Chapter IV

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Cupid turned to Zara, embracing her. "Now, let's get the birthday celebration started." He looking around, amending quickly, "but not here, too many rocks."

"Rocks, schmocks, I'm an AMAZON already. I already have a nice fur-covered cloak! We can use that for protection," Zara replied, laughing in anticipation of finally getting a proper birthday 'present.' "Besides," she taunted, "don't you know any good healing spells? Come here, you!"

She hurriedly unfastened the cloak and spread it on the ground. She laughed, while Cupid started doffing what little clothing he had been wearing, although she made no effort to do anything but take off her muddy boots.

"UHH-" Cupid began, puzzled at the 'lack of effort.' "Is that ALL you want to take off?"

Zara smiled slyly, "I think I've done quite enough work on my birthday, thank you. Care to help me out?"

"Sure, I'm always a gentleman," Cupid assured her, even with a decidedly un-gentlemanly look in his eye.

"By the gods, I hope not," Zara teased back. "I'm not going to be a lady!"

They spent a sweet hour in protracted lovemaking, using different positions, always being careful not to damage Cupid's wings. Finally a well-sated Zara smiled up at Cupid, "Oh, THAT was WONDERFUL. But, everyone will be worried. We should be getting back; I haven't spent much time with anyone else today. Except Iphicles, and other than my kissing him, HIS day was pretty much horrid."

Cupid softly kissed her. "Hey, I'm just glad I decided to use my god's prerogative and 'jump queue.' Otherwise I never would have run into Kull at your castle. Nice guy, by the way. If he hadn't …"

Zara winced at the memory of how the day had begun, and had almost ended. "Oh, gosh! Kull!" she exclaimed, slapping her forehead. "I DO have to be getting back. The poor guy, all the way from Valusia, and he gets stuck on 'grievance duty.' I hope he didn't give up and go home."

"Well, he didn't look to me like the type of guy who just 'gives up.'" Cupid was nibbling her bare neck as he spoke. "So, when I get you back to Iphicles' castle," he suggested while gently kissing her bare shoulder. "If he's STILL there…" Cupid's voice trailed off, hoping Zara would finish the thought.

Zara did, and giggled. "Our clothes, do you see any of them?" She laughed, "After all, I can't really go over there in 'my birthday suit.'"

She and Cupid redressed quickly, and then Cupid scooped her up. "Ready to go?" he inquired.

She nodded, "Any last minute instructions? I've never flown before."

"No, try not to wiggle too much," he advised. "AND, if you get scared and panic, DON'T grab the wings."

As they rose into the air, she commented, "That wasn't too bad, a nice, quick takeoff. Oh, and for the record, AMAZON princesses don't PANIC."

"I was counting on that." He added, "I think I'll stick around after I drop you off."

"Fine," Zara replied. "Stay as long as you like. I'll even find a bed for you at my place if necessary." She pulled her cloak around her. "Oh, it's raining on us."

"Sorry, I was trying to avoid that cloud," Cupid said worriedly. "I better hurry; I got a very bad feeling." He increased the tempo of his wing beats, accelerating quickly.

"Your tears don't protect YOU, do they?" Zara asked, trying to keep the alarm out of her voice. 'Don't panic, girl, you ARE an Amazon', she thought, even while adding to herself, 'I can't be seeing this!'

"No, why?" Cupid answered, also trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice. After all, he had told her not to panic, and he HAD made a promise to keep her safe.

"It is ONLY raining on us." Zara replied. "If you can, go quicker. The thing is, your wings are starting to ice up. Or go lower; let the sun warm us up."

"I'll be landing at the castle soon," he said confidently, then muttered low enough so Zara couldn't hear, "Just wait until I get back to home, Discord is in SO much trouble."

Zara watched, as the ice layer grew on Cupid's wings. 'REAL soon, this could hurt big time,' she thought, and started scanning for anything soft to land on, 'Just in case!'

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"Okay, just two more 'problems' to decide after this 'break'; correct, Liza?" Kull asked, as he swallowed a mouthful of birch tonic. He winced in disgust. "Boy...it cures headache, but the taste...definitely needs...something."

"You're doing great, Your Majesty," Liza approved. "Sorry about the tonic taste. I'd tried mixing it with wine, but then you get a bellyache. Not much of an improvement."

Kull nodded. "Works well, though. Make me a batch..." He amended, seeing her distressed face, and remembering his manners, "Err, PLEASE, make me a batch, since I also have Grievance Day in two weeks when I get back home. And I'm not looking forward to THAT." He sighed, before taking another big gulp of tonic. "By the way, I AM also grateful for your solution to Meltillis' 'problem.' I can't believe the ONLY time that man doesn't stammer incoherently is when he sings."

"Of course, Your Majesty," stated Liza, who, in truth, had admired Kull for his patience with Meltillis. "I couldn't believe you LET him sing his complaint," she continued with an air of awe. "Especially, after you MADE me count Bombasistum's words..."

Kull chuckled, "Got a man like him at home. Can talk for ten minutes and still never make a point." He smiled, slyly. "One man needs a King's patience, one doesn't..."

He noticed Liza's countenance was not looking any happier. "You've been wearing that same expression for the last 20 minutes, ever since 'the man with the wayward cow, who was eating his neighbor's grass-covered house' case. And that was an easy one! Don't tell me YOU have a 'grievance' too. Speak freely, if you can."

"N-nothing, Sire," Liza stammered. "I...oh," she broke down in sobs. "Oh, Sire, she...Cupid...MY King..." She buried her face in her hands, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Kull set down his mug, rose to his feet, comforting the weeping woman. "I know, I know. Go tell everyone to come back tomorrow, I'm going to--"

Shouts of "KING IPHICLES, HAIL KING IPHICLES" interrupted Kull. "Come on," he beckoned. "Sounds like good news for once today." He handed Liza a cloth to wipe her eyes. "Take a minute; neither your mistress nor your king will appreciate any hints of 'mistreatment by a barbarian.'"

Liza now lifted reddened eyes to Kull in horror. "No, Your Majesty. That's not true. No one who saw you today would EVER call you a barbarian." She accepted the offered cloth. "I never meant..."

"Just a joke and a bad one." Kull assured her. "Okay, there's Twanky, and the gentleman in green must be Iphicles, but..."

A muffled sob.

"Don't assume the worst," Kull reproved Liza, mildly. He patted her shoulder. "After all, that Cupid guy is missing, too." He sighed in resignation, "Next year, SHE is coming to Valusia for her birthday." He took Liza's hand and both of them walked resolutely toward the waiting pair. "Let's see what light YOUR king can shine on the matter, shall we."

The joyous townspeople surrounding Twanky and Iphicles parted immediately at Kull's approach. Iphicles smiled warmly at him.

"Thank you for handling Grievance Day for me. As you can see, 'that other pressing matter' was successfully resolved. I will have to apologize to Zara for interrupting YOUR plans for her birthday..." He trailed off, puzzled. "Excuse me, is there ANOTHER problem?"

Liza, at the mention of his mistress' name, had burst into tears afresh. Twanky embraced her, consolingly.

"Now, don't you be getting yourself in a fankle," Twanky soothed, as she patted the older (but not by much) woman's back. "When we left them, that nice Cupid said they'd be back in two ticks. She was as right as rain, I promise."

"And, she and Cupid got caught in it. The rain, that is. Correct?" Kull interjected.

Twanky and Iphicles stared blankly at Kull, who was also staring at something. "No...it hasn't rained at all today," Iphicles stated, becoming concerned.

Twanky nodded in agreement. "Not a drop."

"Then, how do you explain their current condition?" Kull gestured. "They look like two dirty, drowned rats."

Sure enough, Zara had appeared, soaking wet to the skin, disheveled and with bits of hay and seed sticking to her hair and skin. Cupid, albeit he was a god, looked no better. And, moreover, it was difficult to see who was holding who up.

"Oh, my gods," began Iphicles. "What happened to you two?" He bristled at Cupid, the anger rapidly building. He had not had a good day, and had expected better. "THIS is your idea of 'keeping her safe'!"

His voice had become a bellow, and Kull got the same look of murderous rage.

"Be careful, mortal, my tears DO NOT protect you from MY wrath," Cupid warned menacingly. He also was not having a good day. "I can easily---"

Zara exploded, "IF ANYONE DOES ANYTHING TO FURTHER RUIN MY BIRTHDAY, I WILL BE KILLING THE LOT OF YOU." She pointed to Kull. "YOU get a pass, for sending Cupid to rescue us, but EVERYONE ELSE is on my list," glancing around ominously.

Shocked silence followed.

"Since I have a 'pass,'" Kull began sarcastically, through clenched teeth, "may I ask what happened since they--" he pointed at Iphicles and Twanky--"saw you two last?" He folded his arms. "Or, will that question put me 'on your list'?"

Zara began to laugh, and nudged Cupid. "Now, this story will add to your legend." She winced. "And mine."

She began to recount the story of being rained on by a nasty storm cloud, interrupted by comments from Cupid, of "going to hurt Discord..." "iced up frostbitten wings..." "going to KILL Discord..." and their subsequent "crash into hay wagon two miles from castle..."

"I'm surprised you didn't break both yer wings," Twanky remarked to Cupid. "But Zara wasn't hurt..."

"Protected by tears," Zara reminded her. "Apparently, they don't 'wash off.'"

Liza interrupted quietly. "Perhaps a hot bath would do everyone some good." Calmer now, she was able to smile wickedly, hoping Kull would 'take the hint.'

Kull didn't need much of a hint. He winked at Liza and scooped up Zara before ANYONE could protest. "And, since King Iphicles has to finish Grievance Day, I guess I get the honors." He glared at Cupid, then smiled at Zara. "After all, everyone else got to spend time with you today!"

Iphicles laughed, "She already gave me a bath today, so I suppose in all fairness..."

As Kull's arms tightened, and his face darkened in jealous anger, Zara whispered quickly, "Hey, lighten up; he was STILL a frog at the time!" She waved her arms in a mock domineering manner. "Stop by the kitchen on the way to the bath." She added quietly, "WOULD you PLEASE, Your Majesty. I haven't had anything to eat since last night's dinner. I have a feeling I'll be needing some energy." Her stomach rumbled as if in agreement.

"As my lady commands," Kull intoned humbly, then laughed. "Yes, I PREFER a woman with some energy." He regarded Iphicles. "Directions to the kitchen and the King's PRIVATE bath, if you don't mind."

"Kitchen--down the main hall, branch to the left; follow your nose," Iphicles responded, gesturing for emphasis. "Then go back to main hall, branch to right, third door on right." He paused, and then smiled. "Take your time, I'm sure the rest of us will be busy for a while."

"I plan to," Kull murmured, as he strode purposefully down the hall, following Iphicles' directions. Zara giggled, and then began involuntarily shivering. He looked at her with alarm. "You need to change quickly, but I think your leathers are permanently ruined. Are you all right?"

"I...I'm...j-j-j-just c-c...cold," Zara chattered. "And yes, this outfit will n-n-never be the same." She continued to shiver, and then snuggled closer to Kull, absorbing his warmth.

"I think we will have the food brought to the bath," Kull nodded, as they arrived at the kitchen door. "And, I'm sure we can find you a new set of clothes."

She nodded, "Good idea."