Zelgadis' Gambit

Chapter: 16

Bump in the Road

Time to continue with the fun.

Rose and Grey sat at the table across from Rask as the talks were start to come to a close. They both looked a bit worn from the experience and would be glad to be able to head back to Fresya as soon as possible. "Well, everything seems to be in order," Rask spoke up as if wrote down a few things, "We will hopefully be done soon."

It was at this moment that Fairen came back into the tent and walk up to Rask. He leaned down a whispered something into the head advisors ear. Rask stood quickly from his chair before turning and looking at the two and saying, "If you will excuse me I must speak with my associate."

Rose and Grey nodded before watching the two walk out of the tent. Rose turned to Grey and said, "Looks like something happened. And, seeing as how I don't hear the sounds of bedlam outside it happened back in Rand."

Grey nodded as he pulled his cloak down and began to listen. Rose smirked as her partners sensitive hearing went to work. 'At least no one can ever keep a secret from us,' Rose thought as she sat back and waited.

Outside the two were in a heated discussion. "How could this have happened? The princess should have had the best protection in the kingdom," Rask all but shouted.

"I know," Fairen replied, "But, she wish to go out amongst the people to lift their spirits and while in route her carriage was attacked."

"Do we know who it is that did this," Rask continued.

"It was Marden and his devil boys bandit group." answered Fairen.

"He has gotten bold," Rask thought, "What moved him to attack the princess?"

"It's reported that he has a new second with strange powers," Fairen began, "Powers that are reported to be on the same level as the two Fresya sent as diplomats."

Grey sat back and waited as the two came back inside. Rask was about to speak when he stopped dead in his tracks. He got his first good look at the man called Grey as his hood was down. The man had hair that looked to be made of steel and blue skin with rocks embedded into the his skin. Before, Rask could say anything Grey stood and said, "You don't have to explain. My hearing is rather sensitive and I've heard all of your conversation."

"You...," Fairen was about to blast at the man for eavesdropping but he was stopped by Rask.

"And, what do you plan to do with this information," Rask asked while eyeing the chimera.

Grey crossed his arms and replied, "I propose that you allow us to offer our services and rescue your princess. I'm sure this can strengthen the bound between our two countries if we aid you in your time of need."

The two Rand advisors and Rose looked at Grey before Rask coughed to clear the tension in the air before saying, "I would accept your proposal as long as you give me your word that the princess will not become your hostage once you have her."

It was at this point that Rose stood and glared at the two advisors before saying, "We are mages from the demon peninsula. If we had wanted to take over we would have. All we want is to end this skirmish so that the soldiers can come home and take over the bandit issue. This in turn will free us to begin our own goal which is to find out who we were before showing up here. There are people waiting, claiming to know us, the only thing we would want your princess for would be to end this."

Both advisors backed up a bit as the fire in Rose's eyes were enough to burn thing around her. Grey moved behind his partner before wrapping his arms around her and continuing, "As you can see we are not interested in changing world dynamics other than to end this war. Allow us to rescue her, guarantee that this will end the hostilities, and we will withdrawal after the task is done."

Rask nodded before saying, "I agree. If you return the princess unharmed then that will be more than enough to end this issue between nations."

Grey nodded before pulled Rose closer to him and watched as the two advisors from Rand retreated from the tent. Rose rolled her head back while looking at Grey and asked, "And, why did you decide to embrace me all of a sudden?"

Grey smirked while replying, "One, to keep you from lobbing a fireball at them. And, number two, do I really need a reason to embrace you?"

Rose smirked and enjoyed the embrace of Grey for a while before they withdrew to their own tent.

Two days later found Rose and Grey back in their carriage as they traveled down the road inside the country of Rand. Inside the carriage the normal riding configuration had changed. Instead of each sitting across from each other Grey sat on the back side of the carriage with Rose resting in his lap. Rose leaned back and rested her head on Grey's shoulder. Rose sighed before opening her eyes to see Grey had closed his eyes and was in his listening mode. She watched as his ears seemed to twitch at each sound that was around the carriage and could not help but think, 'I wonder how much he can actually hear?'

Rose smiled as she watched her partner keep his senses out for their safety. While traveling Rose never had to worry about her safety because of Grey's tremendous senses. 'Though I have had to worry about others safety if they got on Grey's bad side,' Rose smirked as she remembered how protective Grey was of her.

Rose giggled slightly at her whimsy to earn Grey opening one of his eyes and looking down. "And, what has you in such a good mood," he asked as the smile spread on his face.

Rose looked up at Grey before saying, "Nothing important. Just a little thought that peaked my humor that's all."

Grey smirked before running one of his hands through Rose's fiery, red locks. He watched as Rose closed her eyes and leaned into his caress. He heard the light sigh that escaped from her lips as his fingers ran slowly through the length of her hair. After, finishing his slight attention, Grey lowered his hand under Rose's chin before pulling up lightly. Rose opened her eyes and stared back at Grey as he said, "Well, at least one of us can laugh with the situation coming up."

Rose turned in Grey's lap and looked directly in his eyes before asking, "Then why did you suggest this if you are that troubled by it?"

Grey closed his eyes as he inhaled. He slowly opened his eyes while replying, "It feels like the right thing to do. If we are able to solve a lot of these two nations issue then they will not need us after we have regained our old lives."

Rose laid her cheek on Grey's shoulder as a small smile came to her face. "I don't know. Being the advisors to a king is not a bad gig. So I wouldn't say that it is a sure thing that were are going to disappear once we have our memories back."

"Maybe," Grey replied while running his hand across Rose's red hair.

Rose snuggled into Grey as they continued to ride down the road towards the middle of the country of Rand. It would only be a matter of days before they would go from this idyllic lifestyle to begin mages once again.

Another day had past and the two had finally come to the area that their search would begin. The carriage pulled up to an inn at the edge of town before the two occupants climbed out and onto the streets. Rose stretched as she was glad to be able to stand after the long day of travel. She turn to be met by Grey with his hood and mask up. Rose's eyes narrowed as she glared at the articles of clothing more so than her partner. "Why hasn't that thing been burned yet?," came Rose's irritated question.

Grey sighed as he expected that reaction from Rose. He put up his hands before replying, "As I keep explaining, these people are not used to my appearance, so this is a necessary thing until we are back home."

Rose huffed as she stomped into the inn with Grey in tow behind her. The two came to the front desk to be greeted by an older woman. She looked up and smiled at the two while saying, "Welcome. How many rooms do you require."

Grey walked forward and pulled out his coin purse before saying, "We just need one room. But, we might be here for a while. Is there a weekly rate?"

The lady nodded, "Yes, we have weekly rates. We also include rates for food as well as the option to reserve a private bath instead of the public one."

Grey smirked under his mask while looking at Rose from the corner of his eye. 'That will get her in a better mood,' he thought.

Grey produced a gold coin from the bag and handed it to the manager. "Will this be enough to start with?"

"Oh, yes sir," the manager nodded while accepting the coin.

"Then I would like to order your two best meals to our room and to reserve the private bath for an hour later tonight," Grey continued as he could tell by the manager's reaction that the gold was more than she was expecting.

Grey turned to Rose as the manager went about getting things ready for the two. Rose smirked at Grey but pointed at him, "I see what your doing. And, while that does help I can't guarantee that your mask will make it through the night."

Grey laughed and motioned for Rose to take his arm. Rose took hold of Grey before the both of them headed towards the room that had been prepared for them.

I know bit of a cliffy but the next chapter will start right were this one left off.

Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.

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