Dino and his men bowed before the Queen’s throne. Toshiro had never been before the Queen before. She was tall and graceful, with an air of terrible power and strength. She had skin the color of the bark of a young fig tree, brown…but not too brown… Her long dark brown hair was braided down her back, her brown eyes looked over each of the men in front of her. Toshiro caught a glance at the ravened hair King before the Queen started to speak.
“I am glad you arrived here safely…please rise,” Hime said.
All of the knights rose to their feet. Hime walked around the men looking them
over. Toshiro could have sworn that the Queen grabbed his butt, but her face gave nothing away and he didn’t even see her move!
“The mission I have called you here for is one of dire consequences if you fail…”
the Queen said.
“We are at your service, not matter what the mission is…” Dante bowed.
Hime grinned, “Good…”
She clapped her hands and a large portrait was set next to her. In the picture was the Queen, her husband and a young lady with brown curls.
“This is my daughter, Princess Chero,” Hime said, pointing to the girl, “I’m afraid an evil wizard has kidnapped her…And I need you to get her back for me. If you do, I will grant each of you one wish. Any wish…within my power.”
One wish? Takuma couldn’t even image what wish he could ever ask for. He had a
wonderful girlfriend and a great job, he was happy.
“Va bene, we will accept,” Dino said.
“Should be an easy mission, no?” Francis said.
“Before you go…I must ask that you take two people with you. Wizard Francis…you may know them…” Hime smirked.
“TEACHER!” two voices cried in unison as Francis was knocked to the floor.
He groaned and pulled the two short young ladies off of him. Toshiro snickered and Dante chuckled.
“Sunshine!” Takuma beamed.
Kiki and Mocha helped their teacher off the floor.
“The Queen says you have to take us!” Mocha insisted.
Kiki was already hugging her boyfriend Takuma.
“Yeah! We’re your students…and how can we learn stuff if you always leave us behind. We need real world practice!” Kiki contributed.
“I don’t know…” Francis sighed.
“Pleeeeeeaaaseee!” they begged.
“We will be good!” Kiki promised.
“Oh? And you can promise that for certain?”
“I can watch her and make sure she behaves,” Takuma grinned.
“Soooo, can we come?” Mocha asked.
Francis sighed, “Oui…You may come…”
Kiki and Mocha summoned their gear with magic.
“And they were packed and everything…” Dante chuckled.
Toshiro watched Mocha with interest. He was not used to talking with girls….but this one seemed different…
“Now that everyone is ready to go…I wish you luck…” Hime said, “And know if you fail or my daughter does not come back in one piece I will cut off all your heads and mount them on my wall.”
The King stood up and put his hand on his wife’s shoulder to calm her, “Bring our daughter home safely…”
Everyone bowed to the King and Queen once more and they were off!
