Poison Chapter 4

Author: Tsutsuji Title: Poison

Poison

Chapter
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Title: Poison (ch. 4 of ??)
Author: Tsutsuji
Date written: June-July, 2005
Rating: PG13 - T (safe for teenagers, at least for now)
Pairings: Zelgadis/Xelloss
Type: yaoi/slash, adventure
Warnings: hurt/comfort, angst
Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright to these characters and I'm making no profit from this fic and intend no copyright infringement.
Summary: Zelgadis reaches the fabled Valley of Shimeria, and does what any tourist would do - shops for souvenirs! Xelloss claims a surprising reason for wanting to visit the Shrine of Shimer, while Zel finds out there was more to Shimer than met the eye!
Poison, Chapter 4
As soon as they stepped off the bridge, Zelgadis and Xelloss were surrounded by the most polite and friendly throng of people ever crowded into a market square. Instead of staring suspiciously at them or looking away quickly, every one they met smiled and greeted them.
"Lovely morning! Well met, my friends! Greetings, welcome!" they said, one after another. They were all kinds of people - young and old, well-dressed and shabby, dark skinned and fair - but all welcomed two more travelers into the steady stream of people coming into the square from the crossroads. Zel was too startled to respond, but no one seemed to take offense at his silence. There were only two things that drew a few doubtful glances - the sword hanging at his side, and Xelloss' staff and priestly garb.
As Zel looked around curiously, he began to notice that many in the crowd appeared either ill or cursed. A young mother hurried by with a thin-limbed, sickly child wheezing in her arms. She nodded to those who greeted her in the usual friendly fashion, but her worried gaze was focused on the city in the distance. A little further on they passed a young man who was making slow progress through town because of the black fog that clung around his head and shoulders. He stopped every few feet to wave it away so he could see where he was going. Each time his face appeared for a moment he smiled and set his sights on the way to the shrine.
Many more people with various ailments hobbled or hurried along through the marketplace, while others wandered among the shops and stalls that lined the roadway. Zelgadis glanced at the items for sale, wondering if the healing relics could be so easily bought. He saw no sign of them, but there was nearly every other kind of merchandise available, from clothing to food to pottery, from gaudy trinkets to fine crafts. The only things he didn't see were weapons or magical items. That seemed unusual in such a well-stocked marketplace.
As he looked around at the shoppers and the travelers, Zelgadis noticed something else that made him stop and stare in wonder. Only the people going in their direction were ill or cursed. Every single person coming toward them from the shrine city was glowing with health. The people passing along beside them wore expressions of hope and determination, but the ones coming back were all smiling with pure joy.
Xelloss paused beside him. He nodded to those who greeted them with his usual cheerfulness, but he kept his head down so his eyes stayed hidden. It occurred to Zelgadis that in this place, the Mazoku had more to hide than he did. Xelloss seemed to know what he was thinking.
"It's much too fine a day for you to be bundled in your cloak and scarf, isn't it, Zelgadis-san? I don't think you have anything to fear from this crowd!"
Slowly, Zelgadis lowered the scarf that covered his face and let his hood fall back off of his wire-like hair. Nothing happened, except maybe the smiles that met him were more welcoming than before. He couldn't even imagine that they found his appearance amusing. The expressions on all of the faces, especially of those coming toward them, were only sympathetic and reassuring, as if to say, "My friend, you've come to the right place!"
While Zelgadis stood there with a smile of hope growing on his own face, they heard shouting and commotion from further along the street. He thought the peace of the town had been shattered by a fight, but instead, a ripple of happy excitement swelled through the crowd. The raised voices were coming closer, and everyone around them stopped to look.
Zelgadis could hardly believe what he saw coming toward them through the crowd. In the midst of a knot of people who were literally dancing with joy, he saw the same young mother who had passed them only a few minutes earlier. Her face was transformed with bliss, and it was no wonder. The child she raised high in the air for all to see was still thin, but his skin glowed with health, he laughed and crowed to the crowd, and his eyes sparkled.
The crowd parted and closed in again behind them as they danced away up the street, back to wherever they came from. They were leaving the Valley of Shimeria already, healed and happy.
"They never even went to the Shrine at all!" Zelgadis said. He turned to Xelloss. "The stories about the healing power of the relics must be true!"
Zel stopped short. Xelloss' face was locked in a grimace of a smile. To anyone else it might look cheerful, but Zelgadis knew better. He'd seen that same look before, when the Mazoku was under direct attack from Amelia chanting "Life is wonderful!" at him with all her considerable might.
"Oh, dear," he said with exaggerated concern. "Now I see why your people don't come here often! That's got to hurt." He couldn't help grinning.
Xelloss relaxed a little as the shouts of celebration faded away in the distance. The crowd around them returned to its former calm but happy state. Apparently such miracles happened so often that most folks took them in stride.
"Well, it's really not so bad," Xelloss said. "One could get used to it, I suppose. Anyway, if I'm not mistaken, that group came from the direction of the shop I pointed out earlier. Shall we pay it a visit and find out what the relics of Shimer can do for you?"
Zelgadis didn't bother to answer that in words. He spun around and started walking.
The shop was doing a brisk business, and a crowd had gathered by the door to discuss the healing they'd witnessed. Zelgadis passed under the swinging sign of the Three Rivers and entered the largest shop he had ever seen. People wandered among row after row of glass display cases. He hurried forward to find the relics, but paused in confusion after passing several rows that all held nothing but jewelry - glittering, gaudy, costume jewelry.
"What is all this?" he muttered, looking around for some sign of holy relics.
"Ah, yes," Xelloss said. He leaned over one of the glass-topped counters to gaze at a sparkling array of rings and brooches. "The fabulous Relics of Shimer!"
Zelgadis stared down at the gem-encrusted items, and then at Xelloss.
"You're joking," he said flatly. "These are supposed to be the healing relics?"
"Why, yes! Didn't you notice the lovely string of pink and yellow beads the child and mother were both wearing when the left?"
Zelgadis stared at him, expecting - hoping - that this was one of Xelloss' pranks.
"You're saying that this... this stuff has the power to cure whatever ailed that child?" Zelgadis sputtered in disbelief.
"Certainly! In fact, look over there... I think another miracle is about to happen!"
Zelgadis followed Xelloss' gaze across the room. A woman had come in who appeared to be afflicted with some kind of fire curse, or maybe it was the result of a spell gone wrong. She constantly slapped at her arms and legs, patting out the small fires that erupted from her skin.
A short, dark haired man hurried forward, bouncing on his toes and beaming at her as she gave him a quick explanation. He led her to a rack hung with all sorts of necklaces, and helped her pick one out. It was a chain of thick gold links with a pendent of orange and blue stones. Zelgadis knew he wasn't necessarily a great judge of fashion, but he was pretty sure it was ugly by most standards.
But the woman nodded, and the man fastened the clasp at the back of her neck. For a few seconds she kept on slapping out fires here and there automatically; it seemed to have become a habit. Then she raised her hand to put out the next one, but it didn't appear. After a few more seconds, a feeble flame broke out and fluttered like a torch running out of fuel. She patted that one out and waited for the next. There were no more.
The look of relief on her face was clear to see from all the way across the shop. She gave the startled but happy shopkeeper a hug before putting a large number of coins in his hand. Then she, too, danced away, her trip to the Valley of Shimeria over almost before it had begun.
While Zelgadis stood there with his eyes nearly popping out of his head, and Xelloss backed a step or two away from the happy scene, the shopkeeper stood beaming after his satisfied customer. Then he turned and scanned the room for more. He caught sight of Zelgadis, did a double take, and his eyes grew wide with excitement. He hurried over to them and stood before Zelgadis, bouncing on his toes. His smile was so big that his eyes nearly disappeared behind round cheeks.
"Welcome, friends, to Tambor's Emporium, your first stop for everything you need here in the Valley of Shimeria! I am Tambor, proprietor of this humble establishment. I'm so glad you've come! If I may be of any assistance, don't hesitate to ask; I'm always pleased to do my small part to serve the Great Cause of Shimer! I can see that you've come a long way to seek the blessings of Shimer, my good sir," he said with an earnest smile at Zelgadis. "I'm only too glad to help in any way!"
Zelgadis stared at him. "You're not trying to tell me that all this... stuff has the power to heal illness and break powerful magical curses?"
"Why, it does indeed," Tambor said without a moment's hesitation. "Every item of adornment in this shop has been blessed at the Shrine with the power of Shimer, under the direct supervision of the Chief Shrine Keeper himself! In some cases, a single item is all it takes to bring back the pure glow of health and humanity to the afflicted! Of course, in some more complicated cases, it takes more time and the application of several relics to deal with the problem. But I've seen the most wonderful things happen right here in this very shop! Most people find the benefits are immediate, and well worth the price! Of course, all items carry our complete money-back guarantee!"
Zelgadis continued to stare at him in disbelief. Xelloss stepped up and spoke to Tambor.
"My friend is not familiar with the history of the Relics, I'm afraid," he said. "Perhaps you could explain it to him?"
Tambor looked at Xelloss uncertainly, taking in his robes and his staff with its red orb.
"Perhaps I should first ask what healing you seek here in Shimeria, Priest?" he said.
The question sounded polite enough, but Zelgadis sensed a challenge behind it. He wondered if the man had somehow realized Xelloss' true nature, and he tensed, expecting trouble to erupt.
"Ah," Xelloss replied in a mild voice. He gave Tambor a small bow. "I apologize for my appearance. You see, I'm a priest without a calling. You might say, I've lost my faith, and I've come to Shimeria seeking a new one. Those I once served no longer hear my prayers, and I no longer hear their voices. I wear these robes only as a snake waiting to shed his skin."
Zelgadis gaped at him, but the shopkeeper nodded in sympathy.
"I understand perfectly!" Tambor said. "You've come to be purified at the Holy Shrine and join the Followers of Shimer!"
Xelloss smiled with his head still bowed. "As Shimer said: 'Repent of all of the ways of magic, for Humans were not made to serve either gods or demons, but only to serve the Great Cause of Humanity itself!' I only regret that I did not understand the power of those words sooner."
"The Great Cause of Shimer!" Tambor echoed. He held out raised hands and his eyes closed briefly in a look of rapture.
"Indeed," Xelloss replied. "The Great Cause of Shimer."
Zelgadis glanced at him in surprise. He couldn't even detect any sarcasm hidden in Xelloss' voice.
"That's why you're here? To be purified at the shrine?" Zelgadis asked him. "You never said that."
He didn't believe for a second that Xelloss was planning to do anything of the kind, of course. He didn't think it would be wise to expose the lie to the fervent shopkeeper, though, at least not yet. He didn't want to provoke Xelloss into doing something destructive before he'd gotten what he came for, at any rate.
Xelloss managed to wink at him, revealing a glimpse of one slitted eye that Tambor couldn't see.
"Now you may understand why I urged you to come here as well, my chimera friend," Xelloss said, making Zel blink in surprise while Tambor beamed happily at both of them. "You will see the truth of what Shimer believed, that the power of the gods and the demons wanes, and Humanity will prevail. If you seek to be fully human, this is the place to come!"
"Ah, a chimera," Tambor said, looking Zel up and down as if giving him a professional assessment. He nodded wisely. "Yes, I see. Rock golem, and....?"
"Uh... Brow demon, actually," Zelgadis admitted. He shifted uncomfortably under Tambor's gaze.
"Dear me, yes, a difficult combination, to be sure, but I'm certain we have something in stock that will suit you perfectly!"
Zelgadis noticed for the first time that Shimer wore a full complement of his own merchandise. Rings, bracelets, and pendants gleamed and jangled as he moved. He wore a thick collar made of many rows of glass beads - along with a touch of rouge and mascara.
Zel suddenly remembered a portrait of Shimer that he'd once seen. The great sage was all dressed in lace and ruffles, bedecked with every kind of jewel imaginable from the buckles of his shoes to the top of his head. Shimer had been quite the dandy of his time, which was part of the reason Zel had forgotten the stories of Shimer's crusade against the Mazoku until Xelloss mentioned it. He just hadn't looked the part.
Tambor searched through many cases, pulling various items out and considering them before shaking his head and tossing them back. Zelgadis watched him out of the corner of his eye but he turned to scowl at Xelloss.
"What was all that about?" he whispered. "Don't tell me you really did come here to be cured of being Mazoku!"
"Did I say that?" Xelloss replied, looking surprised.
"I only wish," Zelgadis muttered. "But I know better. What's all that Shimer said about not serving the gods, and repenting of all magic? Didn't he use white magic himself?"
"I'll explain that later, since you obviously didn't do your homework very well before coming here, Zelgadis-san," Xelloss said quickly. "But look - I think Tambor's found something for you already!"
Zel spared one more sharp glance at Xelloss before turning around to see what Tambor had come up with. He had to squint against the glare from all the jewelry Tambor had laid out on the counter. Xelloss nudged him and he stumbled forward until he stood staring down at the ensemble. His jaw dropped.
Gold and white enamel rings and bracelets, elaborate settings holding multi-colored stones, and a collar of glass beads that was even thicker than the one Tambor wore, were spread out over an entire countertop. It was enough to adorn several princesses at a royal wedding, and then some, Zelgadis thought, except no princess he'd ever met could be so tasteless as to wear all these things together. He'd rather wear a dress again than put all that stuff on!
Xelloss stood back and clapped his hands together. "How perfectly lovely! You'll look ravishing in all of that, Zelgadis-san!" he crowed.
"What? I don't..."
Before Zelgadis could finish his protest, Tambor clapped his hands twice, and a flock of shop assistants appeared and surrounded him. They went to work with professional enthusiasm, and soon Zel found himself decked out with jewels and glittering like a peacock.
He caught sight of himself in the full-length mirror Tambor produced. He could only gape in disbelief at the reflection. His arms were encased in jeweled bracelets and armbands, his hands heavy with many rings. Sashes of gold braid crossed his chest, and a white enameled belt with a huge buckle set with blue and orange stones was slung around his hips. Heavy pendants and the beaded collar hung around his neck. To top off the ensemble, a jeweled tiara was perched atop his wire-stiff hair.
He realized how much it looked like the jewelry Shimer had been wearing in the portrait he'd seen. But the tiara, at least, had suited Shimer, holding his tightly curled black hair away from his delicate face. On Zelgadis, it looked ridiculous.
"I don't think so," he said flatly.
Tambor bit his lip, but quickly hid his doubts.
"It suits you perfectly!" he cried. "As well it should. This is our finest reproduction of the blessed Relics of Shimer, purified at the Holy Shrine under the direct supervision of the Chief Shrine Keeper himself! An exact replica of the jewelry worn by Shimer when he battled the Mazoku hoards!"
"What? This?" Zelgadis held up an arm so heavy with jewels he didn't see how a normal man would be able to lift it. If he wasn't a chimera, he was certain he would have been floored by the weight of it all. "Shimer wore this into battle? I thought it was ceremonial!"
"Ah yes, I forgot - you don't know the history of the Relics, do you?"
Tambor walked around him, adjusting items here and there, while Zel stood and waited for something to happen. He could sense magical energy in the jewels, although he couldn't make out just what the spell was. But it felt like strong magic. He felt it trying to penetrate into his stone body and his demon soul.
He stared harder at the reflection. Was anything changing? Would it happen all at once or gradually? He couldn't tell yet.
"Before this valley became famous as the birthplace of Shimer," Tambor said as he continued to circle Zelgadis, "it was known far and wide as a source for fine jewelry and adornments. Clay from the rivers, gemstones from the surrounding hills, and gold and silver from the mountains that border the plain to the south, were all brought here to be fashioned by the finest craftsmen the world has ever known. The jewels of Shimer were sought after far and wide, worn by kings, queens, princesses, and all people of distinction.
"Naturally, when Shimer went forth on his crusade to ride the world of evil, he wore the products of his homeland proudly, even into battle with the monsters of darkness. The jewels of Shimeria gleamed with holy light, and his beads and bracelets rang like bells across the battlefield as he raised his sword and cast the demons back into darkness!"
Tambor stepped back and looked Zelgadis over. He reached up to smooth the beaded collar down over his tunic, making the beads rattle together with his touch. He stepped back and shook a handful of his own glass beads.
"In fact," he continued, "it is said that, even now, the most powerful Mazoku tremble at the jingling sound of Shimer's jewelry!"
Zelgadis glanced back at Xelloss, who was standing several feet away.
"Is that so?" he said. He rattled the beads again with a grin.
"So I've heard," Xelloss replied. Zelgadis thought his smile looked a little forced.
"Hmm," Zelgadis turned back to look at his reflection again. The outfit didn't actually look that bad, after all. "Maybe I do need to accessorize a little more!"
He'd attracted a small crowd of onlookers, obviously hoping to see the third miracle of the day in Tambor's shop. But they waited in vain. Nothing continued to happen, except that Zel felt the collar start to chafe against his pebbled skin. He turned this way and that, partly to look for any changes in his body, and partly to reconsider the look of the ensemble. He just couldn't decide if he liked it or not.
The crowd started to drift away, but several people complimented him on the outfit before they left. Only one man at the edge of the crowd studied him with more serious eyes, and seemed less expectant than the others.
Xelloss stood back at a discreet distance, watching the proceedings. Zelgadis kept expecting him to laugh out loud, but he seemed as curious as the others to see what would happen. Rattling his bracelets again, Zel thought he actually saw Xelloss flinch, but he wasn't sure.
Unfortunately, nothing else seemed to be happening at all. Zelgadis could sense the power emanating from the gold and gems. It was soothing; definitely a healing energy, but it didn't seem to be able to penetrate very deeply within him. He raised his eyebrows at Tambor.
Still looking hopeful, Tambor caught the eye of the man at the edge of the crowd.
"Ah, Mr. Zuller, sir! What do you think?"
The silver-haired man stepped forward, still studying Zelgadis thoughtfully. Zelgadis noticed that he wore a much simpler version of the bead collar, and a smaller version of the huge belt buckle over his silver tunic. After a long look at Zel, the man shook his head slowly.
"I regret to say that these ornaments, as beautiful and powerfully blessed as they are, will not produce the cure you need," he said, in a rich, deep voice. "I'm sorry, Mr. Tambor. My apologies to you as well, sir," he said to Zelgadis.
"Mr. Zelgadis, allow me to introduce Mr. Zuller, Chief Shrine Keeper at the Shrine of Shimer," Tambor said quickly. "I believe he personally oversaw the blessing of these particular items; isn't that the case, Mr. Zuller?"
Zuller nodded with a smile and a humble tilt of his head. He had thick, silver-white hair and a face creased from smiling.
"In our duty in the Great Cause of Shimer, we imbued these beautiful items with our strongest blessing. But I'm afraid that there is only so much the blessed relics can do. As I'm sure Mr. Tambor mentioned, some problems can only be cured by entering the Shrine itself. I'm afraid that is the case with a curse such as yours," he said.
Tambor nodded. "I was afraid that might be so," he sighed. "But, it was worth a try!"
"Are you certain the relics can't heal me?" Zelgadis said. "I sense the healing power in them, it just seems to be working very slowly." He suddenly felt reluctant to remove the jewels, even though his common sense argued that there was no reason on earth to wear the gaudy things one second longer if it wasn't going to change him back to human.
"Can you sense it?" Zuller took a step closer, studying Zelgadis more intently. "You are trained in magic; I should have realized. Shamanic magic, for the most part?"
"Yes," Zelgadis answered, surprised at his assumption. After what Xelloss said earlier, he decided not to admit that he also knew a few spells of both white and black magic.
Zuller continued to study him, until Zelgadis felt his skin begin to prickle. Up close, Zuller's eyes were pale blue, like crystal, or clear water. Zel wasn't sure if he liked the earnest gleam in those eyes or not.
"No," Zuller said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid, Mr. Tambor, it will be best to save this wonderful ensemble for someone else in need of its healing power. A chimera can only be made human again at the Shrine of Shimer."
He waved to the shop assistants, and Tambor nodded in agreement. They carefully removed the items, clicking their tongues regretfully. Tambor patted each piece reverently as he put them all away.
Although the jewels had been uncomfortable and ugly, Zelgadis felt like something was missing after they were gone. Disappointment started to sink in. He sighed, trying to recapture some of the hope he'd been feeling such a short time ago.
"Don't give up hope!" Zuller said. "You will be freed of this terrible curse soon! In the meantime, while you journey to the Shrine, I recommend a few simple ornaments, to help begin the healing process."
Zelgadis looked up at him. "Are you certain the Shrine can cure me?"
Zuller smiled. "Absolutely. The power of Shimer to restore humanity to the cursed is beyond any doubt. Come to the Shrine, and you'll see for yourself!"
Zelgadis pushed his disappointment aside and nodded. "That was my original plan, anyway," he said.
"Excellent, excellent! We'll be glad to welcome you when you arrive." He turned around and caught sight of Xelloss. "Your friend is welcome as well, if what I heard him say earlier is true. Those who turn away from false gods are most welcome at the Shrine," he said.
"I'm honored, Chief Shrine Keeper," Xelloss said, looking so humble that Zelgadis had to stifle laughter. "The gods are of no use at all, I've found. I'm most anxious to visit the crystal towers of the Shrine City."
"Then, I wish you a speedy journey. I have other business to attend to, or I would accompany you myself, but I hope I will be able to greet you in person when you arrive."
He turned back to Zelgadis. "It's less than a two day journey on foot through the valley. You can reach the next town by nightfall, and be at the city late the following day, but there's no need to hurry! Enjoy the hospitality of our valley. It's a very safe road; you won't need your weapon, and they're forbidden within the city itself, anyway. But, Tambor," he said, turning to the shopkeeper, "please find something gentle yet effective from your inventory for Zelgadis, to begin his healing journey - and put it on our tab!"
Tambor smiled widely and bowed. "Certainly, Mr. Zuller sir!" he said, and started picking through a case of enameled bracelets.
Zuller turned to go with a wave of his hand. "Pleasant journey!" he called as he left the shop.
"Thank you," Zelgadis said, eyeing Xelloss suspiciously. "I hope it will be, but I doubt it."
Xelloss came over and watched as Tambor found a simple bracelet made of several loops of colored beads. It was like a small replica of Shimer's beaded collar. Zel put it on and shook it experimentally, listening to the soft clattering sound it made. Xelloss grimaced at him, but Zel suspected that he was just putting on a show for his benefit. He took the bracelet anyway, and Tambor sent them on their way with his best wishes for a complete cure.
They stepped back out into the stream of people and turned their steps toward the shrine. The sun was dropping toward the hill behind them, and the city ahead seemed to waver in the heat waves rising from the plain. Zelgadis felt his hopes wavering as well.
"A pity that the relics didn't work for you, Zelgadis-san," Xelloss said as they left the market town.
"You knew that would happen," Zelgadis accused him under his breath, while nodding at a passing man who greeted them with a smile.
"On the contrary, I had every expectation that the relics would heal you. The power that made you is stronger than I realized. But, the good part of it is, it means we're still traveling together!"
Zelgadis sighed. "I suppose we are, whether I like it or not. At least this way I have a chance of finding out what you're up to."
Xelloss looked hurt. "Does that mean you don't enjoy my company as much as I enjoy yours, Zelgadis-san? How disappointing!"
Zel glared at him, but couldn't bring himself to lie outright. The truth was, the bland cheeriness of these people was starting to get on his nerves a little, and he felt he would rather have Xelloss for company than Zuller with his earnest friendliness. But he wasn't about to admit that to Xelloss.
He even started to feel a little sorry for Xelloss, being bombarded with all these happy feelings from every side. If it was making him feel a little twitchy, Xelloss must feel downright ill from it. He did seem to be plodding along without the usual bounce in his step, Zel noticed.
Feeling foolish, Zelgadis quietly slipped the bracelet off his wrist into his bag. The beads scraped against his skin uncomfortably, anyway, like glass scratching slate. In fact, everything about Shimer was starting to annoy him, from his fervent, happy followers to his horrid fashion sense. The trip to the shrine had better be worth it.
"Let's just get there and get it over with," he muttered.
Xelloss fixed his gaze on the distant city with a grim smile. "I agree completely," he said.
---
to be continued...
Next: Zelgadis rides a roller coaster of hope and frustration when he finds out that all is not as it seems in the idyllic Valley of Shimeria. Meanwhile, Xelloss runs into some trouble of his own! (And the rating might actually go up on this thing, depending on where you're reading it!)

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