The Four Truths

by muishiki

AU - Ranma's training is forced to take a different path due to circumstances beyond his control. Join his quest to make sense of life and the Art, joined by familiar figures. Complete! Fixed the duplicated omake.

5. Right Action

Chapter 4

Herb of the Musk was annoyed. The sources of his annoyance were right in front of him. The reason he was annoyed this time was quite obvious; Lime and Mint, his two hopelessly idiotic bodyguards to be, had thought it was a good idea to bring two thrashing, chained wrapped bundles into the throne room. Not only were the idiots having trouble keeping control of them, but the noise of the chains kept Herb from hearing the explanation the two had concocted for their latest act of stupidity.

Herb had had enough of listening to the pair babble. "So, you two saw two young Amazon women fighting, and decided that you wanted to show them to me, right?"

The Lime and Mint stopped all conversation immediately, and chimed in unison, "that's correct, Herb-sama!"

"So you waited till they had gotten tired, and then ambushed them, correct?"

Again they chimed in unison, "that's correct, Herb-sama!"

"And why did you think this was a good idea?"

Lime and Mint looked at each other, and then at the bundles at their feet. They shrugged their shoulders. "We just liked watching them fight. We thought you might like to see it."

A vein in Herb's forehead popped. "YOU MORONS!!!" Herb's aura flared.

"You might have started a war because you liked to watch them fight?" Herb began to power up a ball of ki in either hand. Slowly advancing on the two, his eyes promised pain. "You are such IDIOTS!!"

"I think we messed up, Lime."

"Probably. Herb-sama seems really mad this time."
"Think this will hurt?"

"Definitely."

"YOU MORONS!!!"

Ranma continued to struggle as she extended her senses as much as she could, given that she was currently stuffed in a canvas sack. She felt a massive battle aura slowly approaching. Ranma was in a bind. She was gagged; her feet and hands were tied behind her back, and also rather painfully bound together by a short tether, forcing her to bend over backwards, at the point where she looked like an "O" and had no real leverage. Her captors knew how to tie good knots, too.

Herb was pissed. If the huge aura hadn't been a dead give away, Ranma could feel the stone floor beneath her body shudder with each step Herb took towards them. Ranma wondered briefly about Konatsu – She knew her friend had been caught too, and was probably in the same state.

Ranma tried once again to wriggle out of her bonds. She cursed herself getting captured. She was pretty sure nobody would come to her rescue. She and Konatsu had no one to rely on but themselves. In the three years since Konatsu and Ranma had arrived at the Amazon village, only Xian Pu, Ku Lon's great grand-daughter had even bothered to make friends with the two outsiders. Ku Lon had been very clear in that she could never actively intercede on the girls' behalf with out making things even harder on the two.

Outside of the training that Ku Lon put them through, she didn't spend a lot of time with either girl. Unwanted in the village, the two took to studying together and practicing as much as they could. That served two purposes, really. First, it kept them away from the other girls of the village and thus out of fights, and secondly, it allowed them to practice in secret, improving upon the techniques they had been shown. They weren't actually allowed to participate in the training, but they couldn't be kept from watching. Ranma and Konatsu would watch and learn, then go off on their own to train and perfect the techniques.

Being female had certainly thrown the two erstwhile boys for a loop at first. To avoid discovery the two spent a vast majority of their time in their cursed form. The biggest change they noticed was reach and strength. They were shorter, and far weaker than they had been prior to the swim in Jusenkyo. Ranma had worked very hard to make up for the strength deficit, but his reach would always be slightly shorter as a girl. The upside was a marked increase in flexibility, endurance, and speed.

Konatsu was slightly smaller than Ranma, but not by much. What she lacked in height she made up in speed, and her power was nothing to sneer at. Ranma was almost as fast, and a little stronger. Both were probably far stronger than anyone else in their village, but they tried to never let on, because it would be an invitation for fights.

Ku Lon had pulled a rather nasty trick on them at first, hitting a pressure point on the boys that made them hyper sensitive to hot water. She called it the Full-Body Cat's Tongue, and by the time either had been fast enough or strong enough to obtain the cure, they had spent nearly a year in their cursed forms. After a while, they stopped caring. Ranma hadn't been male in almost three months. Konatsu was going on five. The first time Ranma had gotten his period, he freaked. Konatsu was overjoyed at his, though.

They had gone through all the standard training exercises and a lot of the advanced ones as well. They had been through the Kachu Tenshin Amaguri-ken, the Bakusai Tenketsu, ki manipulation techniques, medical studies, botany, magic, and more. Both were quick pupils, and learned the techniques at a rate that astonished their teachers. Ku Lon worked a lot with Ranma on controlling the Neko-ken. He had lost his fear of cats over the three years, but had also lost access to the powers of the technique as well. Ku Lon said that there was no way to master it consciously because it was a flawed technique, but Ranma had his doubts.

Ranma and Konatsu had been training, as usual. They had just spent the morning working on the Hi Ryu Shoten Ha. Both had watched the Flying Dragon Ascension Blast being taught, and had mastered the basics in about a week. Today they were practicing switching between hot and cold ki to manipulate the size and effects of the tornado. By the time Ranma and Konatsu had finished practice, they were both physically exhausted and drained of their ki reserves. The bastards had struck when they had no chance.

Given her current state, if Herb decided to kill either captive, neither would be able to do anything to prevent it. Ku Lon had warned both Ranma and Konatsu to stay away from the Musk, and particularly Herb. Ku Lon had even gone so far as to say she was "a little frightened" by the power Herb possessed. Ranma was scared shitless.

"You are such IDIOTS!!" Ranma was startled by the sheer power of Herb's voice. Even more surprising, Ranma could sense ki laced through Herb's shout, making the air hum with menace. Ranma heard her captor say, "I think we messed up, Lime."

"Probably. Herb-sama seems really mad this time."
"Think this will hurt?"

"Definitely."

Gritting her teeth, Ranma pulled on the tether until she managed to touch her feet. Her lower back and shoulders protested against the abuse, but she ignored the pain, concentrating on feeling the knots that held her fast.

Herb was standing right next to her. Ranma's senses screamed, overloaded by the sheer immensity of the ki radiating from Herb. Ranma worked frantically at the bindings, trying to keep her movements as small as possible. Suddenly, Ranma felt a whoosh of air and a huge surge in Herb's ki, and surprisingly, the sound of her captors being pummeled.

"You MORONS!!!" A series of sickening thuds resounded in the hall. "How... Many... Times... Do... I... Have... To... Tell... You? NO... KIDNAPPINGS!!!" Each break in Herb's sentence was punctuated by more thuds, crunching noises, and muffled groans.

She finally managed to loosen the knot to the tether, and groaned in relief as she was able to bring her knees forward to her stomach. Curled in a fetal position, she began frantically working at the ropes binding her feet. Her feet came free as the beating continued. Hands still tied, she worked the gag free, and began tearing at the knots binding her wrists together with her teeth.

Ranma was about to work her hands free when a sword blade sliced the canvas sack open along its length. Blinking from the sudden change in light, Ranma looked up at Konatsu. Without a word, Ranma extended her hands to allow Konatsu to cut the bindings.

"Idiots forgot to take my sword off. All I had to do was get out of that damnable position they had tied me in." Konastu turned towards where Herb was still busy abusing his lackeys and crouched low, sword held parallel to the ground against her forearm. "You alright?"
"Yeah. Thanks. I owe you."

"Owe me later. Let's try and get out of here."

No sooner had Konatsu uttered these words than Herb turned and saw them for the first time. Herb paused for a moment, delivered a final swift kick into the ribs of Musk on the floor, and with a flourish of his cape addressed Ranma and Konatsu.

"You don't look like Amazons. You dress the part, but you look different." Herb walked forward. Ranma noticed Konatsu tensing, poised to strike. "You might as well put that blade away." Herb's eyes flicked towards the drawn weapon. "It won't kill me, and I might get offended if it stays bare too long."

Konatsu slowly stood up. With a brief glance at Ranma, she sheathed his weapon and dropped his hands. She did not relax, though. Ranma also stood, and adopted a similar posture. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Konatsu, she was ready for action, but did not reveal it from her stance.

Herb stopped, and evaluated them both. "Hmm.. Seems those idiots were right. You would be fun to watch fight. Seems you both hide a lot of skill."

Ranma merely nodded her head. Konatsu gave a little half-bow, never taking her eyes off of Herb.

"I must apologize for those two louts. They are morons, and often do not think about the consequences of their actions. I am convinced they share half a brain between them." Herb sighed. "They are excellent fighters though..." He continued to ponder, tapping his fingers on his chin. After a while, he continued. "I am sorry that this has happened, you may leave unmolested."

"That's it? Dismissed just like that?" Ranma burst out. Konatsu moved to hush Ranma, but he was still wired from the adrenaline pumping in his veins.

"What would you have me do, Amazon? Bow and scrape? Do you expect some sort of compensation? It is enough that you live. No harm was done. I have already apologized. Do not make me regret doing so."

"You arrogant son of ..." Ranma cracked his knuckles.

"Oh, a little bit of fire, perhaps?" Herb chuckled darkly. The air behind him began to darken and crackle, alive with his aura and a palpable sense of menace.

Konatsu intervened, placing herself between Herb and Ranma. "Ranma," she whispered, "this might be a great opportunity. Calm down or you'll blow it." Ranma sighed and relaxed.

"Damn it, why do you always have to be right?"

"Because I'm smarter and cuter. Apologize to Herb."

Ranma stepped out from behind Konatsu. With a short jerky bow, she mumbled, "I am sorry, Price Herb... I am simply upset about the recent events." Ranma looked over to see Konatsu give her an approving nod. This did nothing to improve Ranma's mood, however.

"Accepted. Your distress is understandable. I will have some of my guards escort you out of the kingdom."

Konatsu hesitantly spoke up. "Actually, Prince Herb, we do have a strange request. We are looking to train. As you mentioned, we are not native Amazons. We are wandering Artists who have been adopted by the tribe."

Herb raised an eyebrow. He motioned for Konatsu to continue.

"The whole reason we wander is to improve in martial Arts. The Amazons will never accept us as a true member, and so..." Konatsu grimaced and tightened the sash around her waist. "We are shunned. Except for Elder Ku Lon, they teach us the bare minimum."

"I can not imagine the why the Amazons extending any courtesies to begin with." Herb walked past the pair to sit on the throne in the middle of the room.

Konatsu pointed at Ranma. "It's because she managed to convince Elder Ku Lon to train her."

A ghost of a smile crossed Herbs lips. "A curious arrangement. How?"

I know a forbidden technique that I don't know how to control, Ranma wanted to say. "Because I made it clear I would be willing to do anything for the training."

"I imagine that you are dealt with quite harshly?" Again, the hints of a smile played across Herb's features.

Ranma crossed her arms and nodded. "Because we are outsiders, we have no real protection from their laws. If we get attacked, we have to run or throw the match. To win is to invite death. I hate losing." Licking her lips, Ranma ventured, "the other thing is that neither of us is really a woman. Except for the village Elder, nobody knows this."
Herb looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Konatsu and Ranma looked at each other, then at Herb. "Jusenkyo."

Herb paused to think, and nodding to nobody in particular, he suddenly barked over his shoulder, "LIME!! MINT!!! Fetch chairs and refreshments for our guests." Herb hesitated, "and HOT water as well." Satisfied, he turned back to face his guests. "You interest me. Let us talk; perhaps we can make mutually beneficial arrangements."

In short order Lime and Mint limped into the room, and motioned for servants to set up a table for refreshments. Cushions were brought, which both Konatsu and Ranma sank into with a sigh of relief. As the service was being set up, Herb and the pair exchanged pleasantries, and made formal introductions. A servant brought forth a tea pot of hot water and carefully set it on the table between Herb and the girls.

"I must satisfy my curiosity. Forgive me." With that, Herb rose from his throne, picked up the pot of hot water, and poured the contents over the two youths. Herb grunted as the transformation took place, faster than the eye could see. Two young girls in the first blush of womanhood had been replaced by two thirteen year old Japanese males. Herb blinked as the two began to stretch.

"Man, that feels good. Been months since I've been a guy." Ranma let out a contented sigh. He smiled as he heard Konatsu's echoing sigh next to him. "No matter how comfortable I feel in my other body, it feels great to get back to this form. It's like slipping on a favorite pair of pants."

"Indeed? How long have you born the burden of Jusenkyo?"

"Hmm... 'Bout three years now." Ranma sensed Konatsu nodding.

"How did it happen?" Herb asked. "Even though we live so close to the pools, we do not often see its victims. Most run away in terror, and are soon lost to the surrounding forests."

"Actually," Konatsu began, "we jumped in voluntarily. It was the only way Elder Ku Lon would agree to teach us."

"The fact she would agree at all surprises me. I know of her. She has had numerous confrontations with my father. Not a woman to be trifled with."

"You're telling me." Ranma was interrupted by a servant offering a platter of various fruits.

"Help your self." Herb took a bunch of grapes. "If there is anything in particular you desire, let me know. Please, continue your story."
Ranma thanked the prince, and began telling his story. Konatsu joined in, correcting details, and the two began alternating. Konatsu would speak and Ranma would pick up where he left off. Herb constantly asked questions, some about the beginning of their journey together and in particular about the last three years with the Amazons. Herb was very interested in the training methods of the Amazons, and what the two boys had been subjected to. Ranma however, never mentioned the Neko-ken. Konatsu noticed. He looked askance at Ranma, but also never brought it up in conversation.

During a pause in the conversation, Konatsu asked, "Prince Herb, let me apologize in advance lest I offend, but why are you so interested in the Amazons?"

Herb grinned. "Know thy enemies, Konastu. They are a secretive bunch. This is not the first time Lime and Mint have kidnapped a lone hapless Amazon." He reached forward and took an apple from the low table in front of him. "However, to the woman, they fight tooth and nail until they either escape or we are forced to kill them. Thus, we don't have very reliable information on them or their capabilities." Biting into the apple, he smiled. "This is the first chance I have had to talk with an 'Amazon,' and I am learning more about them than I have ever known."

"I am sure they feel the same about the Musk. I do know they are frightened of you." Ranma accepted the glass of tea offered by yet another servant.

"The Amazons have a great deal of lore concerning the battle prowess of the Musk," Konatsu said. "If even half of the legends are true, then the legends speak of formidable arts, indeed."

"Is that so? What legends are these, exactly?" Again, the ghost of a smile appeared on Herbs face.

"That you are descendants of animals. And that the ruling line is the offspring of a dragon. They also say that the Musk have powers and abilities that are beyond human, like unbelievable strength, and the power of flight, for example."

Herb did smile this time. It wasn't pretty. "Interesting. They know far more about us than we do of them."
Ranma choked on his tea. "You mean that's all true?"

"Mostly, yes," Herb said. "I however, haven't mastered flight yet. My father is still teaching me."

Ranma blurted out automatically, "Think we could learn?"

"Perhaps, Ranma. We shall see." Herb replied.

Shortly afterwards, Herb stood. He bade the two to stay for dinner that evening. Summoning a servant table, he ordered them showed to quest quarters in the palace. Both boys followed, taking in their surroundings. Konatsu remarked on how few people they had seen but the servants. Ranma nodded, continuing to survey his surroundings. Finally, the servant showed them the room they would be staying. Ranma waited until the servant departed until speaking.

"Konatsu, did you notice Herb's eyes?"

"Besides being red? Yes. I couldn't place them, though."

"I did. They look like a cat eyes. Vertical slits. I don't know why he was so interested in Amazon techniques, but if the Musk have evil intentions, we might be in serious trouble."

Konatsu troubled look mirrored Ranma's feelings. A servant arrived, halting any further conversation.

"Lord Herb requests your presence at dinner in two hours. If you would like to bath, I have been instructed to show you to the bathing house."

"Let's talk after dinner, Ranma."

After the bath, a servant arrived and dropped of a note and several packages. The note turned out to be from Herb. It asked them to both show up to dinner in their female forms, and not to mention the curse to anyone. It also asked them to open the packages for inspection.

The packages held breath-taking sleeveless Chinese dresses, one in blue, and one in red. Golden embroidery emblazoned the hem and neck lines of both, and around the open shoulders. The red dress was emblazoned with fine filigree work that depicted a phoenix rising from the flames across the back, its wings wrapping around the underneath the arms to cross in the front. The blue dress had a dragon sinuously wrapped around the back of the dress over the left shoulder, staring out over the right breast.

After a little discussion, Ranma settled on the blue dress and Konatsu tried the red. Neither dress fit perfectly, but this was rectified in short order. A team of tailors rushed in. After a number of questions, measurements, and pins, the dresses were removed and hustled out. The tailors returned after about an hour, and the dresses were tried on again for the second fitting. After a few minor adjustments, the tailors were satisfied, and left. A servant showed promptly to escort the pair to dinner.

Dinner turned out to be an extravagant affair. The event was held outdoors under a giant, soaring canopy. A servant led Konatsu and Ranma to the event. As Konatsu passed the canopy, she surreptitiously fingered the fabric. It was made completely of silk. Four banquet tables were laid out parallel, each capable to seating thirty and filled to capacity. Perpendicular to the banquet tables an unoccupied table sat, at the center of which was a stately chair ornately worked with carved dragons winding around the back of the chair. Servants bustled back and forth, filling goblets and escorting guests to their seats. The arriving guests were all attired in colorful and luxurious silks and velvets, creating a feast for the eyes.

Ranma stopped short as she caught sight of one of the guests. He looked distinctly like a tiger, with pointy ears and short orange fur with faint black strips adorning his face. All around, Ranma noticed people with distinctly animalistic features. One man looked like a wolf, another looked like a boar, and there a panda. Ranma heard Konatsu's sharp inhalation. Turning, she saw why. Behind her, an entourage was entering the canopy walking towards the head table.

Herb led the group floating three feet above the ground, not walking at all. Lime and Mint followed closely, leading a pack of courtiers who looked only vaguely animalistic. The group filed into the canopy, and worked their way to the head table. Each courtier stood behind a chair, except for Herb, who floated above the center throne. The chairs next to him were unoccupied.

With a ki enhance voice that carried to the far reaches of the canopy with startling clarity Herb spoke. "My father cannot join us today due to pressing business at Jusendo. However, he bade I preside in his stead. Would our honored guests from the Joketsuzo please join us?"

A servant bowed before Ranma and Konatsu. "Honored guests, if you would please follow me?" The servant led the pair up the head table, to chairs on either side Herb. When Ranma and Konatsu were in place behind the chairs, Herb spoke again.

"Let us welcome the emissaries from the Joketsuzo. Everyone raise a glass!" Servants filtered through the guests, offering goblets for the toast. When all the guests had a mug, Herb rose his glass and spoke. "To renewed relations between the two tribes. Welcome! Let us celebrate!"

With a guttural cry, the assemble guests roared approval, and took long draughts from their mugs. Ranma and Konatsu did the same. The strength of the drink brought tears to Konatsu's eyes, but he handled it better than Ranma, who was currently trying to suppress a coughing fit.

Herb chuckled. Dropping the ki enhancements of his voice, he murmured to Ranma, "it is strong, but it grows on you quickly." Once again he turned back to the assembled crowd. "Let us eat for now, and speeches can be made when the belly is sated and the mind ready for discourse! Please, sit and enjoy!"

Another roar of approval rose from the crowd. Herb touched down to the ground, and the guests all sat. The meal began in earnest, with servants working the crowds, plying the diners with the first course of a chilled soup, lightly spiced and delicately balanced.

Herb sat, bidding the pair to do so as well. When they had finally done so, Herb spoke softly so that his voice wouldn't carry beyond the three. "Forgive me for doing so, but I have led people to believe you are an emissary from the Amazons, seeking renewed diplomatic relations and trade."

"Why?"

"The answer was simple, Konatsu. If the people believe you are here on a good will mission, they will be likely to be less hostile towards you. Plus, I genuinely wish to establish good relations between the Amazons and Musk."

"I thank you for being so frank, Prince Herb, but I am confused. Why are relations so strained to begin with?"

"The answer, Ranma, is that the Amazons have long memories, as do the Musk. How much do you know of our history?"
Ranma thought carefully back to discussions with Ku Lon about the Musk. After a few seconds, he offered. "Honestly, next to nothing Prince Herb. The Elder simply told us to avoid you, if possible."

Herb nodded. "As I said, the Amazons have long memories, and an even longer history. The short and simple of it was the Musk were once Amazons."

Konatsu and Ranma looked at each other from the opposite sides of Herb. "How is that possible, Prince Herb?"

"I think a brief history lesson is necessary to understand. The amazons were not always a matriarchal society. Nobody is sure, but they came to this valley probably somewhere between 3500 and 3000 years ago." Herb paused to take a drink. "At that time, they were nothing more than a group of refugees, fleeing persecution from the group of peoples who would become the Persians. After settling here, they set up a society dedicated to defending themselves from future attacks, slowly creating the martial society they are today."

Konatsu turned this over in his mind. "Did the start of the Musk lead to the creation of the Matriarchal society?"

Herb raised an eyebrow. "Correct. At that time, about one thousand four hundred years ago, the Amazons of that time had a democratic system of electing a leader, and the leader elect at that time happened to be a rather domineering female. A group of male amazons dedicated to incorporating the powers of animals into their art were enraged at the election results, thinking that the election had been rigged. In protest, they left the compound in droves, and became enamored of the possibilities of Jusenkyo. Coincidentally, they called themselves the Musk." Herb stopped speaking as a servant served the soup. When the service was finished, he continued.

"They vowed to erase any female Amazon influence from their children. However, they couldn't have any children without Amazons. Here in lay the rub." Herb lifted a spoonful of soup to his mouth. "This is excellent soup, by the way. You really should try it. Where was I? Oh yes... Seeking to be completely independent of the female Amazons, they captured animals to use the spring of the drowned woman for brides. "

Ranma jumped in, "it must have been something more than that though. What ended up making the division complete?" Ranma hadn't even touched his soup, enthralled by the history. Konatsu was dutifully eating away.

"My ancestors were brutal. I do not condone what was done, but it is ancient history. In the end, it was Jusenkyo that led to the final split. The problem with the animals turned women was that through the workings of Jusenkyo magic they didn't stay female long enough to impregnate them." Herb sighed. A servant appeared with anxious look on his face. Herb waved him away.

"In order to get past the fact the women kept changing back to animals, the men of the Musk decided to raid the Amazon storehouse of treasures, seeking two in particular. One was the Chusuiton, and the other was the Kaisuifu. The Chusuiton would lock the animals in their cursed form, and after they had given birth, the Kaisuifu would reverse the change, allowing them to return to their animal form to be released back to the wild."

Insight struck Ranma. "They started a war, didn't they?"

Herb nodded. "The Musk weren't content to steal just those two things. Using male agents on the inside of the compound, they staged a raid on the treasury. They got greedy, and in successive raids against the compound, managed to steal about half of the accumulated treasures. The Amazon women were furious. They began hunting members of the Musk for extermination, because of their crimes against women and the theft."

The second round of food was served, momentarily bringing a halt to the conversation. It was a simple fair of a soft, delicate cheese and pungent root that neither Ranma nor Konatsu had tried before. The combination of sharp root and soft cheese was stunning, and both could hardly contain their delight. Herb was pleased.

The main meal arrived shortly afterwards. Several whole boars on spits were wheeled under the canopy, and while they watched the meat was dressed and served. All conversation halted as eating commenced. After some time, Herb pushed his plate back and continued the story.

"The war was long and brutal. Both sides committed many atrocities, but in the end, there was no clear victor. The Amazon male population was decimated by the war. Those males that survived were constantly suspect of being traitors and spies for the Musk. As a result, the males of the Amazons have been treated as second class citizens ever since."

Konatsu broke in over a mouthful of boar. "And I bet that is where the origin of the laws regarding outsiders came from, as well."

Herb nodded. "Without doubt."

"So basically," Ranma ventured, "As a result of events some fourteen hundred years in the past, the Amazons distrust and avoid the Musk?"

"That and random kidnappings those two louts Lime and Mint perpetrate, yes. But the one incident that still has them riled was when my father and I killed a hunting party of Amazons some fifty years ago."

Konatsu spat a mouthful of boar across the table, neatly onto the plate of a noble at one of the other banquet tables. She had the courtesy to blush, at least.

The dinner had ended and the deserts were being served. The guest began pounding the table, demanding a speech from the 'visiting ambassadresses" of the Amazons. Konatsu and Ranma both stood, and delivered short, diplomatic speeches that were carefully devoid of actual content but seemed to satisfy the assembled company. Herb nodded his approval. After dinner Herb and the two girls were walking around the grounds, continuing the earlier discussion.

Ranma couldn't believe it. "You killed Amazons fifty years ago? How old are you?"

Herb grimaced. "Yes, I did. It was an unfortunate situation of us or them situation. My father and I were hunting, and we stumbled upon a large hunting party. Before either of us could back away or even speak, the Amazons attacked. We had no choice to fight. The whole engagement lasted only a matter of moments before the Amazons backed off. But the damage was done."

He sighed, and looked towards the sky. "The problem is that my father and I fight with weapons made of ki. They can tear through body armor like paper. It didn't take much to decimate the group. Ku Lon was a member of that Party. She survived, obviously, and has been suspicious of us ever since." He snorted.

"As for how old I am, I will be turning eighty shortly." He smiled. "Because of the draconian blood that flows through my blood, I age slower than most mortals. In real terms, I am just reaching adolescence. Almost the same age as you, in fact."

Konatsu whistled. "So why do you need us, Prince Herb?"

"Because if either my father or I send emissaries to the Amazons, they are shot at and sent home with out hearing our apologies. You both however, are Amazons, even if only honorary. You have a much better chance of making our plea heard."

"Seems like you are risking a lot just for an apology," Ranma said.

"It is more than that, Ranma. The Musk are shrinking. We long ago stopped using Jusenkyo for our women, and as a result there are more men than women. The Amazons have the opposite problem."

Konatsu laughed. "You want us to function as go-betweens?" She paused to catch her breath, "and if we agree to do this? We are risking a lot, the least of which may be our lives."

"You will always be welcome here. If you do this, beyond just my thanks and the various gifts you will receive, I will offer you opportunities to train with the Musk. By the way, I neglected to tell you both how stunning you look in those dresses."

This brought both girls up short. Herb threw back his head and laughed.