Hello everybody. I struggled a lot with whether or not to update on time. I am wondering why I haven't gotten many reviews yet. However, I will assume that most of you haven't got on to read or just didn't think about reviewing. Please let me know what's going on. Thanks to Tina Chan-0, hope I'm not updating too quickly. That is one thing I'm considering is waiting three to four days so that people can read and respond. SO this chapter will be exploring some of Healo's family history. Just a little filler in kind of stuff. It is important because it gives more evidence of Healo's claim. So please review. I want to get at least two. Also want some of my other readers to talk. I love my oldies but it's nice to hear from new people too.
CHAPTER XVI
DEALING WITH HOSTILITY
Kagome held her breath as she pondered over what Undel had suggested. The Western Lord responded in a strong voice ", How would you have us prove our heritage? Can you not clearly see our marks?" The human seemed to realize that he may have made a mistake in his accusations so he made no reply. Instead the demon sitting on the throne said in a strained voice ", Enough. I am not blind. However, my servant brings up a valid point. You would not be the first to arrive in my kingdom by claiming to be a lord. Will you allow me to prove your marks?"
The miko had no idea how he would do that. To her it seemed plainly simple; she could see snowflakes on Magus and Healo, and Sesshomaure wore a blue crescent moon. Inuyasha didn't have a mark but the young woman thought that maybe hanyou didn't take on the marks. The demon rose gracefully from his throne as his emerald robes swished lightly. Kagome noticed that the guards in the room tightened their grips on their weapons as their master approached her friends.
The demon gave a swift glance to Inuyasha before saying ", You are obviously of mixed descent. You certainly appear to have many of Inutaisho's features but will you others vouch that he is a son of that lord?" Magus and Healo both nodded but Kagome noticed that Sesshomaru hesitated so she said ", Now is not the time for a family feud, Sesshomaru." The miko was surprised to see the glimpse of a smile of the Western Lord's face as he said ", Unfortunately he is." Inuyasha frowned but thankfully did not rise up to this taunt.
The demon smiled and said ", Forgive me, I don't believe I told you my name. I am Faustin the second son of the departed sire of the Northern Line, Magus." Kagome saw her blue-eyed friend smile as he said carefully ", Magus I, my lord. My brother here was named after your father." Faustin glanced in a measuring way towards his look-a-like as he said ", Yes, I can see the resemblance. Let us see if you are being truthful about your identity." He lifted a clawed hand to touch the snowflake on the younger demon's head, but no change took place except that it glowed brightly for a moment.
Faustin turned away with a satisfied expression as he next went to examine the Western Lord. He spoke in a sure voice ", I believe that you are a son of Inutaisho even without checking, however, one cannot be too sure." He repeated the process that he had just used on Magus and the result was the same. The lord of the tower did not pause but now turned towards Healo who was regarding him with an uncertain expression.
Kagome watched with surprise as the mark on her friends forehead slowly disappeared. The miko was chilled by the deathly silence in the room when suddenly Undel said ", My lord if you wish I will prepare for his execution." Faustin spoke carefully as he said ", You had best have a wonderful explanation for this. Faking the mark of a lord is a capital offense." The miko stiffened as she wondered how her friend would react to this.
Healo's eyes darkened as he said quietly ", It would be best if I show you everything that I know on the matter." The demons' eyes flashed as he peered deeply into Faustin eyes. Undel asked in a loud voice ", What is this sorcery?" Sesshomaru responded in a stern voice ", Silence. No harm will come upon your lord. My brother is only allowing him to see some of his memories." Kagome watched her friend with worry in her eyes. She hoped that Healo would be able to get them out of this whole situation.
Several minutes crawled by until the two finally seemed to break out of the trance like state. Kagome was surprised to find that Faustin was shaking and had a wild look in his eyes. The purple haired demon stepped back quickly and fell to his knees as he said ", My lord I—," he was interrupted when Healo reached down and pulled him back up. The Northern Lord said quickly ", You must not say anymore or you will place my life in danger."
The miko frowned as she said ", But Naraku must have realized who you are by now." Healo shook his head slowly as he said ", None of our agents have reported this. Plus I still cannot know for sure until I hold Kamikura in my grasp." Faustin frowned and said ", Why would you desire that evil blade? It may prove to you who you are, but surely you know of its' malevolent power. I can sense your strength, but all beings must eventually give in to its' influence."
Kagome was expecting a strong comeback but instead Healo only said respectfully ", That is precisely what I seek. I want you to tell me all that you can about this blade so that I may find it and use it to destroy Naraku." Faustin hesitated and said ", Of course I will give you the information you seek, but you must know that no good can come from this cursed blade." The Northern Lord's eyes narrowed as he said shortly ", So you have said, but I will use it to destroy that half-demon."
The lord of the tower seemed to sadden as he said ", Nothing I can say will persuade you to abandon this course?" Kagome noticed that her friends tensed as Healo answered with open suspicion ", I helped to create this monster so I must destroy it. Besides it is the responsibility of a lord to protect his people." Undel said derisively ", But you are not the Northern Lord." The demon's response was calm ", No, but I was when this series of events took place."
Faustin only shook his head as he said ", Very well then I have no choice. You will all be kept here until this crises has abated." Sesshomaru spoke acidly ", You have no right to keep us. Understand what you are doing. Do you really want to face the might of the Western Lands." Kagome heard the actual statement in her mind ', Do you really want to face me?' Despite the tenseness of the situation the miko almost smiled at the arrogance of the Western Lord.
Inuyasha actually did say as he cracked his knuckles ", Forget the West. You don't want me as an enemy." Kagome turned to Faustin who though shaken by the words, rallied himself as he said ", If you truly are the man destined to be emperor then you must survive until that day comes. I cannot allow you to risk your life in such a dangerous undertaking." Healo shook his head as he said ", Don't you realize what is coming? Naraku must know that your little kingdom is here because of those panthers. They have already sent the half-demon a message telling him of our capture."
He paused then continued ", Kagome is a miko. She can feel the approach of this demon because he holds most of the sacred jewel. Naraku will come here to find me and the jewel shards." Undel shouted in anger ", This is even worse then open treachery! They have led this monstrosity straight to us. Perhaps if we turn them over to him, this Naraku will spare our kingdom." Kagome gasped at the absurd statement and was glad when Healo said ", This is foolishness. All who attempt to deal with Naraku are betrayed one way or another. Besides with the jewel he will have the power to completely destroy what little remains of the empire and perhaps the world itself."
The Northern Lord continued ", Besides I think that we may have a better solution. If you release us I am sure that my brother will agree to offer you protection from this half-demon. This is the best way your kingdom may continue to serve the empire; by giving us the aid we require to destroy this monster." The demon hesitated for a moment before answering in a strained voice ", I will consider this possibility, but for now I will show you and your friends whatever information you all wish to gain."
Kagome smiled in relief. At least it sounded as if Faustin was starting to listen to their proposals now. The miko noticed the lessening of tension in all of the brothers as the tower's lord said ", Captain, have the lord's guards taken and given appropriate housing in my own wing." Undel was obviously not happy with the order but he bowed and motioned to the guards and sailors to follow him. The large crowd left the throne room, but many of Faustin's guards only tightened their hold on their weapons.
The lord himself turned to them and only said ", Come. I will take you higher into the tower where I may tell you all that I know about the sword you seek." Kagome was happy when they finally left the throne room unaccompanied by any guards. Sango and Miroku were both solemn as they all went from hall to hall until they suddenly arrived in a well lit library. Faustin motioned for them to sit down in the chairs nearest to a small collection of books.
Without warning the demon began to speak ", As most of you know the both the first emperor, Emperor Maleus and his brother, Lord Magus I, had the same mother. The father of all five sons was a powerful chieftain in what are now the Imperial Lands. His capital was a bustling town that is still today known as Maleon, after his first born. One day a very powerful demoness came to see him. He soon learned that she had actually arrived in what is now the West, but she had been driven away by the inu there, who feared her power. Soon she became the lord's mate. After the twins, Maleon and Magus, were born the demoness disappeared. The only thing she left was the dark sword Yamikura."
Kagome was confused and so asked timidly ", Umm…if that's true then why don't you or Magus have Healo's abilities?" Faustin smiled and said ", According to all the information I have found, Magus I inherited the exotic appearance of his mother, but Maleus gained most of her powers. Since he was a lord, Maleus's father eventually took another mate, from the West, who bore him Inutaisho, but she died in the process. Then was an exotic beauty from the East who gave birth to the traitor Molech. She was killed for plotting to kill her mate's other heirs to make way for her son. Last was a gentle demoness from the South. She gave birth to Tilen the beloved, but she refused to live any longer after her mate died in a war with the Western Wolves."
Kagome nodded at the answer. Most of what he had told them so far didn't seem to be news to the brothers, but the miko certainly found it interesting enough. 'I wonder what else he will be able to tell is. Hopefully it will be enough to set us in the right direction to find this sword.' She noticed that Faustin seemed to be about to speak again and so prepared to listen carefully to all he would reveal to them.
Alright everyone. I think this chapter was ok, but I want to know what you all think about it. Want to update on Wednesday or Thursday. Next chapter will give info on the sword and point the group towards their next destination. Will soon begin to continue the whole love square. Hope to hear from all of you all soon. Please REVIEW!!!