| Life is strange. Something you would never let happen to you happens in defense of another. -Dragon�s Teachings, pg. 12 Part 5 I sniffed, then snorted. � Sleep magic! Someone�s trying to make us sleep!� � What?! Who?!� � You think I know that?� � Well I�m not the one who�s always gloating about being psychic!� � I do not gloat!� I took the hint, however, and mentally searched for the one who had done this as Zidane huddled against my shoulder to keep from breathing too much of the magic. � It�s a black mage, like Vivi. It�s called Black Waltz No.1, I believe.� � Let�s take it out!� I followed him up the pathway into a frozen area. Black Waltz No.1 was there and he immediately called Sealion to do his dirty work. � I�ll take Sealion.� � He�s all yours!� Zidane ran by Sealion, headed right for Black Waltz No.1. Sealion turned to attack. I automatically cast Death on Zidane and Lure on myself to draw Sealion�s attacks to me. It worked, but it also drew all of Black Waltz No.1�s attacks as well. I survived Sealion and turned to watch Zidane. I would not interfere unless it was absolutely necessary because when Zidane started a fight, he always felt that he should end it himself. Death and Lure had worn off by now, so I sat nearby without fear of being attacked and just observed. He had learned much in the time he�d been gone. I had taught him what experience could not, but only that. Due to experience, his moves are more refined, unpredictable, and deadlier than before. He won and I felt pride. I had indirectly helped him win by teaching him what I had. He turned to me, weary, but happy. � Did you see that?!� � I did.� � I�ve never fought such a battle!� � You�ve done well, Ziaden.� I dropped to all fours. � Here. Climb on. You look ready to collapse.� � I feel ready to collapse.� He laid along my spine on his stomach. � What a battle! Kiti,� he said abruptly, lifting his head, � where are we going?� � Dali. It�s very near here. We can rest when we get there.� We gathered the others, who�d awakened by now, and headed out toward Dali. � Follow me. I know where to go.� As we trekked across the land, Steiner began to grumble. He finally raised his voice and said to me, � How come he gets a ride and the rest of us don�t?� I pinned my ears and hissed. � How dare you speak like that!� � I just want to know!� Garnet frowned. � Stop it, Steiner. He�s asleep. That magic must�ve only gotten to him now.� � There are other reasons.� She looked at me. � Which are . . .?� I glanced at Vivi, who�d run ahead to inspect a collection of flowers. � We fought a black mage.� � What?!� � It was difficult and strenuous. He could hardly walk.� � Why didn�t you do anything?� � It called Sealion to help. I volunteered to take care of it. He went for the mage alone.� � Is he okay?� � He�s fine. Just exhausted.� I stopped outside Dali. � What�s the matter?� I shook my head. � I can�t go in.� � Why?� � Look at me. Do you expect them to let a dragon in their town? Whatever happens will be blamed on my presence.� � But---� � Go in without me. I shall wait nearby.� � But---� � Take Zidane. He will understand.� She sighed. � Okay. Steiner, would you please carry Zidane to the inn for me?� Without a word, Steiner came over and did as Garnet asked. � Thank you. Any complaints you may have are duly noted.� She looked back at me. � Please inform Vivi of our plans.� � Of course.� I headed to the spot where Vivi was now playing with several butterflies. � Vivi,�--he nearly jumped a mile--�the others have gone into Dali and are at the inn. Join them as soon as you�re done here.� He stood and brushed his pants off. � I can go now. What are your plans?� � I will wait here in the grasses. Zidane will call when you�re going to leave and I will arrive shortly after.� � Okay.� I escorted him to the town, then settled several miles from the area in a pond. My tail laid on dry land, still draped with Zidane�s clothes. *~~* � We�re taking this? Then I�ll call Kiti.� After a bit, he noticed her staring at him. � What?� � What are you doing? You look like you�re hyperventilating.� � I�m calling Kiti, like I said before. Dragons have a very low to very high hearing range. She taught me how to make sounds at those extreme levels. I can�t hear them and I don�t know what I�m saying, but she said they were okay.� � Are you making high sounds or low sounds?� � Low sounds. They�re easier for me. Since you�re a girl, it�d probably be easier for you to make high sounds.� The ship started to take off and they were forced to leap for the ladder. He looked over the side and cursed quietly. � What�s wrong?� � I can�t call her from this altitude. The wind�ll carry it off in some obscure direction and she�ll never hear it.� � So what do we do?� He straightened and shook his head. � Forget about it.� <--Part 4 Part 6--> |