Don't tie me down

Midday found Silphiel and Lina comfortably seated at a table in Silphiel's uncle's courtyard. Lunch had been served and devoured with the usual gusto, and now they were outdoors, enjoying the warm spring day. Lina and Silphiel sipped tea and conversed about nothing in particular. Gourry sat at a bench nearby, sharpening his sword and adding his two copper to the conversation from time to time. That was about what his input was worth, according to Lina, but she didn't really have the heart to point it out to him. Right now he seemed lost in his work, relaxed and happy. He smiled as he ran the whetstone up and down the edges of the blade, occasionally dunking the stone in a bucket next to him. Then he'd repeat the actions. Watching him, she wondered if he was capable of hypnotizing himself doing this.

"You know, I'm really glad to see Gourry settling in here." Lina sipped her tea.

"Yes," Silphiel turned to gaze adoringly at the subject of Lina's comment. She added with a blush, "Gourry-dear has such an amiable personality—it appeals to everyone in town!"

Humph! More like no one feels threatened by a jellyfish! Lina thought with a mental snort.

Keeping diplomacy foremost in mind, although it strained her abilities to do so, she said weakly, "Yeah, it helps…" Lina began to fidget and squirm in her chair. She wasn't looking forward to breaking the news of her plans to Gourry--but she had to face the facts. Time to get down to business--I just have to get it over with, she thought. "Well, what I was meaning to ask was…" She took a deep breath, and it all came out in a tumble of words. "Maybe it would be alright if Gourry stayed here while I attend to some pressing business elsewhere. I have a trip to make that will take a few months…" Gourry's reply was immediate, just as she expected.

"Absolutely not, Lina!" Gourry put his sword and whetstone aside. "Everywhere you go, I go. We're a team."

That being the statement Lina had been waiting for, she pounced. "Well in most cases that's true Gourry. This time though, I have to go by myself."

In the ensuing silence as Gourry tried to digest this, Silphiel broke in. "What do you mean, Lina?"

"I've been on the road for a few years now. It's time I went to Buldein to record my travels." Lina answered swiftly, certain of Silphiel's support in this interest. It was a reasonable goal for her, and luckily, Buldein was famous. Its mysterious legend was even well-known amongst the non-magic using population.

"Oh!" Silphiel looked impressed. "You mean the hidden mage's city?!"

Lina had expected and was apparently getting a little overacting on Silphiel's part for Gourry's benefit. She must be overdoing it to cover up her relief. I know she must have been dreading the day we would pick up and leave. She gazed intently at the somewhat overeager shrine maiden. Why else would she never mention the inevitable? On the other hand, what other places go by the name of Buldein, for crying out loud? Sheesh! She really ought to try playing it a little cooler. Aloud, and remembering tact, Lina replied, "Yep, the very one."

She was about to start filling them in on the glories of the mysterious city for additional ways to impress, but Gourry interrupted. "Mage's city? I know I would be out of place, but why can't I come too? I've never heard of it."

Not surprised in the least that her idiot companion was once again in the dark about something, "I was just getting to that, so shut up and listen!" Lina sniped back at him. She switched to teacher mode for Gourry's benefit; to explain things to him anyone over the age of eight ought to know about the place. "To make sure Buldein's location remains a secret, I can't be accompanied by a non-magic user. If I had you with me Gourry, and I tried entering the city, the consequences…" She sighed and shook her head.

Gourry looked doubtful, like he'd still be willing to argue the point. Silphiel on the other hand, sat on the edge of her chair, enrapt.

"What would they do, Lina?" She breathed the question nervously.

"Well…" Lina looked slightly grim at the thought of what could happen to an unsuspecting Gourry, "That is a secret." Lina snickered inwardly. I've always wanted to say that! "At least it's a Guild secret." She amended.