They had been walking for a day and a half, fueled by tiny clues as
to where Darius and his men had gone, and by thoughts of vengeance.
But now they were tired, and night was fast approaching. Seeing as
there was nothing but forest for miles, they decided to camp out.
Lucia sat down on her bedroll and gazed at Zangulus, who sat across
from her, warming himself by their campfire. Silence hung over them
as neither said a word. At last, when she couldn’t bear it any more,
Lucia spoke up.
“Zangulus, where were you all these years? What did you do? What
profession did you take up? I long to hear the answers. It’s been so
long, too long, since we last sat together.”
Zangulus tossed a small twig into the fire and looked over at his old
friend. He sighed. “Lucia, I have been places no person has ever
been, and seen things no person should ever see. But to answer your
questions, I became a bounty hunter. I did various jobs, but my
greatest job was when I worked for Ellis, a devotee of the late Rezo
the Red Priest. I was assigned to Vrumigun, a sorcerer, and I was to
capture the sorceress Lina Inverse. I did, and I battled her
companion Gourry Gabriev, to prove who was the better swordsman.”
“You went up against Lina Inverse and Gourry Gabriev? Who won,
anyways?”
“Well, Gabriev did. But I’m still convinced that I am the better
swordsman. Also, Inverse got away, but then, that wasn’t my problem.
I was only paid to bring her to Ellis, not prevent them from getting
away.”
“Wow,” Lucia whistled. “You have been busy then, huh? Did you ever
meet up with Inverse after that?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. Gabriev had been brainwashed by the evil
Hellmaster Phibrizzo, and he was attacking her. I rescued her and her
friends from the evil Gabriev, and helped her to defeat the
Hellmaster. And…” his voice trailed off, as he recalled how he had
met and married Martina. His heart ached as he thought about the
beloved wife he had lost. With much effort, he continued,”And I met
and married Princess Martina Mel Navratilova of Zoanna…” He bowed his
head, tears streaming down his cheeks. Lucia walked over to him and
put a comforting arm around her friend. “Zangy, what’s wrong? Don’t
cry! A smile suits you much better!”
“It’s just that…I lost Martina when Darius attacked Zoanna…I’ll never
see her again!” He sobbed even harder. Concerned, Lucia hugged him.
“Zangulus, I know it hurts. I really do. Please, cheer up!” she
paused. “Look, don’t you wanna hear about what I’ve been up to?”
Zangulus looked up and nodded as he wiped his tears away. “You’re
right. I’m sorry. I’ve never cried in my life. I shouldn’t start now.
Please, tell me what you’ve been doing these past years.”
Lucia shot him an encouraging smile. “Well, a few days after you left
Carnes, I decided to go out and seek my profession. I became a
mercenary, and a spy. I also did a little thievery on the side. Over
the years, I traveled far and wide…” she paused. “But I really hoped
that, by some miracle, I would find you. I really missed you
Zangulus, more than you could ever possibly know….” She stared into
his deep blue eyes, full of joy at seeing him again. Deep inside
her, a feeling of happiness grew, a feeling of warmth. She placed her
hand to her chest and closed her eyes, allowing her thoughts to
wander….
“ Does he know? Can he detect the truth? All these years, I ‘ve been
longing for him, it was all because I loved him. I’d loved him ever
since the day we first met as kids. I prayed to the gods that we
would someday be together, married, and with a family. Has my prayer
finally been answered?
“But he’s lost his wife! He was married during that period apart from
me! I can’t possibly let him know how I feel, or ask him to be with
me! It would be selfish! How can I expect him to love so soon after
he’s lost?”
She opened her eyes again. “Zangulus, I’m so glad we’re together
again. I won’t ever leave your side. I’ll help you defeat Darius,
even if it means my end. I’ll be with you every step of the way!”
“Of course. And I am glad that you will.” He paused, and fingered at
his hat. She stared at it. He looked back to her and smiled. “I still
wear that hat you gave me when we were kids. It was kind of big back
then, but I’ve grown into it. I never really took it off, no matter
how ratty it got. It was a memory of you…”
“That’s so sweet of you…” was all she said, pleased that he had still
thought of her over all those years…” She took his hand in her own.
“By the way, I never really thanked you for that…”
“Oh, it’s alright…” she blushed, but Zangulus lifted her hand to his
lips. “Thank you, Lucia…”
“Oh, Zangulus, I….” She sputtered. She bowed her head. “Gods, you
have no idea how lonely it’s been all these years…”
Zangulus lowered her hand and embraced her. “Lucia,” he began, I was
lonely too. So lonely. And now that Martina’s gone, I’m lonely
again…” He drew closer to her. “…Maybe we can be lonely together…” He
lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her long and passionately.
“Zangulus…” Lucia mumbled. “Of course…” She radiated happiness. So
maybe Zangulus was ready to love again. She would certainly comply…
She felt dizzy and light-headed as he began kissing her neck. She
closed her eyes, as her surroundings were becoming blurry. She bathed
in the warmth of his body pressed against her own, and drifted off in
a euphoria of darkness….
