Tawnykit: Thanks for sending the URL onward. I appreciate the effort, truly I do. Thanks so much for the review!
Garowyn: What a time to ask what Yor is doing. She's back. But, sorry, I didn't do it just for you. Just coincidence. Thanks for reviewing!
Fifth Champion: Glad you interpreted a name at last, and thanks for always reviewing. I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
One last note: Sorry that the updates have slowed (come on, I know it really pleased you.) To be honest, I'm only about 17 pages ahead of you…so, as I said, I suddenly have to get myself back to writing. But thanks always for sticking around! I really appreciate your efforts to continue reading.
Chapter 18 Back to the Main Storyline (I Hope) and the End of de Vlin's Rhyme
Except for Mugguba, Iheezu Yucktar had escaped without notice. However, when she returned to her home, long since abandoned, she discovered a note from her brothers Stallionik and Balladion saying they had left to go west and join the clans waging war. Well, it looked like Iheezu was free to do what she wished, and she knew exactly what that would include. Tucking her crystal ball safely away, she went off into the growing light of the morning.
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"So, just like that, we're free to continue?" Tanner looked from Kiaba to Blaydelot as if there were something going on between the two of them that he deserved to know about. Well, there was certainly something going on between them, but there was no reason the minstrel needed know about it.
"Then why'd you lock us up in the first place?" Axel was about to swear, but recalling just what type of story this was, he nobly (for an ex-knight) refrained his language.
Shrugging, completely uncaring about his question, Kiaba turned to climb the stairs once more. His answer was obvious in his lack of reaction; whatever he did or didn't do, it was none of Axel's concern.
Blinking after him, Barelyo commented, "What an extremely rude person."
"Hey, that's my brother you're talking about!" Muggy whirled around, fists tight. "Take it back!"
Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder, Blaydelot ignored Put'oh's intense stare in his direction and spoke directly to the boy. "As a squire to a knight, you should be careful to reflect chivalry in everything you do. I wouldn't want to have to leave you behind when I go to deal with certain nobles because of your lack of restraint."
Struggling within himself, as Put'oh was doing in keeping silent, Muggy finally nodded. But he shot a practice Glare at Barleyo one last time.
Kun and Sama-san-dono had fallen tensely silent, and they stiffly fell in line with the others as they filed up the circular stairs, leaving the prison and surly guards behind. The djinni's customary clothing, baggy pants and a vest, whisked gently with each stride. For some reason, that bothered Kun more than anything else; this other self of his was physical and real out in the world. It wasn't right that such a creature should be free to walk around when he owed his existence to Kun—at least, as far as Kun believed.
Chains clinking, Barleyo came up in the rear, eyes narrowing as he watched all the proceedings. Getting the hang of controlling this kin-member was getting far easier. Soon, Egomaniac would be able to act out in his twin desires: hunt down treasure and take over the world. At the moment, he couldn't decide which he would do first. He would have given a head-thrown-back-cackle, but it would have given poor Barleyo a crick in the neck…and Egomaniac would be sharing such feelings with him now.
Flying along on her witch way of transportation, Yor Love could only think of he future with excitement. Lounging in her flying bathtub, the only way to travel in luxury, she dreamed of discovering Axel.
Whoa, don't worry! Yor was not taking a bath in the tub. She was just flying in it. There simply was no better style or anything so relaxing. Plus, with her many bags of supplies, it was easier to store them in the tub rather than hold them all. The only problem with the bathtub came when she would land and begin her search of Axel on foot, seeing as how her mirror still refused to update her on the young man's whereabouts. Then, having to struggle with toting the bath would be a nuisance.
But, until then, Yor watched the world float by from her favorite vantage point.
Though the group still had no idea why Sir Blaydelot had led them here, they were pleased to be leaving once more and searching anew for Tranquility. That was, after all, their mission, though Axel needed to be reminded of it every time he passed by a food cart.
Regardless, Clothier, de Vlin, Axel, Kun, Sama-san-dono, Barleyo, and even Blaydelot were waiting within the entrance of the tower for something. Only the very last latter knew what it was.
Much to Axel's disgust and frustration, he saw Kiaba returning with his brothers Gruff (Yes, Axel had finally discovered Put'oh and Kiaba were not the same person, but only when he saw them standing side by side). And, while Kiaba was not wearing his cloak, the beautiful item was draped over an arm. More alarming to the others was that he had a bag in his other hand.
"I'm his squire, so I have to go along. Besides, Kiaba said I could." Obviously, Muggy was still trying to make Put'oh see some reason in his going along with the group at all.
"I don't care what Kiaba said. He is not in charge of you."
"Oh, yes, he is! Both of you are. And right now, I'm opting to follow his directions."
What an infuriating child for Put'oh to have to watch.
"But your lessons…"
Kiaba hefted his bag to his bag in answer.
Lessons would continue on the road since it was obvious Kiaba was now traveling with the group to rescue Tranquility for some reason unknown to the others.
So, putting on his midnight blue ground-sweeping-if-there-had-been-no-self-fan-blowing-it-upward cloak, he followed the gang out of his tower and into the morning light.
All right, let's rattle them all off so there's no confusion. Axel was on the quest to find Tranquility, and his comrades Clothier and de Vlin had been assigned to him in order to get them out of Princess Serenity's hair. Kun, along with his other self, and Blaydelot had also been assigned so that there would actually be a chance of success. After that, Barleyo joined their group after being "rescued" from the pirates (adding Egomaniac as well), and Sir Blaydelot had "squired" Muggy. Then, because of some conspiracy between Sir Blaydelot and Kiaba, the sorcerer was traveling along. And, because Kiaba was going and he wanted to continue with the lessons on the road as well as that their brother was the squire to Blaydelot, Muggy had joined. Finally, with Muggy going, Put'oh had to accompany them. Did I miss anyone?
Oh, yes, the one trailing after them still. And the witch searching for Axel because it had been love at first sight in her mirror.
"How do you know we're going the right way? What kind of hint do you have and how do you know it?" Being a genius, it was inevitable that Put'oh asked his questions. Well, that either Put'oh or Kiaba asked those questions. But, because of the added factor of grumpiness (Muggy and he were traveling with buffoons into danger), it was Put'oh who was searching for a flaw in the plan.
Immediately after leaving the tower, Sir Blaydelot had set off on a trail hardly discernible from the random patches of shorter growth that happened naturally in a forest. And, never had he faltered on the trail, eventually coming to a road and going steadily in one direction.
"I've been around here plenty, you could say. I know my way. And I have accounts from people who have seen the princess toted this way."
"Toted? Somehow, knowing what I do, I doubt she would have been toted. I don't trust you," he added bluntly.
Muggy elbowed him harshly in the lower abdomen, considering that was how high he came up on his brother. He may have loved his brothers, but his adventuring spirit had already taken first place once. Yet, elbowing his brother just made him trip, and despite the pain rising, Put'oh grabbed him to stabilize him.
Blaydelot ignored any further questions, especially if they were from his own group members. Once, he tried to discreetly glance at Kiaba, but the sorcerer, head under his hood, had a smirk on his face as he observed everything, including the glance.
Setting a faster pace, as if it would make everyone too breathless to ask questions, Blaydelot only reluctantly halted for breakfast after Axel, Barleyo, Tanner, and the Earl rudely badgered him and Muggy had wistfully mentioned food once.
While they were eating breakfast, it was a lot harder to ignore the constant questions coming his way. Finally, Blaydelot turned around with a clatter (back in his complete armor) and kept his back to them all.
That was not the only tension. Sama-san-dono was ignoring Kun and constantly trying to match Kiaba's glare. There was no doubt in the djinni's mind that the sorcerer was a threat to the world. As to Earl and Tanner, their arguing was getting onto everyone's nerves along with Kiaba's smirk and staring eyes.
Finally, to the relief of Axel (they had been walking forever, and something told Axel that princes normally didn't walk), a tower was on the top of the next hill. While not as intimidating as Kiaba's at all, the mere lack of decoration proved it apt to be a boring place.
"The princess is in there?"
"Trust me. She's there."
That was the problem; everyone was beginning to doubt Sir Blaydelot. So, in exasperation, the knight halted a nearby skipping girl wearing a little orange riding hood and carrying a basket.
"Miss, do you know anything about who inhabits the tower there?"
The girl pushed her glasses (yes, they were invented) higher onto her face and looked at the group. Her blonde hair was in pigtails and a teddy bear's paw stuck out of part of the basket as if calling for help.
"What? I know all about the tower, don't I, Teddy? There's a princess in there!" She was about to launch into a speech on her genius-ness in being able to tell the person was a princess, but Blaydelot turned his back after telling the child to skip off to her grandmother's house. Huffily, she did so.
"See? I'm right."
"You think you have proof by a girl in orange? Such a trait is not at all…" Earl trailed off, face looking panicked.
"Now you've done it!" Tanner was laughing. "Nothing rhymes with orange!"
The troubadour gaped in dismay. Then he muttered, "Da—oh, this is PG/K, that's right. Darn." Thus ended the Earl de Vlin's rhyming days.
Well, not quite. A strange girl walked up from nowhere and beamed up at him. Behind her, a herd of sheep were baaing. "Actually, sir, my name is Dolorange. Thought it might help!"
And the cute little kid, who looked suspiciously like the other girl who had just gone by but in different clothing, skipped off down the road where she no doubt was going to get eaten by a wolf or fall under a spell
Triumphantly, de Vlin finished, "You think you have proof by the girl in orange? I would far more trust the girl named Dolorange!"
Sir Blaydelot ignored the crisis and the saving grace as well, merely striding off to the tower to do what was needed.
