Capriones 8/13/2006
Capriones (ca-pree-OWN-ees)
Disclaimer: We shall make use of several of the characters from The Slayers, none of whom belongs to us.
Chapter Twenty-Three -- Home is Where the Heart is
Valgaav leaned forward to answer just as a young lady entered the room carrying a tray of tea things.
"Dinner will be ready very soon, Daddy. Cook told me to tell you." She set the tray on a near table and poured three cups for the pot.
"Thank you, Guilda. Very nicely done and you can thank your cousin as well for passing my orders along. I'd like to introduce to you Valgaav. Miss Ul Copt, Filia, I think you know."
"Oh, yes, hello again Miss Filia," Guilda greeted her, her eyes on Valgaav until he raised his gaze , then she dropped them shyly. "Hi."
"Hello, to you, too," he said.
"Could you leave us until dinnertime, dear. We have serious business to discuss."
"Yes, Daddy," Guilda said, and then left the room, looking back over her shoulder at the very exciting-looking newcomer.
"Your daughter's lovely," Valgaav said, a smile breaking his face for the first time.
Filia frowned at his improper behavior. A man shouldn't look at a young lady in that manner. She wanted to wipe the leer off his face and nearly did, but Milgasia was closer.
"And engaged!" Milgasia said quickly. "Yes, she is a wonderful girl, thank you. You were about to say something before she came in."
Valgaav knew what he wanted and this man was critical to his getting it so he needed to be forceful without being off-putting at the same time. Sly and conniving would not win the confidence of this upstanding man and honored Cepheid leader.
"I want my position back, my rank, my place with my people, or what accounts for them these days."
"Is that all?" Milgasia said humorously.
Valgaav shrank back, knowing he had put it wrong.
"Not that I blame you. I'd want the same thing if I were in your shoes."
"He can do it, too," Filia said, holding back no longer. "We need a royal figurehead to rally around."
Valgaav took exception to being her "figurehead," but his noise was lost in the crash of a log and Filia's louder voice.
"Milgasia, sir, we must fight back! We can't dillydally up here thinking we're all safe and that Rezo will ignore us. He won't. He knows not every holy magic user was killed. He is afraid of what it can do, too. He's also looking for his heir, who can blow his cover and a magical power stone which will make him unbeatable!"
"Hold on, hold on!" Milgasia's arms flew up. "Rezo's heir? Who do you mean? Where are you getting your information, girl?"
"I'll tell you," Valgaav said, his voice low. "Just listen. Now, this has got to stay here, in this room, understand?"
He and Milgasia exchanged determined expressions for what felt like minutes until, finally, Milgasia broke the stare.
"Certainly," Milgasia said. "You can speak freely."
"Rezo has a grandson, whom he took on road shows with him. He would place spells on the boy, making him look crippled or sick, then cure him in front of crowds."
"No, why?" Milgasia said in disbelief. "Why would a man such as he resort to tomfoolery like that? I can't believe it!"
"Got attention. Drew crowds to hear his speeches. Rezo built a reputation on his healing ability saying he didn't need magic to cure ills, but that it was his calling, that the hand of the gods acted through him. That's partially what got him moved through the priesthood to the position of Cardinal in the first place, that and all his family's money. The Greywords estate."
Valgaav drew his breath and made certain Milgasia was listening to his next words. "His word was that magic was the root of all evil, something those without it could fear and something that was unnecessary if...if folks would believe and follow him. Turn in the witches, the healers, the sorcerers. Rid the villages and towns and cities of these dangers. The ability to live without magic was the only way people could be equal and safe. Except for him, of course."
Valgaav took a sip of tea to clear his dry throat, and then proceeded. "Rezo was a superb sorcerer, and his grandson knew it. The kid and two of his pals were captured several years ago by the Capriones, by their prince, in fact, and, in a twisted way, my brother."
"What was the grandson's name?" Milgasia asked.
"He offered information and his own life for the freedom of his comrades, and the prince agreed to the trade." Valgaav smiled, smugly. "Name's Zelgadiss."
"Zelgadiss? That's impossible! He's a thief! A common thief and magic user with wanted posters!" Milgasia shouted.
"Nah, that's just Rezo trying to capture him, getting others looking for him. He knows all Rezo's secrets and that makes him dangerous. He was also leading a small rebel group, which I know still's in operation since those pals of his that were freed were his most trusted lieutenants."
"Why would he lead a rebellion and not work with his own grandfather, the cardinal?" Milgasia asked.
"Because Rezo cursed him with a spell he couldn't undo."
Filia added, "It is awful looking, Milgasia. He's covered with scars, like melted skin in places; his hair is sharp and prickly and unnatural; his ears are pointed."
"So you've seen this Zelgadiss, too? And you believe his story?"
"Oh, yes. Lina Inverse could identify him from seeing him as a little boy– by his eyes, which are surprisingly large and blue-green in color. She's good that way."
"Lina Inverse. She's another one with her face on wanted posters."
"Miss Sylphiel and I have been with Lina several years now," Filia said, straightening her shoulders.
For a moment Milgasia's eyes softened, as he said, "Fighting, risking your life won't bring him back, Filia."
"Who?" Valgaav asked.
Filia waved her hand, signaling him to shut up.
"I know it won't, but I will work to prevent Rezo creating more widows, murdering more sons."
Valgaav looked at her sharply, but Filia ignored him.
"In fact, it was a job with her that brought us to the Caprione settlement and in contact with Zelgadiss and the Princess Amelia of Seyruun."
"Princess Amelia! So she's at a Caprione settlement! Filia, the Prince of Seyruun has been frantic over his missing daughter."
"Nonsense!" Filia said, her sharp tongue overruling her courtesy at last. "Prince Philionel is perfectly aware of where she is and even condoned her marriage, such as it was, to Prince Xelloss of the Capriones. I was present at the ceremony and after it Valgaav and I left to come here. A totally ridiculous ceremony, I must say."
She caught herself from getting off topic and turned the subject back to the important one. "Listen, please, Rezo has nearly wiped out all the magic users; he's in Seyruun now and so is Lina trying to kick some sense into Philionel before it's too late and he becomes enthralled and loses his kingdom. Red Guard troops were at the foot of these mountains. We stopped them before they destroyed the innocents in a beast man village. We used magic, a special kind and that makes us a danger and a threat to Rezo. He will discover what we did and he will retaliate!"
"I understand the threat, Filia, and will defend our people when the time comes that they attack us," Milgasia said. "But...What is it Guilda? Dinner? Yes, thank you. Let me think about what you've told me. It is a great deal to consider."
Guilda and her two cousins, little Ryklin and Wilkin, the older one who loved horses, joined Milgasia, Valgaav, and Filia at the table. The younger boys found Valgaav fascinating and pressed him for stories about the Capriones and his adventures. He did his best, taking his turn when he had to, but he was not the natural story teller that Xelloss was. He lowered his guard, fought the tendency to sound pompous, like Milgasia and other older men did to him, and became a genuine, whole person.
Milgasia used the opportunity to lecture everyone on the Cepheid religious teachings, something he found sorely missing from Valgaav's upbringing. "It will be valuable to your understanding of our people to know these three parts which define our belief system. First there is 'Laudation', where we tell Cepheid how great he is and how important. Second comes the 'Petition', in which we might ask Cepheid for something and remind him of our past actions to his benefit, or perhaps ask Cepheid to come to our aid in return for giving money to his shrines as well as our faith. And, lastly, comes 'Thanksgiving', at which time we then tell Cepheid that we are grateful for all he's done for us."
As impressive as Milgasia made this sound, Valgaav wasn't interested in hearing more. He rolled his eyes and stabbed more vigorously at his pudding.
"My point is, young man, you have come here to petition me, but you left out the first step," Milgasia leaned forward expectantly.
"Food's great," Valgaav said sullenly. "Hey, I told you your daughter was pretty. That counts for that laudation stuff, doesn't it?"
Milgasia's eyes widened and then he broke out into a grin. "Why yes, you did! Bravo! You were listening, but I imagine those Capriones spoiled you rotten."
Valgaav looked up thoughtfully, then seeing that Milgasia was relaxed and smiling, he broke out in a grin. "Pretty much. Had I stayed, I might have become their leader."
"Like Xelloss would have let that happen!" Filia said with a dainty snort.
"Xelloss?" The blood fled Milgasia's face. "He's their leader now?"
"Nah, but his mother is." This time Valgaav chuckled making it clear with his voice inflection how he had once thought about her.
Filia blushed hotly. Imagining Valgaav pursuing and seducing Zelas sickened her, vying with her pious upbringing. Zelas was much older, in a position of 'mother' to him, and totally without morals. She felt Valgaav's eyes on her. She had to say something, so she changed the topic.
"Do you still play the guitar, Milgasia?" she asked.
"Yes, and so does my daughter and my wife. I'm sorry you are unable to meet her," he said to Valgaav. "Iris is a lovely woman and out of town, visiting our oldest son who is married and whose wife is expecting their first child. We should be hearing that news at any time."
Dinner concluded and the family and friends gathered in front of the fireplace, guitars in hand for a round of music and singing. What Valgaav had expected to be a pathetic, boring experience, was instead charming and warming. Although he knew none of the tunes or songs, he joined in the refrains, demonstrating that he was willing to adapt and that he was intelligent by learning quickly. Filia and Valgaav were shown to their rooms shortly thereafter. Nothing had been resolved, but then Valgaav hadn't been dismissed, or discarded entirely, either.
(O)
The party at the palace of Seyruun promised to be splendid and lavish, echoing the past glories days. Philionel arranged suitable clothing for his two visitors. He lent Lina a maid to dress her hair, and a valet to assist Gourry.
"At least he knew better than to dress us like nobility," Lina said to Gourry.
"You look pretty, Lina," Gourry said, embarrassed. "Green's nice with your hair."
"Is it?" she laughed nervously. "I thought everything was, ha, ha!"
"Yeah, and this tunic's real nice, too. Think I can keep it?" he asked, fingering the soft blue muslin.
"I don't see why not?" Lina grinned. "It's not like they'd miss it or anything. Looks like it's time to eat. Let's go."
People were talking and laughing around the splendid table, lifting their wine goblets to their lips, diamonds winking in the candle light. Tasting her glass with a sip, Lina found it insipid, lacking any distinctiveness or character. The food was bland without the exotic seasonings and aromatics Lina had recently become accustomed to at the Capriones settlement.
The conversation swirled around them; talk of fashion, of theater, of social functions at which they had seen this person or that, who had been in whose company, possible forthcoming betrothals or marriages. The crush of silk and velvet contrasted with Lina and Gourry's simpler linen and cotton clothes, finely made and stylish as they were. They felt more and more excluded as the evening wore on. Only Lina's ruby and gold jewelry seemed to belong. It galled her pride that she did not fit in, in any way.
She couldn't help missing the pervasive tingle of magic, which in Lina's mind was intermixed with those intoxicating scents given off by the spices from the Far East used by the Capriones as seasoning for their food. That combination of odors was just another one of the strong associations she had with the Capriones. It made her think about the trade routes they could open up for the rest of this world, should trade agreements be worked out and agreed upon.
Monsieur le Comte of Charland, grandson of Nordric the sixth, sat to her left. She was half listening to what he was telling the man across from her, but the subject changed and dragged attention from her plate.
"You can hardly equate the death of a king with that of some thief or indigent in the street!" he drawled.
"Nobody has more than one life to lose. And all should be equal under the law," argued the other man.
"Nonsense! Some men are leaders and contribute to society; most do not. He was one who did. Cardinal Rezo is another man of eminence." Monsieur le Comte of Charland said.
He was indoctrinated and Lina decided she might have to put him straight, if the other guy weakened.
"The Cardinal? I hear he's left a trail of blood in his wake. We don't need his type here in Seyruun," said the other man.
"Really?" he said, the titled man's level brows lifting a fraction in surprise. "I find that highly unlikely."
"Then you are a fool or an idiot, I don't know which, but let me acquaint you with the facts," Lina quipped back.
She was irked by the condescension and the arrogance and unafraid to let him know.
"I know Rezo is a man of distinction." His voice cut across hers, scattering her thoughts. "And he has conquered most of the world. Those are the facts!"
"Well, he hasn't conquered me yet," she grinned proudly.
The meal was over, the princes moving from their seats, permitting everyone else to rise and move to the ballroom.
"Eek!" Lina squeaked and nearly jumped when she heard Christopher's voice close to her ear.
"Forgive me, young lady," Christopher said softly. "I couldn't help but overhear. You consider yourself unconquered? Well, remember, you are dealing with the world as it is, not as you believe, maybe rightly, that it ought to be. There will be a great many things you can achieve not by attacking them but with a little patience and a modicum of flattery. Stop to consider what it is you really want, rather than pursuing your anger or your vanity to charge in. So often we leap to passionate judgments– when if we but knew the one thing more, they would be different."
"Yeah, she preaches better than she practices," Gourry agreed.
Lina wanted to let know Christopher how charming she could be and that she was good at it, but the words died in her mouth. She felt her confidence drain away; she was just a girl in over her head, it seemed. She allowed the prince to take her arm and lead her into the ballroom, Gourry at her elbow. All sorts of artists and magicians and political exiles, swept past her, dancing to music she had heard before, but never cared for. Missing was the rustic concertina, the breathy, clarinet-like duduk, the whining fiddles, and the lusty dancers of the Caprione camp. Xelloss' sweet smile. She needed more than a a hunk of hair; she needed him near. A rush of what could only be explained as homesickness settled over Lina.
Lina grabbed Gourry's arm saying, "I wanna go home."
"You do?" he scratched his head, but was unable to recall where her home was, if he'd ever known.
"Yes. Don't you want to get back to Sylphiel?"
"Oh, that home," he said, understanding her at last, his face softening. "Yes."
End Capriones, Chapter Twenty-Three.