*takes off the long cape and drapes it over the unconscious body of the Vizier*

Even if there is no one around to help me carry him to a safer place, I feel that I should not move him from this spot, in case it results in further injury. However, he shall not be in this state unattended. I shall stay by his side.

*takes a seat beside the Vizier's prone form and sighs worriedly*

This queendom is in shambles . . . what am I to do . . . there must be something . . .

*Royal Healer enters the kneels in harried state* My Queen, what has happened? The past days I spent among Captain Ninja's troops, searching for apprentice healers, and upon my return I discover that the Vizier is unconscious! Please, allow me to redeem myself for my inattention and whatever you require I shall oblige!

*bows head remorsefully*

Thank goodness you are here, Healer mei_tenshi! You've done well. The first thing I would like you to do now is try your best to hasten the Vizier's recovery. Afterwards, please begin honing the skills of the in-training Healers, for their abilities will be vital in the near future.

*bows* Good morning, Mother!!! *sees the prostrate form of the Vizier* No! *gets psyched up to super-anger mode* WHO HAS DONE THIS!?!?!?

*pops katana out of sheath* Mother, I request permission to seek out the perpetrator of this crime!!!

Permission denied, dear. You know why.

Interesting.

*bows respectfully* I understand, Mother... and I apologize... should something happen to me, what with the Vizier down and all... *sighs*

WHOEVER DID THIS WILL PAY WITH THEIR FLESH!!!!

No need to get angry, dear. This is not a time to be upset. We must think rationally.

*bows* Yes, Mother...

*turns to the Royal Healer* Lady Mei, is there no way you can revive the Vizier...?

Hopefully he will be revived soon. Though I am impressed by his many accomplishments, his well-being after said accomplishments leave me despairing. I just don't want him to exert himself all too much. He's done more than enough for the queendom already.

Furthermore, I have not heard from the captain in quite a while. I do hope all is well.

apologies, the captain has been filling out college appli--gathering up the remaining troops to form the strike team the vizier requested to combat the conflict up north. will the royal healer be able to revive the vizier quickly enough to join the strike team, as heavy casualties are expected?

(xrninja, college apps must come first, please! Don't worry too much about us. )

I have ordered the Healer to train many more other Healers to prepare for the next battle. If there is a designated time at which the battle is to occur, please delay it as much as possible. I know not how long it will take for the trainers to be healed. And I have also asked mistress aya to assist in training the troops that have remained here. Perhaps you can instruct her on any other methods that you know of that can speed up the training procedures.

The Vizier is indeed in bad shape, and there is only me to blame, as my brother was switiching our computers around all weekend and cords were every which way and I could not get my hands on a computer until just this afternoon.

*perched beside the vizier's still body, the healer raises her hands above his head. A soft yellow haze forms around the hands and flows around the vizier, enveloping his body. In time, the haze begins to turn blue as the magical healing process continues to the next stage, where the real work begins. An hour passes, and the haze begins to dissipate slowly as the healer withdraws the magic.*

I have done what I can for now. The vizier's condition has stabilized, but much rest and more magic and some potions are needed if my lord is to regain his vigor.

I have neglected my duty to my queen and the vizier--I am sorry.

Please, there is no need for apologies of any sort, Guest (mei_tenshi). On the contrary, you have not neglected your duty at all. Thank you very much for all your help. Do you think it safe for the Vizier to be moved elsewhere now? Perhaps back to his chambers? My daughter could help me move him.

*pops katana out of sheath* Identify yourself...

What's wrong, dear?

*wary look* This guest may be someone who hurted the Vizier...

*re-sheaths katana* Oh well... I'll help carry him to his room... wait... where is his room?

Oh, no. I think I have every reason to believe that the Guest is our Royal Healer, mei_tenshi. At any rate, we should at least move my Vizier to a place indoors. But I do not know where his chambers might be, as I've never been there. Perhaps we can just put him in mine for now then.

The Vizier will be revived as soon as this potion kicks in. *pours three drops of blue liquid from a crystal vial onto the Vizier's lips*

I have sent my healers to each of the ninja camps, with the order to travel with them and care for refugees as well as troops. They are few in number, but they are skilled in the art. My Queen shall have no need to worry on that account.

Well done, Royal Healer. Thank you ever so much.

in that case, the captain will head north with her strike team to smother the rebellious hullabaloo. we will do our best to not draw out the battle and then try to return quickly, so that security around the queendom is not thinned out for too long. the captain has also left ninja behind to guard the princess from overzealous suitors and etcetera.

the captain does not know why she enjoys referring to herself in third person.

All very well and good, dear Captain...

The Princss will have no further need of the ninjas... I belieev she can handel on her own...

i still don't get it. Is the last 7 pages as boring as it looks?

Well, you could always go read them yourself.

*fingers katana* The Queen has spoken, Dame Thieves...

Come now, Angel. Be nice.

when was i a damn? i mean, dame? I thought i was just the crazy lady on the hill.

If you would like that title, I could make it official for you.

How about me? Have I been labelled a noble yet, or must I still prove my worth?

you dont have to prove anything in this queendom. Quis is nice enough to have faith in you..which isn't always safe.

That's true, Thieves, but I am learning. Thus far, my judgements have been fairly accurate.


Not yet, but if you are going to be a noble, what title would you like? What would you like to do?

I've said it before, but I'll say it again for convenience sake:

Sir Udon, Knight of the Japanese Noodle

All right then, Sir Udon. I suppose I can give you that nobility status now. We're currently in need of more knights for the front line as well. I am sure that your addition to the army would make a good contribution.

*confetti* Yay, for Sir Udon!!!

But now we need a new herald... 6_6

Nearly everyone pours into the throne room bearing news anyway. I don't think we even need a herald anymore. Not for now.

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.

*quietly walks up alongside the queen and princess, his weapon at his side. He nods and waves in greeting to the princess, a small smile coming to his features* Good morning princess...
*his face hardens and he then looks to the queen*
My liege, I have heard reports that a large group still remains in the north and that the Grand Vizer was attacked by what very well could've been monster summoned by these enemy troops. Woudl you give me premission to fight alongside your troops once mroe against this band?

*wakes up in a sudden jolt*

argh... where am i? oh yes i made it out of the gate.... there was an angel... no it was the queen....

*struggles to slowly stand up and heads to his chambers*

must... check... the... scrolls.....

Permission granted, Prince, but you should not go anywhere until the next army is dispatched. You may stay within the walls of the castle until then.

*bowes a little* Understood. I shall await the next deployment then.

*has followed the Vizier to his chambers and has now discovered its obscure location. Knocking on his door and hearing no answer, she enters to find him hunched over a desk, surrounded by scrolls. She places a hand on his shoulder*

Dear Vizier, should you not be in bed? The Royal Healer said that you need much rest in order to recover fully.

*looks up at the queen with a troubled look*

my health is of little concern if what i fear is the cause of this is true, my queen... long ago in the lands to the east there was a prophecy.... it stated that one day, those from beyond the gate would enter a child and consume his soul. when this being became an adult he would rise to power over those from the gate and destory this world.

you see due to planar coordinates and the etheric junction this world is at in the multiverse one, if they possess enough power and knowledge, would be able to summon forth the gate and keep here permamently... i fear this is the motivation of the invaders. i must confirm this fact and, hopefully, find a way to stop these beings.

*returns to going over the scrolls*

I see . . . is there anything I can do to help? I wish to be of assistance. This involves the welfare of my people, after all, and I cannot stand by and do nothing.

Quis, i am getting listless and bored on my little hill. May i be invited to the court or maybe go on an expedition and act as an explorer of some sort?

unfortunately, i doubt that your highness is versed in the language these scrolls are written in. the only reason i know of this language is that my grandfather taught it to me when i was a child. it has not been used in over five thousand years.

the only thing that i can suggest that you do is to ensure that the invaders do not reach this castle, for i theorize that this castle was built on the exact location where the gate would be summoned. i believe that your ancestors knew of this prophecy and built this castle to protect the world from such evils.

but worry not my queen... i pledge as your vizier.....

*takes the queen's hand and looks deeply into her eyes*

no i pledge as your fiancee that i will allow no harm to come to you or this queendom, even if i have to consume my own soul to stop it.....

*clears throat timidly from the doorway* er...milord, highness, forgive this one's intrusion...but this one feel she has rested enough...and voices carry in these long halls... this one could not help but overhear the vizier's words... if it pleases the queen...could this one not be of some aid somehow? if this prophecy has spoken of the possession of a soul, it would serve to reason to be an exorcist and shaman's forte, would it not?

*fidgets*

if this is a conflict in which even the grand vizier has been so terribly wounded, *straightens and makes a very stern face* this one refuses to just stand by and let the queendom be assaulted so. *bows deeply* please, my liege, allow this one to exercise her skills to the benefit of this land!

ooohhhhhh look. The vileness that drips from his charmed words.

*turns to the exorcist*

the human was possessed long ago, i saw into him... his soul is gone. all that remains is that which is from beyond the gate. that body is nothing more than a vessel for these beings now.

If you'd like, I will allow the guards to let you roam about the garden for a while. And if you see some fauna that is to your liking, you may even take it home with you. Especially the oddly shaped shrub in front of the central fountain. That one always looked eerie to me.


That's one of the many fears I have. I do not want you to sacrifice yourself for me or the queendom. The queendom would not have held on for as long as it has if it weren't for your efforts, so what good would the queendom be without you here? And on top of that, I would miss you dearly.


Gladly, tokage. Do whatever you can to aid the Vizier and the queendom. You have my permission.

your grace...if the soul is gone, can nothing be done, then? surely there is a way to rescue the poor creature from itself now...? or at least to stop what it is trying to do?