Trouble

Trunks continued his training moving toward King Ki's castle at the same time. He was taught old Ki tradition and the old legends. He studied hard to keep his mind off his reoccurring dream of Marin and Heshema. The Belaki watched his every move and even seemed more interested in his progress than his master. Upon further research, he learned that Belaki was her rank not her name, this was a common way of addressing each other for the Ki's names where seldom used, it was thought an intimate thing to know the name. When he asked Master Ki about this He said "If she wanted you to call her by name she would have told it to you." And "Only select few even knew what her name was."

The old legends said she would have strength unmatchable, powers and abilities innumerable. He tried to look up what exactly those powers were but the pages had been burned out. The burns went right to the spine and hadn't scorched any other pages.

When Trunks asked about this Master Ki answered, "That is for The Belaki's safety so no one can learn too much about her and find her one flaw. And again, "if she wanted you to know them she would have told you."

He also found all Ki's to have pointed ears the only way one won't have these ears would be if they were a half-breed. If there was any other way Trunks hadn't found it yet. All his extensive research went into the Belaki. She was strange to him, besides, if she knew so much about him, he would find out as much about her as he could; which from what he could see was like looking for a missing needle in the wrong haystack.

On the 8th day of training Trunks began to see a huge castle in the distance. It never came closer the whole day they walked on. Trunks of course flew to increase energy stamina while reading his books and so that at random times it would be easy to see him, if Master Ki felt like checking up on him or Belaki wanted to bug him. She seemed to be getting a kick out of how much he distrusted and disliked her.

Then they stopped abruptly and the Belaki yelled out something in Kimarrien so NO ONE understood what she said. Trunks had learned a few words in Kimarrien back at guardian tower but nothing that complex. That had been how Heshema had gotten her name. It was the Kimarrien word for beauty.

Trunks looked at the castle and suddenly they were right up next to it, but they hadn't moved at all and he was pretty sure the castle hadn't move. The base of the castle was completely covered in moss and ivy was growing up to the top most points of the towers.

Belaki lead them in and headed straight to a man dressed in his finest. His wardrobe was that of an average Ki but it was dressed up to the extent that Trunks thought he had just grabbed all his jewelry out of his home and replaced his robe material with silk. He wasn't all that good looking either; he was a stout old porker trying way too hard to get in good standing with Belaki.

Trunks landed and walked up to Belaki and standing beside her, the man immediate glanced from him to Belaki and asked a question Trunks would laugh at had his master not walked behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you two together?" He asked with a slightly disappointed look.

"No your highness, this is my new pupil, we had brought him here under the Belaki's guidance. Master Ki answered for them

"Oh good then, I am King Ki young lad." He said to Trunks before turning to Belaki,

"Now may I possibly get you to dance my darling daughter?" King Ki asked with a look in his eyes that told Trunks he was trying to hide something.

"I will not go to any more dates or to winners in any game, no matter how easy you make it for me to cheat, but for the night and the return of Bulanvo to the city I will participate." Belaki answered.

"Oh and on that," King Ki said turning them so no could over hear, "Bulanvo has asked for a sacrifice. He has found a way to get through your enchantments beloved..." He paused for this to sink in.

"I knew they wouldn't last forever but maybe his is bluffing, so soon." Belaki answered serious for one of the first times that Trunks had seen. He thought she was there for eyes only and maybe some entrainment. Seeing her this way made him respect her. She just acts like a goof to hide all of this true power, and intelligence. Trunks began to believe she may be the Belaki after all. "Who does he want?" She asked solemnly.

"He wants you obviously, but he's asking for any Ki. And there is a catch." King Ki continued abruptly trying not to be interrupted. "The Ki must have a few characteristics; they must be a fire or other Ki."

"In other words, Red, Purple or pale skinned." Belaki clarified in an angry tone one couldn't mistake as any but completely pissed.

"Yes," King Ki answered now not wanting to say anything to upset her further.

"How many possibilities?"

"39 exactly, including you." He answered, knowing this included the Ki beside him and me.

"I'll go, and I'll participate in a game, just make sure every Ki has an opportunity to participate. I'll work my magic from there on out." Belaki answered

Trunks turned to her, "What game?" Where are you going?"

"So you care now, its game that allows the winner an entire night with the dancer. It's a game making the dancer temporarily a slave. It's a game you're going to enter and you're going to win." She answered leaving out where she was going. "Trunks be careful." She said completely sincere. Trunks began to worry for her safety when it was him who had been warned at caution.

She walked away and turned back to look at him and then walked up to the castle. Master Ki was behind Trunks and surprised him by saying. "So now you like her do you. Well it's too late." Master Ki paused before saying, "We better get up to the castle to get ready."

Trunks followed his master and for the first time ever, he wasn't thinking of Heshema, he was thinking of Belaki.