7. Village of the Delphiners

His dark red eyes stared at the forms outside of the cage. As he started to struggle about under the binds it grew attention. A sigh escaped his lips as he figured out that the binds were not going to break "What the hell is going on here?" he asked the creatures giving him the cautious look. He eyed Nel in the corner who was just sitting there not bothering to answer him making him lose his temper.

"I asked what the hell is going on!"

Still silence was the only thing which replied to Albel. He growled and wedged his body close to the bars staring dead on to one of the young male creatures. His lips grew a smirk as he watched the creature take a few steps back and raised a dagger "Well maggot? Care to explain?".

The young boy glanced at an elder and his pointy ears twitched. He was growing nervous especially since the captive was a rather good looking yet scary looking guy. When the elder gave a light nod to the young male he sighed and moved the dagger away. Approaching the cage he stared back at Albel "You were trespassing."

"Oh ho, trespassing?" Albel sneered.

"Indeed, both of you were found in one of are sacred caves. Not only that your strange presence disgraced are caves but also you were found with a woman." he said as he eyed Nel with his dark lavender colored eyes.

"Hmp what are you implying? That me and this wench did the unthinkable?"

"Isn't that what you humans do when your alone together?"

Nel blinked her emerald eyes and then sat up straight in the cage. She couldn't understand what those creatures were implying. Even the thought was ludicrous and now she was giving the boy a death glare "That is wrong beyond words. Me and Nox simply found shelter in the caves because it was raining hard."

"Hm.." he rubbed his chin "Shelter you say?"

"That is right nothing happened." Nel said calmly.

The boy glanced at the elder wondering what he might have to say. The elder was obvious growing old in his days. He was bald on the top and had a white beard; his horn had indications of dent markings.

"Bring them to the leader, My boy."

The boy waved his hand and a few other older males followed him to the cage. One opened the cage door and two of them went in. Albel watched as one of them grabbed at Nel pulling her by the rope out of the cage "Oh she a sacrifice? Good if you don't mind me saying I know for a fact she'll taste wonderful."

Glaring towards Albel "What did you say, Nox? How would you-" she was cut off for the one creature who had grabbed her, his hand trailed at her thigh. She frozed as it rest on her red rune tattoos and sent a shiver down her spine "Ew get off me!" she struggled under his grip.

"She is not a sacrifice and you too are coming." said another one said as he grabbed Albel pulling him out. Of course Albel gave a struggle and he gave death glares when ever the poor creature would take a look at him.

"Maggot. How dare you touch me! Unhand me!"

The younger male approached them and sighed "This one is a loud mouth." he glared at Albel.

"OH mighty fine words for such a small maggot."

"He is getting on my nerves. Quickly take him to our leader." the younger male said and walked off towards a hut.

"Yeah run maggot. Once I get out of these ropes I'll cut those ears of yours and that horn then shove it-"

"Albel Nox enough!" Nel cut off Albel before he said anymore.

The walk towards the leader's hut seemed forever. Albel was not helping because he tried every attempt to escape. As for Nel she just walked calmly following the orders of the male creatures. Finally upon entering a hut they were greeted by a young female who stared at the two males "You may go. I can take it from here." she said softly.

"Yes'mam."

Being released from their ropes she glanced up at them giving them oddly a warm smile. Albel didn't trust that smile it was too fake looking. Then again these creatures were odd as it is; horns and elf like ears. She on the other hand had long black curly hair and a single blue streak curl which hung close to the right side of her face. Her clothes looked as if she was something royal to this village she dressed in fine fur materials while the other villagers dressed in common hunted fur.

"Come this way please."

Following the young woman in to the hut they stood before a satin purple curtain. Nel stood before it blinking her eyes a bit in disbelief "Such material out in these parts?"

"Yes you see. Are leader brought it from where she once lived." the young woman said.

"Bah lets get this over with."

The young woman glanced at Albel and shook her head. She approached the curtain and kneeled on one knee "My leader I have brought you the strangers we found in are sacred cave."

Slowly the curtain lifted up and to their disbelief it revealed a woman which was not the same as these odd folk. She was sitting in a chair and had long silver colored hair staring at them for a few seconds she almost gasped in surprise.

"Nel Zelpher?"

"...Lady Lasbard?"

The young woman gave a light smile and nodded "Yes that is my old name. But I am now called Rena of the Light Feather."

"All this time..you been here?" Nel asked in shock all that grieving Clair and Adray had when Anita had disappeared as if she fell off Elicoor II with out a trace.

"Yes forgive me. I have been here after a fight with Adray." Rena said sadly glancing down at a ring on her finger.

Albel watched boredly he had no clue what was going on and really didn't care to know. Though he was growing impatient with all this sentimental talk. Finally he had to get them back on to the point of this "Alright enough of this. I want to know where are we and what is going on? What are those things?" he pointed towards the young woman.

Rena just smiled and waved her right hand "Settle down boy. I can explain." she tried to calm Albel.

"Hmp."

"Alright first off those creatures are called the Delphiner Folk.:" she explained and glanced towards the young female delphiner "Her name is Arisa."

Arisa bowed her head before them "A pleasure to meet you."

Nel smiled "I'm Nel Zelpher"

"...Albel." he just said and his eyes went back to Rena.

"Next this is an island off of Greeton." pausing for a bit "Being in the sacred caves without permission is against the law around here. The great beast god of the island doesn't like it."

"Beast god? Do you mean that serpent I saw wrapped around a statues leg?"

"Yes. It is called Leviathan."

"Oh that thing. I had a nice little run in to that maggot."

"Please don't disgrace the name of Leviathan." said Arisa as she grabbed Albel's human hand.

Narrowing his eyes he thrust her hand away from his "Don't touch me maggot.".

"I apologize."

"Enough talk. It looks like you two need a new wardrobe and not to mention it looks like you both could use some food." Rena said and glanced towards Arisa "Please be sure of this."

Arisa bowed her head "I will do so, my lady." glancing at the two she smiled again.

"Look I just want off this damn island." Albel said.

"Not possible. At least not right now. We have no boat to transport you both back."

"Damn and we still need to get the moon dagger." Nel said as she rest her hands at her hips.

Suddenly Arisa dropped to her knees and received puzzled looks.

"What is that maggot doing?"

"You just spoke of the sacred artifact of are people." said Arisa as she raised up from the ground.

"So..why bow maggot?"

"Brings bad luck to those who just speak it's name."

Nel stopped Albel from replying and glanced at Arisa "I'll make sure not to say it then. Well how about getting us some new clothes?"

"Right away!" Arisa said in a cheery voice and lead them outside.

Before they walked out Nel paused at the hut's doors and stared back at Rena "Seeya around. Later we need to talk.".

Rena just gave a nod and watched as the young crimson blade leave her hut. Sighing to herself she rest a hand over her other hand; rubbing a finger against the ring. "Adray.."

As soon as they arrived at a hut which seemed as if steam was coming out of the window Arisa stood before the doors "This is the bath house. Please go ahead and get a nice bath. I shall wait here."

Nel froze "Is it separated?"

"Of course!"

Both Nel and Albel sighed in relief as they walked in. The steam was fogging up the room and they noticed the divide was just a narrow wall. Albel didn't hesitate he just walked towards the guys side and got in. Nel watched Albel as he left her to her side. To her relief it was empty and so she got undressed to bathe.

"Hey Nox?" Nel called his name as she leaned her back against the wall which divided the bath.

"Yes wench?"

Deciding to ignore that comment she continued "Do you think we'll ever get off this island?"

"What a stupid question. Of course we'll find a way. Even if I have to build a boat all by myself."

"That should be a sight to see."

"Oh but you won't be seeing it. You'd be actually be doing most of the work, fool."

"Nox."

"Yes?"

"You're an idiot." she said bluntly.

All Albel did was just chuckle a bit and it kind of startled him. He never laughed so easily over an insult usually he had an insult to come back at. Yet not now he didn't for he was to busy trying to figure out how they were getting off this island. Closing his red eyes he let the heat consume his body and thaw out his tensed up body. Only did he open his eyes again when he herd the sound of a splash "Eh..?"

The heat fogged up the room and this caused Albel not able to see who was now in the bath with him. Suddenly a dark yet short figure approached him in the water and rubbing his eyes a bit the figure began to show more clearer.

"Ah the little maggot again."

The young male delphiner stared up at Albel with a irritated look. He was short for his age for the young delphiner was around seventeen. He had short blonde curly hair and lavender colored eyes also his horn was not as big as the elder's horn. Resting his hands at his bare waist "You again? I thought I asked my servants to make sure that this bath would be empty!"

"Hmp? Servants a brat like you has servants?"

"Of course I'm a prince." his ears twitched a bit as he glared up at Albel.

"Whatever maggot." he then swished around in the water in the thick fogged room looking for the steps that leaded out.

"I have a name. It's Foycer Lanceheart."

"Bah. Your still a maggot."

"Hmp it's your majesty to you!" he snapped at the older man.

"Oh my apologies, majesty of the maggots."

That angered Foycer so with his right hand he slapped Albel across the face leaving a red mark stinging on this right side. Albel just glared daggers as he grabbed the kid by the throat and lifted him up in the air. Struggling in Albel's grip the boy started to shout in a choked manner "Someone help! He trying to kill me!"

At instinct Nel got up from her side and ran towards their side. Forgetting about her modesty and the sight displayed before her made her angry. She quickly darted towards them pushing Albel against the wall with her right hand and the other laidonthearm which his hand had a tight grip on Foycer's neck "Let him go, Nox."

Without a word Albel released the young prince and watched him fall down in the water causing a nice splash. He then glared at Nel "What makes you ahero?"

"I'm not a hero. But I will not allow you to harm innocent people, Nox." she said with detest as she helped Foycer up.

Foycer glanced up at Nel and turned instantly red "My Lady. Forgive me but I see it wise if you left this section." he struggled to say as his handwent overhis eyes blocking the view.

Nel gave a questioned look and sighed remembering indeed she was naked "My apologies I didn't think." she walked towards the steps and still gave Albel a death glare.

Albel shrugged a bit then he sunk more in the hot water which really did not help his now overheating body. Foycer kept his eyes hidden behind his hand waiting for Nel to leave and he gave a light sigh of relief "I could be in trouble for taking witness of her body."

"Bah what for? She just a wench?" suddenly a bar a soap was smacked at the side of his head.

"I herd that Nox!" a voice shouted from the other side of the wall.

"Ouch!" Albel held his head and narrowed his eyes at Foycer.

Foycer blinked his purple eyes with confusion "But no lady is a wench. Especially one so beautiful like her."

"Please quit flattering that trash." Albel said while stillrubbing his head where the bar of soap hit him.

Foycer just shook his head and smiled up at Albel "I could as much indulge you with what I think of your body." he gave Albel a wink.

Backing against the wall Albel narrowed his eyes "You sick maggot. First you talk about being punished about seeing a woman naked and now you tell me this?"

"Oh but I never said a woman's body is something I enjoy staring at." Foycer admitted and notice Albel made haste to go for the steps.

"Don't you dare come close maggot. Or I will be sure to murder you in your sleep."

"In what way? Murder me with love?" Foycer asked as he wadded closer towards Albel who was walking up the steps.

Albel stood at the top step "Don't mock me maggot." he then grabbed a white towel and wrapped it around his waist. Leaving the young lusting boy to himself and going towards the little room he could get changed in.

As he made way towards the front of the little hut he noticed Nel was dressed and waiting for him. Also Arisa had that usual fake looking smile on her face as she gave a light bow to Albel "Well shall we go and get you both new clothes?"

Not bothering to reply to that they followed her to a small market. Displaying nice furs and other materials. Nel glanced around at the small stand with clothes displayed she noticed as Arisa whispered in an elder female delphiner's ear. Suddenly Nel was caught in both arms by two young female delphiners and pulled her towards a black curtain.

"This way." said the elder delphiner as she grabbed a hold of a few clothes and entered behind the black curtain.

"Arisa."

"Yes?"

"I don't have to have that treatment do I?"

"Of course not, Sir Albel."

"Good."

Hearing rustling sounds from behind the curtain made Albel think some dirty thoughts. Soon the black curtain lifted up to reveal a dressed Nel. She had a red silk skirt with high slits on the sides and a red silk bandana wrapped above her upper waist covering her breasts. She glanced at her sandals and felt rather naked without her scarf. Seeing a little of her rune on her chest was a rather rare thing.

Albel just stared taking in the sight for what it was worth. Arisa glanced at Albel and smiled lightly "Well it is your turn, Sir Albel."

Glancing at the elder delphiner who had a now huge grin on her face he backed away "She can not come behind that black curtain with me!"

"Oh not like I haven't ever seen what a man has to offer." the elder dalphiner said.

"Please allow him to change by himself." said Arisa.

"Alright. Alright." she said with disappointment and lead Albel behind the curtain. Leaving a few clothes for him to try on.

Albel was feeling slightly disturbed by now first that prince and now an old delphiner was hitting on him. Sighing he struggled out of his clothes as he dropped his tattered warn skirt he noticed something fall on to the ground. Glancing down he noticed it was the ring and so he picked it up putting it on his pinky finger as he changed in a few clothes. Finally after going through five he decided upon a simple black long skirt with black shorts underneath. He was bare chested which he didn't exactly like because he had a lot of scars he rather hide.

Finally he walked out from behind the curtain carrying his old clothes in his arm. Glancing at Nel who was staring he took the opportunity to piss her off "What can't get enough of me?" he said with a light smirk hoping she'd become flustered.

Turning red because she got caught staring "Nox when will you understand it's not all about you." she said dryly and walked off.

Arisa and the elder delphiner stared at him blankly as he watched her leave "Of course it is, maggot."

TBC

A/N: Finally I gotten around to updating! Also the reason Albel forgot about his childhood past because he chose to forget. His mind was to busy thinking about the war and also about his father. I haven't yet said anything about Nel remembering or not guess everyone will just have to wait. I have no clue if Clair's mother is dead or not so or her name so I just made it up. Oh Promise will be updated as soon as I have the time. Anyways thanks for the reviews and please review! I also hope this chapter was enjoyable. :3