Last time on The Starburst Crystal:
 

The three adults stood in the back of the inn, staring at a rock shining bright 
green far in the back of the kitchen.

Mr. Heath cleared his throat.  "You know, we'll have to tell them. And I don't 
know if we can turn them away, but the inn... we've had it for so long, I don't 
want to see it fall apart."

His wife nodded, and tended to the refreshments.  "Yes, dear, but for now, let's 
just enjoy their company.  They're quite delightful people, I'd say, and they 
certainly don't mean us any harm."  She bit her lip, trying to sound cheerful.

The old man looked up from the shard to his family.  "Whether or not they mean 
to, they will.  They'll have to.  That shard's our power, and without it, we 
leave. And they'll take it, and leave us.  So much for our lives.  There's just 
nothing we can do."  He spoke softly, a monotone without bitterness.

Mrs. Heath cleared her throat.  "Let's just see what they have to say first. It 
could all be a misunderstanding."  She bustled out of the room with the tray, 
and her booming voice could be heard well beyond the door.  The men stayed 
behind, staring at their shard in quiet contemplation.




Starburst Crystal: Legend 32 - You Make Me Mad
	Written by Nathan
	Created by Ardweden
 



Once again, Tsugiko and Kyouji stood in a field.  She did not know why, but she 
was certain that he would be leaving with Yumi, on...an errand, she thought.  
But Kyouji needed to talk with Tsugiko before he left.

An awkward silence passed as the Warrior Priestess and the Knight Protector 
stood facing each other.   Neither made eye contact.  Tsugiko waited, hoping.

Kyouji squared his jaw, and exhaled hard.  "Since we're both here, I thought I'd 
tell you.  I know I shouldn't keep her waiting, and maybe this still isn't the 
right time, but I don't want to wait any longer than I have to, now. Tsugiko, 
I..."  He paused, and ran his hands through his hair. He gulped in a lungful of 
air, blew it out, and looked her in the eyes.  "For all you've been, since 
you've been here, with me, I love you.  Really.  You." He blushed, and smiled 
his same, self-confident smile.

Tsugiko's head swam. He said it.  That he loved her.  Really. After all this 
time, with all the time she'd spent worrying about Yumi, about Twizzler, he'd 
chosen her.  Right out of the blue. 

He walked to the edge of the field, then turned back.  "Look, Tsugiko.  You 
don't have to believe me now.  Maybe you do have reason to distrust me. But I do 
love you, and I'll prove it.  From now on, you'll see."  

Tsugiko pursed her lips.  "What about Yumi?"  She sighed and bowed her head, 
shoulders slumping.  "You've given her more attention, ever since Tokyo Tower."

Strong arms surrounded her, and Tsugiko almost swooned as Kyouji pulled her 
close.  "No longer.  I choose you, Tsugiko...-chan."  She sighed, resting her 
head against his chest.  A bright smile graced her face.  She closed her eyes, 
and everything faded into a beautiful white light.

Tsugiko sat up in bed and sighed.  Maybe next time, it would go that way, she 
thought.  The problem with confessing one's love, however, is that it only 
happens once, and she yelled at Kyouji.  Granted, he deserved it, but what if 
she drove him away, straight into Yumi's arms?  She bit the inside of her lip, 
and pushed the thought from her mind.

While a quick look at the window revealed that morning had broken, the 
grandfather clock in the hallway chimed seven times.  Tsugiko smiled, thankful 
that she could sleep in, a luxury unknown on the road.  The call of an actual 
bed with warm sheets was so great, Tsugiko and Yumi never had a chance to talk 
before she fell asleep.  She shrugged.  Although she needed to talk to Yumi 
about Kyouji, it was not a conversation she welcomed.  She glanced over at her 
sleeping roommate.  As long as Yumi still slept, Tsugiko might as well join her.

Tsugiko lay in bed, soaking in the warmth she had been denied over the last few 
days.   A wide smile brightened her face.  After the inescapable chill of the 
last couple days, curling up in a thick blanket on a nice fluffy bed was the 
epitome of perfection.  She rolled over and closed her eyes.

...scratch scratch scratch scratch scratch...

Tsugiko groaned, burying her head under a pillow.  The scratching continued in a 
feline version of Chinese water torture.

"Stop it, Kit Kat.  Go bug Yumi," she groaned, curling into a tight ball.  The 
scratching stopped, only to be replaced by a tumbling run.  After what seemed 
like a ten-kilometer dash run in the confines of the inn room, Kit Kat settled 
down.  Tsugiko had just begun to relax when the sound of claws against a wooden 
bedpost resumed.  She rolled over, glowering at the cat-ferret.

Kit Kat leapt up and fell.  The bed was too tall for him.  He leapt again, and 
again until Tsugiko wanted to throw the cat-ferret out of the nearest window.  
Instead, she picked up Kit Kat, setting him on the bed.

"Happy?" Tsugiko asked.

Kit Kat jumped off.

Tsugiko groaned.  "Yumi, Kit Kat needs walking."  To Tsugiko's annoyance, a 
light snore answered her.  "How the hell could Miss Perfect sleep through that?" 
she muttered to herself.

Kit Kat leapt at the bed again.

"All right, I'm coming," Tsugiko snarled.  She slid out of bed, dressing 
rapidly.  She threw open the bedroom door.  "Okay.  Let's go."

Kit Kat dashed between her legs and down the hall.

"Wait!" Tsugiko called out, chasing the cat-ferret down the stairs, stumbling 
once in her mad dash.

Kit Kat waited at the foot of the stairs until Tsugiko had descended, before 
sprinting into the common room.  To Tsugiko's relief, the room was empty.  No 
one would see her chase after some annoying animal that woke her up just to dash 
into the kitchens for a pre-breakfast snack.

Tsugiko's stomach growled.  Maybe the furball had the right idea.  Certainly no 
one would mind if she grabbed a bite to eat.  Perhaps after Kit Kat ate, Tsugiko 
could go back to bed.  After casting nervous glances towards to four corners of 
the room, she slipped into the kitchen.

The kitchen appeared as Tsugiko expected.  Although she could not have guessed 
the physical layout, the utensils, pots, and herbs hanging from pegs mounted on 
the walls brought an air of familiarity sometimes lacking from the rest of Mars.  
Not a dirty dish could be found in the tidy stacks lining the counter next to 
the basin.  Large doors and cupboards lined another wall, presumably leading to 
the icebox and pantry.  Off in the far corner, a stone oven stood, its fire 
extinguished.  No firewood could be seen next stacked next to the oven.  She 
wondered if it could be fueled by magic.

"Gika gi gi," Kit Kat mewed.

Tsugiko's attention shifted to the cat-ferret.  "Okay, okay.  I'll feed you," 
she groaned, cursing the day she met the cat-ferret, as all animal owners are 
occasionally wont to do.  "Eh?"

Instead of scratching at a food cabinet, Kat Kat bounced in front of the mantel.  
A faint green glow sat on the wooden beam.  Tsugiko's eyes narrowed and she drew 
closer.  She saw an occluded green crystal the size of her thumb imbedded in 
polished black granite.  The glow emanated from the crystal seemed to be pulled 
into the granite base.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Tsugiko protested as Kit Kat climbed up her body, 
then leapt to the mantel.  Tsugiko breathed a relieved sigh.  Kit Kat had 
managed not to disturb the other decorations placed on the mantel.

Kit Kat pawed at the crystal.  Instantly, a pale white dodecahedral barrier 
shimmered into existence.  White flowed into gold, then an incandescent bolt 
lashed into Kit Kat.  The cat-ferret flew from the mantel, crashing into the 
floor.  

"Are you okay?" Tsugiko asked, as she scooped the animal into her arms.  Kit Kat 
squirmed, then settled against Tsugiko's body.  The cat-ferret hissed at the 
crystal with dodecahedral barrier intact.  Suddenly, the gold faded to white and 
the barrier snapped out of existence.  "What is that?"

"Oh, Grandpa found that twenty years ago, or so he says," a child's voice rang 
out.

Tsugiko jumped and shrieked.

"Don't you know you're not supposed to be in the kitchens?  Mama'll get mad."

"I'll tell you a story if you don't tell her," Tsugiko said.

"Two stories!"

"Okay," she answered.  "Say, Skor, hasn't this inn been here for five hundred 
years?"

The youth grabbed hold of Tsugiko's hand and pulled her from the kitchen.  "So 
Grandpa says."

"How has it been able to stand so long?"

Skor shrugged.  "Grandpa knows.  He knows all the really neat stuff.  Too bad he 
won't share it with me."  He pouted.

"Maybe he's just waiting for you to get old enough."

Skor shrugged.  "Now remember, you said you'd tell me three stories." 

"I thought it was two," Tsugiko said.

"Mother!"

"Three, three then," Tsugiko blurted out.  

"Never mind."  The young boy bounced out of the room.

Tsugiko laughed nervously, then trudged back to her room, where, much to her 
dismay, Yumi still slept peacefully.  Tsugiko slid into bed, taking care not to 
disturb her roommate.  The green priestess sighed, and shook her head.  That kid 
would be a terror when he grew up.  

She sighed, and made herself comfortable between the thick sheets.  Her eyes 
closed, Tsugiko drifted towards sleep.

...scratch scratch scratch scratch scratch...


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


The grandfather clock chimed twelve.

Kyouji rolled over, blinked his eyes twice, and sat up.  After throwing enough 
clothes on to be considered decent, he left the room for the bath located at the 
end of the hall.  A quick knock, however, revealed that Tsugiko was currently 
soaking away her cares and that the door would remain locked for quite some 
time.

The Knight Protector shrugged and walked downstairs to the common room.  After 
greeting Mrs. Heath, he sat down to the sandwich and water Mrs. Heath had placed 
before him.

A flicker of movement in the corner of his eye caught Kyouji's eye.  He turned 
his head, nearly choking on his drink.

An angel had entered the room.

"Good morning, Yumi," Kyouji said.  He tried his best not to stare.  Yumi 
practically glowed in the sunlight.  The full extent of her beauty had been 
masked by the dirt and grime accumulated by days of travel.  Kyouji reckoned 
that she surpassed the first vision of loveliness he had seen back by the Tokyo 
Tower vending machine.  "How are you?"

Yumi smiled and sat down next to Kyouji.  He caught the faint hint of a sweet 
perfume when she drew close.  "Great.  I'm glad we came here.  It feels like a 
vacation, especially after the last few days."

"You look great," Kyouji blurted out.  He winced.  The suave Kyouji seemed to 
have stayed behind in Japan, the lucky bastard.

Somewhere, in whatever corner of his mind she occupied, Teru snickered.

Yumi's smile grew brighter, and a faint rose crept into her cheeks.  "Thank you, 
Kyouji-san."

Kyouji's heart melted.

"How was your morning, Kyouji-san?"

Kyouji struggled to find his voice.  "Fine, just fine.  I guess I slept in."  He 
laughed nervously.

Yumi nodded.  "We don't get too many chances to relax these days."  Mrs. Heath 
handed Yumi a clay mug and a sandwich on a plate.  "Thank you."

They ate in silence.  Kyouji found himself overwhelmed by Yumi's presence, while 
Yumi seemed to be content being near him, or so it seemed to Kyouji.  Her smile 
had not faded once throughout the meal.

"So, seen Tsugiko?" Kyouji asked after draining his mug.

Yumi's smile became strained.  "She's still upstairs."  She looked around and 
lowered her voice.  "She said she found something in the kitchen."

Kyouji made a face and pushed his plate away.  He vaguely took note of Mrs. 
Heath's glare.  "What was she doing there?" he asked, lowering his voice to 
match Yumi's.

"Chasing Kit Kat," Yumi said.

"So why the secrecy?" Kyouji asked.

Yumi signaled with her eyes to look down.  Kyouji followed her gaze, not quite 
resisting the urge to check the Warrior Priestess out, but making sure his eyes 
did not linger.  He saw Yumi's hand slide out of a pouch tied about her waist, 
holding a deep-red crystal momentarily before it vanished back inside the pouch.

"Why are we whispering like this?  We've never hid our search for the crystal 
shards from anyone," Kyouji said.

"Tsugiko said that the crystal shocked Kit Kat," Yumi whispered.

"Ah, isn't that sweet.  Young lovers whispering sweet nothings to each other," 
Mrs. Heath said as she passed by, taking the empty plates with her.

Yumi and Kyouji jumped, turned away from each other.  Kyouji could not see for 
certain, but he assumed that Yumi's face burned as crimson as his own.  Mrs. 
Heath chuckled as she disappeared into the kitchen.

"I...better check on Tsugiko-chan," Yumi said demurely.  She slid off her seat 
and walked away.  Kyouji stared at her retreating form until a sideward glance 
caught Mrs. Heath chuckling to herself.  Kyouji's face reddened further.  
Suddenly, his drink became more interesting.

After his face returned to its normal hue, Kyouji excused himself.  After a 
quick visit to his room, he entered the courtyard carrying his newly acquired 
sword.

He examined the blade.  It was heavier than the blade Twizzler had stolen, 
longer too and less ornamented.  Kyouji saw where the blade had been notched and 
the previous owner had attempted to smooth out the blade.  While Kyouji's 
knowledge of the sword was limited, he could still tell that this blade was 
inferior to his first.  However, it was the only weapon he owned.

Kyouji settled into an opening stance Teru had taught him.  The sword was too 
heavy to wield effectively with one hand, so Kyouji made the needed adjustments.  
As he began the awkward process of acclimating himself to a new weapon, he 
wished that had never lost his first one to Twizzler.

Twizzler.  Kyouji sighed between deep breaths.  It had come as a complete 
surprise that she had been working for Wintergreen.  However, in hindsight, he 
wondered how he missed the warning signs.  Twizzler's repeated attempts to kill 
or maim Tsugiko, her insistence that Kyouji run away with her, and her attempts 
to keep them away from Wonka should have tipped him off, especially with the 
Knight Protector's added sense.

How could something that beautiful be so evil?  Kyouji had always imagined that 
evil would be ugly, sickening.  Yet, as portions of his anatomy reminded him, 
Kyouji had been attracted to Twizzler at a base level.  She was beautiful and in 
love with him, or so she said.

Was her love a mere ploy, or did she feel something genuine for him?  Again, a 
question without an answer.  He shook his head.  Like it mattered.  She was 
still out there, and she wanted to kill Tsugiko.  Protecting Tsugiko was more 
important than indulging in some idealistic redemption fantasy.

His forms increased in tempo.  Not that he had been doing a great job protecting 
the girls.  He laughed bitterly.  That fake Wintergreen did not need to make her 
pronouncement.  The way events were unfolding, the girls would get hurt long 
before they would have a chance to fall by his hand.  How could he have let 
Twizzler stay with them for so long?  

If he were a better protector, Winis would not have died and Tsugiko's crystal 
would have never been cracked.  Thank Mars that the latter had been fixed.  Now 
all they needed to concentrate on was obtaining the crystals.

Kyouji stopped in mid-slash and stared at the Shining Rock's sign.  He was 
wasting time.  Tsugiko said that the crystal was located in the kitchen.  There 
was a barrier to worry about, true, but he was sure they could find a way around 
that without getting shocked too badly.  He sheathed his sword, and entered the 
inn.

The common room was empty.  Kyouji walked to the kitchen door and stopped, 
staring at it.  He had no illusions as to whether he would take the crystal at 
this time.  If Yumi was right, and the crystal was protected, Kyouji doubted he 
could do much to free the crystal without a nasty surprise or two.  Besides, if 
it was protected, the crystal must belong to the Heaths, and Kyouji was loath to 
steal.  However, while Kyouji trusted Tsugiko and Yumi, there was still no 
confirmation as to whether the crystal in the kitchen was a Starburst Crystal 
shard.  It would not hurt to check.  He placed a hand upon the door. 

"Kyouji, I was looking for you," an aged voice said from behind.

Kyouji jumped and spun around.  Mr. Heath's father stood before him, a glaring 
scowl upon his face.  "I...I was just going to get a snack."

The old man frowned.  "You can still eat after one of my daughter-in-law's 
massive meals?"

"I only had a sandwich for lunch," Kyouji said.

Mr. Heath's father stared at Kyouji for a heartbeat.  "I guess so.  Would you 
come with me, please?  Please don't begrudge an old man his company."

"Sure," Kyouji said, confused.

"Please, call me 'Toffee,'" he said.  Motioning for Kyouji to follow, the old 
man walked towards a small door in the corner of the common room.  Kyouji dashed 
forward, opened the door, and held it open for Toffee.

The room, little more than a closet, was dark and cramped, even though only a 
table and two chairs stood inside.  A tea set and candles rested upon the table.  
Toffee lit candles before he sat down.  "Sit, sit down.  Would you like some 
tea?"

Kyouji declined, taking the seat across from the old man.

"I would advise you to stay out of the kitchen," Toffee said, pouring a cup of 
tea.

"Oh?"  Kyouji said, fidgeting.

"My daughter-in-law does not like people sneaking in.  As I said, she serves 
enough food during meals to last a workingman all day.  Besides, she's 
protective of the silver," he said between sips of tea.  His eyes narrowed.  "If 
she catches you, she'll think you are a thief."  He emphasized the last word.

Kyouji squirmed in his seat.  "It wasn't like that..."

"I know why you are here," Toffee said, placing his cup on the table.  "Let me 
tell you about this inn."

The Knight Protector waited patiently, watching as Toffee spooned sugar into his 
tea.

"My family has owned this inn for five hundred years.  At the beginning, this 
land was prosperous, and we had no problem surviving here.  But the weather 
turned, and the trees died off, leaving the Aeros like they are today.  My 
family used what they could to keep warm, but it became increasingly difficult 
to find wood to burn.  We were ready to close when my own great-great-
grandfather came upon a series of spells that supplied warmth and repaired the 
inn.  The secret was passed from father to son, and our inn survived, even 
thrived, here during the changes.

"However, twenty years ago, in my treks across the Aeros for trading goods and 
supplies, I came upon a crystal that glowed bright green.  Knowing that it was 
magical, I brought it home and found out that it could sustain the inn better 
than any of my family spells.  So I bound the inn to the stone, and my family 
and I have lived in relative comfort and security ever since.  But in that time, 
the original spells were forgotten through disuse.

"Without the crystal, the inn will die?" Kyouji asked, subdued.  Toffee just 
nodded and sipped his tea.  "Is there any other way?"

"None.  I have seen it," Toffee said.

Kyouji frowned.  "I don't understand."

"Not all of my family secrets are lost.  I can, through certain arts, peer into 
the future.  It is how I know that without the rock, the inn is doomed.  I've 
also seen other things, including..." Toffee said.  His eyes narrowed, gazing 
into some distant corner of the room.  The old man sighed, then drained his tea.  
Staring at the cup, he swirled it for a minute, then upended the contents onto 
the nearest saucer.

Kyouji frowned "What-" 

Toffee held his hand up and shook his head.  

Kyouji watched nervously as Toffee flipped the cup back over, examining the 
inside with intent focus.  He frowned, and reached for the nearest candle.  With 
the brighter light, he reexamined the contents.  After a mournful sigh, Toffee 
set it on the table, covering the mouth of the cup with one hand.  He bowed his 
head and closed his eyes.  Kyouji watched the old man take deep breaths.  
Somehow, he figured, this would not be good.

Toffee's eyes opened, and he spoke in a low rhythmic chant.  "We on Mars believe 
in the planet, but there is more than just the planet that affects us.

"In the time before time, Mars shaped the world so that it would support life.  
Prior to that time, nothing lived on the planet's surface.  So Mars created 
life.  At first, each creature could decide its own path, but after humans were 
created, the surface of the planet became too chaotic, disturbing Mars' rest.  

"Rather than wipe humanity out, Mars created a wheel upon which the lives of all 
who lived and would live were marked.  In this way would order return to the 
planet's surface.  Each person's fate is inscribed on the wheel.  With each 
turn, the person would be born, live, die, and be reborn according to the paths 
inscribed upon the wheel, called Time.

"But before the wheel was finished, Mars decreed that any creature that broke 
from the path ordained for it would bring disaster and catastrophe upon itself, 
lest the chaos return.  Such has it been from when the wheel first spun, and 
such will it be for eternity."

Kyouji blinked.  For some reason, the idea sounded familiar, yet he failed to 
see what it had to with him.  His dread grew.

"You, Knight Protector, by virtue of your gender, have broken the pattern set 
down from the time before Time.  In no record has there ever been a male Warrior 
Priest or Knight Protector, only Priestesses.   I fear for you, and the fate you 
are doomed to take."

"And what's that?" Kyouji snapped.  Wintergreen's prophecy echoed in his mind as 
he spoke, filling his heart with dread.

Toffee lifted his hand from the cup, and looked again.  "Tragedy."

Kyouji stood up, nearly knocking his chair over.  "Nothing is going to happen to 
Tsugiko, to Yumi, or to me.  Especially not because some leaves stuck to the 
inside of a cup say so.  Got that?!"

Toffee merely shrugged and wiped the inside of the cup.  "If it were up to me, I 
would spare you what you are about to go through.  But you must remember, all 
actions have consequences, intended and unintended-"

"I didn't come here to be lectured," Kyouji said.  He spun around and stormed 
towards the door. 

Toffee cleared his throat.  "One last thing."  

Kyouji looked over his shoulder, one hand on an open door.

"Please remember to stay out of the kitchen."

Kyouji took great pleasure in slamming the door.


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


Riesen shivered as he trudged along the rock-lined road.  Why any person would 
make a home up in the Aero Mountains was beyond him.  Never had he seen a more 
barren place, at least, due to natural causes.  A slight smirk crossed his face.  
This place deserved to be leveled.

However, fantasies could not keep a man warm, and the cold seeped through the 
fur-lined coat wrapped tightly about his body.  At least an unusual sign of a 
green rock embedded within a black rock could be seen.  A few more minutes, and 
Riesen could warm himself with tea and soup.  He consoled himself in the lack of 
snow.

The wind picked up, and the first white flakes fell.  Riesen cursed under his 
breath.  Mars had such a sick sense of humor.  At least the troops in the pass 
were better prepared for the cold.  The master took care of his tools, 
especially those who would have to wait for days in readiness.

First, though, Riesen wanted to add to the mixture of distrust brewing among the 
Crystal Warriors.  It would be risky, but not as risky as impersonating Kyouji.  
But first, he had to get to the Shining Rock without freezing.

At last, after interminable time in the piercing cold, the inn appeared on the 
horizon.  Riesen breathed a quick thanks, and plodded towards the inn, driven by 
thoughts of fire and heat.

The door opened before he was halfway, and a child sprinted out, offering a 
steaming cup.  Riesen sipped at the drink, then fished out a small coin from his 
money pouch.  The lad accepted it, then ran back into the inn.  The gesture and 
the tea warmed Riesen's heart.  At least hospitality was still in practice, even 
in some frigid backwater mountain range.

He walked through the door, into blessed warmth.  After dropping his pack by the 
door, Riesen slid two gild on the innkeeper's desk.  He introduced himself as 
"Cadbury."  After biting the coins, the manager, one Mr. Heath, handed him a 
key.  Riesen nodded and slipped his coat onto the peg of a nearby coat rack.  He 
turned towards the stairs.

"Why don't you come into the common room and enjoy a nice hot meal before you 
retire for the evening?" Mr. Heath asked.

Riesen nodded and allowed himself to be led into the common room.

"Would you like a table with the other guests?" Mr. Heath asked.  As he spoke, 
he signaled to his wife, who nodded and vanished inside the kitchen.  

"No, I'm tired.  I think I'd rather keep my own company tonight," Riesen said.  
He stifled a yawn as he spoke.  It was his practice to find a corner and watch 
before entering any conversations in a tavern or inn.

"Very well, Mr. Cadbury," Mr. Heath said.  He motioned towards a table near the 
kitchen door, yet separate from the other guests.  

Riesen nodded and handed Mr. Heath a one-gild piece.  The innkeeper bowed 
politely before walking away.  Wintergreen's lieutenant sat at his assigned 
place and allowed his eyes to examine the common room.

As he had expected, the Crystal Warriors sat together.  Kyouji ate quickly, with 
occasional glances to the girls at either side.  Occasionally, Yumi and Tsugiko 
would speak, but the conversation never lasted long.  Each girl would flash 
Kyouji a warm expression when Kyouji and the other had their heads turned, but 
nervously glance at her rival.  Riesen rolled his eyes.  His seeds had not borne 
fruit.  Apparently, neither girl had let slip "Kyouji's" conversation with her, 
and for all Yumi's concern for Tsugiko, Riesen marveled that she had not spoken 
with her friend.

He leered at Yumi for a moment before returning to character.  If his visit to 
the inn had not been on official business...

Regardless of the current situation, Riesen trusted his abilities.  Kyouji's 
"secret" would not remain hidden much longer, and, knowing the Crystal Warriors 
from personal experience and Twizzler's reports, he expected fireworks upon its 
discovery.  Of course, he had a little something extra to add to the mix.

"Gika!"  Anger and panic flashed through Riesen's soul, masked only by his 
expert training.  His eyes searched for the infernal creature who stole the 
Cherry Shard and lured him into a Trident ambush.  To his amusement, the orange 
and green cat-ferret ran away from an enthusiastic boy, who delighted in chasing 
it.  The cat-ferret, Kit Kat, if he remembered correctly, yowled as it strove to 
outrun the young boy, probably the innkeeper's son.

"Skor, leave Kit Kat alone," a large, yet muscular, woman called out as she 
emerged from the kitchen.  She walked over to both tables in turn, delivering a 
loaf of hot bread to each.  Riesen smiled and thanked her as she passed by.

"Care to join us, Mrs. Heath?" Yumi asked.

"Don't mind if I do.  Besides, Mr. Heath's working on our other guest's meal," 
she said as she sat down.  Three heads turned towards him.  Riesen waited with 
indrawn breath for any sign of recognition.

"Mrs. Heath, how well do you know the surrounding area?" Kyouji asked.  He set 
down his silverware on an empty plate.

"Lad, I grew up here," she laughed.  "What is it you wish to know?"

"What's it like in Wintergreen's lands?"  Amused, Riesen's ears perked up.

Mrs. Heath sighed, her eyes flickering around the room.  "Wintergreen's 
dominion...I cannot begin to describe it.  The fiend ruins the lands she 
conquers.  In some areas, civilizations itself has broken down, as people band 
together under petty chieftains to compete for diminishing supplies of food and 
water.  In these lands, Wintergreen has no need for conscription, as people 
flock to her banners for a better life.  Better the barracks than to worry about 
finding enough food each day.  Life under Wintergreen is nasty, brutish, and 
short.  Such is our fate if she is not stopped," she said.  Her hands darted 
about her, warding off evil in complicated gestures.  Riesen chuckled.  It would 
take more than a hand gesture to scare him out of the inn.

"I don't see why anyone would fight for someone so evil," Yumi said.  

"The brutality of war and a soldier's life can provide them a better life than 
what they know.  I will not tell you of what I've heard," she said, pointing 
towards Skor and shaking her head.  "Some things you don't need to know.  But 
think of it this way.  Would you not fight if it meant steady meals, shelter, 
and honor that your present life lacked?"

Mr. Heath placed a large plate piled with food on the table in front of Riesen.  
"Say, do you know who they are?" Riesen asked, pointing towards the Crystal 
Warriors.

"We think they might be the Warrior Priestesses," Mr. Heath said.  He kept his 
voice down.

"You sure?"

"The crystals in their forehead are a give-away."

Riesen shook his head.  "Aren't the priestesses supposed to be female?  And 
why's the one wearing one of Wintergreen's uniforms?"

Mr. Heath's eyes narrowed as he looked at the Crystal Warriors.  "Good point."

"I have heard rumors of some of Wintergreen's followers.  The nastiest involve a 
woman named Twizzler, a foul-tempered woman capable of anything."

Mr. Heath nodded sagely.  "It is something to consider."  He walked over to his 
wife and tapped her on the shoulder.  Both Heaths disappeared into the kitchen.

Riesen suppressed a snicker as he ate.  If Twizzler knew that people were 
confusing Tusgiko for her, she would explode.  Maybe he should stop by the 
palace soon and tell her, just to see the expression on her demonic little face.

"Kaaa..." a small and annoying creature hissed at his feet.  Riesen groaned and 
spotted Skor in the corner of his eye.  A wry grin crossed his face as he aimed 
a powerful kick into Kit Kat's side.  The cat-ferret flew out from under the 
table, sliding to a stop at Skor's feet.  The boy scooped up Kit Kat and ran out 
of the room, carrying a squirming, yowling cat-ferret with him.  Riesen smiled, 
chortling under his breath.  

"Greetings, friend," Toffee said by way of ritual greeting as he sat down in 
front of Riesen.

"Greetings," Riesen answered.  He pointed towards the Crystal Warriors.  "Do you 
know much about the people at that table.  The innkeeper and I just had an 
interesting discussion about them, and I wish to learn more."

"Indeed, I had a most interesting discussion with the young man this afternoon," 
Toffee replied.

"Could you tell me more?"

Toffee shook his head.  "I would think you would learn more from the Warrior 
Priestesses themselves."

Riesen sighed, then leaned towards Toffee.  "I'm loath to talk to anyone wearing 
Wintergreen's uniform.  Besides, you seem to be a skilled judge of character.  
Could you not tell me what your impressions are?"

"Very well," Toffee answered, beginning a conversation that would last for 
hours.


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


Yumi sat on her bed, brushing her hair with even strokes.  She stared out the 
window.  The view of the night sky was amazing, far more beautiful than in 
Japan.  Idly, her mind ascribed it to the lack of streetlights and other sources 
of light pollution.  She laughed.  A few months and who knew how many light 
years away from home, and she still thought as if Okubo-sensei's pop quizzes 
were around the corner.  Her friends would probably laugh if they knew.

Yumi sighed.  Her friends would probably love the chance to live out the magical 
girl fantasy.  They did not know that Yumi spent most of her time on Mars 
hungry, cold, and wondering whether something would leap out from behind the 
next tree, rock, house, etc..  Nor did her friends in Japan realize how much she 
missed home.  Somehow, the pressures of school paled against the need to save an 
entire planet.

Kyouji had sought Yumi and Tsugiko after his discussion with Toffee.  Yumi 
sighed again.  That had been an exercise in frustration.  She knew Kyouji was 
holding something back, just from the way his smile did not reach his eyes.  
Tsugiko could not quite meet Yumi's gaze.  Yumi remembered that her roommate 
said she needed to talk, but both girls had revelled in the relative luxury of 
the inn.  Yumi, too, needed to talk with Tsugiko about Kyouji.  It was awkward 
keeping Kyouji's confession from her best friend, but she knew it was necessary.  
Without preparation and careful discussion, Tsugiko would probably end up hating 
her.  Yumi had seen her relationship with Tsugiko grow, and she did not want to 
hurt the other Warrior Priestess again.

But as complicated as the love triangle could get, it paled compared to the 
headaches inflicted by their search for the crystal shards.  According to 
Kyouji, the Heaths depended on the crystal to sustain the inn.  As Warrior 
Priestesses, Yumi, Kyouji, and Tsugiko needed the crystal to defeat Wintergreen.  
Someone would suffer.

Yumi sighed.  There had to be something she was missing, some way to get the 
crystal without dooming the Heaths and the inn.  She knew that Kyouji said that 
Toffee thought that the inn's closing was inevitable, but she refused to believe 
in fate, especially after her conversation with Akie.

For the first time she could remember, Yumi wished that Patty journeyed with 
them.  She had lived on Mars since the time of the first Warrior Priestesses, 
and had collected the lore of many cultures.  Certainly, the friend of the 
previous Warrior Priestesses would know how to help the Heaths, if Yumi knew how 
to get in touch with her. 

The door opened.

"Hello, Tsugiko-chan," Yumi said without turning around.

Tsugiko yawned.  "I'm surprised I can move after that last meal."

Yumi turned around.  "Really, I wouldn't be complaining-"  She winced as she 
brushed out a tangle.

Tsugiko smiled wryly.  "Who said I was?"

Yumi laughed even as her eyes narrowed.   Something was missing.  "Where's Kit 
Kat?" Yumi asked between brush strokes.  "Is he with Kyouji?"

"Nah, Kyouji didn't want the furball in the same room.  Skor, on the other hand, 
well, we'll see if Kit Kat can survive smothering," Tsugiko laughed.  "Trust me, 
the two of them deserve each other."

"Tsugiko-chan!" Yumi said.

Tsugiko shrugged.  "What?  After this morning, the furball's lucky he's not 
sleeping outside."  She stared at Yumi.  "What's wrong?"

Yumi sighed, placing her brush on the nightstand.  "It's not fair," Yumi said.  
Her shoulders slumped.

Tsugiko sat down next to Yumi.  "The Heaths?"

Yumi nodded.  "It doesn't seem right to take the crystal away."

Tsugiko rolled her eyes.  "It's not like we're stealing it, Yumi.  We haven't 
even asked for it yet."

"Evrything they know is bound to the crystal.  The inn, their prosperity, their 
family...It doesn't seem fair."

"So an entire planet dies because we leave the crystal here?"

"Tsugiko-chan!" Yumi said, shocked.  "How can you be so cold about this?"

"Because that's going to happen if they keep the crystal.  Yumi, you've heard 
the stories.  The Warrior Priestesses could not defeat Wintergreen.  You even 
saw that firsthand.  The Starburst Crystal is the planet's only chance, our 
only chance.  You do realize that?"

"These people will die," Yumi said.

"The inn will die, Yumi.  Nothing lasts forever."

"Maybe I can contact Patty.  Perhaps she'd know-"

"Meanwhile, we wait here for a reply, while Wintergreen brings suffering and 
death to hundreds each day," Tsugiko snapped.

"So you would sacrifice the Heaths' happiness?"

"Yes."  Tsugiko sighed.  "I don't like it, Yumi, but it's necessary.  Their 
sacrifice will buy many people a better life."

"There has to be a better way," Yumi repeated.  "We're priestesses.  We're 
supposed to find a better way.  We're not trying hard enough."

"We need that crystal."

"We're priestesses.  These people are as much our responsibility as defeating 
Wintergreen is."

"I know that," Tsugiko snapped.  "As much as Mars is not my real home, I do care 
what happens to it.  If Mars is safe, we can go home."

"You're being selfish."

"I'm being realistic, Yumi.  Yes, I admit by taking the crystal, we hurt the 
Heaths.  But by doing it we can prevent a greater evil."

"And I still think there's a way to prevent that evil without hurting the Heaths 
in the process."

The girls stared at each other.  Tsugiko closed her eyes, taking deep breaths.  
She opened her eyes and looked into Yumi's.  "This is the quickest and easiest 
way."

Yumi wanted to scream.  How come Tsugiko could not see that the Heaths needed 
the crystal shard?  It would be wrong to take it, at least not with replacing it 
with another method of supplying their needs.  She had tried her best to 
persuade Tsugiko with emotion and logic, but to no avail.   Then, Yumi 
understood.

"This isn't about me, it's about Kyouji-san confessing to me."  The words 
slipped from Yumi's mouth without her realizing it, much to her regret. 

Tsugiko blanched.  Her mouth open, as though she were about to speak, then shut.  
Her shoulders fell.  Tears rolled down Tsugiko's cheeks.

"Tsugiko-chan?"  Yumi said, her heart filling with dread.  She lightly placed a 
hand on her friend's shoulder.

Tsugiko jerked away from Yumi's touch, then ran for the door.

Yumi blinked as the door slammed.  

"Tsugiko-chan, I'm sorry!"

She waited, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling.  Yumi knew that she had hurt 
Tsugiko deeply, almost as bad as Twizzler did before...  She shook her head.  
Now was not the time to dwell on that, not with Tsugiko in pain.  Yumi sighed.  
She would stay up, wait for Tsugiko's return.  Maybe she could patch things up 
with her friend.  A good place to start would be to ask the Heaths' for the 
crystal.

Yumi shook her head and choked back tears of her own.  She told Kyouji that 
confessing was a bad idea.  Tsugiko had just begun to trust her too.  Now...

Yumi stared at the ceiling, hoping to hear footsteps outside her room.


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


"...in that day shall the Winter Queen perish, and her favorite shall rule in 
her stead.  Where she ruled by iron, he shall rule by steel.  And all Mars shall 
be given unto him for a time, half a time and a time, until the appointed 
hour..."

Riesen blinked once, twice, three times, rubbing his eyes as the candlelight 
again flickered then faded.  He chewed upon a small pinch of dextrose root, then 
swallowed.  Seconds later, his fatigue dispelled.  

Carefully rolling up his scroll before leaving the rough desk on the wall, 
Riesen walked over to the window.  He sighed.  It was not yet time.  The Serpent 
was still too low in the night sky, while the Lion dominated.  He paused, 
remembering the astronomy tables memorized as a young man preparing to enter 
Licorice's service.  Using his fist as a guide, he calculated that the Serpent 
needed to rise five degrees in the sky.  Doing a little math, he figured that he 
needed to wait forty minutes until the desired time arrived.

He sighed, returning again to the scroll.  It was an ancient work, crafted by 
Certs the Ecstatic, in the days after Wintergreen's sealing, or so the rare 
scroll dealer had informed him.  That, like much of Certs' work, was probably 
false, but it made for interesting reading, providing that one was not reading 
it an hour or two before dawn.  Riesen rolled his eyes as he skimmed the scroll, 
searching for his place.  After three feet of parchment, he furled the scroll, 
then slid it into a special carrying case.

His time would be better spent preparing various schemes.  Wintergreen had been 
most generous in unleashing him on the Warrior Priestesses, effectively letting 
him set both method and pace of their destruction.  If accomplished, he would be 
able to seize without challenge the coveted position of Wintergreen's second in 
command.

Currently, he had only one challenger to the rank.  The Twixes had run, rather 
than be killed by an angry Wintergreen.  Krackel could only be controlled 
through constant threats placed upon his sister.  Wintergreen would not trust 
the swordsman in any position other than assassin and errand-boy.  Twizzler had 
recently become a nice statue in Wintergreen's palace.  Too bad the boy did not 
kill her.  Too bad about the boy, really, but occasionally, in the construction 
of a masterpiece, a tool or two gets broken.  Only Clorets remained as a serious 
contender, unless Wintergreen elevated an unknown to be a lieutenant. 

It would be easy to throw a few stumbling blocks into Clorets' path.  Riesen 
knew of her affection towards him, and that alone would give him the edge in the 
palace intrigues.  But he did feel reluctant to toy with someone with whom he 
had worked for an extended period of time.  Not all of Clorets' victories had 
been won because of her talent as a war leader.

Thoughts of being Wintergreen's second-in-command would be moot, however, if he 
could not provoke a rift between the Crystal Warriors as Wintergreen wanted.  He 
had already, in the guise of Kyouji, confessed Kyouji's undying love to both 
girls.  While it was disappointing that both Yumi and Tsugiko had turned him 
down, he knew that both girls harbored feelings for Kyouji, thanks to Twizzler's 
intelligence.  Riesen snickered.  To think the word intelligence would be used 
in the same sentence as that top-heavy, hormonal demoness.  At least she had 
relayed important information on how each Crystal Warrior thought and acted.  It 
was only a matter of time before the cracks began to show, and Riesen had 
another idea to put strain upon the Crystal Warriors' relationships.

He rose, and glanced out the window.  The Serpent still had one degree of sky 
arc before it matched with Riesen's ideal.  Close enough, he thought, kicking 
off his shoes and socks.  Bare feet would let him sneak around with less noise.  
Riesen slipped out the door.

The trip through the hallway was uneventful, if slow.   The inn was well built, 
for none of its floorboards creaked as Riesen crept through the hallway, 
stopping only at a closed door.  A quick test of the door revealed that it was 
locked.  Riesen removed two bent wires from inside his left cuff, and, keeping a 
close watch on the neighboring rooms, inserted the wires into the keyhole.  
Thirty seconds of poking and prodding later, the door opened.

Riesen cursed himself for not letting his eyes situate to the darkness.  The 
room was blanketed in darkness.  Only a faint beam of light from a star entered 
the room.  While Riesen had scouted the inn thoroughly, preparing for his next 
performance, doubts crept in with the passage of time.  Nervously, he waited for 
any sign to confirm that he was in the right room.

"Tsugiko," Kyouji murmured.  "Yumi..."

Riesen rolled his eyes before smiling.  His worries were unfounded.  Although it 
might have been a treat to find himself in a different bedroom...  But those 
thoughts would be a distraction, and waste time.  Riesen could stay only as long 
as Kyouji slept.  Such was the risk of this particular gambit.  He closed the 
door behind him.  Fortunately, the meager light and his eyes worked together to 
begin to differentiate shadows.  He sat down in what looked like a chair, set 
his elbows on the armrests, and rested his chin on his hands.  

After a long interval of silence, Riesen spoke.  "You know you are going to hurt 
them.  You heard what the old man said, what Wintergreen said.  It is 
inescapable."

"No," Kyouji said, rolling about as he slept.

Riesen rolled his eyes and shook his head.  An amateur would have followed 
Kyouji's mutterings with a hackneyed "yes" or "you know its true."  He took a 
deep breath and continued.

"You brought this upon yourself.  You should have been a girl this time, Knight 
Protector.  All this would have been avoided if you chose to become a Warrior 
Priestess like Mars intended.  Now it's too late.  You've broken the circle that 
has existed since time immemorial, and now you must pay the heavy price."  

He paused, waiting to see if Kyouji would respond.  Only the occasional snore 
broke the silence.  In some ways, Kyouji's silence made Riesen's job easier.  
All he needed to do was stick to the script.  However, it would have been more 
challenging if Kyouji had replied.  Some of Riesen's favorite conversations had 
been with sleeptalkers, and they never remembered the conversation in the 
morning.

"How will it feel to see the betrayal in Tsugiko's face when you riddle her body 
with poppies?  To watch the life ebb away from Yumi as your sword catches her 
between her ribs?"  Riesen paused for a moment as he bit the inside of his lip.  
He would be the one to kill Yumi, after he punished her for ruining past plans.  
But that was pleasure.  Business beckoned.  

"So, how do you think they will die?  Will it be an accident or will you sell 
them out like that traitor Twizzler?  Will you be brainwashed or strike them 
down in cold blood?  

"What will happen when you finally go back home?  Will you be able to face the 
parents of the girls you murdered?"

Again, Riesen paused.  Even though Kyouji was asleep, Riesen gave the Knight 
Protector time to absorb the information.  He held no illusions about his 
chances of convincing Kyouji overnight, but Riesen spoke not to persuade, but to 
plant an idea.

"Not that it matters.  The old man and Wintergreen only told you but half of it.  
See, Fate can be cruel, and when you upset her plans, she is a real bitch.  She 
likes to drive the people who shatter her exquisite patterns mad.  But then 
again, you know all about that, don't you?  After all, you already hear voices 
in your head.

"There's a way out, though.  You could kill yourself," Riesen said.  "But you 
are far too noble for that.  So I guess you will give Fate the pleasure of 
watching you kill your closest friends.  Or..." Riesen said, dragging out the 
last word several heartbeats.  "You can walk away from your duties as the Knight 
Protector.  You chose to take the mantle of the Knight Protector; you can cast 
it aside at will.

"You might as well; you've done a terrible job as the Knight Protector.  Shall 
we take a quick look at your performance?" Riesin replaced mocking laughter with 
cruel harshness.

"You allowed Wintergreen to hurt both girls and crack Tsugiko's crystal.  You 
failed to prevent Tsugiko from staring into the Gobstobber's eyes.  You let Yumi 
get kidnapped.  You failed to foresee the attack at the cave.  Let us not forget 
about Twizzler.  She stayed with you for two weeks, yet you never figured out 
that she was working for Wintergreen.  That child did not make it difficult for 
you either.  She tried to kill Tsugiko how many times and you never picked up on 
it?  Do not forget who set the Ranchers after you and your friends.  That is 
right, you could not protect the girls from the Ranchers either.

"Not only have you been of little help to Yumi and Tsugiko, you have been a 
hindrance.  How many times have they had to save you?  Remember the Atomic 
Fireball?  What about the Peanut Brittle curse?  Tsugiko had to go out of her 
way to get that cure for you, just because you were too careless around that 
Britecrawler.  Tsugiko saved you again from Krackel.  The girls had to rescue 
you from Clorets' camp.  Winis died because you could not defend yourself 
against the Ranchers.  Your protection has come at too high a price for the 
Warrior Priestesses.  Just be glad that they are blinded by silly crushes, else 
they would see that you are more trouble than you are worth.

"You might as well retire.  That way Mars can pick the Warrior Priestess that it 
intended to get in the beginning.  She would not make the same mistakes you did, 
and she would not be cursed to kill her friends like you are.  Competency, now 
there is a new concept for the Knight Protector, I mean, Warrior Priestess."

And now, for the finale, Riesen thought.  Pity the boy did not speak, the 
feedback would have been appreciated and savored.

"Be a man and protect the girls the best way you can; by leaving them.  You will 
do more to help them than you have ever accomplished since setting foot on Mars.  
Protect them from yourself.  Run away."

Riesen stood up, and walked towards the door.  As it opened, he turned around.  
"One last thing.  You did fight the real Wintergreen, you know."

The door closed.


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


"Tsugiko-chan, wait!"

Tsugiko walked away from her roommate in a hurry.  She stormed through the 
hallway, wincing as she moved.  Sleeping on a bench in the common room was not 
the best way to get a good night's sleep, but she could not share a room 
with...her, not after what she said.

The Green Priestess snorted.  Yumi had won, like Tsugiko knew she would.  Little 
Miss Perfect struck again.  She could get any guy she wanted and she had to 
choose Kyouji.  Tsugiko blinked back tears.

Kyouji.  Tsugiko could not decide whether to scream any time she thought of him 
or cry.  He confessed to her, not Yumi.  He loved her.  Why did he betray her 
and confess to Yumi?

But Tsugiko had yelled at him when Kyouji confessed.  He probably thought she 
rejected him, and went straight to Yumi's arms.

She heard running behind her, and a delicate hand fell on her shoulder.  Tsugiko 
turned around, pulling away from the touch.  "Stay away."

Yumi stood before her.  Her eyes, red and puffy, were downcast.  "Tsugiko-
chan...I'm sorry.  I meant to tell you, but...it slipped," she said.  Tsugiko 
could see shining trails course down Yumi's cheeks as she spoke.

"But he-" Hot tears welled in Tsugiko's eyes.  She turned away.

"Please, Tsugiko-chan, stop avoiding us.  We need you.  I need you," Yumi said.  
Again she reached out, placing her hand on Tsugiko's shoulder.  She sighed 
before continuing.  "I told Kyouji-san I could not accept his feelings.  I knew 
you'd be hurt by it.  I was going to tell you, believe me, it's just...we've 
been getting along so well.  I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

Tsugiko blinked.  Yumi really was Little Miss Perfect, even to her own 
detriment.  Some of her animosity lifted.

"Tsugiko-chan, Kyouji's waiting for us in the common room," Yumi said.  Her grip 
on Tsugiko's shoulder tightened as Tsugiko pulled away.  

"I don't want to see him," Tsugiko snapped.

"Well, you have to.  We're going to ask the Heaths for the crystal, and all 
three of us need to be there," Yumi said.  "You don't have to speak to him yet, 
but you might need to speak to the Heaths."

Tsugiko sighed, and allowed Yumi to lead her into the common room.  Kyouji sat 
at a table, staring at the door.  He sighed once, then walked towards it.

"Kyouji-san, where are you going?" Yumi asked.  Kyouji spun around, his cheeks 
reddening.

Tsugiko glared at Kyouji, taking great pleasure in his inability to meet her 
eyes.

"Good morning, Kyouji," Tsugiko choked out.  Her greeting sounded like a curse.

Kyouji shrank back, then stepped towards Tsugiko.  "What's-"

"Don't come near me."

Tsugiko walked away and sat down at a table, purposely turning her back on 
Kyouji.  She blinked back tears.  She would not let Kyouji see her cry.

"So, Kyouji-san, what were you doing?"  Yumi asked.

He laughed nervously.  "I was going outside...to practice."

"Wearing your pack?"

Tsugiko grit her teeth.  The coward was running away.  What did she ever see in 
that creep?

The kitchen door opened, and the Heaths and Toffee walked out, sitting down at 
the same table as Tsugiko.  Yumi dragged Kyouji to the table, taking care to sit 
between Kyouji and Tsugiko.

Tsugiko flashed another glare at Kyouji when his head was turned.  As soon as he 
looked over at her, she looked away.

Toffee cleared his throat, causing Tsugiko to jump.  "So we finally get to the 
point of your visit."

"Where's Skor?" Yumi asked.

"We sent him out searching for mushrooms.  He is fond of you, and we did not 
wish him to see this proceeding," Mrs. Heath said.

"Thank you," Yumi said.  Tsugiko was content to let Yumi do the speaking, 
preferring to make Kyouji as uncomfortable as possible.  Mrs. Heath's eyes 
flickered between Yumi and Tsugiko, then recognition dawned.

"Before we proceeded, we must request proof of your identities.  There are many 
rumors floating about, and although we trust your claim, we ask for 
verification, especially since one of you wears the uniform of Wintergreen's 
troops," Toffee said.  He folded his hands and stared at Tsugiko.

Tsugiko exploded.  "I do not work for Wintergreen!"

"We never said you were," Mr. Heath said, soothing."

"You don't like the clothes, fine.  I'll change.  Happy?" Tsugiko stood and 
stormed out of the room.  

As she left, she could hear Yumi speak.  "Don't mind Tsugiko, she's didn't sleep 
well last night.

"It's okay.  I understand," Mrs. Heath said.

Tsugiko stormed upstairs and threw her door open.  She slammed it shut, then 
tore apart Yumi's pack.  The accursed skirt flew out, followed by the rest of 
her original outfit.  She tore off the tunic and pants, then donned the now 
familiar clothes she had worn since the first day on Mars with the addition of 
the soldier's cloak.

She balled up the dead soldier's outfit, and ran downstairs, slamming each door 
she could find.  Upon reaching the common room, she held up the uniform and 
forced all her anger into her hand.  Fire flared around her arm, burning, then 
vaporizing the uniform.  "I'm keeping the cloak."

Five pairs of eyes stared at her.  On the table before them sat four crystals, 
gathered from throughout the Warrior Priestesses' travels.

"Are you Twizzler?" Mr. Heath said.  He shrank away from her as she sat down.

"WHAT?!" Yumi and Kyouji shouted in unison.

"I.  Am.  Not.  Twizzler!" Tsugiko growled.  She could feel the flames swirl 
about her.

While Mr. And Mrs. Heath flinched, Toffee merely shrugged.  His hands danced 
over the four crystals in complicated gestures.  One by one, each crystal shone 
as a light bulb would.  He nodded, then snapped his fingers.  The light faded 
from the crystals.

"Tsugiko isn't Twizzler.  Twizzler tried to kill her," Kyouji insisted.  "You've 
got to believe us."  

Tsugiko glared at Toffee, her thoughts too scattered to reply.

Toffee handed the crystals to Yumi, who slid them into her leather pouch.  He 
then pulled a small yet full pouch from the inside of his cloak.  The old man 
opened the pouch, poured white powder into his hand, then threw the powder at 
all three Warrior Priestesses.  Tsugiko sneezed as the powder hit her face.  

Her hands balled into fists.  She was about to scream at Toffee when two glowing 
lights distracted her.  Tsugiko blinked as her flames died.  Both Kyouji and 
Yumi's forehead jewels glowed brilliantly.  From the way her friends stared at 
her, she assumed her crystal glowed as well.  Her anger faded away, replaced by 
wonder.  The glow faded, and Tsugiko became aware of her surroundings again.

"We believe you," Toffee intoned.

Tsugiko watched as both Mr. and Mrs. Heath glanced sideways at Toffee.

Toffee sighed.  "Go and get it, daughter-in-law.  It is theirs by right."

Mrs. Heath nodded, tears welling in her eyes.  She left the common room.  The 
group waited in silence.  She returned, holding the green crystal in an upturned 
palm.  She handed the shard to Yumi.

"The Shining Rock is no more," Toffee intoned, sending chills through Tsugiko's 
spine.

"Please leave," Mr. Heath said.  His face paled, and he pursed his lips 
continually.  The look of hurt upon his face cut Tsugiko to the bone.

"But-" Yumi pleaded.

"Please.  Before Skor returns."

Tsugiko's heart sank as Kyouji placed his hand on Yumi's shoulder.  
"Come on, let's go," he said, leading her away.  Tsugiko followed behind.  This 
had been necessary, both for the planet's sake, and to get back to Japan.

So why did it feel wrong?


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


"My Queen, Lady Bonbon of Suessigkeit," Rollo announced from a podium set to the 
right of Wintergreen's throne.  Her voice filled the great hall without 
wavering, a trick quickly learned in Wintergreen's service.  Every person, even 
a young girl without formal court experience, had to fulfill the role 
Wintergreen proscribed, even if it meant filling in as a seneschal on occasion.  
It paid to be a quick study.

At the far end of the hall, fifty meters from the raised platform hosting both 
throne and podium, six soldiers in green and silver armour opened two giant 
polished redwood doors.  A woman of striking beauty clad in scarlet and blue 
robes stepped into the rose marbled hall, and bowed.  She walked across a white 
carpet path lined with soldiers and attendants standing at attention.  Behind 
the visitor, servants manhandled four chests studded with lapis and jet inlaid 
with pearl.

Rollo wondered what the chests held.  Since joining Wintergreen's service 
against her will, she had seen amazing treasures from jewels to furs to rare 
essences and perfumes, some of which Wintergreen allowed Rollo to sample.  At 
first, Rollo had been overwhelmed.  Now she waited for the unique.  The constant 
stream of exotics and treasure was almost enough to spoil a young girl on the 
edge of adolescence, provided she was not the hostage of the cruelest tyrant on 
Mars.

"Krackel, could you not have found a different way to cure me other than by 
entering Wintergreen's service," she whispered.  The swordsman had talked little 
of his search for a cure and even less of his servitude to the Scourge of Mars.  
The only thing Rollo knew for certain was that every cure had failed, until the 
Warrior Priestess had cured her.  But before she could celebrate with her 
brother, Riesen had kidnapped her.  Krackel had never talked about it, but Rollo 
knew then that he realized that his only freedom from Wintergreen lay in death.

At least Wintergreen only held Krackel's service.  Rollo suppressed a smile when 
she learned of her brother's rash act of defiance.  She wished she could have 
been the one to throw a Starburst Crystal shard at the sovereign.  However, 
Krackel's defiance had earned Rollo a savage and public beating.  Mercifully, 
the blows left no mark, except on Krackel's psyche.

Lady Bonbon's second bow, three meters from the throne, brought Rollo out of her 
thoughts.  "Oh Queen, may you live for ever," the noblewoman intoned according 
to ancient form.

"For what reason do we have the pleasure of Lady Bonbon's company?" Wintergreen 
asked between clenched teeth.  The despot massaged her temples, a common 
occurrence since Krackel's return.

Rollo took a moment to breathe, "consulting" a nearby scroll.  All must be as 
custom demanded.  "There is the matter of tribute, my Queen," she said before 
reading from a list detailing the kinds and amounts of tribute required.  Bonbon 
would have needed to level entire forests to supply the timber required by 
agreement.  Similar heroic measures were needed for the coal and furs.  Yet 
Rollo knew that Suessigkeit fared better than most kingdoms, for it had 
voluntarily joined Wintergreen's empire.  Conquered kingdoms were bled dry, if 
the kingdom still existed.

"My Queen, we present these chests to you as samples of what is now arriving at 
your store houses," Bonbon said.  Her hand flickered.  The four chests opened 
revealing familiar wonders.

Wintergreen massaged her temples again, letting the Spear of Mint rest in her 
lap.  "You faithfulness does you cred-"

The ground trembled.  A thick black ball of smoke flew into the hall, 
dissipating slowly.  Sulfur filled the room, then ozone, as the once dormant 
Spear of Mint flared to life.

"What was that?!" Wintergreen snarled.  She sprinted through the hall, bowling 
over Lady Bonbon and any servant foolish enough not to get out of her way.  Gold 
coins and jewels scattered across the floor from fallen chests.

Rollo, like Lady Bonbon and her entourage, remained petrified, shocked by the 
sovereign's actions.  Unlike the visiting noblewoman, Rollo's sense recovered 
quickly.  Having long since learned that her place, as well as her survival, lay 
with her Queen, Rollo chased after Wintergreen, stopping once to bow and 
apologize to all who were in the room.

Finding Wintergreen proved to be an easy task; follow the murmurs until the 
crowd about her could be found.  Rollo weaved through the crowd, taking her 
proscribed place in the front rank, out of reach of the Spear of Mint.

"No one was to touch her!" Wintergreen growled.  She swung the glowing Spear of 
Mint in all directions as she addressed the crowd.  In the middle of the ring, 
blackened by soot and powder stood Twizzler's otherwise unharmed prison.  Rollo 
could still see Twizzler's motionless form encased inside the clear crystal.

Rollo watched, numbed, as Wintergreen called the master of the guard to stand 
before her.  Without warning, the spear lanced out, catching the master of the 
guard in his belly.  With a casual flick of a wrist, the spear twisted inside 
the man before withdrawing.  The master of the guard slumped to the ground, 
bloody hands clasped to his stomach.  Never once did her cry out in pain.

"Find out who did this.  Now!" Wintergreen said.  The Spear of Mint flickered 
towards Twizzler's crystal home.  Wintergreen stormed away, leaving crowd and 
mortally wounded behind.

The crowd disappeared.  Some walked briskly, without looking back.  Others 
stared briefly at the master of the guard before walking away.  Rollo stared.  
She could not tear herself away from the blood.

Her knees gave way.

Rollo snapped to, shocked into consciousnesses by a pail of ice water.

"C'mon dearie, 'tis over now.  Best you get changed and back to your post before 
she knows you're gone," a friendly voice murmured in her ear.  The stranger, an 
older woman from the kitchens, helped Rollo to her feet.  "Off you go now.  
There's been enough trouble today.  You don't want to cause more."

"Thank you," Rollo said, curtsying.

The woman made shooing motions with her hands.  "Go.  Go."  She set off for the 
kitchens.

Rollo shrugged and ran towards her assigned cell.  One though dominated her 
mind.  "My brother and I have to get out of here."

Wintergreen had always been demanding, ruthless, and capricious, even erratic at 
times.  But since Krackel had returned with the crystal shard, she had been 
increasingly snappish and ill-tempered, compared to how she had been.  Not that 
the Scourge of Mars had ever been known for patience and a pleasant disposition.  
What minor offense would earn Rollo the quick spear thrust to the stomach, or a 
visit to the torture chambers?  Although Rollo was a hostage, therefore 
untouchable lest the fragile agreement between parties be violently revoked, she 
did not trust the Queen's temper, which overrode reason time and again.

Rollo changed clothes quickly, making sure each button and ribbon was in its 
proper place.

But how to escape.  Any attempt would be certain death.  No one defied 
Wintergreen and lived...

...except the Crystal Warriors.

The Crystal Warriors had been the downfall of Twizzler, had helped the Twixes 
defect, had foiled Riesen's plans, had snatched shard after shard from 
underneath the noses of Wintergreen's minions, and had healed Rollo when no one 
else could, Certainly, they could break Wintergreen's hold on Krackel and Rollo, 
spiriting the siblings off to safety. 

But how?




Author's notes - 

"You Make Me Mad" comes from the Third Day song of the same name.  Sorry, I had 
to break convention this time.

I am compelled to site sources from which I pulled plot points and background 
information.  Thomas Cahill's discussion of cyclical history in his book "The 
Gift of the Jews" was instrumental in the development of the myth.  Robert 
Kaplan's "The Coming Anarchy" (both essay and book) influenced descriptions of 
life under Wintergreen in an ecologically shattered world and Yumi and Tsugiko's 
discussion in the center of the part.  I have sought to rephrase concepts and 
ideas from these works in my own words.  Any failure to do on my part is not 
intended as a sign of disrespect.

Thanks go to Ardweden for her generous extensions and Capfox for last minute 
proofreading.

Bonbon and Suessigkeit, if my German is not too rusty, are German words for 
candy.

Feedback and reviews are always welcomed and encouraged.

I need a vacation.  ^^;;  Hope you enjoyed reading.

Nathan
-Achariyth@aol.com