Part 5

Lina moved quickly around the room trying to gather her things as fast as she could.

Got some spare clothes, plenty of money, maybe an extra snack wouldn't hurt. Lina paused when she heard someone standing in the doorway. She pretended she didn't know anyone was there as she stuffed her possessions into a bag.

You're leaving? Gracia asked quietly.

Lina continued packing, not looking up. I don't live here, you know. I can't be expected to stick around forever. Besides, I have some things to figure out.

Gracia sat in silence as Lina finished packing and hefted the bag over her shoulder. You are coming back, aren't you?

Lina played absent-mindedly with the pull strings on her bag before letting out a sigh. I don't know. Depends on what I find out.

Gracia nodded, not sure what to say.

Just, do me a favor. Lina looked sternly at Gracia. You make sure that somebody's always guarding Amelia. No. Matter. What.

O-of course. Gracia faltered under Lina's intense gaze. She couldn't help but feel a sense of hurt that Lina cared so much for her little sister, when she had always been treated...well, like an annoyance.

Lina walked past Gracia into the main hall, then turned back. And Naga, be sure to take care of yourself as well. Lina gave a weak smile before proceeding down the hall.

Gracia continued standing in the doorway, somewhat in shock. She then gave a small smile.

Take care of yourself too, Lina.

Break

Are you sure you're okay riding by yourself, Lina? You can ride with me if you want. Gourry looked worriedly at Lina as she sat rather clumsily on her steed. She looked like a wreck.

I'll be fine, Gourry. It's just this stupid horse keeps doing whatever it wants! Lina tugged at her horse's reins in anger, getting a disgruntled snort and a slap from the horse's tail in answer.

That's because he can sense you're distracted.

Lina frowned in thought. Of course I'm distracted! It's been a long week, and I could use a vacation!

Gourry gulped. Lina was starting to get worked up, and when she got worked up, things exploded. Is that why you wanted to leave for Xoana?

Lina scratched her cheek. Well, I do want to find out just what happened, but I also just had to get out of that place. It just feels so negative! Lina shuddered despite it being a rather warm day.

Yeah, Amelia's really angry. Gourry looked down at the ground.

No kidding. Lina huffed. They're all becoming psycho over there.

Gourry looked back over to Lina, glad to hear her sounding more normal again. So are you feeling better?

Lina blinked. Better? What do you mean?

Gourry pointed his finger in the air. You've just been so down these past few days. I have to say, I've never seen you cry so much.

Lina blushed in embarrassment as she tried to wave him off. Gourry! ...did I really cry that much?

Gourry nodded his head. I was afraid you were going to get dehydrated.

Lina mulled over this, not sure what it could mean. She didn't cry all that often, especially if she could help it. Lina Inverse was no baby! She then shrugged. Oh well, what's past is past. What's important is that we're going to find out just who it was that did that to Amelia... Lina smacked her fist against her palm, ...and we'll make them pay!

Gourry just shook his head. That's all well and good, but we've got to get to Xoana first, and you need to stay on your horse to get there.

What do you mean? Lina blinked in confusion, then noticed that Gourry was skewed at a strange angle. Gourry, and the rest of the world. While she thought this over she realized that her saddle was slipping, and the ground was coming up to meet her...



Gourry sighed as he halted his horse. I tried to tell you.

Somewhere far far away...

Zelgadis sat quietly by his campfire, completely unaware of his constant (and growingly disgruntled) companion. This war nonsense just didn't make any sense! He had a nagging feeling he should go back to Seyruun, and yet was apprehensive about going back for fear of what might be there.

For all I know it was just a stupid rumor. He had heard plenty of those in his time. Some turned out to be true (like the rumor about the Crown Princess leaving Seyruun, he had found out after blabbing in front of Amelia), but most were completely false. He still had to chuckle about Lina finding out the hard way that Prince Phil wasn't the stunningly handsome man he was rumored to be.

He looked skyward, examining the stars as they came out for the night. Another day was ending. I should be getting sleep so I can start out early, not worrying over rumors. Zelgadis grumbled as he set to work making a suitable bed.

Amelia continued to watch on in silence, weary from trying to get Zelgadis to notice her. She couldn't help but glare at him. You can be so stubborn! She clapped her hands over her mouth in shock and waited to have him scold her. She watched him in fright before realizing and remembering that he couldn't, which is why she was still stuck out here against her will in the middle of nowhere.

She vented her ever growing frustration on a small rock, kicking out at it, even though she knew she would pass right through it.

Needless to say she nearly died of fright when the rock went flying through the air before striking Zelgadis' sword which was leaning against a tree. Although now it was falling to the earth.

Upon hearing the rock strike his sword, Zelgadis whirled around and stood up to his full height. Who's there?!? He shouted into the surrounding forest. His breathing quickened as he glanced around the forest, looking for any abnormality in the trees.

After a few moments of dead silence passed, Zelgadis calmed down slightly. No human could have gotten so close without his keen hearing picking up on them, especially in a forest such as this. Perhaps he had heard an animal or a bird...

He looked down at his sword, spying a small rock laying nearby. There weren't any other rocks around, so it must have been the culprit. Rocks don't move by themselves, however, so he surveyed the area. The only rocks anywhere around were the rocks he had gathered earlier in the day to contain his campfire, he recalled.

Zelgadis scratched his head. That didn't make any sense! That would have to mean that the rock was sent flying from where he was, and he knew no one was there with him. He looked down at the rock in thought.

It would appear there's more to this than it seems.

Amelia let out a tired sigh. She wasn't sure what just happened, but at least Zelgadis had an inkling that he wasn't alone. She slumped her shoulders.

Where do I go from here?

AN: I have GOT to get Lina away from horses...but it's so much fun! ;; At last, the next chapter has been completed! This story is taking a bit longer to come together, but that's partly because I have just the basic ideas with only a few scenes fleshed out. (Like the next part, which I've had planned forever.) Pair this with finally working a full-time job, and it just adds to the length of time between chapters. (I'm glad for the job, but I do hate having to work on days that I feel inspired to write.)

I think someone already asked if Amelia's really dead or not. Again, as far as she knows, she is, but then, she doesn't know everything. More will be revealed in time... (How long I can't say, because these things tend to get longer every time I sit down to write!)

Until next time! collapses