Hey ya'll! I'm back with some quick notes! A) No own. Not even in my wildest dreams. B) A little bit of skipping, a lot of reading here. Yes, it's long. C) Though inferior to the part I lost...*sniff* D) "Ain't" and double negatives have only become nasty to mainstream grammar; they are quite appropriate to this time period. Go read Chaucer if you don't believe me. E) Just a note: if you want to get a feel for old language, read Dennis L. McKiernan's "Voyage of the Fox Rider" or "The Eye of the Hunter." He is excellent. Comments, questions, concerns to the address in blue; my homepage is still at Geocities (http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/8281/) for updates and previews. Have fun. Thanks to Nirrad (you're sweet, and keep sending the parts!) and Lady Macbeth and the Eastlake Peanut Gallery (creative, wonderful, why don't you write for this archive!?) for your notes of encouragement. Also Lianne-san, Kis-sama, Li-chan, and Lisum for being sweethearts. AHH! Too much! Onto it! THE BEAST by Ninx CHAPTER SIX FORGING LINKS "…that ties began…" The Prince and Serin returned very later into the night, she still snugged close to him and half asleep, he fatigued as well. They were greeted by Jade and Ryu, who had returned to his post after talking with Naosu. The two of them had spoken little and thought much, especially upon the sight that had appeared to them that night. Yet while Jade’s thoughts wandered from the sherbert tinted lady to the crimson one and then winded out to the events of the day (which turned into even more speculation), Ryu’s stayed roughly upon one topic: the figures within. Yet the returning cry of Q’ar brought each away from their little worlds and down to meet their Master and Serin. "What happened to the other horse, M’Prince?" Ryu asked as he took care of his liege’s exhausted animal. Jade had already taken the drained lady away to see to her needs and to get her to bed. "The Lady claims it wandered off," the great wolf mouth replied, almost mechanically. "And do you believe her, m’Prince?" Now the head raised. "No animal would dare wander off in that part of the forest…not unless it was suicidal." "Which no animal is, my liege." "Exactly. Yet I feel the Lady will tell more on the ‘morrow, though…" he shook his head. "It may take some force." "Be gentle, m’Lord," the man countered, giving the horse to the eager hands of the grooms. "Gentleness from you, Ryu? Not the advice I’d expect from you," the Prince observed tiredly. "It seems to work, m’liege," he replied honestly. "Lady Aiko gave me a rather factual account of the happenings at the Rush under gentle questing." "Ahh, yes, the Rush. Well, Ryu, we shall talk of that tomorrow, but right now I’d prefer the company of my bed to your report," he said. "Of course, m’liege. We shall talk tomorrow." But the Prince was already gone from the stable, running upon four legs now instead of two. He let out a short howl, and Ryu shook his head before vanishing himself. "What was that?" Serin asked, lidded eyes flaring open for a moment. "Naught but the Prince, m’lady," Jade replied. He was rather uncomfortable standing in her room, but she had asked for his company as she prepared herself for bed. Naturally, she dressed out of his sight behind a screen, but now that she was finished…well, he felt very uneasy here. "The Prince?" she replied, turning towards him with wide eyes. "He is, after all, a Beast, m’lady. His human mind is all that he retains from before…that and his eyes. The Sorceress chose to torment him with their humanity," he explained, glossing the spell over in the lateness of the hour. "Oh," she replied, reaching up to finally let her hair down. He marvelled at it, the length and fullness of the shining silver blong that fell down her back. Slowly, she made her way to bed, absentmindedly curling it. "Oh dear," she murmured softly, looking at her fingers. "I’m dirty, ain’t I?" Unable to banish the smile from his face, he replied, "You have ridden most of the day, Lady." "Yes, yes I have," she responded, words soft and unfocused. "Oh well…" She pulled her covers back and slid beneath them, hair floating out around her as her head moved over the pillow. He breathed a silent sigh of relief, and was about to leave when she said, "Jade?" "Yes, Lady?" He hoped he disguised his impatience well. "Jade, will you tell me…how…how all of this happened?" "All…the enchantment, Lady?" "Yes." "Now?!" He knew some exasperation broke through then, but to his surprise, she only laughed. "No, tomorrow! Tomorrow, Jade." He smiled in sheer relief. "Yes, tomorrow." A pause, and then, "Promise?" He smiled to himself, not at all irritated, and replied, "Promise." She sighed, very quietly and sweetly, and then whispered, "Good night, Lord Jade. Dream well." "You, too, Lady Serin. You, too." Yet by the time his words reacher her, her breathing had already slowed, and a sweet warmth had settled upon her body. Within minutes of his exit, she was already deep in her dreams. * * * * The next day, due to some chance or because of the day before, the whole castle slept in. In fact, Serin was not to rise from her bed for a good portion of the day, so worn was she from the previous day’s activity. Still, the first to awaken were the four men, Kishi first, then Ryu, Jade, and finally Naosu. He came into the dining hall with a yawn, still in his uniform and his hair falling in shanks all over his head. "You look like hell," Jade greeted him cheerfully as the man sat down at the table. "Is it against the law?" the man retorted quietly, looking at his plat. "Uhhgh…a hearty breakfast." "It’s your usual," Ryu replied. "Usually I don’t spend my nights in the infirmary, catching five minutes of sleep here and there." "So go back to bed," Kishi replied. He had foregone wine for juice this morning, taking it and some toast for his meal. "I think I will," the man replied. "Hold for a moment, Naosu," Ryu replied. "We need to conference over these women, as well as tell of last night." "Actually, Ryu," Jade began, but at that moment Hiko and Arashi chose to appear, the latter looking fresh as clover, the former as drained as an empty sink. "Yes," Naosu cheered quietly, and then vanished. Unable to help themselves, Jade and Kishi began to laugh, while Ryu buried his face in his hands. "What was that?" Arashi asked as she sat down. Automatically a bowl of well thinned oatmeal and a glass of juice appeared before her. "Oh…well…"Jade began, trying to stiffle his giggles. "Naosu finally went to bed," Kishi explained. "Right as Ryu requested…" "It’s a bit to explain," Ryu broke in. "Ahh," Hiko said quietly. "Inside joke," she offered to Arashi. "Of course," the woman replied, spooning oatmeal into her mouth. "Now, if you don’t mind a question from me," Jade said. "Your castle," Arashi said with a small shrug. "What are you eating, Lady? It looks like soup…or gruel," he asked. She did nothing but take another spoonful, but her eyes brightened as if electrified. The whole atmosphere of the room suddenly seemed charged, and Jade and Kishi exchanged looks. "Oh dear," Hiko muttered, sipping from her cup of tea. "Who is it this time?" "Pardon?" Ryu asked. "She only gets that look when she’s about to go into battle. And that is her favorite pre-fight food," Hiko explained quietly, cupping the warm cup as if it held life for her. "So, Arashi, who is it? Please, don’t do something rash." "Actually, Lady, it’s me," Kishi replied, and both now looked at him as if he’d gone mad. Yet he only met their looks with a sidelong glance, small, yet one that spoke of the same anticipation that Arashi held. "Lord Kishi, am I right?" "Yes, Lady. Though I recall only promising to show you the training room, Lady Arashi," he replied, turning his glance on her. "What’s the point of showing them to me if you do not want to train? And how best with a partner," Arashi replied, electrified emerald eyes looking up to meet his. His only reply was an unseen smile. "Can he handle it?" Hiko asked quietly. "I am not sure, Lady," Jade replied. "I’ve never fought her. He, however, is good—excellent, some say." "And she is one of the best," she countered. She took a sip of the tea, enjoying its heat, and asked, "Does Naosu awaken easy?" Jade laughed, and even Ryu smiled. "Fear not, Lady—he is a light sleeper," he replied. "Hiko, calm down. First fight, so I’ll go easy on him," Arashi replied. "You may eat those words, Lady," Kishi replied, finishing his juice. "Don’t make promises you can’t keep," she replied, spooning more gruel. She stirred twice as she swallowed, and then stood. "I’m too keyed up to eat—let’s get this show going!" "As you wish, Lady," he replied, standing. Picking up a napkin, he said, "This way." "I don’t have need of that piece of cloth," she spat as she followed. "But I do, Lady," he chided as they exited. The remaining three watched them go with a combination of reluctance and hope swirling in them—reluctance to see them fight, but hope that it’d calm them down. Finally, Ryu asked, "She can see him?" "We have our ways, Lord Ryu, though I am unsure of hers…and nothing really lets us see you," she replied. "So what’s your way, Lady?" Jade asked, curious. She sipped cooly at her tea before replying, "Auras." The two men exchanged glances, yet before either could inquire, she said, "More training, Lord Jade." "What sort of training permits one to see auras?" Ryu asked. "Unless you have been granted a boon of magic, or something similar." "No, no—and I am not allowed to directly say where I trained in such. Let me just say that they call me ‘Kageno Hiko’ for a reason," she replied quietly. "Hrm…you must have quite a story, Lady Hiko," Jade replied. "Which reminds me…Lady Serin requested to know our story, that of the enchantment." "Serin has returned?" Hiko asked, voice rising excitedly. "Of course she has—as of late last night," Ryu replied neutrally. "The Prince, too, wanted to know her story." "Why didn’t you tell us she was back?!" Hiko asked, eyes dark over the rim of the teacup She took a drink and added, "Did we not have the right to know?" "Of COURSE you did, Lady," Jade replied. "It’s just that the hour was so late, and Serin herself wished not to disturb you. As well, for she was about ready to keel over." "But…" Hikoe began, and soon she had launched into another tirade. Ryu fond himself containing a dry grin, for he had very rarely seen Jade get the chew-outs he deserved…especially one so spirited. he thought. He brushed the thoughts away, for while he was a connossieur of fine things—fine and dangerous things—he was not the sort to go after women. They were rather like sticky spider webs to him—a touch on one strand and it stuck, a pull on another and it all fell apart. They lived their lives in a whole different realm from his, a realm of giddiness and happiness he didn’t know. Yet, unconciously, his eyes drifted over her form again, noting its true quality. came the added thought. "Lady, please," Jade broke in. "I only escorted her to her room, and the reason I had to do that was because she looked completely drained. She mentioned nothing about waking you, only that she was tired…and dirty. Please, there was no slight intended." She still fumed at him across the table, yet his pleas had reached her. "I understand your reasoning m’lord," she replied. "Yet I truly wish we could’ve been told somehow. It would’ve saved us a sleepless night." She sighed, idily stirring her tea with a small, dark spoon. "Not that this will affect Serin at all—she’ll probably sleep most of the day away." "Your Lady sleeps much?" "As much as she can, m’lord. And I would suggest that it be allowed; she has been through much over these days besides yesterday’s trauma," she replied, hands about her cup as if seeking life. "I should tell Prince this," Ryu murmured, but it was then that he was seized with an idea. He looked up and began, "Well…" At the same time, Jade’s voice said, "Um…" The two men stopped, and glanced at each other. Into her cup across the way, Hiko smiled; their auras were a sight to see. The two flowed across each other, and the soft mutterings from across the table told her they were whispering. she wondered, sipping again. Finally, as she stirred the dregs of her cup with the small, dark spoon, the mutterings stopped. "Lady," began Ryu, his shape moving away, "I would ask your time for a moment, in order to discuss the events of yesterday." Her eyes flickered slightly, a minute things unless you were looking for minute things. "What events, m’lord?" she asked quietly. "Those events at the River," Jade replied, voice unsure and almost amazed. he wondered, glancing at Ryu. "Ahh…yes," she said slowly. "I would be happy to answer your questions, Lord Ryu, though I must wonder what you hope to learn." "Lady, do you not want to find out who did this to Lady Aiko?" he asked, voice soft, nearly incredulous. "I am not sure I would ever want to confront that force," she replied, voice dark and quiet. "It was horrible, m’lord." "I know," he said softly. "And after this, Lady, ‘tis I would beg your time," Jade jumped in, leaning forward slightly. "Oh?" "Yes, for I would like to take up your offer of crossword help." The sheet appeared before her, a neatly done puzzle with sloppy gray scribbles within. "I have nearly finished this one, and with your help, I hope to actually complete this series." "Series?" she asked, eyes tinting lighter. "One on Magic, he says," he replied. A sudden gleam appeared in her eyes, in contrast with the flash of white that spread over her face. "I…I could help you with that," she admitted. "I know, training," Jade said. Leaning over, he took her hand, saying quietly, "Thank you." "You’re welcome, Lord Jade," she replied, voice soft. "And my pleasure." He grinned at her, a truly warm smile, and for a few moments no one said a word. Finally, Ryu stood up, and the sound of his chair creaking backwards broke the two from the warmth imposed reverie; they split immediately, Jade rubbing his hand and she pressing it firmly against the cold teacup. "I must go tell the Prince what you have revealed to me," he said. "We’ll be in the Fire Room, Ryu," Jade called, turning to him slightly. The man nodded, and then vanished. "Amazing," Hiko murmured, her eyes having caught Ryu’s disappearance. It had seemed that a sudden shot of blue had infused his aura, and with it came a shape…something familiar, yet strange. Like a… "What’s amazing?" Jade asked. "Oh…uh, the tea, Lord Jade. It’s quite good," she replied, catching and curbing her sheepishness before it showed. She didn’t want to lie to him; yet she didn’t want to reveal too much of her abilities. If he ever suspected her methods, then she would be exposed; she hadn’t thought to divert attention from her training. Jade thought, but calmly aked, "Would you like another cup, then? We have time." She hesitated a moment, then smiled quietly. "Yes, please," she replied. "Are you going to change?" Kishi asked as they came into the training room. "Guess I should, eh?" Arashi replied, an infectiousness in her voice that made him smile. he thought, stopping in order for her to take a look. For one moment, her eyes went wide. Then, a sudden flush filled her cheeks, and she cried out, "Wonderful!", taking a little dance step and whirling further into the room. "Well, I had hoped…" "It’s great," she replied, whirling again. The room—which was comfortably large—was bare except for the racks upon the walls, those of weapons and other harsh implements. The floor here was cool stone, but up ahead was her favorite kind of floor—fluffy cotton—along with additional smooth wood. Besides all of this, it was a relatively quiet, simple room—and it suited her perfectly. "Awesome," she added. "Did you come all this way to look at it?" Kishi asked, coming up next to her. "Rein your horse," she snorted. "I’ll get there." Quickly she reached back and pulled the string of her simple blue dress. Before he could turn away, she had pulled off the dress, revealing a loose gray shirt and pants suitable for fighting. Her hair she undid, then tugged back and up again, making a tighter ponytail and revealing her vibrant eyes. She folded the dress twice, walked to the side of the floor, and tossed it there. "Better?" she challenged. "Yes," she replied, voice quiet. He had forgotten the absolute audacity of the woman of that planet…as well as their striking beauty. Pale skin, nearly untouched by the sun that hung so far away; hair of the darker colors, reds, browns, blacks, and any mixes inbetween; eyes that were bright and more expressive than nearly any other people’s, especially when they took on the vibrant green color of the royals. It was called that for it ran in the line, but also because the gem color like the emeralds only the wealthiest could have. The color wasn’t strictly in the family, though, since its progeny was widespread. For moments, minutes, he stood across from her as she stretched out, grapsing her toes and rolling her shoulder, warming her muscles for the coming fight. Drily he realized that he should as well, and doffing the heavy uniform jacket he normally wore, began to move through the Daily Dozen. Arashi noted the shed jacket, its gray the same as the one Hiko had from Jade excpet for a dark lining of a deep royal blue. There were other small differences as well: it was larger, broader across the shoulders and chest, and a litle more worn than the other. She studied it closer as she finished stretching, making the pretense of some warm-up acrobatics in order to get a closer look. Truly, it was a worn coat, though not by any normal means; it looked like it had been left in a…chamber of power, all the threads shocked out of their normal appearance. She thought she could even see some charring, but… "Ready?" he asked, finishing stretch ten, a backbend figure he had trouble mounting. "Just about," she replied, flipping smoothly away from the jacket. He caught her grace, but his eyes accidently focused on the play of the muscles beneath her clothing, which fit just tantilizingly well enough. She turned and did one last limber stretch, circling her body about at the waist. "Ready," she now said, then took her place on the mat. She waited fro his soft footfalls on the mat before taking up her fighting stance, feet catted, hands positioned before her face and midsection. He took note of her movements, and assumed his own stance, a stronger variation of hers that he felt most comfortable in. Once this way, each tensed, as if awaiting the tournament command, minds briefly turning off to allow the instinctively honed combat side to come out. They stood this way for a long moment; then, simultaneously, each sprang at the other. Should any visitor present have wanted to watch the match, they would’ve been surely disappointed, for the combatants were but a blur to normal eyes. They were simply too skilled to slow themselves down, and so they moved with each other from soft to wood to stone and back again, rapid blows and blocks shifting like sunlight between them. Arashi thought. She was having almost no problem tracking his movements, with her spatial abilities and the added bonus of foot sounds. She blocked and countered with an aerial, catching him by obvious surprise and scoring a hit. He, on the other hand, had pinpointed her right away. he thought. His mind temporarily blanked as he was barraged with blows; he fended them off swiftly, yet the woman just kep tcoming. They fought without slowing for a time, until the smell of sweat hung sharply between them. Finally, he decided to stop this. Swiftly flying backwards, he opened a portion of his power and let it flow through him, channeling it into his arms. Immediately the power flowed to life about them, the black lined white power crackling energy in their T-shape. It startled her; he could tell. Yet for a moment the air seemed to flow differently about her as if a power grew, a storm brewing in the air. Effortlessly he channeled more power into his arms, so they flashed brighter, and the tension in the room seemed to subside, storing away once again. she thought. Her body was seized with panic for a moment, and she wondered if he had not noticed her gathering energy. That was doubtful; he had been able to discern the kasern last night, and seemed quite talented at finding energy. They all were. It worried her a little. "Water break," he said, lowering his arms and letting the power die, turning his energy stopcock tightly to "off." She nodded, and the two of them walked off the mat together, a thought looming in their minds that neither had considered before. A fighting style fingerprints you, because it’s instruction written as movements and gone over time and time again, leaving a personal and permanant imprint. Good fighters can read these imprints well, and both knew the other was good. So…what did they know about each other now? Arashi sat on the floor, one leg tucked under the other. They weren’t done; this was just a warm-up match, and if he didn’t know that he had another thing coming. So she kept herself limber and warm, ready to jump back in at a moment’s notice. she thought. Her brow furrowed in thought as she automatically stretched her legs; she made it through a few before he returned, bringing to small ceramic bowls brimming with water. She got to her feet to take hers, then folded down to a cross legged position to drink it. He, too, sat, and they both sipped at the liquid. She found the dish fascinating; it appeared to be clay, lightly glazed, yet was hard as stone on the outside. However, her thoughts turned back to Kishi, and what surrounded him. There was a moment of somewhat uneasy silence, as each thought about the other, until Kishi said, "Well, if I didn’t know you a Joven before, I would know it now. Your style is unmistakable such." She nodded, finally admitting her ancestry. "Since you guessed," she began, "I might as well tell you of my family. My father ws a diplomat for the court, quite in favor with the Jov’rach. My mother was one of the Joven princesses…eigth or ninth, but no one was ever quite sure." The words rolled easily from her tongue, a grain of truth in each: her father had fond favor with the King, for he thought very well of himself; as well, to her recollection, her mother was the daughter of some high house, one of a gaggle of women. he thought, sipping cautiously from the water, letting but a trickle wash down his throat. He repressed a surge of satisfactio at knowing what he now knew; he was the first to strike true paydirt. "That blood is rare around here," he began casually. "So is yours, I’d think," she replied, voice stabbing back at him. "I’ve never met anyone whose trained under a Martain master, yet has such an obvious Jovan influence. Plus that Terran touch here and there…it’s amazing that you know so much." he thought, jaw dropped at her recitation of his abilties. "Right as rain, Lady," he replied drily. "I did train under X-R Cone, the Martian genius, for a good deal of my life before returning here." "That doesn’t explain your Aerials," she pointed out as she limbered a bit, water bowl steady, mentally upping his abilities. The only time she had ever head X-R Cone’s name spoken, it was with obvious awe. The man was said to have tutored the Senshi for years, until he returned to teaching only the Martian style. One his students took his place. "No, Lady, it doesn’t," he replied. "Before I trained on Mars, I lived on Jupiter for several years. My country had been invaded by Nisp rebels, and a group of our peoples head away from the front seeking refuge. The Jov’reach offered it to us on a moon, and there I stayed for several years, learning of your people." He noted the subtle brightening of her features, and added, "It is how I know your blood as well, Lady, for only the woman of that planet show such…spark." For a moment, a pale blush touched her cheeks, yet her eyes feel downcast, something dark clouding those liquid pools of emerald. It intruigued him for a moment, and he may have explored it further had she not spoken. "I am sorry, truly so, for your family. When I was but a girl, the Saturn conflicts raged among our neighbor, and my father was dispatched in order to mediate. I was young, and my mother lost to me early," she swallowed; no one in her family had discussed her mother’s death for years, nor had she thought about it. "My sympathies," he said immediately. "Oh, it’s all right," she brushed off. "It was long ago." She stook a breath and continued. "I was but a little girl, but I clamoured to leave my home for a little while. I had already started my defense training, and felt quite ready to handle anything." She took a sip of water, refraining from mentioning that as the second daughter, she had been exposed to the 1st pen almost since her naming day. "It’s not what you expected, was it?" he said softly. "I was an older boy when the Nisp War started, and I always wanted to see a battlefield. When we escaped, I saw why my parents would not let me." A quiet tremble stirred over his frame, and he finished the rest of his water swiftly, washing down the memory. "I nearly lost my stomach—the blood, the cries, the bird and flies…" "I did," she confessed, a wry grin on her facer. "Though no one saw but my father and Kaze…and I feel they may have lost it, too, had they not been older. There was so much blood, and splattered viscera, and the weapons…and Saturn has scavengers worse than Terra. There are these large, reptile-like creatures, with fierce claws and teeth…they gorge on all dead after a battle, and it is a disgusting sight." "I agree, Lady," he replied, grimacing. Yet despite the gruesomeness of her memories, she still was able to drink the water; in his mind, ‘twas a testament to her constitution. came the sad thought, a picture of the red haired woman, smiling, blue eyes shining at him with their fondness surfacing with it. His heart cringed, and yet he would not wall the image from his thoughts. Arashi, perhaps sensing his distress, or just because she knew their thoughts to be on similar tracks----reached over and touched his hand. He looked up, startled, and the image of Naru that floated before his eyes melted into the compassionate gaze she held upon him. "It was a sad time," she said quietly, "yet a time long past as well. I saw we turn to the future, which perhaps inclues a battle of bokken?" He was stunned for a moment, and then finally regained his mind. His hand squeezed hers, and she offered him another timid smile. There was a moment of holding, and then an easy parting of ways. "That, Lady," he replied, "is an excellent idea. If you would be so courteous as to finish your water." "Don’t you mean so courteous as to not kick your butt?" she replied, eyes flashing at him. "Oh…we shall see, Lady. We shall see." "…and that was when you teleported us to the other side of the River. I’d barely begun to gauge her condition, but from the start I knew it’d be…no good. You then took us back here, and we all went our ways." Ryu nodded absently to himself, making a short mental note of what she said. He dipped the quill again for this next part, extended his will, and watched it fuzz slightly to where he was, appearing sharper and clearer in his view. Jade was taking care of the parchement, his fingers atop it allowing it to stay outside her vision. It was a uniqueness they had discovered about themselves in the later years, for though anything that came in contact with lots of them—like clothing—automatically vanished, they had to force smaller objects to fade. he thought. He had no real clue as to why he did, though occasionally a glimmer of a thought skidded across his mind, "laughing" as it escaped the grasp of his logic. He figured, though, that it couldn't harm anyone. Jade looked at his friend, watching the quill scrap paper, and knew why this man trusted her. his mind sighed. He contained a sigh, for he had seen this type of woman before in his "limited" dating experience, and it wasn't one he was sure he cared for. Hiko, when she had spoken of Jade's eyes seeing more than others did, had made quite a correct asdsumption. He had spent his life observing subconciously, his abilities allowing him a slightly keener vision that, coupled with the people sense in his bones, made him a great observer and friend. It also made him dangerous to the Silence, but unknown to all, he kept his thoughts rather toned down in order to keep that intact. Still, though Hiko knew not all the details, she knew the outcome instinctively, her refined senses marking him as danger from the beginning. She knew a lot about him that way, it seemed. The three of them were located in a place known as the "Fire Room," a spacious habitat that Hiko found quite comforting. Probably, she reflected, due to its decour. The walls were the colors of the flame, and shifted and danced together—reds and yellow and blobs of orange, touched faintly with other colors such as white and hues she couldn't name. It darkened towards the bottom and through the trim into the carpet, which was a lush purple-blue. The walls were also paneled with small symbols of fire, some she knew, and some she had no clue about. What was that sword glowing for? Why did that ring have flames about it? What was that symetrical, oddly curved shape, like a circle with a point towards the middle? Yes she didn't let her mind wander too much over it, for the heat of the room relaxed her. Fireplaces blazed, candles and braziers shot forth their light, and tiny stone cups filled with fat lit the last of it. The room was maximized for their effects, and the flickers and shadows along with the wall colors made it seem as if one sat in the middle of a flame. "Lady, a last question," Ryu said as he finished scratching the last words. "What did you feel before we left?" She took a small breaht and her eyes darkened, the rim of purple around her eyes waning as her aural sight slakcened. She collected her thought for a few moments, then replied, "It is yet difficult to put it into words, for they are sensations…yet I remember a lingering malevolence and violence…anger, a powerfully empowered anger…and hatred. There were also traces of other things, of power, but I paid little attention to most of it. I was concerned about Aiko, and her injuries, and getting her back." He nodded. "I may journey back to the Rush this day, then, and see if I can find any traces of this power." She looked at him strangely. "It's been a day, Lord Ryu, and a power that strong certainly could've erased any trace of itself by now." Jade laughed. "You have not the full scope of his abilites, Lady Hiko; in fact, no one probably does. Not only is he stubborn as a bull, but he has keener eyes for 'scrap' than I've ever seen." "Really?" she asked, and the purple band flexed again as she allowed her aural vision to surface. She had studied the gray tinged blue strands before, yet had not seen the mark of a seeker in any of them. Yet, to her amazement, there it was. How she had missed it…his power was strong, and his currents deep; he could've hidden it. "It is true, Lord Ryu; you are a powerful man, and I retract any doubt I had in your abilities." "Thank you much, Lady," he repied solemnly. Jade looked at him and grinned, then turned back to her and shook his head. "Oh please, Ryu! Lady, take him not on his solemn words—he's blushing right now," he laughed. Yet she looked down to her cup, and smiled very shyly, as if that could not be true. It was a demureness her found attractive in a way, though the vivacity of Aiko was much preferred. "On that note, I must go report to the Prince," Ryu replied stiffuly, and he rose. Jade nodded and grin; Hiko raised her head for a brief smile. He gave her a bow, and she nodded her head back. A fleeting smile appeared on his face, and as she watched, the line of his aura flashed an electric blue, a shape swirling just out of her vision as he vanished. she thought softly. "Well, Lady, shall we to the crossword?" Jade said brightly, the sheet of parchement glistening into existence on the table. "Awesome," she replied softly. "Not quite as enthusiastic as I hoped," he replied, moving closer to her, the sheet sliding softly across the table. "Are you all right? It was a long day." "I'm fine," she replied quietly, shaking herself from the reverie cast by her vision. The purple band in her eye waned to normal, and she scooted to where she could see and write, a point that wasn't as close as it seemed. For a moment, she stopped and studied, eyes flicking over the paper, then asked, "Do we have something to write with?" "If you have the knowledge, I have the graphite," he replied, producing a sloppy pencil, point recently knife sharpened. Hiko stared at it oddly; her planet used a red or black dye with a sharp filing to write, and it was almost an art to produce curves. The Moon had taught her of the ink planets, which produced tints of sparkling pastels that flowed easily and seemed more like paint than ink. Yet this…she'd never heard of, nor seen. "What is that?" she asked, hesitatnyl reaching out to run her finger over the edge. It came away slashed with shades of gray, and she blinked a few times before looking back, turning her finger out with puzzled eyes. He didn't know whether to laugh or faint—she didn't know what a pencil was? True, it was an old form, but all should know the stain of it…"A pencil, Lady Hiko. Have you not seen one?" "No, I have not. I am accustomed to using ink," she replied honestly, and he chuckled in reply. "Then I will write, Lady. Oh," and he took her hand and rubbed away the smudge. "'Tis naught but a graphite mark, Lady." "Oh," she replied, feeling his smile in his gentle touch, and the motion of his hand swiftly settled to just a warmth there. She looked up at him, eyes dark and heady, and he felt his tongue go clay suddenly. For a moment, he held her eyes; then, quietly, he let her fingers drop, and turned to the sheet. She scooted closer, drawing a surprise glance. "Diarth to Doorh?" He nodded, unable to speak. "I'll take that as a yes," she replied quietly, and a sheepish grin came over his face. "Right as rain, Lady," he managed, voice carefully avoiding a croak that threatened to burst out. "And now, how is metal an element?" "Ahh, 'tis," she replied. "For some peoples, there are these five: metal, fire, water, earth, electricity. They consider wind the charge between fire and water, and are in some ways correct." "Oh," he said, impressed. "And the word?" She told him, and so on proceeded the chart, filling in the last facets of the Elements, Hiko providing ample knowledge along with each. He was quite impressed by the end, for the fundementals of magic seemed secure in her grasp. She, as well, was comfortable, for the room suited her and Jade suited her mood. He was quite Aiko-ish—fun without being too pushy, bright, and quick with a turn of phrase or joke—but also undeniably male…yet without the annoyance of an overbearing presence. she thought. The puzzle quickly finished, Jade now turned to her and asked, "How did you know? I mean, how do you know so much?" He winced a moment later, realizing what she was about to say… Instead, she sat back, hands folded on the table, purple hair tied back. "As I child, I was chosen to rain in two fields," she said quietly. "I lived a sort of double life, in a way. Both of these fields were rich in instruction, and so I came away with a mind filled to the brim. Later, I was sent from home to learn more, and it added especially to my knowledge of magic, its principle and other rules and whatever else they could put into us." She looked away from her hands and to him, eyes clear. "That is my fabled training, Lord Jade, and it wasn't easy." "Tutors and nurses for the Lady, I suppose." "Actually, fast paced classes and stick bearing women," she replied. "I rarely was rapped, as the threat was enough to make me cower." She didn't mention that she was two or three years younger than the rest of her peers, nor her early graduation and raising to priestess. Somehow, the urge to state her skills was deflated by the open admiration he'd shown before… "You, rapped? Lady Hiko…" "Hiko, please." "Jade, then, if you don't mind," he replied. "But…I just cannot imagine you in difficulties of any sort…" She flushed, but suddenly /Kage/ rose for a moment, a growl of power reminding her what she was. "Yet you know not all of me," she replied quickly. "Nor you me," he said, "but I can tell you that my education was much different from yours. I am what you might call a country bumpkin, after all." "Bumpkin?" she asked. "A simple child of the farms." "Ah…oh, a peasant?" He smiled. "Yes, in some ties a peasant, though only by the fact that we lived on the farm. I was not truly taught to do this, though, but to live and learn and to understand the world about me. My parents were very helpful to me and my education, especially considering my station." She arched an eyebrow at him, but he would not elaborate, just offering her a knowing glance. she thought. A part of her also sighed, for while his parents seemed to have been attentive, hers could only be seen by appointment. "Sounds lovely," she said quietly. "To go at your own pace, to learn much outside the classroom." She sighed softly, and he have her a puzzled look. "But…you know so much more than I, Hiko," he protested. "Some places, yes. But this room, for instance. I do not understand the significance of it, nor the significance of the this castle…it seems like…well, oddly put." He nodded, then asked, "Lady, are you comfortable here?" She seemed surprised, and hoped she had not offended him in some way. "Yes, I am very comfortable," she replied, biting off the complaints of her situation. It would be gauche to bring those up. He smiled warmly at her, somehow sure she felt it even if she did not see it. "Then the castle has fulfilled its function, for it is not for defense that this place was built, but as soothing retreat for the nobles. It is what is known as a Theme Castle, and in this case, Nature is the theme." "There are others?" she asked. "This is a most…well-built place." "If you mean expensive, Lady, yes, 'twas However, it was a time of rare peace and prosperity, and the treasury was brimming. There had been talk of building such a retreat for years, and finally it was done. That'd be the time of Prince's grandfather; his uncle was usually the commander of the retreat, though that was before the spell was placed. Still, it was much frequented; in fact, the front hall was added so that they of power could still take petitions." His voice was rich and quiet, and he spoke like a happy tour guide, his joy spilling out over his knowledge. In the stillness of the room, in the sound of his voice, she began to get some sense of his power. It was of the slight type, but more than slightly dangerous if used right. She let her eyes close as Jade told her more of the grounds, of the Jade Cliffs and Rush which she was almost too familiar with; yet her mind automatically drifted over his power, very carefully nudging about. "Do you like your room, Lady?" That broke the power; it faded away in fine wisps, but she minded not. This relationship was just beginning, and had he not mentioned a series of Crosswords? "Hiko," she said softly. "Hiko?" "Yes," she said quietly. "Call me Hiko. We will be working more together, no?" He flashed her a soft smile. "Yes, we will. I am sorry to have forgotten…Jade, then." She nodded, saying, "Yes, I like my room, though it is very…flowery." That was an understatement; there was so much lushness and life to the flowers she swore she could smell them. She had occasionally reached out to touch them, as if she could feel the heat they radiated. "Of course it is, Hiko. You and your friends are located in the Hall of Flowers. All the rooms are devoted to the flowers of different terrains." "Then this room must be part of the Hall of Elements," she said quietly. "A perfect spot for this crossword, no?" "Actually, they call it the Hall of Basics, for there are more than elements represented. This is a good room to explain that in, for there are many fire uses." "The symbols?" she said, gesturing about. "Yes." She looked about again, and shook her head. "Actually, Jade, you'd have to explain some of these for me. Like…" she rose, and moved over to the flaming sword. "What of this?" "It's the fire of battle, La…Hiko," he replied, rising and joining her at the wall. "It also refers to a flaming sword of legend, a guardian of a paradise lost to our kind." "Ay," she breathed, finger trailing over the drawing. It seem as if the flame flickered beneath her touch, but she let it pass. There was a faint trickle of magic all about her, placed in the room to keep up the milieu as well as protect everything from the flames. "And this?" She touched a crown of fire, the heavy gold of its weight obiovus, as were the flames peeking out from the projections. "The heat of rule?" "Fire of a ruler, one who truly cares for the land and the people," he replied. "Also, the weight of the crown…there have been many explanations of this one." "Sounds suspiciously like catering to the patron," she said quietly. "Who doesn't? Yet the histories have not been kind to rulers, and so they have a tendency to be good. Though one must wonder what will happen now that the Jewel family has the throne, for they have not the experience nor the connectedness of the Terra." "They are just taking the throne? The…well, I had thought that they had ruled for awhile, but that's the problem with not paying attention to the world," she said, voice fluttery as her mind seized a track to stick with. she thought cautiously, wishing she could see his face. "How Naosu of you, Hiko," he merely said. "Sort of Ryu, too; neither has cared too much for the political arena. However, you must have been in a…wait, don't touch that!" He swept around in front of her and grabbed her wrist, preventing her from touching the sketch of two humans embracing within a flame. "What?" she asked quickly, lowering her hand and focusing on him. "That, Lady, is the Flame of Lust," he said. "There are enough tales of this room to make me wonder if it has been actually activated, and I would not see you a victim." "Activated? You mean there is magic in each?" "These rooms are a bit more showy than the others—I mean, your room may have a bit of the atmosphere, but these pictures will actually respond. The sword you touched will flare and flicker and heat unless you are shielded well…" she thought. "…and so feelings can be activated as well. While no one has ever actually reported feeling anything, this room…is infamous." She gave him a sharp look, a question, and wondered if he blushed. He didn't…well, not really. He knew why he had come here, what the purpose was. Still, it did not stop him from dropping her wrist from his grasp. She spread her power a bit, let it fold out and touch the drawing. Actually, yes, there was a seed of magic there, but it was as most of the others—a touch to keep from fading, a bit of emotion, in this case a memory brought to the surface. She looked away, and suddenly another vision caught her eye. Iot was softly glowing with a magic light, a radience that drew her purple eyes like an open flame. She quickly converted to normal sight, and found herself staring at the dented circle. "I wouldn't btoher with that one, but…what is this?" she asked, moving forward to trace the outline very carefully. Yes, there was something here…but almost by virture of the shape of it, as if it had caught the magic upon painting. Strange. "What do you mean?" he asked, moving closer. What was she staring at? "That symbol…Lust, was it? It has a touch of something in it, probably so it will not fade, but this…this shape…it has magics." "Do you not know what this is, Hiko?" he asked, peering past to where her delicate fingers traced. "No, I do not…believe so." he thought. Quietly, he said, "It is a heart, Lady, a symbol of Love, and indeed it is magical." "The Fire of Love, then," she replied. "Yes, that is…would be…magical." He stared at her for a moment, and it dawned on him that perhaps this woman had never known true love of any sort, be it from her parents or a man. Yet he deemed that a Lady of her beauty should've been courted much; and so he said, "Somehow I doubt that love has not touched you." "Some look to the inside for what they wish," she replied, voice a touch sad. "The inside, then…" and quietly he touched her shoulder. A prickle of power ran down her shoulder, and she spun to face him, their hands catching as their magics spilled forth, rubbing up against each other like purring cats. He probed; she tested; their auras wrapped about each other, prodding and poking very gently and carefully to taste the strength of each. His eyes found hers, and he read the force there; somehow, she knew his as well, as if she could momentarily see through the invisibility cast to know the strength of those light blues. Which is how Serin found them when she, called softly by the opening of power in the room, tripped in lightly. At home, such a tug would have taken her to her mother or to the kitchen; here, though, it only got her a view of Hiko looking quite brightly towards another, barely perceptible figure. She yawned, and suddenly warmth broke over her as the two swiftly released their powers and turned to face her. "Lady Serin!" Jade called. "So wonderful to see you up and about!" "Yes,'tis!" Hiko cried, breaking contact with the man in order to sweep her Lady up in a fierce hug. "We missed you. How could you not have told us you were back last night?!" "Hiko, put me down! That tickles!" she screeched, and once on the ground, inquired, "Has Lord Jade there not told you?" "He said you were tired," she said. "Exhausted, Lady, is the word I used," he called, coming closer to them. "Quite right he was," Serin said, smiling at her friend. "If I had not had his help, I probably would've had to crawl to my room," she confided in a whisper. "Ay, Serin, could you not stop and say goodnight to us? We were so worried about you!" "You would've known had something happened to me, Hiko. Besides, it had been a rough night for all of us, and I just wanted to go to bed," she said quietly. "You forgot," she protested. "Wouldn't you? But let us not argue over this; I'm barely awake enough to defend myself," she said, a yawn spilling abruptly from her mouth. She covered it quickly, but Jade gave Hiko a pointed look as if to say, "Look, see! I was right!" "Would the Lady like anything for breakfast, then?" Hiko asked. "Don't go formal on me, Kageno—and of course I would like something…perhaps tea?" "I will fetch you some, Lady," Jade said. "I know where the kitchen is." "I suspect Arashi will soon tell us, though," Serin whispered softly to her friend. "But yes, if you would?" "Of course, Lady." "And remember that you owe me a story, Jade," she added. He paused for a second, smile ripening on his face. "I remember, Lady Serin. And be right back." He strod from the room quickly, the smile still on his face. Hiko's brow furrowed, and as soon as he has disappeared from her view she asked, "What story, Serin?" Her blue eyes brightened, but with it came another yawn. "Hrm…perhaps I should've slept longer," she said. "Care to escort me to the table?" "Always my Lady…though you have no right to accuse me of being formal if you use that tone," she said, guiding her to a seat. Immediately she spied the crossword, and in a smooth movement it floated across the table to her. "Hrm, a puzzle…crossword…Diarth to Doorh? How cruel," she said as she studied it, turning the paper about. "I was helping Jade with it," Hiko said. "But what is this about a story?" "Jade. Not Lord Jade, just Jade," Serin commented, giving her a sideways looked as she pretended to study the puzzle. "There is no point in formality if I'm going to be helping him with this," she said. "Or if you like him." Hiko's eyes widened, and her mouth formed a tiny "O" shape. "Serin! You cannot…you do not mean to say that I…I…" "You cannot even spit it out. That'd be clue number one," she said, eyes glinting, parchment floating back to the desk. "I hardly know the man, and I hardly will have time to! After all, it's already day five!" "Some people fall in love at first sight." "May I remind you that it's impossible in this case?" "Or first feel." Hiko sighed. "We were just sizing up magic potential, Serin; it was much more of a contest than any other sort of thing." "Sizing him up. Do you tend to size up men in front of a heart with your hands clasped so tenderly and your eyes so wide and bright?" she asked, eyes down. "You knew what that was?" She looked to her, saying, "Of course. What woman does not?" "Oh. No, Serin, it isn't like that. I barely know him, and I barely will have the chance to. Besides, he's invisible, under enchantment, from Earth…stop playing Aiko with me, m'lady. You know it cannot happen." "If you wish to convince me, you should stop sounding so disappointed," Serin replied firmly, clear eyes glittering. "Besides, the only time I do Aiko's job is when I see the clear signs of it in front of my face." Hiko's mouth opened, then closed. Serin smiled brighter, but the woman shook it off and quickly said, "I don't think so, Serin." "I do," she replied playfully. "What is this story?" "I don't think Mother would mind too much…it would cement certain relationships…and it is…" "What is this STORY, Serin! Stop stalling!" "All right, all right," she replied. "I'll stop—for now." "When he comes back, too." "Of course, Lady Hiko! It's much better in private," she agreed. Before the other could interject, she added, "As to the story, I asked Lord Jade last night if he could tell me of the enchantment, how it came to be, and all of that sort of thing. I hope I can get the exact words of the enchantment out…" Hiko gasped. "Do you think they would remember?" "Would you remember the words that spoke your form out of existence?" "Yes, yes I would. But if we know the words, that means…" "That we might be able to find a way to break it?" she finished crisply. "Exactly what I was thinking." * * * * The day passed, with Arashi and Kishi sparring, Jade captivating Hiko and Serin, Naosu sleeping and Ryu conversing long with the Prince. Dinner brought all but the Prince together, Serin and Hiko sitting close and quietly speaking, Jade watching the two with measured eyes, Arashi and Kishi sparkling with sweat and energy, Naosu looking well and Ryu seeming pensive. Just before they all parted for the night, he whispered to Naosu his desire to drug the women downstairs again. Naosu whispered back that he had already taken care of it. Through it all, Kiri dreamed. Sometimes she dreamed of the Moon, of her quiet times in the library, or of Martian training and powers training and refinement training and training for training, or of the studies they made together, and of the bonds forged in friendship. Sometimes she dreamed of her home planet, and of her older sister…well, sort of older sister, the true Senshi of the planet. She had been the true Kiri, too, from whom she drew her name. These were dreams of melancholia, of a happiness stained bittersweet. Occasionally her mind went surrealist, and she found herself staring at great images of horned beasts and women with wings, of silver dragon's scales and the platinum blue claws of a spazzing griffin. Yet as she closed to the end of her dreams, as her mind swam towards the surface, a strange new dream came upon her… /Safe./ /The woman was safe…yes! She knew she could…she would…/ /Be safe./ /She was not safe./ /Her head slipped under the cold clearness, the water pressing down as her body fell limp, as her mind slowly began to freeze. She never thought she'd go like this, within the element she called her own; then again, she'd never thought her talent would ever be used. It had been a rare gift to be able to…/ /To…/ /The river filled her eyes, filled her mouth, filled her longs, called to her body, sang at her soul. So she knew she was dying, so she relaxed to its siren song. So she understood…/ /Blond./ /Curls of it, waving towards her, bobbing in the water and attached to a…/ /Head. Many lines, but handsome, marked young, yet old…enough…old…/ /Body thin. Arms, legs, torso lean, well made, well done, well sculpted, well looked after. Hair like a swirl about it, bobbing like whirlpooled kelp, a water made dirty blond that would be a honey color above./ /Face. Beautiful face, beautiful body encased in a nicely done shade of gray, green running along…/ /Eyes./ /Eyes of green-gray, or gray-green, or both, maybe neither. Eyes that were made from the uniform worn, mezcla o' grays and greens./ /Mezcla…/ /Strong strokes pulled closer, strong hand upon her wrist, strong eyes burning at her soul, pulling at it as her body broke the surface./ /And all faded away to green-gray./ Her eyes snapped open, and she took a great giant of a breath, except she didn't suck in the bitter taste of river water, but the slightly stale taste of air. Her body was cold, but not wet; her mind was sharp as normal. She was all right. She pulled herself up partially, and suddenly her mind fuzzed as pain swirled over her brain and forehead. She touched it, and found it cool; there was no fever, no residule sickness left by her little swim. she thought quietly. She cast back her thoughts to before, and found she could remember clips of two nights ago, drinking and eating and talking with Naosu and Ryu and Aiko. Aiko?! She swung her feet off the bed, knifing the cobwebs that clung to her brain and gently easing herself onto the stone floor. She wore only a hospital gown and a thick blanket, and the coolness of the stones slashed at her bare feet. She quickly arranged her gown properly----and then folded her blanket into a robe, one white end trailing behind her. Thus covered, she pushed the curtain aside, and now found Aiko, her friend resting peacefully. It made her sigh; the woman rarely if ever had a chance to sleep this well. she thought quietly. Her eyes ran over the bandages, and she found herself nodding, though noting that they probably wouldn't be needed for much longer. Venusians tended to heal faster than many of the other planets; it was just something built into them. She looked around for any signs of a Naosu-like tracer, but since there were none to be found, she resigned herself to finding her own way to her room. She needed proper clothes, mayhap a cup of spiced cider----and definetely a chance to talk with her fellow Senshi. Quietly, her feet now adjusted to the non-warmth of the stones, she left the infirmary and headed for her room. Or so she thought. Rush Castle, while having been built as a pleasure castle, still took enough precautions just in case invaders felt like relaxing as well. One of these precautions was the labyrinth of passages that went to and from everywhere, as well as the dead ends and secret passages carefully constructed to confuse the daylights out of anyone without a reliable map. Also, the maps that had been made of the area had been cut into pieces and spread about, so finding having one piece did not do much for one. There were also fake maps, and real maps with faked sections, and coded maps…suffice to say, they took care of this castle. Unfortunatly for Kiri, she had no way of knowing any of this, and so by virtue of a wrong turn, she ended up not in the Hall of the Flowers, but in the Hall of Colors, now known as the Hall of the Guardians. It was just her luck that Naosu happened to be present at the time. He had come back to his room to grab a book, for he had some free time between breakfast and going to check on his patients, and he had decided to spend it upstairs in the Solar. This was the one that actually let in the Sun, as opposed to his Prince's; it was a place he often went, especially when the day turned somewhat like this, a cool and sunny time that reminded him of Nisp. He sometimes missed his homeland, a place where the language of romance and men was spoken, a place where the land rolled gently and held a ruin around every corner… Footsteps brought him out of his nostalgia, and he nearly leapt out of his room. His training brought him to a stop, though, and instead he carefully peeked around the corner. his mind protested. he reminded himself, and quickly "lifted" himself a few inches off the ground, steadying himself in the air. He sighed quietly, knowing this was not the time to get mad at his powers. After all, everyone had had this kind of trouble; he was just the one who still had it now, thanks to the pickiness of his form of magic. began his thoughts, but they quickly stopped as he found the intruder. It was not who he expected it to be. "Kiri?" he murmured quietly to himself. Of course, there was no mistaking that navy hair anywhere, the delicate strands curling just slightly over the starched white of the blanket… He shook his head. This wasn't the time to get descriptive; this was the time to find out why she was HERE. Carefully he trailed her, his covert expertise flooding through him once again, causing his breathing to slow and shallow, his eyes to focus and sharpen the details, and the play of crystal to shimmer around his fingers. he thought, 'Twas true; from the start, Naosu had an expertise in spying that went beyond any sort of genetic or magical ability. He was built for it, and his mind was sharp enough to do it; crystalline magic also lent itself rather well, allowing him to blend with the very halls he was chased down. So he crept after her, dancing upon the air, as she scurried quietly down the hallway, not sure anymore of where she was going or what she was going to see. So the shock of finding his Gallery in the middle of a blank hall wasn't too bad. The Hall of Colors had nearly been a separate section of the castle, and therefore each Gen had taken his own piece of this section and made it his own. Jade's was hung with color, vibrant splashes that reflected his moods and lifestyle, as well as the simplicity of his country youth. Ryu, on the other hand, made his a hall of weapons, armor, and a reminder to all the deadly stuff in life and all the training one never had time for. His, though, was a showcase of art and learning, of imagination and reason, one of the few places where the two actually jived together. Here, he put his drawing and paintings and sculptures, as well as his most recent experiments in clay. The castle was stocked with supplies—people were here to relax, after all—and he had been able to branch out in many directions. he thought as he looked upon the various sculptures. They were abstract expressionism for him, a melange of constructionist pieces that he affectionatly labeled the "Identity" section, though his affection was only because they were his first pieces in the castle. Actually, they were quite awful to look at, really; pieces of whatever arranged together in an "order" devised from his mind alone; still, they had been good to work out those early frustrations, when everyone else had been raging or just catatonic. She, however, didn't seem to see them as gruesome. She walked from piece to piece, eyes playing over it lightly and then with more depth. He studied her with his watcher eyes, and so caught details he didn't or wouldn't have before. The line of her cheek, slightly brushed with color just below the eyes. The paleness of her skin contrasted to the deep blue of her skin, or the sudden rose of her lips. The curve of her torso beneath the bulk of the blanket, barely visible to the eye. The way her whole body reacted when her mind caught on something; the tiny curl to the end of her blue hair; the softness of her in the light, the lines she bore in the shadows. Little things he could have observed forever, had she not stopped and spoken in front of one of the last of his sculptures. Really, it was a pile of river stones, placed together as if it was a bust of his head, with four eyes and a scattering of dried grass held on for hair. This one he still had some affection for, since it held two tiny stones that were of his mineral, zoisite, and two river stones of a green-gray color that exactly matched… "His eyes." The world froze on her voice, her words touching his ears ever so slightly. For a moment, he didn't think she had spoken; then, to his absolute surprise, she did it again. "I would swear…they look like his eyes," she breathed out, peering deeply at the statue. He moved up close to her, close enough for his presence to gently spill over her, and she shivered softly before moving around. She walked completely around the rock bust, but her eyes were drawn back to that bottom pair of green-gray stones. They didn't have quite the polish, nor the liveliness, but by the stone caves of Mercury she knew they looked exactly like his eyes. The only problem was whose eyes they looked like. She had only vague recollections of the dream—she knew it was about her time at the river, only she didn't know when—and the events before that were still blurred by the remaining drug. So she did what she did best: she talked the problem out. "They're the eyes of…eyes…of underwater. I saw them beneath the surface…beneath the Rush, perhaps. Such a color, and such life…such sharpness…such intelligence…and blond hair…" Meanwhile, Naosu was trying to convince himself not to keel over dead. Now she reached up and touched the stones, finding them cool to her touch, and instantly knowing they were river polished. "The river…the Rush…it was the Rush. These eyes, blond hair, and the Rush." Her fingers trailed down over the stones, and she stopped when she touched the pink mineral. "And rare zoisite as well. Interesting." he thought as he quickly backpedaled away from her, away from the statue with his too real eyes. He waited until he had about reached his doorway, then set down quietly on the floor, making sure not to let his heels click too much. He waited a few seconds, then began to walk down the hallway, taking up his book and shoring himself up for what was to come. He rounded the corner and said through perfectly feigned shock, "Lady Kiri? What are you doing up?" She had stepped away from that bust, and looked like a child who had just been caught doing something naughty: eyes wide and confused, blanket clasped about her as if her life depended on it, and body language indecisive. "Naosu?" she whispered quietly. "What happened? Did you get lost? These is the Hall of the Guardians, after all," he said swiftly, moving closer. To his surprise, she seemed to shake quietly, a leaf fluttering in the soft breeze. "Lady?" he asked. "Just Kiri, remember? Just Kiri," she said quietly, and relief brushed over her face. "My apologies," he said. "Now, are you all right?" "Just a little fuzzy," she replied softly. "Those were good drugs you gave to the both of us, though she will not need them soon." he thought, eyes flicking upwards. "You needed to rest." "I know. Aiko wouldn't…won't understand, but I do. And thank you for watching over us," she said. "You are welcome." Genuine softness filled his voice, and both of them seemed a little shocked by it. Quickly he recovered, saying, "This way to the Hall of Flowers. I'm sure you'll want to get cleaned up." "Yes, yes thank you," she said, and as if on instinct, he gave her his arm. She nodded her thanks once again, and quickly and quietly he guided her to the Hall of Flowers. However, despite the presence of the other, neither could quite shake the imagery that filled their minds: those vibrant green-gray eyes, and her fingers trailing softly over pink minerals, whispering "Zoisite." As he had no chance to do it the day before, Ryu ordered a Gen's meeting sometime that morning. It just happened to end up in the Solar, where Naosu was attempting to read "Collected Works of the Breckians," a series of sci-fi stories written by a friend of the family. However, the sight of Kiri had fixed itself firmly onto his mind, and even the spritely imagery of the book could not peel his thoughts away from it. 'Twas in this condition that Jade and Ryu found him; Kishi came in last, a wry grin on his face. Ryu quickly opened the forum on the ladies, and a swift verdict was reached: they were not Jewel spies. There was, in fact, doubt as to whether they were Terran or not, for as Arashi was Jovan, so could the others too be of other planets. Yet where was the question, and as Kishi could only tell certain styles of fighting, and the others had never really paid attention, there was no way to tell. They briefly discussed some way of tricking it out of them, but decided it came a mite too close to actively breaking the Silence. Finally, they just decided to do what they had been: keep a careful on them and be friendly, for there had already been enough dropped, and surely more would be added. It was then that Naosu brought up his revelation: that Kiri had "seen" him, or at least his eyes. For a moment everyone froze; then, Kishi added that there was a chance Arfashi had seen him as well—she had commented upon brown eyes, and his were the only ones around. Jade mentioned the ways the invisibility had been gotten around: aural vision, spacial skill, and he bet the others had adapted as well. All agreed it was quite strange, these happenings and adaptations, and so came speculation on the ladies abilities. Naosu's first thought—that they were empowered—was quickly dismissed by simple logic, for they simply would've known. Kishi told of the prickles Arashi gave him, as well as the ki transfer he had seen between her and Kiri. Jade knew especially of Hiko, for he had watched her work the rose, and had tested her as well; to him, she appeared to be layered, each one stronger and more heavily shielded than the last. "So the only missing link is Lady Aiko," Ryu said. "Has she shown any signs of awakening?" "No…ahh, that was another thing. Kiri knew that the two of them had been drugged," Naosu replied. "Was she angered by it?" Ryu asked calmly. "No. As a matter of fact, she understood why we needed to keep them sedated, though she told me Aiko would not need them for much longer." "Smart one, isn't she?" Kishi said. "Very much so, though all are bright," Naosu replied. "And well-trained," Jade added. "As if they were more than they seemed." He looked about. "Like us." "That casts some doubt upon the station of Serin, then—is she higher or lower than she appears?" Kishi responded, and Naosu's eyes brightened with the fire of mystery. It went silent again for a few moments, each man pondering; then, Ryu said, "Let us leave that speculation to the Prince, and the women to us. I believe the key to this may lie with Aiko, for we have not had any time to observe her. Or, at least, something about her…" He shifted in his seat, and looked to Jade. "Maybe with what we've seen." "What do you mean?" Naosu inquired. He glanced again at Jade, and then told the story of the rooftops two nights past. As he did, Kishi's eyes widened, and one could see Naosu thinking, head nodding slightly as he did. Jade added details where he could, and for moments they let it sink in. "It had to be Aiko or Hiko," Naosu finally said. "These images would be representative of them, of their teleportation—for that was what it was, with the lights and the appearance of the form—and only those two have long hair. It is too bad that you did not see the eyes, for they would've been another clue to the identity." "Hiko, then, due to the fact that you drugged the other two," Ryu said. "Then the crimson figure must have been Arashi, for she was the only other one conscious." "Crimson, eh? I would've have thought her to chose a hunter green, or one of those darker colors—that color seems too close to blood for her," Kishi remarked. "They could have been camoflauging," Jade pointed out. "For all we know, Kiri did them both. We have no clue as to the extent of these women; Hiko and I were interrupted by Serin, yet from what I saw, she rivals us. And if they are as her, then they easily rival us." "So we must keep a regular watch, then," Ryu finally said. "Try to pull the pieces together, and whatever you do, do not stop being friendly. It seems…it seems to work the best." A chorus of "Hai, Commanders" went about the room, and Kishi stood first, saying, "Pardon me, but I have another session with Arashi today. She is a most excellent fighter." A flicker of energy, and he vanished. "Don't hurt yourself," Naosu laughed, then rose as well. "I should go check on Aiko, and make sure she has not wandered out of bed as well." Quickly he rose, and sped out of the Solar, his thoughts wrapped tightly once more. Jade and Ryu sat in the sun, which was a shade too heavy for either, and thought. Finally, Ryu looked up and said, "You are getting along well with Lady Aiko, yes?" He nodded. "When she awakens, you should probably be the one to watch over her, or at least we'll switch off between them. Kishi and Naosu already have taken their picks," a slight contortion of his face with that, as if he expressed a rational displeasure, "but you and I should swing between them." "Any particuliar reason why, Ryu?" Jade asked, pale eyes narrowing a tad. "After all, I get along with Hiko well, too, and I would love a chance to touch her aura again. There is much to her, many layers, many…she's…" Ryu held up a hand. "She has quite an effect on you, doesn't she?" Jade started, a little surprised, then said, "Well, um, a little." "Switch off with me, Jade. It may do you good to talk with more than just one woman," he observed drily. "Besides, Aiko will want someone to converse with, and I…am not the conversing type." Jade smiled. "Too true, Commander. TOO true. It would do you go to talk with her more, but since you've apparently got your mind made up, I will switch off and on with you." "Thank you, my friend," Ryu replied, more emotion in his voice than usual. He wondered at the same time if he was playing a coward's game, running away from her just because he didn't know why he didn't want to face her. Yet he soon dismissed it, for a sensible leader knows which thoughts to listen to, and which to not. * * * * Day seven dawned much nicer than the last two days, a clarity ringing in the air, and the sun bright through the vanishing morning mist. If the world had been a little uneasy after the incident at the Rush, it was now bouncing back to full bloom in a bright burst of cloudless blue sky. A perfect day for Aiko to awaken to. Naosu was present when the blond simply peeked her head out of the curtain, eyes glossy, small smile on her face. "Hey Doc!" she called. "Naosu," he reminded her, not looking up from his meds. He really needed to go out and restock some of his herbals; they were getting frighteningly low… "Doc Naosu, then," she said, peeking a little further outside the curtain, still smiling. "What can I do for you, Lady?" "Yeegh, I don't feel like a Lady now. Call me Aiko. Hell, just drop it all together; once a man has bandaged me, we're officially friends." "You seem chipper today," he remarked, abandoning his supplies to go check her over. She laid back on the table obediantly as he drew back the curtain and ran his eyes over her form, noting the strong eye and face, the general flush of healthiness to her face, and the fact that she had removed all her bandages. He picked up her arm and gave her a disapproving look; as if she knew, she smiled brightly at him. Yet he had to admit she was justified; in the not quite two days since he had bandaged her, the wound had closed, scabbed, and began to form skin, for the scab was eroded quite a bit. He checked her head, for those wounds were the ones that worried him most; they, too, had knitted closed, all bruising faded to the dull green of a nearly healed wound. "Would you not be chipper if you had slept for…oh, I'm guessing two days?" "Right, Lady," he replied. "Even though your body looks like it's been healing for a week." "It's Aiko, Doc, Aiko!" she reminded him, sitting up. "As to my healing, well…I'm just fast. Principle of a people, ya know?" She referred to the unwritten medical doctrine of the Sol system: different planets, different medicines to use. Quickly he checked through his list, but Terra contained nearly all of the various qualities, including fast healing. "I know, I know. But still, take it easy. No overexertion, eat only a small amount of food, and drink plenty of fluids to make up for what you've lost. If you feel suddenly tired and lightheaded, be sure to come back here; ignorance may lead to two more days asleep in the infirmary," he warned her. "So you're letting me go then?" she asked, pleasant surprise sparkling in her eyes. "I was assuming I'd have to fight you for it." "I stopped fighting anyone who heals like Jade and Ryu," he replied. "Or who is so peppy after being treated. Besides, you're cluttering my infirmary." "Oooh, threaten me, Doc," she said lightly, jumping off the bed and twirling across the room. "No overexertion, LADY," he cautioned. "No problem, DOC," she replied, swift smile on her face. "Get out of here before I make you sweep up glass," he grumbled, and she giggled. "Whatever you say," she replied, giving a most stately court curtesy as if her hospital gown were a true gown. He found himself bowing in return, and again she seemed to know, for she giggled and skipped from the room. he thought. Yet he walked to the door and watched her go, noting that she seemed quite able to find her way out. When she had completely vanished, he counted to five, then called out, *Ryu?* *Naosu? You never mindspeak!* *I make exceptions to my rules. Helps keep them in shape.* *So why the exception?* *Can't you guess? I'm in the infirmary.* *Ahh…she awake?* *And skipping,* he added, distaste clear in the message. Ryu held back a laugh, but it echoed faintly with his return message, *All right, all right. I'll try to check up on her, but I have to go down to the Rush and check for signs today. My delay may have speeded the decay.* *Be careful, Ryu.* *Oh, I will, Naosu. I will.* Aiko shot down the path to the stables, wisps of untucked hair sliding across her face as she raced along in the outdoors. She was free, free, free! and deserved every second of it. And what was the best thing for a free woman to do but go riding? she thought. They had thought it more proper for her to learn the arts of court than the the art of a proper seat and good form, but had allowed her to expand into both. It wouldn't be right, they argued, if she was a charm to the kingdom but completely helpless as well. She slowed down with a sigh, softly shaking her head; despite all that had happened, she missed the two of them. Even if they didn't miss her… She tumbled inside the stables, the interior brighter to her eyes than when she had first come here seven days ago----and quickly began to search for her horse. Perhaps the lovely breed would be feeling better now that it had a chance to heal as well; she could feel a spirit and grace in the animal that she truly wanted to try out. Yet, to her disappointment, she found it still being cared for; now she had to find a different mount, and who knew if there were any of this quality here? She looked over her friend's horses, but none truly met her need this day—a graceful yet spirited creature, calm yet willing to open up some speed… She moved down past their section, and found what she was looking for. A medium gray horse, mane and tail black, with eyes that shown a muted hazel at her. "Perfect," she whispered to herself. Which is why when Ryu arrived several minutes later, he saw her tacking up the horse. It just also happened to be HIS horse. "Lady Aiko," he said. "Lord Ryu? Did we not drop the formality?" she asked, finishing with the cinch. She checked it all again, then mounted up and looked down upon him. "No, Lady, we did not, and I would prefer if we would not," he replied, moving to the side of her horse. "As you say, Sir. Ayumi always told me not to argue with a man…" her eyes seemed to glaze, and she shook her head a bit, blinking, and it cleared. "But I assume you've stopped me for another reason." "Well, actually, I was wondering why you were riding my horse," he replied. "Blunt. Refreshing, but not as refreshing as Arashi. It'll do," she mused to herself. "But in answer to your question, Sir, I was going to enjoy this day. And I enjoy a day either at a party, or ahorse, or just…relaxing." She sighed the last word, as if to convey how she relaxed. He could picture her in a field, blond hair and soft skin surrounded by green, green grass and tiny daises… Now he blinked, and steadied himself. "Upon my horse, though?" "Oh…oh, I missed that. My apologies, Lord Ryu; would you prefer me to dismount and find another?" Her voice was complacently annoyed, a warning if he had ever heard one, though truly she simply toyed with him. "Actually, Lady, just for you to ask." "In that case…Lord Ryu, would you allow me permission to ride this beautiful and graceful animal?" she asked, the warmth in her voice not quite stifled by the formality of her words. "On one condition, Lady." "Yes?" "Allow me to accompany you." "Ahh, but don't you have to ask my permission now?" she asked. "Why yes, I do, don't I? In that case," and here he took her hand, and kissed it quite chastely. "Lady Aiko, would you allow me the pleasure of your company?" She didn't stiffen, didn't freeze, as she expected; instead, it seemed as if the sun chose to shine most brightly upon her at that moment, warming her to her toes. "Why yes, Lord Ryu, I would be honored," she said slowly, softly. "Then wait for me here," he said, moving away. "Of course," she said softly, looking down and away from him. He barely noticed it, nor did he notice she touch the back of her hand very softly, wonderingly, her face and eyes those of a thinker. she thought. She shook her head. Fifteen minutes later the two of them were riding quietly along the inner trail, Ryu having chosen one of the large blacks for his horse. Both were observing each other, searching out the smallest nuances as they made some polite chatter; honestly, though, it is hard to speak to another while trotting along on horseback, so mostly they keep it to small things. She thought his seat could use a little fixing, for it seemed exceedingly loose; otherwise, he rode fine, though differently than most she'd seen. He thought she was an excellent rider, very much in touch with the horse, though she was a little too tight for a calvary position and perhaps a little too dainty for a messanger. And so it went, back and forth, she thinking in terms of nobility, he thinking in terms of war, and each finding the other quite suitable. It is odd what a nice day or close contact will do to people's minds. Sometime later, she gestured him down, and asked, "Shall we pick up the pace a little?" "Are you well enough for it?" "If I feel well enough for a gallop across the Silver Plain, then I surely can canter down a nice little trail," she replied, smiling. "Besides, we're boring the horses." He grinned—had to!--and so they cantered down the trail, hooves trodding in prints left days ago by the fast past of Arashi and Kishi. Although normally she should've recognized the route, she didn't; so it was quite a surprise when he slowed and detoured across a grassy field she did recognize, partially by the tracks, partially by the bright flower heads. "This is the Rush," she called out, voice restrained. "Yes, it is," he replied. "I need to check something out." He dismounted, then turned to face her, noting the stricken look on her face. "You need not accompany me." "My thanks, Lord Ryu. I will see to the horses," she said, dismounting and leading her animal towards his. "Though I will have to face this one day or another; every horseman knows that." "What do you mean, Lady?" "When you fall off, you get back on," she said quietly, finding his face. Somehow it wasn't so hard to look his direction anymore; there was a sort of bent edge where he stood, a place where not all the scenery exactly fit together. "If a place scares you, visit it and find something to like about it. But for now…" "I understand, and must say your courage is greater than mine," he replied quickly, turning away to leave her there with the reins, following him with surprised eyes. He slid down the grassy slope to the river's edge, and knelt there, touching the water with a bare hand. He did not know what was it about Lady Aiko that made him so predisposed to her, nor what this urge to, to, to…protect? To understand? To care? He was not sure, and it made him wary. She, after all, did not seem to be from around her, and even if she wasn't Jewel she was to be approached with caution. he thought softly, slowly tuning in his powers, the creeping feeling of his magic shooting quietly up his arms and chest. He guided it carefully until he was sure he was empowered enough; then, he opened his eyes to see and search, to look for the strands of this dark force they said had been here. A soft wind rustled his hair, skimming over the river water with ease, causing the still surface to ripple. The ripples spread out for a moment, bouncing off each other and off the edge…yet, soon, the ripples began to spread primarily in one direction, the wind that was on the river picking up as well. A strong, strange breeze blew across the Rush, the force of it picking about the handsome, lean man that crouched at the water's edge. Aiko looked up from stroking the gray's neck, stopping her murmured thought cold. "It's here!" She burst over the edge and nearly slid into him, managing to stop before she knocked them both in. "Lord Ryu, did you hear me? It's here!" He turned to her, catching for an instant a peach figure before he slid shut his magics, and asked, "What?" "Can you not feel it, Lord Ryu? It's here! The force that knocked me into the Rush!" she breathed. "I do not feel a thing." "Perhaps because you were not touched by it, but I know it now, Lord Ryu. And what I know, I never forget," she said. "I believe you, Lady, but magic has to appear in order to be…" "The ripples." "What?" he asked, turning about. She came closer, taking his arm in order to steady herself, and pointing at the river's surface. Already the play of the waves had begun to slacken, as had the wind around them, but the vague shape of an arrowhead was there—an arrowhead that had been aimed right for him. "It was here," he said. "Yes. And it was aiming for you." "How do you know?" She gave him a long, solid look, and he felt as if her clear eyes could see him and knew him. "You did not come down her for nothing, Lord Ryu," she said. "You have a Seeker's abilities, and you came down here to search for what has caused this." She looked down. "You do not want to feel what caused this, Sir. It is a horrible thing." "How did you know I was a Seeker?" she thought flippantly, but instead replied, "You are, are you not?" "Yes, but Lady Hiko…" "Do not question the map when it tells you the right way to go," she intoned darkly, succeeding in keeping a smile off her face. He absorbed her words for a second, then nodded. "You are right, Lady. I did come down here looking for traces of what caused you such harm. I truly want to know what would….what would harm you so." His voice was calm and dry as the deserts of Chile, yet she had to look away, for her eyes would've spoken much to him just then. "I thank you," she managed after a moment. "But please, do not do this alone. I will assist you in your search, for you will need some sort of backup. Also, I too would like to know what happened to me, and how to prepare against it in the future." A small, dangerous smile crossed her face. "As I said, I do not forget." "I will remember that," he said. "And you are right, and I accept your assistance, Lady. But not today." "Not today," she echoed. "How about I race you instead?" "If you are…" "Do not doubt my health, Lord Ryu, else I will find as suitable a name for you as I found for Naosu," she warned. He smiled; why bother stopping it? "All right, Lady, all right. But I warn you, I will not take it easy on you." "And I will warn you that you'd better not," she retorted, and he laughed softly. He released her arm and turned towards the bank, but to both of their surprise, offered it back again. She took it, and quietly he escorted her up the bank. A soft wind accompanied them, one that teased their hair and brought the freshness of the day to the both of them. Had either thought to look back once more, to see if the pattern of ripples that played upon the surface had changed, they would've seen not an arrowhead of ripples, but a woman's face staring back at them, eyes glaring with hate. ----------------- PS: I've switched from Works to Word, and while it's kinda nifty, I cannot seem to get Spell-Check working. My most heartfelt apologies on this one.