Grace and Chaos Anita, thanks for the reviews!
Onward! Please review!
-Ukky
Chapter 20
Wolfpack Island
June 6th, 2002
He found him beside an ancient fountain built into the stone wall of another dim chamber in the mound. Xellos sat, black cloak wrapped around him and one pale hand caressing the surface of the water.
"Xellos," the young man murmured.
Mouth contorting, the demon glared at him angrily. "What."
"It doesn't mean what you think," Valgaav tried, stepping forward.
"Then what does it mean?" came the retort, and Xellos violet head turned away from him to glower into the water.
Val opened his mouth, then winced. "If you would just . . . just try to talk to her about it."
"It's not my place to question Mistress Zelas," he answered softly.
Dammit, Val bared his teeth angrily and clenched his fists. There's nothing I can say . . .
An empty stillness encompassed the room as Valgaav watched the priest. The shadows shook and danced in the firelight; the fountain trickled like chimes. And one dark corner began to undulate.
Out of the liquid blackness, one slim foot stepped, then another. "Children," she spoke gently, and golden eyes flickered between the two men.
Valgaav bowed and sighed with relief. "I'll leave you, your Highness."
"Very well." Zelas smiled at him as he looked up then teleported away.
(-(-o-)-)
Filia watched as Iyzeka knelt before the column and gazed up at the ancient words. The young demoness' eyes winced and her hands clenched at her sides as she glared desperately at the words.
What is she upset about? the golden dragon wondered. With a sigh, she stepped forwards in the low-lit chamber and stood next to the girl. "Iyzeka. What's wrong."
Biting her lip, the redhead turned to look up at her. "I hurt Master Xellos, I think," she said nervously. "But, I didn't mean to," the girl sighed, and returned to gazing at the knight's code. "I really have no experience with other people who have emotions," she admitted. "The other pure-blood Mazoku were kept from me, and the servants never spoke to me."
The blonde dragon shook her head and gave a quirky smile. "I don't think there is anything you could have done differently," she said. She seems so young . . . perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions that she's after Xellos. Though, she told herself with a touch of sadness, men like younger women in EVERY race it seems, and she doesn't appear to be that bad. Almost a 'renaissance' Mazoku, if what Xellos and Zelas said is true. And how could she fault Xellos for wanting to be with Iyzeka?
"Mom," her son spoke behind her, and she turned to gaze up at him.
"Valgaav. Is Xellos . . ."
"Zelas came," the spiky-haired teen replied. "They're talking. I think it'll be okay," he added with a smile.
(-(-o-)-)
Xellos clutched at his ebony slacks as his Mistress turned to gaze at him. "Mistress," he croaked, bowing and clenching his fists.
Slim fingers ran through his hair, and he began to whimper despite himself. "Xellos," her gentle voice rolled over him. "Tell me what you fear." The hand dropped to his chin and pulled his head up to look into her eyes. "My child. I can feel your desperation. Speak to me."
He gazed up at her with pained violet eyes. "I . . . I cannot question you, Mistress."
Sighing, she sat down on the floor and looked up at him, taking his bare hands in her own. "I want to be more than that to you, Xellos. More, and less."
More . . . and less . . . His own thoughts were echoed back to him. "What do you mean?" he whispered.
Smiling, the pink-haired Hellmaster shook her head slowly as she sat cross-legged on the stone floor. "You are my favorite child. Not just my servant."
His mouth opened, gaze pained and weak. "Am I?"
"Of course," the slim woman replied, raising a slender hand to his face. "You're so warm, Xellos," she smiled. "It is as if your vibrance saturates the form you created in every way."
A weak smile crossed his face, and he enveloped the hand on his face with his own. "Did you expect that I would look this way?" he asked.
"I made no assumptions," the Hellmaster told him, yellow eyes glinting in the torchlight. "But your form is as splendid as I could have expected from you."
"An attractive exterior does not necessarily accurately portray the truth beneath." His eyes narrowed painfully.
"Oh, Xellos," she sighed, rising to her knees. "My son. Your fears are not necessary." Zelas took his face between her palms and planted a kiss upon his forehead. "Your beauty lies in your perfection and you are perfect because of your faults. In every way, you are exactly what I meant for you to be. The closest extension of myself, the dearest part of me." She gave him a sudden smirk and giggled, "Come now, silly! How could you think that another could take your place?"
His haunted violet eyes studied her. "The creed."
"You do not follow it," she nodded. "And Iyzeka seems to."
Mouth trembling, Xellos dropped his gaze and nodded in return.
"You can be such an idiot sometimes," she beamed at him, launching herself at him in a sudden embrace. "I look at the knight's code often, Xellos," she admitted as she held him firmly in her arms. "I see it and I wonder, 'Could I ever be that?' Over time, I have slowly come to the conclusion that I can, with work and determination. I still have my faults, I still act in ways I should not. Iyzeka is younger than you, and had the chances that you didn't."
She pulled back to gaze into his pained eyes. "But you have the life experience. You will forever be more truly tied to the creed than she could ever be, because you pulled yourself from the brink of true darkness . . . and you found what the Lady wanted you to find."
His features contorted with confusion, and a ragged breath escaped him. "God. The Mother of all."
"Keep fighting for your soul, Xellos," she instructed him. "It is a battle that will forever be worthwhile." Her loving yellow eyes winked at him. "The brainwashing of Mazoku society is a large vice gripped around your mind. But you will crush it. Your will is far greater than even you believe."
Head drooping, Xellos murmured, "It's hard, Mother."
"I know." She hugged him again, lanky arms wrapping around him. "Your nature is being rewritten by a part of yourself, as you watch. New emotions becoming raw within you as you test the bonds of your relationships. And all when so much is expected of you. So much strength when you'd rather be weak . . ."
Shuddering, he nodded and clutched at her.
"Do not fear expulsion from me," she whispered lovingly in his ear. "I know this mission is perhaps your most difficult, but if it is any support . . . I still love you very much. My first and only son."
Xellos collapsed as if the energy was sucked from him, hot tears running down his face. He felt too weak to control the body functions, so he let them fall. "It does . . . it helps."
"Shh . . . Rebuild your strength around the gifts that you have received, Xellos," she told him as she rubbed his back. "My love . . . Valgaav's love. Filia's love." His head raised and he looked at her with confusion, causing her to laugh heartily. "Now, don't look at me with such surprise!" she tisked. "I suppose you would believe they did not love you."
Shrugging, the priest closed his streaming eyes. "I know they care, but . . . how could a dragon love a demon?"
Zelas chuckled and pinched his cheek. "If it's you, quite easily I'd think."
(-(-o-)-)
Xellos walked down the abandoned corridors, his footsteps clicking on the stone.
It's as if I've fought a million battles in my mind, he told himself. Drained, he felt emotionless for the first time in a long while. "You probably feel empty right now," Zelas had told him. "Emotional shock. You'll get over it soon."
I hope so.
He found a strange longing to speak to Filia, to stand in the hallway alone and just look at her. Clasping his hands behind him, he slowed his advance and came to a halt outside of the chamber where they stood.
In the room before him, Iyzeka was sitting before the pillar, eyes upon the creed. Filia and Valgaav stood watching her, the former with a worried tinge to her hooded cerulean eyes and the latter with drooped shoulders but hope in his weak smile.
So . . . his thoughts wandered across the universe. The Lady's true form is God . . . good, evil, chaos, and order. All-encompassing. Phibrizzo was wrong . . . we are not made for mere destruction. The former Hellmaster's words echoed in his mind. "Destruction! That's what we were created for . . . Isn't it?"
Xellos shook his head and chuckled quietly. Ridiculous. It's so obvious now how idiotic Phibrizzo was. How could beings be created to destroy? It's so contradictory. Nothing that can create so much would wish for it to be destroyed for no other reason than destruction, unless God were insane . . . and then all of this would have been wiped out long ago and rebuilt, over and over again.
The Mazoku blinked in surprise when he found that Filia was gazing down the dark corridor at him. Beaming, Xellos gave a little wave to her, and she smiled in return.
Moving leisurely, the dragoness began to make her way around the darkened room, walking as if studying the walls and décor of the ancient cavern. "Valgaav," she spoke finally, "I think I'll go see if I can find Xellos."
The finely dressed teenager frowned at her in worry. "Okay, I guess."
"Don't worry," Filia smiled at him comfortingly from the shadows. "I'll be fine."
Brows raising, Val took a deep breath and let it out. "Alright."
I don't think he's buying that, Xellos mused, suppressing a chuckle. His empathic abilities are so strong that he can probably sense that she has intentions other than "looking" for me.
The blonde began strolling towards him, so Xellos rose into the air and floated away from the group ahead of her, in order to not give away her "secret".
Firelight from the torches glistened off her flaxen locks as she walked slowly next to him, deeper into the catacombs. His brows rose at their silence and he tisked quietly at her. Filia, Filia. How surprising to see you engaging in such duplicity! he teased her within his mind.
Filia smiled at his expression and blushed in the low lighting, but continued to walk until they could no longer hear Valgaav and Iyzeka speaking. Her wandering ended within a small, round chamber, one curved side lined with statuary of young men and women gazing up into the dome of the high, bejeweled ceiling.
Lightly dropping to his feet, Xellos leaned his staff against a wall and turned to face her. "Hello," he murmured, violet eyes cheery in the shadows.
"Hi," Filia replied, then laughed a bit and stepped close to him, hesitantly running her fingers along the fourth stone of the silver clasp upon his chest. It was a symbol of his new rank, and somehow her touching it sparked a strange urge within him. "I . . . was worried about you," the dragoness admitted, gazing up into his eyes.
"I'm alright now," Xellos sighed happily, giving in to the desire to pull her into an embrace. The dragoness relented easily, and they stood together for a few silent moments. This . . . feels so wonderful, the priest realized with a tinge of shame. I almost hope that more little things go wrong just so I have the excuse to hold her.
Filia sighed against him, her arms slipped under his cloak and her tiny hands holding firmly to his back. "Are you sure you're alright now? Valgaav said that . . . Lady Zelas had come to speak to you."
Closing his eyes, the Greater Beastmaster inhaled the scent of her hair, hesitating to bring the moment to an end. "Yes, she did. I'm still a little astounded by what she said, I have to admit."
"What do you mean?" she whispered in the deep silence. "If you don't want to tell me, it's alright."
He shook his head slightly, smiling. "No, it's okay. I don't mind." You're the only one I could speak to about Zelas . . . "I trust you," he added. "More than anyone else . . ."
"Even Zelas?" she teased, head raising to look into his eyes.
Smirking, Xellos tightened the hug, faint trills of fire beginning to wind their way down his veins. "Zelas technically counts as my mother . . ." He gazed down at her and smiled. "But I think you two would be tied."
0
Filia held her breath as his hands roughly gripped into her lower back, his amethyst eyes meeting her own. "Thank you," she breathed, flushing from the compliment and the desire churning within her from his embrace. Are you sure you should be hugging him so freely? a part of her questioned. Hey, she replied weakly, he was sad. I'm just making him feel better.
Nodding, Xellos tipped his head and replied, "You're welcome." Eyes closing joyfully, he continued in a low voice, "Anyway, here is what Mistress Zelas told me. She basically said that . . . for a long time she has tried to uphold the virtues of goodness."
Her sapphire eyes widened. "Eh?"
"Yes," he gave a soft laugh, "my sentiments exactly." He sighed and lowered his head, their noses almost touching. "I felt . . . very worried when Iyzeka spoke," he admitted.
"You thought Zelas was replacing you," she hypothesized, and he nodded ponderously as if his head was heavy with the implications. "But, Xellos . . . I'm sure that's not true."
"It's not," he sighed, rubbing small circles along her back. "Valgaav was right when he told me that it was only because Iyzeka was younger. Mistress Zelas couldn't afford to teach me what she wanted to . . ."
Throat thick, Filia tried to reply, but his fingers on her back made it very difficult. "You fought in the war," she finally began, her voice rough with sudden emotion. "You couldn't have started a renaissance when you had to lead an army."
Xellos chuckled dryly. "I know. Still . . ." He looked away, violet tresses brushing her face. "I rely upon my Mistress more than I realized."
"You don't know what you have until someone threatens to take it away," she nodded with understanding. He's so warm, her thoughts continued more ineloquently. This makes me feel so safe . . . She closed her eyes in contentment.
"Um, Filia," Xellos interrupted with an odd tone of voice, "I think we have a slight problem."
Frowning, she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Wha—AHH!" Springing back, Filia stared at the huge, dog-sized vampire bat that clung to his shoulder, her movement causing his staff to clatter from the wall to the floor.
"XELLOS!" she cried, "what in the GODS' names is that doing here?!"
The robed priest chuckled nervously, eyes closing as he rubbed the back of his head. "Well, they like dark catacombs, but they usually stay away from people . . ."
"No," she huffed, "I meant, why is it on your arm?"
"Uh," he shook his arm slightly, and the werebat squeaked. "well, you see . . ."
Valgaav and Iyzeka phased in at that moment, the boy starting, "Mom-" then gaping at the Mazoku General in amusement. "Oh, okay."
"Hi, honey," Filia sighed at her child, then turned her narrowed blue eyes back to Xellos as she crossed her arms. "This has something to do with the other animals as well, doesn't it. So, spit it out already," she ordered.
Shoulders slumping in defeat, Xellos sighed. "You're right." He bit his lip in shame and forced a smile. "It all started a few hundred years after I was created, far before I knew you. I was pretty immature back then," he paused as Filia snorted, "and I had decided to have a little fun with some of the animals on the island," he laughed weakly, closed eyes pained. "So . . . Mistress Zelas put a 'curse' on me."
Watching with curiosity, Valgaav listened to the revelation and began to laugh. "Ah, no wonder the animals find you 'tasty'," he mocked with a cocky grin. "So, now they all hate you, or now they all have the unavoidable urge to bite you?"
Xellos looked at the tall young man and let out a long breath, hand still rubbing the back of his violet head. "I would think, the latter," he answered painfully. "Anyhow . . ."
Squeaking again, the large bat on his arm flapped its wings once, then pulled its claws up and into the monster's bicep. Wincing, Xellos gritted, "Good thing I can turn off my pain sensors," and glared down at the creature. "Damnable thing."
"But," Filia said as she approached, "it's so cute!" The tiny fox-headed animal glanced up at her as she neared. "How could you hate it, look at its tiny eyes, and its cute nose!"
Xellos narrowed his eyes at her, unamused. "Sure, Filia, it's so adorable as it rends my flesh from my bones."
Glaring back at him, the blonde replied, "It's not really your body, though, is it? So it doesn't matter." Turning to the werebat, a smile broke across her face and the golden dragon began petting the creature's furry forehead. "You're so pretty, aren't you?"
On the other side of the chamber, Valgaav leaned against the stone wall and grinned. "Here they go again."
"Well," the Mazoku began haughtily, "if only true forms matter, then you won't mind if I do this!"
His free hand dropped from behind his neck and swung around - CRACK. Filia screeched as he smacked her butt, and whirled to face him. "XELLOS!" she howled, face scarlet.
Iyzeka blushed and brought her hands to her mouth. "Oh, I see what you mean," she whispered back.
His mother was ranting again, fists at her side. "I can't believe you did that! How could you do that in front of other people!"
"Oh," Xellos leered, "so what could I get away with if we were alone?"
Nodding as his mom sputtered, Valgaav straightened and gave the petite redhead a look. "Time to break them up again," he told her, beginning to saunter over to the two elders.
"XELLOS!" she was yelling at the laughing man, "you, you!"
"Well," he replied, violet eyes opening once to wink at her, "maybe you shouldn't have chosen a bat over me."
The blonde gaped, then growled, "I would never do that!"
"But you did."
"Did NOT!"
"Did too," he chuckled as she lunged for him.
"Did not!"
A loud, high whistle echoed through the cavern, and the two stopped to stare at Valgaav. Lowering his fingers from his mouth, the aqua-haired youth took a long, slow breath and let it out. "Okay, kiddies, playtime's over. Can you possibly flirt with each other on your own time?" he asked sarcastically.
The two stared at him, the bat occasionally flapping its wings, as he turned away. "Come on, Iyzeka," he said over his shoulder, "let's 'get to know each other' s'more or something." The teenager headed down a dark corridor, calling out, "Remember, this is about 'bonding' so we can work better together."
Pattering after him, Iyzeka murmured, "But, Lord Valgaav, maybe this is how they work better together."
Xellos and Filia gazed after them, still gaping.
"If that's the case, Iyzeka," he replied, "may God help us all."
The adults glanced at each other as the kids disappeared around a corner.
"Did too," Xellos whispered with an affectionate grin, violet eyes catching Filia's as he grabbed her arm.
Blushing, the dragoness pulled away, a shy smile breaking out on her face. "Cut it out," she chastised.
The two beamed at each other, then Xellos crooked his free arm and Filia took his arm in her hand. Walking thus, they followed after the youths into the blackness . . . the bat still clinging to Xellos' other side.
(-(-o-)-)
"So," the spiky-haired youth looked down at her, "what are you interested in, Iyzeka?"
Blinking, the young Mazoku began to laugh timidly. "Um, you know, light music, uh, movies . . . stuff like that."
"Light music?" Val asked, ducking a swaying cobweb as his mouth twisted in slight disgust at more than the surroundings. LIGHT music?
She frowned slightly at him, then tripped over a rock and hopped to keep from falling. "Eh heh, heh," laughed the girl, "you know, Rob Zombie, 'Garage Days', Linkin Park, Ozzie . . ."
"Oh." Peering at her, Valgaav began to laugh, and she joined him. "So, then, what do you consider 'medium'?"
The auburn-haired girl paused to think. "Hmm . . . Cradle of Filth, Iron Maiden, Guar . . . And that German band, I can't remember their name."
"And 'heavy'?"
Glancing at him, she shrugged. "I donno'. Screaming."
He paused and looked ahead. "Right."
"So, what do you like to listen to?" she asked politely, green eyes curious.
"Well," Val grinned, "it's pretty eclectic of a mix. Mom would always play slow, pretty songs on whatever instrument was the newest creation. Lutes, mandolins, she learned everything. Then Xellos would show up and take it away from her," he chuckled, gold eyes glinting with the memories, "and start playing his own version, usually very allegro."
A chuckle sounded from behind, and they turned to see Xellos and Filia catching up to them. "Gossiping about me, Valgaav?" Xellos asked, eyes closed happily.
The young man's brows rose at seeing the two adults arm-in-arm, but he merely grinned and said, "Just relaying some of your many exploits of annoying my mother."
Passing him, Xellos shook the bat on his arm at the dragon. "That would take you a few years." Filia trailed right behind him, still clutching his elbow with a smile on her face. "Anyhow," the priest turned to the teenagers, "we should be getting back."
Iyzeka and Val looked at each other and nodded. "Yeah," the boy said, eyes saddening. "we still have to pack and get ready."
Stoically, Xellos bobbed his head once, eyes on the green-haired youth. "Don't worry," he told them, looking at each in turn. "That's one thing I think the Mazoku definitely got right. Never dread the future, you'll just make yourself ill!" he finished with a broad grin. "Now, come on, let's get back to the castle."
With a snap of his bare fingers, they disappeared . . . minus the bat.
(-(-o-)-)
Filia stepped into Xellos' quarters and watched as Valgaav ran past her into the bedroom, calling out, "How long are we going to be 'out'?"
Sighing, Xellos stopped behind her and yelled back, "I'd pack enough for four or five days."
The young man's muffled voice retorted, "So I get your clothes again?"
"Yes, yes," the demon tossed his violet head back as he laughed loudly, "but try to choose something appropriate," then glanced over at Filia. "Your son," he chuckled with closed eyes.
"He's taken quite a liking to you over the years," replied the blonde, sitting uncertainly on the ebony couch.
Xellos sat down beside her, cloak rustling in movement. "What's wrong?"
Wincing slightly, she glanced up at him and tried to smile. "Well . . . I don't have any clothes to wear!" she nervously tittered.
"Oh!" the priest laughed, clapping his bare hands together. "Is that all? Don't worry, I had some of the servants find a selection of a few more of Mistress Zelas' clothes, you won't have to trouble yourself over that."
Filia glared at him suspiciously. "Yeah, well, I'd better look at them first," she commanded, azure eyes narrowing.
"Um," he tried to smile, "but, Filia, you must remember that they won't be exactly to your liking . . ."
Standing, the blonde sniffed, nose in the air, and headed for his bedroom. "Whatever. I'll just have to buy some clothes in China!"
Xellos shook his head and grimaced. "One," the door shut to the bedroom, "two," he raised two fingers, "three," and then a third . . .
"XELLOS! I CAN'T WEAR THIS!"
He sighed at the closed door, then stood. "Like clockwork . . ."
(-(-o-)-)
"Very well," Zelas stood before them, grinning wickedly. "The private jet reserved for you is waiting in Hawaii." She twirled a lock of pink hair and leaned against the heavy round table, the jungle foliage rustling in the background. "The one stone fragment we do have is going to stay with me at all times," she fingered the brown pouch around her neck, a parting gift from Filia, "this way there will be no possibility that Telgaln can take it from any of you. While there is the miniscule risk that I could be subverted by its power," she chuckled, unaffected, "I am the Regent, so I don't really think it would make much of a difference in my station."
The four were lined up in a row. Xellos stood the furthest right, wearing a black designer suit and tie with a forest green dress shirt and his hair tied back. Next to him, Filia shuffled nervously in her borrowed form-fitting jacket and slacks, both a pale lilac. Her long hair was done up in a conservative bun, appropriate for the high-class façade they were attempting to reflect.
The youths wore more relaxed clothes, but the look was similar, though Iyzeka wore a dress. All gave the indication of being very wealthy, and very refined.
Zelas grabbed at the papers on the table and glanced lazily at the four. "Here are your passports and other various paraphernalia you'll need. You remember the story, don't you?"
Filia turned a bright rose as her purple-haired companion slung an arm around her and pulled her close to him, then exclaimed in his nasal voice, "Of course! Filia and I are married," the woman blushed further and he chuckled, "Valgaav is her son and," Xellos winked at the young man who was glaring at him with embarrassment, "Iyzeka is his girlfriend!" Only the demon girl could keep her expression from betraying discomfort as the priest cackled.
Laughing with him, the Hellmaster took a drag of her cigarette. "Good. That shouldn't be too hard for you to manage. Remember, do try to be realistic, everyone. Telgaln could have spies anywhere or nowhere," her brows rose as they all nodded, Filia and Valgaav still slightly red-faced. "Now," Zelas continued, "here is the equipment I told you about."
Her golden eyes studied them all as she handed each one a broach. "This will shield your power signatures unless you use your power outright; basically, anything beyond telepathy. Anything more powerful would be sensed by anyone with the ability. And, just so you know, it doesn't matter where you keep them as long as they're on your person."
Taking more things from the table, she said, "And these are enchanted so that you'll be able to communicate with each other in the unlikely chance you are separated. They aren't as unreliable as cellular phones," she scowled at the thought, "and," her face brightened, "they use very little magic so no one will sense them!"
Filia stared at the two pieces placed in her hand as Zelas explained them. "The necklace is the microphone," the demoness told them, and grinned as Xellos looked at the tiny heart locket skeptically, Hah, Xelly, poor thing . . . "and the small stub is the speaker. Remove the plastic strip and place it behind your ear, and it will adhere to your skin."
Her eyes hardened as she told them harshly, "It can't be removed with soap or water and don't try to remove it, either. You'll just end up hurting yourself." I wish we didn't have to use "civilians" for this, she mused darkly.
They all put on the gold locket necklaces, then Valgaav spoke up. "Let me guess, you open the locket to activate them."
The Hellmaster grinned at him. He knows EVERYTHING before I can even say it. Amazing. "Exactly correct, my boy. And, you just think of the person you're trying to contact and it will form a connection with that person's own communicator."
"Um, just one question, my Lady," Val interrupted again. "What about lip-reading? If we whisper and any Mazoku know how to do that . . . they'll blow our cover."
She gave him an insightful glance. "True, however, priding myself on information, I know about Dynast and Dolphin's people, some of which are now working for Telgaln according to our sources. None were ever given assignments other than slash and burn runs to instill fear, or attacks on other Mazoku. Of the demons alive, only Xellos," she nodded to her subordinate, "has ever been in any covert operations, and only he has ever had need to learn how to read lips."
She pulled herself up onto the table and swung her legs as she took out more papers. "Let's see . . . here are some tour maps of China with the locations indicated in the book you brought me. I suspect the temples circled." She handed them to Xellos.
Taking the papers, the man frowned over them. "Not all of these circled are temples, or even provinces," he noted. "Possibly sites that were temples before the Soviet government decimated the Shaolin."
Zelas nodded to her inferior, her mini-skirt rising dangerously as her legs flashed back and forth beneath her. "Exactly. In conclusion, I will state again," she smiled with pursed, amused lips at them, "High Beastmaster Xellos IS your superior and the commander of this mission. There is no second in command," she stated firmly. "If he's not around, all of you must decide on the most intelligent next move. Try to be cunning."
Glancing at Filia, Xellos grinned and waved, making the dragoness grumble under her breath. "Your Highness," she said sourly, "do I have to do everything he says?"
Zelas raised her hand to her face and ran her fingers down her nose. "Within reason," she groaned, "Miss Filia, Xellos."
If I appointed anyone to be the second in command, it would be Valgaav. And that would be trouble. He has neither the rank of Iyzeka or the age of Filia, yet as far as I can see, that wonder-child is more intelligent and capable than both together. Possibly, she mused anxiously, more intelligent than all of us combined.
