Chapter 25

My Mistress has been making my life much too easy lately, but there is always an end to that. Right after I take Lina and Val to a countriside a few hundred miles away from Zelein, I receive a summons in a no-nonsense tone.

My Mistress is poring over a map of what I recognize as a shoreline way down in the South of the Big World.

"I'd like you to check something out," she says without prelude. "There's been a number of Gaav's folk spotted in this place," she taps her long nail at a white spot on the map just a bit off the shore. "I want to know what they're up to, if anything. Any ideas right now?"

I rummage through the archive of my knowledge on Gaav's subordinates and their plans in the recent years. It's been rather quiet, I should say. Indeed, some wanted to pursue his cause, but it didn't seem very convincing or threatening. I come up with a table of names and capacities, evaluate the probabilities and finally shake my head.

"If it's anything along the lines I am aware of, it's nothing to worry about. But I'll check it out anyway, just in case I've missed something."

Zellas-sama looks relieved.

"I don't believe you could miss anything, but ah, it's your job to check things out, isn't it? And you've had your vacation."

She smirks in such a knowing way that I have to fight hard for a neutral expression and aura.

I appear in mid-air over the coast of the island. Immediately, my attention is drawn to the fact that I can't see or otherwise sense what is going on down there. The island is surrounded by a tough dome of power of a mixed origin. Obviously, strangers aren't welcome. Well, let's see if I can get through anyway.

I land on the surface of the water right at the edge of the dome. I check it with a protruded part of my Astral body. Nothing happens. I touch it with a finger. It goes through easily. The problem with this kind of barriers is that if doesn't let you in, you usually can tell why, but if it admits you, there is no telling what it is set to filter off. I brace myself for whatever comes next and step in.

It feels funny. Obviously, the magic of the dome is looking very deep into me, and it takes me some time to finish the step. This means the barrier is probably set to sense one's intentions. Well, my intentions are non-aggressive, mere curiosity. I make sure to convince myself of that, and finally I am through.

The island turns out to be surrounded by a great town wall with loopholes and no visible gate. Well, if that is not a strategic defence construction, consider me a Ceified priest. I circle around the structure for some time and finally spot a tiny secret door, leading to a well-concealed little bay. I have to get half-wet in order to access it, but it opens easily. And again, as if the dome was not enough, I am screened with the local magic, even deeper this time. Well, someone inside is really scared of someone.

I pass under the thick wall in total darkness and come out to a place so bright and colourful, I'm glad to be a Mazoku. Any material creature would have gone blind at once. As it is, I see a peaceful looking village, bathing in sunshine. White houses with red tile roofs decorated with multicoloured ornate designs peek out of lively blooming bushes and fruiting orchards, flowerbeds frame neat paths, a shimmering lake lies down in the valley, huge vivid butterflies circle my head.

I can't suppress a gasp. Looks like someone has done a great job making the inhabitants forget that they live inside a battle fortress. The sweetness of the scenery is almost sickening. I begin to wonder if this place is some kind of trap designed to make one forget themselves and stay here forever. Precautious as ever, I put up a beacon in Astral to pull me out of here in an hour precisely. Only then do I proceed into the village, peeking through the windows and bracing myself for a meeting with the mysterious inhabitants.

Those don't take too long to show up. I see some children playing right out in the path leading to the right from mine. They are about Val's age, two boys and a girl, and they seem to be engaged in making themselves thoroughly dirty in a large puddle overshadowed by a wide-branching apple-tree. Before they notice me, however, the mother comes out of the house and starts chastising them for their stupid game. She ushers them inside to get washed, and only then glimpses me. She frowns, turns without a word and commands the kids to speed up. Apparently, they really don't like strangers here. Well, let's see if there is any kind of a social spot for exchanging news.

I find what I am looking for by the bank of the lake. It is, in fact, a floating restaurant with a huge dance-floor and a couple dozen tables. Even though it's basically a raft, the walls are covered with blooming vines growing out of large flowerpots along the walls. There is a woman of about thirty at the counter, reading a thick novel.

"What a charming place you have here, lady," I say, stepping onto the gangplank and swiftly crossing over to the dining area.

The woman frowns and instantly grows nervous.

"Who are you?" she asks rudely without even greeting a guest.

"Just a passer-by, I was traveling in this area and thought to visit the island. And what a wonderful little town you have here!"

"Wait a minute," the woman grumbles and vanishes through the staffdoor. I can hear her footsteps on the hollow stairs to the second floor.

While I am waiting (and she is in no hurry), another kid appers in my sight. A girl in a fancy laced dress sits down by the water a few paces from the gangplank and starts hunting something on the surface, perhaps a pond-skater. There is something odd about the girl. Something in her aura... and in her eyes. Even creepy, I should say. Is she an illusion for the sake of the trap? No, I don't think so. Besides, if this was all to lure some fools, they would've been nicer. No, the girl is quite real, but there is something off...

"Hello?" I call.

She looks up, all curiosity, and then it dawns on me.

The next moment I find myself surrounded by a bunch of my own kind, mid-level, mostly Gaav's indeed, only male for some reason. Really, Xellos, have you forgotten it was supposed to be Gaav's folks' secret base? Teleportation is blocked, they are ready to strike, some even brandish weapons of the kind I don't want to test on my Astral body.

"Why, suddenly I'm the centre of attention," I raise my eyebrows.

"Does anyone know him?" asks a white-haired youngster with a blazing spiritual katana.

"Yeah," comes an arrogant voice from behind my back. "He's Beastmaster's priest."

A hushed gasp travels around the group. I wish they didn't recognize me. This way they know I am strong. I can't overpower them alone, that is clear. I hoped to gain an upper hand through surprise, but now it's not an option. I'm only left with bargain, and that only if I can think of something they might want from me. In the background another Mazoku is pulling away the curious girl I tried to make conversation with.

I am waiting for a question like what's my business here, but nothing follows. It looks like they've decided to kill me already, but can't build up the courage to try. Well, the beacon I have left might be able to pull me out if only I can stay alive for another quarter hour. So let's waste time.

"Look," I begin calmly. "I got through your barriers, right? Shouldn't it tell you I mean no harm?"

"You may have meant no harm when you came here, but after you've seen what you've seen there is no going home for you," a blonde to my right explains. What've I seen? The village? The girl?

"Besides," the same unpleasant voice puts in from behind, "you're Xellos, and everyone knows you have a few tricks up your sleeve to seep through most unlikely crevices. Doncha, Trickster Priest?"

I slowly turn around to see who's taliking. I almost do a double-take. The guy looks precisely like Gaav, if only a bit shorter. A more thorough examination tells me he is of Fibrizzo's folks, though. Interesting, isn't it? But the situation is way too bad. I can't afford to be killed now, not with Val and all this crazy stuff going on.

"I don't know what you mean by 'what I've seen here'. I've seen the town and some unfamiliar people. If you find that incriminating," I pull a face, "then, maybe we could have a deal of some kind?"

They exchange glances.

"Maybe we can just kick him out?" I hear in whisper behind my back. "If he really hasn't noticed..."

"How do we know he hasn't? He can be playing us."

"Precisely," the twin-Gaav says aloud. "And even if he hasn't realized what he's seen yet, he still could figure it out on his own after we let him free. So no deals, we must eliminate him, and we'd better hurry before he pulls one of his tricks. He might have back-up waiting outside or something."

Damn this guy, he alsmost saw me through. Now, what can I offer them to make them think some more? What are they hiding? That girl... she was a half-blood Mazoku. Can it be because of her? Wait... Think back, recall the earlier encounter... those kids. They were half-bloods too. Oh no, what have I got myself into! Is this some kind of nursery for half-bloods? All the Mazoku are men, about thirty of them. I've seen to human women... Bloody hell. They really have no choice but to kill me. And they are already aiming. Think quickly, Xellos!

"Guys," I say in a changed voice aiming to sound sincere. "Fine, I admit, I've seen some children here. And I've just realized they were half-bloods."

The tension builds up, now they are really scared. One word comes out, and they are all dead, and so are their children. Of course they are bloody scared! Oh just what I need! Quickly, say something!

"I, er, I sympathize," I manage. "I mean, I don't have a problem with it. I won't tell... I'm quite willing to swear or, or..."

"If you really sympathize," the Gaav-man says sternly, "then you must understand that there is no believing vows or deals. Only your death can guarantee these people's safety."

Damn the bastard! But of course he is right. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't trust my own shadow. In my own shoes, actually, I didn't even trust Lina, and I am much more powerful than anyone here. There is no chance I can get away.

But what will become of Val if I am killed? And of Lina? She will protect him, I hope. But just trying to imagine his face when he learns that Dad will never give him a back ride or show him a spell makes me ache all over. And this is such stupid irony that they want to kill me to keep me from telling something I am myself guilty of... Perhaps, if they knew? But would it be safe for Val if I told them? Ha, and I want them to trust me even though they have no idea about Val, while I can't trust them, knowing they have kids! It won't do them any good to tell on me. I can let them in on the secret.

"Fine, wait," I sigh as they are aiming again. "It's... I'm not an outsider, really. I have fathered a child too, and—and... I know it's hard to trust in this situation, but I really hate the irony that you'll kill me for knowing stuff that is true about me too."

They look unconvinced. The Gaav-twin actually laghs out loud.

"Really, Xellos, you think someone could believe that you have broken the Code?"

Sometimes one's reputation is one's worst enemy.

"I have, and more than once," I inform him. "Honestly," I'm starting to get hysterical. It can't all end like this, just when I began to be a better parent, just after Val's had a rough time and was recovering so well... I squeeze my fists and bark at the Gaav representation, "What would your kid feel like if you were killed! He's waiting for me to come back in the evening, we had plans for tomorrow, and— What's to become of him!"

At least the bastard stopped laughing. I feel ridiculous, having spillt so much emotion in front of total strangers, but it looks like at least now they are considering the possibility of me being honest.

Suddenly there is a loud crash that makes everyone jump, and another Mazoku falls though a dimensional hole, screaming and clutching at his chest. I can tell instantly that he is suffering unbelievable pain. He lands in the circle a few paces from me, rolling on the ground and moaning in agony. His whole body is twisted, distorted, and flashes of pain sparkle in his aura threatening to sting anyone who'd come near. Apparantly aware of that effect, some of my executors stand immediately aside, staring at the tortured creature with a miz of horror and sympathy. Quite an unusual expression for a bunch of Mazoku.

All right, not a good time for reflection. This might be a chance for me to get out if only I could find a way to use it. Teleportation is still blocked, and since the hour is out, I can safely assume that my beacon can't reach me either, or I'd be on the other side of the dome already. Fine. What of I could help this guy? That might make them reconsider. What is wrong with him anyway?

I crouch down, trying to see through the mess of pain into his core. He is not wounded. Whatever is torturing him, comes from inside. I can see his Astral body practically on fire with some very strong emotions that don't make much sense. Guilt, defiance, longing and a bunch of unidentified negative ones directed at himself. Well, what has he done to suffer so much from hating himself?

Oh, I know what. Not long ago I found myself in exactly the same state, blacking out in Lina's bedroom. He's done something good. A quick check gives me another proof: he is currently blind, just like I was then. But honestly, he is have a far worse time than I've ever had. And no one is trying to make it easier on him. What if... they don't know what to do?

I look up at the confused faces. Some can't stand the sight and look away. Others stare in sick fascination.

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Rugard," answers the Gaav-twin. He is standing behind me, obviously making sure I don't run away at the opportunity.

"Rugard," I call. "Listen to me. You've done nothing wrong."

He doesn't seem to be listening, and probably haven't heard me through his own screams. I get up and muster some commanding voice.

"Mid-level Rugard! Be silent when a commaner is talking!"

That shuts him up quite effectively. It also draws the attention of every single Mazoku on around. I think some more appeared over the last few minutes. Rugard is making weak attempts to sit up, but he is still in so much pain he can't tell up from down.

"Now listen," I bark. "As I am the only high-level on this island, I am the one to judge your misdeeds. And I'm telling you you've done nothing wrong!"

"Commander," he manages through clenched teeth. "I... disobeyed... a direct order."

"I know," I say softer. "But you've broken the Code before. Once broken, the Code doesn't have any power over you anymore, and neither do the orders. You are the one torturing yourself because you did some good, but there is no reason why you shouldn't have done it."

His pain recedes somewhat, however he is still clinging to old standards.

"But... breaking the Code... is wrong. I shou—" he coughs, his pain returning, "I shouldn've done it!"

"No," I shake my head. What I say next takes a good load of willpower because I haven't yet come to terms with it myself. "The Code is wrong. And you did the right thing."

Once I get it out I know immediately that it's true. That's why things are the way they are, for me and for these guys.

There is a hushed silence all around me, then Rugard repeats in a hoarse whisper, "The Code... is wrong." His pain is gone. He is still weak, but he'll recover, just like I did. He pushes himslef up, and the blonde guy helps him to his unsteady feet. The others gaze at me in awe and exchange whispered comments.

"All right," says the familiar arrogant voice from behind. "Looks like you really are one of us after all."

I turn to face him.

"Really," I sneer. "You should've told me that was the password."

He snorts.

"No, I mean that you've figured out how to deal with the fits. Everyone here's suffered of them at leat once, and some guys died. It's not something you could figure out on the spot. So I conclude you had them too."

I nod. He is annoying, but surprisingly reasonable.

"Well, I'm glad I could be of service. Now, maybe we could talk in a more relaxed atmosphere, without the threats of killing each other, hm?"

"I guess so," he nods and gestures towards the dining area of the restaurant. "Have a seat, I hate to keep my guests standing. By the way, my name is Luo."

A/N: I'm getting to play with the canon a bit, but don't worry, this guy isn't Gaav, nor is he really Luo Graon =)