Chapter 15

“I think dad is finally beginning to get used to you,” Cariad told Cante a few months later, “he hasn’t lectured me about you in a couple of weeks.”

“He’d lecture about me,” Cante inquired, “about what?  I didn’t think he remembered much from his tyrant days?”

“He doesn’t,” she replied, “but that doesn’t stop him.  He just lectures about how you’re a Fiend and can’t be trusted and yadda yadda yadda.”  She shrugged, “but he always gets quiet when I remind him that I’m an assassin that can’t be trusted.  Of course, then he mentions that I wasn’t always an assassin…”

“And you mention that I wasn’t always a Fiend,” he finished for her.

“Yeah,” she said, “but he also gets nervous when I start flipping a dagger.  I think that helps end the lectures.”

Neb walked in trailed by Ryn, both were covered in a powdery white substance.  “Hey guys,” Ryn said excitedly, “you’ll never guess wha—“

“IT’S SNOWING‼”  Neb interrupted her as he shook snow on everybody, “and there’s somebody outside looking for Blaidd,” he added.

“I wonder why,” Cariad said, “Cante, why don’t you go ahead and go outside, I’ll be out as soon as I find dad.”

“If you see Ignis, tell him to get his butt out there,” Ryn added cheerfully.

“Okay,” Cariad said mischievously, “HEY IGNIS!” she shouted, “YOU’RE GIRFRIEND’S LOOKING FOR YOU!  SHE SAYS TO GET YOUR BUTT OUTSIDE!”

“Cariad!” Ryn gasped, “was that really necessary?”

“Yup!” Cariad replied.

A few minutes later Blaidd and Cariad went outside to see what this mystery person wanted.  Cariad started throwing snowballs at Cante and Ryn, while Blaidd went to where the mystery person was.  

“BLAIDD!!!” the person squealed, hurting everyone’s ears, as she jumped and clung onto him “why’d you leave me?  I know you love me, so why’d you leave?”
Zreti and Obsidian came bounding out with Peridot and Kunzite close behind as soon as they heard the familiar squeal.

“Oh,” she said condescendingly, “it’s that overgrown dog again.”  

Obsidian lunged when she said this, pinning her to the ground.  Didn’t I tell you that I’d have your head if you ever called me a dog again?  His threat was mentally loud enough for everybody to feel.

“Obsidian,” Peridot said sharply, “get off PiTa this instant!  I know she called you a dog again, but remember what I told you last time?”  Obsidian growled as he let her up, but his fur was standing on its end and his tail was up in an aggressive stance.  “As for you,” Peridot said to PiTa, “we had no choice in leaving, as we were taken against our will.”

“You went with him,” Pita said jealously, “why didn’t you take me Blaidd?  I know you love me, even though you’d always deny it.”  As she said this, she was sidling up to him in an attempt at being seductive.

“Get away from my father,” Cariad said as she hit Pita in the head with a snowball, causing her to fall over.

“Ow!” Pita whined, “that hurt!”  She looked around now and saw Kunzite.  Instantly she was on her feet running towards him, “You saw that didn’t you?  You must be my guardian ange-”

Now Zreti had her pinned.  “You stay away from all the males here,” she grated, “they are all taken.  If you so much as lay a finger on any of them, so help me I’ll—”

“Zreti,” Kunzite said as he drew her back, “there will be no ripping of throats.”

“You saved me!” Pita exclaimed, resuming her run towards him, “you save me from the evil bitch lady!  Thank you so mu—oopmh!”  She tripped as hands of ice held her feet in place.  “Whaaat?”

It was Blaidd.  “PiTa!  You will stop this nonsense right now,” he said viciously, his eyes glowing and his old armor slowly forming around him.  “I do not love you, nor have I ever, and you would do well to remember that.  Much has changed since you last saw and humiliated me.  No longer am I the boy that was too shy to tell you off.  Now I am a Master Wizard,” he twisted his hand up and Pita was jerked off the ground as a vortex or fire formed under her.  He noted that she was about to scream, and cast a muting spell on her, “and a Dark Lord if I so choose.  Surely you are aware of the ongoing War with Inqui,” he paused as he waited for a response, continuing when she nodded, “and surely you heard of the Dark Lord Blaidd who was their tyrant for a few years, yes?  Well do remember that my name is Blaidd Golzen Tanio.  I was the one taking the Crystals and making a puppet out of your husband’s brother.”  He paused as he let the realization sink in, his armor now fully enclosing him.  

“That’s enough Lord Blaidd,” Cante said as he made the vortex of fire ice over, “put the girl down.  I can tell you don’t like her, neither do I, but I think she’s gotten the message now.  She won’t be bothering any of us for a long time.”

Blaidd didn’t put her down, but he did turn his attention towards Cante.  “You forget your place, Fiend.”

“I am no fiend, and you would do well to remember that,” Cante said, his own flame-colored eyes aglow, “and may I call to your attention that after Fuzen’s fall I was restored to my place of Lord of the Elemental Lords.”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!”  Cariad yelled as she began to glow throwing a dagger at both of the men to distract them, “BOTH OF YOU!”  Then she turned her attention towards Pita, “and you,” she said viciously, “you had better leave if you value your soul.  If you ever bother any of us again I will personally assassinate you so that not even the Phoenix Goddess herself can revive you.  Father, put her down.”

Blaidd complied, his armor dissipating, “AND DON’T COME BACK!” he yelled as she ran away.