Capriones 8/4/2006
Disclaimer: We shall make use of several of the characters from The Slayers, none of whom belongs to us.
Chapter Twelve -- Surface Emotions
As Xelloss had predicted, the evening brought a drastic cooling of the temperature. Lina would need the cloak he had promised her, he mused, hoping she would like his family heirloom. He could see her face in his mind. He would like to have spoken to her for hours, not just instructed her in magic and conducted a séance with that stupid Cepheid woman. He would have told her things he had seen and done which would bring the flash of interest to her face, intrigue her with the mystery and reality of his world. He would like to amuse her. But the upcoming events and festivities, beset with emotions and mushrooming out of his control, weighed heavily on his mind.
Time was growing short and he had nothing of certainty yet to go against the forces of Rezo should they– no, when they attacked his camp. He hadn't taught Lina to fully control the Ragna Blade spell, and he wasn't sure she was ready to do so, yet it was his only hope. To hold off Rezo would take his mother's entire strength; it would take the combined magic of the rest of them to bring down Rezo and Vurumagen and his allied magic users and Red Guard army.
Would Lina and Gourry be successful? Would Prince Phil send his armies to help the kidnappers of his daughter?
Would Valgaav be welcomed as a leader to his people? Did he have what it took to lead people for a cause? Was he more than just ego and ambition? Did he have a social conscience? Would Milgasia and Filia be able to convey the sense of urgency and convince Milgasia to give up his own command in favor of some upstart? And would Filia's people want help to the Caprione settlement?
Was it possible to cure Zelgadiss, giving him the confidence to oppose his grandfather and led the resurrection against him?
"How, the hell should I know? I'm not some stupid fortune teller!" Xelloss spit out in frustration in answer to his own endless stream of questions.
He was bound by traditions, restrictions; he was unable to act on his own; he was dependent on working through others to achieve his goals. Xelloss slapped the magic book onto his mattress, feeling his fury mounting, and wrapped it slapdash in a marvelous black lace shawl his mother had discarded. He had been so damned intent on including his friends in his plans that he was losing track of little details, and important ones. He'd forgotten to give the book to Sylphiel earlier. He needed to see Zelgadiss and resolve his timing issues, whatever they were. He wanted to see Lina, privately. From his satchel he wrested another, smaller parcel and summoned a servant.
"These go to Princess Amelia," Xelloss told the boy, thrusting both packages into his hands. "Make certain she understands that she is to wear this necklace tonight."
"Yes, Prince. Anything else?"
"I was going to deliver this to Lina, but since you are going that way..." Xelloss trailed off not bothering to finish his instructions. He draped the heavy black cloak over the boy's arms and turned away.
"I'll see to it that these reach the right people," the boy said understanding that his master had his own personal burden to carry for the settlement.
"Oh, thanks," Lina said, plucking the bundles from the young boy's arms.
"Ah..." he said, gulping for the right words to say to her.
"I wonder if Xelloss wants me to keep this shawl too? Wow, nice stuff."
"It's..."
Lina discarded the beautiful shawl before he could dissuade her from unwrapping it. "What's this? A book?"
"Um," the poor, frightened boy muttered. "Those are for the princess. This is for you."
He offered up the cloak. Lina accepted it, jostling the book and present into the other hand. While Lina was distracted, Amelia extricated the small parcel from her grip. After all, it was intended for her.
"Yeah, great. This cape's cut from the same cloth as his. Quality stuff. You can go now," Lina said, dismissing the messenger boy. "We're getting dressed, can't you see?"
Amelia thanked the boy for delivering her gift from Xelloss. With a nervous smile he repeated what Xelloss had said.
"The prince wants you to wear it today. He was very...firm."
"Of course,' Amelia murmured and the boy dashed from the tent.
Sylphiel had plucked the shawl off the floor and was fingering the soft cloth longingly when she spied the magic book. The shawl slipped forgotten from her fingers, puddling on the floor.
"That book! Oh, Lina, is that the dark magic spell book Xelloss said we could use?"
Lina grinned and said, "Yeah. Well, let's just take a look and find out what's in it for me first."
Her fingers found a dog-eared page, and she scanned the page.
"Ragna Blade? Oh, this is what he was driving at, eh? Yeah, that would help me get a better handle on it. Oh, wow . . . what's this? I thought this was just a rumor. Giga Slave. Thank you, Xelly."
"Giga Slave!" Sylphiel cried out. "That's too dangerous. It will destroy the entire world, Lina!"
"Yeah, yeah. That's what it says here, too. I was just kidding. I'm not gonna use it."
"What book's that?" Filia asked.
Lina checked the cover, reading aloud, "Claire Bible of Dark Magic."
"May I see?" Sylphiel asked. "Amelia and I were working out an incantation to break Zelgadiss' enchantment. It's not complete, though. Oh, but we came up with an idea of the kind of spell we could use– if I can find it. The book's so thick."
"Oh, yeah. Xelloss said something about that. You guys think you can cure Zel, huh? Good luck. Here, take it. I may want another look at that, though."
"Gourry must have told Xelloss. I'm glad he remembered." Sylphiel looked around for Amelia, asking, "Amelia, what kind of spell did you say we needed?"
"Oh, I'm not certain," Amelia said, her voice wavering.
Lina turned to face Amelia, who was holding a necklace laden with gold coins and gemstones close to her throat. Lina recognized what it was at once; it had it be the necklace Xelloss had offered Prince Phil with his proposal for Amelia's hand in marriage. When had that arrived? Lina knew Xelloss hadn't received it with the messenger boy earlier. It was stunning and priceless, or nearly. Certainly it was worth a lot. A bride's price for a princess, and Lina wanted it to be hers, desperately; never mind that the ruby and gold amulets she was wearing were far more valuable. She continued to stare, transfixed by the jewelry.
"I was afraid Gourry forgot to pass on what I'd said. He's very nice, but--" Sylphiel started to say.
"Not the sharpest needle in the case," Filia said, completing her sentence. "I've noticed. He knows his sword play, though. Anyway, Xelloss said Gourry mentioned it to him– that was when Zelgadiss was testing my words for lies. Don't get me started on that! Anyway, Xelloss seemed to think you had a chance. Odd... I wonder why he never tried himself. He seems to be able to control magic."
Amelia moved out of the shadows, feeling Lina' eyes on her, speaking out, "Prince Xelloss isn't able to use white magic healing spells. The Claire Bible won't teach him that either; it only contains subject matter in the dark arts."
"Ooooh, Amelia, that necklace is gorgeous!" Sylphiel squealed. "Where did that come from?"
Amelia suddenly felt shy with all the eyes on her, in particular, Lina's looking positively green with envy, but she was a future crowned head of a kingdom, so she smiled bravely.
Filia frowned at Lina and drew closer, whispering privately, "There's no reason to let a piece of frippery divide us."
"Prince Xelloss sent it to me. He says I'm to wear it tonight to show I-I'm taken."
But for all her training, Amelia was just a frightened, heartbroken girl. Her eyes welled up and she sniffed back tears threatening to erupt. Filia's words had the right effect on Lina, because she kept her mouth shut. Sylphiel picked up the beautiful shawl, which had been the book's wrapping and draped it over Amelia's shoulders.
"He meant for you to have this, too. I'm sure."
Amelia nodded and thanked her, after which they all gathered around Amelia, commiserating with her for a few moments, until Lina could no longer withhold saying what was on her mind. The shiny necklace wasn't the only Xelloss-related issue growing between them, but it had become the focus for bad feelings. Lina believed that Amelia should stand up for herself and just do as she liked.
"You are a princess, for gods'sakes! If you both defy Zelas, the wedding won't happen– I don't care what Xelloss says. I don't think she would put to death her eldest son, who's also the next in line to rule her people. You should have the right to choose who you marry, and this is obviously a sham, a political arrangement that's going to cause more problems that Zelas thinks it solves."
Lina nearly told her that she believed her father might actually be opposed to the marriage, but decided that if she was wrong she would double the trouble and inflict more pain. She had lost her train of thought, however, so she just spoke from her heart.
"I mean, you and Zelgadiss are meant for each other," Lina continued. "Xelloss isn't...right for you. It seems plain and simple to me."
Amelia shrugged, and then said, somewhat coldly, "Of course that's not the way it is. The higher one's calling, the more one must obey one's orders. You were not born to the aristocracy, Miss Lina, let alone royalty. Prince Xelloss understands this, and he is Caprione. We both must do our duty."
Amelia met Lina's wide eyes, and softened her tone with a generous smile.
"You see, Miss Lina, that is your charm. You offer Prince Xelloss a kind of freedom he has never known. To Queen Zelas, however, you are a tool to use in her fight against Cardinal Rezo, albeit sometimes I think you are a selfish and ultimately dangerous tool."
The truth stung Lina, but Amelia was so despondent that even Lina wanted to give her a hug and wish her well. What was not said hung over them, and that was that Xelloss was meant for Lina, and not Amelia.
The girls continued to get dressed, helping one another fixing their hair, offering suggestions, and eventually goofing around to clear the air of its sorry mood. It wasn't long before the conversation returned to the young men they had been with recently.
"Valgaav's nice, once he's apart from Xelloss," Sylphiel said. "Or so Gourry tells me."
"He is, isn't he?" Filia said, brightening. Catching herself from unintentionally revealing her well-sealed interest in him, she looked away. "But he's very stubborn."
"And handsome, don't you think, Filia?" Sylphiel asked.
She was baiting her friend into opening up, suspecting some kind of attraction growing between the couple.
"Yes," Filia admitted, avoiding saying too much. "And I'll find out more about him as a person when we leave tomorrow."
Amelia and Sylphiel wanted to hear more, but Filia looked for Lina's consent before divulging the secret plans. Lina had restrained her greedy nature in an acceptable manner, Filia felt. Forgiving Lina her weaknesses and recognizing her strengths, she told the others, "Lina's our leader on this mission. It's up to her to decide how much we should all know."
Lina thought Filia could get a little uppity at times, but her heart was strong and her determination invaluable, so she forgave her. "Go ahead, tell them everything," Lina said. "We're still a team and well do better having all the plans out in the open."
Filia smiled and began explaining her plans for Valgaav and the Cepheid people. "Which means he and I are going to be busy planning and packing tonight so we can make a quick getaway after the wedding. Mostly, I think he wants to avoid a confrontation with Zelas. Even with Xelloss' permission to leave, he's uncomfortable about it. I suggested that he tell Zelas what we're going to do, well not everything, just the part about bringing Cepheid forces to help along the border with Seyruun, further if needed, all the way to the settlement if Rezo's attacking. I can't see that she'd object to that."
"Sounds okay, unless Zelas wants Valgaav at her personal beck and call," Lina said.
"Which he had been satisfied doing, until today. Now he has to prove his manly qualities somehow with Gourry going with you as your strapping guardian and Zel agreeing to lead what sounds like some wildly romantic kind of revolution from Atlas City, or whatever, right after you cure him."
"If we do," Sylphiel said softly.
"Oh, I know we will, Miss Sylphiel. I just know it!" Amelia cried out. "Then he can take his rightful place in the Atlas City leadership."
"What kind of position is that? King?" Filia asked.
"Oh, no! He wouldn't want that. He wants elected officials who represent the people to lead. He won't be just a figurehead either," Amelia said, uncertain exactly what role he had envisioned for himelf.
Lina took over telling them about her proposed trip with Gourry, promising to collect her companions' belongings left behind when they took the job to rescue the princess. She even offered to deliver a note from Amelia to her father. She noticed, however, that it was Sylphiel who looked the most affected by the plans.
"Hey, don't look so glum, Sylph," Lina said lightly.
"Me? I'm not . . . glum. I'm worried for you, that's all."
"Uh, huh." Lina leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, "I'll take care of Gourry and bring him back hale and healthy, I promise."
Sylphiel looked at her, eyes wide, a blush rushing to her cheeks.
"Come on, Sylphiel," Filia said. "You don't think you've been hiding your feelings for Gourry from us, do you?"
Amelia giggled and joined in the fun, saying, "He likes you, too. He asked me what your favorite color was. I think he bought you something to wear tonight."
"Oh," Sylphiel said, smiling with pleasure. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him that you loved the color of his eyes," Amelia said, her eyes twinkling with humor. "And he turned bright red and smiled. That's how I know he likes you!"
Bored now that she wasn't the center of attention Lina threw the cloak over her dark red dress, attached the magic clasp haphazardly, then asked, "How do I look? Like a sorceress?"
"Oh yes, Miss Lina. Like a sorceress supreme!" Amelia said.
"All right then, I'm ready. Let's go."
Sylphiel was last to leave, deciding not to wear anything over her new dress, just in case Gourry had bought her a shawl, which seemed like an appropriate gift. She left the tent lips smiling, eyes aglow, and step light.
(o)
The party celebrating the engagement and upcoming nuptials of Prince Xelloss and the Princess of Seyruun began with the setting of the sun. The band had collected on a broad, wood pier, which extended along the lake side and out into the water. It was used for a bandstand and little else, since the Capriones never fished or boated. Atop the pier posts were torches, their flames reflecting in the still water, fragmented into sparks of fire by the wakes of passing geese. The air was cool and crisp, and the night wind, soft on the face.
The musicians' captivating and lively tunes inspired the folks to leap up and dance, and if Lina had known the steps, Xelloss was certain she would have joined in. She was tapping her foot in time with the rhythm, her eyes blazing with excitement. Xelloss thought she looked lovely in a dress, rather young and feminine, but he didn't tell her that.
Xelloss cut a good figure himself. Black became him. He was of a good height and had a curious lean grace which he knew women envied and men found more attractive than they entirely wished. He was standing very close to her. He could feel the warmth of her body; her soft curls faintly tickled his face, and the perfume of her seemed to be everywhere. The noise and the glitter swirled around him, but he was islanded alone with her in the shadows. It was hard to focus his attention back to the subject of magic, so he gave up.
"Do you dance?" he asked her. "I don't care whether you do or not. If you don't, then I shall teach you. First you must have some wine, then you will forget the outside world and think only of me."
His effort was unnecessary; she was already thinking only of him anyway. His arms embraced her and he looked into her eyes only a moment before he bent lower and kissed her on the mouth. Lina leaned in, enjoying the warmth, heady with the magic in the air and with the emotions flooding her mind. She felt his hands moving over her and the kiss deepen. It felt wonderful to her. She even felt a twinge of irritation when his lips drew back for him to speak.
"You know what I want, Lina," he whispered in her ear. "You know what I'm asking for."
He nuzzled her neck with his face, breathing in her scent, tickling her ear with his breath. Although Lina was young, she was experienced enough with the ways of men to know the signs of arousal, and Xelloss, she knew, was getting worked up. Not that she minded so much, but it wasn't right. He was taking his flirting too far. He was promised to someone else, a girl she could call a friend now, and Lina was not one to share anything, especially a man like Xelloss. She squirmed and pushed him back with difficulty.
"Stop it! I mean it, Xelloss. Stop!"
He loosed his hold but kept her in his arms.
Looking a trifle confused he asked, "What is it Lina?"
"Listen, you want to use me as a puppet to get Rezo. I get that, and agreed to that, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let you use me as a hanky-panky plaything as well!"
She fought to free herself from his arms entirely. Hot tears welled in the corners of her eyes, which she wiped off with the backs of her hands irritably. She was so obviously hurt and mad and losing control. Her sudden mood swing surprised him and her words caught him completely off guard. Xelloss dropped his arms and stepped backwards.
"You are not a toy of mine. You can't think that I value you so little as that?"
Lina drew a deep, shuddering breath before saying, "Well, what do you call a girl who sleeps with a man the night before he gets married to another woman, huh? I was being nice because I was talking about myself, but there are certainly more colorful words I could have used."
He was utterly stunned as he watched her turn abruptly on her heal and stomp off. He hadn't thought about his behavior from that perspective. He had not thought about the wedding as anything meaningful at all, and for that reason he was deeply disturbed and embarrassed. How could he be so stupid! He hadn't shared his plans with her, so how could he expect her to feel?
Xelloss was acutely aware of how he felt about Lina. He could honestly say he loved her. He loved the excitement he felt in her company, the quickening of his pulse, the delicious sense of heightened enjoyment in everything from good food and good music to the humor and intelligence of her conversation, and also the envy and fear he saw in other men's eyes when they looked at him.
He had never before felt his passions near to overwhelming him. It was nearly impossible for him to quell the mixture of thwarted love, lust, and anger tearing at his mind. He was glad he had left his staff in his tent or he would have broken it over his knee.
He heard a footfall and the clearing of a throat and knew he had company. It was all he could do not to blast the invader before finding out whom it was.
End Capriones, Chapter Twelve.