Capriones 8/4/2006
Disclaimer: We shall make use of several of the characters from The Slayers, none of whom belongs to us.
Chapter Sixteen -- Wedding Rites and Rights
Lunch at Gourry's tent was a quiet affair. Xelloss was stiff, greeting everyone with a formal bow. After that, he sat on his cushion pushing food around on his plate disinterestedly. Anyone observing him would have thought he was nervous about his upcoming nuptials or he was protecting his bruised feelings caused by Lina's treatment of him. In any case, his solemnity darkened everyone's mood.
Xelloss had had all night to reflect. Lina stirred him like no other woman ever had, even though he repressed his feelings to the point of exterminating them. The moment he met her on the road to the settlement, he had thought Lina was beautiful. So full of spunk and energy. She excited him, kindling his smoldering desires. He had to fight to remain dispassionate.
It was a battle he had never fought so hard before. He was not tempted by other women, or men. Zelas had seen to that. He was hers to control, to use; there could be no emotional conflict. Opposing her would be treasonous to the traditions of his people, the laws of his clan. By her command he was to marry this child, and it wasn't right in anyway, but he would have obeyed without question --had he not met Lina.
Lina was something else.She was a firebrand with herdazzling smile, flaming red hair,andincendiary temperment. Then there was thesoftness of her skin and kissable lips. Her scent. The curve of her neck. He shuddered, scarcely supressing the urge to reach out now and touch her. Sometimes exerting all the control he could muster was not enough, like the night before. He had stepped over the line, and Lina had let him know. And now, her presence was igniting his passions, burning a hole in his guts.
He would have to act. If the situation was not resolved before she left with Gourry tonight, it just might kill him, but, then, maybe that would be the best solution for everyone. His anger swelled to the point he nearly screamed. His vise-like grip on his table knifedraining his hand of color. He could not contain himself any longer.
Lina didn't dare look him in the eye and answered any questions in a brusque manner, bordering on rude. Amelia had no appetite, choosing to join Zelgadiss in a cup of hot tea. Valgaav was late, which hardly mattered since he sat apart from the others robed in a sulky attitude and gnawing on a carrot. Filia, Sylphiel and Gourry maintained the entire conversation, trading banalities about the cloudless, dry weather and the tasty food.
Suddenly, Xelloss jabbed the knife into the tabletop, then stood abruptly.
"Excuse us. We must go," he said, his teeth gritted, his voice taut.
He held out a hand to Amelia. "My princess..."
Amelia turned and gazed one last time at Zelgadiss. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away. She would not complain about what she could not change, especially knowing that her father approved. The tender, silent exchange of pure love nearly broke his heart. Only Xelloss knew Philionel was against the marriage, and only Xelloss had the power to fix the problem. He controlled everyone's future, if he could control his own first. Did he have the courage, he wondered?
Xelloss caught Zelgadiss' eyes for a fraction of a second and nodded. His decision made, a previously drawn plan was set in motion, at last. Xelloss and Amelia departed together to the "wedding tent," previously Xelloss' private tent. This was a traditional time set aside for the young couple to be alone and plan the rest of their lives before taking their vows in front of their friends. What they actually did was to lie down, staving off confrontation, and pretend to nap.
"That was pretty awful," Filia said.
"We can go get them a gift. We got a couple hours," Gourry told the others.
Since it gave them all something to do, especially those without the heart to do much more, everyone followed him to the craft booths.
"I got a list of things they need," Zelgadiss said. "This way."
Shortly thereafter Lina started to notice what they were buying.
"Zel, these look more like the components for a complex bit of sorcery, rather than for a wedding gift. Are you sure you got the right list?"
"Yes. I wrote it up myself, with suggestions from Sylphiel and Amelia," Zel answered.
"Oh," Lina said as she realized that the items were for him. She was reminded that the Sylphiel and Amelia were going to attempt his cure while she and Filia left with Gourry and Valgaav on errands of her own. Zel was facing his own life-altering, possibly life-ending, body change. It had skipped her mind.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I went for a swim. It helped some. Thanks."
"I heard about that." Zelgadiss smiled slightly, but said no more about it, sensitive to the discomfort of both Lina and Xelloss over the event. "Bonemend. It's an herb on the list. Get a couple ounces."
Sylphiel selected a pretty scarf to give to Amelia. Filia suggested an extremely sharp-looking dagger instead. Gourry thought Xelloss might like the knife too, but that Amelia looked more the "scarf type." Filia told him that she meant the dagger for Amelia's protection, and left it at that. Valgaav bought the dagger "just in case."
The long afternoon passed slowly. When Zelgadiss heard the opening notes of a familiar tune, played with passion, solo on a flute, he rounded up the group, telling them it was time to go to Zelas' enclosure for the wedding ceremony.
Xelloss was surprised to find that his hands were sweating and he could hear the beat of his pulse in his ears. He hadn't expected to have a case of nerves, but then he hadn't expected to ever be holding the hands, and the future, of a beautiful and terribly young girl in a nuptial ceremony. He had never intended to marry. He had never found a woman who interested him; that is, until he met Lina Inverse. Marrying Lina now seemed an unobtainable goal. She thought him a fool and a liar. Well, wasn't he? He certainly appeared about to promise constancy to a girl half his age and whom he didn't love.
He glanced at Lina moments before it would be his turn to say his vows. Lina looked faintly sick. A shiver passed over her skin, as the sun fell, setting her hair aflame. He wanted to embrace her and be burned alive.
"Begin any time," Zelas told him impatiently.
"Amelia, I promise to care for you and to do everything possible to bring true happiness into your life. You will never be hungry or cold or lonely," Xelloss intoned.
Amelia's voice wavered slightly as she replied, "I shall do my duty and respect you and honor you."
Zelas, presiding over the simple ceremony, tied a ribbon around the couple's wrist, and announced, "So be it! Refreshments at my tent."
"That was it?" Filia asked Lina at her side. "Now they are married? What a disappointment that was! Why bother at all? You'd think they'd make more of the wedding than the party preceding it!"
But Lina didn't answer. There was no need and she had no heart to argue. She wasn't past caring, but her senses had numbed. She followed the others to Zelas' giant tent, where they had all first met only days ago. The food and faces flashed by her in a blur. So much had transpired since the last time she had visited Zelas' tent, and now, Lina's little company of mercenaries was about to part ways.
Filia was to travel with the laziest, most arrogant man Lina had ever met, who Filia had somehow inspired to try his hand at leading the Cepheid people against Rezo and to help the Capriones. One heck of a challenging undertaking.
Sylphiel was to be married and live with these interesting people. What an unexpected, yet, good match she had made. Lina looked forward to traveling with Gourry. He was the kindest man alive, to her knowledge– not a bad bone in his body. Sylphiel truly deserved a great man like him, and Lina promised to bring him back to her, unscathed.
She also hoped that Sylphiel and Amelia would cure Zelgadiss' condition. Zelgadiss fascinated her with his intensity, talent, and, underneath the rough exterior, his depth of caring. He was someone Lina would have liked to have had the chance to get to know better. Would she get another opportunity?
As Lina gazed at Zelgadiss, Xelloss approached him, bending to speak in his ear. Something secret, naturally. Lina turned her back on them, irritated with them and herself. That was silly, she thought. She should go say something to them while she still had the chance. But what? There was nothing to say to Xelloss that would alter the facts, but she could invite Zel along on journey to Seyruun. Would he want to delay his cure? Should she ask Zel now, or wait until Xelloss and Amelia were gone? She was irresolute, and hesitated a moment too soon. Candles danced with the change of air as the flap opened and closed, and when Lina looked again Xelloss, Amelia, and Zelgadiss were gone.
Sylphiel approached her, carrying a plate of tidbits.
"Well, it looks like Zelgadiss is helping them at the wedding tent," Sylphiel said to her. "Kinda sad for him, I'd think."
"No kidding," Lina agreed. "And cruel of Xelloss to ask anything of the poor guy."
Lina decided she would stop by Zel's tent before she and Gourry left, and ask if him to accompany them, put some space between himself and Xelloss and Amelia. He could be cured another time, if it was possible at all. Feeling somewhat better after having made up her mind, Lina nabbed a morsel from Sylphiel's plate and tossed it into her mouth. Her appetite returned with her complacency, until Zelas' jarring voice interrupted her pleasant thoughts. A sudden chill racked Lina, as if the food she had swallowed had been iced.
"Dear Lina, you aren't looking well tonight. Maybe you should go lie down," Zelas said.
The woman wore a decidedly disturbing smile with her smashing magenta and bottle-green ensemble. The smile reminded Lina of Xelloss, causing her to flinch involuntarily. Lina never wanted to appear weak in front of this woman, especially if it might relate to her son, so she threw back her shoulders and stood as tall as possible.
"I'm fine. I just had something that didn't go down right, that's all. I'll be good as new in no time."
"I am so pleased to hear that. I wouldn't want anything that I've done put you off. I'd try and stay away from the fried samosas, if I were you. They are very hot, and, as you have found out, hot spice isn't for everyone."
Lina wasn't sure if the woman was referring to the food or to Xelloss, but it didn't matter. Lina was up to any challenge.
"I like it hot, actually. Gets me all fired up."
"Really? Well, then, perhaps it was the water. You were swimming today, I hear. Drinking untreated water is very dangerous."
On second thought, Lina was in no mood to parry wits with that woman.
"I'll keep that in mind, next time," Lina said, and then stalked off in search of those samosas.
Lina spotted Gourry in line at the banquet. He was third in line, far closer to the front than she, so she sidled up beside him and began to chat.
"Ah, Gourry? How much longer do we gotta hang out at this party? I'd just as soon go now," Lina whispered.
"We don't all go at once, Xelloss said that. We go after him, or Valgaav's next, I think. Sylphiel knows; I told her. I'm getting her some food. You want something?"
"Why not!" Lina smiled. "Just load me up some of everything, especially those samosas things. Thanks."
A few minutes passed. Gourry delivered Lina a heaping platter of food, then left her to hunt for Sylphiel. Filia swept past, whispering a quick "good luck," before escaping the party behind Valgaav. Lina finished off her plate about the time Sylphiel sat next to her with a rustle of skirts.
"What is it?" Lina asked.
"Time to go. Gourry says he'll walk us both to our tent," Sylphiel replied.
Lina wiped off her mouth and set her plate on the floor beside her cushion. "Okay."
Outside the tent it was dark. Gourry led both girls to the tent which had housed them for the past few days.
"Grab your bag, then," he told Lina.
Gourry pulled Sylphiel into his arms and kissed his beloved passionately.
Meanwhile, Lina changed into traveling clothes, black pants and a loose shirt. She looked at herself in the mirror as she hastily tied back her wild hair. She resembled one of Xelloss' servant boys, which was the point. She wouldn't call attention to them if she appeared to be Gourry's young retainer. Lina reached for the satchel Xelloss had provided her. It was marked with his scent and his hand grime from constant use. Now stuffed with a few of her personal items, she pushed back the longing she felt for him, and cleared her throat before charging into the couple outside her tent.
Sylphiel whispered her last words of love, parting reluctantly. "Take care, both of you."
"You, too," Lina said.
Lina trotted beside Gourry, his long legs carrying him two steps further for every one of Lina's.
"Slow down," she said. "Where are you going?"
"We're getting my horse," he said. "You'll be riding with me. Sharing, you know?"
"That's okay. Oh, hey... shucks," Lina said in mock anger. "I forgot something. I gotta go back to the tent, but I'll meet you right here in a min!"
"No, wait . . ." Gourry said, but Lina was already gone.
(O)
Zelgadiss and Xelloss had dropped Amelia off at her own tent to collect any personal items she might have neglected to move over earlier. Zelgadiss dashed back to collect her again and deliver Amelia to the wedding tent. She wanted to say something, he could tell, but he gave her no opportunity.
"Enjoy wedded bliss," he said with a hint of a smile.
"But–" Amelia croaked.
And then he shook off the hood and lowered the scarf masking his face, and winked. She responded with a sharp intake of air.
"Oh... you're..."
"Shhhh..." He snuffed out the candle by the door, pulled the scarf up over his nose and the hood down over his eyes, and then he departed. Just outside the tent, he paused to speak to the boy charged by Zelas with guarding the tent for the night. No one was to leave or enter the wedding tent.
"Xelloss does not want to be disturbed," he told the servant boy stationed outside the tent. "If there are any problems, see me."
"Yes . . . Zelgadiss," the boy said automatically to the man dressed like the familiar shaman friend to the prince.
The boy clearly understood that tonight was a special, private night for the wedded couple inside. Soon after, should Zelas demand it, they might be moved into her quarters and remain under her watchful eye.
The man, disguised as Zelgadiss, walked briskly away in search of a fair young lady who might wish to trade kisses for his money.
Back inside, Amelia gasped in the darkness, and turned to face the man remaining with her. Just her and Xelloss at last, but it wasn't Xelloss at all.
"What? That was–!"
"Yes, it was," the man whispered, a smile in his voice.
"Who are you?" Amelia shook her fist with her mouth agape. "I don't understand."
Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. And then she did understand. Her eyes widened with comprehension as the silvery hair fanning out from the unusual face took on a familiar appearance.
"Oh!"
Zelgadiss moved, planning to cover her mouth with his hand to silence any outcries that might give them away, but instead she flew into his arms.
Moments after Xelloss left his tent dressed in the shaman's pale tunic, pants, and concealing hooded cloak, the princess fell into her true love's welcoming arms. Zelgadiss and Xelloss had traded clothes in Amelia's brief absence, although he had only slid into Xelloss' black pants, leaving the golden tunic and black cloak on the floor of the tent where they had been unceremoniously flung. Zelgadiss was at first taken aback by Amelia's bold move, but his nervous anticipation of a night spent alone in her company and his mounting desire for intimacy, were more than sufficient for him to cast away all shreds of surprise and reticence and return the embrace. He had noticed her treat others with affection, and was grateful that it was transferable to him.
"This is wonderful! It's just you and me. You've been planning this all along?" she said.
Zelgadiss felt her cool cheek pressed against his bare skin and the warmth of her breath caressing his chest as she sighed. He ached with longing.
"We agreed it was the best idea that you cry out for me tonight, rather than for him."
He looked down, pulling back enough so that he could see her face, and then added, "If you'll have me for your husband, that is."
"Oh, yes! I'd love that very much!"
Zelgadiss smiled with the pleasure of her enthusiasm. His own heart was pounding in his chest so hard he knew she could feel it as well as hear it. Still there was lingering uncertainty he must resolve.
"And do you think even your father would approve the match of his youngest daughter with the true heir to the Greyword's legacy– despite appearances?"
Amelia sobered, but in her stalwart manner, never flinched. "Yes. Yes, I do. He is a man who sees beyond the external, although there are others close to the throne who are shallow enough to hold it against you."
Her face brightened, the warmth of her smile visible as their eyes adjusted to the dark, her love apparent and spilling over onto him a moment before she pushed apart. She struck a pose, flinging her little fist in the air.
"And in the morning, Sylphiel and I will remove the curse Cardinal Rezo so unjustly imposed upon --!"
"Shhh!" Zelgadiss hissed as he grabbed her.
Automatically, he pushed her down onto the softest surface he could aim for in the spilt second he had to find one, muffling her voice against him again.
"I'm Xelloss, remember?"
"Oh!" she screamed in fright and surprise, finding herself flat on her back, Zel's weight on her, lying on Xelloss' bedding in absolute darkness.
Then she remembered that people close by might overhear them, and she had nearly called him by his name and given them away! So far, any spies of Zelas had only to report that Xelloss and Amelia were secured in his tent.
"Yes, yes, I forgot. I'm so sorry!" she blubbered into his chest.
Tears he knew he could fix. Leaning in, he cupped her chin in his palm, lifted her face up to his, and kissed her lips. He didn't even notice the sound of the tent flap being adjusted.
"Then we are agreed," he said between light kisses that were making her giggle. "You are mine."
"Yes," she replied.
"Okay, then before we face the next day, which may bring fighting to our door, we must make the most of this night."
She sighed, but he wanted to make certain she understood what he was driving at. He knew she was innocent and pure; she was very young, protected, and a priestess. He was not. Even with his status as a slave to Xelloss, he had the freedom of lying with his choice of girls any night, so he was experienced in the act of love. He wanted Amelia and if she had any awareness of the physical, she must have felt his state of arousal, but would she be too frightened? Would she want him? Would she even let him touch her?
"Amelia, I love you. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever known and I want to show you how much I love you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I think so," she said, her voice small and timid.
"I want to make love to you, Amelia. Would you allow that? Under Cepheid, we will be husband and wife."
Her acceptance came in a gentle sigh. "Yes, Zel." She might have said "Xel."
Outside the tent, a girl joined the boy guarding the tent.
"Everything okay? I heard loud voices and the girl cry out?" asked the curious girl.
She was there with a purpose. She snuggled close to the boy and pulled him to a seated position beside her, but still at his post.
"Yeah, it's okay. I don't know what it was, but they had obviously made up the disagreement. They were in each other's arms and kissing very . . . intimately, he said, wincing with distaste and then glanced away, blushing furiously.
"Like this?" the girl asked coyly, giving him a demonstration.
She'd been paid for worse duties than to distract a guard for the rest of the night. She giggled and the coins that Xelloss had given her only moments before, jingled in her in her pockets.
End Capriones, Chapter Sixteen.