Yee-haw. Chapter...um...Something. o.O xD Yeah. Well, anyway, new chapter. Here it is. Oh! It's chapter eighteen!
Raine: Would you get on with it, please?
Yes'm. . Well, in this chapter--
Raine: Instead of telling them what happens before-hand, why don't you...Here's a thought...Let them read it? -Sarcasm-
Fine. Yeesh. .
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"Regal, we can't go back tonight. It's too late. Look, they said she had four days, right?"
"Best case scenario."
"The point is, she's not going anywhere overnight."
"Unless something goes wrong and the Aelaes Maer progresses faster than expected. In which case she could die overnight. I cannot take that chance."
"I know you're eager to get back and cure her...but there's no way it's happening tonight. Believe me, I wish we could too. But the cold, hard truth of the matter is, we can't."
It took much, much more persuasion from Zelos, Sheena and Lloyd before Regal reluctantly consented to wait the night out in Sybak. Even after the conclusion had been drawn, he was not happy with it to say the least. As the others retreated back into the Inn, he remained in the warm, summertime night air. His hand had subconciously strayed to his pocket, and he now fingered the vial of liquid given to him by the researchers. The cure.
He found it rather lucky, a blessing, that the Imperial Research Academy had, indeed, studied the sickness in detail. Enough to come up with a way to stop it. And, he reflected, that they had given it to him quite willingly. Well, on some parts. Several Professors had discouraged it, given their views on his bride. But thankfully, the majority had consented on the grounds that there were no laws regarding the treatment of half-elves, and they needed to "help anyone they could." Needless to say, these were the younger of those at the academy.
An hour or so passed, and Regal was still watching the stars. He grew more uneasy by the minute as his thoughts wandered to Raine. He couldn't possibly be expected to sleep while she was so helpless...perhaps in immediate danger. They didn't know how long it would take to kill her, they had no way to. Perhaps it was different for all those infected. He had the cure. There was no reason not to help her now.
He glanced back at the inn's door with a frown. The others...they didn't necessarily need to return with him. He would be on a Rheaird for all but a small portion of the trip back to Sybak. There was no harm in his going along.
His mind set, Regal scratched a note out for Lloyd and the others, so they wouldn't be alarmed at finding him absent. With this done, the Duke set out for Sybak's gate. He reached it without trouble, but slowed to a halt a few paces away from the university town, tensing. He had heard footsteps.
"What's the matter, M'Lord? You've left your escort behind."
That voice. He spun on heel, to see Karla and her possy, which seemed to run in the family, lined up and watching him. The former, of course, was standing in front of her men, and her hands were clasped behind her back as she narrowed her eyes. "Are we brave, or just foolish?"
"I do not have time to deal with you," he said, reminded very forcefully of the night almost a year ago, when Deryn had approached him in much the same way. They were even around Sybak this time, as well. Vaguely, he wondered if the men had told Karla about this, and if she had then planned it as such.
"I do not recall asking." She flicked out Deryn's old knife, and Regal sighed inwardly. Deja vu...
"Because of you, Raine is now dying. I do not have time for this, she must be helped."
"Because of you, my sister is already dead," snapped Karla, now glaring at him. "It seems to me, we would be even, Bryant, were your precious bride to die."
"I did not kill Deryn. She died in prison, for reasons unbeknownst to me--"
"She gave up her life." David had stepped forward to stand beside the brunette. "She let go of life itself because you sent her to prison. In her mind, it was already over. Deryn merely stopped the meaningless beating of her own heart. That's how she saw it."
"I never meant for her die," said Regal, frimly. It was true. He had simply wanted her to leave them alone, and putting her in prison was the easiest and most effective way to do just that.
"Nevertheless, it was you who sent us all to a damp cell, and ultimately killed her. You cannot deny it."
"No, I cannot deny that I sent you to prison. However, perhaps you should take into account the reason for my doing so. You attempted to murder Raine and myself, twice. And now your new mistress makes it three times." He didn't have time...They were keeping him too long. Raine...
"No excuses, Bryant. Judgement day has come, it's time to end this," growled Karla, all traces of even sarcastic sweetness evaporating from her handsome features.
"I agree," he said. "Once more, you will go to prison."
"That's not. What I meant. I have no intention of allowing my sister to go unavenged."
"And nor do I." David narrowed his eyes in a glare. "For Deryn's sake, as well as Karla's...Your time has come, Duke Bryant."
As Karla lunged at him, blade glinting in the moonlight, Regal was forced to do a quick sidestep, and nearly lost balance in doing so as she tripped, having missed him. At this, however, David had been prepared, and now launched his own attack. This one, though, was not with a blade, but with his own hands. He intended to fight as Regal did - martial arts style. With one difference...Regal was not about to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
He might have married Raine, he might have loved her. He did love her. But that didn't mean he would give up on on everything regarding Alicia. He had made a promise neer to fight with his hands again, and he intended to keep that promise.So he took up a defensive position, watching David carefully.
"What did we tell you about not going off tonight, Regal?"sighed a voice from somewhere behind Matthew and Eric, who had both flicked out small daggers as well. The Noble blinked, and even Karla and her possy looked around to see the speaker.
Sheena Fujibayashi had spoken, but she was not alone. Presea, Zelos, Lloyd, Genis, and Colette were all trotting along beside her as she approached. "How can we convince you guys not to go off anywhere alone, particularly at night, when there are people like Deryn and Karla around?" The ninja looked at each of Karla's group in turn, pulling out her cards.
Lloyd had pulled his swords out half-way, Zelos' hand was resting on the hilt of his own. Presea held her axe now, Colette brandished her rings, and even Genis had gotten out his Kendama. "You look like you could use some help," comented the half-elven boy.
A slight half-smile tugged at one corned of Regal's mouth. Perhaps he had been foolish...But Raine had needed help. "Thank you."
"Hey, Regal. We can take care of them...Go be the Knight in Shining Armor for your Damsel in Distress," said Zelos, lifting the sword from its sheath. Sheena nodded at him, as did Lloyd.
"Go save Raine," agreed Genis. As Regal nodded in return and set off with the newly appeared Rheaird - having used the wingpack - he heard Genis again: "I'll toast you for messing with my sister!"
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Go get 'em, Genis! xD
Raine: ...Thank goodness for small miracles.
Genis?
Raine: -Facepam- No. The fact that Lloyd and the others intervened.
Oh...Well, Genis is small...
Raine: -Sigh-
...Shorty kid...heh...heh...
