Riesen sat back, nursing a golden wine far more bitter than the quality vintages 
he preferred.  Yet it was a small miracle that the rustic inn tavern where he 
sat had a case in its stocks.  The rest of the clientele drank heavy draughts of 
a sour blue ale served in mammoth clay steins.  Wine was too sophisticated for 
this base crowd.

He had found a corner table in the wooden room close enough to eavesdrop yet far 
enough to remain isolated from the boisterous revelry.  As the alcohol flowed, 
so did rumors, tales, and various forms of gossip.  Riesen rolled his eyes.  He 
had heard many of the rumors before in the various inns he had visited during 
his renewed shadowing of Twizzler and the Warrior Priestesses.  He had started a 
couple tales himself out of boredom.

After recovering from his wounds, Riesen resumed his appointment as Twizzler's 
second, following the girl at a safe distance before or behind the girl.  Riesen 
drained his cup, slamming the glass into the table.  He was better suited to 
influencing nations, not teaching some girl who let her emotions distract her 
from her work.  What Wintergreen had been thinking when she assigned him to 
that...child's command, Riesen did not know, but the queen had become erratic in 
recent days.

Perhaps it was time for her to step down, one way or another.  But that way lay 
madness and suffering, inflicted by Wintergreen in her wrath.  If he was caught.

Maybe he should work with Twizzler.  He doubted that Kyouji would last long in 
Twizzler's arms.  The girl treated pain and affection as synonyms.  Wintergreen 
would reward any efforts that lead to the death of the Knight Protector, maybe 
enough to deliver Yumi into his custody instead of killing her outright.

Riesen smiled, until shouting interrupted his thoughts.

"Aw, look at the little baby!"

"Hey, kid, run away before I take your lunch money."

"I wonder if it can talk."

"Doesn't seem like it.  Rude rugrat, ain't he?"

"I don't like the way he's looking at me.  No respect at all.  Let's teach him 
some manners."

Riesen looked up to see three burly men, overconfident due to massive amounts of 
injested alcohol, squaring off against a child that probably wandered in by 
accident.  Wintergreen's counselor turned away and shrugged.  Pity about the 
boy.  From experience gleaned from more tavern brawls than he had cared to be 
around, Riesen knew that the larger man won most fights.  The kid would be lucky 
to walk away from this one.  Three against one odds usually meant that the one 
received serious injuries, if the one lived.  The child should have known better 
than to wander into a tavern alone.  Dismissing all thought of the boy, Riesen 
returned to his previous musings.

The sound of cracking bones brought Riesen out of his fantasies.  His eyes homed 
in on the source of the noise.  The child stood, much to Riesen's amazement, 
bloodied, with his hand on the pommel of a sheathed sword.  Three unconscious 
opponents lay at his feet, entangled in a mass of shattered chairs.  The fourth, 
most likely a friend of the napping trio, still stood, staring at his now ruined 
hand.  A dagger rested on the floor next his feet.

Riesen's eyes narrowed as he watched the child, no, a young man, a possible 
recruit for Wintergreen's armies.  From the looks of it, he was in his early to 
mid teens, way too young to dream of sneaking into a tavern, much less winning a 
tavern brawl.  While the drunk found people to drag his buddies outside, the 
young man bent the dagger's blade against the wall, then helped spread sawdust 
on the floor to absorb any blood from the fight.  He stood up, wiping sawdust 
from his green pants.  For the briefest of moments, Riesen could see an aqua 
teardrop on the young man's hand.

Riesen blinked.  Could that be a remembrance mark on the kid's hand?  He had not 
seen one in years, not since he left Queen Licorice's employ.  Even then, only 
widows and widowers or parents who lost children wore the teardrop tattoo.  
While Twizzler's acquisition of Queen Licorice's lands had created hundreds of 
widows, childless parents, and orphans, he did not expect to see any of his 
former countrymen.  Wintergreen had herded the entire population into exile, 
dispersing them by twos and threes to myriad settlements on a far continent.  
She then used exiles from other nations to repopulate the area.  

So much for recruitment.  Anyone from Licorice's realms would die before they 
joined Wintergreen's forces.  Still, the lad might provide some small 
distraction from boredom.  That top-heavy, sadistic, red headed witch was taking 
her sweet time, leaving Riesen with nothing to do but twiddle his thumbs and 
spread the occasional malicious rumor.  Meanwhile, he lost more of Wintergreen's 
favor with each passing day.  Might as well indulge himself.  If he was out of 
his queen's favor, his days were numbered.

He left his bitter drink behind as he walked over to where the young man sat.  
The lad endured the presence of a fussy young tavern maid practically in his 
lap.

"Excuse me, miss, but could you fetch me a bottle of Dunkelblau '38?" Riesen 
asked.  The maid looked at Riesen, then turned away to smother the red-faced 
young man again.  Riesen sighed, tapped her on the shoulder, and flashed enough 
lollypop gild to equal a week's wages.  "Now."

The love of gild competed with her lust.  Gild won, and she ran into the back 
room.

"Thank you," the young man said.  The color faded from his cheeks.

"Don't mention it," Riesen said.  "Tavern girls can be a bother at times."  He 
sat down across from the young man, noticing a half-drained stein of watered 
down wine.  "However, taverns do hold more perils."

The young man shrugged.  "I can take care of myself."

"I noticed.  I don't think the one will be able to work for months."

"He should have never pulled that dagger," the lad shook his head as he spoke.

"Obviously.  But that is not why I came over.  I could not help but notice your 
hand.  Is that a remembrance mark?" Riesen asked.  The young man covered his 
left hand with his right.  "Now, now, there's no need to cover it.  I doubt 
anyone outside of Licorice's realms knows what it is."

The lad bowed his head and sighed.  After a quick gesture, he raised his head.  
"No one there knows it anymore."

Riesen sighed.  "Yes, I've heard.  Such a shame."

"Then you've heard of the traitor?" he asked.  He leaned forward, anxiously 
awaiting news.

"Traitor?  I've been away from home for many years.  Most of what I've heard is 
rumor diluted by much alcohol," Riesen answered.  He waved his hand.  "I didn't 
hear why the kingdom fell, only that it did."

"She sold the kingdom to Wintergreen, and killed my mother in the process."

"How did you escape?  I heard it was a slaughter."

"I was fostered in another kingdom while the traitor usurped the land.   When I 
returned, I found my mother's head on a pike.  From that moment, I swore I would 
find the traitor and kill her," the young man said.  For a moment, Riesen could 
see a thick band of silver around his throat.  The child would have to be of 
noble, if not royal, blood to wear such a band.

"This traitor, do you have a name or a description?"

The young man launched into a short description of a woman similar to Twizzler, 
with a few embellishments.  Riesen nodded, hiding his mouth as he rested his 
chin on his hands.  The young man might not be suitable for Wintergreen's 
service, but he could still be of use.  With luck, he would rid the world of 
Twizzler's presence.  If not, he would disrupt her plans to a point where Riesen 
could step in and take over command.  The loss of favor Twizzler would incur 
would be fatal.

"My lad, I do believe I can be of assistance."  Riesen smiled.



Starbust Crystal
Legend 25 - Sour Apple Slide
Written by Nathan
Created by Ardweden



"So, let me get this straight.  You three have spent your entire time on Mars 
chasing after this rat?" Twizzler said as she walked next to Kyouji.  Tsugiko 
hovered nearby, watching her rival.

"You could say that," Kyouji said, taking pains to look Twizzler in her eyes.  
The redhead had lowered the neckline of her tunic overnight, continuing her 
assault on Kyouji's hormones.  

"Kit Kat knows where the crystal shards are," Yumi said.  The Warrior Priestess 
walked a pace behind the cat-ferret as it darted across a fallow field.  "He's 
been most helpful, haven't you, Kit Kat?"

The cat-ferret stopped and turned towards Yumi.  "Gika!"

"All I'm saying is we've been following that rat for seven days without a clue 
where it's taking us."  Twizzler said.  "How do I know it's reliable?"

"He's led us on a straight line since we left Wonka's.  Besides, we've found 
three crystal shards thanks to him," Yumi answered, rubbing the cat-ferret's 
ears.

Twizzler stared ahead.  "Well, at least it's leading us to a proper town for a 
change.  It's been a week since I've had a decent meal.  It's a wonder my Kyouji 
didn't starve to death, what with Green's cooking."

Tsugiko turned about.  "Well, if you don't like it, you can leave!"

"I like the scenery," Twizzler answered, cozying up to Kyouji and staring into 
his eyes.

"I'm going to be sick," Tsugiko groaned.

"You didn't try to eat your own cooking again?" Twizzler said.

"At least I'm not freeloading!" 

"My Kyouji doesn't mind, do you?"

Kyouji looked for a place to hide.

"Shh, someone's coming," Yumi said.  She tilted her head towards the town.  
Twizzler, Tsugiko, and Kyouji turned and watched as a matronly woman strode 
towards them.  Her eyes and her jaws were set, and she about barreled over Yumi 
and Kit Kat as she homed in on Kyouji.  

"What are you doing out here?" the woman said, glaring at Kyouji, her hands 
planted on her hips.  "You know every able body man is supposed to be at the 
front, protecting us against Wintergreen's army."  She looked around him to his 
companions cluster about him.  "Girls, you should know better.  There's no need 
to sneak him off to a hayloft to give him a little going away present.  At 
least, not from all three of you.  Lad, if you'll take my advice, of which I 
have plenty, go to the chapel and marry the pretty one before you go off to 
war."  She pointed at Yumi.  "She'll make you a decent wife, that she will.  I 
tell you that you'll stay alive if she's awaiting you at home."

Tsugiko bit her tongue, blinking back the start of tears.  Everyone passed her 
over, usually for Yumi.  Now complete strangers said that Yumi would be the best 
match for Kyouji.  It was bad enough that Twizzler threw herself at Kyouji; 
Tsugiko did not need Mars adding to the competition.

"We're not from around here," Yumi said, avoiding Kyouji's gaze.  Her face 
matched her outfit.

"Yeah, we're traveling through," Kyouji said.  He had the decency to look 
embarrassed.

"He's MINE!" Twizzler snarled.  Like Kyouji and Yumi, her face grew red, but for 
another reason.

"Lad, you'd be best to stay away from that one.  Too much spirit, and not all of 
it good, if you catch my meaning," the woman said.

"Kyouji, don't listen to her.  The old woman's too blind to see that I'm the 
best choice for you," Twizzler said, emphasizing "old" and "blind."  A small 
yellow glow could be seen around her hands.

"Whatever.  I see now that you're travelers, and I say to you, turn around the 
way you came.  Save you a lot of trouble, it will, what with that demoness 
Clorets rampaging around the countryside with her army and all."

"But I thought you said it was Wintergreen who-" Kyouji said.  The color began 
to fade from his cheeks, until he glanced at Yumi.

"Aye, lad, but who do you think be leading Wintergreen's armies?"

"Not the same Clorets from the Gumdrop Palace?"  Tsugiko groaned.  Her eyes were 
slightly red, but the Warrior Priestess was composed.

"I don't know of any palace other than the one in Ferrero Rocher that she wants 
to besiege.  Our boys are doing their best to keep that from happening.  That's 
what matters to me, not where Clorets comes from."

"Excuse me, but if you don't mind me asking, is there anything off that way?" 
Yumi asked, pointing in the direction that Kit Kat stared off into.

"You don't want to do there, lass.  There's nothing but a ruined fortress a few 
kilometers away.  Nothing but trouble, I tell you, what with the ghosts and all.  
All sensible people avoid it, and you would too, if you had any sense about you, 
and doubly so now that it's behind enemy lines."

"There must be a crystal shard in there," Yumi said.

"Fortune hunters!" the woman said, raising her hands.  "So much for you four 
having sense.  Hurry up and out of here before you bring bad luck to us all.  
But before you go, one last bit of advice.  I'd hurry through town.  Some of the 
young women around are looking for a little companionship, and I do think this 
young man would attract too much of the wrong attention.  Oh, and lad, do 
consider what I said about the pretty one."

"Yes, ma'am," Kyouji gulped.

"I can't believe she thought Yumi'd be the perfect wife for Kyouji!  What's she 
got that I don't?"

"A brain?  Self-control?"

"Like you even know what self-control is, the way you swing that hammer about."

"Girls, could you stop bickering?"  Kyouji asked.

"NO!" Twizzler and Tsugiko yelled in unison.

"Kyouji?  I'm going to prove to the old hag and Green With Envy over there that 
I'm the best match for you," Twizzler said, crushing his ribs in an embrace.  
She let him go, then turned towards the girls, juggling three fireballs as she 
addressed them.  "Now, now, girls, hands off while I'm gone."

"He's not yours, Twizzler," Tsugiko snarled.

"I'll remember that when Kyouji and I marry," Twizzler said.  "Now don't you 
worry, Kyouji, Twizzly-chan'll be back before you know it."  She swept him into 
a passionate kiss that lasted far longer that Tsugiko and Yumi wanted.

Kyouji staggered away, panting for breath.  "Marry?" he said weakly, avoiding 
Tsugiko's eye.  The Warrior Priestess had a glow about her that Kyouji did not 
like.

"Free at last," Tsugiko said, glaring at Kyouji, who wilted under the heat from 
her glare and glow.

"Now, Tsugiko-chan, she's not as bad as you make her out to be," Yumi said.  
"She does tend to get on your nerves, though."

"I want to know if Kyouji misses her," Tsugiko said, stepping toward Kyouji, who 
backed away as quickly as he could.

"Tsugiko-chan, why don't you find go buy some food for us," Yumi suggested, 
stepping in front of Tsugiko.  

"I want to know if Kyouji misses her," Kyouji insisted.

"Tsugiko-chan, stop this," Yumi hissed.  "You do this, and Twizzler wins."

Tsugiko blinked, and her fire melted away.  "Okay, I'll go shopping."


>o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o<


Tsugiko wandered through the streets of the town.  For once, she intended to buy 
enough food for their journeys, a feat made easier now that Twizzler decided to 
run off to prepare her surprise for Kyouji.  Even though they had only one 
lollypop gild between them, she was surprised how far it went.  Apparently, a 
loll, as they were commonly known, equaled about two and a half days' wages, 
something Tsugiko appreciated.  She had slimmed down since coming to Mars, and 
not all of it due to increased physical activity.

"How much for this?" Tsugiko asked a street vendor.  A haunch of an 
unidentifiable meat hung from the roof of the stall.  Mean was a luxury the 
Warrior Priestesses had gone without for much of their journey.  Most of their 
food came from various fruits and roots Kit Kat had foraged for.

"Four wafers."  A wafer was one-tenth a day's wage in Ferrero Rocher.

Tsugiko pursed her lips as she thought.  The haunch would be a nice change of 
diet, but she doubted there would be room in her rucksack for it.  Besides, it 
would attract scavengers and other creatures with more teeth than Tsugiko wanted 
to deal with.  "Can I get some of that sliced or in strips?"

"Certainly, dearie.  One wafer."  The owner pointed towards a stack of thick 
meat slices.  Tsugiko bristled at the shopowner's term of affection, but the 
price seem reasonable for the amount of meat indicated.

"Hey, Green, I mean, Tsugiko!" Twizzler's unmistakable voice called out.

Tsugiko sighed and rolled her eyes.  "Will this be enough?" she asked the 
vendor.

"Tsugiko!  I need to speak with you," Twizzler said.

"Just one minute," Tsugiko groaned.  She turned to see Twizzler run up to her, 
carrying a wrapped box.  "What do you want?"

"I just think we got off on the wrong foot," Twizzler said, as she held out her 
gift.

"Right," Tsugiko drawled.  "Are you sure you aren't sick?"

"I'm fine.  Here, take it.  Maybe when you give up on Kyouji, we can put the 
past behind us."

Tsugiko rolled her eyes.  It was too good to last.  "I knew it."  She stared at 
the box as if it were a serpent about to strike.

"Look, " Twizzler said, pushing her gift into Tsugiko's hands.  "Take this.  
Maybe you can enjoy it later today."  She ran off, waving.

"That was...weird..." Tsugiko said, blinking as Twizzler vanished.


>o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o<


"Thanks for helping me out of that jam," Kyouji said.  He and Yumi walked along 
the main road, stopping occasionally to look at merchandise displayed on a 
street vendor's booth.  "Tsugiko...there just wasn't a good answer."

"I know," Yumi said.  Kyouji suddenly grew aware that Yumi stood closer to him 
than usual.  His mind flashed back towards the time when he and Yumi had almost 
kissed.  His pulse raced.

"So, ah, see anything you like?" Kyouji said.  He kicked himself.  The suave 
smooth talking Kyouji must have stayed in Tokyo.

"Do you?" Yumi answered.  She turned away.  "You know, Kyouji-san, if you don't 
like Tsugiko-chan or Miss Twizzler, you need to tell them.  It'll be easier that 
way."

"She's got a point," Teru snickered.

"Teru," Kyouji groaned.  He froze when he realized he had spoken out loud.

Yumi spun about, staring inquisitively at Kyouji.  "Who's Teru?  A girlfriend at 
home."  Her voice quivered as she spoke.

Kyouji gulped.  "No, no, it's not like that-" he said, waving his hands about.

"You should have told us if you had a girlfriend," Yumi continued.  She looked 
away, avoiding his eyes.

"But I don't have a girlfriend," Kyouji said.  He placed his hands on her 
shoulders.  "Look at me, I don't have a girlfriend.  Teru's...well, how can I 
saw this without sounding in-sane-"  He trailed off.  Yumi had turned to face 
him.  Her eyes widened, and light pink blossomed on her cheeks.  Kyouji could 
not be certain, but it seemed almost as if Yumi leaned towards him.

"Kiss her, stupid."  Was it Teru or his hormones screaming at him?

"Hey, cutie, don't waste your time with that little girl.  Wanna try a real 
woman on for size?" a husky voice belted out from a window.  Raucous laughter 
filled the street. 

Kyouji and Yumi blushed.  "Come on, let's get out of here," Yumi said, dragging 
Kyouji behind her.  His had slid out of her grip, and he turned away as his 
hormones focused on a scanitly-clad girl beckoning towards him

Yumi shrieked.

Kyouji turned around to see Yumi sprawled on her back, staring into the eyes of 
a young man laying on top of her.  

"Hey, what do you think you are doing?" Kyouji snarled, reaching for the young 
man's shoulder.  As soon as Kyouji's hand touched the shoulder, the young man 
leapt away from Yumi.  He bowed, then froze rigid, staring at Yumi.  His cheeks 
burned scarlet.  Meanwhile, Yumi's face glowed red as she frantically sat up, 
dusting herself off.

"Are you okay?" Kyouji said, reaching down to help Yumi to her feet.  "Did he do 
anything?"

"It was an accident," Yumi answered.  She tugged at her skirt, then turned 
towards the young man.  "I'm sorry.  Are you okay?"

The young man's eyes grew wide, and he turned a deeper shade of red.  His mouth 
opened one, but no sound came out.  He turned his head and lowered his eyes.

"He's just a kid," Kyouji said, blinking in surprise.  He cast an appraising eye 
on Yumi's assailant.  The young man looked to be barely into his teens, with a 
boyish aqua haircut and a slender build that implied muscle.  The Knight 
Protector aspect noted the sword hung at the youth's belt and the spears slung 
across his back.  Unlike most inhabitants of Mars, the youth avoided cloaks, 
instead favoring a hunter green vest over a purple tunic and green pants.

"I am not!" the youth barked, snapping out of his statue imitation.  His voice 
held steady as he spoke, without cracking.  The youth turned towards Yumi and 
bowed again.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to knock you down.  I was careless."

"No, don't worry about it."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, don't worry about it."

"She's fine," Kyouji said, frowning at the young man.  "Come on, Yumi, let's 
go."  He grabbed Yumi's hand, turned away from the young man, and walked away.

"Kyouji-san, what's-"

"Wait!"

Kyouji turned his head and scowled.  "What?"

"I need to with you...to make sure she's okay," the youth said.  He spoke 
quickly, blushing yet again.

"Riiiight..." Kyouji said.  "Why's that?"

"Kyouji-san," Yumi scolded.

"To satisfy my honor," the youth said, holding Kyouji's gaze.  His eyes 
flickered over to Yumi on occasion.

Kyouji rolled his eyes, then glanced over to Yumi.  She shrugged.  "If you say 
so.  Come on," he said, walking away.

"My name's Winis," he said to Yumi, running to catch up.

"I'm Yumi," she answered.  

"Kyouji," the Knight Protector growled.  "Look, Winis, you might want to leave 
now.  We're about to try to cross into Wintergreen's territory, and it's no 
place for a little kid."

"I can get you across without anyone seeing us," Winis said.

"Right," Kyouji drawled.

"Come on, Kyouji-san.  Give him a chance," Yumi said.  "It can't hurt."   

"Gika!"  Kyouji jumped at the cat-ferret's call, cursing the creature's timing.  
His eyes darted about, searching for Kit Kat before the cat ferret could slink 
figure-eights about his legs.  He shivered at the thought.

"Kit Kat!" Yumi said, dashing towards the bench where the cat-ferret waited.

"So, Kyouji, was it?" Winis asked.  He twiddled his fingers and looked at the 
ground.  "Are you and Yumi...y'know?"

Kyouji sighed and rolled his eyes towards the heavens.


>o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o<


Tsugiko sighed once again, a common occurrence lately as Kyouji hovered next to 
Yumi and the kid Winis.  Why did life have to be so cruel?  When she had met 
Kyouji at the Tokyo Tower, she thought for certain she would, with a little 
work, finally have a boyfriend.  Then Kyouji saw Yumi, and it all went downhill 
from there.  Granted, being abducted by an alien world did little to help her 
love life any.  It was bad enough that she had to compete with Yumi, but now it 
seemed like she had to compete with an entire planet of young women who wanted 
to get Kyouji's hands on them.  

Now this young kid fawned over Yumi, and then Kyouji seemed to spend more time 
around Yumi.  He practically ignored Tsugiko.  Couldn't he see that this Winis 
was too young for Yumi?  Tsugiko could tell that Yumi did not want to hurt 
Winis' feelings.

"How much further, Kyouji?" she asked.  The quartet had been walking through 
dense forest for the better part of two hours.

"A few more minutes," Winis said.  Tsugiko shook her head as her heart fell.  
Kyouji had not even acknowledged her question.  Had something happened between 
Kyouji and Yumi while she was out buying supplies?  Tsugiko resolved not to 
leave Yumi alone with Kyouji again, just in case.

She sighed again, then winced as a sharp corner jabbed her in the side.  She 
stopped, digging around in her pack until she fished out the offending object.  
She blinked as held Twizzler's gift in her hands.  With a shrug, she tore into 
the wrapping.  The small box held a spherical fruit covered in a blue shell that 
reminded Tsugiko of yogurt.

"Might as well," Tsugiko said, biting into the fruit.  "Yuck!"  She threw the 
fruit to the ground, spitting the mouthful out.  The group stopped, staring at 
Tsugiko.

"What's wrong, Tsugiko-chan?"

"That...something's wrong with the taste."

"Of what?"  Kyouji said.  His eyes fell on the fruit.  "Where did you get that?"

Winis' eyes narrowed.  "In what way?"

"It just tastes horrible.  Too bitter," Tsugiko said.  She grabbed her canteen, 
gulped water into her mouth, then spit it out.

Winis knelt next to the fruit and dipped one finger into the fruit.  He then 
tapped the finger against his tongue, paused pensively, then rinsed his mouth 
out with water from his canteen.  "The fruit's poisoned.  Nutrasweet, if I'm not 
mistaken."

Tsugiko blanched, while Kyouji and Yumi hovered next to her.  "Am I...going 
to..." Tsugiko said.

Winis shook his head.  "You'll be fine.  Most poisons on Mars are readily 
detectable by their sour taste, and you have to eat ridiculously high amounts of 
them to be affected.  If you ate any of that fruit, you're more likely to vomit 
the poison out than to get sick."  He pulled a small vial from his belt and 
opened it, pouring a small amount of a green-grey oil onto the fruit.  One 
strike of flint against steel later and fire consumed the fruit.  "No reason to 
keep this around."

"Twizzler," Tsugiko growled.  "She did this.  She bought that, knowing that I 
would eat it."

"Don't jump to conclusions, Tsugiko-chan.  We have no proof."

"She was acting weird when she gave it to me."

"Clorets has been sending her spies into town for the last few weeks.  You're 
friend probably bought tainted fruit without knowing," Winis began.  

"She's not my friend," Tsugiko protested.

Winis ignored the outburst.  "Wintergreen's armies love to poison whatever they 
can before a battle.  Few people die from the poison, but it demoralizes their 
foes."

A hush descended on the group.  They resumed walking, until Winis held his hand 
out to stop the others.  He pointed outside the treeline towards two armored 
figures.  They stood still, their eyes tracking the forestline for movement.  
Tsugiko would have mistaken them for human sentries if it had not been for the 
large pincers and lupine legs.

"Anyone got a plan?" Tsugiko asked.  Yumi held onto Kit Kat.  While the cat-
ferret could probably sneak past the sentries on its own, Yumi liked the 
reassurance of keeping Kit Kat close.  The cat-ferret rested inside her arms, 
not trying to escape, much to Kyouji's comfort.

"Follow me," Winis said, strolling out towards the sentries.

"Wait a minute, Winis," Kyouji said, dragging the younger man behind a tree.  
"What do you think you are doing?"  Winis shrugged off the Knight Protector, and 
rolled up his left sleeve.  Kyouji could see a teardrop etched on Winis' hand 
and a silver chain on his wrist.  A group of metal and gem-encrusted baubbles 
hung from the chain.

"These will get us past the guards," Winis said, pointing to a cluster of three 
charms.  

"How," Kyouji insisted.  The girls watched the exchange with puzzled looks.  

"These are Aware, Muddle, and Friend charms," Winis answered.  As he spoke, he 
tapped each charm.  A faint glow emanated from the charms he touched.  "With 
these, we can walk past the sentries."

"You've got to be kidding me.  You want us to walk right by those monsters?"  
Kyouji pushed Winis against a tree.  "I'm not letting you risk our lives like 
that.  Don't you have any idea what they'll try to do to us?"

"Do you want to let me go, or do you want to wait until night, when the really 
nasty creatures come out?  Y'know, the ones that like to eat you while you're 
still alive?"  For the first time since Kyouji had met Winis, an edge crept into 
the younger man's voice.

"Let him go.  It's worth a shot," Yumi said.  For once, Winis' face kept its 
natural coloration.  

"I don't like this," Kyouji said.  He released Winis, then walked next to Yumi.

"Let's go before the guard changes," Winis said.  He brushed off his vest, then 
set out towards the guard station.  "Stay close.  The charms have a limited 
range."

"Hey, Winis, you don't happen to have a Love charm?" Tsugiko asked as she ran 
after him.  A bead of sweat rolled down Kyouji's brow.

"Tsugiko-chan, be serious," Yumi said, as she too ran after Winis.  Kyouji 
shrugged and followed after them.  He rushed forward, staying between Yumi and 
Winis as much as possible.

"No, they never work," Winis said.  He approached the soldiers openly, hands 
held away from his body.  The Warrior Priestesses, on the other hand, kept their 
hands close to their weapons.  They eyed the soldiers wearily.

The soldiers looked at the small group, shrugged, then turned away without 
challenging Winis or the Warrior Priestesses.  Tsugiko gulped as she passed.  
The pincer claws were stained a dull coppery red, looking more powerful than 
Tsugiko liked.  She would hate to go toe to toe with them.  Yet the soldiers 
stood still, staring out towards the treeline where she had come from.

Winis walked away without turning back.  Tsugiko could see no rings of sweat or 
any other sign of concern or nervousness.  She shook her head.  Winis could 
barely speak to Yumi without blushing, but he could walk past enemy sentries as 
if he owned the place.  She turned around, looking towards the sentries.  Much 
to her continued amazement, they still showed no sign that they had acknowledged 
their presence.  Could Winis have used an Invisibility charm as well?

The group continued walking in silence until the soldiers could no longer be 
seen.  Winis turned around, adjusting the chain on his wrist.  "So, Kyouji, I 
believe you owe me an apology."


>o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o< >o<


Clorets signed as she shuffled papers on her makeshift desk.  The glamour of 
leading a warband had long since passed underneath the onslaught of 
requisitions, promotions, and other minutia necessary to run an army.  But her 
liege lord Wintergreen had demanded Clorets' armies to further her empire, and 
Clorets had no choice but to comply, leaving behind her finery and delicacies in 
the Gumdrop Palace.

She shook her head.  Wintergreen proved to be a demanding sovereign.  Clorets 
had hoped that after she had deposed her father, King Jujube, Wintergreen would 
let her rule her land in relative peace.  Even after sizable tribute had found 
its way into Wintergreen's treasury in an open attempt to buy peace, 
Wintergreen, in her wisdom or madness, decided not to spare an experienced 
general from service.  Clorets had the misfortune to lead forces into battle 
herself against her father during the succession.  While she enjoyed modest 
success against her father, an unpredictable and gifted foe, she preferred to 
stay inside the palace, wining and dining with friends in luxury only queens 
could afford.

Outside her tent, a guard screamed until it was cut off by feminine giggles.  
Another guard burst in.  He sported a black eye and limped as he walked.  "My 
lady, you have a visitor." 

Clorets groaned, thankful that she wore a combination of plate and chain mail 
that covered all the vital spots.  Only one person would bother to rough the 
guards up before entering he room.  "Send her in," Clorets ordered, steeling 
herself for the worst.

"Clorets!!" A red bullet streaked through the room, crashing into Clorets in a 
big bear hug.  Clorets winced as her long, exquisitely maintained mane was 
jerked once, twice, three times in rapid succession.

"Twizzler, what are you doing here?" Clorets asked between clenched teeth.  If 
you could live through Twizzler's greetings...

"I was just passing through, and I decided to stop by and see how my friend was 
doing.  And I want to borrow a dress."

Clorets blinked.  "You came here to borrow a dress?!  Couldn't you just buy 
one?"

"Well, I want a special one for Kyouji."

"Wait a minute, the Warrior Priestesses are here?" Clorets said.  "Wintergreen 
wants their heads on a platter, and you're worried about a dress?!"

"It's for a cover.  I'm supposed to be looking for something that'll make me 
look absolutely stunning.  That way they don't know that I'm actually over here.  
You do have those incredible gowns with you, right?"

"If I did, do you think I'd be wearing this armor?"

"It is rather unflattering," Twizzler said.  Clorets frowned.  "And I thought 
you'd have better taste.  It does nothing for your figure, not like those 
exquisite dresses you wear."

Clorets shook her head.  "I know the Knight Protector's cute, but you do realize 
Wintergreen will flay you alive if she knew you were more concerned with your 
love life than your job."

"I know where the Warrior Priestesses are going," Twizzler singsonged.

"Why didn't you tell me?  I've got better things to do than to play games with 
you.  Wintergreen wants Ferrero Rocher razed in a month's time, and I need to 
make my plans before she starts breathing down my neck."

"I wouldn't be too concerned about that when your troops capture the Warrior 
Priestesses.  By the way, you didn't answer my question about the dress."

"You're impossible.  Watch it, Twizzler, else the Knight Protector will be the 
death of you."

"My Kyouji wouldn't hurt me.  Although that Green Meanie might try to.  I'm not 
sure about Yumi."

"Try Wintergreen.  She's taken an interest in the Knight Protector for one 
reason or another.  Or if that doesn't work, how about Riesen?"

"Riesie wouldn't hurt me."

Clorets sighed and rolled her eyes.  Twizzler's brain seemed love-addled.  
Nothing she could say would wake Twizzler to the fact that she was treading into 
dangerous territory.  "What's your plan?"

"Well, they're going to some ruined fortress an old hag was talking about.  I 
can't believe she actually thought I was no good for-"

Clorets raised a hand to silence her fellow lieutenant.  "Please, no more about 
the Knight Protector.  My time's precious, and you're wasting it."

"I'm supposed to meet the Warrior Priestesses there late tonight.  I just I'd 
arrange a proper welcome for them, now that they've set foot into our territory.  
I'd say a full platoon of your best would suffice."

"A full platoon?!"

"Consider it an honor guard for them when we deliver the Warrior Priestesses 
gagged and bound into Queen Wintergreen's court," Twizzler said.   She stopped, 
tilting her head and pursing her lips.  "Do you think Wintergreen would mind if 
I killed one before we present them to her?  I've got a score to settle with 
that Tsugiko wench."

Clorets groaned.  "That's between you and her."  She shook her head.  "Fine, 
fine, take the troops.  Just hurry up and leave."

"Well..." Twizzler drawled, nodding towards the chests behind Clorets' desk.

Clorets threw her papers down onto the desk.  "Alright, already!"  She stormed 
over to an ornate chest, threw it open, then removed a folded bundle of red 
cloth.  With fear and trepidation, she handed the package to the red-haired 
terror.

"Thanks, Clorets.  You won't regret this," Twizzler said, tearing into the ropes 
that bound the cloth.  She twirled about as she held the dress, before bolting 
out the door. 

"Somehow, I doubt that," Clorets said.  She reached for a fresh sheet and a 
quill.  She massaged her temples before writing.

"My Lady Wintergreen, may you live forever,
	I have no responsibility for the certain failure of Twizzler's latest 
scheme..."


Author's notes:

Well, this was going to be entitled "His Kisses are Dreamy, But the Hairballs 
Down My Cleavage..." but there just wasn't room for the Tsugiko/Kit Kat lemon 
scene this time.  Sorry. =P

Actually, there was much that I wished I could put in, but time, events, and the 
desire not to skip prompted many, many cuts.  So, once again, sorry about the 
cliffhanger, folks.

Sour Apple Slide comes from watching too much Bebop (a little Stray Dog Strut 
anyone?).  The slide refers to a stringed instrument technique, so we're still 
staying with the musical theme.

Many, many, many, many thanks go to Capfox, who helped me with Winis and other 
planning parts.

Two comments on Winis:

Winis plus Twizzler equals a disaster in the making.

Winis' charms are similar to Clow Cards.  I envision them as being more status-
affecting magics than attacks, but that's up to other writers.

Anyway, let me know what you think.

-Nathan
Achariyth@aol.com