Capriones 8/16/2006
Disclaimer: We shall make use of several of the characters from The Slayers, none of whom belongs to us.
Chapter Twenty-Nine -- Family Ties
"Hey, wait up! Don't you know that being a woman you're supposed to follow behind me?" Valgaav chided Filia, but he was grinning as he urged his horse to catch up.
They were leading their horses through the final treacherous pass. Heavy rain had washed out a bridge minutes before they attempted to cross, and the Cepheid troops had had to take alternate paths down the mountain. It meant delays upon delays: downed trees, rock slides, and flooded, gutted trails, but to rush would have endangered the horses more.
"I am aware of that outmoded way of thinking. Actually, I don't even mind walking two paces behind a man, if only I can find one who can walk two paces faster than me! I hate having to pretend I'm a cripple to preserve someone's vanity," she said, returning his smile with smug satisfaction.
"What a funny lady you are," Valgaav chuckled.
Filia was growing on him. He liked that she was older than he, finding out some time ago that didn't care as much for inexperienced maidens. They didn't last. Filia, though, seemed artless in the ways of love; that is to say, she didn't flirt with him. She didn't play to his ego, and yet he found her attractive and smart as a whip, one that could flay a man alive with her sharp tongue. Good thing he had a tough hide.
"So, why do ya wear that pick ribbon. Not fashion, I take it," he asked.
To his surprise, Filia blushed and tried to cover it with her cloak.
"Ah, come on. You can tell me," he urged her.
"It's very personal."
"Even better," he said grinning.
Possibly to wipe the grin off his face she told him. "It is to remind me of my husband." She could hear his brain stripping gears. It was a satisfying moment, but then she continued her explanation. "He's dead. I was informed that he was killed in a skirmish with Capriones."
Valgaav found his voice. "I can't believe that."
"Me neither, now that I've come to know the people better. I'm questioning many of the 'truths' I was taught. The elders may have their reasons to do so, but I can't condone lies."
"What do you think happened then?" he asked.
"The Red Guard, who else? The elders are afraid of Rezo I'm sure."
"Even to the point of lying about Rezo's attacks on their own people? That's crazy sounding."
"I know. Who'd believe me if I said anything?"
"Well, Milgasia knows, and I would," Valgaav said meaningfully. "But then I'm easily convinced by a pretty woman."
"Humph," Filia snorted. "Save it someone else." She clicked her tongue, urging her horse ahead of his.
The Cepheid Golden troops were in awe of Valgaav with his golden eyes, bristling mint-green hair, and cocky grin. His overall size and bulk wasn't impressive. His lanky, loose build gave no clue to his real strength. But they followed him because of Filia and Milgasia's belief in him, his intensity, and the mystery of his heritage. Was there a mixture of guilt for their people's role in his tribe's destruction? Possibly that, too.
"Hold up!" Filia shouted. "Damn, another rock slide and no room to go around this time."
"Allow me," Valgaav said.
He conjured a rock-smashing spell, blasting the intervening boulders into dust and clearing the road. Filia assisted with a barrier, flung up to protect the other riders behind them from the fall out. Surprisingly, she didn't point out how inconsiderate he had been not to do it himself or even make him thank her for her thoughtfulness. Instead, she let him savor the moment.
The road was clear as far as he could see. "Ready to haul ass!" he shouted back at his followers.
Seeing the shock and admiration in the men's faces, bolstered Valgaav's pride. In a spontaneous act of bravado, he leaped from his horse, bent to the ground, dipped two fingers into the red clay earth, and smeared it across both cheeks.
"War paint!" he shouted.
Everyone understood. In an act of solidarity, every man emulated him, striping their faces.
"What an exhibitionist!" Filia snorted, but flashed him an approving smile as well.
Milgasia tagging along with the rear guard, watched and smiled at Valgaav's progress. Maybe Valgaav had what it took to lead these fighters in a revolt against Rezo's forces. He hoped so; it had been his decision to trust the young man, and so far he was proud of him.
With a whoops and hollers, they rode hard, pounding the muddy road which passed the beast men's Village. Just outside Madiran, a contingent of beast men rode out to meet Valgaav and his people. Valgaav called for a halt and waited to see what they wanted.
"Dilgear!" Valgaav shouted as he recognized the wolf-like man from his and Filia's earlier encounter.
"Ah, my Caprione friends," Dilgear said in greeting. "But what's this? You lead the Golden tribe of Cepheid people as well?"
"Yes, I do." Valgaav straightened himself in the saddle and gave a brief run down of his history. "I was born of the Ancient Cepheid tribe, and taken in by Zelas of the Capriones when my family was killed. I, in fact, unite both peoples. Today, I have a little help from the mountain tribes. We aim to fight Rezo and the Red Guard before they get wiped out."
Dilgear's deep brown eyes widened with his new knowledge. He was impressed. Here was an Ancient tribe member raised by Zelas and leading...was that Milgasia following behind? A truly momentous day.
"We shall join you, if you don't mind," Dilgear said. "And, may I extend to your people our hospitality. The Capriones are welcome to take refuge in our village, should you seek it."
"That's great."
"Thank you, Dilgear. That's very considerate of you," Filia added supplying additional politeness. Valgaav would require more polish to be truly successful, she thought, but that was a quality she could provide.
Dilgear introduced Gravos, a mountain of a man, and Jillas, who looked more fox-like than human, asking the two to lead their ferocious-looking troops, joining Valgaav. While waiting for the beast men to regroup, Filia retold the story of their fight against the Red Guard to the other Cepheid people, with emphasis on the valiant role of the beast men. This seemed to satisfy everyone's curiosity, and the group moved out and down further into the valley.
The rain was lighter in the valley, more of a heavy mist, since the main storm hadn't hit the Capriones' land in earnest. This was fortunate for the poor people who had fled the settlement with no shelter or protection. Leading the first group was a taller than average man with wavy, long, brown hair and wearing a pointed pilgrim's hat, which distinguished him from his brethren. Filia recognized the girl sharing his horse with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as one who had occasionally flaunted her charms around Xelloss. She was a nuisance for Xelloss, not a distraction, though. What interested Filia now about the girl was her rare hair color– it matched Valgaav's exactly, and yet he hadn't mentioned if she was a relation of his or not.
"Val, who's that girl with the green hair?"
"Her name's Martina, why?"
"It never occurred to me that her hair is the same color as yours. Could she possibly be from the ancient tribe, too?"
"Doubt it. She's Xelloss' cousin, mother's side. Ah, 'cuse me. I gotta talk to this guy." Valgaav hailed the man in the odd hat. "Yo! Zangalus!"
Valgaav listened as Zangalus repeated Xelloss' instructions. Val agreed and directed Zangalus to accompany the Capriones with some of the beast men back to Madiran. Milgasia used the opportunity to part ways. He had his own agenda, which he was mulling over in his mind as he rode by the escapees from the camp. Milgasia pealed off and took to a side route; the same one Xelloss had taken with Zelgadiss earlier. He would leave Valgaav to deal with the Red Guard, while he searched for serious casualties.
Nearing the camp center, he heard a short volley of exploding spells, strong ones, followed by the shattering of caravan windows from the concussive force. Smoke rose over the tree tops from small fires. There were bound to be many injuries resulting from the use of such powerful magic near an inhabited area. He found a relatively safe place to leave his horse, then crept furtively between the caravans, searching. He encountered a few stragglers whom he treated for cuts and contusions. Most were in varying stages of shock, but one elderly woman told him that the queen had been injured.
"Leave me..."
"Where can I find her?" Milgasia asked.
He was given brief directions and urged to hurry. Milgasia made the woman as comfortable as possible, thanked her, then rushed as quickly as he dared, avoiding Red Guardsmen. He nearly past the tumbled heap of damp, dirtied cloth, but the shimmer of golden hair and the sparkle of gold bangles caught his eye. He stopped in his tracks and knelt close, lifting a few pale blonde strands from the face.
"Zelas!" he said, gasping at the bloodless lips and still features.
He cradled her head as he directed healing magic in and throughout her.
Xelloss suddenly appeared beside him. He was surprised to see Milgasia's eyes brimming with tears. His mother was dead, even he could see that. "It's no use, is it?"
Milgasia nodded and shut down the magic. "I must try."
Their eyes met and it was if time stopped for them as vast distances of time were crossed and memories were shared. Xelloss looked down at her face with the sunken eyes and bruised cheeks.
"No, you don't owe us anything any more. Don't..."
"But she was once my wife," Milgasia said.
"She ran away with leader of the Capriones nearly thirty years ago," Xelloss said gently. He kept his body turned to he could keep Rezo and Zelgadiss in sight, but his attention was glued to Milgasia.
"I didn't know she was with child," Milgasia continued. "Not until she came back one day. She was hysterical. She had ridden without stopping, bringing me our infant son. I set eyes on him for the first time that day and he was dead. He had fallen in an accident."
Xelloss gripped the man by the arm, "Don't do this."
"I could not let him die. I resurrected him and she took him away, but not without promising to place him with a Cepheid family, one I couldn't find."
"What?" Xelloss said, choking. "That's not right. She told me that you saved me!"
"No, it wasn't you."
Milgasia's voice tightened. He cleared it and swallowed to clear it before going on. Xelloss didn't try to stop him. It seemed this was information he no longer could keep to himself. But it was difficult for this private man to open raw wounds to another man he did not consider to be a friend.
"It took time, but I did find him. It wasn't that difficult to trace a green-haired child to the seaside colony of the Ancient tribe. And for a time, it was enough to know he was safe, well-cared for as the adopted son to the ruling family, one without a son and heir. Zelas must have paid them a princely sum to arrange that," he added with a fleeting smile. "Valgaav, they named him."
"V-valgaav?" Xelloss stammered, not ready to accept this story. "But Val said the royal family had children," Xelloss said. "He wasn't the only one."
"Later, yes, but at the time he was their first and only."
"And when they were attacked? You knew about that?" Xelloss asked.
"Our tribe was one of several ordered to attack, but we refused. When I learned of the pending attack on the Ancient house, I warned Zelas. I couldn't enter the palace to save our son, but I could ask her to. Our royalty lost their lives for that, and we fled to the mountains."
"Do not resurrect Zelas, Milgasia." Xelloss stopped his movement. "Now your bond of indebtedness is over. She gave her life protecting what was hers. Leave her be."
At that moment, comprehension washed over Milgasia. Xelloss' position and relationship with his mother must have been difficult and even suffocating. It was Xelloss' turn. With his mother's death, he was released from her bonds, her commands, her rules. He was the leader of Capriones now, and could alter the lives of his people.
"Our alliance?" Milgasia asked.
"Valgaav is my brother and your son. I'd say we have an alliance born of blood as well as need. Sh... Someone's coming," Xelloss whipped his head up abruptly.
Amelia and Sylphiel joined them, collapsing at Xelloss feet. "Oh, no. Zelas your mother..." Amelia's voice trailed off as she looked upon death.
"She has died serving her people," Xelloss said softly. "Princess Amelia, this is Milgasia of the Cepheid tribe. And this is Miss Sylphiel, who is soon to marry my brother."
"The two healers who started Zelgadiss' cure," Milgasia said. "Very difficult and complicated. Risky."
Amelia looked at him with alarm.
"Milgasia saved him, Amelia. I just came from his side. He and Rezo are... having a political debate right over there."
Xelloss pointed out the direction to look.
"Oh!" she cried out. Joyfully she clasped Milgasia's hand. "Oh, thank you. I'm so grateful for what you did for him." She looked at the quiet, shy man with shining eyes and grinned. "Thanks for coming. You brought us help, sir?" Amelia asked Milgasia.
"You are welcome. Yes, I came with forces, but it wasn't my idea and I'm not leading them."
"I know," she said with a smile. "I'm Princess Amelia of Seyruun. I know all about Filia and Valgaav's purpose in visiting you, Mr. Milgasia. I still want to thank you formally."
Both she and Sylphiel turned as Xelloss moved. "Xelloss?"
"Zelas dead and will remain so," he repeated, his eyes never leaving Milgasia's as he rose to his feet. "It's time to focus on keeping the living alive. I hear Lina and Gourry! They must be fighting their way past the outlying guards. Now is time for the last stand. Are you all with me?"
He took off without waiting to hear their answers; confident that they would support him. He made a short detour to his tent and was relieved to find it still intact. He reached inside the doorway and snatched his staff before slipping away, unseen. When he rejoined Zelgadiss and Rezo, the tone of their argument was sharper and more impassioned and telling.
"You are so stupid and ignorant!" Rezo screamed. "What you are condoning is anarchy, a return to chaos. No laws, magic users running uncontrolled in the streets destroying property!"
Xelloss wondered how far did Rezo's plan go? How deep did the plans go? Staring at his steady gaze, his squared shoulders, and ramrod back, Xelloss could believe they might well be deep enough to include the murder of his own son and wife in order to have access to the grandson. A child weak and innocent enough to bend to his will, force him to serve as a tool. He hadn't intended to create out of Zelgadiss the hero the people needed– the rightful heir, striking in appearance, passionate, articulate and intelligent, returned to lead his people in their hour of greatest peril.
"No! We don't want chaos. Anarchy isn't about chaos. Or violence." He leaned forward, his eyes burning. "Anarchy is about getting rid of tyranny so all men are free and can better themselves. Let us all be equal and free."
"If you want an equal gift, then you must be prepared to pay an equal price. And I don't think all men are prepared. Some are lazy, and some are greedy. If there are no laws, and no one to enforce them, then who will protect the weak?"
"Without oppression, we wouldn't need to protect the weak. No one would harm them."
"You are fool, Zelgadiss. It seems that there is nothing you can tell me that can be of the least relevance, and you are unable to listen to reason."
"I represent the future. Freedom for everyone from oppression. No longer will Cardinal Rezo and his anti-magic ministry run the enlightened kingdoms. Magic guilds open, magic users free to exercise their natural abilities without fear, leaders protecting the people from unjust use of force. They will flourish under my leadership, and they will love me. Not you."
Suddenly Xelloss caught a different and startling glimpse of Rezo as a man aching to make a mark in history, to leave behind him something uniquely his. He had inherited his position, but left no living children to whom to bequeath, only a grandson, who hated him. When he died, it would be as if he had not existed. Xelloss looked at his face, and saw in it a bone-deep and naked hunger. Then it passed and the arrogance of a man assured of his future reemerged.
"Indeed," Rezo intoned, "we are in times more dangerous than I believe most people understand. The tide of chaos once rising is now turned back. Order will return!"
"Whose order, yours? Who made you god?"
"One doesn't make a god, stupid boy. A god just...is."
"Without the Philosopher's stone, you're not omnipotent. Isn't god supposed to be omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent?"
"What did you say?" Rezo asked, his voice raspy with emotion and his attention riveted entirely on Zelgadiss. "You... It is you who has the stone!"
The sound of Lina's castings as she and Gourry fought to enter the settlement distracted Xelloss. He strained to catch a glimpse of her. Xelloss was about to run off, but Zelgadiss grabbed him as he passed, whispering, "Don't show Rezo your weak point. Lina can do this. Let Gourry bring her here to us."
Xelloss delayed his action. Zel's warning held a modicum of sense. Through the mist and dust from explosions, he could just barely discern Lina and Gourry forcing a path through the Red Guard with the might of the hefty horse, the Sword of Light, and a well-placed fireball or two.
"Get the hell out of my way, you followers of the monster from hell!" Lina shouted.
Rezo turned from Zelgadiss a fraction of a second, searching for the girl to match the voice.
"Ah, not a word-mincer, our Lina Inverse."
"No," Zelgadiss muttered through clenched teeth, the spun around at the sound of a gasp behind and to the side.
It was Amelia, and with her he spied Sylphiel and Milgasia. From her wide-eyed look, he could tell his princess was pleased with his new appearance and thrilled to discover he was alive and well. He was happy to see her, too, and cast her one of his rare smiles.
Rezo was addressing him again. "The stone. It is mine, you know. I came here looking for you and that stone. You will give it to me immediately."
"Sorry to disappoint you, grandfather, but I haven't got your toy." Zelgadiss flashed a quick, wry smile. "If I had it, I would have used it, and we might never have had this pleasant conversation."
"Insolent child," Rezo snapped back. "Where is it? You must know!"
There was a sudden flare of light and Lina blasted an opening clear through his army. Gourry pushed the horse to overcome its fear and ride on through the smoke and dust. Rezo's appreciated strength when he observed it; Lina and her magic abilities rose in his estimation. Zelgadiss had hesitated too long in answering Rezo; the man drew his own conclusions as to who might harbor his cherished possession.
End Capriones Chapter Twenty-Nine.