2005
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
CHAPTER 14 -In Your Court-
Did you know that:
In Erwin, Tennessee an elephant was once hanged for murder?
It was unusual getting up on a weekday morning, dressing, and heading off for an appointment, but they did, all four of them. Valgaav and Xel sat up front, while Lina shared the back seat of the car with Zelgadiss, just as they had for the last few weeks, except that the sun was out and the day warming beneath it. Lina had insisted on tagging along to the courthouse, declaring that she had driven the van and that made her 'involved.' Xel didn't mind, of course, and Valgaav said it was okay since Lina couldn't work at the morgue alone, and the rest of them had the time off for the court appearance.
They rode to the courthouse in silence. Xel wore a tranquil smile on his face, which was not what Zelgadiss expected since Xel was the one called on to testify. Zelgadiss would have been a nervous wreck. He was a nervous wreck, clenching and relaxing his fists repeatedly. "You don't seem nervous at all," Zelgadiss noted.
"That's because I'm not. I've done this before, as I've said. I know how it works. All I have to do is think of it as a game where I am the winner if I make my own rules instead of playing by the lawyer's." Xel had reviewed the file of data the evening before to refresh his and his co-workers' memories, so he knew he was prepared. All the others had to do was sit, listen, and be ready to step in just in case he needed verification of his recollections.
"It's a case with insurance company interests at stake, Xel, and those of the kid's family. Where there's money involved it's serious, and you should treat it that way." Valgaav had used this argument already, and his cousin had laughed him off that time, too. He was uneasy, and found it helped to take it out on Xel for being in such a good humor.
As it turned out, Xel was right; it was merely a stage for another of his comedy routines. He had a magical touch to get other people to play into his hand, and this was just another instance.
Xel took the witness stand in the 'expert witness' capacity. The lawyer representing the insurance company asked Xel, "Before you signed the death certificate, had you taken the pulse?"
Xel shook his head slightly, his enigmatic smile plastered on his face. "No."
The lawyer asked in mock surprise, "Did you listen to the heart?"
"No."
The lawyer, satisfied with his line of questioning, continued to press, "Did you check for breathing?
"No."
Pleased that he had found a way to discredit the witness, the lawyer wiped off his smug expression and put on his best you-are-seriously-incompetent face. "So, when you signed the death certificate you weren't sure he was dead, were you?"
But Xel was not to be outmaneuvered by this weasel. "Well, let me put it this way: The man's brain was sitting in a jar on my desk. But I guess it's possible he could be out there practicing law somewhere."
When the laughter died down at the bequest of the judge. Xel motioned that he wanted to speak again. "Actually, my assistants, Lina Inverse and Zelgadiss Greywords, ascertained that the victim was dead before moving him to the morgue. Then Valgaav Rubyeye and I did the cause of death determination."
The lawyer sighed, defeated. "And what were your conclusions?"
"This man, the deceased, attempted suicide with pills. He thought he would swallow them, but he was so excited that he poured the last of them down 'the wrong throat' and choked to death." Xel leaned forward, smiled, and added, "It is up to you lawyers to argue whether this makes it a suicide or an accident."
The judge hid a smile behind a hand. "You may step down, Mr. Metallium. You are excused and may go home now, thank you. I call for a three hour adjournment. I would like to see the prosecutor and the lawyer for the defense to see me in closed session."
"Cool, so we got the rest of today off now to start our long weekend," Lina said.
"That's right," Xel said with a knowing smile for Lina. He backed out of the parking space humming a jaunty tune, and continued in this good mood as he drove them all out of the courthouse parking lot. "I'm going to stop at the ATM over there for some cash."
This was fine with everyone since they could use some as well. For all his interest in getting at his money, Xel didn't seem in any particular rush. In fact, he was last of the friends to make his transaction. Moreover, as other customers got in line, Xel passed up his own turn and let them jump in front of him.
"Thanks!" said one happy woman with a baby in a back pack.
"Come on, Xel, let's go!" Lina urged him along.
"What's up?" Zelgadiss grumbled.
"Oh, no..." Valgaav moaned. "I think it's another Xelloss entertainment moment."
"Just improving my odds, that's all," Xel said with merriment in his voice.
His explanation only served to make Lina more curious. She was about to say more, but Xel finally chose to take his turn. He stepped up to the ATM machine, punched in his code, and waited with a smile on his face. The metal cash slot opened with a clink, revealing a pile of twenties. Xel grabbed the wad of twenties in a fist and hopped up and down screaming, "I won! I won! Third time this week!"
This stunt left everyone around him stunned. He broke into hysterics as he stumbled back to his car.
"What did I tell you?" Valgaav asked disdainfully. He had seen this one before--possibly three times. Zelgadiss and Lina chuckled, though, at his weird antics.
Valgaav had invited Zelgadiss to do Atlas City with him, so they were dropped off at the house to change clothes and transfer to Val's SUV.
"Later, dude," Val waved to Xel. "Don't let the wolves eat you!"
"Some goes for you, Val, and, Zelgadiss watch his back and remember: you can just say no!" Xel said jokingly, but, as Zel could tell, with a touch of serious intent as well.
Xel started up his car again, noting with satisfaction that Lina had moved to the front seat. As he backed out of the driveway, he said, "I think you need to pinch me."
"You do?" Lina grinned. "Eh, it's no fun when you ask."
"How else will I believe that you are really going to Wolfpack with me?"
"Oh, like a dream come true?"
"Something like that, yes."
"And the pinch would make that complete?"
"Well, not exactly... OUCH! Lina that hurt!"
"Heh, heh. Yeah, it is more fun when it's unexpected."
Xel shook his head, and continued to drive Lina home. Their plan was to make a quick stop in order to pick up an overnight bag from her house. She and Xel were going to Wolfpack Island, but no one else knew that. Amelia believed, because that was what she had been told, that Lina was going to her Aunt Lucille's home in Zephillia. Valgaav and Zelgadiss understood that Xel was visiting his mother alone, having no reason not to accept Xel's explanation that an emergency had arisen requiring his immediate presence. Lina accompanying Xel alone was as unlikely an event as any they could imagine.
Xelloss smiled inwardly as he recalled his earlier phone conversation with Lina. "When I asked if you'd like to join me on my visit to Wolfpack Island, I truly hadn't anticipated that you would say yes, Lina."
"Well, I had mentioned being interested in seeing the place before. Besides, it's just for the one night, right? You plan to be back for a Saturday night play practice and Sunday's bowling tournament. I mean, geez, Xel, don't make so big a deal out of this, okay? I didn't have anything big planned, and I figured I'd be nuts to miss an opportunity like this."
But to Xel it had become a very big deal. He realized how much he appreciated Lina's spontaneity. Valgaav would have taken a week to mull it over. Zelgadiss would have had a thousand concerns and questions for which Xel would have to have the right answers before thinking over his answer, and then both of his cousins would probably decline anyway. Yes, Lina might have been guilty of making the occasional rash decision, but this one had been so unqualified, so unexpected that he was left speechless momentarily. Lina grew immeasurably more attractive to him. In fact, she scared him. They hadn't even been alone on a date, yet! He was afraid that he'd not be able to take advantage of her now, because she was so trusting.
They pulled up to the Seyruun residence where both Amelia and Lina lived. "I'll be just a min. Stay here and I'll be right back!" Lina shouted as she ran from the car to her private back entrance.
"Fine." He was happy to wait and avoid running into any family. It wasn't that he wished to avoid any confrontations; he loved them. He was simply in a good mood and didn't want to have to explain a thing to anyone, especially Phil, Nahga, or Luna.
His peaceful moment, basking in the sun while leaned up against his car, was disturbed by the loud roar of a powerful engine. Gourry was behind the wheel as he tore up the driveway and spun, crossing the path and blocking Xel's exit. "Ah, the knight in shining armor here to rescue the fair maiden," Xel mused. He made no effort to move. He watched as Gourry climbed out of his vehicle and advanced resolutely his way, anger in his every movement, the body language screaming 'this is a man to be reckoned with!' Xel couldn't wait.
"You," which Gourry said in a way that sounded more like an animal growl. "I shoulda known you'd try something like this."
"Like what?" Xel asked innocently. Gods, he was loving the other man's pain! And, should Gourry actually harm him, the remorse he'd inflict upon himself afterwards! The thought brought Xel pleasure, and he smiled.
"I ain't stupid. This work trip isn't that, is it? You just wanna get yer pasty hands on Lina far from people who can help her!"
Xel straightened and glanced at his hands. He was fair-skinned, but not unhealthy. Gourry made one correct statement, though; Xel had just wanted to get Lina to himself when he asked her along. "Good afternoon, Gourry. Just catching a few rays. I'm afraid I don't tan very well, however."
Two more strides and Gourry was on him, burying his hands in Xel's collar and lifting him off his feet. "Shut your smartass mouth up and listen to what I got to say!"
Gourry raised a fist to his face and slammed it into Xel's jaw. Xel reacted without thinking, driving a knee upwards into Gourry's gut and jabbing sideways with an elbow. A trickle of blood dripped from his swelling lip as Xel ripped his shirt free and pushed the larger man back.
Gourry lurched forward and wrenched Xel's arms backward and put him in a headlock. "I'm just getting started here."
Xel croaked out, "Hit me again and you are dead. My family's lawyers will have you so locked up in the court system that you'll lose your job, your life, Lina's respect..."
Amelia heard the disturbance outside, and ran out the front door only seconds behind Lina.
Lina scooted up to Gourry and pounded him on the back. "Hey! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work? I called to tell you I'd be out of town tonight and part of tomorrow just so you wouldn't be wondering what I was up to." She frowned. "Why are holding onto Xelloss? He's not about to disappear, ya know?"
Gourry released his grip and Xel dropped to the round. "He's not to be trusted, Lina. I can't believe you're goin' away with him. If you gotta go for work, then I'm goin' along, too. Someone's gotta protect you."
"First of all, I don't need 'protecting'. I can take care of myself. I'm also a pretty good judge of character, and if I think it's okay, then that ought to be good enough for you, not that I need to justify myself to anyone. I ran away from home to make my own choices, and I don't need you mother-henning me!"
"But he's not whatcha think, Lina. I'm a man, so I should know. He's not got yer best interests at heart. Not like me. Besides, you said the weekends were ours. For us, just you and me."
"You should listen to Mr. Gourry!" Amelia cried out breathlessly from her run. "Mr. Valgaav asked me to join him and Mr. Zelgadiss on their trip to Atlas City, but I said no."
"Well, sure. Phil would never have let you go," Lina said.
"But that's because unmarried girls should not go unaccompanied on overnights with men, Miss Lina!" Amelia shook her finger at her older friend. "It can ruin a reputation and lead to all kinds of trouble– especially with an older, experienced man like Mr. Xelloss. No offense, Mr. Xelloss! Oh, you're bleeding! Here's a hankie."
"Thank you, Amelia." Xelloss held the dainty cloth to his lip and pressed gently to staunch the flow.
"Oh, Amelia, I'm sure he's not planning to seduce me or anything. Geez, we'll be staying with his mother, right, Xel? Separate rooms?"
Xelloss, who was the ultimate sophisticate in subtlety, the art of deceiving without lies, and of keeping his own counsel in everything–looked baffled suddenly. "I've no idea!" When he saw Lina blush in response, he smiled with the charm he had used to devastate women, and occasionally men as well, all his life. "But you can trust me to see to your every comfort during your stay."
Gourry stared hard at the older, though, smaller man. If he had had a sword, he would have driven it through Xel's heart, regardless of the threat of lawyers. The man was a demon, the devil himself. Why couldn't Lina see that?
"Goodbye, Amelia, Gourry. The guys have got play practice Saturday late, so we oughtta be back before then. Gourry, see ya Sunday night." Lina received a curt nod in reply. "Now, get me out of here," she said to Xel through clenched teeth.
"As you wish." Gourry's truck was still obstructing the driveway, so Xelloss revved the engine of his little sports car a couple times before pealing off the pavement, tires squealing, leaping the curve, and driving over the edge of the lawn on his way out.
Gourry's only solace was knowing that Xelloss would have to pack his face with ice and down a pile of pain relievers. It was enough to bring a ghost of a smile to his lips.
Amelia smiled, and patted Gourry's arm comfortingly. "Miss Lina will be okay. She won't let Mr. Xel get past her defenses. She's a very strong individual. If she said she'd be true, then she will. You can trust her to keep her word. Righteousness flows through her veins!"
"I know," he said, although he didn't think that last part really applied to Lina. He hated to argue, though. He dropped his eyes a moment, then fixed them on a faraway object as he said more to himself than to Amelia, "She swore it to me, and if I doubt her then I doubt everything I live for and treasure, everything that makes life precious to me."
Xel winced as Lina tested the darkening bruise on his jaw. "Serves you right, picking fights with the workout master himself. And I thought you were the wiser, old man!"
Xel didn't reply. He was seething inside. That man had made him look foolish, and marred his face. "I have to stop at the drug store. Come in or stay." Lina chose to remain in the car while Xel sought out a dozen emergency ice packs and wrote himself out a prescription for an assortment of pain medications offering him varying levels of relief. When he returned to the car, he asked, "Would you hold this to my jaw while I drive?"
"That's stupid. I'll drive. You tend to your jaw."
Lina grabbed the keys out of his hand and bounded out of the car. She raced to the driver's side and slid into the comfortable leather seat. As she adjusted it and the mirror, she must have moaned in excitement, because Xel looked at her quizzically. "You didn't plan all that just to get your hands on my car, did you?"
"Ha!" she laughed. "No, that was your and Gourry's stupid little act. I had nothing to do with it, but it would have been so cool if I had, eh? Heh, heh, heh... Now, why're there two brakes on this car?"
"Two...? That one's the clutch. You've never driven a stick shift? Oh, my..." Xel groaned and plastered his forehead with another ice pack.
"Hey, it ain't rocket science. I can do this. I can do anything. Just get me started! Oh, and where are we going?"
"Airport. Okay, step on the clutch, gently floor it. Start the engine. See the stick? Put it into first gear to get us to move forwards, reverse to back up. I'll talk you through the rest when we get out of the parking lot."
After the first couple of miles, Lina had the hang of it, and Xel was able to close his eyes and relax.
"I don't feel like killing myself any more."
Lina did not know what to say to a statement like that. She didn't know Xelloss well enough to know if he was referring to his pain pills kicking in or something deeper. "Oh? You never seemed to be the depressed sort, to me. So, you gonna tell me why not?"
Her question flummoxed him. He was expecting something along the lines of, 'Oh that's wonderful. You are far too important to me to throw your life away like that!' "You mean, you think I ought to?" he asked.
"Well, it's really not up to me to say one way or the other what you should do with your life. You know more about what's up that I do, but if personal opinions are what you're looking for, then I'd have to say, that's just great. Killing yourself is rarely a well-reasoned decision. So, do you often feel the need to end your life?"
"Yes, yes I do," he sighed melodramatically and limped on, "I suffer from a melancholy of the soul, or at least I did. Now, however, I feel absolutely...euphoric!"
"You ever been checked for manic depression? Ah, just kidding! It's probably the meds you took. So, are we celebrating your good mood?" Lina asked.
"If you'd like. I bow to your will."
"Nice. Celebrating can be pricey."
"That's okay. I'm not totally without funds. I'm no starving college student. I am a man of independent means and stand to benefit from a large inheritance. Does that meet with your approval?"
It did, but she wasn't going to admit that just yet. "Let's see how the evening pans out, okay?"
"Holding your judgment in reserve, eh? That's wise. It puts the ball back into my court. I must continue to please you to leave you with a good impression. Are we nearly there yet?"
"No. We just passed the Chinese restaurant on 9th."
"Never been there. Is it especially good?"
"Yeah, and the portions are huge," she grinned.
"I like your attitude, Lina. You really hold nothing back when you're going for what you want.
"If it interests me, that's right," she agreed and concentrated on the road ahead. "But only if it interests me," she added.
When they reached the airport, Xel directed Lina to the private airstrip. She parked where he told her to, inside a low building. Xelloss removed their bags from the back of the car, when a man in coveralls, an emblem marked WP over his chest, approached them. "Plane's ready. Will you be piloting tonight, or would you like a crew?"
"Who's available to fly us?"
"Miss Sherra, tonight, sir."
"She's good. Okay, ask her to take over. Miss Inverse and I will board now, if that's all right?"
"Certainly, sir. I'll see to your clearance with the tower. Have a good flight."
Lina looked over at Xelloss as they walked up to 6-person private jet. "You have a pilot's license? You never told me that."
"There's a lot you don't know about me," he said with a forced smile. "All good, of course. I grew up on an island. I learned to sail and fly, anything to get off of it as soon and as quickly as I could. Here we go now..."
"Wanna drive?"
Zelgadiss smiled. He was the only one of the three guys he knew best, four, counting Gourry, who didn't have his own car, so he never had the opportunity to drive. "Sure, thanks."
Valgaav tossed him his keys, and climbed into the passenger seat. "You can ask anytime, you know."
Zelgadiss just nodded. He found it embarrassing that he hadn't the nerve to ask to borrow his car. Valgaav directed him to the right highway, and then plugged in a CD. It wasn't long before both guys were singing along to the eclectic mix of tunes, and shortening the boring drive. The sky was clear, the road dry, and all was well with the world.
Atlas City was spread out and between a high elevation valley in the mountains. Hiking, skiing, climbing, and fishing were popular sports which drew thousands of visitors into the numerous inns and lodges throughout the year. Atlas City University added its own community of students and staff. Combined, the populations of the city of Seyruun and Atlas City made up half of the head-count of the entire city-state of Seyruun.
Seyruun housed the courthouse and administrative buildings for the area and was further distinguished by being home to both the great White Shrine and the most varied assortment of religious sites in all the land. Atlas City, on the other hand, had the most bars, gambling establishments, and lax laws controlling them.
Seyruun was often referred to as the White Shrine Capital of the land, whereas Atlas City was known as Vice Central. Other than that, the two cities were a lot alike; the two cities each had a large university, several community colleges, and multiple galleries and theaters for the fine arts, and busy communities. What Valgaav was taking Zelgadiss to experience was Vice Central.
After awhile, Valgaav started the conversation. He likened his role as big brother to the younger Zelgadiss, being the younger bother or cousin to all the other guys in his life. He preferred to avoid most social contacts and stay within his own head, but there were topics they needed to discuss. "So, were you and Amelia ever, you know?"
"No! Nothing like that, really." Zelgadiss said in a nervous rush of words.
Zelgadiss, prior to the accident, had been Valgaav's opposite, absorbed with the practical world and limiting his innermost reflections when possible. Having his physical appearance changed so dramatically and having been so close to death had changed him. He had had time to think over how he felt about Amelia, over and over, and he had decided that there wasn't enough 'past' to matter. He had just needed to think someone might want to date him, still. If Valgaav and Amelia were interested in each other, then he could accept it. He would not divulge how close to being hurt he had been. "She had a crush on me for the longest time, but then again, so did lots of girls. I was rather popular, at one time."
"I bet you were. Rich and good looking."
Zelgadiss blushed. He wasn't used to hearing that from another guy. "I liked dressing well and taking care of myself. I liked girls to pay attention to me, but I was too shy to ask any out. I really wasn't into dating girls for the longest time, and then one day, I thought Lina was the hottest babe in the woods. The next day, Gourry confessed he was in love with her, and well, I wasn't. I couldn't claim her first or anything so I wished him luck, and invited them both out for lunch."
"Why did you do that?"
"Gourry was unsure of himself..."
"Yeah, that Lina can be intimidating," Valgaav interrupted. "Sorry, go on."
"That's true, and Lina could put him off forever, so I gave them a head start. As soon as the food arrived, I played sick, and left them on their own. It worked. They started going out after that. I think he was the one behind getting Filia to approach me. I never thought I was even in her league She was very popular and stunning, don't you think so?"
"Yeah, she's quite a looker, but shallow," Valgaav lowered his voice to add, "for dropping you like she did." He could have said more, like how pointedly mean she was to Xel, but he didn't. He could tell that Zelgadiss' heart was still clinging to hope.
"I don't blame her. I would have done the same, had it been her. I mean, for me if a girl was pretty, I'd give her a second thought, but if she wasn't..." His voice faded. With a new idea, Zelgadiss continued. "Shallow. Yep, that was me. Now, I have character. That's what all this is, right? A character-building disfigurement. A true test of a friend is who will like me in spite of my weird looks."
"More of a test is who can stand that attitude of yours, dude." Valgaav punched Zel lightly to show his not-too-serious intent. "Be prepared to be fawned over just for your looks, because you will be. It will make your life even more confusing."
Zelgadiss returned his half smile. "That will be okay. That kind of problem I can use for a change." His smile faded as he grew more thoughtful. "You don't know what it's been like, looking into the mirror in the morning and not recognizing the face looking back at me. And when I'm out, there are times, moments when I forget what I do look like, and see a girl and wonder if she might like me, and then I see her turn and go like into a trance looking at me. It happened at the bowling alley. When we were getting a drink, she came up to the bar, then just stared when she caught sight of me, and then I think she ran."
Valgaav shook his head and changed CDs. "You're right. I don't know what it's like, but I do have to look at your ugly mug all the time." Valgaav laughed a deep rumbling laugh as Zelgadiss' face reflected shock, anger, then settled on 'perturbed.'
"Funny guy." Zelgadiss grumbled. Actually, he wasn't the least bit mad. He was relieved and grateful for the conversation. It helped get his raw feelings out in the open. He decided Valgaav could become he closest confidant at this rate.
Valgaav listened to the next song, and then tried again to talk about what was on his mind. "At first, I thought maybe you and Amelia had been going out, so I wasn't sure..."
"We never went out, like I said. Hey, she likes you, that's great. She's pretty naive, I have to warn you. More the 'tickle and kiss' stage, actually."
"Yeah," Valgaav dipped his chin to hide his smile. "I figured that out. I'm not sure what to do about her. I asked her along with us."
"HO!" Zelgadiss laughed. "You didn't think she'd say yes, did you?"
"No. I hoped, maybe, but no. She's nothing like Nahga...or Gracie, as she calls her."
"Is that a good thing? Being different?"
"For me, yeah. I'd rather have Amelia tell me what to do than her sister. Get me into a lot less trouble."
"Don't you like to be the one in charge? You sure are at work."
"Nah, that's different. It's easier letting the girl do what she wants and do all the planning, as long as I get something back, eventually."
"That makes sense. Filia pretty much told me what was what, down to what I should wear. And... It was nice, kinda. It was like she cared."
"Yeah. Nahga, well, she would tell me what and how to do it, if you get my meaning. 'Course, I don't expect that from Amelia. In fact, I don't know really what to expect from her, so I thought I'd find out from you."
Zelgadiss drew a deep breath. This was hard, but he could do it. Zelgadiss had been somewhat unsophisticated in the past, but experience and time might have altered that. He now was certain that he had never been in love with Amelia, which fact in itself improved his ability to judge. Without romantic ardor to blunt his intellect, he could better help his friend. Here was a chance for him to prove his friendship.
"Get in with her father, Phil, the bowling coach, remember? He's into public relations for the Seyruun administration. His older brother, Randy, is the chief administrator for the City-State, you know? So, Phil's got connections with the media, films, TV, press, you name it. What's important is that he dotes on Amelia, and she admires him immensely. Get on Phil's good side, and you're in good shape. Oh, and don't get caught messing around. He would frown on that."
"I'll bet," Valgaav growled, and fast-forwarded the CD past a dull song. "I can do that. I'm not like Xel. He's insatiable." Valgaav chuckled softly. "'Cept lately. He hasn't been out with a girl yet this summer. Poor dude's probably gonna look up some past babe."
"On Wolfpack Island?"
"No, I doubt that's where he's really going. He hates it there and wouldn't lend his mother a hand if she was on her deathbed, or maybe only then– he'd probably be thrilled to do her autopsy."
"He's odd, all right. You really think he'd do his mother's autopsy? That's kinda sick."
"Tear her limb from limb, and relish the opportunity. She made his life miserable as a kid, not that the place itself isn't bad enough. He used water-filled bladders and stomachs for balls, he told me."
Zelgadiss winced.
"Learned the trade on inmates, dead ones, I assume, before he could write. Him and death are close friends."
"Must have lost his respect for women there," Zelgadiss said. "Although, Lina keeps him in his place."
"You mind him going for her?" Valgaav asked, remembering that Zel had just told him that he had once liked Lina.
"I'm a friend of Gourry's, and I think Xel's driving a wedge between them. It's their business, though. I don't want to pick sides."
"They both can't have her, that's for sure. I'm with you, though; rooting for that Gourry dude. He seems like a basically good guy, whereas I know Xel's pretty callous, I might say even brutal. Not that it matters much, because I think Lina will have to do the picking, then as friends, we'll pick up the pieces."
"I'm hoping she'll hang tough, and Xel will look for easier prey."
"Yeah," Valgaav agreed. That would be good. He didn't want to have to deal with Luna's fury over a match up like that, either.
It was a gorgeous day to fly. Lina had never been in a plane before, and the small jet was an ideal beginning. Xelloss had told her the Raytheon Hawker 400XP was small and fast, up to 511 MPH, and good for short hops. "Look, Xel!" Lina shouted excitedly and pointed out the window. "A pod of whales! See!"
His face was throbbing and his head ached. He was holding off giving himself a thorough examination until he had swallowed a Demerol or Percodan. No, he decided, it was maybe going to be a Darvocet and when he was in bed. The acetometaphine was barely shaving the sharp spots off the pain in his jaw, which wasn't broken, he was pretty sure, and the ice pack was keeping his face from blowing up. If he smiled, the lip would crack back open and the bleeding renew, so he kept his mouth shut, mostly.
"Hnn," he grunted.
"There's something. Is that the island? Sure. That's where we're going, huh?"
"Uh huh."
The plane was banking as it circled over Wolfpack. When they boarded, Xel had asked Sherra to fly low and give Lina the scenic tour. Xel pointed out the window, and ventured a sentence. "Compound's on that side."
Lina nodded. Gray featureless structures were dotted across a barren landscape, which was completely cut off from the forested portion of the island by a high wall. The land ended in ragged cliffs with no less than a two hundred foot drop off into the ocean. It was lifeless and still and very, very bleak. It looked as if a great wind had swept the land clean, cleared it of every rock and plant and animal, and then a solemn people had come and erected the great stone walls and buildings. Lina shuddered to imagine living out your life sentence in a desolate place like that.
"What a godsforsaken place. Geez...No wonder no one escapes," she said.
"No one leaves at all."
His hollow voice gave Lina a creepy feeling. Xel was looking far out to sea, so she couldn't tell what he was really thinking, and that was probably just as well. Some thoughts were best not shared. As the plane swept low over the forest side of the island, he told her more. "Wild wolves in there."
"There are? You ever see them?"
"I've heard them. At night they'd howl. My mother would warn me that if I didn't obey her, she'd throw me to the wolves."
"Oh, Xel, that's just an old saying"
"Unfortunately, not to me," he said flatly. "I knew it was possible because a few of the inmates had, well, been punished."
He seemed so emotionally impoverished it obviously frightened her, but he hadn't meant to. It was the pain descending on his mind, dampening his spirits. To change the sensitive subject, he looked for more sights to interest Lina. "The only approachable beaches are on the side opposite the compound."
"Oh, I wanna go see those. Look at the white sand, and it's so bright! Must be a rare sunny day, huh? That's our good luck working." She was letting him off the hook with the wolf problem because she knew she could get more out of him later when he wanted something from her. Now, he was clamped shut, hardly talking. The 'I have my secrets' shield was up, she thought, and he was obviously uncomfortable. Whatever he was hiding from her would be more fun to work out of him later, when he felt better and the playing field was leveled. "So, this is the side you lived on? Tell me you lived in a house and not in the asylum."
"No!" He smiled, opened his wound, and the blood gushed. "Damn it all." Lina pressed a fresh compress of gauze to his lip, and he held it in place firmly. "Thanks. Ah, no, I didn't live in the asylum, and, before you ask, I didn't live in the jail either. There you can see my old place now."
What Lina saw was a castle on a hill cleared of timber at the forests edge. "That place! That's not a home!"
"You don't need to tell me that," he started to laugh, but caught himself this time.
After landing, Sherra sent their bags ahead to the 'house' with an errand boy, then she left to locate the keys to Xel's island car, a Ferrari two-seater.
"You do go in for hot cars, don't you?" Lina asked. She ran her hand over the mirror-like, black hood appreciatively.
"This one was my father's. He left it behind, and mother hated the look of it, so it came to me. I leave it here, because it's too high maintenance to keep, really. There's an employee here, been here for ages, who babies it for me." He winced and closed his eyes, leaning back against the wall.
"You sure you're up to this?" she asked him. You look awful, she thought, but didn't say aloud.
That was the time she'd asked about to his condition following the fight with Gourry. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. On the one hand, he was used to girls fawning over him, and, in a case like this one where he was hurt, begging to 'make it all better.' Lina certainly was not guilty of that. On the other hand, she wasn't staring at him or chiding him for his part in the fight either. As he thought about it, Lina had never flinched in Zelgadiss' presence, either. For that he was thankful. He hated over-critical women, or men, for that matter.
"No fog and no clouds? We may never get another day like this all summer. I'll be okay, but thanks for asking." Xel turned at the sound of Sherra's approach. "Thanks for running these down for me," he said as he took the keys.
Lina nabbed them out of his hand, and let herself into the car. Xel allowed her to play a minute, while he gave Sherra further instructions for preparing the plane for their return flight home.
"If I can find a place to park, can we eat here on campus, or do you have other plans?"
"No, this is fine," Valgaav said. "Nice place to walk around while it's light enough to see. Try up a block and to the right. Art students can't afford cars."
Whether art students had cars or not, Zelgadiss was able to locate a spot to stow Val's SUV. "It must be two degrees cooler, more maybe, than down in Seyruun. And so clean!" Zel took a deep breath of air and let it out, smiling. "This place is great. Fresh mountain air... I'll bet the water come from springs."
Valgaav look on with a bemused smile on his face. He hadn't seen Zelgadiss this animated in a long time, ever, when he thought about it. "If you think this place is something, wait until you get a taste of the nightlife."
"What a beautiful day, isn't it?" Zelgadiss asked not expecting an answer from Valgaav.
Xelloss checked his face in the visor mirror again.
"Is it broken?" Lina asked as she poked a finger at his jaw.
"No, it's not dislocated either. Bone bruise. The joint's sore and swollen, too, so I can't open my mouth far." He flipped up the visor and turned to Lina. "It'll be black and blue shortly. With luck, the discoloration will stick around long enough for the performance and I'll not require makeup. Ah, that was a joke. I can't smile or my lip starts to bleed again."
"Yeah, yeah, you're a real wreck. Those pain killers helping any?" She shook the paper bag from the druggist.
"Fine."
She didn't believe him. Lina opened the bag, fumbled around side with the bottles, and checked the labels. "Whoa, you don't fool around do you, doctor? This is heavy duty stuff ya got yourself. Narcotics."
"Mostly codeine derivatives, which is why I not taking them until I go to sleep. I will need my concentration unimpaired. Look over there! Nesting herons in the trees. We can park and stroll the stream down to the shoreline and look for shells, if you like."
"Yes! Oh, Xelloss. What a beautiful day!"
After a brief walking tour of the campus, Zelgadiss and Valgaav headed to an eatery Valgaav knew. They settled into a booth at a popular Italian restaurant. "You know, Valgaav, just being here on campus is exciting. It has me thinking I might follow through with my plans and come here next fall."
"Hey, that's good, Zelgadiss. Good news."
"You liked it here, didn't you?"
"Oh, yeah. Great place. I remember coming home that first summer after living all year sharing a place with Xel. Nahga came over, and that was when dad was still living there some of the time, right? Well, imagine how much fun it was trying to sleep with my girlfriend with my dad snoring on the other side of the wall."
"Yeah, that would kinda kill the mood." Zelgadiss shrugged, and then sipped at his drink a bit. "You...you're coming back to school here in fall, isn't that what you said? So, we could maybe room together, you and me; that is, if you'd want to and if I decided to come..."
Valgaav looked up, his golden eyes meeting Zelgadiss' hooded blues. "That would be cool. Dad wants me to stay at the morgue. He just doesn't see the point of college for me. 'We got the family business. A job for life, my boy. Not to pass up,' that's what he says." Valgaav ripped off a hunk of bread, and swabbed up the last of his spaghetti sauce.
"He doesn't know you want to go your own way?"
"No, and I hate to disappoint him. He's been...everything for me. My brothers, too, but dad especially. He's been great. But..." Valgaav checked his watch, and then stood. "Hey, you wanna meet them, my brothers, that is? We can change clothes there."
"There?"
"Their place. An apartment close by. Get me the keys; I'll drive."
Xelloss looked at his face in the mirror, examining it closely. He chuckled humorlessly. "The guy's good. One hit, just right, nothing broken, nothing serious, but enough to ruin my weekend. He could have easily killed me, if he'd wanted to, but he wasn't stupid enough to do anything extreme. Got to hand it to you, Gourry, you are presenting me a challenge. Too bad for you, though. The girl is mine."
"Xel? Are you about ready? I'm really ready for dinner."
"Coming, dear!" He stepped to her side, and took her arm, wrapping it over his. "I was hoping to avoid this, but mother noticed our arrival and she wants us to join her."
"That's not so surprising, Xel. It is her house, er, castle...place."
"I suppose not, but I was hoping just the same. Don't be afraid."
"Afraid? I'm not afraid of anything. You know, I don't intimidate easily either."
"I know. I admire that about you."
He said nothing more after that admission, but held the ice pack to his face and strode resolutely, leading her through the cold stone hallways. They make their way from the lower level entranceway, where they had come in from outside, past the occasional faded tapestry or dark landscape painting, which acted to break up the monotonous gray blocks between dimly lit wall sconces, to the second story dining room.
He hesitated at the door.
"So? Go in," she urged.
"I just want to say," his eyes roved over her face appreciatively, and then lowered to encompass her whole person. "How terrific you look in that dress, Lina." He held out a hand and touched her hair, his eyes open and luminous. "You are the most beautiful young woman I have ever set eyes on."
"Oh..." she looked askance, and blushed under his hot gaze. "You mean that you have set your sights on, dontcha? Heh, heh... Well, sure I am. You said to bring a dress and so I did." She could feel his smile, even if he was hiding it. "Thanks. Listen, I'm not good at accepting compliments, okay? So, just go in already."
He opened the door and stepped aside, "You first, Lina-dear."
Zelgadiss stepped inside the apartment. The smell of unwashed socks and aging stacks of take-out food containers nearly knocked him senseless. The place was a wreck. Every visible square inch bore some form of neglect. Two young men were lolling on the couch. "Hey," one of them said. "Ooh, who's the pretty toy you have brought tonight, V-bo?"
Zelgadiss' eyes widened in disbelief.
Lina strode confidently into the dining room. She took in the rich rococo decor in a glance. Florid wallpaper with gold leaf embellishments ringed the room; a huge crystal chandelier with asymmetrical scroll work hung over the centrally located and equally ornamented table, which was surrounded by no fewer than twenty elaborately ornate carved chairs. The light made Lina think of a floating castle in the sky for some reason. It was a fleeting whimsical thought, because immediately afterwards, her eyes were riveted to the single occupant gracing the table.
"Oh, who's the pretty creature you have brought tonight, Xelloss, my dear boy?"
Lina's eyes widened in disbelief.
End Graveyard Shift, Chapter 14.