"Well...It's been nice knowing you ladies," Getehl said philosophically. Actinaea looked up, still panting, and glared at him. "So that's your professional opinion as a mercenary? We're dead?" Getehl shrugged. "Well, I can't fight with this ankle," he paused to wince, "Mari-chan doesn't have anything left," he nodded to Mariposa, who was kneeling on the ground and gasping for breath, "and you two are, ah," he cleared his throat and nodded. "So as soon as our friend gets here..." Everyone turned and looked at the approaching ridge in the ground. Naga frowned, and then threw her head back. "OOOOHOHOHO*hackcough*" Naga took a deep breath (which Getehl made sure to watch closely), and then looked around with blazing eyes. "I refuse to be defeated by a mere...*worm*!" she proclaimed. "There has to be *something* we can do!" Mari got unsteadily to her feet. "Naga-sama...I think I...one or two more spells..." she managed. "And what good will that do?" Actinaea snapped. "I haven't taught you anything powerful enough to hurt that thing!" "And even if there was something," Naga continued, tapping her chin, "We need something more than just one blast. So, Getehl, if you could fight it..." "You saw what my sword did to it," Getehl replied. "Even if I could manage to kill it." He glanced around, and suddenly his eyes widened. "Although maybe all we need to do is distract it!" Everyone turned again, and saw a caravan of enclosed wagons rolling across the plain, off in the distance. Naga waved. "OOOOOOIIII!" she boomed, nearly knocking Actinaea off her feet. "WE COULD USE SOME ASSISTANCE!" As they watched, a figured in robes left one of the wagons and began running towards them. "Perfect!" the White Serpent crowed. "Now we just need to hold off the worm until that person gets here!" "...what if he can't help us?" Getehl asked. "Then he'll die along with us, of course." After a moment, the mercenary nodded. "Serves him right for getting our hopes up." "Astral Vine," Actinaea said. Naga blinked. She looked at Actinaea, and then at Mari. Then...she grinned. "OOOOOOHOHOHOHOOO!!! We may survive this yet! Mari-chan!" "Hai!" Mari blinked, trying to focus. "We'll do the same thing we did with Vu Vraimer!" Naga proclaimed. "This time it will be the chestless wonder casting Astral Vine on Getehl's sword! Ready?" "Hai!" Mari blinked. "But don't I need to learn the spell first?" Everyone looked back at the approaching ridge. "...Ideally, yes," Actinaea said, still glaring at Naga. "But in this situation I believe simply contributing magical energy will be enough. And it's certainly all we have time for." She gestured. "Now, come stand here, and you, bring your sword over here." "What exactly does this spell do?" Getehl asked, holding the oversized weapon up as directed. "Just increase the power of the weapon," Naga said, as Actinaea started to chant quietly. "Now be quiet so we can concentrate." "Source of all life and power," Actinaea murmured, face taut and grim. "Flame of light, call forth the killing strength hidden in this blade. ASTRAL VINE!" Getehl's eyes widened as his sword began to shine with a purple glow. "Now *that's* an interesting spell," he murmured. Suddenly several tentacles burst from the ground around them. "Well, don't just STAND there," Naga snapped, "Go put that spell to use!" She smacked the mercenary on the back. Getehl stumbled forward and managed to hack at a tentacle that was grabbing for him. He stared as it was sliced off cleanly, then jumped and just dodged another lunging appendage. Another swing took care of that one, and then Getehl heard a scream behind him. He turned to see Mari cowering beneath another tentacle, and Naga attempting to hold it back with her longsword. Feeling a rush of confidence, he dashed forward to add his own thrust to the fray, only to watch his sword be stopped by the tentacle's thick skin. There was a pause. A sweatdrop broke out on Getehl's head as he watched the glow fade from his sword. "Maybe I should have taught her the spell," Actinaea muttered. "As I was saying," Getehl said, "It's been nice meeting you all--" The earthworm burst from the ground, huge maw gaping. "MIPLISS LANCE!" Getehl drew upon experience gained fighting alongside mages, and threw himself to the ground, pushing Naga and Mari down as well. A bolt of magical energy flew over them and impacted against the worm's body with an explosion of blue light. The monster reared back and screamed, then withdrew beneath the ground. All was silent. After a moment Getehl looked up and around, then at the others. "Everyone all right? Mari?...Mari? Are you okay?" Mari pulled herself up into a kneeling position, still panting. "Spell... tired," she gasped. "I'm okay...but..." Naga stood up, and then bent down to examine Mari. "She'll be fine," the sorceress decided. "Dinner and a good night's rest, and she'll be as good as new." "And how about you, Naga-san?" Getehl asked. "I'm, uh, sorry about pushing you down like that--" "True, I would have been able to avoid that spell without your help. But it is really of no consequence." Naga tossed her hair, and grinned at the world in general. "What matters is that we have emerged triumphant once again!" Getehl smiled, then blinked, and turned. "Oh...Actinaea-san, are you all right?" "Fine," Actinaea snapped. "Thanks for keeping track!" Getehl rubbed the back of his head and opened his mouth to speak, but Naga cut him off. "Well, and do we have you to thank for that timely spell?" A middle-aged man in clothing that was vaguely wizardesque ran up to them, and stood huffing and puffing for a moment. He was a bit shorter than average, pudgy, with black hair that was starting to both gray and fall out. He wore a tunic and breeches in brown and purple, with an earthy brown cloak that flared out behind him in a slightly dramatic manner, and a Mage Guild medallion around his neck. After catching his breath, he smiled. "Yes, that's right. My name is Harus." Harus looked around at the group with a gleam in his eye. "And you know, I think you might be able to save me as well!" He gestured. "Come back to the caravan and rest, and we can talk when we reach the oasis in a couple of hours." Mari exhaled. "Finally, no more walking..." ===== Slayers Glorious Chapter 7: Hired! A New Job Leads to New Problems! ===== The caravans were drawn up in a rough circle near the oasis. Technically, since the Plains of Mipliss weren't a desert, it probably shouldn't be called an oasis; but the fact that it was the only body of water for miles had led to the choice of 'oasis' over 'pond', 'spring' or 'small lake'. "Ano...this isn't really a desert, is it?" Mari asked. "So is this really an oasis?..." "Quiet, Mari-chan," Actinaea snapped. "There are more important things to worry about at the moment." Mari looked to Naga for support, but the White Serpent was involved in some roast fowl at the moment (cold, but filling). "As I said, I'm Harus," Harus reiterated. "The Trader Mage?" Getehl asked. Getehl was watching, and saw Harus' eyes flicker around the table for a moment, before he smiled. "Yes, that's right. Have we met?" "Nah, I'm just a merc who's escorted some caravans across Mipliss occasionally." Getehl nodded. "Heard your name a few times." "Ah, of course." Harus nodded in return. "Now--" "What was that spell you cast?" Actinaea asked, peering at Harus. The Trader Mage seemed to get just a little more pale. "Well, it was a-- spell developed by a sorcerer who lives in the Plains of Mipliss," he said quickly. "It's designed to cause harm specifically to the giant earthworms, but is ineffective against other creatures..." Actinaea blinked, and frowned at him in irritation. "Seems useful enough to me," she replied. "An Elmekia Lance variation, is it?" "Yes, something like that," Harus replied, nodding rapidly. "I believe that was how Karzon described it to me." Actinaea raised an eyebrow. "And he would be the mage who lives somewhere in these plains?" "Yes..." Harus fidgeted in his chair. "He's really harmless, I assure you...just studies the earthworms all day." "Ano...Getehl-san," Mari began, "I thought you said only goat herders and crazy old hermits lived on the Plain of Mipliss." "Yes I did, Mari," Getehl answered, "and I'm willing to bet Karzon doesn't keep goats." There was a snicker from Naga's corner of the table, and Actinaea rolled her eyes. "The point is," Harus continued, "he isn't causing much trouble, even though he may not be acting under Guild sanction..." Actinaea became still for a few moments, looking at the other mage. "Ha!" Naga put in. "More power to 'im, I say. The Guild is too stuffy anyway." Getehl peered across the table at Naga. "Naga, are you--" Naga drained a glass and slammed it down on the table, exhaling mightily. "I, uh, guess that answers that." "Not my Elmekian wine!" Harus gasped. Naga licked her lips. "A vintage for the truly discerning--" "Drunk?" Actinaea suggested. "Gourmet." Naga glowered. "In any case," Actinaea continued, "While we are from the Mage Guild of Singe, we aren't here in a specifically *formal* capacity." She folded her hands. "We just want to get across the Plains." Harus looked at the Praetor for a moment, then exhaled. "Well. That's fine, then." Then he peered at her. "Did you say, Mage Guild of Singe?" "Yes, that's right." Actinaea nodded. Harus rubbed his double chin. "I didn't know there was a Guild in Singe...Who decided to build one there? And why?" "Good question," Actinaea muttered. In a louder voice, she said, "It's a complicated story, and we all need rest, I think. We don't really want to impose on your hospitality--" "Oh, we can't refuse the kindness of a fellow mage," Naga said. "Especially one with such a well-stocked larder." She hiccuped. "Oh, excuse me." "Actually," Harus cut Actinaea's acrid reply off, "That brings up an important subject." He looked around at the four. "Seeing as we're going in the same direction...would you be willing to act as guards for this caravan?" Actinaea opened her mouth. "For what manner of compensation?" Naga asked. "Well, room and board of course." Harus looked at Naga's frown and became slightly paler. "As well as several, uh, hundred gold Atlas coins." "OOOOOHOHOHOHOOO!!!" Mari winced. "Now we're getting somewhere!" Naga proclaimed, gesturing with a chicken leg. "I think there's an important question that needs to be asked first," Getehl said. "And if you don't mind, Harus-san...What exactly is this caravan transporting?" Harus smiled. "Ah, of course, how forgetful of me." He stood, walked to the curtain that served as the wagon's door, and poked his head out. "Girls, could you come here for a moment?" After a few seconds, he looked back at the four, and smiled broadly. "Ladies and gentleman, may I present...the cargo." He drew back the curtain with a theatrical flourish. Half a dozen beautiful young women in brief (yet casual) clothing entered the wagon, chattering amongst themselves. "I swear, these plains are drying out my skin." "Well, be glad we didn't go the desert route." "Hi Harus-san! Oh, who are our visitors?" "Hey, he's cute." "Wow, is she going to join us? I love that outfit, they really go for the S&M look in Saillune." Naga, at whom this last was directed, nearly fell over. Actinaea snickered. "So you're shipping prostitutes?" Mari asked. The conversation stopped dead as everyone looked at her. She blushed. "...what?" Getehl blinked. "Oh, that's right, she grew up in Singe." There were general 'ahs' and nods all around. "For your information," a brown-haired girl said primly, "we are *dancing girls*. We are most definitely not prostitutes--we are skilled performers. Obviously we're not in costume right at the moment, or it might have been clearer." "Or it might not," Mari muttered, pouting. "So are you here to join us?" a black-haired girl asked Naga. "Or, I guess, any of you?" She cast a critical eye over Actinaea and Mari. "Most certainly not!" Actinaea snapped. "For YOUR information, we are all powerful sorceresses hired to protect this caravan!" "OOOOOHOHOHOHO!!!" Naga laughed. "My flat-chested colleague is indeed correct. You have the honor of being in the presence of the great Naga, the White Serpent!" "Well, with that voice, if you can sing you'd be a hit." Naga nearly fell over again, and Mari stifled a giggle. "Be that as it may," Naga said, recovering, "we're here to protect you and your money from the depradations of unsavory elements." "Speaking of which," Actinaea said suddenly, "Does this job offer have anything to do with the fact that three of us are women?" "Actually, yes," Harus replied. "I'm always hesitant about hiring normal mercenaries with, ah, this sort of cargo. There are already three guards with us, but I'm not quite comfortable with them..." He looked around, then his eye fell on Getehl, who was gazing at the 'cargo' with a very happy smile indeed. Naga followed the trader's look. "Oh, don't worry about him," she said. "We'll be sure to keep Getehl-san under control." There was a gasp. "Getehl?" A brown-haired girl who looked a year or two more mature than the others pushed to the front. "Getehl!" she said, face lighting up. "It is you!" Getehl's rapt smile dissolved into a blink, and then a gape. He leaned forward in his chair. "Luanni?" "Yes!" The girl bounced forward and gave Getehl a quick hug. There were some envious-sounding mutters from the rest of the girls. "Wow, it's been so long! Were you in Atlas City? You should have come see me!" "...Aha. Yes, I suppose I should have." Getehl rubbed the back of his head. "Friend of yours?" Actinaea almost snapped. Getehl glanced over at her. "Well, we, ah, grew up together. Near Atlas City." "That's right. So you're a mercenary now?" Luanni studied Getehl's armor with a smile. "I'm not surprised. You were always talking about going out and seeing the world." "Yes, yes, fine," Actinaea said. "This is touching, really, but I think we should finish things up so some of us can get some sleep." She looked around at the companions. "Are we all agreed on taking Harus-san's offer?" Naga nodded vigorously, Getehl a bit less so, and Mari hesitantly. "Fine, then. Harus-san, can we have a room or something?" "Of course," Harus said. "Feel free to use this one, it's mostly storage anyway. There are extra blankets in that chest..." The dancing girls left, with many goodnights and pleasantries, and the rest of the crew started moving things around to make the wagon into a bedroom. "Come on, Getehl," Luanni said, tugging on his arm. "I want to introduce you to everyone!" "Er, but I--" Getehl looked around. "Oh, go on," Naga said, waving a hand negligently. "Yes, us girls will do fine without you," Actinaea snapped. Mari looked at her teacher with a small sweatdrop, and then waved to Getehl. "Goodnight, Getehl-san." "Uh, yeah. Goodnight..." Getehl was pulled out of the wagon by the giggling Luanni. Harus looked at the three sorceresses, and wisely decided not to say anything. ===== In another wagon, two hooded figures were having a hushed conversation. "Are you sure it's them?" the first asked. The second snorted. "You think I could mistake someone else for them?" "...Good point." They looked at another figure, curled in a pile of blankets and snoring gently. "We won't let him find out?" "I think he damn well better not." "Let's hope we can pull it off, then." The figures look at each other, and nodded. ===== Naga twirled the glass gently in her hand, watching the deep purple swirl inside, around and around. Then she heard a noise, and looked up to see Getehl drawing back the curtain to the wagon. "Evening, Naga-san," he said quietly. Naga nodded. "Have a nice time?" "Yeah. Well...we grew up together and haven't seen each other in years, so we caught up on stuff." He shrugged. "The others asleep?" Naga nodded. "Well, I suppose I'll do the same then..." "...Getehl." Getehl stopped, and looked at Naga. "Yes?" Naga watched her wine swirl for a few moments more. "Do you, well...that girl seemed to think that I could be..." She grimaced. "I think I know what you mean," Getehl said slowly. "You're wondering if, had life turned out differently...if there was someone exactly like you, could they make a living as an, entertainer?" "If there was someone like me, yes," Naga replied. "Who...took that path." "Well, that's an interesting question." Getehl leaned back against the wall. "I was talking to some of the girls tonight...and from what I understand, it's a good job, if you can get it. Except that you're still always following someone else's orders, about what to do, and when." He shook his head. "I don't think someone like you would want to lead a life like that. Or me." Naga raised an eyebrow. "But isn't being a mercenary all about following orders?" "Yes and no," Getehl replied. "If you take a job, you have to see it through. That's how it goes. But you never have to take a contract." He smiled. Naga sat still, for several long moments. "But if you got past that," Getehl said, "You are of course the beautiful and graceful White Serpent." He grinned. After a moment, Naga laughed (softly so as not to wake the others). "Oooohohoho. Of course you're right, Getehl-san." She drained her glass, and stood up from the table with just a bit of wobble. "And now, you should probably get some sleep so you're fresh for tomorrow." "Good idea, Naga-san," Getehl said, smiling. "Goodnight." "Goodnight." With a drawn-out, muffled thump, Naga collapsed into bed. After a moment a soft snore began to emanate from her direction. Getehl stood for a moment, thinking, and then walked to his own bed with a smile. ===== "You understand what we want? Be sure now." Harus looked at the man, and fingered the medallion around his neck. "Yes, yes of course. I don't want to make any trouble..." "Of course you don't. And you know, neither do I." And the man with red hair grinned. ===== The day dawned bright and clear. After breakfast and some minor chores, the wagons were once again hitched to the horses, and started being drawn across the plains at a leisurely pace. Naga stood near the entrance to the swaying wagon and stretched. "Ahhhh, another glorious day! Oh, hello Harus-san." "Good morning," Harus said, coming through the curtain with a smile. Mari waved, Actinaea spared Harus a glance, and Getehl nodded at the trader. "How are we all today?" "Fine," Naga said quickly, tossing her hair. "We're perfectly ready to defend your caravan against any and all threats." "Good," Harus said. "Because, well...it's not any of my business of course, but I was kind of wondering..." He looked at the sorceresses nervously. "Why an earthworm was giving you such trouble..." "Harus-san." Harus looked at Getehl, who gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head. After a moment, Harus' eyes widened, and Getehl gave a very small nod. The mage looked around at the assembled females even more nervously. "Well, as long as you can do what I have hired you to do..." "Of course, you need not worry when the White Serpent is here." Naga glared at Harus, who seemed to shrink a little. "Harus-san," Actinaea said suddenly. "Do you have notes on that Mipliss Lance spell? I think it would be useful, and also a good learning experience for Mariposa if you could teach it to us." "More studying?" Mari said, with just a trace of whine in her voice. "Yes," Actinaea said, throwing a teacherly glare at Mari. "Of course, of course," Harus said. Then his eyes got shifty. "Although perhaps if I were to provide such a thing, that could be considered part of your payment." "Fine, fine," Actinaea snapped. "We can work out the details later." "Actually I thought you might ask about that, so I brought some of the notes along." Harus handed a sheaf of papers over to Actinaea, who flipped through them expertly. "This is awful," she said, frowning. "Mari-chan, this is an example of how *not* to write down your spell notes." "Hai, sensei!" "Harus-san." Everyone turned to see a man in a gray hooded cloak enter the wagon. "Oh, of course, this is Daron," Harus said. "Doran." Harus grew a sweatdrop. "Of course, of course. Daron and Doran are twins, you see. They're two of the guards I mentioned yesterday." "There are bandits approaching," Doran said. Everyone stared at him. "They'll be here any moment. Come on." "Oh, great," Harus muttered. "Well, time to start earning your pay." "OOOOHOHOHOHOOO!!!" Naga boomed. "Bring them on!" "No, wait here," Harus replied. "I may be able to bluff them off." He left the wagon, leaving the sorceresses to murmur amongst themselves. Getehl, however, stood by himself, frowning. "Something about that guy," he muttered softly. ===== "So we can do this the easy way, or the hard way," the lead bandit drawled. "I know that's not really original, but why mess with the classics?" "We don't have anything of value," Harus said quickly. "We're simple travelers." The bandits laughed. "Oh, now that's just untrue," the leader said. "We happen to have heard from a very reliable source that you are transporting dancing girls of the very highest quality!" Harus cursed under his breath. "I have no idea what you're--hey! Girls!" The dancing girls assembled at the door of their wagon, looking at the bandits. "Ew! They're all messy and dirty!" "Good muscle definition, though." "Oh, I can't believe you said that. They're pigs!" "I like the gentle guys more anyway." The bandits hooted and whistled, as their leader grinned. "Well, that's even better than we expected." "Now look, uh--" "Regnar." "Yes, uh, Regnar-san, maybe we can come to an arrangement--" "OOOOOHOHOHOHOOO!!!" All eyes turned to Naga, who stepped out from the wagon door. The bandits broke into a spontaneous ovation. "Damn! Now *that's* a woman!" "Hey babe! I've been a bad boy!" "That's the biggest--" "I'm impressed by the quality of your wares, Harus-san," Regnar leered. "...QUIET!" Naga yelled. Silence fell. "I am no mere entertainer! While my grace and beauty are unparalleled, I am in fact the incomparable black sorceress, Naga the White Serpent!" "...white...Serpent?!?" All eyes turned to Daron and Doran, standing over by another wagon, who had been joined by a hunched figure in a stained gray cloak. Naga blinked. "White...SERPENT?!?" "Yes, that's right, White Serpent." Naga put her hands on her hips. "Have we met?" A demented giggle was heard. "At last. Who would have thought...now, finally I can have my revenge! On the WHITE SERPENT!" The old man tore off his cloak to reveal a grizzled face, hardened by years on the sea. Mari poked her head out of the wagon. "Hey, it's that ship captain!" "Aw, shit," one of the twins muttered. "Hey, don't forget about me," Regnar said, sounding annoyed. ===== Torr rolled his eyes. "What the hell? It's like they just attract trouble." He sighed. "Well, I guess that means you'll have to take over." He gave the giant earthworm a kick in the side, and it dove into the earth with an inverbetrate yell. ===== To be continued... ===== Author's note Hey, I think that chapter actually turned out better than I thought it would. (Take that, Woofer!) Anyway, I apologize for the shortness/lateness of this chapter, but this week has been hectic for me. At least I got it finished. I'd like to thank Ardweden for being encouraging, and also Todd for his repeated offers to help even if I didn't really take him up on them. In all seriousness, I'd just like to say that he's a cool guy. ^_^ John Evans johne@mit.edu 1/22/00 Beware the Radish http://btradish.tripod.com/