The Forgotten Zodiac

"Oh, I do remember that," L'arc said after a moment of thought. "What was that? Two, three years ago?" he asked, looking back to Sylas. "When we were first reunited, I mean," he amended quickly, knowing that likely Sylas had no recollection of being drowned. He smiled at both Aries and Sylas, then sighed, turning back to Versha. "How much time do I have before this thing starts?" he asked.

"Three years ago." Sylas smiled.

"Only an hour," Versha nodded. "When you see the sun nearing the horizon, that is the time for the coronation to start. It's a relatively quick ceremony; as the sun just reaches above the horizon, you will be named king."

"And right after that, the Phantom shows up." Verolen muttered as he entered the room. "Here, L'arc. I know you don't want to throw up or anything, but you should eat this." He forced a fruit into the prince's hands. It looked like a pear, but a little swollen and oozing a sweet liquid.

"Hey, a sticky pear," Sylas chuckled. "It's impossible to throw it up, it sticks to your stomach until fully digested."

"Precisely. We can't have your stomach making more noise than the elder now, can we?" Verolen grinned.

"No, I doubt anyone would want that," L'arc agreed. He looked the pear over for a moment to see if there was a "correct" way to eat it without getting it all over himself, before shrugging and just trying to be careful cot to drip any of the sticky ooze on himself or the new robe.

Sylas chuckled. "Lick the jelly off first," He pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around the bottom of the fruit, to keep it from dripping. "Think of it as a really juicy nectarine." He grinned. "I'm surprised you've never had these. They digest slow, so a meal of these can last you a few days."

"I've had them before," L'arc wass quick to correct. "It's just been a really long time. And sometimes I forget.... basic things when I hibernate," he said, looking a bit sheepish. "I had an hour to figure it out, right?" he added.

Sylas grinned. "I guess if you want to spend an hour trying to remember how to eat a fruit, go ahead. Fortunately for you, I don't forget things."

He didn't know how wrong he was. Either way, he continued talking. "Either way...how do you think the coronation is going to go?"

"Well, it'll go a lot better with you all being there,' he said. "Because I know that with you all around, I have less to worry about and get nervous over,' he said.

"But of course," Sylas nodded. "But isn't the Phantom going to attack? We don't even know when he'll show up...it could be right after you're crowned, it could be an hour after, it could be days..." Sylas bit his lip. "He never said, you know."

"All we can do is be ready for him when he comes," L'arc said. He thought a moment, then turned to Versha. "Is there any rule that says I can't wear a sword during my coronation?" he asked.

"All we can do is be ready for him when he comes," L'arc said. He thought a moment, then turned to Versha. "Is there any rule that says I can't wear a sword during my coronation?" he asked.

"No. Of course not. Most swords in the past have been decorative, but I'm sure we can just dazzle up an actual sword." Versha smiled. "It will be done. Sylas, as L'arc's head guard, you'll be escorting him to the throne. Shall I craft you a bow, as well?"

"You could just decorate this one," Sylas took off his bow.

"Of course," Versha took it, smiling away.

"And, this," L'arc said, drawing out Lisben. This sword was already finely crafted, having been tempered in dragon's flames, but it was a bit stained from L'arc's use of it. "I can polish it, if you want. I'm kind of... you know. Feel uneasy without it," he said.

"I understand. What is a sword without someone to weild it? These are both fine weapons. Don't worry about polishing or anything of the sort. I'll take care of it." Versha nodded and moved off to her crafting room, which was mostly magic-fueled.

L'arc nodded, watching her move off. He then resumed eating his sticky pear, slowly as to try and avoid making a mess. After a while, he asked, "Has anyone seen Bermuda up? I wouldn't want him to miss the ceremony."

"I dunno if he's up, but I doubt he'd miss it. If nothing else, Rush might wake him up," Sylas pointed out. "Maybe Verolen. You shouldn't worry about him, it'll be fine."

"I can't help but worry, with the way he's been acting," L'arc said, finishing off the pear and wiping his hands on the cloth Sylas had given him.

"No kidding..." Sylas murmured. "But it'll all be okay, I'm sure it will. It...it has to be. It has to." He insisted. "You can't spend any time worrying about him, either way. You've got your own stuff to deal with, Just..." He was at a loss for words, unable to reassure his friend of that which he was unsure of, himself.

There was nothing they could do but get a move on with the Coronation.

"Just wait and see what happens, and react as best I can," L'arc finished Sylas' sentence with a sigh. He milled about for a while, then found a chair to sit in, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed.

"I guess, yeah." Sylas nodded, plopping down on the floor next to L'arc's chair. "It's okay, L'arc. I won't let the Phantom hurt you. I dunno what he's planning, but...if I have to, I'll gladly take a hit for you." He looked up at his friend, not even smiling. He was dead serious.

"Don't do a thing like that," L'arc was quick to say. "I wouldn't be able to stand it. You getting hurt on my behalf..." he murmured, running a hand through his hair.

"We're all willing to do such a thing, L'arc."

The druid looked up at the soft, familiar voice, seeing Bermuda at the door. The prince rose to his feet and smiled. "Hey," he said. "Glad to see you up."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world," Bermuda said, smiling tiredly.