Ranma the Patryn
Disclaimer: Read the previous chapters. It's there.
Author's rant: Well, here's another chapter of Ranma the Patryn! It feels good to be working on this, believe you me! -WD
Chapter 4 - Lost Worlds by Wanderer D (wandererd@hotmail.com) ----------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, how is our young man faring?" Urd asked, walking to stand next to Belldandy. They both stared down from where they floated at a huge lake beneath them. As they stared the whole of the lake beneath them glowed and they could see the image of Ranma walking out of his house.
"He's doing well. He has grown in wisdom and knowledge." Belldandy intoned, then smiled sweetly as she turned to look at Urd. "And he's already found love!"
Urd smiled. "Interesting. It will soon be time for him to decide, you know?"
Belldandy's smile faded a little. "I have faith in him, Urd. I think he will make the right choice. And his friends and family will help him."
Urd nodded, then followed her sister as they flew away and the lake slowly returned to normal and the light faded and darkness obscured it from view.
***
Ambereye growled as he sunk his jaws on the long neck of the other Blood Dragon. She gurgled as blood flowed into her throat and started trashing about but the male dragon didn't let go, instead, he racked her wings and back with his claws before stabbing her back, his tail intertwined with hers for a moment in the deathly embrace as her ruby eyes opened wider for just a few seconds before they rolled back.
Her body slumped and Ambereye didn't even blink as he tightened his jaws and snapped her neck. He let go of her then and as soon as her body hit the ground he started eating her.
She had thought he would be weaker after his lair had been brought down, and she had thought he would be easy pray. She had come in the dead of the night, looking for him, and attacking him while he pretended to be asleep.
When she discovered that he was neither asleep nor week she had scrambled away, trying to hide and had unwittingly led him to her own lair. There, he had made his presence known by challenging her and then fought to the death.
Blood Dragons ate each other after combat. Or they did. It was a way of honouring your opponent if it had been worthy. Dragon blood made the scales darker, the blood purer and stronger. It was a rite of purification for Blood Dragons that followed their traditions. Ambereye had no doubt that if he had fallen... she would had left his carcass to decay.
After finishing up his bloody feast, he used his magic to absorb whatever Blood Dragon essence was left. A red mist emerged from the remains of the dragon, and seeped into him. When it was over, there was nothing more than a squeleton left, and all the knowledge that she had was now his to do with as he saw fit.
As he flew into his new lair, he spared a moment of thought to Ranma, the only being that had drank his blood and lived to tell the tale. He had felt the boy's power in his blood, and he was sure his own blood had planted the seed of the Blood Dragon in young Ranma. It was a matter of time before he would be tested.
The dragon snorted. Ranma would fail. No Patryn could survive long after drinking Dragon's Blood. Well, they could, he thought amused. But none had survived long enough to know what would happen with such a powerful bond.
***
"Ixar." Ramu said as soon as Ranma had entered the town hall. "How fortunate you could join us." he glared at Ranma as the young boy took his seat next to his party of Rescuers.
Ranma looked around. The hall was bursting with people. Sartan and Patryn had come to see the trial. All the prisoners that had survived were there, and surprisingly enough, one of the Dragons of Pryan stood behind the council.
The council. Ranma almost flinched as he took in Haplo's and Marit's faces. Alfred was also dead serious, his brooding slim figure silently assessing the young man. Ramu was pure contained fury.
Ranma felt Rue's hand on his shoulder, and he put his own hand over hers drawing strength from her presence. On his left, Hugh and Rena smiled at him sportingly while Aghathar gave him a nod and a smile from his seat among Ramu's group of Sartan.
"Now we shall hear the leader of this particular group of Rescuers." Balthazar intoned from his place in the center of the council.
"Tell us, Ixar," Vasu said as Balthazar sat down. "Why did you decide to go to the Blood Dragon's lair? It is commendable to try and save our fellow Sartan and Patryn, but a member of the council has disputed your right at leadership for risking the lives of your group."
Self consciously, Ranma stood and addressed the council.
"I had no choice in the matter, it was either leave them to their luck or rescuing them, the Dragon of Pryan that came with the group of Rescuers captured asked me to save them, and I gave my word." he then stepped back as Ramu stood up.
"Agreed on that point. That is clear to all present. But why and how were you able to strike a deal with that Blood Dragon? If you had lost your little bet you would have become a prisoner of the creature and guaranteed the death of everyone, including your group!" He glared at Ranma, then continued. "If taking unnecessary risks is going to be your motto you cannot be a leader! If the situation was as dire as it was you should have left the others behind and search for a group of more experienced Rescuers!"
"What?!" Ranma shouted. "That Dragon had already killed three Patryn! He was going to start his experiment with the Sartan! Then he would have killed them all before anyone here went for them! If I didn't strike that deal then they would all have died!"
Ramu's eyes turned to slits as anger built up in him. "There are too many points to discuss, Ixar. You made a pact with a Blood Dragon, you poke in HIS language. Your pact was a BET with almost impossible odds set against you for the lives of everyone there. If you had lost I have no doubt your rag tag group of Rescuers would have died. My son, Haplo's daughter, and Alfred's two kids would have shared your fate."
At that moment Aghathar stood up. "Father! I can't believe what I'm hearing! How is my life or Ixar's or Rue's more important than anyone else's?"
Ramu glared at him, and one of his fellow Sartan put his hand on Aghathar's shoulder, whispering for him to stop. But Aghathar remained standing and staring defiantly.
Rue also spoke up, her eyes straying to her mother. "That's true! Any Rescuer can repeat what our trainers drilled into us! Our lives are important, true, but if we are not willing to risk ourselves to save others then why go into the labyrinth!" Merit, seating on the Council smirked and nodded at her daughter, and Rue stopped talking in surprise.
Hugh took it as his signal to speak. "Ixar couldn't have pulled this off alone! We all agreed to go, he didn't force us, he was just as scared as everyone else! If he hadn't created that distraction, we would have been found!"
Alfred smiled at his son proudly, and his smile became a wider grin when he saw Rena about to speak.
Rena also stood up. "And even without Ixar, our duty would have been to do as much as possible to help them!" She waved her hand at the Patryn and Sartan they had rescued. "The advantage we had over anyone else is that out of all the Rescuer groups we don't use our power to overwhelm, we use it as a team." Her eyes left Alfred's and stopped on Ramu. "Sartan and Patryn, and proud to be together."
"So do not make the mistake of thinking that Ixar is a poor choice for a leader, father." Aghathar said proudly, stepping off from where he was standing and walking in front of everyone to stand by Ranma and the others. "He has the heart, will and courage to lead us. And we follow him because we trust him."
"THAT WILL BE ENOUGH!" Ramu shouted pointing an accusing finger at the group.
"I agree." Haplo stated, making Ramu look at him in confusion, anger forgotten. "We have heard the accounts of everyone present but Ixar's. We have heard his reasons, and heard what his group had to say. I think I have heard enough, Ramu, to make our decision."
Ramu was not happy at being interrupted, but nodded. "Indeed. Ixar is not to be the leader." He said, and sat down.
"I couldn't be more proud of all of them, they are an example to all runners and rescuers." Merit said. "I say Ixar stays."
"I am amazed at how quickly my son and daughter have reached maturity enough to asses the situations they face and learn to live with the consequences of their actions. If indeed Ixar is to blame in part for that... I can only thank him. I say Ixar remains."
"Ixar stays." Haplo said.
Balthazar and Vasu had been talking as the others spoke, and at last Balthazar stood up. He addressed the crowd. "Sartan, Patryn! You have heard what the parents of those involved have said. All save one find no objection to Ixar being the leader of that group. Under normal circumstances all this matter would have been arranged by the Council in private. But the exception was made because the children of the members of the council are directly involved. Rescuers deal with the dangerous mission of going back into the Labyrinth to look for survivors, as we know the Labyrinth is becoming more dangerous by the second. Generations of Patryn are trapped within, along with the descendants of the Sartan that were imprisoned there long ago. The leader of each group has to deal with many things, among them, making sure his group survives. I believe that Ixar has proven that he has these abilities. To survive, to fight, to risk and to save. It is my and Vasu's decision that Ixar remains the leader of this group."
There was some applause and cheers at that, and Vasu stood up. "Even though, it has to be clear that Ixar still is very impetuous, and that he should learn to think things through before risking everything in a bet." he looked at Ranma sternly. "But as Rena also said, they are an example of what we as a community of Patryn and Sartan hope to become. THAT is why this meeting was open to all. That we might learn a little and work together. That will be all."
Ranma slumped back into his seat. "Man, I HATE being used as an example! I feel dirty. Bleh."
Rue smiled and sat next to him as people started walking out. She grabbed his hand. "I know, Ixar, but father and the others always mention us and your parents when there's a discussion of Sartan and Patryn living together. You know that most of the Patryn that arrive by themselves have been feeding their will from hatred of the Sartan."
Ranma nodded as he watched Alfred leave with his son and daughter. He squeezed Rue's hand a little, drawing strength from her. "I just hate it. It makes everything we do look like a race for fame rather than saving the others."
He then noticed the Dragon of Pryan looking at him knowingly. There was something familiar about him, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Rue stood up and pulled him out of his chair. Ranma gave the dragon one last look before leaving with her.
***
Urd stared at the lake under her as it showed her Ranma and Rue making love. Under normal circumstances she would have rather enjoyed the show and would have silently congratulated Ranma.
But she was not peeking at them out of voyeuristic impulses. She had seen everything that had transpired since Ranma woke up. In fact, she was so deep in thought that she didn't register what they were doing. As a Goddess of Time she knew what was going to happen to HER world. It was another reality altogether, but the results would be the same...
Just then she snapped out of her thoughts as something drifted past her and slowly spiralled to the lake. The images faded as the pointed, grey and much abused hat sent ripples on the water as it alighted there.
"Oh, my." A voice said from the side of the lake. "I seem to have lost my hat."
She turned in the air, and curious, picked up the hat and floated to where she had heard the voice come from.
"Now, where could it be?!" She looked down at a very old man with a long white beard, dressed in a faded grey tunic held in place by a belt full of pouches looked around miserably, stomping around the small area.
She floated down next to him and touched him in the shoulder. "The old man whirled in place and stared at her with huge eyes. "AAAAAAH!"
"WAAAAH!" Urd shouted back in surprised, then, becoming angry with herself and feeling stupid for being scared, she glared at him. "What are you doing here?"
The old man had a hand on his chest and was breathing rapidly. He eyed her warily. "I could ask the same, young girl! What is the idea of scaring your elders like that! You could have given me a heart attack!" He scolded her, waving his walking staff above his head.
Urd sighed. "Sorry. My mistake. Now," She gave him the hat. "I would like to know how you got here, this is a place for g-"
"MY HAT!" the old man shouted in glee, taking it from her hands and putting it on his head, shutting his eyes and pulling down tightly for good measure. The result was that he pulled the brim of the hat over his eyes. "Ack! Struck blind by the gods!" he said in awe.
Urd closed her eyes and started counting to ten. Slowly. The old man walked hesitantly around, hands stretched forth and searching. "Are you there, girl? What is a blind old man going to do without guidance?!"
Urd opened her eyes and glared at him.
"Maybe I should get a dog!" he said, stopping abruptly, as soon as the idea came to his mind. "One of those... Collie dogs? Like... Lassie?!"
"Listen old man," Urd started.
"Lassie! Is that you?! Oh my! I knew you were smart, but I didn't know you could speak! Do you know how to read too?" the old man sighed sadly. "I cannot read now, Lassie, so if you know how to read, then can you do this old man a favor and read aloud my copy of 'You only live twice'?"
"OLD MAN I AM NOT LASSIE!" Urd shouted, plucking his hat from his head.
"I CAN SEE!" the old man shouted, impressed. "It seems I won't be needing you after all, Lassie!" He said happily. "But, here let me give you a Scooby snack... Lassie?" The old man looked around and his shoulders sagged. "She's gone. Oh well..."
"Listen old man, I'm taking you out of here, this is no place for mortals." Urd declared.
"I am not 'Old Man', young lady. I have a name!" the man declared.
"Okay, what is your name then?" Urd asked, making ready to jump him and tie him up so she could drag him out.
"My name is..." the man stopped. "I am... hmm... Bond."
Urd blink-blinked. "Bond?"
"James Bond." the man clarified.
"You are not James Bond!" Urd accused, forgetting her plan.
"Yes I am! I can prove it!" the old man insisted, then started searching on his robes. "Where's that gun Q made for me?" he muttered. When he couldn't find it, he tried another tactic. "Well, I can't find that gun, but you said yourself that I shouldn't be here, right?"
"Yes." Urd answered, nodding.
"Then that proves I'm Bond." the man said triumphantly.
"That doesn't- It's..." Urd sighed. "Okay, Mr. Bond, you have just admitted that you shouldn't be here, so, now that your business is complete, you should leave."
"Oh, no dear, I have business here of the utmost importance!" The old man argued. "Her majesty herself sent me on this errand. I am looking for Urd."
"That-... you're looking for me?"
"No, Urd. What kind of name is 'me' anyway?"
Urd gritted her teeth. "I AM URD!"
The old man blink-blinked then smiled. "Ah! I have finally found you, my dear. Then this is for you." He pulled out an envelope and gave it to her.
Urd took the red envelope and was about to open it when the old man interrupted her. "The message will destroy itself after you've read it." he said helpfully.
Urd nodded absently and ripped the side to take out the letter. As soon as she put her hand on it if flared and only ashes remained.
"..." Urd stared at the ashes.
"Ahem." the old man coughed into his hand, he was clearly embarrassed. "Right. Q told me that might happen. Here." he produced another envelope this one blue. "This one won't blow up or anything, but you will have to get rid of the evidence by yourself."
Urd glared at him then concentrated on opening the envelope. Nothing happened. She took the letter out and read it. Then read it again. "Hey, this is-" she half-shouted, turning around to confront the old man, but there was no-one there.
She gasped and looked around. Nope. No old man. No hat. Nothing. She looked down at the letter.
"Ranma can change that destiny. You just have to dare." she read out loud again. "Signed F. the Magnificent."
"Mr. Bond?" she asked into the dark air, but no-one answered.
*** End Chapter 3 ***
Next: Xar-Drax
Disclaimer: Read the previous chapters. It's there.
Author's rant: Well, here's another chapter of Ranma the Patryn! It feels good to be working on this, believe you me! -WD
Chapter 4 - Lost Worlds by Wanderer D (wandererd@hotmail.com) ----------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, how is our young man faring?" Urd asked, walking to stand next to Belldandy. They both stared down from where they floated at a huge lake beneath them. As they stared the whole of the lake beneath them glowed and they could see the image of Ranma walking out of his house.
"He's doing well. He has grown in wisdom and knowledge." Belldandy intoned, then smiled sweetly as she turned to look at Urd. "And he's already found love!"
Urd smiled. "Interesting. It will soon be time for him to decide, you know?"
Belldandy's smile faded a little. "I have faith in him, Urd. I think he will make the right choice. And his friends and family will help him."
Urd nodded, then followed her sister as they flew away and the lake slowly returned to normal and the light faded and darkness obscured it from view.
***
Ambereye growled as he sunk his jaws on the long neck of the other Blood Dragon. She gurgled as blood flowed into her throat and started trashing about but the male dragon didn't let go, instead, he racked her wings and back with his claws before stabbing her back, his tail intertwined with hers for a moment in the deathly embrace as her ruby eyes opened wider for just a few seconds before they rolled back.
Her body slumped and Ambereye didn't even blink as he tightened his jaws and snapped her neck. He let go of her then and as soon as her body hit the ground he started eating her.
She had thought he would be weaker after his lair had been brought down, and she had thought he would be easy pray. She had come in the dead of the night, looking for him, and attacking him while he pretended to be asleep.
When she discovered that he was neither asleep nor week she had scrambled away, trying to hide and had unwittingly led him to her own lair. There, he had made his presence known by challenging her and then fought to the death.
Blood Dragons ate each other after combat. Or they did. It was a way of honouring your opponent if it had been worthy. Dragon blood made the scales darker, the blood purer and stronger. It was a rite of purification for Blood Dragons that followed their traditions. Ambereye had no doubt that if he had fallen... she would had left his carcass to decay.
After finishing up his bloody feast, he used his magic to absorb whatever Blood Dragon essence was left. A red mist emerged from the remains of the dragon, and seeped into him. When it was over, there was nothing more than a squeleton left, and all the knowledge that she had was now his to do with as he saw fit.
As he flew into his new lair, he spared a moment of thought to Ranma, the only being that had drank his blood and lived to tell the tale. He had felt the boy's power in his blood, and he was sure his own blood had planted the seed of the Blood Dragon in young Ranma. It was a matter of time before he would be tested.
The dragon snorted. Ranma would fail. No Patryn could survive long after drinking Dragon's Blood. Well, they could, he thought amused. But none had survived long enough to know what would happen with such a powerful bond.
***
"Ixar." Ramu said as soon as Ranma had entered the town hall. "How fortunate you could join us." he glared at Ranma as the young boy took his seat next to his party of Rescuers.
Ranma looked around. The hall was bursting with people. Sartan and Patryn had come to see the trial. All the prisoners that had survived were there, and surprisingly enough, one of the Dragons of Pryan stood behind the council.
The council. Ranma almost flinched as he took in Haplo's and Marit's faces. Alfred was also dead serious, his brooding slim figure silently assessing the young man. Ramu was pure contained fury.
Ranma felt Rue's hand on his shoulder, and he put his own hand over hers drawing strength from her presence. On his left, Hugh and Rena smiled at him sportingly while Aghathar gave him a nod and a smile from his seat among Ramu's group of Sartan.
"Now we shall hear the leader of this particular group of Rescuers." Balthazar intoned from his place in the center of the council.
"Tell us, Ixar," Vasu said as Balthazar sat down. "Why did you decide to go to the Blood Dragon's lair? It is commendable to try and save our fellow Sartan and Patryn, but a member of the council has disputed your right at leadership for risking the lives of your group."
Self consciously, Ranma stood and addressed the council.
"I had no choice in the matter, it was either leave them to their luck or rescuing them, the Dragon of Pryan that came with the group of Rescuers captured asked me to save them, and I gave my word." he then stepped back as Ramu stood up.
"Agreed on that point. That is clear to all present. But why and how were you able to strike a deal with that Blood Dragon? If you had lost your little bet you would have become a prisoner of the creature and guaranteed the death of everyone, including your group!" He glared at Ranma, then continued. "If taking unnecessary risks is going to be your motto you cannot be a leader! If the situation was as dire as it was you should have left the others behind and search for a group of more experienced Rescuers!"
"What?!" Ranma shouted. "That Dragon had already killed three Patryn! He was going to start his experiment with the Sartan! Then he would have killed them all before anyone here went for them! If I didn't strike that deal then they would all have died!"
Ramu's eyes turned to slits as anger built up in him. "There are too many points to discuss, Ixar. You made a pact with a Blood Dragon, you poke in HIS language. Your pact was a BET with almost impossible odds set against you for the lives of everyone there. If you had lost I have no doubt your rag tag group of Rescuers would have died. My son, Haplo's daughter, and Alfred's two kids would have shared your fate."
At that moment Aghathar stood up. "Father! I can't believe what I'm hearing! How is my life or Ixar's or Rue's more important than anyone else's?"
Ramu glared at him, and one of his fellow Sartan put his hand on Aghathar's shoulder, whispering for him to stop. But Aghathar remained standing and staring defiantly.
Rue also spoke up, her eyes straying to her mother. "That's true! Any Rescuer can repeat what our trainers drilled into us! Our lives are important, true, but if we are not willing to risk ourselves to save others then why go into the labyrinth!" Merit, seating on the Council smirked and nodded at her daughter, and Rue stopped talking in surprise.
Hugh took it as his signal to speak. "Ixar couldn't have pulled this off alone! We all agreed to go, he didn't force us, he was just as scared as everyone else! If he hadn't created that distraction, we would have been found!"
Alfred smiled at his son proudly, and his smile became a wider grin when he saw Rena about to speak.
Rena also stood up. "And even without Ixar, our duty would have been to do as much as possible to help them!" She waved her hand at the Patryn and Sartan they had rescued. "The advantage we had over anyone else is that out of all the Rescuer groups we don't use our power to overwhelm, we use it as a team." Her eyes left Alfred's and stopped on Ramu. "Sartan and Patryn, and proud to be together."
"So do not make the mistake of thinking that Ixar is a poor choice for a leader, father." Aghathar said proudly, stepping off from where he was standing and walking in front of everyone to stand by Ranma and the others. "He has the heart, will and courage to lead us. And we follow him because we trust him."
"THAT WILL BE ENOUGH!" Ramu shouted pointing an accusing finger at the group.
"I agree." Haplo stated, making Ramu look at him in confusion, anger forgotten. "We have heard the accounts of everyone present but Ixar's. We have heard his reasons, and heard what his group had to say. I think I have heard enough, Ramu, to make our decision."
Ramu was not happy at being interrupted, but nodded. "Indeed. Ixar is not to be the leader." He said, and sat down.
"I couldn't be more proud of all of them, they are an example to all runners and rescuers." Merit said. "I say Ixar stays."
"I am amazed at how quickly my son and daughter have reached maturity enough to asses the situations they face and learn to live with the consequences of their actions. If indeed Ixar is to blame in part for that... I can only thank him. I say Ixar remains."
"Ixar stays." Haplo said.
Balthazar and Vasu had been talking as the others spoke, and at last Balthazar stood up. He addressed the crowd. "Sartan, Patryn! You have heard what the parents of those involved have said. All save one find no objection to Ixar being the leader of that group. Under normal circumstances all this matter would have been arranged by the Council in private. But the exception was made because the children of the members of the council are directly involved. Rescuers deal with the dangerous mission of going back into the Labyrinth to look for survivors, as we know the Labyrinth is becoming more dangerous by the second. Generations of Patryn are trapped within, along with the descendants of the Sartan that were imprisoned there long ago. The leader of each group has to deal with many things, among them, making sure his group survives. I believe that Ixar has proven that he has these abilities. To survive, to fight, to risk and to save. It is my and Vasu's decision that Ixar remains the leader of this group."
There was some applause and cheers at that, and Vasu stood up. "Even though, it has to be clear that Ixar still is very impetuous, and that he should learn to think things through before risking everything in a bet." he looked at Ranma sternly. "But as Rena also said, they are an example of what we as a community of Patryn and Sartan hope to become. THAT is why this meeting was open to all. That we might learn a little and work together. That will be all."
Ranma slumped back into his seat. "Man, I HATE being used as an example! I feel dirty. Bleh."
Rue smiled and sat next to him as people started walking out. She grabbed his hand. "I know, Ixar, but father and the others always mention us and your parents when there's a discussion of Sartan and Patryn living together. You know that most of the Patryn that arrive by themselves have been feeding their will from hatred of the Sartan."
Ranma nodded as he watched Alfred leave with his son and daughter. He squeezed Rue's hand a little, drawing strength from her. "I just hate it. It makes everything we do look like a race for fame rather than saving the others."
He then noticed the Dragon of Pryan looking at him knowingly. There was something familiar about him, but he just couldn't put his finger on it.
Rue stood up and pulled him out of his chair. Ranma gave the dragon one last look before leaving with her.
***
Urd stared at the lake under her as it showed her Ranma and Rue making love. Under normal circumstances she would have rather enjoyed the show and would have silently congratulated Ranma.
But she was not peeking at them out of voyeuristic impulses. She had seen everything that had transpired since Ranma woke up. In fact, she was so deep in thought that she didn't register what they were doing. As a Goddess of Time she knew what was going to happen to HER world. It was another reality altogether, but the results would be the same...
Just then she snapped out of her thoughts as something drifted past her and slowly spiralled to the lake. The images faded as the pointed, grey and much abused hat sent ripples on the water as it alighted there.
"Oh, my." A voice said from the side of the lake. "I seem to have lost my hat."
She turned in the air, and curious, picked up the hat and floated to where she had heard the voice come from.
"Now, where could it be?!" She looked down at a very old man with a long white beard, dressed in a faded grey tunic held in place by a belt full of pouches looked around miserably, stomping around the small area.
She floated down next to him and touched him in the shoulder. "The old man whirled in place and stared at her with huge eyes. "AAAAAAH!"
"WAAAAH!" Urd shouted back in surprised, then, becoming angry with herself and feeling stupid for being scared, she glared at him. "What are you doing here?"
The old man had a hand on his chest and was breathing rapidly. He eyed her warily. "I could ask the same, young girl! What is the idea of scaring your elders like that! You could have given me a heart attack!" He scolded her, waving his walking staff above his head.
Urd sighed. "Sorry. My mistake. Now," She gave him the hat. "I would like to know how you got here, this is a place for g-"
"MY HAT!" the old man shouted in glee, taking it from her hands and putting it on his head, shutting his eyes and pulling down tightly for good measure. The result was that he pulled the brim of the hat over his eyes. "Ack! Struck blind by the gods!" he said in awe.
Urd closed her eyes and started counting to ten. Slowly. The old man walked hesitantly around, hands stretched forth and searching. "Are you there, girl? What is a blind old man going to do without guidance?!"
Urd opened her eyes and glared at him.
"Maybe I should get a dog!" he said, stopping abruptly, as soon as the idea came to his mind. "One of those... Collie dogs? Like... Lassie?!"
"Listen old man," Urd started.
"Lassie! Is that you?! Oh my! I knew you were smart, but I didn't know you could speak! Do you know how to read too?" the old man sighed sadly. "I cannot read now, Lassie, so if you know how to read, then can you do this old man a favor and read aloud my copy of 'You only live twice'?"
"OLD MAN I AM NOT LASSIE!" Urd shouted, plucking his hat from his head.
"I CAN SEE!" the old man shouted, impressed. "It seems I won't be needing you after all, Lassie!" He said happily. "But, here let me give you a Scooby snack... Lassie?" The old man looked around and his shoulders sagged. "She's gone. Oh well..."
"Listen old man, I'm taking you out of here, this is no place for mortals." Urd declared.
"I am not 'Old Man', young lady. I have a name!" the man declared.
"Okay, what is your name then?" Urd asked, making ready to jump him and tie him up so she could drag him out.
"My name is..." the man stopped. "I am... hmm... Bond."
Urd blink-blinked. "Bond?"
"James Bond." the man clarified.
"You are not James Bond!" Urd accused, forgetting her plan.
"Yes I am! I can prove it!" the old man insisted, then started searching on his robes. "Where's that gun Q made for me?" he muttered. When he couldn't find it, he tried another tactic. "Well, I can't find that gun, but you said yourself that I shouldn't be here, right?"
"Yes." Urd answered, nodding.
"Then that proves I'm Bond." the man said triumphantly.
"That doesn't- It's..." Urd sighed. "Okay, Mr. Bond, you have just admitted that you shouldn't be here, so, now that your business is complete, you should leave."
"Oh, no dear, I have business here of the utmost importance!" The old man argued. "Her majesty herself sent me on this errand. I am looking for Urd."
"That-... you're looking for me?"
"No, Urd. What kind of name is 'me' anyway?"
Urd gritted her teeth. "I AM URD!"
The old man blink-blinked then smiled. "Ah! I have finally found you, my dear. Then this is for you." He pulled out an envelope and gave it to her.
Urd took the red envelope and was about to open it when the old man interrupted her. "The message will destroy itself after you've read it." he said helpfully.
Urd nodded absently and ripped the side to take out the letter. As soon as she put her hand on it if flared and only ashes remained.
"..." Urd stared at the ashes.
"Ahem." the old man coughed into his hand, he was clearly embarrassed. "Right. Q told me that might happen. Here." he produced another envelope this one blue. "This one won't blow up or anything, but you will have to get rid of the evidence by yourself."
Urd glared at him then concentrated on opening the envelope. Nothing happened. She took the letter out and read it. Then read it again. "Hey, this is-" she half-shouted, turning around to confront the old man, but there was no-one there.
She gasped and looked around. Nope. No old man. No hat. Nothing. She looked down at the letter.
"Ranma can change that destiny. You just have to dare." she read out loud again. "Signed F. the Magnificent."
"Mr. Bond?" she asked into the dark air, but no-one answered.
*** End Chapter 3 ***
Next: Xar-Drax