Zelgadis Greywyrds, shamanistic sorcery expert, excellent swordsman and magic user, powerful cross of golem, crown prince of half of a very powerful nation and dangerous opponent, sighed at the misfortune of having to sit next to what was the most boringly stupid girl he had ever met in his entire life.
Zel, as his friends called him, if he’d had any friends, assuming he wanted any friends, which he most certainly did not, he didn’t need friends they were just a pain in the neck oh gods he must be tired he was rambling mentally again, was at a very important court dinner hosted by his supreme father, was utterly and positively bored. There was absolutely nothing happening. Usually, Zel had quite a bit of patiance, but his father had been having this same dinner for two days. And he always had to sit next to the ambassador’s daughter, Jillian, who was such a...a…for some reason, the word "prep" came to mind, but he hadn’t the slightest notion what a "prep" was. Oh well. Whatever it was, it suited her. He sighed. And jumped as someone touched his elbow.
"Hello." A young woman of about twenty looked sweetly down at him. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders beautifully, and she looked like an angel with her big, blue eyes. He gave himself a mental shake. This, over a woman? Humph. He looked up to where she was standing.
"Yes, madam?" He said politely.
"I couldn’t help noticing how utterly bored you seem. I do believe you might not be enjoying yourself."
He grinned. "I am a bit tired of doing nothing but eat." In truth, he hadn’t eaten much of anything. Zelgadis never was a big eater. No one knew where he got the energy for the endless swordplay and magic practice. Of course, no one knew he was a chimera. Before he had learned how, the court magician kept a tight illusion on him to keep any of his rocky skin or metallic hair from showing. That was what kept him so easily going on nothing but a few cups of coffee a day. He sighed and waited for the stupid flashback sequence to finish. *
*
*
When his father was still young and foolish, (he still was the incredible idiot, in Zelgadis’ opinion, but he kept the kingdom in remarkable order for being such a fool) he had greatly angered the neighboring country’s court sorcerer. Not taking lightly to the obnoxious snub, the man had cursed the king, that his first born son would be a monster beyond imagining, and would someday destroy him utterly. But there was more. Unless the son died on his 19th birthday, the king would be unable to produce any other sons. Ever.
Of course, the king had had to kill all present at the time, including the sorcerer, to keep this from getting out. And had made plans to get rid of the son on his 19th birthday.
Of course, he’d never told Zelgadis this, but Zel would have had to be an idiot not to notice his royal father was being completely honest with him. And since Zelgadis was extremely intelligent (he’d already outlearned all his rather slow teachers and was studying on his own) he asked the older servants.
Because Zelgadis, unlike his father, did not rule out servants as unimportant because they had no lands. No one noticed the ever-present workers who would do all the things that the nobles didn’t want to. They were extremely loyal to those who knew enough to look for that loyalty and did not snub them. They were the closest ones to friends that Zelgadis had.
Unfortunately, once Zelgadis had learned of the murder plans, he wasn’t going to risk anything. He cut off all emotional ties with anyone he knew, and was careful not to forge any new ones. The servants all noticed this, and sympathized deeply with him, but they knew that if he was to live, it was for the best.
Zelgadis learned everything as quickly as he could. He had to be prepared for when his father tried to get rid of him. He learned swordsmanship at an amazing rate, and searched out knowledge of magic as quickly as possible. He was a child prodigy to begin with, but now he was a genius.
But, as we all know, A boy growing up among enemies, who knows he’s growing up among enemies, doesn’t get a childhood. Zelgadis had to grow up faster than he should have, and he didn’t learn important things he should have. He was entirely alone, but didn’t realize it, because he never knew what it was like not to be.
But he was entirely self sufficient. He had to be. His 19th birthday was coming up in less than a month. *
*
*
Zel smiled at the woman. She was remarkable beautiful.
She chuckled. "As I have heard, your majesty, you never were one for eating. Perhaps...you would like to take a walk, instead?" She smiled.
He felt like floating at that smile. And he had no idea why. "Yes," He said, "I would like that very much.
He didn’t notice her give her give the visiting empress a thumbs up sign. *
*
*
Angela snickered as she noticed the crown prince of Endavia watch her out of the corner of his eye. It had been two weeks since the time she had walked with him, and she already had him neatly wrapped around her dainty finger.
After all, that was her job. She was one of the finest seductresses on the continent, and took care to give her job her best. The empress of Wastra was paying her quite a tidy sum to dishonor the prince. If she did, and the empress uncovered the scandal, there would be ample cause to start a war. And it would not make her kingdom angry at her greed for more land if she had a good reason.
Because the king, (unknowingly of his son, of course) had been trying to arrange a marriage between his son and her daughter. What the empress didn’t know was that he planned to murder his own son on the wedding night and claim her lands by marriage. What he didn’t know was she was planning to dishonor his country and take it over as her own. So they danced the court steps in an intricate pattern, never knowing they weren’t the only one making plans.
And Angela had her own plans. They were, ‘take your employer and victim for all they have, then cover it up and run to the next job.’
She’d be able to buy a small kingdom and live quite happily when she retired.
And Zelgadis? He had plans to stay alive. And was blissfully oblivious to what everyone else was planning, apart from the fact he was likely to die in a few weeks. *
*
*
Lina Inverse had no idea what her next job was supposed to be. Xellos, her employer, had said it was along the lines of court intrigue, and involved a lot of politics. She didn’t like politics. She liked to blow things up and collect her pay. She hated being sneaky about it.
Unfortunately, Xellos loved it.
Sneaky was the bastard’s middle name. He fought dirty, he manipulated everyone he could, and cheated you in the end.
Lina knew he was a mazoku. And she still worked for him. Why? Because he paid well. She didn’t really care in the least about rights and wrongs. As long as she got paid, she didn’t care about the rules.
And of course, the rules never applied to her.
They made quite a team, Xellos and her. He went around being sneaky, she blew things up, they got paid. She knew Xellos was manipulating her into doing a lot of political maneuvering for him, and thought she didn’t know, but she didn’t much care. She got paid. As you’ve read at least three times so far, that’s all she cared about.
After all, what else was there to care about? The world hadn’t been particularly nice to her. Why should she worry about saving it? And she was lucky she’d been a child genius, or she’d be married off, dead, or worse. That was another reason she worked for Xellos. She kind of owed him. *
*
*
Lina Inverse, at age 15, had just used the Dragu slave in a nearby forest. She felt great, powerful, and a person to be reckoned with.
She’d never felt like that before. Girls were bargaining chips, nothing more.
She liked it.
Of course, the spell had said it would slow down aging. That was all to the better, though, wasn’t it? After all, she didn’t want to get all old and wrinkled any time soon.
When she got home, proud and powerful, she had found she really wasn’t that powerful after all.
Her father was going to marry her off to some rich old geezer from the north. There wasn’t a thing she could do or say about it either. And she didn’t want to kill her father, not really. There was nothing she could do.
But Lina was, as many called her, a stubborn, disrespectful little bitch. She’d run off.
Unfortunately, she had no money. And no supplies. And no idea how to do anything useful except magic and history, which weren’t that useful right now.
And then Xellos had found her.
She’d been blowing up a few bandits who’d tried to attack her, when he’d jumped in front of her. Being the intelligent, wary, and distrusting girl she was, she’d fireballed him without a second thought. But when it hadn’t phased him, she’d gradually worked her way up through shamanistic and black spells until she’d dragu-slaved his ass.
That had singed him quite a bit. But he just jumped right up and grinned. He’d complimented her on her magic skills, and asked if she wanted a job.
She killed a few people. Sure, she didn’t like it. Not one bit. But they had all deserved it. She did her homework on them, not going off blindly to kill whoever Xellos said to like he thought he did.
Or maybe he did know. You could never tell. Anyway, Lina didn’t care. So far he’d only picked people who had greatly deserved to die, sometimes more.
Of course, they were all very powerful. And he was probably going to be doing things to the countries they ruled that they wouldn’t have liked. But that wasn’t her problem, either. But most people in power were spoiled so thoroughly and early that they were truly terrible people. So Lina had no qualms about offing them.
Xellos, as per usual, hadn’t told her much about her job. He never did. But this time, what he’d said had worried her.
She was going to have to be undercover in this one, assuring the King of that country that they were ready and able to do the job he had hired the continent’s greatest assassins for (she’d liked that pert, Lina had had no idea they were that famous…), and keeping an eye on the one they were supposed to kill. She had no idea who that was, Xellos wouldn’t tell her. Oh well. He would when it was time. Besides, it was apparently a VERY powerful person, and she knew how they all were. So she didn’t care. They were getting paid quite a lot. The king obviously assumed they’d either demand a high price for the one they were supposed to kill, or the victim would kill them himself. In which case, the king wouldn’t have to pay them.
Either way, it was going to be more challenging than the last job, where the tyrant had been very fat and out of shape.
Lina smiled. Much as she hated politics, she enjoyed a challenge. Especially to her magic. Because she always won. *
*
*
Zelgadis looked up as the servant hesitantly told him he was wanted by his father. His birthday was in two more weeks. Zelgadis marked the page in his book and got up. He then followed the servant to his father’s audience chamber.
His father was looking very smug. The man had made sure there was no way the boy could have possibly found out about the fact he was going to die on his birthday, and everything was in order. The assassins were coming tomorrow, and would be ready to destroy him the moment he was married to the princess of Wastra. And he would then claim all of that kingdom by law. And he could have a suitable heir this time, and not have to worry about a thing.
It never occurred to the fat, obnoxious idiot that it wasn’t going to go according to plan.
The king spoke. "I have decided you will marry the princes of Wastra on the dawn of your 19 birthday." He said evenly, waiting for the outburst that he would have given when he was Zelgadis’ age.
But none came. Rather, a sort of smile passed though the boys eyes, but the king was much to stupid to do anything as "silly" as watch for one’s emotions in one’s eyes.
Zelgadis was, in fact, not very angry at all. He knew what his father was up to the moment he heard the order of marriage. Zel had to admit, he’d put it past the old bugger to plan something like that. Maybe that disagreeable little court adviser…But it was of no matter.
If he hadn’t already been in love, it would have mattered even less. But he believed that he and Angela could run off once he had killed the assassins, and live happily ever after.
"Also," His father pulled him out of his daydream, "There will be a new couple in court tomorrow. I want you to make them feel welcome." Oh, father, he thought, how stupid do I look? Those are the assassins, aren’t they? You have never before told me to make a new addition to your simpering little court feel welcome. What a transparent plot… *
*
*
Zelgadis’ father announced the planned marriage that night at dinner. Zelgadis caught Angela giving him a heartbroken glance from across the table, and he smiled slightly at her and shook his head no, that there would be no wedding. She smiled too, and he turned back to what his father was saying.
She smiled again, but it was not a nice smile. *
*
*
The empress nodded approvingly at Angela. "You certainly have him infatuated," She commented, drinking her wine. She was an extremely cunning woman, Angela had no plans to kill her as she might have. It was too risky, and she only took risks when she knew she could win.
"That I have, majesty." She smiled as she caught him staring her way again. "From what I have gathered, the boy is attention starved as a puppy in a feline lover’s home. His father is completely oblivious to his every action,"
"A dangerous oversight."
"And he has no friends within the court. No one to advise him against me, thankfully." She smiled slyly. "I should have him…ah… ‘dishonored’ in a natter of days, my lady."
The empress smiled. "See that you do so. My daughter has no intention to be wed to such a pitiful idiot for long."
Angela looked up in surprise at the empress. My, my, she hadn’t done much homework, had she? Zelgadis was blindingly intelligent, and she had to be careful when talking to him. For infatuated as he was, if she slipped, he might notice. Oh well. A slip of the empress merely meant she might be able to get more out of this. She smiled, and as the empress saw her feline expression, she smiled too. Never assume anything, especially not what is told to you. *
*
*
"You never told me I had to wear a dress!" Lina complained as Xellos put the finishing touches on his court garb. Not that he needed to. He just liked to pretend he did. Fruitcake.
"I told you it was going to be complicated. Do you want to call attention to yourself by dressing in your normal attire? I think not."
Lina grumbled something about mazoku as she tried to get her hair up in a manageable pile on her head, and failing miserably.
"Here, let me." Xellos stepped up behind her and twisted the hair into a nice knot on the top of her head, then kissed her neck lovingly.
Lina firmly planted her high-heeled foot in his face. "I don’t think so, pervert."
Xellos’ reply was slightly muffled, "Can’t blame a guy for trying, can you?"
Lina frowned at him and kicked him a few times. "I most certainly can! Don’t you dare try that again! What have I told you, you oversexed demon born bastard?"
Xellos sighed. Oh well. "Let me up, we’re expected."
She let him up, and slapped him a few times for good measure. "Right, right." *
*
*
Angela walked with Zelgadis in the palace gardens. "I was heartbroken to hear of the engagement, my love!" She sighed. "It’s terrible!"
He nodded. "But don’t worry, love. I’m not marrying her."
She gasped. "But you must! The only way out of it would be to renounce the crown!"
"That’s what I plan to do." Well, not exactly, but he didn’t want to scare her with the whole truth.
"But you will lose all your lands! Money! You will have no idea what to do!"
"I’m very self sufficient, believe me." He said, giving her a kiss. "I’ll manage. But…" He paused. "When I go...would you like to come with me?"
She looked at him sadly. "I can’t." Oh no, I’m not going where YOU are! She thought. I like my skin, thank you! "You are brave and strong enough, but I…I am unused to anything but my current life, my dearest."
He frowned. "Then I shall work hard, and when I am worthy of you I will come for you."
"Oh, dear one, I shall wait all eternity!" She sighed. "But I fear tonight may be my last with you. We cannot let the court know we are together, or you may be put to death for snubbing the princess!"
He sighed sadly. "I’m afraid you’re right." He kissed her, and looked into her eyes. "I have to tell you though, that you are the only person who has ever meant anything to me. I love you."
She smiled. "I love you too, more than words can say." She whispered. "I don’t know how I’ll stand not having you near me." She led him into a enclosed sort of outdoor room. The gardens were full of them, for those who wanted privacy. She started kissing him. "We’ll be apart for so long…" She began unbuttoning his shirt. "I’d like something to remember you by…"
Lina Inverse sat outside and listened to voices emanating from the little cove. He had to be infatuated not to realize it was a seduction attempt. "What a dolt."
"Not really." She was used to Xellos popping in next to her, so she didn’t even jump.
"What?"
"He’s actually supremely intelligent."
"Uh oh. And I bet he knows it, too."
"Certainly does. But he’s been extremely attention deprived. One wouldn’t be surprised that he fell for a seduction attempt. No one’s really bothered to love the lad."
Lina raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "And why would you know, or care?"
He shrugged. "Oh, nothing. Now, I have quite a few courtly beauties vying for my affections to get back to…"
"Fine. I think I’ll wait so I have some blackmail evidence."
Xellos pouted. "You’re supposed to be jealous!"
She shrugged. "Too bad. I’m not."
Xellos sulked and disappeared. *
*
*
Zelgadis retired to his rooms feeling like he was the luckiest person in the world. Most people in love seem to. He had just closed the door when something dropped in front of him. He sighed.
"If you kill me before the appointed date, my father will track you down and murder you in a very unpleasant way." He said dispassionately. He noted the small stature of the black-garbed figure. "I’d say you’re the new lady n the court, Lina, with the red hair and I believe green dress today." The form stepped into the light and grinned.
"And now I have proof that you are. That was stupid." He said.
"Ah, ah, ah!" Lina said, grinning. "I don’t think you want me angry at you right now." She sat down on the bed.
"I know you’re assassins hired by my father to kill me on my 19th birthday right after I exchange my vows with the princess." He said, bored. "And I also know that if you do it before then my father will be extremely upset."
Lina laughed. "Good! I wasn’t sure who I was supposed to kill! My partner wouldn’t tell me until the appointed time so I wouldn’t get a bit…ah…hyper." She frowned. "But that’s disgusting. Killing your own son?"
Zelgadis sighed. "It’s the only way to get rid of the curse."
"Hmmm…" Lina smiled. "Flow break."
The illusion immediately disappeared. "Hey!" A sorceress. Very good. At least he wasn’t being underestimated.
"Ahhhh. I see. Let me guess, he doesn’t think you’re suitable for the job of heir?"
"You guessed it." He frowned. "Who would, with a body like this?"
"Oh, don’t be as stupid as your father. It doesn’t matter! You, apparently, are extremely intelligent and talented. I don’t see why you wouldn’t. All you’d have to do is keep up the illusion."
"My father doesn’t see it that way." He frowned. "That’s why he hired you."
"Hmmmm. And, apparently, he’s not the only one with plots. This is a whole spiders web."
"What?"
She sat back. "Well, apparently the empress wants to get your feather’s land by marrying you to her daughter and then telling everyone about your recent little fling. The seductress she hired obviously wants to be able to wring both you and her dry. Your father--"
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean, your little escapade in the garden just now. It’s obvious she was only in it to get you to do that. She’s getting paid for it, dolt!"
He stood a bit taller. Ohhh, he was mad. Lina got a fireball ready. "I can’t believe you’d try to sully her pure—"
"Don’t believe me, okay, it all turns out the same to me." She stood up and looked at him. "You’re okay so far, if attention depraved. I dunno if I’ll kill you or not."
He looked taken aback. "But those are your orders…"
She grinned. "I don’t take orders. I do as I like. I just like getting money." She jumped to the window ledge-This is the third story! Zel thought franticly-and turned slightly to look at him. "But I change my mind about deals as often as I like. I don’t make promises." And leapt out, whispering raywing.
He sighed. A lunatic had been hired to kill him. Great.
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