Chapter 19: Here Comes the Count

And so, the story would soon unfold.

It felt more like an interrogation rather than a simple explanation of what's been up lately. Under the curious watch of Darius Raphiliene's ice blue eyes, Rinoah began to explain herself.

"Well?" Darius was waiting.

"Couldn't I rather-

"No."

"But, what if-

"No."

"So, maybe I can-

"Tell me what's on your damn mind, so you can walk out of here as happy as a flippin' ray of sunshine!", he yelled.

"You don't have to be so nasty about it. . .", Rinoah grumbled. "All right then."

"OPEN THE GATES!", shouted a guard to a gatekeeper. A massive line of horses with their keepers arrived at the palace walls, laden with gifts, trinkets, and well uh, implements of sorts.

"What's going on?", asked a woman to another.

"Haven't you heard?", asked the other. "These are the priests of the temples."

"A bit glamorous for a priest, wouldn't you say?", asked the first.

"For a priest, yes. . .", they replied. "But, for who is accompanying the priest. . ."

"OUT OF MY WAY!" A large, rather fat man came bustling to the inner gates, where a stable attendant stood to take in the horses.

"Yes, sir?", asked the attendant.

"GOOD, SOME SEVICE IN THE LOUSY, WRETCHED PLACE!", shouted the man. Looking a little insulted, the attendant replied.

"We're a little short in service this time of year, sir."

"THEN HOW LONG IS THIS TIME OF YEAR?! IT'S ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS!", the man shouted. "DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?!"

"Yes, sir. . .", said the attendant. "You are Count Jasper, sir."

"DON'T TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNOW!", the count said. "TAKE MY BAGGAGE TO MY ROOM, AND LET THE PRINCE KNOW I'VE ARRIVED!"

"With all this shouting, EVERYONE will know you've arrived. . .", the attendant grumbled in a droll, dry tone.

"WELL, I NEVER HEARD OF SUCH BELLIGERENCE IN A SERVANT!", he said. He turned, and swept his blue cloak behind him, to address the priests behind him. "AND WHAT IS THIS RABBLE?! A CIRCUS?!"

"Those are priests." Giladian was standing behind him. "My lord?"

"GILADIAN, YOU SON OF A GUN, THERE YOU ARE!" The count's disposition seemed ultimately sunnier at the prospect that the captain was before him.

"Uh, why are you shouting?", he asked. Count Jasper coughed, and then settled down a bit.

"Ahem, sorry, my good lad.", he said. "You can never depend on the staff around here. Now, MY mansion, there is no delay!" The priests began to file in to the castle, moving past the captain and the count.

"Yes, well, these priests must get by, sir.", said Giladian.

"PRIESTS?! WHY ARE THERE PRIESTS?!"

"Calm down, sir. . . It's Silistine's Day, remember?", asked the captain.

"AH YES! Uh, I mean, ah yes! Wonderful holiday! I remember when I used to be surrounded by flocks of ladies. . . BUT THAT WAS YESTERDAY! GYAHAHAA!" His rotund belly shook as he laughed, and the captain was a little. . .disturbed by all this.

"A dream, you say?", asked Darius. "And THAT should disturb such a strong figure that is you?"

"Shut up. . .", she grumbled. "I knew it wasn't a good idea to consult you in any way. . ."

"Okay, okay, I take it back!", he laughed. "Anyway, when did this begin again?"

"When I got sick.", she said.

"It's probably just an extended case of delirium. . ."

"I'll give you delirium. . ."

"What was that, now?"

"NOTHING!"

"Right, well then. . .", he said. "Your dream was. . .?"

"You, May, and Giladian, practically annoying me as I traveled through this cloud of memories that makes no sense.", she said. "But now, it only goes through a few random ones."

"Random? No connection?"

"Uh, I wouldn't say that. . .", she said, knowing it was getting to a touchier subject.

"I can't help you, if you won't tell me. . .", he said.

"I don't want your help, anyway."

"Just tell me the damn, details woman."

"Touchy, touchy, Mr. Ladies' man. . .", she said, teasingly.

"TELL ME."

"Fine.", she sighed. "It begins all these different ways. . ."

"Continue."

"Okay. . .It brings me back to where I used to live, at Mt. Arovale."

"Huh? But that place-

"Was burned to the ground. I should know.", she said. "And, it sorta brings me back to my friends, to, uh, to. . ."

"To?"

"Uh. . .When I was picked on."

"You? Picked on? YOU?!" He burst into a fit of laughter, while she gave an audible growl.

"YOU SAID YOU WOULDN'T LAUGH!", she shouted.

"YEAH, BUT-!" He was cut off by his own laughter. "I JUST- I JUST CAN'T- CAN'T IMAGINE!" He was still laughing.

"WEREN'T YOU TEASED BY ANYBODY?!"

"NOPE!", he shouted. "I'm the crown prince, remember?"

"Yeah. Just remember to have me kill you when I get out of this god forsaken pit of hell.", she growled.

"No, no, only smiles in therapy!", he teased.

"I AM NOT INSANE!"

"Wish to challenge that?"

"GO ALREADY!"

"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY! Man, you're touchy for someone who likes to be tough. . . Please, go on. . ."

"Okay, well you know how it begins. . . They would always pick on me, because you know, I'm a half blood, and some people just can't accept that. . ."

"And what else? Remembering past hate making you take it out on me?"

"Don't flatter yourself. You're already not worth my time and air. . ."

"Hey, just keep in mind, I'll leave when you tell me why you're so grouchy. Other than, well, you know. . ."

"SHUT UP, YOU PRICK!" She was ready to kill him at any moment. "It always ends the same. I'm found by some guy, after getting mobbed by those guys who bullied my friend, and then I tried to intervene, and well, I already told you the end result."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, whatever. Sympathize if you will, but I doubt you could with such a thick head."

"Who are you found by?"

"I dunno. I never really saw him, and when I did, my vision was still pretty blurry from the attack."

"Only makes to complicate things.", he said. "But, how is there any relation to me, and this guy who finds you in the end? Is he handsome?"

"I can't tell. . ."

"Well, it certainly can't have any relation to me."

"Why not?"

"You know I'm just so strikingly handsome that even the blind can tell."

"Shut up! Every time you open your mouth, my IQ quotient drops!"

"I can see what effect it's been giving you."

"SHUT UP! But anyway, like I was saying-

"YOUR MAJESTY! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" A servant had run into her room, looking frantic.

"Here, obviously.", said Darius. "What, are we under attack?"

"We might as well be!", said the servant. "Count Jasper has arrived!"

"For what reason?" Rinoah was taken aback. Did he say. . .Count Jasper?

"Oh, hello there, milady." The servant bowed. "Count Jasper comes every year around this time, to visit. It's a little later than projected, so we didn't think he'd come, but lo and behold, his pack of traveling servants and horses have come."

"Him?", asked Darius. "That pompous hot air balloon?"

"Quite plainly, yes.", said the servant. "He wishes to see you, sire. He is interested in this assassin job your father has cooked up, and wants to discuss it with you directly."

"May heaven spare us the apocalypse. . .", sighed Darius. "Well then, I will be in the great hall. Sophiraen?" Rinoah was pretending not to be there. "Are you coming?"

"Uh, you go ahead!", she said. "I'll be right there!"

"SOPHIRAEN!" Maylin bolted in. "I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

"SEE?! I'M WANTED ELSEWHERE! BYE NOW!" She ran out with Maylin.

"Funny girl. . .", said the servant. "Well, messire, come with me."

The count was waiting at the door.