Chapter 2
Bonkers! - the Saillune family reunion!
And then what happened?
Why do you ask? I've just told you a complete story. What more can I tell you?
What's that?
Ah, it seems I was wrong about you. You may be blind to the fact that my world-weary experiences hide under a cloak of a drunk but, at the same time, you are perceptive enough to know that my story doesn't end there.
Okay, maybe I am wrong to judge you so quickly - Even as you were so quick to judge me when I started this tale. Why don't we call it quits now, eh?
Good. Now as long as you're all listening and my tankard is kept full, I'll continue on with this story.
Having survived that incident at the mine, Lina, Gourry, Sylphiel, Naga, Zelgadis and Amelia all resumed their journey, continuing onto their original destination. A destination that promised a warm welcome.
But even the most warmest welcomes can be, at times, overbearing.
"It
is so good to see you all again!" Crown Prince Philionel Saillune joyfully
boomed, scooping up the swordsman, the sorceress, the shrine maiden, the
chimera and the princess all into one of his bone-crushing bear hugs.
"I'm
so glad that you're all alive! I thought you were all
dead!"
Sadly, for the Crown prince, whilst he had fully grasped the happiness of the situation, his eagerness to share it had overcome the concern for the people involved.
"....Nice....see....you.....Phil" Zel choked.
"...Lemme....outta.....here!" Gourry gasped.
"...I...can't .....breathe!" Sylphiel mumbled.
"....Dammit....Phil.....Must...you...do....this....every....time!?" Lina spluttered.
Eventually, Philionel released his prisoners from his bear hug. Instantaneously, Syl, Lina, Gourry and Zel fell to the floor, all struggling to get back some circulation into their lungs! Amelia however, well used to years of her father's bone-crunching hugs, landed gracefully to her feet.
Ignoring the other three, Phil laid a gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"And I am so glad to see you again" the crown prince said. "I really thought I was going to lose you"
"Oh Daddy!" Amelia answered. "You needn't have worried!"
Unnoticed by the two members of the Saillune ruling house, Lina and Gourry exchanged exasperated glances on the floor.
"Gourry?" the sorceress said, with an expression of utter disgust. "I think I'm gonna be sick....."
"After all" Philionel went on, grinning a wide grin at Amelia, "Nothing can stand against in the way of the Power of Justice!"
"Yay!" Amelia replied, proclaiming her approval.
"Correction" the redhead muttered. "I AM going to be sick!"
"Ah, come on Lina!" the swordsman grinned. "Isn't great to see the Saillune family reunited?"
"Gourry?"
"Yes?"
"Not only are you an absolute moron but you're a TRAITOR!!!!!"
"Quiet!" Zel snapped. "We're in the presence of royalty here, so watch what you say!"
"Zel…" the sorceress retorted. "They're all bonkers! The fact that they're royalty doesn't change a thing!"
"Just shut up, dammit!"
Fortunately for Lina, Phil didn't seem to pay much attention to her grumbling. Thus, he was left undisturbed as he was off and waffling on a speech of his own devising.
"Yes, Amelia, the day is coming when my time as Crown Prince as Saillune will come to an end. Therefore, you will have to assume to position which I hold now!"
"Wow!" exclaimed Sylphiel. "That sounds amazing!"
Upon hearing this, the princess' smile vanished from her face. She didn't like the sudden change of direction that Daddy's speech had taken.
And, unfortunately for Amelia, when Phil starts up on a speech, there is next to nothing that can stop him from completing it. Thus, at that point in time, he was in his element:
"….And once you've ascended to the throne of Crown Princess, I hope that you have someone wise and strong to sit beside you and assist you in your royal duties!"
Upon hearing this, both Lina and Gourry, thrust the evilest of glances of Zelgadis' direction. The chimera quickly sensed this and blinked at his companions.
"Wha….what? Why are you both staring at me like that?"
"……And I hope that you have lot's of children that grow up to become brave and strong and fully devoted to the cause of Justice!!!" Philionel went on.
"That sounds like an incredible!" Syl beamed.
"From the looks of it" Lina grinned at Zel "Phil seems quite determined to find Amelia someone for when she succeeds him."
"Some……. Someone?" the chimera echoed.
"I wonder who will be the first choice on her mind?" Gourry grinned.
Zelgadis didn't reply. Instead a huge blush erupted across his face.
Sensing victory, Lina's grin grew ever wider and more evil.
"Ha ha! Looks like you're going to be spending the rest of your life with these crackpots!"
"What?!" Zel exclaimed. "Who said that I'm going to do a thing like that?!"
"So, you're saying that the royal life doesn't suit you?"
"No!" the chimera snapped back. "Finding my cure is a greater priority than anything else at the moment!"
"What, even more than Amelia?" Gourry sniggered.
Upon hearing this, Zelgadis stopped. It seems he had been caught out.
Fortunately, no one seemed to be paying much attention to this bickering: Philionel had launched into a long, pretentious, and ultimately aimless, tirade about how great the kingdom will be when his daughter take over. Sylphiel seemed to be hanging on every word and backing Phil's vision as he described it. Amelia, however, wasn't liking the sounds of this vision and remained silent as a hurricane of emotions ran riot through her head.
Immediately, Lina and Gourry started going into a play act. Nobody dared to challenge them because they didn't notice.
"Oh poor Amelia!" the swordsman proclaimed in a fake, melodramatic voice, "She would be faced with ruling Saillune all by herself with no one at her side!"
"And her heart would be so empty!" the sorceress said, also in the same fake voice. "All because the one she loves is so far away!"
"So many suitors would hear of a beautiful princess ruling Saillune!" Gourry added. "And they would come for miles to try and win her over!"
"But they will all get turned down" Lina put in. "All because not one of them is Zelgadis!"
"And where would Zelgadis be when his princess needs him the most?"
"Why Gourry, he would be searching the world over for his cure – While his princess is at home nursing the most wounded of hearts!"
The chimera could feel his hands twitch with rage and his teeth grind together in frustration. But he knew better than to strike blood in the presence of royalty.
By now, however, Phil had come to the end of his speech and was now facing Syl with a kindly expression his face.
"And I should thank you, Sylphiel, for recovering my daughter"
"You're welcome" the Shrine Maiden smiled.
"Now then" Phil said. "I would love to hear all of your adventures over dinner. But until then, you are all guests here in Saillune. Therefore, I grant you the freedom of the city for the entire afternoon....."
"Oh Daddy?" Amelia said. "Before we go any further, I think there is something you should know....."
"Oh?" the crown prince inquired. "What?"
But the answer to the question came not from Amelia's lips but from a ghastly cacophony that echoed across the room.
"OH-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO-HO!!!!!!!!!!"
And with that, Naga the Serpent came striding into the room, as arrogant as ever and oblivious to the cringed expressions that her companions bore.
Upon seeing this new arrival, Philionel raised an eyebrow. Curious....
Who is this woman? She seems distinctively familiar.....
He had never seen her before but, for some peculiar reason, he sensed some sort of kinship. And the more he thought about, the more feasible the idea grew.
There was something in her stride, the mass of long black hair, the eyes, the facial features and the……outfit…….
And when Naga laid eyes on the crown prince for the first time, her trademark laugh died off right in the middle. Her eyes winded and her face paled - for something deep inside, a long forgotten distant memory was stirring.
She had no idea who this man but, for a reason she couldn't quite grasp, his face seemed familiar. It seemed like she had seen it many, many, many years before
Suddenly, it hit her like the force of a Dragon Slave obliterating a stone golem, a city and some peculiar Elfish creation.
Naga's eyes widened as the sense of revelation overwhelmed her.
After so long.....Father.....
It was Zelgadis who spoke first.
"Philionel?" He said. "May I present, Naga the Serpent. A friend of ours"
"No wait!" Amelia cried. "Her name's...."
But before the princess could finish her sentence, Sylphiel's hand came down on her mouth. Amelia glared indignantly at the shrine maiden whom merely winked.
Phil strode towards the newcomer fixing her in a quizzical gaze. He had a feeling he should know this woman but he couldn't think why. Thus, he was intrigued enough to learn who this woman was.
Naga didn't try to run – And how could she? Her thoughts were too caught up in a whirlwind of confusion. Therefore, she was too preoccupied to make any immediate action.
After so long, she had finally returned to the home of her father.
The Crown Prince stopped before the raven-haired sorceress and looked her up and down.
"You're name is Naga?" he said at last.
"Y-Y-Yes" the sorceress managed to mumble.
"You seem confounded" Phil noted. "Have you ever been to Saillune before?"
"..No...." came the reply. "Yet....I have heard of the name....."
"Well in that case" Philionel said. "May I welcome you, as Crown Prince, to my city."
"They're taking their time" Lina muttered, under her breath.
"Just have patience" Zel whispered back.
"You say you're a friend of Lina?" he continued.
Immediately, the red-head started coughing - But not that anyone noticed.
"Well then" the crown prince went on, unperturbed. "A friend of Lina and Amelia is a friend of mine."
"Call me Phil" he grinned, holding out his hand in greeting.
Naga returned the handshake. But even then she could feel the blood rushing though her system in excitement.
"Get on with it!!!!" Lina snarled softly.
"Quiet!" the chimera shot back.
The crown prince raised an eyebrow. "Odd, your hand is shaking"
Meanwhile, Lina grit her teeth and took a deep breath:
"SHE'S YOU'RE LONG LOST DAUGHTER GRACIA, DAMMIT!!!!!"
Immediately, all eyes turned on the frustrated red-head as Zelgadis slapped his forehead in exasperation.
"Lina!" Amelia and Sylphiel exclaimed indignantly.
"Oh come on!" the sorceress snapped back. "This was taking too long!"
Philionel looked at Lina and then to Naga in utter bewilderment. The crown prince faltered, as a tsunami of revelation engulfed him.
The concept of this woman being his long-missing daughter Gracia was at once both abrupt and too difficult to grasp. Indeed, this seemed all too good to be true. Was this an illusion? Was this a dream? A miracle? Or a trick of deception?
But no, the hand he held in his seemed genuine.....
Then everything fell into place. It all made sense now. Her facial features, the fact she was hanging around with Amelia and the peculiar sense that she seemed familiar.
"G-G-Gracia" the crown prince stammered. "Is it really you?"
Despite the fact that her lips were quavering in the emotional intensity of the present situation, Naga's lips formed into a smile.
"....Yes....it is" she managed to whisper.
Then, the Crown Prince snapped. He let out an emotionally-choked shout and scooped up the sorceress into another of his bear hugs. Naga grinned and Amelia came running over to share in the tender moment.
A family had been reunited at long last.
Lina and Gourry exchanged astonished glances.
"You know something?" the sorceress said to the swordsman. "I need a bathroom and quick!"
Then, although his eyes were cloaked with tears, Philionel began to laugh. A laugh that was soon joined in by Naga and Amelia. A laugh that boomed with the strength of three powerful lungs from the Saillune household.
Lina sank to the floor as the horrendous noise echoed throughout the chamber.
"Some one kill me now, please...." she moaned.
Such was the sensation of this recent family reunion, that the palace throne room was filled with chatter from the three surviving members of the Saillune household. All were speaking at once for the next several minutes:
"So Gracia, did you really know Lina many years before?" Philionel inquired.
"Yes!" Naga replied. "We had met years earlier and travelled around together for quite some time!"
"Wow!" Amelia said. "What was Lina like back then?"
"Well" the raven-haired sorceress said. "As I recall, she had a short temper….."
"WHO SAYS I HAVE A SHORT TEMPER?!?!!?" came a very angry shout across the room.
Unperturbed Naga continued: "….…and she had an enormous appetite and very small breasts!"
"Wow Lina!" Gourry noted. "You were the same back then as you are now!"
"Errr…..Gourry?" Zel said. "You certainly have a poor choice of words."
And before the swordsman knew it, the sorceress reached up and grabbed him by his collar.
Her eyes blazed red with ferocity and she snarled out ever word at the swordsman one after the other:
"Give. Me. One. Reason. Why. I. Should. Not. Fireball. You. Right. Here. Right. NOW"
Fortunately for Lina, the altercation between herself and Gourry went unnoticed by the Saillunes – they were simply too wrapped up in hearing about the other that they didn't stop to pay any attention to anything else.
"So tell me" Amelia inquired. "What type of adventures did you and Lina get up to?"
"Well" Naga explained. "This one time we were hired by this old woman who wanted us to teach her son to become a man."
"And did you?" Phil asked.
"Well……" the raven-haired sorceress said. ".....We kinda had mixed success"
"Oh?"
"Well the plan was to try and teach him some combat skills so it was pre-arranged that we would meet a bunch of actors that were posing as bandits. But when we arrived at the designated place, we found that the actors were captured by a horde of REAL bandits!"
"Oh no!" Amelia said. "What did you do next?"
"Simple!" Naga grinned. "I quickly summoned a stone golem to crush the bandits and they ran away from my might in pure terror!"
"YOU LIAR!!!" Lina yelled. "You fainted at the first sign of blood!"
"Easy Lina!" Gourry said as both he and Zel held the increasingly crabby sorceress back.
"Calm down!" the chimera added, "I doubt the people of Saillune would appreciate their rulers being scorched to death with one of your spells!"
"Look, she may be Gracia Saillune but she is STILL Naga to me!"
"But in any case" Philionel said. "The day that my daughters Amelia and Gracia have both returned to me is certainly a momentous occasion! We must celebrate!"
Lina and Gourry exchanged knowing glances before both smiling in an awkward fashion.
"Well, that is good to hear Phil" the sorceress grinned. "But we can't hang around."
"Yeah" the swordsman added. "We gotta keep moving!"
"Nonsense!" Philionel boomed. "You two are friends of my daughters! That makes you my guests! Therefore I must insist that you stay!"
"Does that mean me as well?" Syl inquired.
"Of course!" the Crown Prince boomed. "And Mr. Greywars as well!"
"Eh…Lina?" Gourry murmured under his breath. "I hope you can think up a good way to get us out of this situation now!"
"And to celebrate this occasion" Phil went on. "I hereby grant you all the privileges of being my guests! You are hereby fee to stay within the guest chambers within Saillune and you have the complete freedom of the city!"
"Freedom?" Lina echoed, her eyebrow raised in interest.
"Yes!" Philionel answered. "You now can go around and treat yourself to the many delights of Saillune! And we will cover all expenses using the palace treasury!"
"Well Gourry?" the now grinning sorceress murmured. "You wanted a way out of this. Is that good enough?"
Amelia raised her hand to her forehead. Once again Daddy was speaking without any thought whatsoever to the consequences of his actions. Giving Lina and Gourry access to the city was bad enough but using the funds of the palace treasury to cover their actions?! This was certainly shaping up to be a true disaster area. One that was just begging to happen!
"What?"
Lina blinked at swordsman's dimwittedness before shrugging and bowing before Phil.
"We most graciously accept your invitation as guests within your city your majesty?"
"Lina!?" Gourry blinked in amazement.
"Just shut up and bow" the sorceress muttered.
It didn't take long for the swordsman to do just that.
"Err….yes, we accept …..your invitation…."
"Now, if you will excuse us" Lina said. "We have some business to attend to."
"We do?" Gourry replied softly.
"Just keep quiet and slowly back out the door" the sorceress snapped under her breath.
"Very well then" Phil grinned. "Just be back at the palace so I can treat you all to the finest dinner of your life!"
Both Lina and Gourry nodded, as Naga and Amelia exchanged the bewildered of glances. The swordsman and the sorceress then stepped out of the room and closed the door behind them. Seconds later, Naga, Zel, Phil, Sylphiel and Amelia all heard the distinct sound of feet running off down the palace hallway.
Sylphiel sighed before moving towards the door.
"Uh, Sylphiel?" Phil inquired. "Where are you going?"
"…I…I…..just remembered something I had to do" The shrine maiden blurted out. Then, without waiting for any follow-up questions, she quickly bowed before darting out the door.
"She seems in an awful rush" Zel murmured.
"True" Phil noted.
"But in any case' he went on. "We have much more important things to discuss right now. To begin with, about this evening…"
"Ah yes" Amelia said. "Daddy, you mentioned to Lina and Gourry that there was going to be a dinner this evening!"
"Yes and?"
"When was such a thing planned?"
"Why just now!" Phil grinned.
Immediately, Amelia, Zel and Naga fell over backwards.
By now, Lina and Gourry were already out the palace door and making their way into the busy crowds of Saillune. Sylphiel followed closely behind.
"All righty then" the sorceress grinned, as she stretched her arms. "As we guest of Phil, Saillune is our oyster! I say we find the nearest restaurant and order everything! And triple it!"
"Sounds good to me!" Gourry grinned, as he walked beside her, with his sword resting across his shoulder.
Just then, he turned and noticed the shrine maiden.
"Huh?" the swordsman blinked. "Syl? What are you doing here?'
"I'm coming with you to make sure you don't do anything foolish" came the reply.
"What's that?" Lina said. "No you don't! You want to make sure we don't abuse the sanction that Phil has bestowed on us as his guests!"
The shrine maiden sighed. Busted……
"Well don't worry." The sorceress grinned as she laid a hand on Sylphiel's shoulder.
"You have nothing to fear"
"Oh?" Syl replied with a grin. "You mean that you will behave in a sensible manner?"
"Of course not!" Lina and Gourry both answered.
And with that they both turned and strolled away.
The shrine maiden paused for several brief moments before taking off after them.
And when she did, she cleared her throat:
"You know" Sylphiel said in a conversational manner, "It certainly was heart-warming to see Phil reunited with his daughters..."
"Bleagh!" the red-head spluttered. "You can't be serious?!"
"Lina!" Syl exclaimed.
"Hey Gourry?" the sorceress said. "I don't know about you, but I'm eager to sink my teeth in some delicious food. I hear Saillune has a great selection of restaurants...."
"Right behind you, Lina!"
And with that, they both plunged into the busy city streets, both eager to find some food and quick!
"Hey wait!" Sylphiel yelled.
But it was too late: Her companions, acting on their instincts to find a decent meal, wherever and whenever possible, both bolted into the crowd, leaving the Shrine Maiden standing.
She sighed. Try as she might, she just seems unable to catch up with them.
Some time later that afternoon, Zelgadis strolled through the palace gardens, his mind reflecting on the recent chain of events.
Now that Gracia had returned, Phil couldn't be happier. Such was his pleasure that he immediately proposed a holiday in celebration and began drawing up plans for a banquet. Amelia was also delighted to see her father happier then ever. Naga, however, seemed somewhat perplexed by the whole event. It was as if she hadn't been lauded with that much attention before. But once she was convinced that this banquet would mean lot's of food, she eventually grew accustomed with the enormity of the situation.
But for now, the six adventurers were relishing in delights of Saillune. They were all spending the afternoon with the freedom that Phil had granted them.
Of course, this evening Phil was inviting them all to dinner so he can hear of the adventures and experiences both his daughters have been through.....
But it was only a matter of time before he would find about the horror that befell Amelia back in Dakeyras....
Zel stopped strolling - right in front of a rose bush.
The chimera turned and reached towards the blooms. But instead of touching the red petals, he instead ran his fingers along the stems that the roses resided on.
A normal person wouldn't have dared do such a thing. The stem was covered with nasty thorns! Thorns that were sharp enough to penetrate one's skin and cause fingers to draw blood.
But why should that bother Zel? He had stone skin. He was, after all, a chimera.....
He withdrew his hand and examined it. Yes, it was unharmed. Not even a little scratch.
Just then a voice spoke up, breaking Zelgadis from his thoughts.
"I knew I'd find you here"
The chimera raised an eyebrow. But he didn't turn to face the speaker. He knew who it was.
"Your father seems overjoyed" he said.
"Oh, is he ever!" Amelia chuckled. "He's really enthusiastic about this banquet too: he's running up and down the palace with arrangements, getting the cooks to make a superb meal, making sure the best crockery and silverware is used, and everything! I've never seen him so active like this before!"
"Ah....."
The princess frowned. She could tell what Zel was thinking and she wasn't liking it. She didn't like it when he had his depressive moods.
She wanted him to be happy.....
Amelia reached out and picked one of the blooms from the bush. Then she moved towards the chimera until she was right up next to him.
"Zel?" she said slyly. "Here."
When the chimera noticed the rose, he blinked.
Amelia eyes widened at this. She was expecting him to burst into a bright red flush - as he normally does when confronted with anything romantic. But not this time. Now it was different,.
Had he got the point where he had grown accustomed to her affection.....?
Then the chimera laid his other hand gently on the shoulders of the princess. An act that made Amelia sigh with pure bliss.
She looked up at Zelgadis' expression - to see that he looked somewhat unhappy. Instead of looking at her, he gazed at the rose, his mind deep in contemplation.
"Zel....?" she asked.
When no response came, the princess frowned. She knew that when the chimera started acting like this, something was troubling him greatly.
"Zelgadis!" she exclaimed. "Is something the matter?"
The chimera didn't answer right away. Instead, he eyes narrowed as he figured how he should explain this to her…..
"Your father" he said at last. "Your father seems quite eager to have you follow in his footsteps and ascend to the rulership of Saillune."
Amelia blinked but she didn't reply.
Zel immediately locked his gaze into hers. "And I'm certain that this isn't the first time that such intentions had been brought up."
Upon hearing this, the princess frowned. Her eyes also grew darker as the enormity of this discussion sank in.
"I've never really liked discussing such thing" she murmured.
The chimera blinked. "Why's that?"
"Who on earth want's to become a princess?"
"What?!" Zelgadis exclaimed. He was so taken aback by this revelation that he lowered his arm.
"Amelia! Being a princess is a goal that most girls dream of!"
"But it's not all living rich and looking gorgeous." she retorted. "The truth is it's a boring life! All you do is have banquets, talk to uninteresting dignitaries, fill out documents and negotiate between neighbouring nations to settle conflicts! There's not a moment of excitement at any time!"
"So that's why you seem so keen to hang around Lina, Gourry and myself right?" the chimera replied as he ran his finger across the thorns on the rose stem.
The princess blinked.
"Well….yes." she said slowly. "You're always going to such amazing places!"
Amelia's speech may have been slow to begin with but it was gradually gathering speed as she went on: "You get to have adventures! You get to see the world and you get to face all types of excitement!"
"The type you haven't seen from the boundaries of Saillune's walls" Zel finished.
"Exactly" the princess sighed.
The chimera turned to his left, away from Amelia, and raised the rose up to his face. His finger than began to stroke the smooth red petals.
"So that's what you want to do?" he said gently. "Instead of succeeding your father?"
"Of course!" the princess replied her voice rich in enthusiasm.
Zelgadis didn't reply. Instead he closed his eyes and allowed his lips to form into a small smile.
"If that's your choice than who am I stand in your way?"
Amelia sighed. "Thank you ever so much for that Zelgadis
"However…."
Upon hearing this, Zel's finger came to a standstill upon the petal.
"I'm not sure how Daddy will take these plans."
Zelgadis opened his mouth to speak but Amelia went on:
"He seemed quite determined that I ascend to the throne. And that I find a ruling partner."
And when Zel heard this, his eyes immediately shot open. He then turned so that his back was to Amelia.
The princess frowned. This move was unexpected but she could tell what was on his mind….
She then stepped forward and laid her hand gently on his back. Her face followed seconds later.
The princess could feel the Chimera's muscles relax. She smiled - even though she couldn't see his face, she could tell that he was appreciating her affectionate gesture.
"We are both alike in so many ways" Amelia said gently. "We would both rather travel and see the world than anything else"
Although the princess couldn't see it, Zel was listening intently as his finger once again stroked the thorns on the rose stem.
Suddenly, the princess faltered. Words suddenly tumbled from her mouth without any consideration whatsoever.
"Please let's stay together" she said "Let's try and forget what happened at Da…"
"NO!"
Amelia blinked at this sudden outburst. She looked at the chimera, with eyes widened, as her hand felt his muscles tighten.
"Zel….?"
The chimera didn't answer. Instead stepped away from Amelia's touch and walked away, dropping the bloom as he did so.
Needless to say, the princess was quite upset by this. Here she was, trying to make Zel feel better and all he did was knock her back! Why would he do a thing like this?
She mentally cursed herself: She shouldn't have gone and mentioned Dakeyras….
Maybe she should try a different tack.....
Then, she hit upon a marvellous idea.
Amelia then set out off after the chimera and grasped him gently on his wrist.
"Zel" she smiled warmly. "I wanna show you something"
But the chimera didn't respond with as much enthusiasm. He merely sighed.
"Come on!" she said. "It's this really cool place in the city...."
"Amelia, I....."
"Don't be like that!" the princess exclaimed. "Just come with me and see this surprise!"
Zel sighed again, before eventually relenting.
But even though Lina and her companions survived that scuffle at the mine and now relished in the comforts that Saillune offered, little did they know that a new adventure was beginning. An adventure that was waiting for their involvement. An adventure that will challenge the world they knew and the ideals that they all lived by.
Did they really think that an exploding mountain would go unnoticed?
Of course not. Being faced with such an incredible, destructive power, the forest shook and the ground rumbled, creating shock waves for miles around.
Naturally, such waves created horrendous vibrations that rumbled through any villages and townships that happened to stand in the way. However whilst the inhabitants of these built-up areas, felt the shock waves, they were soon to dismiss this unusual event as a natural occurrence.
But whilst these simpletons were oblivious to the truth, there was, however, someone who knew better.
And he knew better because he had witnessed the entire event himself.
In amongst a nearby mountain range, there was an unusual formation: It was a flat-topped mountain which, at the top, housed an unusual grassy circle. A circle which was home to various stone monoliths, of uneven size, which were all arranged in a circular fashion.
And it was in amongst this circle that stood someone who witnessed the explosion himself.
Someone whom was tall and slender in stature yet as strong as an ox. Someone suited in dark armour that was heavy in design but light in appearance and bedecked with intricate skull designs. Someone with a face that showed signs of intelligence mixed with pure malevolence and whose appearance was complemented with a heavy red cloak and long black hair.
That someone was Thyruss. And it was from this vantage point that he saw the explosion in all it's glory.
And he wasn't liking what he was seeing.
He had only come to Saillune recently, It was for the first time in a long time but Thyruss had a plan. A plan that involved him satisfying a burning desire for revenge.
But this recent occurrence has left him furious. The mine that got destroyed was part of his operation! It was supplying him with funds to see his insidious operation through to success!
However, in spite of his rage, Thyruss couldn't ignore the fact that the collapse of his gold mine had taken him by surprise. He had hired the meanest and the burliest lackeys he could find to work in that mine. And the overseers were even meaner still. Thus, it would have to take someone of exceptional prowess to overcome them all and destroy the mine itself.
But to destroy a mountain?! The warlord hadn't seen anything like this before. Thus, whoever had destroyed the mine was certainly someone of extraordinary power. And chances are they would be a potentially nasty obstacle to overcome in the name of revenge…..
But Thyruss' gaze hardened. Revenge never comes without any cost - so as long as he achieves this goal, the lengths he had to go through, and the setbacks that he endured, would make it all worth it!
The warlord sighed before reflecting on the events that had taken place since he returned to Saillune…..
It had been days since he, for the first time in years, laid eyes on Saillune. Seeing such a sight, after so long, indeed took him by surprise - yet it only strengthened his resolve to achieve his desire for revenge. But before anything could go ahead, he first had to establish a base camp some miles away from the city.
It was there and then that his first stroke of incredible luck happened.
He had managed to find an abandoned citadel. Such a discovery certainly had its benefits: The citadel was located in amongst a steep mountain range, thus providing a great position of secrecy and natural defences. It also provided the warlord with a spectacular view of the surrounding lands, enabling him with a magnificent vantage point to plot his plans of destruction.
But, more importantly, it was big enough to house himself, his minions and, most crucial of all, his secret weapon.....
Once this fortunate discovery had been made, Thyruss immediately set his minions to work. They were to make repairs to this citadel and to turn it from a forgotten relic into a full military headquarters.
And as the repairs and reconstruction went on, the warlord went exploring.
It was then that his second stroke of incredible luck happened.
He was fortunate enough to find this circle. Of course, when he first set eyes on it, he was convinced this was an illusion: A formation such is this could be anything but natural. A grassy plain like this in amongst such a mountainous range? Such stones arranged in such a particular formation? And why on earth would those stones bear signs of being untouched....?
Curiosity drove the warlord into the circle. It was then that he began to feel uneasy. Something didn't feel right....
Regardless, Thyruss examined the stones closer. But such a sight was nothing like he had encountered before. The stone were of some black substance - such as that which he had never seen before in his lifetime....
Indeed, now the warlord had all the more reason to feel uneasy.....
Thyruss tried to ignore this uneasiness. But even as he tried, deep down in the bowels of his stomach, he knew what he was doing was wrong. It felt, as if, he was intruding in on an artefact from a long - forgotten era. It was as if he was invading a holy place from a long-dead civilisation.....
He tried to shake it off such sensations as nonsense. But even as he stayed on within the circle, Thyruss could still feel something eating away at his conscience......
Eventually, he gave in. This place was creepy. He had to get out. Now.
But as he turned to leave the circle, his eye caught sight of something peculiar. Something that took the form of words carved into the rock itself. Something that immediately grabbed the warlord's attention. He knelt down and began to study this discovery.....
As Thyruss read these words, his lips formed into a twisted grin. A tsunami of courage and triumph flushed through his system. He stood up, feeling triumphant.
With these words victory now seemed within his grasp.
So much so, he can now taste it.....
And then he would extract the sweetest of revenge.....
Onto Chapter 3!
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