(no subject)
Title: A small dilemma - The Quest part XVI
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - Rich and famous
Genre: general
Version: AU - (manga/Anime)
Rating: G
Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.
A small dilemma - The Quest part XVI
The announcement - The Quest part XV
"Just because I can't accept title or land, doesn't mean you can't." Usagi looked into the eyes of her companions.
Mamoru shook his head. "But I do not wish to be beholden to another ruler, it may mess with my loyalties."
Accepting his explanation, it was so close to hers, Usagi looked at the other two.
Luna crossed her arms. "I don't know him or how he rules his country. I will accept a monetary reward, but not land or title."
Artemis flitted his wings as he looked from Luna to Usagi. "She is right. We don't know anything about how he runs this land, or what he expects out of us once we accept the land and title. Do we need to oust the current holder of the title? Will we be doing his dirty work for him?"
Understanding dawned in Usagi's eyes. 'If I ever need to have outsiders handle stuff inside of Hereandnow, I will never offer titles or land. I'm not sure I want someone whose loyalties I would question as a land holder in my country.' Her stance relaxed. "If you receive no reward here, I will make sure you receive one."
Luna gently shook her head. "We weren't in it for a reward. We were trying to save our countries. That they survive is reward enough." She looked at the others to see if they agreed. Mamoru nodded, but Artemis looked at her a moment, his eyes drinking in her form, before agreeing. "So, what do we tell the King?"
Usagi shrugged. "Can we just sneak out?" Mamoru's frown told her what she already knew. The answer was no.
----------
As the guards ushered them into a room, Usagi balked. There, sitting about a large table, were four wizards. Standing at each corner of the room were armed guards. The rest of the party stopped beside her.
Mamoru sought out the King. Carefully keeping his face a blank mask, he inwardly cringed at the ruler's appearance.'Sloth. His cloths are rich enough, but they are messy, grungy at the sleeves and collar.' A pungent odor reached him. 'And he needs a bath.' Shifting his gaze, he met the eyes of the white haired wizard. 'They are completely different. I wonder why they serve him? ' Stepping slightly in front of Usagi, he addressed the King. "What is the show of force for, Your Majesty?"
The King looked over the party. They were dressed in scrubby clothes, looking worse for ware from their adventures. Not one of them bore any marks of royal endorsement. "It was brought to my attention that you have magic workers in your party, and that even though you don't carry your weapons, you can still cause me injury. They will not harm you, unless you harm me." He gestured for them to approach the table. "This is a map of the lands that you may chose from. The ones that you pick will determine the title that you have earned."
Curiosity drug Usagi to the table. The rest of the party followed as close as they might without raising suspicion. Looking at the map, she noticed that the lands that were marked were all in areas of contention. 'They have been fighting over those boarders long enough that it is ancient history in my studies.'
Kunzite noticed the ironic look on the girl's face. She was the one that everybody else had discounted. He wasn't so sure about that. Her eyes held knowledge and that could be as dangerous as a weapon.
The white haired wizard shifted in his seat, the shifting of his starched robe catching her attention. "Your Majesty, I believe an introduction is in order." She gestured towards four neatly dressed men sitting at the table.
"Of course. Lord Kunzite, Lord Zoisite, Lord Nephrite, and Lord Jadeite, these are the four adventures that destroyed the Grub and freed our land from its curse. Adventures.." His tone indicated he did not care to know their names. "this is Lord Kunzite, the High Wizard, and Lord Zoisite, Lord Jadeite, and Lord Nephrite, wizards extraordinaire."
Luna raised her eyebrow as she looked at the Wizard Kunzite. "Shouldn't you be at the Fountain of Light lowering the barrier?"
Artemis tilted his head slightly as he continued her thought. "The barrier was buckling when we left it. It looked fit to break. I would hate to see what the results of that would be."
Kunzite flickered a questioning look at the King. He knew what the damage would be if that barrier shattered instead of being lowered. 'He knew that the Grub was dead. He should have sent us immediately. If the living force builds up too much the barrier will explode, causing as much damage as the Grub did.' Masking his anger, he waited, hoping the King would ignore them again soon. Then they could leave.
Mamoru laid a hand on the fairies shoulders. "Hotaru and Setsuna are doing the best they can, I'm sure they will succeed in protecting this land."
Usagi hid her grin. Mamoru's words of comfort were a slap in the face for the King. She nodded towards the wizards. "Please to meet you." Turning back to the king, she gestured to the map. "I fear Your Majesty, that we are unable to accept either land or title as our reward for this most irksome task."
"But money or treasure is completely acceptable." Artemis' eyes twinkled as he pulled the king's attention off of Usagi.
"But with land you will always have money. Treasure is easily spent, frittered away into nothing. If you have land and a title, you shall have a home as well as wealth. Don't you wish to be rich and famous?"
The wizards looked at each other. The looks on the adventures' faces assured them that they weren't taking the king's bait. It looked like he was going to have to fight those rebels himself.
Mamoru looked patiently at the king. "We're adventures, of course we wish to be rich and famous. We travel looking for treasure and fun. But a home is not what we want at this moment. Treasure on the other hand...."
Usagi dropped her eyes to hide the longing that welled up in her. 'I want home. I want my bathroom, my garden, Mother. A well cooked meal eaten in a pretty dress. Home sounds lovely.'
Looking at the King's nonplussed face, Luna touched Mamoru's hand. "Let's leave. He has offered us a suitable reward, we rejected it. He has no counter offer; therefore, the bargaining is over. "
Crossing the room, the King flung open a chest. "Here! Pick out three items each."
Kunite's eyes widened in surprise and Nephrite frowned slightly when they noticed which chest the King had opened. This was not a good way to repay the adventures. Zoisite began drawing symbols on the table top. They were invisible to normal sight, but the others could read them. Jadeite glanced at Kunzite, nodded to what Zoisite wrote, and raised a questioning eyebrow. Showing his agreement, the four wizards cast a spell of protection over the small group. It was the only way they could show their thanks.
Crossing the room, they looked into the chest. It was full of jewels and other artifacts. Usagi stared at them in dismay. There was nothing that she could take. Every thing in the chest was distinctive and would shout that it was from the Land of Beyond. She chose three small gems that we the most nondescript things in the chest. She stepped back so that the others could pick. Artemis selected a set of small golden goblets. Mamoru took the three smallest items he could find, a jewel encrusted letter opener, and two small enamel boxes. Luna looked through the box until she found a length of material woven from gold and silver. She also chose two jewel and enamel hair pins.
"Are you satisfied?" The king didn't bother to hide his sarcasm.
Artemis grinned. "Almost." He bore the brunt of the king's displeased frown. "We would like an extra horse, its tack, supplies for the road, and to be on our way."
Kunzite's voice floated to them from the table, his hope carefully hidden. "You will not stay for the celebration that is being planned in your honor?"
Usagi quickly shook her head no. Who knew who would recognize her there?
"No, we would rather not be endorsed by a single king, it might dry up our business with the other monarchies." Artemis smiled through the entire lie. They had no other choice but to accept what he said.
"Besides, if we stayed, that would keep you from leaving." Luna fluttered her wings slightly as she considered the four wizards that were lounging so comfortably at the table. "So, we should be on our way, or all of our effort would be for naught."
"Then go!" The king waved them out the door. "You, guard, go with them and see that they have all that they need for their travels."
Following the guard, they headed for the open road and home.
Making plans- The Quest part XVII
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - Rich and famous
Genre: general
Version: AU - (manga/Anime)
Rating: G
Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.
A small dilemma - The Quest part XVI
The announcement - The Quest part XV
"Just because I can't accept title or land, doesn't mean you can't." Usagi looked into the eyes of her companions.
Mamoru shook his head. "But I do not wish to be beholden to another ruler, it may mess with my loyalties."
Accepting his explanation, it was so close to hers, Usagi looked at the other two.
Luna crossed her arms. "I don't know him or how he rules his country. I will accept a monetary reward, but not land or title."
Artemis flitted his wings as he looked from Luna to Usagi. "She is right. We don't know anything about how he runs this land, or what he expects out of us once we accept the land and title. Do we need to oust the current holder of the title? Will we be doing his dirty work for him?"
Understanding dawned in Usagi's eyes. 'If I ever need to have outsiders handle stuff inside of Hereandnow, I will never offer titles or land. I'm not sure I want someone whose loyalties I would question as a land holder in my country.' Her stance relaxed. "If you receive no reward here, I will make sure you receive one."
Luna gently shook her head. "We weren't in it for a reward. We were trying to save our countries. That they survive is reward enough." She looked at the others to see if they agreed. Mamoru nodded, but Artemis looked at her a moment, his eyes drinking in her form, before agreeing. "So, what do we tell the King?"
Usagi shrugged. "Can we just sneak out?" Mamoru's frown told her what she already knew. The answer was no.
----------
As the guards ushered them into a room, Usagi balked. There, sitting about a large table, were four wizards. Standing at each corner of the room were armed guards. The rest of the party stopped beside her.
Mamoru sought out the King. Carefully keeping his face a blank mask, he inwardly cringed at the ruler's appearance.'Sloth. His cloths are rich enough, but they are messy, grungy at the sleeves and collar.' A pungent odor reached him. 'And he needs a bath.' Shifting his gaze, he met the eyes of the white haired wizard. 'They are completely different. I wonder why they serve him? ' Stepping slightly in front of Usagi, he addressed the King. "What is the show of force for, Your Majesty?"
The King looked over the party. They were dressed in scrubby clothes, looking worse for ware from their adventures. Not one of them bore any marks of royal endorsement. "It was brought to my attention that you have magic workers in your party, and that even though you don't carry your weapons, you can still cause me injury. They will not harm you, unless you harm me." He gestured for them to approach the table. "This is a map of the lands that you may chose from. The ones that you pick will determine the title that you have earned."
Curiosity drug Usagi to the table. The rest of the party followed as close as they might without raising suspicion. Looking at the map, she noticed that the lands that were marked were all in areas of contention. 'They have been fighting over those boarders long enough that it is ancient history in my studies.'
Kunzite noticed the ironic look on the girl's face. She was the one that everybody else had discounted. He wasn't so sure about that. Her eyes held knowledge and that could be as dangerous as a weapon.
The white haired wizard shifted in his seat, the shifting of his starched robe catching her attention. "Your Majesty, I believe an introduction is in order." She gestured towards four neatly dressed men sitting at the table.
"Of course. Lord Kunzite, Lord Zoisite, Lord Nephrite, and Lord Jadeite, these are the four adventures that destroyed the Grub and freed our land from its curse. Adventures.." His tone indicated he did not care to know their names. "this is Lord Kunzite, the High Wizard, and Lord Zoisite, Lord Jadeite, and Lord Nephrite, wizards extraordinaire."
Luna raised her eyebrow as she looked at the Wizard Kunzite. "Shouldn't you be at the Fountain of Light lowering the barrier?"
Artemis tilted his head slightly as he continued her thought. "The barrier was buckling when we left it. It looked fit to break. I would hate to see what the results of that would be."
Kunzite flickered a questioning look at the King. He knew what the damage would be if that barrier shattered instead of being lowered. 'He knew that the Grub was dead. He should have sent us immediately. If the living force builds up too much the barrier will explode, causing as much damage as the Grub did.' Masking his anger, he waited, hoping the King would ignore them again soon. Then they could leave.
Mamoru laid a hand on the fairies shoulders. "Hotaru and Setsuna are doing the best they can, I'm sure they will succeed in protecting this land."
Usagi hid her grin. Mamoru's words of comfort were a slap in the face for the King. She nodded towards the wizards. "Please to meet you." Turning back to the king, she gestured to the map. "I fear Your Majesty, that we are unable to accept either land or title as our reward for this most irksome task."
"But money or treasure is completely acceptable." Artemis' eyes twinkled as he pulled the king's attention off of Usagi.
"But with land you will always have money. Treasure is easily spent, frittered away into nothing. If you have land and a title, you shall have a home as well as wealth. Don't you wish to be rich and famous?"
The wizards looked at each other. The looks on the adventures' faces assured them that they weren't taking the king's bait. It looked like he was going to have to fight those rebels himself.
Mamoru looked patiently at the king. "We're adventures, of course we wish to be rich and famous. We travel looking for treasure and fun. But a home is not what we want at this moment. Treasure on the other hand...."
Usagi dropped her eyes to hide the longing that welled up in her. 'I want home. I want my bathroom, my garden, Mother. A well cooked meal eaten in a pretty dress. Home sounds lovely.'
Looking at the King's nonplussed face, Luna touched Mamoru's hand. "Let's leave. He has offered us a suitable reward, we rejected it. He has no counter offer; therefore, the bargaining is over. "
Crossing the room, the King flung open a chest. "Here! Pick out three items each."
Kunite's eyes widened in surprise and Nephrite frowned slightly when they noticed which chest the King had opened. This was not a good way to repay the adventures. Zoisite began drawing symbols on the table top. They were invisible to normal sight, but the others could read them. Jadeite glanced at Kunzite, nodded to what Zoisite wrote, and raised a questioning eyebrow. Showing his agreement, the four wizards cast a spell of protection over the small group. It was the only way they could show their thanks.
Crossing the room, they looked into the chest. It was full of jewels and other artifacts. Usagi stared at them in dismay. There was nothing that she could take. Every thing in the chest was distinctive and would shout that it was from the Land of Beyond. She chose three small gems that we the most nondescript things in the chest. She stepped back so that the others could pick. Artemis selected a set of small golden goblets. Mamoru took the three smallest items he could find, a jewel encrusted letter opener, and two small enamel boxes. Luna looked through the box until she found a length of material woven from gold and silver. She also chose two jewel and enamel hair pins.
"Are you satisfied?" The king didn't bother to hide his sarcasm.
Artemis grinned. "Almost." He bore the brunt of the king's displeased frown. "We would like an extra horse, its tack, supplies for the road, and to be on our way."
Kunzite's voice floated to them from the table, his hope carefully hidden. "You will not stay for the celebration that is being planned in your honor?"
Usagi quickly shook her head no. Who knew who would recognize her there?
"No, we would rather not be endorsed by a single king, it might dry up our business with the other monarchies." Artemis smiled through the entire lie. They had no other choice but to accept what he said.
"Besides, if we stayed, that would keep you from leaving." Luna fluttered her wings slightly as she considered the four wizards that were lounging so comfortably at the table. "So, we should be on our way, or all of our effort would be for naught."
"Then go!" The king waved them out the door. "You, guard, go with them and see that they have all that they need for their travels."
Following the guard, they headed for the open road and home.
Making plans- The Quest part XVII