Magister Negi Magi is owned by Ken Akamatsu and Kodansha Ltd. Tokyo in Japan, and by Funimation and Ballantine - DelRey in the United States, NOT by me.

A certain Mage Council page is owned by Kaoru Mori, CMX, and other entities. NOT by me.

SPOILER ALERT! AU story occurring after c189.

Regina Karkolova and Mifune Hayase appear with the permission of kafka'sdragon.

Lots of little happenings this chapter.

(-)

"He has a son already? Drat! I was hoping to give Emily a little brother!"
-Cycilia Sevensheep. From a conversation with her editor Tiki Pe'le. As told to Kazumi Asakura. Author of: "One Million Steps: A Journey to Megalo-Mesembria and the World Beyond."

(-)

Ala Alba in the World of Magic: Tales From the Fireside.

Chapter Twenty-four: Nihyakuju.

(-)

KitNews offices, Ariadne.

Cycilia Sevensheep sat down at her desk in the offices of KitNews of Ariadne. She had just seen her daughter and several companions off on a trip to the old capitol of Ostia as auxiliary members of the Ariadne Mage Knights Valkyrie Brigade, and now it was time to get back to work. Turning on her computer and activating the m-mail program, She saw a slightly odd subject line for the message at the top of the list.

"Springfield runner-up in Mahora Academy Martial Arts Budokai."

Being a dedicated fan of all things Nagi Springfield, Cycilia knew Nagi Springfield had won that tournament twenty-years ago at the age of ten. This message must refer to the more recent tournament at that school, but she hadn't known anyone named Springfield had actually participated. Still, since it had not gone straight to the Junk file as a spam message, she decided it was at least worth a cursory look.

Two hours later, Cycilia's dark-skinned Eru-Jin editor Tiki Pe'le came into her office to drop off some papers and was surprised to see her there. Noticing the intense look of concentration she wore, he quietly walked around the desk to observe as one of his best reporters did her job. When she finally finished reading the minutes of several Megalo-Mesembrian Mage Council sessions, he tossed the papers on her desk and straightened up. "From your focused look, it seems you've found something quite interesting Cycilia."

A piercing, startled scream was heard into the far corners of the KitNews news room, followed by the shaking of heads, and comments of; "He's done it to someone again!"

Having somehow managed to leap to the other side of her desk without knocking over Tiki or anything on the desk, Cycilia collapsed in the visitor's chair and tried to get her rapidly pounding heart back under control. "Goodness Chief! How is it you always manage to move so quietly?"

Despite his ominous looks, wry humor and habit of seeming to appear out of nowhere, Tiki was in truth a amiably dispositioned, protective and supportive leader to the men and women working under him at KitNews. Grinning broadly, he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm very, very sneaky? Anyway, it was so quiet in here Cycilia, I thought you didn't come in today after dropping off Emily at the Whaleship port!"

Sighing and standing back up, Cycilia went back around the desk, then sat down and did a few more seconds of work on her computer. "Chief. Remember that incident in the Normal World we were pressured not to report on a few months back?"

Leaning in over Cycilia's shoulder to watch as she worked, Tiki saw a window full of thumbnails that seemed to be from a prize-fighting tournament. "At Mahora Academy in Japan?"

"Yes. Something about a student attempting to reveal magic and mages to the Normal World. Well, part of that incident was a martial arts tournament..." Cycilia glanced up at Tiki. "...something we weren't 'specifically,' told not to report on..."

Eru-Jin and Su-Jin traded looks and spoke in a language only years working together could teach. "What have you found?"

A few movements and clicks with her system's mouse brought two different, but similar pictures onto Cycilia's monitor. "The picture on the right is the runner up of that tournament during one of his matches..."

At first unsure where Cycilia's investigation was going, understanding began to dawn in Tiki's mind after a cursory examination of the two pictures now on the monitor.

"...and the one on the left is the main picture we were given out of Megalo-Mesembria concerning the terrorist attack on the gate port there."

Leaning forward, Tiki took hold of Cycilia's mouse, magnifying both pictures to more closely examine a few details. "They might as well be the same..."

Taking the mouse back and casually making a few of her own adjustments, Cycilia began whispering in a volume she knew Tiki's sensitive ears would easily pick up. "I've no proof at the moment, but I have reason to believe this boy may be related to the Thousand Master..."

Just as unflappable as always, Tiki straightened up behind Cycilia's chair. "Why try to frame this boy, whether he is or not?"

A simple shrug prefaced Cycilia's answer. "As a distraction for something else?"

Considering the two pictures on Cycilia's monitor once more, Tiki began to scratch his chin thoughtfully. "What do you want to do?"

After activating a blank story form, Cycilia turned to look up at Tiki. "Despite... no, BECAUSE of who might be implicated, I think we need to pursue this..."

That Cycilia's story involved the Mage Council in Megalo-Mesembria caused Tiki to pause just a moment to consider. Ariadne and the various organizations within the normally neutral city-state tended not to be openly confrontational with the government in Megalo-Mesembria, but at the same time they were not above pointing out mistakes the Mage Council made. If that governmental body had allowed itself to be pressured into prematurely accusing a possibly innocent boy with faked evidence, then that was a very big story indeed. "Go for it."

Normally droopy, Cycilia's ears perked up in response to Tiki's answer. The Eru-Jin gave her a big grin, then left the room. Turning back to the monitor, she find a mouse icon named Kincha waiting for her once more.

("Ready to get back to work Cycilia?")

("Yes. Can you show me the records of the Mage Council's gate-port investigation session again?")

("Certainly.")

(-)

Argyre.

"Nagi Springfield and Koujiro Oogami! Rising stars and winners of the Granicus City Minerva Cup!"

"Is the Mage Council telling the truth about the alleged terrorist attacks on the Gate Ports?"

"Can anyone learn magic? Juntz Federson on this, and other controversial theories."

"Debt-slaves: Necessary evil? Or an abused practice?"

Sitting within the virtual-reality field of her MahoNet sprite regiment management system, Shiori Hohoemu watched without expression as the top four topics of Kasayo McDowell's blog continued to collect an increasing number of hits. Most of the threads on the blog were harmless, but several were dangerously close to revealing certain information her Magister and his employers wanted kept quiet. Normally, she would have had no problems dealing with anyone daring to do such a thing, but this person was different, and very skilled.

A simple denial of service attack, normally sufficient to deal with such things, had been repelled almost casually. Focusing on the source server had been equally ineffective. Originally, it seemed to be in Granicus City. Not an unreasonable thing to believe, since several of her employer's possible enemies had gathered there. A group of Sprite Regiments sent to destroy the blog had found nothing to attack. A second attempt had been against a server in Al Jamira, next Ariadne, then Megalo-Mesembria. All with no results. Kasayo McDowell's blog was nowhere, and everywhere. After several more days of searching, that seemed almost literally true. She could find no 'one' server it seemed to be on, as if it were using many servers at once to access the MahoNet, while the actual location of it's content was somewhere 'else.'

Since whomever was running the blog had not launched any counter-attacks, it seemed as if the person was taunting Shiori, daring her, challenging her; "Come find me. IF YOU CAN!" That she could not was beyond intolerable. Her system had been designed and built to provide Shiori with nearly instant access to any sprite system in existence within the Magic World. With just a small amount of inside help, she had even been able to access and alter or destroy the security recordings at all the Magic World's gate port facilities. Her next serious task, working on breaking into a particularly annoying Mage Councilor's system for Master Fate's employers, had been interrupted when she'd been ordered to deal with Kasayo McDowell's blog.

More than a week went by, time she should have been using in preparation to travel with her sister Ministra to Ostia, and there was nothing to show for all her intense effort.

Though he had originally seen no need for her to do so, Master Fate had finally ordered Shiori to load her system into it's portable carrier for transport to Ostia. That was fine with her. The trip would provide time to rest and think. Upon arrival in Ostia, she would once more turn her attention to finding and crushing whomever had dared to challenge her and Master Fate's control over the MahoNet!

(-)

With King Enteofushia having left earlier and separately as a matter of safety, Fate Averruncus was supervising loading of the Whaleship carrying his group and Princess Enteofushia to Ostia when his Elemental Mage appeared and gave a small bow.

"King Enteofushia's people have lost track of Negi Springfield and a number of his students. The three who seem to be debt-slaves of Chairman Dolnegus of Granicus City have left with the chairman for Ostia, possibly accompanied by Jakobus Rakan. Two should arrive soon in Ostia from Nyandom. Two others seem to be nearing Ostia on a mission to find their missing friends. However, of Negi Springfield and at least five others, there has been no word for several days."

Sensing an unspoken 'and,' Fate crossed his arms turned slightly to face his companion. "What else?"

"There was a possibility Springfield allied himself with the Adenaur of Ariadne group, but both ships belonging to them still seem to be in Granicus City. At the same time, there is no word of Springfield or any of his other students on any transport between Granicus City and Ostia. Perhaps he hired a private transport, but there has been no evidence of such happening."

Fate silently seethed. He didn't like not knowing the location and possible future actions of a potential adversary, however weak that person might be. "I doubt he'll stay away. He still needs to free those students of his from Chairman Dolnegus." Even saying that, if he'd misjudged Negi, and the boy refused to come to Ostia like some kind of coward, then that was certainly acceptable as well. "What of the special project I asked you to complete?"

Looking out from the hood of his cloak, the Elemental Mage gave Fate a small smile. "I tested it out this morning during Princess Enteofushia's weapons training. Her opponents were quite surprised by her sudden viciousness."

Fate nodded and turned away to watch as his Shinmei-Ryu Tsukuyomi lead Princess Enteofushia onto the Whaleship. "Good work."

(-)

Ostia.

Hau Pepelu stood on the edge of an observation platform near Pinhe Village on the floating island city of Ostia.

In truth, there had been no real reason to come to Ostia, especially considering her burden, it had simply been the first place available to get 'away' from where her partner lost his life. For the tenth, or was it the eleventh time now? she stood looking down off the side of the floating island, trying desperately to decide what to do.

One step. All she needed to take was one step, and she would be with her partner again.

For the eleventh, or, maybe it was only the tenth time, when her foot started out over the precipice, it felt as if someone was holding her back. A gentle breeze, blowing by, would become the voice of her partner, whispering for her to wait, to not loose hope.

Once more, Hau turned away.

Voices in her head, fleeting 'touches,' or whatever, if she couldn't take that final step, then it must mean she still had something to do...

Wandering aimlessly towards the main part of Ostia, she eventually found herself near the arena complex. Plastered on nearly every vertical surface around the arena were posters of the many different regional prize-fighting tournament winners.

Nagi Springfield and some Inu-Jin boy were featured prominently.

Springfield...

Someone named Springfield was responsible for what happened to her partner...

So... If she made this 'Springfield' pay... Maybe then she would be able to take that single step, and she would be with her partner for eternity...

Turning away from a despised image, wondering just how she could make Springfield understand her pain, Hau bumped into a rooster haired tough. When he grabbed her shoulder and started to complain, she growled menacingly and just walked out of his suddenly weakened grip.

Tosaka stared after the blood-shot eyed Pembroke Inu-Jin as his two friends waited to see if he'd blow up or not. Fancy-pants prize-fighters, smart-mouthed punks, Mama, lowly debt-slave maids, and now a shrimpy Inu-Jin who smelled like she hadn't bathed in weeks...

He Just couldn't get the slightest respect from anyone...

(-)

Wales.

"...and when we see her again, she'll no longer be the Asuna we knew before!"

"Asuna! Nooooooo!"

With slightly annoyed amusement, Ayaka Yukihiro watched Fuka and Fumika Narutaki run off in panic back down the hill towards the village they and everyone else were staying in while on their unexpectedly extended summer vacation. As the three members of the Class A Cheer Squad ran off in pursuit, trying to convince the Narutaki twins that they were only fibbing about Asuna, Ayaka sighed in response to Chizuru Naba's amused chuckle. "I can't believe those two fell for that wild story Sakurako told them! There's no way that undisciplined Monkey-girl could ever be changed so easily! Besides! Even if she were ever abducted like that, I'd be worried more for whoever did it!"

Amused by Ayaka's crudely expressed but blindingly obvious concern for Asuna Kagurazaka, Chizuru let out a short, barking laugh before managing to regain her composure. "Are you saying Asuna is 'Red-Chief,' as well as 'Baka-Red,' Ayaka? Because that's what it sounds like!"

Trilling of her cell-phone saved Ayaka from having to acknowledge her auburn-haired friend's gibe. A quick scan of the caller I.D. screen was all she needed to identify the caller before opening the phone and placing it against her ear. "Hello Dean Konoe! What might I do for you?"

Dean Konoe got right to the point. "How is everyone still with you doing, Miss Yukihiro?"

"Just fine Dean Konoe. Headmaster Dillane is taking excellent care of us! I am worried though that we haven't heard from the Professor or anyone else."

"Please be at ease Miss Yukihiro. I'm sure there must have been some kind of temporary breakdown in communications and travel facilities that prevents Professor Springfield from contacting you."

"What about getting back for the new semester? We're already late..."

"I'd not worry about that Miss Yukihiro. Arrangements to deal with that have already been made."

"You've taken care of that then? What about our parents? I've called those of everyone here to reassure them everything is fine, but if there's some communication failure, what about the parents of the Class A students with the Professor?"

"I've called them myself, Miss Yukihiro, you needn't worry about that either. As far as those still here at Mahora, Miss Minamoto will substitute until Professor Springfield's return."

"Oh! Not Professor Takahata?"

"No... He's unfortunately quite busy, and won't be able to do so."

"Very well then. Will there be anything else, Dean Konoe?"

"Yes. If there is ANY issue of expense, Miss Yukihiro, please let me know, and I'll have it taken care of at once."

"Ho ho ho ho! You needn't worry yourself about THAT, Dean Konoe! I'm quite sure that won't be a problem for one such as I!"

"Well then, please let me know at once if there are any problems. Also, should you hear anything from Professor Springfield, call me at once. There may be problems needing to be dealt with, and I'll also need to know when he expects to return so I may make the proper travel arrangements."

"Any word. I'll call at once, Sir. Very well then. Goodbye Dean Konoe."

"Goodbye Miss Yukihiro."

Closing her phone, Ayaka placed it back in her pocket and gave Chizuru a slightly worried look. "It seems as if everything is okay so far at Mahora, but I still can't help worrying about Professor Springfield..."

A shout as the Cheer Squad lead the Narutaki's back up the hill drew Chizuru's attention away from Ayaka slightly. "There's been so many strange things already this trip, I wouldn't be surprised if we encounter a few more! If things stay this way for much longer though, I just hope the academy is merciful on Class A's average when our next test comes up!"

Visions of the problems six missing students nearly caused paled tremendously in Ayaka's mind when she considered the number, including herself, missing from Class A now. "I... I NEVER CONSIDERED THAT! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?"

Crossing her arms, Chizuru shrugged and smiled. "I'm sure Class A will pull through for Professor Springfield."

Sighing with resignation, Ayaka turned away from Chizuru to look up into the hills towards where she'd last seen Professor Springfield and the other missing students from Class A. ("Please come home safe, Professor...")

(-)

Mahora Academy

"Well Old Man. How are they doing?"

Stroking his recently shortened beard, Konoemon Konoe contemplated the Go board between himself and the most inapropriately dressed, six-hundred year old little vampire girl, Evangeline A.K. McDowell. "Their doing fine. I'm sure Miss Yukihiro and Magus Dillane will be able to handle anything that should come up. What I'm really worried about are the student's parents. I've called and reassured all of them that everything is okay, but if things continue as they are for much longer, it's going to become quite difficult to deal with..."

Sitting on a nearby couch with several less animated dolls, Eva's Ministra Chachazero perked up at Konoemon's words. "Maybe you should have Mistress go take care of them!"

"REJECTED!" Konoemon glared menacingly at Evangeline's bloodthirsty Ministra. "I'll not go through stamping hell like that again unless it's a life-or-death situation!"

Leaning back, Eva stared at the ceiling in her cabin. "Well, at least Yuuna's staying out of trouble. Hopefully that option won't be needed again."

Very much concerned about that, especially considering what he'd learned during his previous conversation with Eva over the matter, Konoemon reached for a nearby tea pot and poured himself a cup. "I should say not! How would I ever explain things to Professor Akashi?"

Looking over the Go board once more, Eva began to rub her chin while she considered her next move. "The Boya's grown a lot these past months, but he's still inexperienced. Even considering that, he'd best not come home with his tail between his legs, or I'll be sorely disapointed!" After placing her token on the board, she looked up at Dean Konoe with an expression that was very much that of Dark Evangeline. "By the way; You're blocked in!"

(-)

Bay of Ostia.

Motion sickness didn't bother her so much any more. Total time spent on the ship, along with the twin distractions provided by study and practice, had inured her to the nausea for the most part.

This was different.

This time it felt like she was being suffocated. Some huge, soft mass she couldn't push away was holding her down, threatening to crush away the breath of life.

Waking wide-eyed, sweat-soaked and clutching at her chest, Nodoka Miyazaki jumped from her bunk and ran from the cabin before Yue Ayase even realized what was happening. Rushing down the passage and outside to the ships rail, she gripped one of the slightly swaying chains and began taking in great heaving breaths of fresh air. Eventually able to take a normal breath, she shifted her grip from the chains to a much sturdier stanchion and leaned back to take as deep a breath as possible.

"Miss Miyazaki, are you okay?"

'Nagi' had left his cabin for reasons he couldn't explain, and was staring up at the low cloud-cover concealing Estimated Prophet's progress South into the Bay of Ostia when Nodoka rushed, gasping for breath, out onto the deck. He was about to ask how she felt again, when his eyes were draw skyward once more towards an approaching gap in the clouds. Seemingly no different than dozens of other such ships he had seen, a Whaleship was visible above the clouds, backlit by stars and most likely making it's way towards Ostia.

Nodoka followed Professor Springfield's suddenly focused gaze. Partly unsure of the reason, knowing only the sight of THAT Whaleship filled her with dread, she gave a shudder of fear and remained frozen in place until it passed from sight. "Professor... I'm so afraid something terrible is going to happen..."

Nagi lowered his gaze and moved to take Nodoka's hands in his own. "Right now we're safe Nodoka. If something is going to happen, we'll need our rest, so let's go back to bed."

Even though she understood intellectually what Nagi meant, Nodoka still couldn't help suddenly blushing at his words.

Negi realized what he's said and quickly released Nodoka's hands. "I'm sorry! I mean..."

Nodoka smiled at her flustered professor. "I know what you mean Professor. We need to sleep now, because we might not get a chance later..."

Negi sighed with relief as Nodoka gave him a shy smile. Finally, like a proper English Gentleman, he offered an arm and escorted his companion back to her cabin.

(-)

The boy from Princess Enteofushia's dreams was before her, his limp body lying in a pool of expanding blood, his open eyes empty and lifeless...

As she stood there motionless, bloodied sword impaled in the center of a flaring spell circle, the world around her was being consumed by a searing magical fire...

Princess Enteofushia woke with a start, her heart pounding. Throwing the covers back and standing up out of bed, she grabbed a Terry-cloth robe and rushed out onto her Whaleship Suite's balcony. Below her, endless clouds prevented any sight of the Bay of Ostia. Feeling drawn in that direction for some unexplainable reason, she noticed the Whaleship was quickly approaching a gap in the clouds.

"Are you okay, Princess?"

Turning in response to the voice, Princess Enteofushia saw her bodyguard/maid Tsukuyomi standing inside the suite. She couldn't, quite, bring herself to trust the girl, but at least the twin-blade never spoke to or treated her like an object, as her father and Fate Averruncus often did. If she had any real fault, it was a tendency towards being a touch too intimate. "I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep, that's all."

After moving out onto the balcony to stand beside Princess Enteofushia, Tsukuyomi turned to watch as the princess's long hair began to stand out from her back, flowing gently in the artificial breeze created by the Whaleship's movement through the sky. After watching the mildly hypnotic scene for a few moments, she reached out and placed a hand on the tall girl's arm. "Princess... you really should get your rest before we arrive near Ostia..."

Showing only sadness on her face, Princess Enteofushia sighed, then closed her eyes and nodded. "I know. I get the feeling I'm going to be busier soon than I can possibly imagine..."

Considering the admiration she felt for strong women, seeing Princess Enteofushia in such a depressed state gave Tsukuyomi a feeling of tightness around her chest. She wanted to help. To protect this strong young lady from a fate not of her own choosing. Doing so however, meant giving up her own desires and ambitions, and she wasn't quite THAT protective. "Please Princess..."

Before Princess Enteofushia could turn to leave the balcony, the Whaleship crossed over the gap in the clouds. Below her on the surface of the Bay of Ostia, a vessel was racing South, leaving a wide wake in it's path. When the clouds once more blocked the vessel from sight, she turned to see Tsukuyomi watching after it.

Smiling in an odd way, the Twin-Blade seemed, very, very happy.

(-)

Megalo-Mesembria.

Regina Karkolova nodded politely as a modestly pretty, brown haired Hu-Jin girl assigned to her as a page entered the combined library-waiting room she sat in. Carrying a tray containing a small plate of lightly sugared lemon scones, two cups, and a small pot of tea, the glasses wearing Hu-Jin girl let the door close softly behind her, then came over and began setting out the service for two on a low table placed between a pair of abbreviated couches.

In anticipation of it's later use, Regina picked up a remote from the table and turned on a wall-mounted HD viewer. She adjusted the channel to KitNews and watched for a few minutes, then tapped the 'mute' button and placed the remote back down.

Just as both cups of steaming tea were properly positioned, there was a polite knock on the door, and her guest entered.

"What's so important you would ask for a private meeting with me, Councilor Karkolova?"

Standing up and quick look was all the instruction the page needed. As the girl exited the lounge, Regina walked over to shake Councilor Mifune Hayase's hand. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. In the interest of simplicity, let us dispense with titles." Muttering a small mantra, she activated the rooms anti-eavesdropping spells and indicated for her guest to sit. "I would like to discuss several new details which have come to light concerning the attacks on the cross-world gate ports."

Mifune sat, picked up his cup and took a small sip of tea. After giving a small nod of approval, he placed the cup back in it's saucer. "Why be so concerned about it? Surely many of the suspects will be drawn to the festival at Ostia. I would be very surprised if they avoid capture, once there, and when the festival is over, interrogations should clear everything up."

Regina split one of the scones with a small knife and offered half to Mifune. "What if innocent persons have been accused of that crime? What if one or more are injured or killed? Ostia is a wild place in the best of times. Those who are most likely to capture those 'terrorists,' as you call them, are those most likely to use fatal methods. What of your 'interrogations' then?"

Taking a small bite of the offered scone gave Mifune time to consider his answer. "Security recordings clearly show who is responsible. Without any evidence of tampering, how can there be any question of their guilt?"

Slightly upset over Mifune just repeating tired old reasoning, Regina calmed herself by washing down a portion of her own scone with a sip of tea. "Beyond my earlier complaint concerning failure of those systems at the other gate ports, I have begun to see questions raised on the Maho... Ah! It's on now..."

Mifune turned towards the HD viewer as Regina picked up and tapped the mute button on the remote.

"...cent information has come to light, causing this reporter to question the details of the story released by the Mage Council concerning the terrorist attacks on the cross-world gate ports nearly six weeks ago."

At first showing a Su-Jin reporter named Cycilia Sevensheep standing in the wrecked Zephillian Gate Port, the HD viewer changed to displaying a pair of pictures showing the alleged leader of the gate-port terrorists.

"On the left of your screen is one of the few officially released pictures concerning the gate-port attacks. On the right is a picture of the same boy participating in a recent Normal World martial arts tournament. As you can see, the two pictures are nearly identical. This reporter has confirmed through independent sources that the picture on the right has not been manipulated in any way. There has been no chance to confirm the authenticity of the picture on the left, due to the Mage Council's repeated refusals to allowing independent analysis of security recordings from the gate port attacks."

As the picture switched back to the Su-Jin reporter, Regina could see Mifune starting to grow upset over the accusatory tone of the story. Even without the prior knowledge she had, he could tell the story had the potential to cause a severe blow to public faith in the Mage Council.

"KitNews investigations have also confirmed that no security recordings seem to exist from any other destroyed gate port. In addition, there has been some suggestion that more people were present at the Megalo-Mesembrian Gate Port than has officially been acknowledged."

Mifune found himself standing, fist clenched, as the Su-Jin continued to speak. Across the small table, Regina continued to sit calmly, slowly drinking the tea while consuming her half of the scone.

"As a related matter, KitNews has also learned of a recent, possible attempt on the life of Donnet McGuiness, a key witness in the Megalo-Mesembrian Gate Port attack."

Briefly showing a picture of a blonde, business-like woman with short hair, the HD viewer quickly returned to the Su-Jin in Zephillia.

"What exactly happened at the gate ports? Why have only pictures and not the names of those accused been released? In light of these questions, and most disturbingly, possible suppression or even destruction of evidence, this reporter can only hope that the Mage Council in Megalo-Mesembria will soon be more forthcoming with additional answers."

"This is Cycilia Sevensheep, KitNews, reporting from the Zephillian Gate Port."

All but pointing a finger at her, Mifune turned to face Regina. "YOU KNEW THIS STORY WAS GOING TO BREAK!"

Ignoring his accusatory gaze, Regina calmly poured herself another cup of tea and refused to speak until the angry man finally sat back down heavily across from her. "Well, I AM a little more approachable by the Media than you are, Mifune."

A slightly irritated glare was Mifune's only response to Regina's polite, though cutting remark. "I am aware of some 'wild-rumors' blogger named Kasayo McDowell who seems to know a great deal about those accused of the gate-port attacks. Is it possible she has direct contact with them, and through her, they with KitNews?"

Reaching out, Regina raised the tea pot and poured enough into Mifune's cup to warm the remaining liquid. "I expect that's very likely. However, her connections are of no concern at the moment. What we should be worried about is the possibility other media outlets may start questioning the official story. We had enough trouble convincing them to hold back on that incident at Mahora in the Normal World. If it becomes a widely accepted idea that the Mage Council might be suppressing a story more directly involving the Magic World? The blow that might cause to the council's reputation is immeasurable."

As he watched his primary political opponent calmly sipping her tea, Mifune began to realize Regina wasn't pushing for any obvious political advantage over him. Even if she did have some hidden agenda, her concern about the Mage Council's reputation, the only thing the two of them had ever found common ground on, was openly obvious. Reaching out for the small knife, he quickly divided the second scone.

After accepting her portion, Regina remained silent as she ate. Finally finishing, she wiped her mouth with a linen napkin, then took one last sip of tea before setting the cup down for good. "Something that also disturbs me is that the security recordings at the gate ports were so vulnerable to disruption."

Finishing his own scone and tea, Mifune mirrored Regina's action. "You understand your friend Donnet McGuiness, as acting supervisor of the Megalo-Mesembrian Gate Port when the incident occurred, may be implicated if the security recordings are found to have been manipulated?"

A grim look was Regina's immediate answer to Mifune. "I'll turn her into an ermine myself if she's proven guilty. However, she's not the only one. Your friend Secretary Hogosha of the Gate Port Security Directorate, and Councilor Ran of the Records Committee are also likely to be implicated..."

Mifune's expression quickly mirrored his companion's. "Ran hasn't been the same since his son disappeared. After all the trouble his family's seen, having his only loyal son vanish like that was a severe blow." After Regina nodded, he sat up and placed both hands on his knees. "What do you propose we do then?"

After crossing her legs and arms, Regina looked directly across the low table at Mifune."First: I suggest that the Mage Council immediately issue an amendment to the bounties placed on those accused of the gate port attacks. To wit; They MUST be brought in alive and unharmed. What they may know is too important. As I mentioned before, those most likely to capture them in Ostia, are also those most likely to turn in blackened corpses. I would prefer the bounties be rescinded, but I am a realist as far as what I hope to accomplish in the near-term."

Plainly considering her proposal, Mifune nodded to indicate Regina should continue.

"Second; The Mage Council must be seen to be acting on this before it gets out of hand. If two members of the council who are historically in opposition to one another call for it, I'm sure we can gather enough support to reinvigorate the investigation into the gate port attacks. Explaining publicly that the Mage Council is acting now because potential new evidence concerning the attacks has come to light might be trite, but it is also true."

Sighing and leaning forward, elbows on knees, Mifune placed his chin on the resulting platform of crossed fingers. "You seem quite passionate about this, beyond your worry over the Mage Council's reputation."

Standing, Regina turned towards the HD Viewer and placed both hands behind her back. "I'd be lying if I told you I'd not be happy to see my original position vindicated, but I can't shake the feeling something else is happening, something worse than having the Mage Council's reputation ruined by charges of possibly false-accusations against innocent children..."

Rising to his own feet, Mifune uttered the mantra to end the anti-eavesdropping spells, then stepped over to the door. "Without any evidence your 'feelings' are meaningless. Since most of the council's going to Ostia for the Festival before the end of the week, we'd best hurry. I'm scheduled to speak when the session resumes today, as I'm sure you knew when you proposed this meeting, so I can put the matter forth with just a slight change of parliamentary procedure."

After meeting Mifune's accusatory gaze for just a moment, Regina lowered her eyes as he held the door for her. "I'll second your motion of course. My up-front support should get things moving quite nicely."

Mifune nodded. "Working together might cause problems with our constituents later. Though If this incident gets out of hand and turns into a huge stinking pile of Tokage dung, the whole council's going to fall anyway."

Regina Karkolova had no response other than a sigh and a nod as Mifune Hayase followed her through and let the door close behind him.

tsuzuku

(-)

Author's Notes.

MNN. Magic News Network. From KA, and lots of other 'magic' stories.

KitNews. If there's an MNN, there HAS to be a KitNews!

Shiori Hohoemu. Shiori was one of the two girls out of Fate's Harem I picked as possible opponents for Chisame Hasegawa. Recent events caused me to cut Shirabe from that list. In this case, Shiori's MahoNet sprite regiment managment system is NOT an artifact.

Hohoemu was added to make Shiori's name more 'complete.' It is not official.

Cycilia Sevensheep is also a partially created name. It to is not official.

I have no more hair to pull out concerning map directions, so I'll not dwell on them further.

For anyone with access to a map, Argyre is the city on the left side of the large bay above Megalo-Mesembria.

Using that same map, it should be easy to see what path Estimated Prophet would need to take to get from Granicus City to Ostia.

As a slight clarification; Before I learned otherwise, I thought the Twenty-Years Ago War and the Enteofushian Conflict (c169.) were two separate events. As such, I did not originally associate 'Enteofushia' with 'Ostia.' In this case, the 'Enteofushia Castle' Fate arrives at in c04, is located in Argyre.,

Traveling on different Whaleships is simply a matter of prudent security and caution.

This author takes it for granted there is no time difference between the Normal World and the Magic World. Considering how certain other things have played out, we'll see how long THAT lasts.

"The Ransom of Red Chief" is a 1910 short story by O. Henry. In this story, a little boy is kidnapped for ransom. After driving his kidnappers to distraction, they eventually accept from the boy's father just a small fraction of the originally demanded amount, just so they can be rid of him.

See kafka'sdragon 'MCN: Other Side of the Mirror.' For more on Regina Karkolova, and Mifune Hayase.

Chapter Twenty-five: Ostia.