Once Zelgadis and Lina got going, they ran faster than during the previous days, determined to get their journey over with and see their friends again.
They ran so fast, in fact, that they arrived hours before Zel had estimated, reaching the medium-sized town which had been their destination around dinnertime. As they neared the inn, Zelgadis could sense growing nervousness from Lina. She was walking in the shadows and had the collar of her cloak pulled up as high as she could. The cloak itself she wrapped tightly around her, trying to hide her appearance from the people in the streets.
Zel walked beside her, whispering encouragement low enough that only she could hear it. "And remember..." he said as they drew up to the door of the inn, "Whatever else you are, you are Lina Inverse, and that will never change."
Lina laughed a little shakily. "That's right, isn't it?" she said, gripping his hand tightly as she pushed open the door and stepped into the common room.
As she trudged wearily down the road, Fi had an idea. She wasn't likely to find anything this close to home, since any trail would be old and confused, and there was a much faster and more enjoyable way to cover the distance she needed to travel...
Setting down her bag of goods, she listened carefully and looked to see if anyone was coming, then, in a blaze of gold light, shifted into her other form, a Golden Dragon, and launched herself into the air, winging her way along parallel with the road.
Another road weary traveler looked up as he saw a flash of bright light from his campsite a little way off the road. He ran to investigate, but got there just as a majestic Golden Dragon was disappearing over the horizon.
"This is a sign!" he said triumphantly, "A sign that I shall finally find my lost love!"
Pushing his straggling black hair back out of his eyes, he ran back and packed up his campsite, then hurried down the road the way the dragon had gone...he would follow the great and noble beast, for, as everyone knows, Gold Dragons are messenger from Cepheid.
Taking a deep breath, Lina looked around the common room. Catching sight of something or someone Zel didn't recognize, she tried to turn around and walk right out the door again.
"Oh L-Sama, not HER! Of all people, why do I have to face HER like this?" she moaned.
Zel wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders and turned her back around just as Gourry caught sight of them.
"Hey! Zelgadilgoze! Hisashiburi!" he waved.
Zel rolled his eyes and Lina giggled. They walked through the crowded room to where their companions were.
"Hello Gourry...and it's ZEL - GA - DIS." Zel said, slight exhasperation evident in his voice.
"Hello Zlageldis...Who's that girl with you? She looks sorta familiar, but..."
"Gourry no BAKA!!" Lina screamed as she bashed him on the head, "It's me...Lina!"
Sylphiel blinked. "Lina-san? What happened to you?"
"It's...a long story."
Just then, Gracia stood up from her place at the table.
"Lina-chan! It's so good to see you again! Did you run into that funny little man again? Does he still have all those Kopiis of me?" she asked. The anger drained out of Lina's face and she sat down on the chair that Zel quickly pulled out for her when he realized she was going to collapse.
"Naga..." she said in a quiet voice.
Part 23 | Story Index | Fanfiction