Thanks to the regular and new reviewers. This is a fairly boring chapter because I cut my thoughts about in half. So a draft of the next chapter is almost finished and will be posted within a few days.

We walk through Seyruun, Amelia cheerfully greeting everyone she recognizes. I do not cover my face, because I will likely be staying in Seyruun for awhile. The guards all bow to her as she approaches them, and look at me with respect rather than the usual suspicion. Either they recognize me from before as one who helped defend Seyruun against Kanzel and Mazenda, or they are treating me with respect as a friend of Amelia. Despite the fact I am uncomfortable with the possibility that I did not earn their respect, it is nice to be treated so well. I could get used to this.

The trip to the gate is longer with Amelia as a companion, but is just as uneventful. She turns to the guard at the gate. "Alexander-san, Zelgadis-san will have free reign of the palace and city."

The guard looks keenly at me for a few seconds. "Very well, Amelia-hime, I will tell my men." His words and nod of acknowledgment are curt. Amelia is apparently adjusted to his personality, or perhaps simply does not care, and continues walking. I follow a few paces behind her eager gait.

I subconsciously note our changes in position. I am mostly occupied with thoughts of Seyruun and Amelia's situation. Since the plans against Seyruun, if any such truly exist, are long-term, I feel that a cautious long-term strategy would be the best defense. It would not do to simply try to root out the culprits. Such a hasty action would probably not be successful, and would only alert those involved. It would be best to try and determine suspects while protecting Amelia and her family. Stealth and subterfuge, rather that brute strength and ability, would be best. A few possibilities and tentative plans along these regards go through my mind.

Amelia stops in front of an impressive building. I blink as I realize I had been completely dwelling on events in Seyruun, rather than the layout. Such a mistake of distraction could possibly prove fatal. My instincts have rarely guided me wrongly, but there was no reason to rely on those instincts when it is unnecessary to do so.

The mild reprimand quickly passes through my mind as I close the small gap between Amelia and myself. She turns to me, smiling. "This is one of our greatest libraries of magic, Zelgadis-san. Your cure could be in here!" She is visibly excited. I try not to allow myself a sliver of hope, as I have been too often disappointed in the past.

"Perhaps." Apparently I restrain my enthusiasm a bit too much. Her face falls slightly in response to my deadpan tone. This is of course unintended, and I again feel the need to reassure her. "I've learned not to hope to much, Amelia. I've been disappointed too often, and that is occasionally...unpleasant." Amelia has not often seen me angry, and I want this to continue. Especially if I am to stay in Seyruun. She does not look happy at this declaration, but she is not exactly unhappy either.

I easily open the rather large and ornate door. "Shall we go in?" Amelia simply nods and smiles slightly before leading me into the library. A man is sitting facing us, concentrating on a book. Though I cannot see his face well, he appears old, with light green robes and a long white beard. Leaned next to him is an impressive wood staff, the top portion of which is ornate. Above the handrest the staff coils around itself three times to brace the crescent-shaped top which in turn supports a jewel. The jewel is probably used for magical amplification. I seem to dimly recall seeing the staff somewhere before, but decide not to dwell on it.

I shut the door a bit louder than necessary, which startles the man into a higher state of awareness. He blinks at us before recognizing Amelia. "Amelia-hime!" The voice of the old man shows his age, as well as the fact he is quite startled at Amelia's presence. The voice is also strangely familiar. He is now standing erect, probably with the best posture he can. "What can I do for you?"

"Hello Aldous-san! I came to do some research. This is my friend Zelgadis Greywords." The man turns his attention to me and actually seems to recognize me. He responds to my presence with a formal bow. He is bowing to me. Showing me respect, despite my appearance. I try not to appear startled, but I think Amelia notices anyway. I quickly bow slightly to the man as well.

I am not sure whether Amelia intends to ask on my behalf or not. She waits for me to say something, so I simply define my quest. "I am searching for a cure to remove this curse." I do not elaborate.

"Well, you can certainly search here, Zelgadis-san. I am afraid I cannot be of much help, curses are beyond my skills to cure." The man's regret seems genuine.

"That is fine. I would be interested in borrowing these books. Would that be possible?"

The man glances at Amelia, I suppose to get reassurance. "Well, yes. There are some delicate volumes that we require stay in the library. But if the princess of Seyruun can take responsibility, I am sure it could be arranged."

Amelia hesitates for only a second. "Of course."

"I will take care of them." I make the promise, as I am assured of my newfound ability to control my anger. "If you'll allow me to take a few now? And sort through the others?"

I can tell I am pressing the man's patience. He looks extremely protective of his books. I am certain he would not comply without Amelia's reassuring presence.

"Ve-very well. I will help you." Obviously, he wishes to watch over me and perhaps even clean up after me.

"I'll help too, Zelgadis-san!" Amelia apparently chooses to ignore the man's misgivings, or perhaps she is unaware of them. At any rate, we sort through the books for a few hours. I do most of the work, while the other man broods over his books like a mother hen and Amelia puts the books I hand to her on an empty shelf. To my satisfaction, we manage to sort half of the library in this fashion. I select two thick volumes to go through tonight. I stop at this point largely because Amelia and the man keep glancing at the position of the sun, which shows the time is just before sunset.

"This will do for today. I will borrow these two for tonight. Thank you." I bow slightly to the man.

"Thank you, Aldous-san!" Amelia bows slightly as well. I am certain it is her thanks that he appreciates more.

"You are both welcome." He speaks simply, his face expressionless.

We leave the library in silence. Oddly enough, I find myself reflecting more about Amelia's position than my own. "Zelgadis-san?" Amelia interrupts my thoughts.

"Yes?" I prompt her to finish her question.

"I didn't know you were going to borrow anything? Why not study in the library?" I am grateful she did not ask this in front of the librarian.

"I think I will study for my cure mostly at night. This way I could also help with your problems as well as search for my cure. Also, if something happens at night I would be much more likely to hear it." Her eyes shine at my words. I sweatdrop only slightly, actually expecting the action this time. I decide against waiting for her to snap out of it, as that would likely take a great deal of time. "Who was that librarian, Amelia? I almost recognized his face and staff, and his name and voice both sounded familiar."

She blinks and smiles before answering. "He's no mere librarian, Zelgadis-san. He is Aldous-san, one of Seyruun's greatest sorcerers of white magic. You probably remember him from when Kanzel and Mazenda threatened Tousan. He was one of the sorcerers Chistoper-ojisan called to help. He collected those books through his travels and brought them with him to his home of Seyruun."

Ah, that was why I recognized him. Perhaps that was also why he was so helpful; he wanted to improve his reputation to Seyruun's royalty. And his protectiveness over his books is understandable given they are practically his life's work. "Well, Zelgadis-san, we have time to get you settled before we eat with Tousan." Amelia switches topics to the present. I search for some sort of appropriate response, but find none, so I follow Amelia back to the palace without speaking.

We pass through the streets and gate without incident. She leads me through the palace to a wing of guestrooms and opens the door to the first one for my inspection. "How's this room, Zelgadis-san? Tousan and I are in the other wing, just down this hall." I glance to where she points, and then glance into the room. It is a room fit for royalty and visiting dignitaries, and is certainly good enough for me.

"It is fine, Amelia." The accommodations are probably the best I've ever enjoyed, but I've never been particularly eager about that sort of thing.

Amelia nods, somewhat pleased. "Good! Dinner won't be anything formal, so I'm going to go change. You can get settled, and I'll meet you in the dining room. You remember where that is, right?" She might not have seen my nod in her hurry. Women always seem to change clothes. Though I suppose most men don't wear the same thing every day like I do.

I enter my room, wondering exactly what it is Amelia expects me to do. I set the books down on a small table. I hate to leave any of my belongings here, but I decide to leave my sword as well. I place it in an inconspicious place near the door. I mentally shrug and head for the dining room. As I walk through the halls I feel uncomfortable without my sword. I consider returning for it, but others would probably see me as hostile even without a weapon.

I push open the door and am struck dumb at the sight that greets me.

Author's Note:
A bit of a cliffhanger :) Aldous is an extremely minor, even unnamed, character in Slayers Next whose role Amelia described. His one line was to have the fire signal prepared for Lina, though Amelia didn't see this. I made up his library. Alexander is another minor character who I created.

At any rate, please continue to read and review.