"Well, then, I'll tell you about where the next crystal is," Patty said, as she pulled out a map from somewhere and pointed to a city south of York. "This is the Gumdrop Palace... in it, King Ju'Jube has possession of the Starburst Crystal. He used to keep it as a national treasure... but I believe he made into part of his crown." "So, we've got to steal a king's crown, is that it?" Kyouji said. "Well, not exactly..." Patty said. "The witch has her claws in this situation as well. Specifically... the King, who is cruel, is fighting his daughter for possession of the throne." "Let's help his daughter win!" Yumi exclaimed. Patty shook her head. "No, no... she's as bad as he is. And Wintergreen's backing her." Tsugiko took another bite of food. "So, neither side will help us at all... this doesn't sound good." "No, it's not. But, if you wait any longer, the daughter, and, in effect, Wintergreen, will have control of the entire nation, and there'll be nothing you can do." Tsugiko finished off her food and stood up. "Well, then, let's go!" Kyouji and Yumi stood up as well, and Patty nodded. Starburst Crystal #8: Under the Warm Vanilla Sun Created by Ardweden Written by Nathan Housley Kyouji sighed as he trudged along ahead of Tsugiko and Yumi as they traveled the sparsely forested road to the Gumdrop Palace. The spirit of the Starburst Temple had made it sound so easy. Take up the sword and poppies of the Knight Protector, she said. Find the nine scattered pieces of the Starburst Crystal so Wintergreen could be defeated. Otherwise, Kyouji, that little light show that brought you and your two new friends (and quite possibly something more) to Mars would be, for all intents and purposes, a one way ticket. But she had failed to mention a few important details along the way. Did she instruct him or the girls on the use of their powers? Nope. Or did she mention those two annoying summoners with little fashion sense? Hardly. What about the possibility of marching into war-torn kingdoms where both sides would just as likely kill him as well as each other? Add that to the list of things 'conveniently' forgotten by the spirit. Last, but by no means least, as his protesting feet could attest, she had failed to mention just exactly how large Mars was. Kyouji would have thought any self-respecting powerful supernatural being would have mentioned those things during the recruitment speech. At least the scenery was worth looking at, that is, if a planet that looked like a living version of a preschooler's coloring book held any appeal. But there were other, more lovely things to watch, at least to Kyouji's mind. Suddenly, and without warning, Tsugiko, with hammer ready, dashed ahead of Kyouji. Speak of the devil, and she will appear, Kyouji thought wryly. While Kyouji had his list of things he wished the temple spirit had told him, he was certain that Tsugiko's short skirt topped her list. Not that Kyouji minded the skirt's short length. He was not being perverted; he just held a natural appreciation for Tsugiko. Plus there was just something about the way she flattened monsters with that hammer of hers. Kyouji blinked in surprise. Tsugiko lifted her hammer free from the remains of the latest monster to impede the Warrior Priestesses (and Knight Protector). Kyouji quickly and regretfully tore his eyes away from her. Ogling women wielding warhammers often lead to wicked welts. Tsugiko panted. "Is everyone okay?" "Hai!" Yumi's soprano voice sang out. "How many more of these do we have to face?" For the first time since arriving on Mars, the Warrior Priestesses' had to face rogue creatures not called by the twin Twix summoners. The sparse forest held a surprisingly large amount of hostile fauna, for which Yumi blamed Wintergreen's corruptive presence on Mars. Kyouji's eyes spun over to the settling spray of dust marking where Yumi had finished off another monster. He sighed. While the girls were danger, he was too distracted to fulfill his duty. Some Knight Protector he was, he snorted at himself. Even though Tsugiko and Yumi had easily dispatched their threats, he should have anticipated and attacked the monsters before the Priestesses needed to get involved. At least he had not actively placed the girls in danger. Yet. "'This I prophesy! You will suffer exquisite torture hour after hour, day after day, until the Warrior Priestesses fall by your hand.'" Wintergreen's oracle echoed in his mind. "Kyouji-san?" Yumi asked. Kyouji snapped out of his melancholy meditation, only to find both Tsugiko and Yumi staring at him. The pink crystal in Yume's forehead seemed to mirror her concern. The forehead crystal melded seamlessly into the priestess' natural beauty. "I'm fine," he muttered. Yumi was not convinced. That was evident in those large, expressive eyes Kyouji could easily lose himself in. But before she could say anything, he felt a series of tugs on his cape. "Gika, gika!" Kit Kat mewed as he scampered up Kyouji's back. "Get off of me!" he snapped, trying to swat at the cat-ferret. He finally pulled Kit Kat off by the scruff of the animal's green and orange neck. "You know, furball, sometimes I want a piece of you." Kyouji vented his frustrations at his target of opportunity. Kit Kat, eyes widening in surprise and hurt, squirmed uncontrollably in Kyouji's grasp, scratching desperately in an attempt to escape. Wisely choosing the preservation of his arms over the preservation of his anger, the Knight Protector dropped the animal guide. Kit Kat scrambled as quckly as his feet could carry him into Yumi's arms and stared at Kyouji with a hurt look in his eyes. "No one's breaking off a piece of you, Kit Kat," Yumi soothed. "Kyouji-san's going to apologize. He didn't really mean what he said." The last was addressed as much to Kyouji as it was Kit Kat. "Er, I'm sorry, Kit Kat?" Kyouji said in confusion. Kit Kat "gika"-ed cheerfully, then leapt out of Yumi's arms. Kyouji squirmed as the animal guide purred contentedly as he rubbed against Kyouji's leg. Yumi smiled in approval. Tsugiko's eyes shone with mirth as she tried to suppress her laughter. "So, which way's the Gumdrop Palace?" Kyouji asked quickly. He already knew the rough direction, but hopefully his request would earn him some breathing room from the affectionate cat-ferret slinking figure eight's about his legs. True to form, Kit Kat enthusiastically pointed south toward Gumdrop City and the next shard of the Starburst Crystal. Then the little cat- ferret joyfully took off at a full run. “Hey, Kit Kat, wait up!” Yumi called after the animal guide. The trio chased Kit Kat for a few minutes until they reached a small clearing covered in loose shrubs and brush. "Gika!" Kit Kat shrieked, before hiding in the brush. "Kit Kat, what's wrong?" Yumi asked, chasing after the cat-ferret. She stopped when an arm restrained her. "That." Tsugiko panted as she pointed further down the path with her free hand. 'That' could be described a cute cuddly dog, if cute meant an ill- tempered three-headed wolf the size of a large truck and cuddly denoted wiry fur the color of dried blood, a deafening polyphonic bass rumble, three mouths sporting rows of glistening canines, and a ravenous look in its three pairs of eyes. It stood in the middle of the embers of smoldering fire. Objects burst into reddish flames whenever the breath from any of the three heads brushed against them. "Let's walk away slowly and hope it doesn’t follow us," Kyouji whispered to her friends. “What happened to the ‘Knight Protector?’” Tsugiko asked almost inaudibly. “In this case, running away is the best protection I can give,” he insisted as loudly as he dared. Unfortunately, the creature did not offer them the chance to retreat. All three heads turned towards the priestesses seconds before the creature charged. Kyouji reflexively threw a group of poppies at the wolf-dragon. All the flowers burst into flames well before any could reach the charging beast. "Trident, heel!" a man's voice resounded throughout the forest. Before it crashed into the Warrior Priestesses, the creature leapt over the three teens. It hit the ground, snarling in the direction the Priestesses had come from. "Trident, home! Now!" The wolf-dragon whimpered, then ran away. Soon afterward, a young man with long lustrous chocolate hair and smooth caramel skin walked into view. He wore faded black and red monk's robes and held a walking stick in his hand. Before the Priestesses could react, the stranger continued. "That was a cinnamon Trident, one of the more dangerous creatures in these parts. Few can stand before its cinna-burst attack. King Ju'Jube has been using them to guard the Gumdrop Palace lately, so that one probably wandered away from its handler, may their soul rest in peace." The stranger's voice flowed with honey. A warm smile flowed across the delicate features of his almost androgynous face. Kit Kat leapt out of the bush into Yumi's arms. A low "gi" rumbled from its throat. "Now, Kit Kat, behave," Yumi chided. "Who are you?" Tsugiko asked, still gripping her hammer. "How impolite of me not to introduce myself. I am Riesen, of the Order of Caramello." "I am Yumi, that's Tsugiko-chan, and over there is Kyouji-san. We're the Wa-" Yumi began before she was loudly interrupted by Kit Kat. "What's gotten into you, Kit Kat?" Yumi asked, shocked at the cat- ferret's behaviour. Kit Kat answered with a loud, lengthy series of "gika's" and gestures towards Riesen. "I don't think he likes Riesen-san," Tsugiko said. "Lucky fellow," Kyouji muttered underneath his breath. "Would you excuse us for a minute, Riesen?" Tsugiko asked, before pulling her two friends into a huddle. "Sure," the wandering monk said graciously. He walked over to a small tree a little farther from the three teens than before. "I'm not sure that we should tell Riesen that we're the Warrior Priestesses. And the Knight Protector," Tsugiko added hastily after Kyouji grimaced. "Tsugiko-chan!" Yumi said in shock. Kyouji and Tsugiko hushed her, lest her voice carry to Riesen. "Why? He hasn't done anything wrong." "Remember when we fought Wintergreen?" Kyouji began. In his rush to explain his opinion, he failed to see Tsugiko's pained expression. Wintergreen had damaged the priestess' forehead jewel during that battle. "When we had the Twixes captive? Kit Kat didn't like them either." "Are you saying Riesen-san's working for Wintergreen?" Yumi asked incredulously. "No, I'm saying we need to be careful, that's all. Patty did say that Wintergreen was trying to take control of the Gumdrop Palace," Tsugiko whispered. Riesen laughed heartily. "Your little pet is right. Not everyone needs to know that you three are the Warrior Priestesses and the Knight Protector." The three spun around to face the monk. "How did you-?" Kyouji asked, mouth agape with shock. "Ouch!" Tsugiko lifted her foot off of Kyouji's. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to summon an air of innocence to her words. "I am a monk, you know. The Second Advent of the Warrior Priestesses is a tenet of every major religion of Mars. I could not call myself a monk if I did not know I was talking to them," Riesen said with a twinkle of mischief in his eye. "It's that obvious?" Yumi said. "Only if you have had the requisite religious training.” “And that is?” Tsugiko asked apprehensively. “More time than it is worth,” Riesen laughed. “I do not mean to pry, but are you three heading toward the Gumdrop Palace?" "How did you-" Kyouji began again before Tsugiko buried her elbow in his side. "I surmised that you are looking for the piece of the Starburst Crystal at the palace. I am not heading there myself, but the Gumdrop Palace is along my journey's path. Since these forests are unsafe, would you mind if I accompany you until you reach the Palace?" Riesen said. He looked at Yumi hopefully and smiled. * * * * * * * * * * * "I still don't understand why you let him tag along," Tsugiko whispered to Yumi. As she spoke, she rolled her eyes toward Riesen, who was busily stoking the campfire. Night had fallen an hour earlier, and the trio plus Riesen had decided to set up camp for the night. The girls, however, were the only ones enjoying the shelter of the twin tents. "It was the right thing to do," Yumi said. "Besides, nothing's happened, Tsugiko-chan. Riesen-san's turned out to be someone we can trust, and quite a conversationalist, too." She reddened slightly at the last. Riesen had a relaxed, approachable air about him that radiated friendship. "I know, Yumi. Riesen's okay, but we didn't know it at the time," Tsugiko conceded. "All I'm saying is that we need to be more careful. We're going into a place where the king and his daughter might both be hostile towards us, so we just cannot trust everyone who comes across our path." "I'll continue to trust people until they prove I can’t," Yumi insisted. "Yumi, the stakes are higher here than they ever were at Saint Hebereke. The entire planet depends on us to defeat Wintergreen. Don't you think we need to be cautious because of that?" Tsugiko said. She tried her best to keep the edge out of her voice. "Gika!" Both girls jumped as Kit Kat poked his head inside the tent. Tsugiko covered her heart and laughed. "You scared us, Kit Kat." Yumi added her laughter to her roommate's. "Where have you been? We've been worried about you," she said to the cat-ferret. The tension in the room melted away. Kit Kat vanished momentarily, reappearing with a thick length of vine in his teeth. The cat-ferret dropped the vine between Tsugiko and Yumi then pointed with a forepaw to where Riesen had sat down next to Kyouji. A long flurry of insistent "gika's" filled the tent as Kit Kat tried to convey his wishes to the priestesses. "I can't understand you," Tsugiko sighed. "Maybe he thinks you should go out there, Tsugiko-chan." Yumi said. She pointed towards Kyouji, who had isolated himself from the rest of the camp after the last tent had been pitched. "Can you understand Kit Kat, Yumi?" Tsugiko said nervously. Kit Kat shook his head wildly. "No, but Kyouji-san's bothered by something, and I think he would rather talk to someone he knows a little better than Riesen-san. Why don't you see how he's doing?" Tsugiko sighed nervously. “I’ll be back,” she muttered. She stood and stepped outside the tent. “Tsugiko-chan?” “Yes?” The emerald priestess spun about. “Sometimes it’s best to listen,” Yumi said, not quite meeting her roommate’s eye. “Thanks, Yumi,” Tsugiko replied warmly. Tsugiko quickly and purposely crossed the campgrounds. She was not the first to reach where Kyouji sat staring out at the star-laden night. She sighed when a silver-tongued monk sat down next to the Knight Protector. The priestess walked a short way from the men, as she did not want to intrude. “You have the look of a troubled man, Knight Protector Kyouji," Riesen said gently. "Would you care to talk about your concerns?" Kyouji contemplated ignoring the monk, but one look at the compassion in Riesen's face and Kyouji could not help but confide. Before he knew it, Kyouji shared everything about Teru as well as his insecurities about being the Knight Protector. "So you are worried about Wintergreen's prophecy. There's no need to worry. These Twixes might be excellent summoners, but they could not have summoned Wintergreen." "What?" Kyouji said, mouth agape with shock. "To summon something implies that the summoner holds a certain degree of power over that being. The Twixes, from what you have told me, appear to be Wintergreen's servants, not her masters. That Wintergreen you thought was probably a doppleganger or impostor," Riesen said as he stared out into the night sky. "About this Teru, I can offer you no advice. I am sorry, none of the lore I have sheds light on the matter." "Thank you anyway," Kyouji mumbled. An uneasy silence settled over the camp, interrupted occasionally by the subdued chirping of insects. As the lull stretched, Tsugiko’s courage grew until she felt comfortable enough to join the men "Um, Kyouji?" she said as she hesitantly walked nearer. "I should leave you two alone," Riesen said quickly. He stood up, dusting off the seat of his robes. "You don't need to," Tsugiko stammered. Fortunately, the night hid her blush. "I might as well. It is almost time for me to perform my nightly ablutions. Good night," Riesen said as he walked away. "Hi, Tsugiko," Kyouji greeted woodenly. Tsugiko's shoulders fell. He had not even looked at her once. In fact, he just stared up at the sky. "Are you okay?" she asked self- consciously. Kyouji sat silently, as though he were ignoring the young woman. "I'm, I'm going to bed," Tsugiko said. She tried to strangle the hurt out of her voice. Kyouji sighed loudly. "I'm sorry, I have a lot on my mind right now. Please, don't go." "Do you want to talk about it?" Tsugiko asked. She sat down next to the melancholy Knight Protector. "I don't know what to think anymore, Tsugiko." Kyouji's voice echoed hos confusion and despair. "What do you mean?" "Here we are, in a new world, lauded as the saviors of the land, and we know nothing about the land we're supposed to save. And to make things worse, I hear conflicting versions of events. I don't know what's what." In the girl's tent, Yumi watched as an extremely pleased Riesen walked to his tent. "What events are you confused about?" Tsugiko asked. She hoped that Kyouji did not think she was prying. "Do you remember the fight with Wintergreen?" Tsugiko gingerly fingered the cracked crystal on her forehead. "It's hard for me not to." "I'm sorry, I should have stated that better. However, I cannot forget that battle either." "Wintergreen's prophecy," Tsugiko stated matter-of-factly. Kyouji nodded. "What if that wasn't really Wintergreen we fought?" Tsugiko shivered. "I never thought of that. It's not a pleasant idea." "At first I wondered whether or not I would betray you two, like 'she' said in her prophecy. Now, I have to worry about whether or not that prophecy is real," Kyouji said glumly. "What does it matter if it was Wintergreen who gave that prophecy? Does that make it any more real? Anyway, we don’t know if it really was prophecy. For all we know, whatever we fought was just trying to play with your mind." "She's done a good job at that," Kyouji sighed. "Reason can be my worst enemy. I swear, watching the stars is about the only thing keeping me from bursting right now. That is, besides talking with you," he hastily added. "The stars are beautiful tonight. I've never seen so many back home," Tsugiko said in awe. She leaned back to take in more of the night sky. "I keep on trying to figure out which one is our Sun," Kyouji said. He too reclined to gain a better view. "You know, home." "It seems like we've been here forever sometimes, yet it's been only a few days since we left," Tsugiko trailed off. "Do you think they've noticed that we're gone?" Kyouji could hear the pain in Tsugiko's voice. "The sooner we find the pieces of the Starburst Crystal, the sooner we can find out." "I bet everyone’s noticed that Yumi's missing," Tsugiko said bitterly. Kyouji sat in silence, unsure of how to respond without incurring wrath. A few minutes passed before either spoke again. "So which one is home?" Tsugiko asked. Kyouji could hear the smile in her voice. "Which one?" "The stars, silly. Which one do you think is Earth?" Kyouji thought for a moment. "That one," he said, pointing to a faint yellow star just above the horizon. "I think it might be this one over here." Tsugiko pointed to a blue star far away from Kyouji's. "Could be," Kyouji said. A faint smile crossed his face. “Or maybe this one?” A slight giggle escaped Tsugiko’s lips as she pointed to another star. As muted giggles and brief snatches of hushed conversation drifted into her tent, Yumi reminded herself that Tsugiko saw Kyouji first. It was poor consolation. * * * * * * * * * * * "How much farther?" Kyouji asked. The priestesses, knight, and monk had been journeying since daybreak. Noon was approaching, and Kyouji eagerly anticipated a rest, if for nothing else than to minister to his blistered feet. "I believe the palace is over this hill, Knight Protector," Riesen said from behind him. Yumi walked abreast of the wandering monk, while Tsugiko held a wary Kit Kat in her arms. After what seemed like an eon, Kyouji reached the hill's crest. "Wow!" "What do you see, Kyouji-san? Oh!" Yumi exclaimed. Tsugiko hurried to the hilltop. "The Gumdrop Palace is an impressive sight," Riesen said. "Impressive isn't but even the half of it," Tsugiko breathed. The size alone rivaled anything back in Japan. The valley before them was filled with a ring of over a dozen buildings each the size of a small fortress and the shape of a truncated cone. In the center of the ring, a grander truncated cone towered above the fortresses. The entire complex was surrounded by a large moat and a heavily garrisoned city wall lay beyond the moat. There was only one gate in the wall. Like everything else on Mars, the fortress complex bore a wild variety of colors. Each structure was monochromatic but formed what most Martians would consider an aesthetic display. The Terran verdict was still forthcoming. "So, how do we find the crystal in there?" Tsugiko asked. There were too many hiding places in such a large castle. "The spirit in the Starburst Temple said that Kit Kat could sense a Starburst crystal shard when he was close enough. You can do that, right, Kit Kat?" Yumi said, scratching the animal's ears. "Gika!" Kit Kat answered. A smile lit up the feline ferret's furry face. "We have nothing to worry about, Tsugiko-chan," Yumi giggled. "It should be easy. Right, Kit Kat?" "Gika." Was it Tsugiko's imagination, or did Kit Kat shrug his ferret- like shoulders? "You'll help us, too, won't you, Riesen-san?" Yumi turned and asked. "I'm sorry, Priestess Yumi, but I must now part ways with you and your friends. Abbot Werther, the originator of my order, expects me in a couple days. It has been a pleasure, though. Take care, and may fortune smile on your quest, Knight Protector and Warrior Priestesses," Riesen replied. "Will we see you again, Riesen-san?" Yumi asked curiously. "I cannot say for certain, but I believe we shall," Riesen said. With that, the priestesses watched as Riesen strode down the hill silently until he vanished in the tree line. The journey from the hilltop to the palace was spent in silence. Once again, Mars had surprised them. For all its otherworldliness, Martian culture was just as complex as Earth’s and in no way primitive, as the Warrior Priestesses had learned in the encounter with the Sprees. Before they could enter the city, they had to pass the guard station and cross the bridge. The guard station was built in the same conical style as the other buildings around the Gumdrop Palace. Standing sentry over the station and the bridge it guarded was a sole guard clad in an over elaborate dress uniform bearing the full spectrum of colors. Unfortunately for the guard, the uniform’s garish colors made him look ridiculous instead of intimidating. The three-meter polearm, on the other hand, more than made up where the uniform was lacking. “Excuse me, but can we enter-“ Tsugiko began as the two priestesses and knight protector approached the building. “None shall pass,” the guard said stiffly. The point of his polearm fell, blocking the entrance to the bridge. "Can’t you let us in? We're-" Kyouji protested, before he was interrupted by a tug on his arm. "Let Yumi handle this," Tsugiko whispered. Kyouji looked over at Yumi, who exuded a determined, confident manner. “I’m sorry, but we must notify the king before we allow any foreigners into the palace,” the guard said coldly. “Very well, we’ll wait,” Yumi replied airily. She sat down just off the road in front of the guard station. As she spoke, the guard dispatched a runner into the palace. “I thought you said she’d handle this,” Kyouji whispered to Tsugiko as they sat down next to their friend. Tsugiko shrugged in response. Kyouji stared down the bridge into the Gumdrop Palace on the other side. “I hope this doesn’t take too long,” he grumbled. * * * * * * * * * * * King Ju'Jube, the aged ruler of the Gumdrop Palace and its surrounding fiefs, sat on his throne. A golden crown, with a glistening ruby-like jewel embedded rested in his lap. He picked the crown up, watching how the light played across the gem's facets. At the far end of the Gumdrop Palace's expansive great hall, a door squeaked open. King Ju'Jube did not take his eyes off of the crown as he spoke. "There you are, Toblerone." A young man, with long chocolate hair and caramel skin and dressed in black and red finery, approached the throne. He bowed to the weary king. "My lord," he replied. "Where were you these last two days? I had need of you, my trusted advisor. Clorets tried again to steal the crown," King Ju'Jube said in hushed tones. "My lord, she has desired your throne for many years." "It was not the throne that was almost stolen but the crown, Toblerone. Or rather, the Cherry Shard of the Starburst Crystal. The thieves admitted as much when put to the question. Not that any survived long enough to tell anything else." King Ju'Jube drank from the goblet beside the throne. "The Cherry Shard has been a sign of the kingship of the Gumdrop kingdoms for millennia. Because of this, my family has protected for three centuries, yet my daughter would deliver both shard and kingdom to that vile witch Wintergreen! I will stop that from happening by any means necessary!" The king slammed his fist on the throne in anger. A servant, clad in the rainbow livery of the Gumdrop Palace, walked to Toblerone. The servant whispered into the advisor's ear, then departed quickly. "Your daughter, Clorets, is not the only one who seeks the crystal. My lord, three youths in strange clothes claiming to be the Magical Priestesses have arrived at the gates." King Ju'jube sighed. "Are you sure they are here for the crystal?" "Why else would they be here? In the past, many adventurers wandered the land seeking the pieces of the Starburst Crystal. Some have even claimed to be the Priestesses' themselves. In every case, they have been impostors, seeking fame and glory. My lord, the 'priestesses' outside are but two women and a man, not three women. I do not judge their claim, but do not the oracles and stories of old tell of a trio of priestesses?" "You are right, but I so wish these priestesses to be who they claim to be, Toblerone," the king said, slumping dejectedly. "This crystal has been a burden every since my coronation. I wish that the true Warrior Priestesses' would arrive so I could give them the Cherry Shard to end my troubles." "My lord!" Toblerone protested nervously. A sickly smile crossed the king's face. "Don't worry, Toblerone. I will not give up the crystal easily. Since there is a man among these so-called priestesses, this has to be another one of my daughter Clorets' myriad schemes." King Ju'jube laughed bitterly. "Or shall I say Wintergreen, for I doubt my once-beloved daughter is little more than Wintergreen's mouthpiece." "I do not think this is Clorets' doing, my lord. Subtlety is not one of Wintergreen's traditional strengths. But it is true that Clorets and Wintergreen might try to use the arrival of these three strangers for their own means." "I knew there was a reason I made you my advisor years ago, Toblerone. You see what others cannot." The king paused as he mulled over an idea. "Very well. You may let these 'priestesses' in. Never let it be said that my hospitality was lacking. However, if they prove to be a threat, kill them." "Very well, my lord." Toblerone turned to leave. "Wait." "My lord?" King Ju'Jube pulled the Cherry Shard free from his crown. "I bore this on my crown both as a sign of my office and to keep the stone out of the hands of my daughter. But now the stone must be hidden." He strode forward and placed the crystal shard into Toblerone's hand. King Ju'Jube paused for a moment, fished through his robes, and placed a smaller, duller red jewel in the setting where the Cherry Shard had once sat. "Please hold this for me. If no one can steal the crystal, no one can steal the kingship. Hide it well, Toblerone." "My lord, you honor me too much!" Toblerone protested. "You are my trusted advisor. I trust you with my life and my kingdom. If Clorets and Wintergreen get the crystal, it might be the end of both. Hide it well. Now, leave me," the king commanded. "Yes, my lord." Toblerone bowed and left. "My daughter, how did we ever get into this situation," King Ju'Jube sighed before draining his goblet. * * * * * * * * * * * Toblerone walked through the corridors of the Gumdrop Palace in quiet contemplation. He held the Cherry Shard in the folds of his black cloak. The attendants who walked past him noticed very little different about the king's advisor, except for the muted look of triumph on his face. "Sir?" Toblerone's musings were interrupted by one of many messengers used within the palace's walls. "Yes?" "The Warrior Priestesses are still waiting outside the gates." Toblerone waved his hand dismissively. "The king does not wish to see them right now. They can wait." "But, sir!” the messenger protested. “Do you not have other duties to attend to?” Toblerone asked. “If not, the questioners could use assistance.” The messenger paled. “I understand, sir,” he said. He hurried away from the king’s counselor. Toblerone chuckled, then calmly treaded the maze of corridors inside the Gumdrop Palace until he reached his quarters. After making sure no one had followed him, Toblerone entered his quarters. He carefully and securely closed the door behind him, then lit candles around the room. The room was sparsely decorated, with fewer personal effects than furniture. A wine bottle and a single glass sat upon a table in the center of a room. "Do you have any news to report?" a strong feminine voice broke the silence. Her request held the urgency of a command. Toblerone calmly poured himself a drink from the wine bottle before turning to face his guest. There, in front of the door, stood a beautiful woman with light green hair covering her eyes. Eschewing her usual black or green dress, she wore an exquisite white gown. Cradled in the crook of her arm like a scepter lay a glowing blue spear. Fortunately for Toblerone, only an astral projection of the woman stood before him. One of the few things he truly feared was looking into his guest’s eyes. "I have it, my Queen. King Ju'Jube himself placed the Starburst Crystal shard into my hand," he answered, between sips of wine. "Let me see!" Wintergreen's image grew closer. Toblerone pulled the red crystal out from his cloak. Wintergreen's shadow examined at the stone from all angles. "It looks real, but I am too far away to know for certain," she sighed. "My Queen, the Warrior Priestesses and the Knight Protector are also here." Toblerone's brow glistened with sweat. Wintergreen's habit of expending her rage upon the bearers of bad news worried him. The closer one got to Wintergreen, the lower the odds of reaching one’s next birthday became. "'Toblerone,'" she soothed, lightly stressing her servant's name. "I will arrive in two days to release you of the crystal. If the Warrior Priestesses are still at the Gumdrop Palace when I arrive, I will take care of them. All you need to do is protect the crystal until then." "Yes, Excellency." "Toblerone's" jaw clenched. Wintergreen might not view the rest of his report so favorably. “My Queen, I spoke with the Warrior Priestesses today.” “Fraternizing with the enemy?” she said in that serious voice of hers that made blood run cold. No one knew whether Wintergreen was making a joke or an accusation until she laughed. Laughter was rare in her presence. “No, my Queen. I felt I should learn as much about the priestesses as I could,” “Toblerone” replied as smoothly as he could. He had the ability to portray any façade he desired, including confidence, although Wintergreen’s presence taxed his skill. Wintergreen laughed. “I have no doubt that you spread those little lies of yours, like you have done for me countless times. The Priestesses’ power is fueled by emotion. If any of those seeds of doubt you’ve most likely planted take root...” She paused, deep in thought. “That might weaken their powers. Well done, Riesen.” “Thank you, my Queen.” Riesen bowed. The Wintergreen specter disappeared before he lifted his eyes. With a lump in his throat and some small sense of foreboding, Riesen sat at his table and meditated. There was work to be done, plans to be made, and traps to spring. It would not do to lose the prize when victory was so near. Author's notes- "Under the warm vanilla sun" is a line from a Trish Murphy song of the same name. It just seemed to fit the little theme we have going. Well, sort of. No prereaders this time, due to multiple term papers due on the day of the submission of this part, therefore any mistakes are my own. My apologies, especially since I was experimenting with a few ideas throughout the part. Let me know what you think, please. Please excuse me while I collapse. Nathan -Achariyth@aol.com