A/N: ^_^  Thanks for the review!  Hmm…. Does Liona know how to ride a horse…  Well, you saw in the first chapter where she let the horse run into her, and then she landed on its back… and then when the horse stopped, she tumbled into a raging river… okay, so she can't exactly mount and dismount without hurting herself…but she knows the basics…I think. ^_~  You'll just have to read and see.

Yeah…the worst thing about Angelina might be that she worries and scolds too much, but whatever.  Well, maybe I'm revealing too much, but this "bug" is no ordinary cold.  Since Luna has never come across it, she's hoping that the old remedies will still work, but if not, it'll likely have the opposite effect.  See?  She knows what's she's doing, she's just not certain what she up against.  Let's see.. Oh.  I accept anonymous reviews… So you other readers out there, even if you aren't signed in or don't have an account, PLEASE REVIEW!  I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE! :P  But really, I appreciate reviews very much.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that isn't mine to own.

*The Tournament*

            An owl hooted into the still night air.  Crickets had begun playing their nightly song not too long ago.  The sun had set hours ago, but Liona was nowhere near the castle.  Liona looked back at the city of Saillune.  Her face was stained with tears that were now brimming below her eyes.  Tired, she sat down with her back to a tree trunk.  She took out her whip handle, pushed the end, turned it into a flute, and began to practice a soft but sad melody that reflected her current feelings.  As she played, she remembered what had made her run off, right before the tournament had ended.

*Flashback*

            The crowds were cheering from every angle as Queen Amelia entered the stadium with her family.  The announcer described the rules of the first event- the magic contest.  A contestant would be judged on how well he could damage a slab of pure orihalcon while using only white and or shamanism magic.  Each contestant had five minutes, and 10 contestants would try at the same time, spread apart in the arena.  The announcer called in the first ten people.  The contest began and they immediately started.  At the end of the first round, only #7 was able to even crack the orihalcon.  He was awarded a total of 30 points from five judges, which was exceptionally good, considering that he only cracked it.  Unfortunately, the other nine were shunned out of the magic contest.

            The day went on very similar to the first round.  A total of 8,500 competed.  Whoever was able to noticeably crack it, was allowed to go on.  Those who couldn't were escorted out of the competition.  Liona was the first and only contestant who was able to crack the slab so much that it split into a pile of several smaller slabs, with the help of a Bomb Rod.  As it was still a spell of Shamanism magic, Liona gained full credit for it.  While she was eating, after her 50 point score, Angelina stepped into the ring.  Before the tournament had begun, Angelina had decided to enter, and had asked Queen Amelia to give her a pass, which she readily obliged to.

            Angelina was the very last person to compete that day, and she received full marks.  Half was because she used a white magic spell and the other half because she completely obliterated the slab of orihalcon.  Her spell?  Let's just say it's something that only dragons could use, but is still considered white magic.  The top three scorers in this event received a shining medal.

            The third day of the tournament was the race.  Angelina stood by Liona at the starting line - most of the contestants were already mounted on their steeds, the first part of the race.  Liona was gently brushing her horse's fur, while Angelina talked to her.

            "Liona-chan, are you sure you can do this?  Do you know how to ride a horse and swim long distances?"

            Liona continued to smile and brush.  The horse seemed to like it quite a lot.  "Don't worry Ange-chan.  I had lessons when I was much younger.  I'm sure I still know how to."

            Angelina was quiet for a moment before hurriedly saying, "Well, if you're sure.  I'll be watching you just in case.  Call me if you need me."  The pre-starting signal started.  Angelina added, "Do you need help getting on?"

            Liona looked up at the big horse and laughed nervously.  "Could you?  Thanks a bunch."

            Angelina cast a small Levitation spell on Liona and she landed in the saddle.  She petted the horse's mane before whispering to it, "Are you ready, Purin-chan?"

            The horse neighed happily in response.  Liona took hold of the reins, and slid her feet into the stirrups.  She waved to Angelina with one hand, Angelina wished her good luck, the starting signal sounded, and they were off!  The race course was anything but simple.  The high roads that made up the lines of the huge magical circle that makes up the capital city of Seyruun, was where they had to run their horses.  All around the outer circle, straight across the city to the other side, dismount and start swimming across the lake that had been made after Lina's Dragon Slave had hit part of the city, and then running from the other side all the way back to the finish line.  In all actuality, it was approximately 7.5 miles total.  There were only around 750 people competing in this race altogether.  For the top three winners, a trophy would be won.  Liona came in third place, after a burly man that looked like he came from the bandit gang Lina-tachi went up against in the beginning of Slayers TRY, and a lean but strong young man.

            The final part of the tournament took place as scheduled.  1000 attended, only because those who received marks from the first event were allowed to participate.  Liona and Angelina didn't even see each other in the match ups until the semi finals – the winner would have another battle to decide the winner.  To say Liona was surprised when Angelina came from the other side of the stadium and stepped into the arena, would be an understatement.

            "Ange-chan?!?!  What are /you/ doing here?"

            Angelina quietly replied as if it was plain as day, "I decided to enter this tournament."

            The referee signaled to start.

            Angelina put a hand directly sideways in front of her nose and said, eyes closed, "Liona-chan, I really don't want to hurt you, so I wish you luck.  Bomb Di Wind!"

            Liona flew head over heels into the air, but stopped herself in time with a Levitation spell.  Once she landed back on the platform she huffed, "Hey!  No fair!  I wasn't ready!"

            Angelina responded with, "All's fair in love and war and here, Liona-chan."  With lightning speed, Angelina ran towards Liona.  Liona stepped back and took out her whip handle.

            "All's fair huh?  Then how about this?"

            Liona transformed the handle swiftly into a flute and began to play a high pitched melody.  Angelina stopped halfway and was forced to cover her ears.  Everyone else in the stadium followed suit.  Thankfully, the pain only lasted a few seconds because Liona swiftly changed the melody to a lethargic one.  Since this was directed only towards Angelina, only she felt it.  Just before she fell asleep, she murmured, "That's up to the judges, Liona – chan."  Liona quickly caught Angelina before she hit the ground, and after making sure she was okay, she whispered, "Sorry," and turned to the judges.  The judges' decision was unanimous – Liona was the winner!  After the cheering died down, Liona carried Angelina off the arena and everyone was given a half-hour break before the final match.  When Angelina was seated, still sleeping, Liona put the flute to her lips once more.  This time, however, her song did the opposite effect – it woke her up with a jolt.

            During this intermission, Amelia and Zelgadis came to congratulate Liona on getting this far.  By some strange luck of fate, Zelgadis and Liona had yet to have eye-contact throughout his entire stay.  When Zelgadis came up from behind and put a hand on Liona's shoulder, she automatically jumped up in surprise.  She yelped when she turned around and saw Zelgadis.  With a childish grin, she rubbed the back of her head with her hand.  "Hiya Zelly-san!  What a surprise to see you here. . . How's Mommy and Daddy?"

            Zel's eye twitched, and he suppressed a low growl.  He calmly responded, "I wouldn't know; I left soon after you did.  Would you like to go back and see?"
            Liona put on a stubborn expression and answered, "I /know/ Mommy's still sick.  So I /need/ to get that Dragon Cuisine."

            Amelia bent down so that she was eye level with Liona.  "Liona-chan, I'm afraid I don't understand something.  Why is getting the Dragon Cuisine for Lina-san so important to you?"

            Liona turned her head so that she was looking away from Amelia.  In a low voice, she muttered, "It's crucial to Mommy's cure."

            Amelia stood up with a start.  Amelia and Zelgadis both said, "What?!"

            Liona continued to look away, and remained silent.  Angelina looked at the back of her head, and her eyes soon widened in surprise.  With a sigh, she stood up, took hold of Liona's hand, and answered, "She can't tell you much right now, but if she doesn't get that Dragon Cuisine, Lina-san may never get better."

            Liona shook her head.  "Not 'may', she /won't/ get better."

            Amelia softly asked, "If that's really the case Liona-chan, if you win this tournament, how about if I exchange your five all-you-can-eat meal coupons to have the Dragon Cuisine prepared and sent to Zephilia for you?  Would that be alright?"

            Liona's eyes widened slightly and she turned sharply to face Amelia.  She had an indignant look on her face, bordering anger.  "No!  I'll do it!"

            She broke the connection with Angelina's hand and ran off, tears trailing behind her.  Angelina had a hand outstretched in the direction that she went.  Slowly, she let it fall limp at her side as she turned toward them.  Zel was about to go after her, but Angelina stopped him.  Frustrated, Zel almost shouted, "Why not?!  She's your friend too, isn't she?!  We might lose her again!"

            Angelina responded coolly, "I'll find her soon enough, don't worry.  I feel that I should explain something first, however.  Liona isn't upset that you'd trade in her coupons, though that's what would normally be the case.  She just doesn't want anyone to make this little quest of hers simple for her.  From what I know, Liona feels that she's been babied all her life.  Just let her do this for her mother, and she'll come home quietly."

            Zelgadis and Amelia were silent.  Angelina asked, "Do you understand the situation now?"

            They both slowly nodded.  Angelina smiled and waved a hand.  "Good.  Don't worry about Liona.  I'll take care of her, I promise.  Send that message to Lina-san and Gourry-san if you please.  Now then, I'm off! I have a feeling that neither Liona nor I will be able to finish competing in this tournament, so you may disqualify us if you wish.  Until we meet again!"

            With that, Angelina ran off in the direction that Liona went.  Zelgadis and Amelia looked at each other with matched bafflement.  Finally, Zelgadis turned, said to Amelia, "Might as well.  I know from experience that Liona is very hard to track when she doesn't want to be found.  For some reason, I trust that Angelina will keep her word.  I'll send the letter.  You have a tournament to finish holding."

            Zelgadis walked off in the direction of the castle, leaving Amelia standing there.  Soon enough, she too, left.

*End Flashback*

            Liona hadn't known about the part after she left, but it happened nevertheless.  Liona continued to play, her mind now wandering to how her family was faring in Zephilia.  If what she knew was right, Lina would be feeling even worse than in the first phase…

            Suddenly, the bushes rustled nearby and Liona stopped with a start.  She tentatively asked, "Who's there?"

            The bushes rustled again, and a young man came out of them.  Liona looked at him with a scrutinizing eye until she recognized him.  This process took about five minutes, but Liona knew him.  It was the first place winner for the triathlon race!

            Liona huffed and turned away.  "What?"

            The guy put his hand behind his head and said, "Geez.  Kids these days have no manners.  Speaking of which, what's a little girl like you doing out here all alone?  These woods aren't entirely safe you know."

            Liona muttered, "I- I ran away.  And I can take care of myself."

            "You sure?  If you want some company, I can escort you to the next town."

            At those words, Liona turned to look at him with surprise.  She had heard those words before somewhere… she was sure of it.  But where…?

            Lingering feelings of stubborn anger was shown in Liona's tone.  "Why would you escort someone you don't know?"

            "I remember you from Seyruun's triathlon race – you came in third place.  Umm… They said your name was…Lina Inverse?"

            "Li-o-na!  It's Liona Inverse.  Lina Inverse is my Mommy."

            "Well, you can call me Blake.  Where /is/ your Mum now?  Is she nearby"

            Liona turned away.  "She's at home.  She's too sick to travel right now."

            Blake slowly asked, "Well, then…Shouldn't you be, too?"

            Liona replied abruptly, "I have my reasons.  Oh, and something's coming."

            True to her word, a trio of trolls came strolling towards them.  As soon as they saw the pair, they attacked with clubs.  Most likely out of pure instinct, Blake stood in between Liona and the trolls, and pulled out a jagged-edged sword.  He jumped and multi-slashed the trolls.  Liona was about to say that regular swords wouldn't harm trolls, but then right before her eyes, two of the trolls burst and the last ran away.  Deciding that there would be no good to come from following him, they let the troll go.  But Liona had to admit, Blake was pretty good with a sword – that was when she got a good look at the sword.  The blade had turned pitch-black with a glowing red aura.  "That sword…"

            "Hmm?  Oh this?  It was passed down from my grandfather to my father to me.  I never heard how it was obtained though."

            Liona sighed and relaxed her muscles.  Suddenly, she smelled something in the air and sniffed the aroma.  Blake apparently smelt it too, and like blind people being led by dogs, they followed the scent to its origin.  Soon enough, a crackling from an open fire could be heard.  Parting some bushes, Liona prepared her stomach for some much-needed food.

            A young figure looked up from cooking a huge fish over the fire.  Liona immediately recognized the figure.  It was. . .

A/N: Oh, I'm sure you can figure it out.  I'm just tired and wanted to end this chapter.  Well, what do you think?  Reviews are much appreciated!  If you're bored, read my other stories, or, REVIEW!  It only takes a minute…a second if you make it short and sweet ^_^  Well, Ja ne!