Hello, everyone. As per usual, I don't own anything, I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy.

47- Unexpected Company

"What? Of course Mister Lyos' use of the Banisher would support the barrier. You thought that the barrier and the Banisher were the only two reservoirs of the Aqualord's power?"

Filia was feeling much better the next day, evidenced by her willingness to chastise the group for their "simple" way of thinking. While embarrassed that she was lecturing them, they were glad to get the information they were seeking from a reliable source. Instead of gathering in the library, warmer than usual weather allowed them to gather out in the garden. The trees had already lost all their leaves for the winter, and there were piles of gold and orange littering the grounds. The slight chill in the air only made the spiced cider that they drank even sweeter.

"I don't study the gods. I've never heard of any other major reservoirs." Pestis put up his hands innocently.

"It works on the same principles of Black Magic and Shamanism. I would've assumed that you all would have had training in these areas." Filia sipped her cider slowly, with a condescending frown. "Especially you, Miss Lina, Mister Zelgadis."

"The principles of Shamanism hinge upon the distribution of life energy as it cycles in the environment. Understanding the living and non-living portions of these cycles is vital in understanding how to make use of it in magic." Zelgadis thought out loud.

"It's the same with divine energy."

"Simple thermochemistry." Miss Hayze murmured.

Gourry gave her a look. "That's an oxymoron if I've ever heard one."

"Gourry, do you want to go play with the kids?" Lina put a hand on his shoulder and motioned out to a sunny corner of the garden where the infants were being allowed to explore with Zara and Enrique's supervision. Enrique was trying to coax Luke into playing with a leaf, and Zara was busy trying to keep Enrico from putting a caterpillar in his mouth. "This conversation might get a little… over your head."

"I'm not stupid, Lina." Gourry pouted. "I've got nothing against thermochemistry."

"I do." Zelgadis rolled his eyes, and Amelia gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder.

Filia knocked her spoon against her glass to get the group's attention. "As I was saying, divine life energy cycles through the environment just like any other kind of energy. And, as with any cycle, it gets stored in certain reservoirs, or sinks, as they're called-"

"Slow down, I can't write that fast." Shizuri was furiously scribbling away on a notepad. "The high priest will be so pleased when I bring this information back to the church. We haven't had new additions to our information bank in ages."

"Glad to help." Filia smiled. "As you can imagine, when energy builds up in these sinks, it takes effort to release it. That's where Mister Lyos comes in."

"...huhwha…?" Lyos had been dozing, but suddenly perked up at the sound of his name. "What do I need to do?"

"Nothing right now. Just pay attention." Miss Hayze responded.

"When Mister Lyos put the energy into drawing out the Aqualord's power through the Banisher, he pulled power out of a sink. With Lyos' effort, that power was able to cycle into the environment and eventually reinforce the barrier in the North. The releasing of the energy from sinks helps to balance out fluctuations in the environment. You see?"

"So that's why the weather went back to normal." Lina nodded. "It makes sense when you put it that way."

"Lina, you're smart. Why didn't you think of that?" Gourry spoke up.

"The idea of other reservoirs for the Aqualord's power came to my mind more than once, but I didn't have much time to dwell on it." Lina replied. "You know that. The twins are your sons too."

"Well, thanks a lot, Miss Filia!" Pestis clapped his hands together. "That's exactly what we needed to know."

Filia blinked. "That's it? You made me come all this way to explain to you something I could have easily communicated in a letter?"

"No, no! I have so much more to ask you!" Shizuri exclaimed, waving her hands. "Please, can I ask you a few more questions?"

"Of course…" Filia murmured, taken by surprise.

Lina stood up from the table. "I'd love to stay and hear all the information, but I've got an appointment this afternoon at a nearby estate. One of my clients contacted me with the intention of acquiring a certain type of art piece, and I've got just the thing for him."

"Is that the sculpture that you brought with you?" Miss Hayze's eyes lit up. "I was wondering why you carried that with you all the way here."

"…It wasn't her who carried it…" Gourry mumbled.

"Yep. This is a very loyal client of mine, so I'm eager to deliver whatever he wants. He's a seasoned buyer, and haggling with him over prices is some of the most fun I have on the job." Lina's eyes sparkled in anticipation.

"He sounds like a formidable opponent." Miss Hayze murmured. "In fact, I'm prepared to top his offer, if you would be willing to sell the piece to me."

The group could see Lina's business sense kicking into full gear at the phrase "top his offer." She pressed her lips together and took a deep breath before replying.

"I can't give you a price to work with until I hear his initial offer."

"That's fine. I can travel with you to his estate."

"He really wants this piece. He might be willing to continue bidding for it if he thinks he has competition."

"I'm prepared for that."

Lina was practically squirming in excitement now. "You have a good eye, Miss Hayze. I'd be honoured to sell the piece to you if my client is willing to concede."

"Be careful, now." Gourry warned. "Lina may try to drive up the price unnecessarily."

"Unneces-" Lina shot a glare at him. "Who do you think is benefiting from our profits? Don't you care about our children?"

There was a pause, and the group could hear a frantic Zara across the lawn yelling "No, Enrico! That's not food!"

"I'm not worried." Gourry shrugged. "Just be fair."

"Business is business." Lina defended. "Anyway… I just need someone here to keep an eye on the twins while we're gone. This client loves children, but the twins get cranky without their afternoon nap and I don't want any interruptions to sour business deals."

"I want to come with you." Zelgadis spoke up. "I'd like to see how you do business."

"Me too!" Shizuri nodded. "I can talk more with Miss Filia later."

"I really want to see you on the job. I haven't ever gotten the chance to see you work." Amelia smiled.

"I wanna go with Amelia and Zelgadis!" Pestis joined in.

"I need to stay with Milady." Lyos stated firmly. "I'm not going to let her travel on her own."

Filia stood up. "I could watch the twins, if you wanted."

"Oh, Filia, would you?" Lina cooed. "I'd be so grateful."

"Not grateful enough to pay you." Gourry muttered.

"Mister Gourry, I'm not looking for payment. I'm just happy to help all of you in any way that I can."

Pestis raised his hand. "Enrique can stay and help too, that way Miss Filia won't be on her own."

"The twins shouldn't be any trouble. If there's anything they do well, it's sleep." Gourry laughed. "But thanks. Enrique knows them well. If you have any troubles, Filia, give him a call."

Filia smiled. "I will. Don't worry."

Enrique preferred to stay in the music room while the rest of the group was gone, practicing the piano pieces that Pestis had taught him. He could only bang out Chopsticks and Ode to Joy so far, but every little bit helped.

The others had left earlier and Filia was spending her time in the makeshift nursery on the third floor of the estate. She had the twins asleep and was hovering over her Ancient Dragon egg as any concerned mother would. She didn't want to let it out of her sight, not knowing what might happen to it. Enrique had already solicited an explanation from Zara about the difference between egg-laying creatures and creatures that bore live young. Where did Mazoku fall in that category? Live young, Zara guessed, but it was more like asexual budding. Budding? That sounded like a plant. So Mazoku were plants, now? Enrique wasn't sure what to make of the whole scenario. All he knew was that babies were super cute, but a lot of work.

As he continued through another round of Chopsticks, he became aware of the sensation of being watched. He wondered if Filia had joined him and turned around to greet her, but it wasn't Filia.

Before he knew what had happened, the Mazoku had taken a seat beside him on the piano bench. She was a young-looking Mazoku, but obviously powerful, and had a look of polite interest on her face.

"Hi." she spoke, leaning closer to him. "I've been spying on you for a long time, and I think you're super-cute."

"Um…" He stood up and moved a short distance away. "Do I know you?"

"Unfortunately, no." She batted her eyelashes. "But you can."

Enrique wasn't sure how to respond to that. "Uh… I'm Enrique… and…"

"Yes, yes, I know that. I'm here to deliver a message to Lord Pathosmaster."

"Oh!" Enrique gasped, happy to have a reason to talk to the Mazoku. "He's not here right now, unfortunately."

"I know that. I came to talk to you. You're his second-in-command, aren't you?"

"R-right." Enrique murmured. "But why talk to me if your message is for him?"

"You're really ignorant, huh?" she purred. "I can't just go speaking to Mazoku Lords whenever I feel like it. I know my place. I can't even have an audience with my own master without first asking permission. That's the hierarchy."

"Ah. I'm sorry."

The Mazoku smiled. "You're just so cute, you don't have to apologize. Listen to the message and promise to relay it, okay?"

Enrique nodded mutely.

"Lord Beastmaster wishes to create an alliance between Lord Pathosmaster and herself. She hopes that the two of them could work together in the future, particularly on a project that she has been heading for the past several years-"

"I'm sorry." Enrique interrupted. "An… alliance? Lord Pathosmaster told me he doesn't plan to ally himself with any Mazoku. He wants to remain neutral."

The Mazoku's mouth hung open for a moment as she stared at him. "And he has given you permission to make decisions about alliances on his behalf?"

"W-well… I guess…"

"You guess?" The Mazoku reached out and tapped him on the nose. "Lord Beastmaster's offer was not a question, and it isn't something that a subordinate can make decisions about. I told you to pass this message on to Pathosmaster, and I expect you to do so. Lord Beastmaster will be waiting to hear his reply in the next few days."

"Wh-what'll she do if he doesn't reply?" Enrique stammered nervously.

"Then I'll come back and try again." She stepped back with a smile on her face. "But, of course, if it means we can spend more time together, I'll be happy to come back!" She looked like she might try to hug him, and Enrique leaned away from her.

"I… still don't know you."

"Right! Which is why we need more time together!" Instead of hugging him, offered one hand to shake. He tentatively reached out for it, but she yanked the hand away suddenly. "Oops. I have to go now. We'll talk later, okay cutie?"

"I'm… not…" Enrique stammered, but she disappeared. The whole encounter had been such a whirlwind, he wasn't sure what to make of it. "…Pathosmaster… message… for Pathosmaster…?"

Mazoku were strange and unexplainable creatures, he decided.

Filia was enjoying her time alone. This trip, while stressful, was a welcome break from the chaos of running her pottery shop back home. Now she could focus on the novel that she was reading without the many distractions that plagued her during her normal routine. Lina and Gourry had been right- the twins were easy to take care of, and after Lina had coaxed them to sleep they had stayed quiet. The Ancient Dragon egg in its protected basket sat on a table next to where Filia was sitting.

Just as she turned onto page 127, Filia heard a knock at the door. Slipping her bookmark into its place, she stood up and approached the door.

"Enrique? Is something wrong?" She opened the door curiously, but jumped back in surprise. It wasn't Enrique.

"Filia, dear!" Xellos' voice had an air of condescension to it. "It's been such a long time since you last spoke to me. I was worried."

"Y-you…" Filia breathed. "Where have you been?!"

"I've been busy. Same as you." Xellos replied, slipping into the room past Filia and snaking one arm over her shoulder.

"Hey, hey! Hands off until you tell me why you're here!" Filia grabbed his arm and forcefully removed it from her shoulder. "You've been missing for months, you know!"

Xellos produced a small wrapped package from his bag, holding it up innocently. "Calm down. I'm only here to deliver a gift- from me, with love."

Filia's stern expression softened and she reached for the package. "Oh, Xellos… you shouldn't have."

"I didn't. It's not for you." Xellos retracted the gift before Filia could get to it. "Can't you read?"

"…Professor Nisery…?" Filia's eyes narrowed. "…why would you-?"

"You didn't know? Professor Nisery and I are involved in a long-running love affair." Xellos answered with a straight face, and it took Filia a moment to stammer out a response.

"Th-that's a lie!"

"Your face says you believe it."

Filia felt her cheeks turn red. "W-with you, I can never tell."

"You can rest assured, my dear- Professor Nisery is not my type. He's too straightforward for my liking."

"And I'm not straightforward?"

Xellos laughed. "I thought that question might come up."

"Why are you here?!" Filia repeated firmly. "I don't understand. What's so important that you have to deliver it to Professor Nisery in a wrapped package? You've been so distant lately. The way Lina and them talk, one would think you were a villain. I want to know what's really going on."

"Oh?" Xellos gave a pout. "You don't think I could be a villain?"

"What am I supposed to think?"

"Fair point." Xellos kept his eyes closed, but he seemed to scan the room, eventually focusing on the Ancient Dragon egg. "Ah! Is this our little Val? He looks different than when I last saw him."

"I've read extensively on the development of Ancient Dragon embryos. It means he should be hatching any time in the next few weeks."

"Really." It was more of a statement than a question, and Xellos' eyes opened for a brief moment to stare at the cloudy shell of the egg. He eventually straightened up and placed his wrapped gift beside the basket before turning around to the large cradle where the twins were still sleeping soundly. "And these are the twins I've heard so much about!"

"Shh." Filia pressed a finger to her lips. "Don't wake them up."

"Relax, Filia. Your parenting style is so obsessive. How is Val ever going to make new friends or have new experiences?" Xellos shrugged her off, leaning over the cradle. He pointed to Luke. "Why is this one smaller than the other?"

"That's Luke. Miss Lina says that he was simply born smaller than his brother, but it doesn't mean anything. He's perfectly healthy."

"Interesting." Xellos reached out and scooped up the baby in his arms before Filia could stop him. "They both favour their father. It's amazing, really."

"B-be careful with him!" Filia hissed. "Put him back! He needs to sleep if he wants to stay healthy. You've woken him up now."

Luke was beginning to stir and whining softly as he moved his arms back and forth. Xellos tickled the boy's nose gently. "Aren't you a cute widdle boy~" he cooed in baby-talk. "Are you scared 'cause your mommy hired this mean old dwagon lady to be your babysitter? I'd be scared too~"

"Xellos!" Filia hissed again. "You can't assume he doesn't understand what you're saying!"

"Oh, I assume he does understand what I'm saying."

"Please, stop!"

Xellos set Luke back down in the cradle, where Enrico was started to stir and whine as well. Slowly, Xellos began to approach Filia, his eyes open and staring intently at her. It was disconcerting, and she took a tentative step back. "…Xellos? What is it?"

"I was just thinking…" Xellos murmured.

"…?"

"…have you gained weight since I last saw you?"

SLAP
"Ugh. I forgot how much of a pain you are to deal with." Filia groaned, crossing her arms and turning away from him.

"Hey, hey, go easy on me. I was kidding. Really, Filia, I have a present for you too." Xellos rubbed his cheek.

"Oh?" Filia glanced at him as he rummaged through his bag. "So you do have a heart after all."

"Not really." Xellos spoke without even looking up. "Close your eyes. I want it to be a surprise."

"Okay… tell me when I can open them again." Filia felt a little uncomfortable closing her eyes to him, only because she was also closing her eyes on the babies, but she was sure she could be alerted in a split second if her maternal instincts told her that they were in any danger.

"No need for that."

Before Filia knew what was happening, she felt him standing in front of her, placing one hand on her shoulder and another on her waist. "X-Xellos, what are yo-"

He pressed one hand over her mouth, muffling the rest of her sentence- and the scream that followed.

She fell forward onto her knees, hands clutched instinctively over the stab wound in her lower abdomen. The sight of blood staining the carpet scared the breath out of her, and she couldn't speak.

"I can see why Azarel favours these daggers. They're pretty good quality." Xellos had stepped back and taken out a handkerchief to clean off the weapon. "I considered stabbing you in the back, but I thought that would be a little too cliché. There's no need for unnecessary symbolism. Besides, this way I can make sure I don't hit anything vital. Bleed on the carpet for a little while- that's just for show- and I'll cauterize the wound for you in a few moments."

"Wh-wh-wha…" Filia's eyes widened in horror as she watched Xellos scoop up Luke again.

"Don't worry, Filia." Xellos smiled. "I'll take very good care of him."