Torr scowled as he approached the monastery. This had better be worth it. He couldn't imagine climbing an entire mountain for nothing. Pausing only to check the plaque, he grabbed the knocker and tapped it against the door. Then he waited. There was no answer. Scowling a bit more, he knocked again. Still no answer. After repeating this procedure a few times, Torr snarled in frustration and kicked the door, creating some actual noise (which didn't exactly exist in his previous attempts, thanks to the knocker being extremely quiet for some reason). In the middle of his third kick he paused, noticing a small, yellowed piece of paper stuck to the front of the door. Squinting to make out the words, he read: "We're sorry, but the Howling Monks of Silence have decided to take a hiatus from the information gathering and protecting business. In other words, we're on vacation. Come back in a decade or two, if you're that determined." Biting back the urge to scream, curse, and/or howl, Torr started back down the mountain path towards where his pet worm was waiting for him. He was travelling much, much faster now that he ditched the horse back in that town and took to riding the worm (though he got some strange looks), but it didn't help tell him where to go. Unless... "I hope Erika's right for once, because I don't know where else to look," Torr growled as he mounted the Giant Killer Earthworm. Confirmation from the monks would have been nice, but it looked like her word would have to do, as shaky as it was. And so, the extremely annoyed assassin known as Torr headed towards the city of Levar. * * * * * Slayers Glorious! Started by Todd Harper Chapter 31: Gateway! The Mysterious City. Written by Ardweden * * * * * "So where is it again?" Luanni asked Actinaea as they traveled down a poorly marked trail. They got an early start that day -- Actinaea had insisted on it -- and were making their way north. The Praetor had told them the solution to the riddle before, Luanni was fairly sure, but she and Mariposa were a little too fuzzy in the head to quite catch all the details. In fact, Mari was still yawning and rubbing her eyes. "The ancient city of Levar," Actinaea said. "A dragon city that was abandoned around the time of the Kouma Sensou, probably thanks to the mazoku." Actinaea's student perked up. "A dragon city?" she asked, eyes wide. Her teacher smiled down at her. "Yes, Mariposa. Though I doubt it's inhabited by anything but spirits now." "So you think the Bell is there?" Luanni prodded. Actinaea nodded. "Humans have never been allowed in, and most people, even those in the Mage's Guild, don't even know about it. They say that the front gate is the only way in, and that all there is inside of it is a vast, silent space, and that it exists apart from our time and reality. Nobody even knows how the mazoku got the dragons to abandon it in the first place. The only reason I know about it is because it's close enough to be a local curiosity." "But... if no humans have been allowed in, how do you know that's where the Bell is? Or even if it's really as you say it is?" "I don't. But do you have any better ideas?" Actinaea snapped. Luanni shook her head and the group continued north for a few minutes. Then Mari piped up. "Are we there yet?" * * * * * Lady Erika sat in a plush wooden chair, looking out the window at the rooftops of the city. She requested the most expensive room at the inn, and the people of this pathetic little town were more than happy to give it to her for a generous discount. She snorted. It was a good thing they had, as the pickle tasting had been sheer torture. Not to mention that she needed to get away from Naga as quickly as possible. Who knew if that snake knew what she looked like... not that she was nervous. Definitely not nervous. There was a hesitant knock on the door, and Erika jumped to her feet, the chair clattering on the ground. "Lady Erika?" a muffled female voice requested. Taking deep breaths, Erika padded to the door and opened it. "What do you want, Aria?" she asked her servant. Mariposa's mother tucked a lock of red hair behind one ear. "I've just received word that the carriage will arrive shortly." Erika nodded curtly. "Very well. Begin packing. I have a few things to take care of." "Yes, Lady Erika," Aria replied with a slight bow. Locking the door after Aria, Erika waited for her heart to calm itself. Really, the thought that Naga would find her before she wished... still, the almost-encounter was disconcerting. There was plenty of time to worry about that later, though; she had a loose cannon to get under her thumb. Reaching into one of her robe's pockets, she withdrew a small crystal bauble and concentrated. After a few seconds, it reached a warm, satisfying glow. "Has he arrived yet?" Erika asked it. "No. Not yet," the bauble replied in a soft voice. Lady Erika scowled. He should be there by now. "Well. Your orders have not changed. Let him know, additionally, that I am displeased. Very displeased." "It shall be as you command, Lady Erika." She sighed as the crystal once again went dark. Just one more day of travel and she'd reach Tichen. Take care of business there, and then get out of Ralteague for good. Any country this interested in pickles was not healthy. * * * * * "OOOHOHOHOHO!" Naga the White Serpent laughed as she set down her mug with a satisfying thunk. "Isn't this festival grand, Getehl-san?" "Um. Yeah," Getehl replied, trying to keep the food in his stomach. When he heard that there was a Pickle Harvest Ball, he didn't think *everything* would be pickled. Even the wine tasted pickled, which was bizarre, since there really should be no way to pickle alcohol. But they somehow managed to do it. Naga blinked at her compatriot. "Are you all right? You're looking a little pale." "Oh yes, I'm just fine," Getehl said, voice dripping with sarcasm. The skimpily clad woman with the cast iron stomach mulled this over for a few moments and stood. "Very well," she stated, slapping Getehl on the back, pitching him forward. "I'm going to get more of that delicious pickled duck. And maybe try some of that pickled mackerel." "Yeah, sure," Getehl muttered into the checkered tablecloth. Maybe sleeping off the stomach pains would be a good idea. Naga didn't acknowledge her friend, probably because she was halfway to the buffet table, already scanning the contents. The pickled mackerel *did* look good. As did the pickled eggplant, the pickled chicken, the pickled minced meat pies, maybe some pickled brownies for dessert... Her train of thought was derailed as a small figure bumped into her. "Oh!" she cried, a strand of red hair falling from beneath the hood of her cloak. "I'm so sorry. Excuse me." She backed up and mingled into the crowd, a slip of yellowed paper fluttering behind her. Snatching it up, Naga called, "Wait, you dropped... hmm." She unfolded the paper. "Lady Erika, the one you seek, is going to Tichen." Naga narrowed her eyes. "Tichen, eh?" she mused, before striking a pose. "Beware, Erika! You shall not be able to hide from the White Serpent! OOOHOHOHOHO!" Pickled duck forgotten, Naga folded the paper and went back to the table, the eyes of all other festival patrons upon her (and hands over their ears). "Get up," she ordered as she yanked at the swordsman's collar. He fell over sideways, snoring. Naga sighed. It looked like they weren't going anywhere until Getehl's face was no longer that disturbing shade of green. She had no desire to wake him up only to get an unpleasant surprise. Grumbling, she sat and took another swig from her mug. "Really, some people should learn how to hold their liquor better." * * * * * "Are we there yet?" "No." "Are we there yet?" "No." "Are we there yet?" "No." "Beware, White Serpent, for I shall destroy you! I shall destroy you with the help of my faithful companion, Petey! And then we'll have lots of fun jumping up and down on your dead carcass! Isn't that right, Petey? You're such a good albatross, you are. Yes you are!" "He scares me." "... Yes." * * * * * Torr smirked as he reached the dried out, narrow canyon known as Dragon's Pass. Just go through it, and he'd finally reach the ancient city of Levar. He slowed his worm to a halt, then climbed off its back, patting it on the side. "I'm afraid the pass is too narrow for you." The lumbering beast rumbled, shaking the ground, and burrowed under. Torr nodded in satisfaction and entered the pass. He hadn't taken more than twenty steps when he saw a hooded figure barring his way. "Excuse me," he grunted, not willing to waste any more time. "No," its soft voice replied. Torr scowled and put his hand on the hilt at his waist. He really wasn't in the mood for a skirmish. "Very well. What do you want?" "Nothing. Here." A hand reached from the folds of its cloak, clutching small crystal globe. "From our employer." Frowning slightly, Torr took the globe, and as his fingers brushed the figure's white hand it started to change shape. It threw its hood back, and Torr looked into his own eyes. The original Torr blinked. "Lilen?" "Oh no," the copy laughed in Torr's voice. "I'm not her. Use the crystal to contact our employer once you retrieve the item." At Torr's slight nod, the copy's smile widened. "I'd find it soon if I were you. She's very disappointed, and it's probably not a good idea to anger her further." The original snarled, shoving the copy out of his way. "I don't need you to tell me what to do." "Fine words for someone who just can't seem to do his job right," the copy responded with mocking laughter. "Well, I've done *I* was sent to do. Go have fun doing... whatever it is you need to do." He smirked and waved, walking back out the canyon. Torr growled and pocketed the crystal, once again starting down the narrow path towards Levar. The sooner this was over, the better. * * * * * "So... we're finally there?" Luanni asked as they reached a large, circular clearing. They'd been walking through Dragon's Pass for what seemed like forever, even though she knew it had only been a few hours. Must have been the monotony of the scenery, she decided. The sun was beginning to set, giving the entire area an orange hue. Actinaea nodded and pointed forward, at the large, empty arch carved into the face of the rock. "That's the gate." The dancing girl blinked and approached the gate to get a closer look. Blackness stared back at her. "Really? I was expecting something a little... fancier." "Why do you think nobody knows about it?" Actinaea asked. "It's not much to look at, and none but dragons can pass through." Luanni shrugged as she put her hand to the entrance. "Doesn't look that dangerous to me- ow!" She yanked it away and clutched her wrist, biting back tears of pain. Actinaea gestured at Luanni. "*Aqua Create*." The flames on her hand were doused by a splash of water. "See what I mean?" she frowned. "This is why we've never been able to get in." Pausing in blowing on her hand, Luanni murmured, "I see." "Let me see that," Actinaea said, taking Luanni's injured hand. "*Recovery*." A white glow surrounded it, the burns slowly beginning to fade. Mariposa stared at the entrance. "Um... why didn't anyone just blow it up?" The Praetor shook her head, not looking up from her handiwork. "Fight the gate, and it fights you back. Casters have died trying to get through." "Then how do we get *in*?" Mari fretted. They'd come this far, only to be turned back now? She had to destroy the Silent Bell, for her mother's sake, but if she couldn't get in- "I'm haven't quite figured that out yet," Actinaea admitted as she released Luanni's hand. The dancing girl flexed her fingers, noting with amazement that her hand was perfectly healed. "Then what are we going to *do*?" the younger mage cried. "If we can't get in, then we can't get the Bell, and then-" "You can get in," Luanni said. "Wh- what?" Mariposa stared at Luanni, who shrugged. "You can get in. It's a dragon city, right? That means dragons should be able to get in." She flicked her ponytail off her shoulder. "Unless you know otherwise, Praetor?" Actinaea nodded, eyes thoughtful. "A dragon, yes. But we don't *know* if Mariposa is of dragon lineage..." "But she's the best chance we have of getting this thing," Luanni retorted. "We both know that *we're* not dragon." "I won't have my charge getting hurt!" "I'll do it," Mariposa declared. "What? You can't be serious," the Praetor said. "I have to do it." Mari studied the ground for a moment, then looked at the blackness in the arch. "'Cause nobody else can. And we need that Bell, right? Maybe I can go get it. My mom said I'm part dragon." Luanni nodded. "It makes sense. Besides, you can heal her if she gets hurt, right Actinaea-san?" Actinaea opened her mouth to object, then sighed. "Yes. You're right. Give it a try, Mariposa." Biting her lip, the diminutive mage stepped up to the arch and put her hand to it. There was no pain, only an odd, resistant tingling. She pushed, watching the blackness envelop her hand. Flexing her fingers from the other side of the barrier, she was gratified to discover that her hand was still there, so she put her other hand through, then a foot, and then she was gone. "Do you think she'll be all right?" Luanni asked Actinaea. "I hope so," the other woman replied. "I really hope so." "Good day, Praetor," a strong male voice greeted them. They looked toward it to see Torr smiling at them. "I didn't expect to see you here." Actinaea gave him one of her patented icy glares. "There's nothing to see here, Torr." "I disagree," he responded, giving Luanni an appraising glance. "Who's your friend?" "None of your concern," the dancing girl snarled, reaching for her hidden knives. "I see," he responded, crossing the clearing. "I'm looking for the little butterfly. You ladies wouldn't know where she is, would you?" "That is also none of your concern," Actinaea frowned, silently readying a spell. In a flash, Torr's sword was drawn and only inches from Actinaea's face. "It is every bit my concern," he growled. "And I'd drop those knives if I were you," he warned Luanni, who blinked in surprise. "You don't want your friend dying, do you?" "No," she replied, letting the knives fall to the ground. How had he known? "Look," Torr explained to the Praetor, "I don't want to cause any trouble. Just tell me where Mariposa is and I'll be on my way." The mage's eyes narrowed, then widened in realization. If Torr followed Mariposa... "Through the arch." "Thank you." He stepped away and backed toward the arch, not taking his eyes off the two women, but neither made a move to stop him. He smiled and entered with ease. Luanni looked at Actinaea. Actinaea looked at Luanni. They both looked back at the arch. "Damn." * * * * * Author's Notes: Yes, I know this chapter is short. But it was fun, ne? ^_~ Much thanks to Ravi and Todd for letting me bounce ideas off them and answering my ceaseless annoying questions. Also thankee to Mechalink, Todd, Ravi, and Robin for prereading. Good luck to Kristen on the next chapter. Comments and criticism should be posted to the message board or sent to me at arwen@ardweden.com And... um... oh yeah. SIGN UP, PEOPLE! That is all. Thanks for reading. ^_^ Ardweden