Family Secrets

Chapter: 3

The Tests of Zelgadis Greywords

Well here is the next chapter. As for inspiration for this idea it comes from a lot of things. I mean there are elements of the phantom of the opera, beauty and the best, and others wrapped up into this fic. Dracula was a beginning inspiration but after a while I thought against making any of the characters a vampire...I mean I myself have beaten that theme like a dead horse. It was soon after that revelation that I happen to catch sight of another book I have not read in a while. The story behind Zelgadis is inspired by said book and I'm going to see if anyone can guess the work (Even thought the work inspired his character I am taking some liberties with the idea).

Lina marched down the hall enraged that someone would be making such noise while she was trying to sleep. "When I get my hands on this person they are going to wish they had never been born," she fumed as she drew closer to the music hall.

She stood in front of the huge double doors of the music hall. She then stepped forward and knocked the doors wide open to reveal the candle lit music hall. She continued to fume as she looked straight at the organ that was still being played. It was at this moment that some of her rage was taken away by the surprise of a stranger at the organ. She watched quietly as his hands moved fluidly up and down the multiple keyboards. At the same time his feet were constantly moving the petals at the bottom as he seemed to be entranced by his own playing. It was at this moment that Lina was able to get a good look at the figure. From the looks of him he was slightly taller than Lina with a lithe build to his body. His lavender hair came out from his head in points and did a decent job of concealing his face. As Lina watched she all of a sudden heard, "I've told you before Sylphiel you don't have to be shy around me," before he turned to face her as he finished the music piece.

At this moment Lina's eyes went wide in shock as she remember the face quite well. He looked exactly like the portrait of the first count that hung in the dinning hall. She gulped as she noticed the broadsword on his belt and how his sapphire blue eyes narrowed as he noticed her. Lina chuckled nervously before saying, "Hi, I guess you can see I'm not Sylphiel, but it was an excellent piece of playing."

The figure let loose a low growl as he stood from the playing bench in one fluid motion. He moved quickly towards her as he unsheathed his broadsword and took a swing while shouting, "Trespasser!"

Lina's eyes bulged to the size of dinner plates as she ducked the swing at the last second. She dove to the side and rolled before recovering to her feet. The only problem was the sword was descending towards her even faster this time. Lina quickly side-stepped the swing and moved away quickly as the man backed up because of the vibrations caused by his sword hitting the stone floor. "Hey, look I know I'm new here and all but...," Lina was cut off as she dodged again, "This hardly seems like a polite welcome!"

The man grunted at Lina before replying, "Why should I give a friendly welcome to an intruder in my home," before he swung at her again.

Lina had had enough of this game. She quickly ducked his blow and used the swords momentum against her attacker. While he was recovering she quickly kicked him in the chin and then brought the bottom of her foot back down in a perfectly timed axe kick. The stranger smashed into the ground with a loud crack. With this Lina backed up and assumed a fighting stance incase he needed another shot. "Now listen just calm down and we can talk this out without anyone getting hurt."

The figure stood up and pulled his sword into a attack stance. The glint in his eye made Lina gulp as she knew it to say that he enjoyed her attack. As the attack moved forward slightly he asked, "Do you think two kicks are enough to take me out? You haven't seen a real warrior fight then," before he shouted and charged towards Lina.

Lina was preparing to dodge again when a figure moved in front of her. She blinked twice as she now recognized it to be Sylphiel in her nightgown. The usually shy and quiet woman was now standing in front of her with nerves of steel as she held out a medallion of some sort. "Halt your attack protector," she commanded.

As the figure saw the medallion he slowed and came to a complete stop right in front of Sylphiel. He then kneeled and placed the sword in front of him before replying, "Your wish is my command."

Lina blinked as she looked over Sylphiel's shoulder to see the now dormant threat waiting for a command. She then looked at Sylphiel and tapped her. When the young woman looked at Lina her eyes softened and she sighed. "Sorry, I was hoping I wouldn't have to tell you about the other resident of this castle."

Lina cocked her head at Sylphiel before sighing and replying, "Just tell me why Count Greywords is alive, well, and hasn't aged a day."

Sylphiel smiled and said, "Follow me Miss Lina and all will be explained. That means you too Zelgadis."

Zelgadis nodded before standing up and sheathing his broadsword. He then walked behind the two girls as they headed towards the kitchen. 'Who is this woman? Just a passerby that Sylphiel let stay for the night,' he thought as he walked in silence.

After they got to the kitchen Sylphiel asked both Lina and Zelgadis to sit at the small servants table while she prepared some tea. While they were waiting Lina and Zelgadis began a staring conquest. Both very curious about there other but neither one making an attempt to ask the questions they both wanted to know. After a few minutes Sylphiel came back with three cups of tea and set one down in front of each person. She took a sip of her tea before sighing and asking, "Now where was I?"

"You were going to explain why a relic from the medieval period is still stomping around my home," Lina answered while looking straight at Zelgadis.

Zelgadis almost spit out his tea before he swallowed and glared at Lina. "What do you mean your castle? You have no claim to this place unless...," Zelgadis replied before eyeing Lina's red hair and eyes, "You're an Inverse."

Lina gave Zelgadis a look like he was a fool before replying, "What were you expecting? Who else but crazies from my family would want to live here?"

Zelgadis glared at Lina for the slight before answering lowly, "I thought my captivity was over when Reginald Von Inverse did not have an heir. I should have known the old bastard would find someone in the family to carry on."

Sylphiel gulped slightly at Lina's reaction. She knew their were few things that could anger the former count but disrespect for the home he had built was one of them. She saw the look of angry and interest run through his eyes. She quickly pulled off the medallion and placed it around Lina's neck. She sighed when Zelgadis grunted before she replied, "Yes, she is an Inverse and now the rightful owner of the castle and the medallion that binds you to the line."

Lina's eyes widened slightly as she looked from the medallion to Zelgadis before asking, "So as long as I have this I can control him?"

Zelgadis growl which made both girls jump slightly before he replied, "To a point. I am here to protect this home and the area near it. I will not be some kind of foolish toy for you."

Lina smiled devilishly before replying, "Yes, but the fact of the matter is that I still have control."

Zelgadis responded with a smile of his own. "You passed the test of your martial skill, but now I must see how well your mind is before I will ever address you as my master."

Lina glared at him before cracking her knuckles and saying, "Well, shoot quizmaster. I can handle anything you can throw at me."

Zelgadis smiled and the replied, "Then we shall start with an easy one. The more that there is, The less that you see. Squint all you wish when surrounded by me."

Lina thought for a moment before she nodded and replied, "That's easy. Darkness is the answer."

Zelgadis nodded before replying with another riddle, "A spirited jig it dances bright, Banishing all but darkest night. Give it food and it will live; Give it water and it will die."

Lina thought for a moment looking for the answer. She happened to glance at a candle before answering, "Fire."

Zelgadis nodded again, "Alive as you but without breath, As cold in my life as in my death; Never a thirst though I always drink, Dressed in a mail but never a clink."

Lina thought about anything that did not breath, did not change temperature, and constantly drank even though it never needed it. It was just as she began to think about water that she thought of scales. "Fish is the answer."

Zelgadis nodded again, " If you can answer this last one then you have passed the test. I am free for the taking through all of your life, Though given but once at birth. I am less than nothing in weight, But will fell the strongest of you if held."

Lina blinked as she tried to think of what a person took all their life but was only given once. A first she thought to answer life but knew that it was incorrect after remembering that the riddle mentioned weight. 'If it weights something then it is technically a physical thing. But, what is taken for nothing, only given once and can kick anyone that held...it.'

It was at that moment that Lina released she was holding her breathe and the answer hit her. "It's breath. It is constantly taken, you are given your first breath when you are born, and you pass out if you hold it for too long."

Zelgadis smiled and nodded. She eyes seemed to be slightly glossed over as he replied in a sensuous tone, "Perfect...perfect. I guess I should not expect anything less from a true Inverse."

Lina studied the count as he seemed to enjoy the idea that someone could match his wit. Before she was about to reply he stood and announced, "It is late and you ladies need your rest," He bowed to them before turning and calling over his shoulder, "We will continue this later."

Lina nodded as she felt tiredness wash over her and headed toward her bedroom. She walked in and closed the door before hopping into bed. She made herself comfortable before sighing and thinking, 'I don't know if this is a good thing or not.'

As Lina wondered about this new situation she let the darkness of sleep overtake her.

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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