**********

All right—so I know that I made mistakes with that last chapter. Blame it all on my poor attention to details.

And things will finally begin to pick up in this chapter. I've realized that not many people enjoy pointless dawdling as much as I do. ^_______^. Sorry. It's just that whenever I sit down to write stuff, I never get to straight to the point. My road to inspiration is meandering at best.

Oh, and don't worry. Borus is human. His guilt about Karaya is an important part of this story. You'll see. If not in this chapter, then in the next. That is, if I stuck to the story line. Heh.

So without much further ado, or at least, until I am satisfied that the story has enough pointless to satisfy me and not too senseless to turn the readers away, I give you this chapter wrapped in a big apology bag.

With a bright green bow. And red polka dots. And that blue little curly ribbon thing at the top.

I'm not one for color coordination. Sorry.

**********

After failing to drag Percival away from the ranch owner—he seemed to feel the need to turn Kathy's cheeks as red as possible—Borus gave up and moved to the stalls, hunting for their horses with some apprehension. Borus didn't have Percival's excellent eye for horseflesh, so the only Zexen horses he was able to locate were his and Lady Chris', for hers was the only white horse in the stable.

Giving up—all horses looked the same to him—he marched back to where Percival was flattering the rancher mercilessly and collared him. A surprise attack seemed to work.

"You will help me find our horses," he ordered.

Percival blinked and looked at him. "I'm doing something important. Why can't you do it?"

Borus arched his eyebrow. "You call flirting important?"

Percival hauled himself upright and sniffed haughtily. "Didn't you know? It's the one thing that holds up the society back in Vinay del Zexay. Gossip-mongers place their entire livelihoods on it." He grinned. "If you think about it, without all this social interaction, Vinay del Zexay would simply crumple in like a soggy paper bag."

"Yes," Borus said dryly. "You're the hot air that keeps it up. Bravo."

Percival rolled his eyes. "All right, all right. I'll go get the horses." He went to the stalls and in a minute, came out leading the rest of the horses they owned. He was looking highly amused with the look on Borus' face. "Really, Borus, you must realize that not all of us are as oblivious as you are." He grinned.

Borus blinked. "You make it look so easy. How could you tell them apart?"

Percival laughed. "You must be blind, Borus. Horses have as many differences as people do."

"That's not what the Lizard Clan says."

"So you're a Lizard now?"

Kathy walked to them, averting her eyes from Percival, choosing instead to look at Borus. "I'll hand you two some oats they'd like—wild grass is good for them but there's nothing like good alfalfa to keep them happy." She went up to the horses and rubbed each of their noses affectionately. They whickered softly in reply and nudged her dotingly.

"They've grown fond of you, I see," Percival noted, watching her oddly.

Kathy smiled, rubbing the white mare that belonged to Chris. "They're a good herd of horses. You'd best take care of them or I'll have something to say to you about that. Give the darlings the care they need or you're going to be receiving a visit from me." She gave them a threatening look.

Percival grinned suggestively. "Well, in that case—"

Borus could see where this was going and decided to interrupt, saying, "Well, thank you for your excellent services, Kathy. I'm certain that the horses have had a pleasant stay. We'll be off now. I believe the Captain is waiting." He shot Percival a look.

Kathy winked. "And you'd do good not to keep your lady waiting. There'll be no hugs for you if you make the girl angry."

Borus was about to object but Percival beat him to it, saying smoothly, "You aren't angry, are you Kathy?" He laughed and held out his hands. "Come on."

Kathy turned red and retorted, "I'm not your lady, Percival, so expect no hugs from this one." She stomped off.

Percival sighed. "I daresay she likes me. Don't you think so?"

"I think that she'd prefer to throw you at a wall." Borus wrinkled his brow. "But what did she mean by that?"

"She likes me, of course, but she's afraid to tell me that." He smirked. "It's that old hard-to-get act the ladies are so fond of. You'll learn one day, Borus. As soon as you realize that your wine cellar isn't the hot spot for picking up women. If you'd just let me bring you out into the social light, you'd have the ladies crawling all over you in no time."

"Not that," Borus muttered, blushing a little. "And I'm not as naive as you'd think."

"Riiight," Percival drawled. "But then again, you're just saving it all for your dream girl, aren't you?" He laughed. "Don't worry. I'm sure she'll come to her senses soon. Having you would make her the most envied woman in Vinay del Zexay. And having her would make you the most resented man as well."

"What are you talking about?" Borus spluttered. "And besides, aren't you the most wanted bachelor in the capital?"

He paused and smirked. "I said Vinay del Zexay and only there. Now. Having me would make her the most envied woman from Chisha to Iksay. Not just the capital. Maybe even to Toran." He grinned, looking extremely satisfied with himself.

Borus rolled his eyes. "You're so full of yourself—I hope you choke. Or at least have a really bad bellyache. But who is this lady you are talking about?"

Percival arched his eyebrow. "A little forgetful today, aren't we?"

Borus frowned. "What do you—" He stopped and glowered angrily at Percival. "If you mean Lady Chris, then I must inform you that there is nothing going on between us."

Percival glanced at him slyly. "I'm sure."

Borus scowled. "You know as well as I do that I'm right. Now stop being an ass and help me bring the horses down. They're waiting for us."

Percival grinned. "Whatever you say, Borus my friend. Now stop dawdling and let's bring these horses to your lady love."

Borus restrained himself from tackling him with great reluctance.

**********

The journey was not long—they had left late and arrived at noon the next day—and Percival only slipped off his horse twice, blaming it on the loose cinch on his saddle the first time and accusing Borus of shoving him off the second (although, in truth, Borus had been at the tail of the party, mulling over dinner). Salome had gotten them lost in the Zexen forest, due to the explosive argument which erupted between Leo and Louis (the boy held his ground admirably well and surprisingly bested the older man in the discussion). It had been up to Roland to lead them back to the trail, but it became difficult, as no one could keep up with the sprightly elf. He often left them behind to wander aimlessly until he found them again.

When night fell, they had blundered into some part of the Zexen forest that didn't appear on the map and, after clearing out the area of nasty little monsters and the occasional Ghost/Grandpa Holly Shrub and its little minions, set up camp for the night. Leo took revenge on Louis by telling the poor lad all the stories he had learned.

Landis would have been proud of him.

Eventually, Chris forced Leo to stop telling her squire tales of horror and graphic dismemberment and they all settled down to sleep. Unfortunately, that was when the foliage Borus arranged his bed on jumped up and attacked him.

Putting sleeping mats over Holly Shrub nests isn't a very good idea if you want to get some undisturbed sleep.

So after they beat off the little spitfires, they went back to sleep. Louis, unfortunately, wasn't able to sleep for a long time, panicked by Borus' shout and frightened because of Leo's tales.

As an effect of his lack of sleep, the things he placed on their plates for breakfast the next morning didn't look too fit for consumption. A result of his frayed nerves, possibly.

Eventually, they got a move on again. Roland led them out of the forest at last and pretty soon, they were clippity-clopping up the path to the gates of Vinay del Zexay.

Borus smiled slightly as he entered the gates, guiding his horse through the portcullis. The full glory of Vinay del Zexay at noon blinded him though, and he stared, slack-jawed, at the view of his childhood home.

Percival noted his expression and grinned broadly. "Whenever we come back, you always stop at that exact same spot and wear that exact same blank expression when I say something about it."

Borus replied absently, "It does seem that way, doesn't it?"

"And you always ignore everything around you." He rolled his eyes. "You'd think you grew up in…Grassland, or something. You're looking around like a Karaya boy. All wide-eyed and goggly. Maybe if you go back there, you'd learn a thing or two."

Borus' insides tightened. Karaya wasn't there anymore. He remembered that evening in Karaya.

Where I…

"Like I came from Iksay, Percy?" he countered, dragging his mind away from that subject.

Percival was unruffled. "I said Grassland, but yes, Iksay would seem probable, although the Iksay villagers wouldn't be dumbstruck by stone and brick houses."

Borus ignored him and looked back at the scenery, not really seeing it this time. He still remembered everything that night. He was enraged at the deaths of his close friends, the commanders Myriam and Lanchet were slain at the mutinous treaty. He remembered with a sick feeling his lust for blood and vengeance. He was eager to spill Grassland blood.

The now-familiar feeling of shame and guilt washed over him and he clenched his fists around the reins of his horse. He closed his eyes and said softly, "I will go now." He opened his eyes and looked to Chris. "Your leave, milady?"

The Captain turned to him, an understanding look on her face. She knew what he was thinking. "Of course, Borus. You may all go."

"Three guesses where he's going," Percival quipped jauntily.

Borus smiled slightly as he slipped off his mount. "You don't need three."

Percival shrugged, dismounting as well. "It's for the people who don't know how eccentric you are. We must always show consideration for the ignorant."

Leo's brow was furrowed. "What are you two talking about?"

Percival grinned broadly. "See? Consideration is important. Three guesses are required."

"Wait a moment." Leo's eye twitched. "Are you calling me ignorant?"

"Apparently, not so ignorant," Percival commented, beaming from ear to ear. "I congratulate you. You aren't as dumb as I thought. It turns out that food isn't the only thing that makes its way into your head."

Leo's eye began a furious ticking. It appeared that he was in a bad mood. When Leo missed his meals, it was usually a given that he would be a little short-tempered, for he was a man who loved the supper table. And he did not like having his passion mocked.

Percival knew that. Of course he knew that. Why else would he start on those grounds?"

Leo turned a deep angry red. "Excuse ME?!"

Borus winced and bowed to Chris. "I take my leave now. I think I'll go before things start to boil over again." He looked over where Leo had begun swinging his axe threateningly at the mildly amused Percival. "It would be wise if you did the same, unless you've been planning to lose a limb."

Chris looked at the two and sighed. "You might be right. And here I was, hoping that they'd have matured after all this Fire Bringer issues."

Salome arched his eyebrow. "I hope you haven't placed any money on that. Funds coming from the Council rarely don't have strings attached."

Chris frowned. "I will go talk to them now. I'm certain that they have a lot to say."

Salome nodded thoughtfully. "I will accompany you to the Guild. I've been meaning to make an assessment of the new Council members who have been elected while we were away." He glanced over to where Leo had Percival in a painful-looking headlock. "Don't kill each other."

"Aye," Percival grunted. "You heard that, right Leo?"

"You'd wish."

"Eep."

Chris and Salome dismounted and led their horses down the street. Louis watched Leo and Percival and shuddered. "That looks painful," he observed. "Doesn't it hurt both of them a lot?"

Roland had come off his horse as well and commented, "They have been doing that exact maneuver for quite some time. I believe that they've built up some sort of an immunity to dying from it. It's their favorite move. They only do it for theatrics."

"Everyone's an actor," Borus remarked.

"Everyone but Lady Chris," Louis put in, laughing.

Borus cocked his head. "Well, she can't be expected to be everything now, can she? Everyone has flaws."

Louis glanced sideways at Borus. "Not that it matters, of course."

Borus blinked. "Hmm? Well, of course. We all have flaws."

"She's perfect to you, though, isn't she?" Louis continued, grinning quite cheekily now.

Roland chided the boy. "Louis, I advise you to stop this train of thought. Sir Borus adamantly insists that he has no romantic interest in Lady Chris whatsoever—"

"Even if we don't believe him," Louis interrupted.

"Louis!" Borus exclaimed, turning red.

"Ah, yes," Roland agreed, much to Borus' dismay. "But we must give him the benefit of a doubt. It's the least he deserves for putting up with us."

Borus threw his hands up. "That's it! I'm not listening to any of this anymore. I'm going home."

"To hole up in your wine cellar," Percival wheezed.

Borus scowled. "Oh, shut up!"

"Hey, Leo," Percival squeaked. "I think that I'm reaching my endurance limit now. My wind pipe is screaming at me. Mind letting me go?"

"Not at the moment, no," Leo said pleasantly. "Good evening, Borus. Have fun in your wine cellar."

Borus nodded to them, rolling his eyes, and went to his home. The Redrum servants were glad to have him back and fussed over him as though he were still five years old. After finally convincing them that he was much older than that, Borus found himself inevitably drawn to his wine cellar.

Percival knew him too well.

Evening had fallen and Borus reclined on his chair, still admiring the colors playing off the wine bottle in the lantern light. The flashes sparkled brilliantly, leaving colorful silhouettes on the table. The bottle was made of a delicate blue glass and reflected beautifully onto the ceiling.

He heard the cellar doors open but ignored it, figuring them to be the servants who dusted off the shelves of wine bottles he had stored. His gaze and attention was fixated on the bottle and the blue sparks of light.

"Once again, I am right," came a dry voice. "I'd figured you'd hole up here once you got back to Vinay del Zexay."

Borus didn't need to look up to know who it was. "Hello Percival," he replied vaguely, rotating the bottle to shift the light pattern. The lights splashed over with the movement of the wine and sparkled happily on the ceiling.

Percival clomped down the stairs and saw Borus sitting on the chair, admiring the colors. He caught sight of Borus' fascination and shook his head. "Some people think that you have some deep dark secret lurking in this basement, since you spend all your time hiding out here. Much to the ladies' dismay."

"It's no big deal for them," Borus responded inattentively, watching the swirling lights. "They've got you, after all. And you know how good I am with women." He smirked slightly.

"Ah, yes." Percival flinched. "It took me a long time to placate the Lady Purseley whom you so grievously offended. She managed to drag me in somehow and I ended up having to take her to that party." He shuddered.

"I didn't offend her," Borus objected. "I just told her that her dress was too ruffly. And it was a tacky dress. She looked like some tart, walking around with such a low neckline."

"That was the fashion back then, Borus," Percival explained patiently, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms. The lack of a clanking sound indicated that he had also discarded his armor for more favorable city wear.

Percival went on, "All the ladies wore dresses with low necklines and all those dresses were overflowing with ruffles. Besides," he pointed out. "That's not all. You called her fat."

"I did not!" Borus retorted indignantly, looking up at last to glare at the older man. "I merely commented upon the many layers of flounces she was wearing."

"Borus, Borus, Borus," Percival chided. "The fashion back then was as few flounces as possible. She merely wore one. So in effect, you called her large."

Borus shrugged irritably. "Whatever. She was too prissy, anyway." He glanced back at the bottle and saw the dancing lights. He smiled again and turned it slightly. "Beautiful," he murmured.

Percival saw his eyes glaze over and rolled his eyes. "I'll never understand you rich folks. Buying all this wine and never guzzling it all down."

"Others do this as well, Percival," Borus reminded him. "Like Sir Hienel."

"Ah, yes, but Sir Hienel doesn't touch his wine because he likes his wine old and dusty. He buys all the old ones and waits them even older. Then he drinks them. But you," Percival laughed. "You buy the wine for the pretty bottles they come in just so you can stare at the colors they show off."

Borus was offended. "Not just the bottles," he objected. "Sometimes the wine is pretty, as well."

"Your point being?"

Borus raised his bottle. "Look at this. Light sky blue Calerian wine in a dark cerulean—almost indigo—bottle with flecks of azure flints. Aged year 340, but that's not her best feature." He put it in front of the lantern and watched as the blue rainbow spilled into the room. The lights shifted and sparkled with the movement of the disturbed liquid, spreading across the room in a wave of indigo currents.

"This is." Borus gazed lovingly at it, smiling.

Percival arched his eyebrow. "Riiight. I'm glad to note that you're as odd as the rest of us lunatics. I was beginning to wonder if you were human."

Borus shook himself out of his trance and glanced at Percival. "What was it you came down here for, anyway?"

The amused look vanished from Percival's clear features and he hesitated. "I wanted to let you know..." he paused again, looking confused. He shifted uncomfortably.

"What is it, Perce?" Borus prodded. "Spit it out."

Percival fidgeted. "Well...you should be happy to hear my little announcement. I mean, it'll all work out for you, and things will be looking up..."

Borus smirked. "Stop babbling, Percival. Besides," he glanced fondly at the bottle of wine. "I couldn't be happier with 'ole 340 at my side." He patted it.

"You and your little quirks," Percival muttered under his breath and straightened his back, appearing to straighten his resolve as well. "Borus, I want you to know that I am leaving Vinay del Zexay—and the Knighthood."

Borus nearly dropped the bottle. "What?!" Hurriedly placing the bottle of wine back onto the table before he could drop it, he stood up and faced Percival squarely. "What are you talking about?? You're leaving?"

Percival studied him. "You don't seem too happy. Odd."

"That's because I'm not," Borus snapped. "There's nothing odd about it. This isn't funny, Percival. Stop fooling around. The Oath to Knighthood is serious."

Percival nodded. "So am I. I mean it this time, Borus. I am leaving. So spring out the decorations and break out the wine that you'd actually drink. The ones in ugly bottles, I suppose. Celebrate."

Borus barely kept himself from beating the sense into his friend's head, pointedly ignoring the fact that a beating would probably do the opposite. "What? Why should I celebrate?" He stopped. "You think I'd be happy if you left? Come on, Percival, what kind of a person do you think I am?"

Percival regarded him seriously, although his shrug was nonchalant. "You're in love, Borus. With me out of the way, it'd be smooth sailing for you. That should make you happy."

Borus was seeing red. What was he spouting off about? His clenched fists were trembling with anger. "In love?" he demanded. "With whom? And what are you talking about? I'm your friend! Why should I care about that?"

Percival looked irritated. "Take your own advice and stop fooling around yourself, Borus. And stop denying the truth while you're at it. You're in love with the Lady Chris, remember?"

Not. Again.

"Lady Chris?" Borus repeated. "Were you listening to me at all yesterday? You think I'm in love with Lady Chris." It was more of a statement than a question. Borus' anger was gone now, replaced with healthy doses disbelief and confusion.

"Of course," Percival declared. "Everyone knows that the Captain may as well be a goddess to you, excusing religious belief." He paused. "Of course, she is the only one who doesn't see that, which is a real pity, if you ask me, because that ignorance is depriving her of many delicious opportunities—"

"Percival," Borus objected weakly. "I'm not in love with her. She's the Captain, remember?"

"That doesn't make her any less a woman, you know," Percival remarked. "She's just as ladylike as the Miss Purseley. Only she wears armor and chain mail instead flounces and ruffles. And she isn't fat."

Borus really couldn't see the similarities between the two. "You might be right," Borus said doubtfully. "After all, you would know more about women than I would. But I really don't harbor any of those sort of feelings for Lady Chris. Respect, yes. Admiration, perhaps. But love?"

"Oh bother!" Percival exploded, throwing his hands up. Bother wasn't exactly the word he used, though. 'Bother' is a cleaner version of it, and the original word is un-knightly to say. But Percival was still the boy from Iksay, and proper decorum never stopped him. Swearing was his greatest delight.

"Stop playing this charade, Borus!" Percival ranted. "It's quite obvious that you treasure the lady above your live. I should know! You are in love!" he insisted.

"Why should you be the judge?" Borus countered. "Why do you think you know so much about me?"

"Borus!" Percival burst out, clearly exasperated now. "I should know. We've been training together for these years in the Knighthood."

"Which I still can't believe you are planning on leaving," Borus noted.

Percival waved that aside. "I'm the fellow you had your first drink with. Remember?"

"You told me it was water," Borus shot back. "And I got into a lot of trouble for that. I was forced to rough it out in the forest for a week! I missed all my lessons."

Percival shrugged. "Your record was too spotless, anyway. You'd have messed it up, one way or another. It was bound to happen." He crossed his arms again. "On the other hand, I went along with you on that punishment, even if I wasn't caught, remember? And I stuck by your side when we were being attacked by those vicious little Song Sprites. How's that for friendship?"

Borus sighed. "You came along only because there was a mathematics exam that week, not out of any real guilt, pity, or friendship. Besides," he pointed out, "we wouldn't have depopulated that forest of Song Sprites if you hadn't been drunk and yodeling at the top of your lungs all the time."

"So speaks the music genius," Percival scoffed. "I was singing creatively, not, as you call it, 'yodeling'. Moreover, why do you think they attacked because of my voice? For all we know, it could have been the smell of your cooking."

"Percival," Borus said impatiently. "It's a given fact that Song Sprites have no sense of smell. And anyway, the rabbit tasted good, even if you made me burn it. You ate three servings off of it, so don't you start targeting my cooking. They only attacked when you started singing."

"Well, maybe they liked my singing," Percival sulked.

"I doubt it," Borus disagreed. "Don't you remember the looks on the Song Sprites' faces? They were covering their ears and screaming with pain, Percival. Pain! At sound! They were Song Sprites, with extreme levels of auditory endurance. And they were covering their ears and screaming with pain!"

Percival sulked. "You don't have to beat me over the head with it, so stop repeating yourself."

"At your voice! Your voice! Not my cooking!"

Percival looked offended. "Well, if you're going to be that way about it..."

"Percival," Borus stated, feeling tired. "What is the point of all this? If you think that it can somehow convince me that I have been nurturing feelings for the Captain that even I knew nothing about, know this: I am not in love with her. I have never been in love with her. And I doubt that I would begin now."

Not after Karaya, a nasty little voice whispered inside his head. She wouldn't take you, anyway.

Angrily, Borus shoved those thoughts aside and shook his head. "No one believes me, but it is true. I do not love the Lady Chris."

Percival looked doubtful, although he also seemed to believe him. "If you're telling me the truth and not just yanking my leg off, why do you act like that all the time around her?"

"Huh?"

"You know what I mean." Percival waved a hand impatiently. "You're possessive. Overprotective. Jealous. You hardly let anyone near her. Your sword whistles through the air the instant anyone says anything even mildly suggestive to her..." Noting Borus' baffled expression, he went on, "…And I take it that none of this has ever occurred to you before." He sighed. "So you really aren't in love with her?"

Borus shook his head. "I'm fond of her, but she is my captain."

"She's also a woman, and that hasn't seemed to connect with you either," Percival commented. Something seemed to occur to him. "Are you sure you aren't in love with her?" he asked almost plaintively. "You feel absolutely nothing?"

"I admire her, but that's about it," Borus stated firmly.

Percival sighed. "Well, that's 7000 more potch I owe Leo."

"You wagered on it?" Borus exclaimed incredulously. "I ought to throttle you. Why were you so bold to do so?"

Percival shrugged absently, still mentally calculating his funds, Borus thought sourly. Serves him right. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was so positive you were head over heels in love with her..."

Borus rolled his eyes. "So what about you? Since you see the Captain so clearly as a lady instead of your commanding superior..." he trailed of, smirking.

Percival looked blank for a second, then he winced. "If you're implying that I fancy the Lady Chris, then I'll have to disappoint you, much as it pains me. No. Not her."

Not her?

"Someone else then?" Borus pried, grinning slyly. "Anyone I know? Someone I've met? Anyone in Budehuc?"

Although Borus stressed the last word, making it seem as though he knew who Percival's object of his affections was, he really had no idea that Percival could even stay with one woman. Much less who the woman was in question.

Percival gave him a dirty look, although his cheeks were turning pink. "It would keep your health in top condition if you moved away from that subject."

Borus grinned and ignored the warning, persistently dogging the topic. "Ah, that's the reason why you're leaving. So much for all that noble self-sacrifice idea that you're leaving so I can be happy. Tell me. Do I know her?"

"Drop the subject now," Percival growled, eyes glinting dangerously. His look might have scared a lesser man, but his pink cheeks made him quite laughable and noticeably not scary.

Borus laughed, glad to take the subject successfully away from him and Lady Chris. "I wish you the best of luck, my friend. I'm certain that one flash of your lady-killed grin and she'd be putty for you." He stopped briefly, observing Percival's dark look. "Although by the looks of things and your sour disposition toward the topic, it seems that she hasn't accepted you yet. Good. A lady with backbone. It would do you good to have your pride knocked down a notch if a lady resisted you every now and then but hardly any of them here ever do. I like her already."

"Suddenly you're so articulate," Percival muttered.

Borus sighed. "I really wish you fell in love with some lady in the Capital so you wouldn't have to leave to get a ring on her finger. Have you told the others yet?"

Percival looked guilty but he was obviously relieved to change the issue. He shook his head. "You're the only one I can count on not to manipulate me into staying or physically rendering me unable to leave."

"What makes you so sure that I won't tie you to a chair and call the others?" Borus asked, frowning. "Or that I won't convince you to stay?"

"You're not eloquent enough and I taught you how to tie your knots," Percival replied easily, shrugging. A cunning glint appeared in his eyes. "Besides, you are my friend, Borus," he declared wheedlingly, placing extra emphasis on the word 'friend'. "I can trust you to keep your promise not to tattle on me—you're too noble a friend and knight to break an oath between friends. Well, I bid you leave." He turned to the stairs.

"Promise?" Borus repeated, baffled. "Oath between friends? What are you talking about? And what's this about not telling the others, Percival? Wait! Percival!"

The dark-haired man paused on the stairs and turned. Borus saw the sly grin on his face. "I knew I could count on you, Borus. You're a true friend," he gushed, smirking.

Borus rubbed his temple, feeling a headache coming on. "Oh, Goddess," he moaned. "What are you planning, Percival? What have you gotten me into this time?"

"Don't tell anyone, all right? Not even the Captain. Good." Percival smiled gratefully. "I trust you, Borus."

Borus sighed, knowing that Percival would persist on the issue until he would relent. "They'll find out eventually, anyway."

Percival nodded. He stepped back down from the stair and strode toward Borus. "I just want you to know that I'm grateful for your friendship, Borus." His tone was sincere and eager. Honest. "All of those years may have been one disaster after another, but I wouldn't trade them for anything."

He paused and seemed to realize that he was becoming emotional. Hurrying to repair the damage to his image, he added, "Except maybe for 900,000 potch."

"Hey," Borus grinned, catching Percival's lapse and storing it away for future blackmail. "It's not as if we end it here. You still owe me a pretty penny, so that 900,000 potch might come in pretty handy." He winked. "Invite me to the wedding, all right? I expect a fancy envelope delivered to my door by hand. Kiss the lady for me."

Percival glared at him. "I was trying to let you know I was going to miss you guys, but..." His voice was thick and he turned away quickly, but Borus thought that he saw a tear glimmer in his eye.

"Come on," Borus said gently. "You're gonna have me as the best man, right? Because if you made Leo the best man, he'd turn up drunk and he'd make you lose the lady's wedding ring. Then she'd have to marry you for you, and we all know how depressed that would make her."

Percival blinked, then burst out laughing, his face lighting up. "A joke!" he declared delightedly. "Did you just realize that you just made a joke? Are you ill? Or did you just pull that joke out of your—"

Borus made a face, interrupting hastily before Percival could finish his questionable sentence. "I'm perfectly fine. We can't have you leaving thinking you can predict my every move. Can't get too arrogant now, can we?" He stopped. "Then again, this is you. You can never get too arrogant. Yours doesn't seem to have any noticeable limit."

"Two jokes," Percival exclaimed.

Borus looked at him blankly. "I was serious this time."

Percival clapped his hand on Borus' shoulder. "I'll be back with the lady in tow, Borus. I'm sure that she'd love you."

"Not any more than she'd love you, hopefully," Borus commented. "Adultery would look bad on my spotless record. Any chances of my being an uncle would disappear if she liked me better than she liked you." He puffed out his chest slightly. "Which she should, if she was of a right mind."

Percival laughed again. "I'll miss all of you. I'd have to hunt her down first, but I'll try to remember to invite you to the wedding."

"And we promise to have your head on a pole if you don't," Borus replied pleasantly.

"Goodbye for now, Borus," Percival said warmly, patting him on the shoulder.

"For now, all right?" Borus grinned. "Goodbye and good luck. That woman had better be worth it."

"Don't tell anyone, all right?" Percival pressed. "Not even Lady Chris. Not until they find out for themselves."

Borus frowned. The headache was coming back. "But—"

"Thanks, Borus," Percival had suddenly vaulted up the steps. "I knew I could count on you. Bye!"

"Can't I just tell—?"

Slam! Went the door.

Borus stared blankly at his retreating figure and collapsed onto the seat, holding his pounding head in his hands.

Things weren't going to look pretty.

He wasn't looking forward to tomorrow. Percival should have told the others. It would save a lot of time if he explained, and if he did, Borus was pretty sure that no one would stop the lovelorn Percival.

Not informing his Captain of this would be a direct defiance to his orders. By all means, Borus should be heading over to the Lightfellow residence right now to tell Lady Chris. But Percival had blackmailed him into staying silent with the little thing people called friendship.

He groaned and hit his head on the desk.

Was it possible to have a hangover without even touching a drip of alcohol?

**********

Well? Is it as horrible as the last one? I want reviews, but that's nothing new.

I know the question that's burning in your minds right now. Who's the girl? Well, I already have the girl in my head (NOT TELLING YET!!) but if you have any suggestions, implications, preferences and/or inclinations to who the next Mrs. Fraulein might be (the character must be in the game, so no "Me! Me! Pick me!"), then by all means tell me. Click that little button that lets you talk/type to me. Email.

All right. Now that that's cleared up, can I ask: what were my mistakes here? I want to know so I won't do any of them again.

…

You know what, I just realized that I'm not very good at writing these little author's notes. I mean, "can I ask:", come on! What's wrong with me?

I'm the witless wonder.

OK. I'll stop now.

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…

…

Really. I will. But first I gotta tell you that the story is finally making headway. It'll begin rolling now. I think the plot will become clearer in the next chapter, so encourage me to send the next one out, OK?

All right. I'm done.

**********