Chapter 16: An Assassin and a Hero

All the next morning, there was tenseness in the air. Everyone knew the man Vivi had seen was still out there, still in possession of the mysterious vial. Sahadi had refused to reveal anything about him or the vial, and was to be executed for high treason later that week. But as Princess Aladania rode into the city on a beautiful white horse, protected by no less than twelve guards, all of her welcomers put on easy smiles, as if nothing was wrong.

When she saw that only the four mages, and Danious guarded Prince Caresh, her confusion was evident. Prince Caresh strolled down the steps to greet her, smiling and obviously quite smitten with his bride, with the mages and knight following a few paces behind so as to see as much of the prince's surroundings as possible. This position afforded the four not familiar with her a good view. A lovely lady, she was about sixteen years of age, with long brown hair, fair skin, and a graceful, delicate build. And, much to their surprise, tapered ears, like Dregan's.

"She's an elf!" the Dunedi gasped, as the prince explained the presence of the four mages, and absence of Sahadi. They remembered to bow as she turned her head to regard them, her eyes widening in surprise at seeing Dregan's ears. She spoke, and Dregan responded, but Vivi wasn't paying full attention. A sixth sense-type feeling was unsettling him. He blinked as he realized that the others had gone down the meet the princess at the foot of the steps, and scampered to catch up.

Suddenly, Vivi's foot got snagged on the steps, sending the little mage tumbling. As the steps were fairly steep, he actually went sailing into the air... just as the prince's Life Aura spell went off, surrounding him - and the princess, who was next to her husband-to-be and therefore within its protection - in it's protective glow. It seemed as if everyone was shouting at once, but Vivi could only scramble to try and stop his falling and help. He felt an odd thump against his hat, but could make no sense of it until Zentarou, sword drawn against the threat, snagged the little mage and helped him right himself. Vivi instantly looked around.

"Where's the assassin?" he asked. Orko suddenly yelped.

"Trolly-molly, Vivi! Your hat!"

Huh?" Vivi now became fully aware of a slight weight on his head. He reached up, feeling something off, then actually took off his hat.

In the back, just below the bend, was a good-sized hole, easily big enough for him to stick his fingers in, and going all the way through the fabric and into the front. And sticking out said front, all its speed and force expended in just getting through the material like that, hung a dart, snagged by its feathered end. The point was very sharp looking, and coated with a red substance.

"There!" Dregan shouted, pointing at a small archway of the palace, where a dark figure could be seen laying flat, reloading an odd dart shooter that seemed to have a small fuse or something of that nature. Vivi glared at him, jamming his hat back on his head - not bothering to fuss with the dart - and lifted his staff at the man. His clothes, his entire body began to flash, until his had unbent, and his clothed turned purple and gold.

"That's my hat!" he shouted, then casted. "Stop!" The man froze in place. "Flare!"

Nothing much was left of the man when all could look. All eyes went from the balcony, to the glowing, purple and gold Vivi in amazement.

"Whoa, Vivi," Dregan finally said in a tone of amazement and awe. "What... is this?"

"It's called Trance," the little Black Mage explained as the effect faded, his hat flopping back to usual, the dart like some bizarre adornment on the front. "In Gaia, it happened when someone enters a state of high emotion in battle." He looked down slightly and scuffled a foot on the ground. "He... got me mad..." Dregan chuckled, as Zentarou carefully plucked the dart out of their 'brother's' hat. The elf casted a quick spell, and the hole mended right up.

"Well, you saved Prince Caresh and his lady." Vivi suddenly realized all were looking at him, and what he'd done. He bashfully pulled his hay down over his eyes, as the prince and princess met them on the steps.

Are you okay, Vivi? the prince asked. Vivi nodded, as the princess knelt to embrace the little mage. She said something, which the prince translated. I agree with my bride. Thank you. After that display, none will try to threatened us or stop this marriage again. You've saved out lives." Vivi blushed more, pulling his hat brim down again. Dregan patted his shoulder, feeling very proud of his fellow mage.

"You've done a great job, Vivi. Not only did you uncover who was plotting against Prince Caresh and Princess Aladania, you blocked the attack and defeated the assassin. You're a hero!" Vivi just made an embarrassed little noise, wishing he were invisible as the prince announced something to the crowd. The he used the pendant.

Vivi, tonight there will be a celebration, both to honor my bride, and to honor you, for what you've done for us.

I... I don't know what to say.

Say you'll attend. Vivi slowly nodded, a smile coming to his face.

I will, if you honor my brothers as well.

You four are brother?

Brothers in Magic, Bretheren Arcanum.

Very well. You and your brothers will be honored tonight. The other three playfully glared at Vivi, but he only smiled.

That night there was a huge banquet, with lots of good food and bards playing lively music. King Tazan officially welcomed Princess Aladania as his daughter-to-be, and the prince made a speech, praising the Bretheren, Vivi especially, for their wonderful magic and service for the kingdom. Vivi just pulled the brim of his hat down at that. Dregan, to show the gratitude the four mages felt, performed a little illusion magic, and what Zentarou - translating for Vivi and Orko - said was the elf's trademark spell, his favorite. The Dunedi created spheres of colored light, about palm-sized and in every imaginable color, and sent them dancing about the room. It seemed to not take any of his Soul Jewels at all. As the princess and queen laughed with delight, and the rest stared, bedazzled, he grabbed one and shaped it with his hands, like clay, and released it in the form of a dragon that flew about, making tiny little roaring noises. Another became a small horse that he set to trotting on the table, right up to the princess for a pet, then three became graceful butterflies. Then all the spheres and the shaped light leapt to the center of the room's ceiling and burst in a shower of glittering sparkled. It was a very enjoyable evening.

And the next morning, the Bretheren Arcanum assembled in their fields outside the city. It was time for them to leave.

We'll never forget you, Prince Caresh said, both via the pendant and out loud. Please, once your journeys are over, try to visit us.

We'll try, promised Vivi, though he wasn't so sure how. Somewhat reluctantly, the prince's hands went to the pendant.

You'll probably need this back.

Yeah. He slowly took it off.

Farewell, Vivi and Orko. Then they could no longer communicate, as both Prince Caresh, and Danious - after his own farewell - gave them back the pendants. Orko called Natar as Dregan and Zentarou were conveying their farewells, the elf wearing a backpack of supplies the king and given to them, and upon appearing the dragon snorted.

:I know now why you weren't pulled. This world is completely devoid of magic. There wasn't any energy for the cubes to draw from to function.: They climbed up onto his back. :However I have found a place that I will know how to break the curse.:

"Oh? Where?" asked Dregan as the dragon launched himself skywards.

:Tsar'kris' home world. If any would know how to break the curse on the cubes, they would.: Vivi looked down at the city, now just a speck.

"Farewell," he whispered, as Natar opened the rift, and once more they rode the Paths of Stardust.