blue demon just the same.  He represented something closer to Zelgadiss than anyone else, and it was clear how completely smitten it was with Zelgadiss.  Like Zelgadiss, but unalike, especially the eyes.  They weren't Zel's large blue-green eyes, they were narrower and pale icy blue, practically frosty.  Amelia hated how they bore into her now. 

          Greyzel was feeding hungrily at Amelia's negative emotions, devouring and absorbing them with relish, thus the grin.

          "Hey, Amelia," Lina said.  "I think he likes you.  Must be a holdover from his contact with Zel!"

          Since Zelgadiss had not favored anyone with the knowledge of his attraction to Amelia, this disclosure from Lina was most unwelcome, and embarrassing.  In order to pass off the comment as unimportant, Zel cleared his throat and said in a louder tone than before, "And this is Princess Amelia of Seyruun."

          "So…we have to put off our stop at Filia's until Xelloss comes back for your little bud here," Lina observed.  "I don't think she and Val would appreciate the little fellow."

          "But we have to get to Atlas City for the council meeting, Miss Lina!"  Amelia turned to Zelgadiss.  "Call Xelloss.  Make him take him away."

          Lina raised an eyebrow at that outburst.  She wasn't crazy about having a creepy demon of uncertain temperament hanging around, but this was or at least seemed important to Zelgadiss.  What was Amelia's problem  now?

The End.  Zelgadiss Torn, Part 5.