Author's Note: Again, thank you Pilotslover for the names and bios on Vivi's sons. It was nice of you to let me use them in my story. And again, if you haven't read Deception? you really should.

Chapter 37: Swordplay and Spellplay

The instant Vivi entered the castle, he was surrounded by his sons. He hugged each one in turn, all (in a couple of cases only slightly) smaller versions of himself. They all were laughing and crying at the same time, talking all at once.

Once they had settled, their father introduced his sons to Dregan, Zentarou, and Orko, and them to his sons: Calan "Cal" Sola, Nicara "Nic" Turo, Ollan, and Valian. Cal instantly noted Dregan and Zentarou's swords, and - even more significant to the young mage - that Dregan carried a staff as well. But he politely didn't say anything, waiting until a more suitable moment.

As they headed to the Alexandria throne room, the visiting mages began to wonder who they were to meet now. Their mental queries to Vivi went unanswered, however, leading them to one conclusion: Vivi was hiding something, something he found amusing.

When they entered the throne room, the throne was empty... until Garnet took her place in it. Then the mages remembered Vivi calling her the queen early in their friendship, and were embarrassed that they hadn't given her the due she was entitled to. But before they could say or do anything, she assured them that formalities weren't necessary. After all, they had just helped to save her kingdom. Chairs were brought in so everyone had a seat, though Vivi's youngest, Val, preferred to sit in his father's lap. Then, for the third time, the mages' story was told; from capture, to escape, of the curse, and a few highlights from their journey.

"So, you'll have to leave again?" Nic asked softly.

"Just for a little bit. Natar, the dragon, knows the are where Dregan's home is, and once we find it, the curse will be broken." He gave his youngest a hug. "I missed you all."

"Even me?" a new voice asked, and a man entered. He had white spiky hair, and a tail like Zidane. His clothes made the three visitors think of a mage, and his eyes were red.

"Yes, Kuja, even you." To his Brothers, Vivi said"It's a long story." They knew of Kuja from Vivi's stories, but as an enemy, not a friend.

"Later then," agreed Dregan. Sola spoke up.

"M-Master Dregan?"

"Just Dregan, please. 'Master' makes it sound like I'm a Counsel Mage."

"Dregan... are you all really mages too?"

"Yep," Zentarou answered for the elf. "Although Dregan and I cast very differently from your father and Orko. We use Soul Jewels - " He pulled out a handful to demonstrate. " - so when they took our pouches from us, we couldn't cast."

"You father," added Dregan"is what those on my world would call a Spirit Caster, one who doesn't use Jewels to cast. They're very rare. I can only think of one other who casts like that, and he's one of the Counsel Mages. And Vivi was the catalyst that began our escape." Vivi bashfully adjusted his hat. Calan took advantage of the pause to ask Dregan,

"Do you cast and use swordplay?" Dregan nodded.

"I'm learning to, as is Zentarou. But we're both beginners in our chosen styles." He tipped his head curiously. "Are you studying the same?" Cal nodded.

"Sir Steiner is teaching me how to use a sword."

"A good teacher, from what I saw earlier." Steiner puffed a bit from the elf's words. "My Imartri, that is, teacher, is also one of my 'brothers' and a master Mae Selkynil."

"Mae Selkynil?" echoed Nicara.

"It means 'elven dancer of the blade,' roughly translated."

"Can you show us?" Cal asked eagerly.

"I could, but there's not much room."

"Outside then?" asked Zidane, seeming just as curious. Dregan nodded, and they went into the courtyard. There Dregan went into his dancing practice kata. He weaved and spun, his rose sword deceptively slow - any who'd seen him on the field knew how deceptive - a very graceful.

"There's also several special Selkynil dances, like spells themselves," Dregan commented as he moved. "I know three: Slow, Haste, and Dispel. There's also Barrage, Doom, and many others that my Imartri can perform, but I won't learn for some time." He paused, grinning at Zentarou. "Trust me?" Zentarou nodded, also grinning, and drew his own sword. The pair began to spar with each other, Zentarou quickly casting a spell that caused his skin to shimmer for a moment.

"Stoneskin," he announced, and Dregan hopped back a step, executing a graceful pattern with his sword, fishing out some Jewels.

"Selkynil Slow!" Zentarou's movements slowed down, and Dregan continued. "Selkynil Haste!" The elf's own movements sped up considerably. "Selkynil Dispel!" The defensive enchantment on Zentarou fell apart. There they quit, as the cat removed the slow effect.

"Wow!" Vivi's friends and sons were impressed. Dregan smiled... then abruptly staggered on his feet. Zentarou caught hold of his arm to steady him.

"Whoa."

"Trolly-Molly, Dregan, you okay?" Dregan nodded, placing a hand to his head.

"Just got a little dizzy." Vivi made a sound of dismay.

"I forgot! You did that Tavanness thing in the fight. That knocked you out the last time." Dregan chuckled.

"I guess Natar's healing only went so far. I'll be fine though."

"Maybe some rest?" suggested Garnet. "Remember, you took a bad fall as well." Dregan nodded, and the queen, followed by Steiner and Beatrix, led him indoors to rest.

"He'll be okay," commented Zentarou, mostly to Cal and the other boys. "A quick nap, and he'll be back to normal." The cat playfully grinned. "My Stoneskin was probably tougher than he thought." That got a few chuckles.

"How long do you have, father?" Turo asked. Vivi thought for a moment.

"About eleven hours." He smiled at his boys. "Lets go have some fun, just us."

"Yeah!" Zentarou and Orko went inside with Vivi's friends, while Vivi went to spend some quality time with his sons.