"What is it you wanted to talk to us about, Torr?" Naga asked as she tore into a plate of chicken. Torr cleared his throat, glancing around. The Sleeping Dragon was a small, peaceful looking inn, as befit the small, peaceful looking town in the small, peaceful looking valley it was built in. "I have some information that may be of use to you." Naga took a long drink from her tankard, then set it down. "I find that hard to believe." Torr raised an eyebrow. "What could you possibly say that would make the White Serpent willing to go easy on you?" Naga clarified. "Oh, I don't know," Torr mused, tapping his chin. "How about the location of the woman responsible for transporting your friends?" Naga folded her arms, regarding him with skepticism. "What, you don't think I know?" Torr smiled as he leaned forward, looking Naga in the eye. "Or are you afraid of what I'll tell you?" Snorting, Naga pushed Torr away as Getehl stood, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Sit back down," Torr ordered. "I'm here to talk, not fight." Getehl glanced at Naga, who nodded ever so slightly. He slowly sat back in his chair. Torr noted with amusement that his hand never left the hilt. "Why-" Getehl coughed, finding his throat suddenly dry. He took a gulp of his drink. "Why would you tell us?" "A very good question." Naga narrowed her eyes. "Why *would* you let us know such a thing?" "My former employer misled me. She gave me false information and used me as a decoy," Torr scowled. "I will not be led by the nose any longer." His face softened. "Besides, little butterfly is in trouble, or she's going to be. I don't want her hurt." At the disbelieving stares of the other two, he shook his head. "Just think of it as revenge." "Fine, fine." Naga waved her hand. "Where is she?" Torr leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "Lady Erika can be found in a place you're *very* familiar with. And not far from here, either." A smirk grew on his face as he watched the color drain from his adversary's face. "The white magic capital, Saillune." "No," Naga whispered, hands clutching the edge of the table. The assassin laughed as he stood. "Of course, the great White Serpent isn't afraid of a *city*, is she? Especially one as safe and-" he cleared his throat "-*just* as Saillune." Naga didn't even look up at him. "Naga?" Getehl prompted, almost waving a hand in front of her face. "Well, I really must be going. You won't be seeing me again." Torr turned and strolled to the door. "OOOHOHOHOHOHO!" came the familiar laugh. Torr whirled around to see Naga and Getehl on their feet. Naga's face was still pale, but she pointed at him the same way she did so many other times. "I thank you for the information, dear Torr." Magical energy built up around her as the other patrons scurried clear of the area. "Freeze..." There was a thud as Naga hit the ground. Getehl stared in horror, then turned to Torr. "What did you do to her?!" he yelled as he rushed forward, sword drawn. "The same thing I did to you," Torr said calmly. "Like hell y-" And Getehl collapsed, head hitting the ground just a foot from where Torr stood. The assassin smiled as he left the inn. Let Erika play the decoy for once. He had more important things to do. Mounting his horse, he rode north, laughing into the night sky. * * * * * Improfanfic presents... Slayers Glorious! Started by Todd Harper Chapter 25: Anger! The New Enemy is Where? Written by Ardweden * * * * * "Where're they taking us?" Mari asked as she and the two women followed a trio of monks down a path. "To their temple, I suppose. Though I have no idea why," Luanni replied. "The Order of the Howling Monks of Silence is ancient. It existed for centuries," Actinaea explained. "They hold answers to many long-hidden secrets. Perhaps they think they can help us find the Bell." One of the hooded figures looked over his shoulder at the group and nodded, then turned back to the path. Actinaea shrugged and continued, the rest of them following suit. They stopped in front of a temple built into the side of a mountain. Two of the monks clasped their hands and bowed their heads in prayer as the third shuffled forward, laboriously pushing aside the intricately carved stone slab. He panted for breath, then motioned for the women to enter. The smell of mildew filled their nostrils as their eyes adjusted to the lack of light. One of the monks lit a candle as the other two closed the slab of a door and proceeded to lead the group through the dark, dank tunnel. The light played off the stalactites on the ceiling so as to make a series of ominous shadows, and Mariposa huddled closer to Actinaea and Luanni. Not that she was afraid of silly little shadows, of course. It was just chilly. That was all. After what seemed like forever, they finally reached the end of the corridor. An impressive, heavy, wooden double door blocked their way, and two of the monks each took one of the doors and tugged, pulling it open and causing the girls to wince as brilliant, almost blinding white light escaped from the opening. The monk with the candle stepped forward and motioned for them to follow. And follow they did, stepping onto plush, deep blue carpeting. Their eyes adjusted a second time, and they looked in disbelief at the huge couches adorned with fluffy pillows, lit spheres hanging from the ceiling, and tasteful paintings on the walls. Oh, and the glass coffee table with a little candy dish, too. The monk before them blew out the candle. "Greetings." The three women gaped. It was Actinaea who regained control of her vocal chords first. "I thought you were sworn to a vow of silence!" "The Howling Monks of Silence are," the cloaked figure supplied. "So... you're not really monks?" Mari suggested. "Nope," the figure grinned as the other two 'monks' stepped next to him. "We are..." They threw off their cloaks. "Three wild and crazy guys!" There was silence as Actinaea, Luanni, and Mariposa picked themselves up from the ground. "Really," Luanni said, drawing the word out. "Three wild and crazy guys." The first man nodded proudly. "Yup." "If you're so wild and crazy, then why do you dress up like that?" Mariposa asked curiously. "If we didn't, how could we get alms?" the second man gasped. "Besides, chicks dig the cloak." The third man nodded sagely. "So you're not the Howling Monks of Silence," Actinaea said. "Afraid not." The first man rubbed the back of his head. "And you have no knowledge of the Silent Bell," she continued. "Well... yeah." The second man smiled sheepishly. "Then why the *hell* did you bring us here?" she snapped. "Uh... well, we figured that three wild and crazy guys like us..." the first man began. "Could have some wild and crazy fun..." the second said. "With three wild and crazy girls like you!" the third finished with a wink. He was immediately floored by a candy dish to the head. "Don't you dare lay a finger on Mariposa!" Actinaea and Luanni yelled as one. "Yeah! Don't you dare lay a finger on... oh, wait. That's me." Mariposa laughed uneasily. The other two men edged away. "Uh... Steve?" the second man managed. "Yes?" the first responded. "I think these girls are a little too wild and crazy for us." "You might be right." Actinaea smiled thinly as she exchanged glances with Luanni and Mariposa. Those three men got their hopes up and put them an entire day off course. If they suffered extreme humiliation and had their property damaged... well, they'd only be doing the world a favor. She faced forward, arms and palms outstretched at the retreating backs of her targets. "Arc Brass!" Lightning leapt from Actinaea's hands and struck the men. They cried out, then fell to the ground, twitching. Steve felt himself being rolled onto his back, and he looked up into the eyes of three very unhappy girls. "Mommy," he squeaked. "Mono. Volt." And then the destruction *really* began. * * * * * "Naga. Hey, Naga! Wake up!" Getehl shook the sorceress by the shoulders. Naga's head tilted backwards, an especially loud snore escaping her lips. Getehl sighed. "Here, let me help," the balding, portly innkeeper offered as he walked up to the pair sitting (well, one was being held up by the other) on his nice, hardwood floor. He hefted the bucket he was holding and dumped its contents over the White Serpent's head. "Huh? Wha-?" Naga sputtered as she regained consciousness. The wet and cold White Serpent looked from Getehl to the innkeeper in confusion. "Thanks." Getehl smiled gratefully. "No problem. But next time you decide to sleep, use one of the rooms," he suggested. "Aheh. Right." Getehl watched the man return to his desk, then turned to Naga. "Are you okay?" "OOOHOHO-ow." Naga clutched her head with both hands, pulling herself into a sitting position. "What happened?" Getehl shrugged, wincing helplessly. "I'm not sure. I think Torr drugged our drinks..." "Torr," Naga spat. "When I get my hands on him-" "There's time for that later," Getehl interrupted. "Right now, we have to worry about the others." "The others..." Naga mumbled softly, then blinked. "Oh, yes! Mari-chan!" She stood and wrung her hair, the drops landing in the growing puddle on the floor. "We should travel to Kalmaart as quickly as possible." "Are you crazy?" Getehl asked as he scrambled to his feet. "We don't have *time* for that. They can be in serious trouble!" "Zaad said they are fine." "For now." Getehl frowned. "I think we should go to Saillune and have a... talk with this Erika person." "And you actually believe what he told us? Torr?" Naga glared at Getehl, who blinked as he noticed her hands shaking. She noticed this as well and folded her arms, hiding her hands from view. "Besides, there's no way someone, no matter how powerful they are, can just teleport people without spending *years* building up that much power, even with the small help Mari-chan's crystal might have given." Getehl shrugged, pushing aside the fact that he hadn't heard about whatever crystal Mariposa had until that day. "Whatever the case, the person that's responsible for making them disappear is in Saillune. We have a chance to get to her." "And I still say we need to get to Kalmaart as quickly as possible." Naga set the chair she overturned earlier upright. "Torr's lying." "Oh, and Zaad isn't?" Getehl raised an eyebrow. "What proof do we have that *he's* telling the truth?" Naga growled. "None, but, like I said, a distance that great can't be teleported by the wave of a hand." "Then maybe they used some other means," Getehl replied. "They disappeared somehow, and that's the best... no, the *only* hint we have." Positioning herself in front of Getehl, Naga glared into his eyes. "Are you doubting my knowledge of magic?" she asked, her voice dangerously low. "No." If Getehl was intimidated, he didn't show any sign of it. "I'm doubting your ability to think clearly when Saillune is involved." Naga scowled and turned away. Getehl stepped toward her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "What is it, Naga? Why are you so afraid of that place?" For an instant, Naga seemed to crumble in on herself, the shadows from the flickering lights making her seem smaller than she was, almost like a child. And then the instant was gone. "OOOHOHOHOHO!" she laughed into the back of her hand. "Naga the White Serpent, afraid?" Getehl sighed. "Look, Naga, I don't know what your hangup with Saillune is. I wish you'd tell me, but fine. Whatever. I'm going to Saillune, and I'm going to find who's responsible for this and what they're up to. Come with me or not, it's up to you." Naga turned to look at him, and though she wouldn't meet his eyes, he could see that they were different than normal. They weren't prideful or arrogant, they were... soft. Afraid. "You're not concerned about the Bell, are you?" she asked, voice full of wonder. "It stopped being about money a long time ago," he replied, blinking in surprise as he realized those words were true. She nodded, thinking. Getehl caught his breath; maybe she'd come to her senses. Maybe she'd tell him what the problem was, and maybe she could overcome it. "I'm not going." "*What*?" Getehl stared. "I said I'm not going. You can go on that fool's quest to Saillune if you're so set on it, but I won't. I shall accompany you to the edge of Saillune's capital, but no farther." She finally met his gaze, and her eyes had none of the softness they had before. "Understood?" Getehl nodded. It was too much to hope for, after all. "Fine." "Fine." Naga shook herself from his grip and stalked up the stairs. Getehl didn't follow. * * * * * The door opened with a slight creak, a stream of light filtering through the opening. After a moment, the door swung open the rest of the way, and the innkeeper stepped in. "Here they are," he murmured, holding a small, glowing crystal above the prone, sleeping forms of Naga and Getehl. "Just like I said they'd be." "Excellent," the crystal replied, a note of approval in its male voice. "And the others?" "They've been transported to Kalmaart somehow. Or that's what the old guy said." "Kalmaart, huh?" The innkeeper could almost hear the person on the other end jotting down notes. "Whatever the case, your concern still lies with Naga. Find out what happened to Actinaea and Mariposa if you can, but it is Naga who you must follow." "Yes sir." The innkeeper nodded. "And *don't* get any funny ideas about grabbing treasure! I know how greedy you can get sometimes, and I don't want you to screw this up." "Yes sir," he replied mechanically. There was a pause. "Well, what are you waiting for?" the crystal demanded. "I have some other information," the innkeeper replied, taking a deep breath. He shut his eyes. Please let this work. "About the Silent Bell." "Whaaaaaaat?" "You heard me. And it's for our employer's ears only." There was silence on the other end. Then, "Sorry, our employer isn't here right now. Let me know what it is, and I'll relay the message." The innkeeper grinned and opened his mouth to reply when he heard a rustle to one side. In one smooth motion he was at the side of Getehl's bed... only to see him roll over, mumbling irritably. Deciding not to press his luck, the innkeeper stepped out of the room and closed the door before answering. "Don't get any funny ideas about grabbing information," he said in a hushed tone. "I want to talk to Lady Erika. Now." "Well, I've never heard such... such... argh!" And the crystal went out. Blinking in surprise, the innkeeper brought the crystal up and shook it. He bit his lip in worry. Maybe he pushed it a little too far. Shaking the crystal again, he smiled in relief as a small glow started emanating from it. "What do you want?" an irritated female voice demanded. It sounded like she was woken in the middle of the night. Which was probably the case. "Ah... oh! Lady Erika!" The innkeeper laughed nervously. "I... um..." "I don't recognize you... are you the operative that was sent out to infiltrate Naga's group?" "Yeah. That's me. Ma'am." The innkeeper wiped some sweat from his brow. Professional. He was a professional. "Anyway, I have some information on the Silent Bell you're looking for." "Oh?" He could almost hear her raise an eyebrow. "And what information would that be?" Here it was. His big chance. "Well, you see... there's these monks up north called the Howling Monks of Silence. And they probably know where the bell is. And 'cause of the curse on the Bell, nobody can say or write its true location, so..." "And where did you get this information?" the crystal asked. "An old guy. Some seer." "Hmm. Do you remember his name?" "Nah. He's supposed to always be right, though." "I see." The crystal paused, mulling it over. "Thank you for the information... ah... what was your name?" "Lilen," the innkeeper replied, letting his voice slip into that of a girl's. "My name's Lilen, Ma'am." "Yes, Lilen. Excellent work." There was a moment of silence, and the innkeeper held his breath. "How did you learn of this?" "Well," the innkeeper began, making sure his voice was back to 'normal'. Telling Erika about the whole thing with Torr and all probably wouldn't be a good idea... he grinned. "It was the organizer, Ma'am." "The organizer, hmm? Very well, then. You have shown remarkable talent. I shall see to it that you report directly to me." The innkeeper beamed. "You can count on me, Ma'am!" "Yes. Yes, I'm sure I can." The crystal went out a second time. * * * * * Lady Erika yawned. She really didn't need this, not when she had another tiring day of travelling ahead. It would be at least a week before she could get back to Saillune and actually take care of everything. If things went smoothly. If not, well... She glanced at the crystal on her nightstand, tempted to throw it out the window. Instant communication was really more trouble than it was worth, especially if it woke you in the middle of the night. Grumbling to herself, she snuggled into the covers of the bed and shut her eyes. Still, this Lilen girl was eager to serve her. And sometimes eagerness was exactly what was needed. Erika scowled at the thought of Torr. Yes, it would be a nice change of pace. Lilen wasn't *supposed* to know of the search for the Silent Bell, but if she did, it would only be wise to make the best of the situation. It would be nice to be back in Saillune. She could see to it that Lilen's higher-ups were punished for the information from where she was, of course, but it wasn't the same as where she made her home. It wasn't the same at all. * * * * * "I'm sorry, but we really can't afford for you to take tha-" "Fire..." "Aheheheh! How rude of me! Here, take all of it. And can I interest you ladies in anything else as well?" "That's better." * * * * * The innkeeper jumped for joy at the sound of the closet door opening. Well, he would have, if his arms and legs weren't tied. As it was, he more or less wriggled for joy. "Get me out of here!" he yelled through the gag. It came out more like "Grff mmph ou olf hrrr!" But the same intent, emotion, and raw desire were there. The door swung all the way open, and the innkeeper stared up in horror at his double. "Thanks for the help, old man!" he laughed, tossing the keys into the closet and closing the door. The innkeeper muttered a few choice curses, but nobody was there to hear them. And even if they could, they wouldn't understand him, thanks to the gag. * * * * * Actinaea muttered in discontent as she, Mariposa, and Luanni set out on the road again. "I can't *believe* I let a trio of false monks talk us into making such an enormous detour!" "They didn't really talk us into it, Actinaea," Luanni responded, to which the other woman frowned. "And it wasn't that bad. I mean, we got a lot of supplies out of the deal-" "And candy!" Mari chirped. "And candy," Luanni agreed with a smile. She turned back to the praetor. "Besides," she continued, "I think they had that a long time coming. Pretending to be monks just so they could make free money, honestly." She scowled. A faint smile graced Actinaea's lips. "Perhaps you're right," she conceded. "I think you handled the situation really well!" Mariposa agreed as she spontaneously hugged her teacher. "You handled it just like Naga-san would!" Mariposa giggled and darted ahead. Luanni just smiled tolerantly. "Maybe we shouldn't have let her have so much chocolate," she chuckled as she turned to look at Actinaea. She blinked. The praetor stood, frozen, her face an interesting shade of ashen gray. "Praetor? Is something wrong?" "I-" She sucked in a breath. "I am *nothing* like that freak of nature!" she screamed before storming off after Mari. Luanni blinked, then shrugged. Asking Actinaea about Naga would probably only make it worse. Besides, she mused as she popped a candy into her mouth, it was a shining new day. * * * * * Author's Notes: Hey, look! It's early! Aren't you proud? ^_^ Yah, I know it's a rather short chapter. But I'm busy with a bunch of stuff, so I cut the last day (and the possible extension) off of my writing time. Hope ya don't mind. ^_~ Thanks to Ravi for suggesting the 'wild and crazy guys' line. If it weren't for him, I don't know what I woulda done with those monks. :P Also, thanks goes to Ravi, Todd, Phoebe, Damien, and Ilmater for prereading at various stages. Even further thanks goes to the people on #HHHitSquad for encouraging me when I didn't think I could do this. Wai. Hugs and cookies for all! That was fun. Lots of fun. I think I might wanna do it again. Wai and stuff. ^_^ Thanks for reading! Ardweden * * * * * What, you're still reading? Don't you know when to quit? Oh, okay... here's an omake outtake, just for you. ^_^ By Todd Harper "My former employer misled me. She gave me false information and used me as a decoy," Torr scowled. "I will not be led by the nose any longer." His face softened. "Besides, little butterfly is in trouble, or she's going to be. I don't want her hurt." At the disbelieving stares of the other two, he shook his head. "Just think of it as revenge." Naga hmmmed. "Last time I saw her, she was using green, black, and blue to make colors in the sky." Getehl nodded. "Aye." Naga looked down at her plate for a moment in thought, and when she looked up, realized Getehl was nowhere in sight. "Where's my samurai?!" Three days later, Naga was still looking, explaining her odd behavior to Torr. "I've been looking in the woods," she said. "And high upon the hills." Torr raised an eyebrow. "Just to find... to find your samurai?" Naga nodded. "Someone I won't regret, to keep me in his net." Torr nodded. "Ah. Just to find that samurai, then." Somewhere in Kalmaart, Mariposa suddenly started doing the Macarena. "I'm your little butterfly," she said to Actinaea. Luanni blniked. "What's the green, black, and blue making colors in the sky?" Ace held her forehead and sighed. "Ay ay ay." - FIN - * * * * * No, really. Go away. :P