Let the Ball BEGIN!

[Swordsman]

Nækos rocked back on his shoulders, then kicked up and landed on his feet, an arc of blood flying from his nose and upper lip. A bloody wound if not even painful, and showy. Embarassing. He spat blood that had run into his mouth, cursed, and ran off the way Moon had gone. After a moment, however, he realized that was stupid. So he returned to the fight scene, gathered the remaining weaponry - She'd left the longsword, and taken his custom shortsword! NOW he was seriously pissed - and jogged back to his cottage, where he tossed it in the door. Then he took off towards the castle - again! - at a loping run. Suddenly halting, he realized he'd neglected to take a weapon. Sprinting back in, he loaded all the way down. No telling what the rest of the night - was it still, or was it morning? - would bring. Jeez...so long nocturnal while on his own, he'd gotten back, spent most of the evening talking to Serana. Then they'd been out running around that hectic night, trying to figure out WHAT was going on...then he'd gotten five hours' sleep, and tried to switch back to a diurnal lifestyle. Found the Talruum rogue, Blade...gone to the market, eaten, a sabre lesson...wash quickly, off to the ball, and now this. Nights were no problem for him; it was the lack of sleep during the day that would wear him out! Had it really been...what? Maybe twenty four hours since he'd really come back? And here he was again. But what would life in Arconia be if not a constant battle? Boring. Was that why he'd left in the first place?

But there was no longer time to think. He was now loaded out, and it was time to go. Usual configuration. Dual gladii on the shoulders, bolas on the scabbard straps. One pouch of throwing stars, knives down the legs. Stilleto under each forearm, small katar on the left thigh. Self-reproduction (not as good, but close) of a Talruum sabre under his left arm. Straight-bladed wakizashi under the right, both held down by another sash. And he was off, only slightly hindered. Time to return to the castle - AGAIN - and see what he could do.

He thought as he ran; angles of attack, where people could be behind every tree he passed, which weapon he could most easily reach with each step, which he would need. It was not something he consciously did, anymore than he consciously thought about breathing. It was just a constant awareness. Knowing the terrain, what the tactics would be, for various sizes of forces. It was instinct. Partly elven, partly ingrained by years of training - and survival. Now was the time to put it to the test. Moonitic would no longer be in the woods - she knew not to stay put, and had had plenty of time to clear them. Possibly even backtrack to the same spot. He hoped Corasce would be okay if she ran into him...but it was time to return to the royal couple, and see to them. If only Blade were somewhere to be found! His strength and sabre skill would be indispensable. An unsettling thought: He was a rogue; what if he'd been enlisted by the wrong side? Who could take him down? He'd seen a Talruum take thirteen humans at once. But no time for those thoughts now. He needed the darkness to survive. He ran forward into the night, and it smiled, welcoming him.

[Fencing Angel]

after Angel and Rosaline parted he had a gut fealing that he needed to find her.. but he had a higher call.... one to protect his king. he was wareing mostly black and dark blue.. the sword that he carried in his hand was blued steel so that it wouldn't reflect the moon light... when thinking of his blade he remembered moon.. why would she do this.. didn't she already have a enought of a life?? he didn't know why, but he wasn't the one to ask these questions.

the fealing of in his gut was getting stronger. so he dicied that he was going to find rosalina and her group.

[DamedEscrime]

Jo skittered along the path headed for the forest, pausing now and again to listen. That was something Sir Angelo had taught her. Listen. Listen for cracking twigs or the rustle of underbrush. She hear nothing. All was still.
She ran on snagging her skirt on low lying brambles. Finally she realized why Naekos had insisted she part with her dresses for training. Now she was running full speed, scrambling, assuming that Lady Moon had kept to the path. Into the darknes she went, breathing hard now, squinting as sweat rolled into her eyes. And just what did she think she would do if and when she met Moon? She knew Moon was an ace fighter. Jo would not be much of a match for her. Perhaps she could use her wits instead of her sword. Wishful thinking, maybe.
She was lost in these thoughts when a figure suddenly burst through the darkness and crashed into her sending them both to the ground. She was up in flash and en garde as was the figure. "Lady Moon? Is that you?" she asked. "Josephine? What do you think you are doing out here?" It was Lady Moon. "I have come to take you back to the King," replied Jo. "HA! You? That's a laugh," Lady Moon retorted. Lady Jo from the house d"Escrime? Why you don't even know the difference between a saber and a rapier let alone how to use one. Do you think you can challenge me?"
"I will use this if I have to," Jo was yelling now as she held up her weapon. "You haven't got what it takes, Jo," she replied and turned to go.
Jo rushed at Moon's back determined to bring Moon back and was prepared to hit her with the flat of the weapon when Moon spun around and pummeled her just once to the side of her head. A small trickle of blood ran down Jo's face as she sank to her knees and fell over. "Serves her right," said Moon as she nudged her with her boot. "Foolish foolish, Jo"......

[Iwant2bafencer]

And there's something you scribes dont know. We already are. (Dont ask.)


------------------
Carpe Diem

[Zelda]

With all the confusion the Queen seemed to have been forgotten. She had sat down on the top step of the stair case.

"Once JUST ONCE" she cried "Can we have a Ball without SOMETHING happening??"

People were running everywhere. The Queen had seen Rosaline come and go, Lochinvar go and then arrive back, Naekos had disappeared after Moon, and Jo was MIA. The Queen was worried Jo had decided to do something rash. It wouldnt surprise her in the slightest. But where was the King?

Ahh there he was, walking in from the Balcony which Moon had jumped from. He looked sad. In fact he had that look which was reserved for when he was remembering easier times.

The Queen hitched up her skirts and walked towards him...

"Are you alright my love?" she asked.
"I'm fine, I think my Queen." Arcon replied.

"What were you thinking about?"

"I was remembering when life was simplier. When I could just DO things. When I didnt have to worry about plots on my life, or evil brothers, or court gossip, or intrigue, or lustful courtiers or....."

"Hush my King....let us go to the Royal chambers and change, so that we are better able to help if needed."

"My dear Zelda, what would I do without your sensible nature?"

"You would still be wandering my lord! Now come let us go help.... I dont want to be caught un armed or un guarded again!"

[arcon]

Arcon turned to his queen, she sparkled and looked staight ahead as they made their way to their chambers. He took the moment just to watch her, to admire her beauty, to feel her dynamic presence. Why him? He did not know, but he knew in his heart he had to be the luckiest man in ...not king.... to be with her.
He hated to end the moment, he wanted to feel it for an eternity......but

"My queen, lets find lochinvar. He IS my loyal friend. I value his opinion, hes one of the wisest men i know." "He will help."


The queen turned in what he thought was slow motion and said," of course my King, I agree".

As King and Queen made their way toward chambers neither of the two gaurds escorting
them were aware of shadows being cast from the stalker so near..

[lochinvar]

Lochinvar caught up to Arcon and Zelda as they made their way across the floor. For a moment, he thought he caught a glimpse of movement behind them, but then it was gone.

Probably just nerves.

"Ah, Loch…we were just coming to find you…" Arcon began.

"Not here, Your Grace. Please…this way…"

He ushered them to a door on the left and, glancing inside, looked for other exits. But for one window in the far wall, the doorway wherein he stood was the only one. "In here."

As they moved past him into the room, he pulled the guards aside. "Send someone for wine…someone you trust. And let no one in without the king's express permission. No one. Do you understand?" The man nodded, and took a post beside the door. The other guard moved to the other side.

When the door closed, he turned to the king. "Now, Arcon, Zelda, what the hell is going on, here?"

By turns, they told him of the earlier incident with Lady Moon. As he listened, his heart sank: bad, and worse, it was. When they had finished, he paced for a moment, then squared to face them. He knew before he spoke that it was probably useless, but he had to try.

"Arcon, I've known you since you were a penniless hedge-knight, selling your sword for bread in your belly and a mat to sleep on. And Zelda, I've known you almost as long. Nobody doubts your courage, or your abilities, either of you…least of all me."

"But this is not some stand-up fight in the open field with a known enemy. This is treachery, and daggers in the dark, and assassins behind the tapestries."

"How deep does it run? Who else in involved? We don't know, Arcon, Zelda. We just don't know. It could reach to anyone. Anyone at all."

"You're not just some wandering adventurers now, whose loss would pass unremarked. You're king and queen. And if you fall, Arconia falls. I don't have to tell you what that would mean for your people. We've all of us seen civil war."

"I beg you, stay down and keep out of sight until this is cleared up. Let someone else carry this fight. And be wary of all those around you."

"Loch, you're seeing ghosts, my friend," Arcon said. "I trust Naekos, Rosaline, Angelo and Serana with my life. They'd never betray me."

Loch sighed. "Arcon, until this night, I'd have said the same of Lady Moon. And so would've you."

[Foil Girl]

Once Serana had changed, she quickly rushed back down to the ballroom. There she met the servant, and learned of what Nækos had said. She didn't want to let him go alone, but knew he could handle himself and ran to find the king and queen. She screeched to a halt in front of them, looking back and forth between the stares of Lochinvar, Arcon and Zelda. "What is it?"

Loch, especially, was giving her a critisizing stare. She gave him a questioning look, then turned to the king and queen. "Nækos told me stay and protect you two... He went off after Moon..."

[Swordsman]

As Nækos continued running on, the clouds above him burst open like an over-filled bladder of water. He grinned to himself as the deluge quickly cooled his body, which was used to more northernly climes. If there was to be a time for a fight, this was surely it! Moonitic had been kind enough to save her move for the ball - assuring that Nækos would have with him his good friend, the night. Now, it was raining. Just when he thought it was as good as it could get, the lightning started. And suddenly, it was a dark and stormy night.

The rain was good, because most people became quickly cold when wet. But having lived as a beast for the past two months, with only one set of clothing and no shelter, Nækos had achieved a level of apathy toward his physical state. He was wet - so what? He wasn't cold. The moisture added a few pounds to his clothing, but nothing more. Besides, everybody else's senses would now be dulled. Rain interfering with hearing, and sight, people tensing up with cold and discomfort, trying to huddle into themselves and keep dry. Anybody outside would be thinking not of their duties, but of when they could get inside, and dry.

And now lightning. One's eyes can adapt to the dark, allowing pretty good night vision. But even an instant of light, and it's gone. Nækos had a halfling's eyes. Not as good as an elf's, let alone a Talruum, but still a sight (Get it? It's a pun, fool!) better than humans. Human pupils were too quick to dilate. They would be wide open for the night, then be blinded by a flash of lightning. Then the pupils would snap shut, just in time for darkness to return and leave them helpless. Nækos' eyes weren't so quick to react, and were better able to store the residual light. All in all, these were ideal conditions for him.

When he came across Jo, he was immediately concerned about puddles - she was lying face down. He turned her over, the blood washing quickly off her delicately framed face, and saw that she was merely unconscious. A few shallow tracks led away, but were quickly disappearing in the rain. He ran after them as fast as he could follow.

Moonitic had, like any human, been slowed by the rain when she instinctively tried to huddle into first her clothing, and then herself. Thus Nækos was able to again overtake her. You need to get her alive. Nækos spoke to himself as if a different person. Reaching into one of the pouches hung on his chest, he retrieved a wound-up bola. Taking the handle in his right hand and the weights in his left, he yanked hard, snapping the cord out of its knots. Moonitic was too miserable to be watching anywhere but forward, and still hadn't heard him over the rain. Drops flew out in a disc as Nækos whirled the metal weights above his head, then let them fly at Moonitic. He got a semi-decent hold; one of the cords wrapped her right thigh, one missed entirely, and the second got halfway around her left leg. Just enough to trip her up. But also to give him away.

She faltered, stumbled, and finally twisted and sank to the ground, where she immediately began cutting at the leather cords of the bola. Nækos was to her with the sabre tip at her throat at the same instant she had her legs free. "And just what do you intend to do to me, BOY?" Moonitic taunted. "You can't kill me. You know you are really hoping I'll just snap out of this eventually."

"You want to bet I won't kill you?"

"Nækos, Nækos," she chided, "don't ever play poker." She stepped back, turned, and ran. He could do nothing; he DID need her alive. He simply stood there for a moment as she again ran off. What to do? How could he capture her so that she would be unarmed, and unable to flee? She'd cut up his bola. He had no other restraining type weapons. He also had to start keeping track of the damage she was doing; as soon as this was over, he was going to Latenight to sue her for every Mango (Arconian currency) it took to get things repaired. m500 if she breaks the longsword...probably only m200 if I just have to repair it. A good fifty mangoes for the bola! And rust damage...that's something I've got to figure out. He sheathed the sabre, and stood there in the rain for a moment, pondering. Now where to go? Back to the palace - again. As good a place as any. He'd find the king there, and Serana. He'd also talk to this Lochinovar. He seemed a good man to be allied with. What he really needed was some way to get Moonitic unconscious...but he'd think about that later. Time to get to the castle.

[ 09-09-2001: Message edited by: Swordsman ]

[Zelda]

The Queen listened with half an ear to Loch's and Arcon's conversation. She didnt WANT to be cooped up letting someone else fight the battles. Besides being a courtier Moontic was a friend and until tonight an ally.

"Loch, I respect your opinion, but I was bought up to help my friends in their time of need. To be there for them, even if they didnt want me." The Queen had started to rant. The King cringed, but didnt stop her. "I will not HIDE while someone else does the dirty work. When I married Arcon, I promised to HELP him govern the Kingdom. Sitting on my butt is not going to do ANYTHING about keeping that vow. Now if you will excuse me I have to get changed to organise search parties."

Lochinvar just stood, speechless, as the Queen swept past him towards the door and the Royal dressing chambers.

"Your majesty......" he started.

"No! I'm going!" and the Queen left the room.

Lochinvar looked at the king in bewilderment. "What was that?" he asked.

The King shrugged his shoulders. "She gets like that ocassionally. Its the Trebond in her. I usually just let her get it out her system."

"You do realise that her going off like this makes our job more difficult dont you?"

"I know Loch, but ever since we first met, in the court of King Jonothan Conte` of Tortall, she has been stubborn. Remember when I asked her to marry me?"

"Point taken." Lochinvar replied, smiling at the memory, "BTW do you still have the scar?"

"Yes..."

"Well all we can do now is work out where everyone is."

While this conversation was going on the Queen had reached her chambers and was changing. She unzipped the gown and removed the jewellery. She took her hair out and caught it back in a ponytail with a leather twist. Digging deep into the chest which she kept at the end of her bed she pulled out soft leather breeches, and a simple linen tunic. She pulled them on, smiling at the fact they stilled fitted after so many years.

She then dived into the back of her closet and removed a pair of soft leather shoes, which laced half way up her thigh. Into one shoe she placed a dagger. Around her waist was a leather belt, holding in place a chipped and battered sword. Its hilt was wrapped in leather, its only decoration a dull crystal. Thus attaired she left her chambers. She immeadiately returned though, to remove the note which had caused her so much consternation. It had been situated in a pocket in her dress, and the last thing the Queen wanted at this point in time was for the maid to find it. She retrieved the note and once again slipped it down her tunic.

This time she made it back to where Loch and Arcon where still talking...

"So are either of you coming with me?"
"My Queen are you sure this is the right idea?"
"YES! Now are you coming or not?"

[Foil Girl]

Yes!! Someone else who's read the Tamora Pierce books!! Go Zelda!! sorry...

[ 09-09-2001: Message edited by: Foil Girl ]

[lochinvar]

Loch sighed, resigned. He had known it for a fool's errand, even while he was speaking.

Arcon, though sometimes stubborn, could have eventually been argued around. If nothing else, Loch could have played the "for your old friend-in-arms" card. But Zelda…

She had always been headstrong, and at times she could be downright tiresome. He couldn't fault her for loyalty, but he feared her sense of duty would lead them all to a bad end.

And now this new person…Serana, was it? Jo had pointed her out as an "arms pupil" to the one called Naekos. Maybe Loch could turn that to some good…provided SHE wasn't part of this, too!

"Your Majesty, I propose a compromise. Go and organize search parties, if you can't be dissuaded. Take this girl with you, to watch your back. I've heard she's competent with the sword."

"But, if you must go out, then you and the king should not go out together. If you stay together, then somebody could take you both down at one blow. If you are separated, we complicate things for them. They will have to lay two traps instead of one."

"The king and I will stay here. There are some things I'd like to explore, and Arcon can help me understand what I don't know."

Reluctantly, Zelda nodded. "Come, Serana. Guards!" she called, miving impatiently for the door.

[ 09-09-2001: Message edited by: lochinvar ]

[Iwant2bafencer]

The two search groups had been searching for hours. Rosaline was growing impatient. She was soaked to the bone, but the cold made her more alert. Her party had searched every hole, every cave, and every tree limb twice.
"Alright gentlemen" Rosaline started softly.
"you all can go home now. We aren't going to find her tonight." The group filtered off back towards the kingdom. Rosaline stood there alone for a minute then headed off to find Angel and his group. As she was walking she remained alert for anything unusual. She let her mind travel back to eight years ago when she had faut with James. As she thought she was unaware that someone was watching her. Suddenly someone was on top of her, then she was face down on the ground. Rosaline strugled for her sword, but her attacker pined her arms behind her back. "Moon, please let go. We're firends rememb. .Ah!" Moon yanked on her arms. "You are a fool to be walking alone on a night like this." Moon hissed in her ear. "and why is that friend?" Rosaline winced as Moon pulled again on her arms. "For one you can hardly see, and two there are known enemys out." "Are there?" Rosalines was in agony, Moon continued to pull the back. The ground was sheer mud, which didn't help her situation. She continued to ask questions staling trying to think of a way to get out of this position and capture Moon. Moon yanked even harder knowing what Rosaline was doing. "Ah!" Moon laughed an evil laugh that was not hers. "Go home little girl. You're no match for me." "In my curent position no, but if the situation were different then I would have to argue that remark." Rosaline grunted. "Rosaline!" Moons head snaped up as did her captor. 'Thats Angel calling me. I just have to keep her here for another minute.' Moon was way ahead of her. She leaped off of Rosaline and went on a dead run deeper into the forest. Rosaline sprang to her feet, and spun around to try and find Moon. She was no where to be found. Rosaline cursed under her breath. Rosaline rubed one of her arms, then looked at her hand. There was blood on it. She glanced down at the ground and saw Moons dagger there. She picked it up, and shoved it into her boot. "Rosaline!" Angels call was closer now. "Angelo I'm over here!" She heard him break into a sprint, and seconds later was to her, and took her into his arms. "Are you alright? When I saw your party heading back to the castle, and didn't see you with them I didn't know what to think." "I'm fine dont worry." Rosaline winced as Angel hugged her tighter. "What is it?" Angel stepped back, and galnced at her right arm. The shirt had been torn, and there was blood on her arm. "How in the world?" "Moon jumped me, and she ran when we heard you call for me. She must have just droped her dager when we fell. I most likely just rolled onto it. No big deal." Angel gently touched the surounding skin causing Rosaline to wince again. Tearing her sleeve off the rest of the way he tied it around her wound. It wont do much now since it is wet. Although it's all we have until we get back to the castle. Come on there's nothing more we can do tonight." Rosaline hadn't realized how drained she was, as she started to walk she stumbled. Angel grabed her before she fell. Sliping his arm around her to support her they walked back to the castle.
When the reached the castle they ran into the queen who was in pants and a linen shirt. "Your Majesy?!" Rosaline exclaimed. "Rosaline what happened?!" "Moon and I had a little 'one on one' time. I'm fine really." Rosaline tried to walk alone, but again stumbled. Both Angel and Queen Zelda caught her. "Oh Dear, you cant even walk never the less hold a sword." Rosaline caughed. "I'm just tired thats all." She caughed again. Zelda felt her forehead. "You're burning up! Angel take her up to her room, and get her in bed." Rosaline shook her head. "I'm fine! Besides Angel and I need to work out a plan for the search parties tomorrow." Now Angel shook his head. "That can wait. you're dead on your feet." Rosaline tried to fight him, but kne it was no use. Angel caried her to her room while the queen went to get some soup from the kitchen. Angel left her to go change when the queen got back. "here you are." The queen set the bowl down by her bed." "Thank You" Rosaline again went into a fit of caughing. The queen shook her head. "You get some rest I'm going after Moon." Rosaline tried to sit up, but got dizzy the second she did so. She put her head back down. "You cant do that. It's to dangerous." "My dear, I have saved Moon and Meekal, and helped on to many other adventures to count." "Yes I know, I do not doubt the fact that you can defend yourself. It's just that it's no use tonight. Our army has searched for hours. Wait for tomorrow when it's light." The queen hought about it for a while then nodded. "You're right, I wont go out tonight, but dont try and stop me from going tomorrow." Rosaline nodded "It's a deal." Angel came back in dry clothes. "I'll stay with her until she falls asleep my queen." Zelda nodded and left. Angel and Rosaline talked for a few minutes, then she fell asleep.


------------------
Carpe Diem

[ 09-09-2001: Message edited by: Iwant2bafencer ]

[Swordsman]

Nækos arrived at the castle, hopefully for the final time that night Or is it morning yet? soaked to the bone, but warm from the run and apathetic to the cloth clinging to him. The tunic lay heavily on his arms and shoulders, and every knife showed in the legs of his pants. He bent forward in the large, strangely quiet entrance to the keep and shook his head hard, forgetting the length of his hair. The tail of black slapped him comically on both sides of the face, across his mouth and fully past his nose. He quickly stopped and straightened, spitting and pulling the wet strands out of his mouth and back behind him, where he wrung the water out. The minute all of this is over - if it ever is! - I'm getting this thing cut off!

He stood there for a moment catching his breath, then started forward in the dim torchlight. The whole place seemed empty; all were out searching for Moonitic, or still at the ball dancing, blissfully ignorant that their rulers, their entire kingdom even, hung in the balance. If I were Arcon, where would I go? No...if I were Zelda? She'll be leading him. No...Lochinovar. Perhaps he will be leading them. Or...hmm. Zelda or Lochinvar? He hesitated again, not knowing which way to go, or which way to guess. Who would be leading, Zelda or their old friend? Well, either way it would be towards the quarters, upstairs. He could start that way. And so he did.

Jogging up the stairs of the main palace, he had yet to encounter a single guard. Which was very disturbing. He hoped Serana had gotten his message, and - no. If she'd gotten the message, she would listen. The question was whether Arcon was too proud to relay the message. He hoped he hadn't been.

First, he checked the royal couple's chambers. Knocking solidly on the massive oak door, there was no answer. He waited, knocked again, then entered. Empty. Where now? The royal chambers were at the end of their corridor; the only way now was to bactrack. But how far? This question, it turned out, he didn't have to answer.

Coming back down the corridor, he heard steps coming, and ducked into the next doorway, pulling the stilleto from his left wrist. It was short and narrow, lacking quillions; really, a metal bar with a point. The handle was leather wrapped as were all of his weapons, but that was the sole ornamentation on the black steel. The footsteps grew closer, and his breath, though silent, grew faster. He grinned slightly at the gut-tightening taste of adrenaline. A woman's steps, light and quick. Wet? Time to see. The woman passed his corner, and he stepped silently from the shadow, wrapped his left arm under hers and behind her neck, and situated the point of the small dirk at the side of the throat. Here it was much harder to evade by moving the head, and offered a much more secure hand position. Her hands were empty, and so he quickly moved his right hand from its threatening position to her mouth where it could stifle the coming scream. From his extremely close proximity, he'd felt the breath she'd taken to do so. She was indeed thoroughly dampened.

"M'lady...what brings you here at this hour? Speak quietly, and I shall remove my hand." He felt her breath slowly out, replaced by a smaller one. Nækos moved his hand back to its original position.

"Nækos? Tell me that's you..."

"My queen! Forgive me!" He released her instantly and dropped to a knee, bowing his head. "I didn't recognize your step, and your hair was pulled back."

"It's alright, my sneaky swordsman. I'm just glad it was you and not Moonitic. I had a feeling it was you when you started with 'm'lady'."

"Thank you...apologies for any discomfort. Might I ask why you are so dressed, not to mention wet?"

"Of course. I was going after -" He was about to protest, but she silenced him with a look and continued. "I was going after Moonitic, but returned when I encountered Angelo and Rosaline. She's been wounded, by Moonitic. Cut on the arm. Unfortunately, she seems also to be sick from the cold and wet, not to mention weak with blood loss. Out of curiosity, I've seen you severely wounded, but never faint from blood loss. Might I ask how?"

"Thicker blood. Elven blood clots much faster. Mine isn't as thick as theirs, but moreso than Rosaline's or yours."

"Of course, I see now. I keep forgetting..."

"Just look at the ear." Nækos indicated his right ear, which was slightly taller and more pointed than a human's.

"So you have an elf's right ear, but a human's left? Amusing..."

"I have two halfling's ears. My left was trimmed back to human size when I was little, by a local gang I lost a fight to."

"Oh...sorry."

"I had my vengeance. Now, why don't you show me to Arcon. Is he accompanied?"

Zelda spoke and began walking back up the stairs. "Lochinvar is with him - an old friend of ours."

Nækos followed. "So I'd heard. Where is Serana?"

"She followed your instructions and followed us out of the ball. We were joined shortly by Lochinovar. I decided to leave, and he advised Arcon to stay, so that we couldn't both be caught at once. Serana came with me, but stayed with Rosaline and Angel after we laid Rosaline to bed."

"So now you're wandering the corridors unguarded? And barely armed?"

She stopped and gave him a look. "I'm not helpless."

"But you ARE royal."

"And just what is that supposed to mean? I'm soft and can't take care of myself?"

Nækos returned the steely glare, anger emboldening the mercenary to argue with the queen. "It means you are special. You need to change your idea of responsibility. You think you have a responsibility to your husband, and friends, and to yourself to bring Moonitic to justice. You've been humiliated, and are out to get her back. But you have a higher responsibility as queen. And that's to me. And Serana, and Jo, and every other Arconian. You have the responsibility right now to STAY ALIVE! Because without you, Arcon cannot function. And without him and you, Arconia cannot function! It, and all the kingdoms immediately around it, will dissolve into chaos! Now you need to do the right thing, and that is to sit back, and take shelter, and allow yourself to be closely guarded. Serana will be with you even when you bathe. You and Arcon will never left alone. Not until we have Moonitic back under our control."

Zelda glared back at him in the darkened corridor, knowing he was right but hating it all the same, hating the very fact that he WAS right. She'd been foolish. It was probably a good thing she'd run into Angelo and Rosaline. If she hadn't...she turned without a word and continued on her way. Nækos again followed.

A few moments later, they came to yet one more of the seemingly never ending line of stone-framed doors, and here Zelda turned and knocked. From inside, a voice Nækos didn't recognize. "Identify."

"Zelda, and Nækos Servaya. He is to be trusted."

The door opened. Nækos entered after Zelda, to a candle-lit room that contained a small bed, a table (where the candles stood), a chair, a chest, and Arcon. Another man stood behind the door, and closed it. Nækos bowed. "M'lords."

Arcon rose from the chair by the table. "Nækos, glad to have you here. This is my old friend, Lochinvar MacAlpine." He turned to his wife. "My dear, back so soon?"

She repeated her encounter to him. "Then our dark-haired friend here found me in the corridor a little ways down. After we sorted out the misunderstanding, I brought him back up here."

Nækos cut in. "M'lords, m'lady, if I may. Master MacAlpine, it is an honor to meet you. I've heard many a good word, and was privileged to witness your dancing earlier this evening. Now. Arcon and Zelda" He spoke as if they weren't there. "need to be kept here. They cannot be allowed out in the castle, or even in a larger, more accessible room, until we have Moonitic, and possibly others, in our control."

Seeing Arcon's look out of the corner of his eye, Nækos explained to Lochinvar his reasoning, more for Arcon's benefit. He'd already pushed his luck arguing with royalty. Lochinvar listened, then smiled. "Good. You think as I do. However, we cannot stay here indefinitely. We will need reinforcements, and eventually relief."

"Yes. However, we must keep the royal couple here. You have already been here for sometime, and I am more heavily armed. Go find Angelo and Serana, and bring them here."

"I will do that. We still, however, cannot wait indefinitely. We need to make sure the castle stays relatively unguarded, then find a way to let Moonitic know that Arcon and Zelda are hiding out in this room, alone, and together. Without being too obvious. If she doesn't think that we want her to know, then hopefully she will come to assassinate them. And we can have several trusted people waiting."

"We DO think alike. But first, we must have Angelo and Serana here."

"But of course." Lochinvar strapped on the weapons, and was gone. And with that, night changed to early morning.

[ 09-10-2001: Message edited by: Swordsman ]

[Moonitic]

Bloodlust.

The name of the game.

The poison called hate burned the warrior's veins as she escaped into the night. She knew they'd be following her, hunting her. They would not rest until she had been caught.

There would be many sleepless souls in Arconia.

And all that rot about a magical spell? How quaint. She might have to use that if it became necessary.

She found herself a good cover, and began to plot. Where to now? She needed herself an ally. Someone she could rule over, to help her carry out her plan. Zarcon? He was imprisoned. As well as she knew the dungeons after her time with Lord Tellurine, she could not afford to return at that point. Lord Tellurine? He was probably back in Muu. She really did not want to travel that far quite yet. She needed someone easily manipulated.

It hit her like a ton of rocks....

Meekal!

[Zelda]

The Queen glowered at Naekos as he outlined his plan to the King and Lochinvar. As much as she loved the halfing he had a habit of curtailing her adventures which grated against her.

"Hang on a a cotton picking minute...." the Queen finally exploded, "what happened to division and safety???? And since WHEN do I need an armed guard to have a bath???? Rosaline dear I do respect you BUT a Queens bath is PRIVATE!"

The Queen continued to rant in a similar vein for a few minutes. Naekos stood there, impassive. Arcon took a deep breath and was about to start talking to placate the Queen when Lochinvar spoke.

"Zelda CALM DOWN. I know what you are capable of. You dont think I have fogotten your heritage do you? Any daughter of Alanna of Trebond and Olau is bound to be a halfway decent fighter. We are not doubting that. We just want you to be safe!"

"What and being safe entails sitting in a room WAITING for the baddies to come to find us?" the Queen retorted. "Sorry but not in my books."

Naekos stepped forward from the shadows where he had retreated when Zelda started on her rampage.

"M'lady," he began "remember what I told you in the hallway? Its true....we need you Safe more then anything now. You are the glue which along with the King holds this Kingdom together. If something happens to you, Arconia is endangered. Its as simple as that."

The Queen nodded and sighed deeply. "Maybe we can reach a compromise?" she said. "Let me have my head within reason. If you think I have gone to far tell me and I will try to pull back. Notice I said TRY I'm not saying I will but I will try to."

"But your majesty....." Naekos started.

"Thats an excellent idea Zelda" Lochinvar cut Naekos off with a look, "I think that will work well."

Naekos developed a look of intense frustation on his elven face. Lochinvar just looked at him and mouthed "I'll tell you later....." Naekos nodded in agreement.

Throughout all this the King had been sitting on the solitry chair in the room staring out the window. At the silence following the agreement he turned around and ask "Are we all happy now?"

The other three nodded.

"Loch and Naekos, can you give us a few minutes alone please? My Queen can we please speak privately?"

As Lochinvar and Naekos left the room to stand guard outside the King turned to his Queen.

"My darling I KNOW you want to help, but cant you just listen to Naekos and Loch for once? They have your best interests at heart."

"I know, but I cant stop thinking thats it is kind of my fault. I mean I did ask you to tell Moon to take Meekal to the ball!"

The King sighed. He knew he didnt have a chance is Hades of winning this arguement. "Alright my dear but PROMISE if Lochinvar or Naekos says stop you will!"

"I suppose so..." the Queen grumbled, but a smile played on her lips.

"Thank goodness." The King replied and stood up to kiss her.

Meanwhile outside Lochinvar and Naekos were having a small disagreement about Lochinvars deal with the Queen.

"Why did you agree to that? She is in DANGER. She needs to stay PUT!"

"I know. I would be happier if she did. But its in her blood. You cant deny your heritage." Lochinvar nodded towards Naekos's ear.
"But STILL!!!!" Naekos gave Lochinvar an exasperated look.

"Let me tell you a litte about Zelda. She is the daughter of the first female knight of Tortall. Do you know of her?"

"I havent even heard of Tortall, let alone a female knight from there."

"Have you heard of Alanna the Lioness Rampent?"

"Yes...."

"Well Zelda is her daughter......."

"But the Lioness is one of the best swordsman in the world!"

"Exactly!"

A light went on in Naekos's head.

"I GET IT!" he exclaimed. "Zelda doesnt want to be a lady of the court, she wants to be an adventurer, like her mother!"

"Yes, but her mother insisted she become a lady. Its not to say she didnt learn the fighting arts. More she learnt them but was not allowed to use them." Lochinvar continued.

"How frustrating......" Naekos replied.

"Exactly, when she met, and then fell in love with Arcon it was because he treated her like an equal, not some lady who needed to be protected. She appreciated this."

"But that still doesnt totally explain why she is so determined to rescue Lady Moon."

"Friendship, Naekos, Friendship. and a debt that has to be repaid...."