The Heat of the Moment

Disclaimer- i do not own any of the characters to Kyo Kara Maoh






Chapter 4

Because of unforseen mishaps and mistakes it was close to two months before the ship Lady Flynn christened, The Discovery, was ready to set sail from Carolia. Wolfram and the others waited excitedly for the dock workers to quickly load all the supplies they would need for this voyage on board. Wolfram was back in his disguise encase his brothers decided they would continue to search for him. He stared up at the tall sails of the ship and felt his stomach give a little twinge. Resting his hand on his stomach nervously, Wolfram hoped he didn't become too seasick as he rubbed his pudgy belly. He really had to give it to the tailor that Lady Flynn had chosen to make his clothes for him. The man was a genius. The clothes were cut to conceal his growning stomach. She had only found out he was pregnant when he began throwing up in the morning and the tailor had to redo all of wolfram’s clothes because his jackets, shirts and pants would not close across his stomach. That’s when the young prince had no choice but to tell her that he was expecting Yuuri's child.

After hearing this, she was going to change her mind about sending him but wolfram pleaded with her to let him go. He wanted to be as far away from Yuuri as he could. He was going to raise his child away from the hatred and disgust he was sure Yuuri would feel if he found out wolfram was pregnant. It was quite a surprise to her to find out the young demon was pregnant but to find out that Yuuri was the father of the baby had knocked her for a loop. She found herself so angry that she wanted to go to Shin Makoku to strangle the fool when Wolfram told her about the conception of the child. Hypocrite was all that came to her mind. But after calming the enraged blue hair noblewoman down, Wolfram had extracted a promise from her not to tell Yuuri. Flynn didn't want to. Yuuri should be made to own up to this but in the end, she would follow Wolfram's wish not to tell the fool.

She was talking to Wolfram when a handsome tall man with broad shoulders and bright smiling blue eyes walked up to them.

“Greetings Flynn,” he said taking her hand kissing it. His long green colored hair was in a single braid that hung down his back. He wore a scruffy beard and mustache which made Wolfram think of pirates, a hot, sexy scandlous pirate. Wolfram bit his bottom lip and nearly groaned. He sounded like his mother whenever she saw a handsome man. But Wolfram had to admit that this man was the very embodiment of a scoundrel if not a complete flirt.

Flynn smiled at the man. “And how have you been Ellis?”

“I’ve been quite busy. This expedition you are sending me on will be exciting if we make it.”

“Oh you’ll make it. I know you will. Especially since the great Ellis Gilbit will be captain of the vessel.”

“Is this man related to you, Lady Flynn?” asked Wolfram staring at the handsome man.

“Oh dear, please excuse me,” she said. “Wolfram, this is my brother-in-law, Captain Ellis Gilbit. Ellis, this is Lord Wolfram von Bielefeld.”

“So you’re the missing demon prince the demon tribe is looking for,” Ellis said smiling. The man took Wolfram’s hand and kissed it.

Wolfram yanked his hand out of the human’s grasp and grunted. 'I was right. He is a scoundrel.' “I am not a woman.”

“Yes, I can see that very well.” The captain stepped back and stared at wolfram from head to toe. The demon prince became agitated at the man’s close scrutiny.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Wolfram snapped angrily.

“Oh, it’s nothing.” He smiled at the prince. “You’re very attractive.” And he smiled at the blush that stained Wolfram’s cheeks.

“Idiot.”

Suddenly a soldier walked up to her. “Lady Flynn, this letter arrived from Shin Makoku.” He handed her the letter, bowed and left to return to his duties. She read it and bit her bottom lip.

Wolfram immediately noticed the worry in her eyes. "What's wrong? Has something happened to Yuuri?"

"Uh, well not in the way that you think." She sighed as she turned to the captain. “Could you give us a moment?”

“Of course.” He turned to Wolfram and winked at the blonde. “I’ll see you on board.” Then he walked away whistling a happy tune.

“Well, what is it?”

She sighed and smiled sadly at him. "This is an invitation to Yuuri and lady Melinda von Strauss' wedding."

"What?" Wolfram asked, his face paled.

Flynn helped him over to some crates and sat him down on one of the boxes. "In two months Yuuri will be getting married."

"I see." Wolfram looked down sadly as tears formed in his eyes. He chuckled darkly. "It seems he's not wasting any time in finding himself a woman. It is what he has always wanted." His smile was sad and filled with pain. “Well, there's nothing that can be done about it. He has made his decision and I have made mine."

"But what about the baby? Will you tell the child about its other parent?"

Wolfram sighed. "Yes, I will. I will tell him all about Yuuri and if he wants to see Yuuri.” His tears began to fall like rain down his cheeks. “I will not stop him . . . from seeking out his . . . his father." Wolfram buried his face into Flynn’s shoulder and sobbed helplessly. She held Wolfram in her arms and let him release all his pain and anguish, and then she cried along with him.

It was early in the evening when all the supplies were loaded onboard the ship and a large crowd had gathered on the docks to wish the travelers a safe journey on their dangerous voyage. Lady Flynn placed a small gray pouch in wolfram’s hand.

"What's this?" he asked.

"Something to help you with your seasickness," she said smiling at him. "Just mix it with some water and drink it if you start to feel queasy. It will help settle your stomach." She held his hands tightly in her grasp. "Please be careful. Remember you have another life to protect as well as your own."

"I know and I will. I promise. Once everything is settled, I will send back a letter." He kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you for everything." Then he quickly got on board when the captain called for him.

"Good luck to you all!" Lady Flynn yelled to the brave voyagers and waved. “And Ellis!” She yelled at the captain. “Make sure you keep an eye on him!”

“I will! I promise!” The captain yelled back smiling and waving to her. Wolfram rolled his eyes in exasperation but smiled anyway. It was nice to have someone other than Gisela to put his well-being ahead of their own. He looked over the side and waved back to lady Flynn.

xxxxx

After leaving Carolia, they successfully navigated through the Circle of Fire. They sailed along the coasts of the human countries called Thalos and Manchurine for ten days before they came to the Strait of Sardonia that separated Small Cimaron from a tiny inlet called Delaroda. It took them two days to sail through the strait but once they were out of the strait, they were in the Abyssal Sea. Wolfram kept a log of their journey. He no longer wore his disguise and everyone was shocked for a few minutes when they realized there was a demon on board. But since it was the demon tribe that helped them to rebuild their country after Big Cimaron retreated, the sailors all paid him little mind and went about their business. It wasn’t so much that there was a demon amongst them that surpised them. It was whom the demon really was and the fact that he was a little over three months pregnant that was the real surpise to them. Everyone knew about the missing prince and how his brothers were searching for him. But the reason why the young demon ran away was not their business. Their only concern was to make it across the Abyssal Sea alive.

Wolfram was pleased that no one was upset by his presence or bothered to ask him why he was traveling with them. He guessed he probably has the captain to thank for that. He took another sip of the herbs that Lady Flynn had given him. He had decided to put the herbs in his tea and to his relief, the herbs were working wonders for his upset stomach. He had not suffered from his seasickness or morning sickness since they left Carolia.

The sky was clear and the sea was calm. Wolfram was at the stern of the ship clutching his journal as he leaned over the railing watching a pod of dolphin swim alongside the ship for a while before they turned and swam in the other direction. He rubbed his slightly swollen belly and kept his eyes on the horizon. 'I wonder what we will find out there little one. Hopefully, our ancestors did make it across and we will see what they have done since they were cut off from the rest of the world.' Suddenly he felt a slight bump against his hand. Wolfram stood frozen as he waited again. But there was nothing. Did he just imagine that the baby kicked? Was it too early for him to be kicking? He wished he knew. He hasn't been around any pregnant women to know. Suddenly he felt the thump again and this time he was not imagining it. The baby was kicking. "Are you anxious to get out and see the world little one," he smiled to himself. "Just be patient a little while longer, my precious." Then he seated himself on a crate and opened his journal. Flipping to a blank page, he began to write about their dangerous voyage. The twelve days it took for them to get to the Abyssal Sea had been quite eventful. Wolfram shivered as he wrote down the dangers they faced when they entered the deadly Circle of Fire, a ring of active volcanoes.

'The eruption and noise were like nothing I had ever saw or heard before. Thick, black smoke, nauseating gas and black ash spewed from the mouths of the volcanoes covering the sky. Huge, tall waves slammed into the ship nearly sinking it.

Then there came a screeching, popping sound worse than the last. It was like the world itself had split opened as red hot lava spewed from the volcanoes like a fountain taking half the cones with them. It was a terrifying sight that we all beheld. Rocks, red and burning, began to rain down on top of us nearly setting the ship on fire. Several crewmen were injured. But with Shinou's blessings, we survived the Circle of Fire. And the young healer Lady Flynn sent with us, had the injured men up and about in two days. He was quite skilled for being so young.'

Suddenly there was a shout from the crow's nest. Wolfram stopped writing to look up at the sailor. The man was pointing out to sea. Wolfram turned and felt his stomach do a flop as he saw the angry black clouds bleed across the sky in the distance. Flashes of lightning marred the inky darkness at random intervals. They were sailing into a storm. Wolfram felt the wind picking up as his blonde tresses were blown into his face.

The captain immediately began bellowing orders out to his men to secure the ship against the storm. Then he ordered wolfram and the historians below to wait for the storm to end. Wolfram rushed to his room and locked his door. He stared at the gray pouch of herbs lady Flynn had given him and sighed. He knew the herbs would do him no good now. He looked around his room for a bucket because he knew before the day was over he would need it. Not finding one in his cabin, he staggered back up on deck and gasped as the clouds seemed to have gotten closer. Or else the currents were dragging the ship faster toward the storm. Either way they were heading straight for the malevolent sky. The wind wailed through the rigging like the souls of the damned being tortured. The floor began to sway and lurch slightly as Wolfram made his way across the deck. As they got closer, the ship began to rock violently and the deck lurched beneath his feet. Wolfram ran to the railing and threw up over the side. But unfortunately for him, as the ship rose up and came down, water splashed into his face. Wolfram shrieked in surprise as the water was cold.

Captain Ellis saw Wolfram and rushed over to the young demon. "What are you doing up here?" He waited until Wolfram was finished throwing up. "I thought I told you to get below," said the green hair man. "You should not be up here in your condition.”

"I get seasick," said Wolfram wiping the bile from the corner of his mouth, "and I just came up . . ." Wolfram jerked his head up at the man and frowned at him. “What in the hell are you talking about? What condition."

"Come now, I knew you were pregnant when I first laid eyes upon you. In fact everyone here knows you are pregnant." His dark blue eyes seemed to pierce Wolfram to his very core. "Why Flynn would send a pregnant person is beyond me."

"Why I chose to come is of no concern to you." Wolfram turned his nose up at the man and was about to leave when Ellis rested a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"Don’t get your undies in a bunch. I just wanted to make sure you and the baby will be all right. Go back below," said captain Ellis. Both looked up as the last bit of blue sky was swallowed up by the darkness and then the storm released all its fury. Rain fell in heavy sheets from the sky. The pelting liquid was like ice stinging Wolfram in the face.

Captain Ellis saw the huge wave coming toward them and he dragged the prince over to the mainmast and pinned him against the pole while using his own body to protect Wolfram. The wave washed over the ship nearly taking several of the crewmen with it. Both Wolfram and Ellis were shivering and drenched to the bone. The ship lurched again and Wolfram could no longer hold back the bile that was churning in his stomach. He tried to pull away but the captain refused to let him go. Wolfram turned his head and relieved what little food he had in his stomach on the deck floor.

The ship rocked crazily. Wave after wave washed across the deck soaking the crew. Lightning cracked across the sky. Thunder rumbled afterwards like some angry beast. Wolfram trembled as he felt the heat from the captain's body warming him.

"Come on, I’ll take you below." The captain yelled over the howling wind and roaring thunder. He took Wolfram by the arm and led him back to his room. “I’ll bring you a bucket.” Then Ellis left him alone to change out of those wet clothes. Wolfram quickly removed the soggy material and dried himself off. once he was dry, he put on a warm gown and buried himself beneath the covers of his bed. No more than a few minutes later, there was a knock on his door and the captain walked in carrying a bucket. "Here you go and make sure you stay in this room. Do not come out for anything."

"I don't think I will be able to get out of the bed now," said Wolfram looking pale. Captain Ellis sat the bucket beside the bed and brushed the damp blonde locks out of Wolfram's face.

"I know it will be difficult since you are seasick but try to get some rest," said the captain. "I don't know how long this storm is going to last but I will do everything in my power to make sure this ship along with everyone on board makes it to the other side in one piece." He smiled down at the pale demon and walked out of the cabin.

'I hope you're right.' Wolfram rubbed his queasy stomach, felt the bile rising leaning over the bed and threw up into the bucket. 'I can't wait until this is over.'

xxxxx

The storm had raged for four days before it came to an end and Captain Ellis made sure to check in on Wolfram everyday during the raging storm. On the sixth day the storm had finally blown over. The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was bright. Wolfram was back to normal as he sat up on deck talking with the captain.

"So tell me captain, have you always wanted to be in command of your own ship?"

"Yes," said captain Ellis smiling. He took a sip of his ale while Wolfram drank some of the herbs in his tea. "I've always loved the sea. I guess I take after my father. In my family there were only two boys born out of ten children."

"Are you the oldest?"

"No, I am the youngest child and let me tell you it is no fun growing up in a house filled with girls." He chuckled. "Especially when they try to dress you up as one of them."

Wolfram laughed as he tried to see the rugged, tall handsome man dressed in little girls clothing. He had to admit it was an amusing imagine. Wolfram closed his eyes and let the warm sea breeze blow in his face as he let the captain's deep soothing voice lull him to sleep. He was just about to close his eyes when a sailor yelled down from the crow's nest.

"Land Ho!"

Wolfram’s eyes snapped opened as he and the others looked over the side at the dark shoreline coming into view. "Did we make it?"

The captain peered through his telescope. "I don't think so. I don’t see any buildings or any signs of life. Although they could be further inland.” The captain lowered his scope and turned to the blonde. “I guess we have no choice but to see.” He ordered his men to drop anchor once they were close to the shore of the mysterious island and lowered the rowboat. "I'm going too," said Wolfram.

"No," said the captain.

"I can be of help if there is any danger."

"Not in your condition or did you forget that you are pregnant." The captain scowled at the young demon.

"How can I forget when I throw up every morning," said Wolfram rolling his eyes. "But I am not so incapacitated that I cannot help. I am only close to four months of my pregnancy. I will be fine."

"We want to come as well," said one of the elder historians.

"No," repeated the captain.

"We should go. There maybe something on the island that will be able to tell us where the others went or if they were able to make it across," said another historian.

"You're outnumbered captain, you may as well submit," said Wolfram smugly.

"Fine, but I want you all to stay close together. I don't want any of you getting lost." Then he turned to Wolfram. "As for you, 'Little Lord Smugly,' I want you to stay close to me.”

"Aye aye captain." Wolfram saluted the man with a smug smirk. The captain glared at him and then sighed. So, he ordered the men to lower another rowboat.

A few minutes later they stood on the shore of the isle. Wolfram inhaled the fresh, damp aroma of wet grass and maple trees, and the strong sour odor of stale water and mud.

“It’s a swamp,” said a young historian. "I wonder if this was one of their stops to the other side?"

"Only one way to find out," said the captain walking into the swamp. "Remember, stay close."

The giants of the floral swamp-red maples, bald cypress and gum trees towered above the archipelago, slicing a jagged line across the sky. Willows, alder and button bush fought for space among the tall, sharp-tooth, broadleaves Thalia. Blueberry, swamp azaleas, spice bushes and sweet pepper bushes intertwined with rosemary bushes and clusters of laurels and Labrador tea.

All the trees were wrapped in a thick, woven blanket of moss, ferns, vines and a never-ending abundance of bright purple-fringed orchids, cardinal flowers, jewelweed and marsh marigolds. Large green tree frogs leaped from one tree to another croaking at the strangers. Wood ducks nested in nearby hollow trees. A racoon scampered up a tree. While a beaver splashed into the water only to be captured in the powerful jaws of a ferocious alligator. The water turned red with the beaver's blood. Several of the leathery reptiles rested on the other bank. Egrets, blue herons and flamingoes waded in the water catching fish. Pink and white lilies floated in myriad basins of water near green liliepads. Dragonflies and damselflies fluttered around the stranger’s heads. Muskrats gnawed greedily on the roots of the cattails.

Beneath the long blades of green grass, the ground was saturated with water. A loud sucking noise shattered the stillness whenever they took a step in the wetland.

"This place is so wet. I feel as if it does not want to release me every time I take a step," complained Wolfram breathing hard with every step.

"You should have stayed on the ship," said the captain wiping sweat from his forehead. "Do you want to rest?"

"No, I’m good for another couple of miles or so."

"Well I’m tired and we are going to rest for a while." The captain led them to a dry patch of land and they rest beneath the towering maple trees. He removed the cork from a waterskin he brought with him and took a drinK. Then he reached it to Wolfram. Wolfram dranked some water and then passed the waterskin back to the captain.

They rested for a half hour before they began their trek through the swamp again. The hairs on the back of Wolfram's neck stood on end as he had a feeling that they were being watched.

Suddenly there was an angry shriek behind them. They turned to see several large, wingless balls of grey hair attack them. Everyone drew their swords and began to defend themselves from the creatures. The things had no eyes in which to see but they knew there were intruders in their swamp.

"Look out!" shouted the captain. The three elderly and one young historian hid behind some trees while the captain, Wolfram and the sailors fought off the attack.

"Lord von Bielefeld! Behind you!" yelled the young historian from his hiding place.

Wolfram ducked and swung his sword slicing the thing in half. Once the things were dead, only one sailor did not survive the attack. They walked over to the man and gasped. All that remained of the sailor was a dried, withered body.

"Heaven preserve us," whispered one of the sailors in horror. "Those things sucked the very life out of him."

The captain knelt and said a short prayer for the man and then stood up.

"Maybe we should head back captain and leave this accursed island," said another of the sailors.

Before the captain could say anything, another of his sailors called to him. "Captain, over here. There seems to be a path of some kind."

They hurried over to the man and indeed, there was a path. Since the path was drier than the one they were on, they continued to drag themselves through the swamp. Not only were they attacked by biting mosquitoes, but they were attacked by bloodsucking leeches. Falling out of the trees, the green oblong shaped parasites stuck to their backs, chests, faces, everywhere.

"Leeches!" yelled Ellis. The men screamed in pain and started pulling the parasites from their bodies. The pain was awful as blood oozed from their wounds.

"Don't pull them off," said Wolfram. The men fell to their knees writhing in pain. "They have to be burned off." Wolfram’s body glowed a bright red as his flames licked at his body without burning him. The leeches dropped from his body dead. Then he went over to the captain and removed the leeches from him. With the help of the captain, everyone was finally free from the bloodsucking parasites.

"Are you all right to go on?" asked Ellis.

"Yeah. Luckily that little display wasn't enough to drain me."

They continued through the swamp. After fighting off a swarm of hungry mosquitoes, and being pestered by annoying dragonflies, they arrived at a stone structure.

"What is it?" asked the young historian. "Could it have been built by our ancestors?"

"I really don't know," said one of the elder historians. They stood before a huge squared pyramid that was constructed entirely out of stone. Each block had been laboriously laid one atop another. The once fabulous structure in days long pass was now slowly decomposing. Moss and vines blanketed the pyramid covering it. And setting on top was a huge stone eye.

They made their way up the steps and stood at the entrance. Above the entrance was some strange writing.

"Can you read that?" the captain asked the historians.

"It's an ancient Carolian writing but I think I can read it," said the salt and pepper hair man. "Beware! For this is . . . the temple of the eye . . . Eye of the Beholder. All who enters . . . will be devoured."

"Sir, maybe we shouldn't go inside," said one of the sailors frightened. "That is obviously a warning."

"Maybe you should stay out here Wolfram," said Ellis. "Who knows what sort of dangers lurks inside."

Wolfram frowned in agitation and tore a piece of the vine off that was hanging across the entrance. Then he removed a handkerchief from his pocket and wrapped it around the end of the vine. Touching a finger to the cloth, there was a spark and the material burst into flame. The demon prince said nothing only hmphed in indignation at the captain and walked inside. The human sighed and followed Wolfram into the temple.

They carefully and cautiously made their way into the damp, dark structure. Pieces of the ceiling had fallen in at several points of the building letting in the sunlight as well as animals and the elements. They walked for a long while before they stopped in front of a set of iron doors. The historians stared at the intricate designs etched into the door. They could not make out what it was. It was a huge circular thing with long writhing tentacles.

"We can't make out what that is," said the historians.

Wolfram frowned at the picture and above it was the same word that was writing in the warning outside.

"Let's go inside," said another of the middle-aged historians.

At their captain's command, the men grabbed the metal rings and slowly pulled the doors opened. The air inside the room was stale and rotten. They stepped inside and found nothing but a huge empty room that had no windows. There was a crunching noise beneath their feet and Wolfram held the torch down to the floor. He gasped as he saw that the floor was littered with skeletal remains.

"Is this what happened to the passengers of all three ships?" asked one of the sailors standing beside Wolfram staring at the scattered bones on the floor.

"Can't be," said the captain staring at the skeletons. "There aren’t enough bodies in here and not one of these skeletons is from the demon tribe."

"Maybe they weren't killed in here," said one of the sailors. "They could have been killed out in the swamp."

"True but you would have thought you would see at least a few demon skeletons in this pile considering two of the ships carried demons." Ellis scratched the side of his jaw. "No, I don't think these people were from the expedition."

"If that's the case, then what killed these people?" asked another sailor. "I mean look at these bones, they look as though something was chewing on them."

"Maybe it was some wild animals," said Wolfram.

"Look at how big those teeth marks are." The captain snorted. “If there is an animal on this island with teeth this big, we are in serious danger.”

Suddenly Ellis looked up and saw a large shadow twitching in the center of the room. He took the torch from Wolfram and threw it toward the twitching shadow. Although there wasn't much light, they could see something there. One of the sailors screamed as something wrapped around his leg and pulled him into the darkness at the center of the room.

"EVERYBODY OUT!" yelled the captain. He grabbed Wolfram by the arm and they all ran out of the chamber. They ran through the dimly lit corridor. Just as they ran out of the temple the creature burst through the ceiling. Everyone turned to stare in horror at the creature.

"That’s what the warning meant," said one of the elder historians. "The Eye of the Beholder."

Its tentacles thrashed about wildly as it roared in rage. Wolfram swallowed a large lump that was stuck in his throat. The massive creature was like an octopus with green wrinkled flesh with eight thick tentacles that lashed out in all directions. And one huge red eye in the center of its fleshy body. At the end of each tentacle was a mouth with two rows of sharp, pointed teeth. A tentacles lashed out at Wolfram, but the demon prince drew his sword and loped the thick writhing flesh off. The creature roared in pain as a putrid green goo oozed from the severed appendage.

"Let’s go!" yelled Ellis as he wrapped his arm around Wolfram's waist. "There is no way we will be able to stop that." They ran through the swamp but they could hear the roar of the creature as it tore through the swamp uprooting trees as it chased after them.

"We have to stand and fight," said Wolfram. "That thing isn't going to let us leave this island alive."

"What do you propose to do?"

"I will stop it." They burst out of the swamp and stood on the beach waiting for the creature. They didn't have long to wait as it tore through the swamp. Suddenly wolfram began to glow bright red as he summoned his element. “All the particles belonging to the Flame . . . obey the Demon Tribe that destroyed the Originators!”

The flame rose above Wolfram to form a huge lion made of fire and it pounced on the Beholder. The creature roared in agonizing pain as the lion tore into the flesh of the Beholder causing the thing to melt. The smell was awful like rotten corpses that had been lying in blood soaked muck for days and then burned. Wolfram could feel his body becoming weak as he concentrated on his attack. Ellis dragged Wolfram's limp body over to the boat. Wolfram was so tired but he had to stay conscious until they were away from the island. They quickly rowed back to the ship. Once on board, Wolfram's body was stretched out on the deck floor. Ellis knelt beside him and cradled the prince in his arms and gently tapped him on the cheek.

"Wolfram, you can stop now," he said. "We are all safe and back on the ship. Wolfram. Wolfram let go. Everyone is safe."

Slowly Wolfram opened his eyes and stared up into the smiling face of the captain. As Wolfram released his spell, the fire lion dissipated leaving a badly wound creature writhing and roaring in pain on the shore.

"Everyone . . . safe?" Wolfram asked panting.

"Yeah, thanks to you." Ellis said smiling.

"Good." Was all that came from the demon prince as he fell into a deep sleep. The healer was called for and the young man quickly ran to their side. He knelt beside the demon and examined him.

"Will he be all right, doctor?" asked one of the sailors.

"Yes," said the healer. "He’s just tired from using his powers. Which was a pretty stupid thing to do considering the condition he's in. He will probably sleep for a couple days to regain his strength but he will be fine."

Ellis sighed in relief and lifted Wolfram into his arms. "Let's be on our way. Weigh anchor!" he ordered, and the sailors quickly went about their duties. While the captain took Wolfram to his cabin and laid the young man on his bed.

xxxxx

Wolfram was asleep for three days and when he awoke the captain had a few choice words for him after scarring him so badly. Wolfram sat upon deck inhaling the salty sea breeze while writing in his journal.

'Well, it has been one month and two weeks since we left Carolia and three weeks since the incident on the island. When I awakened, I was worried that I might have hurt my baby but the healer said that my baby was fine. But he and Ellis scolded me severely for exerting myself like that. He reminded me so much of Gisela although he was not quite as intimidating as she would have been. I wonder how everyone is doing back in Shin Makoku? I hope they are all well. I miss them. I miss Gisela's commanding attitude, and Anissina's crazy experiments. I miss mother’s suffocating if not pleasant hugs. I wonder if she has left Shin Makoku on another of her voyages to find free love. Sometimes I wonder where that woman’s mind is at times. I miss Gwendal's scowling face and even Conrad's gentle concerning nature. I even miss that pervy Great Sage and Josak's cheerful face. But most of all, I miss my little Greta. I hope she hasn’t taken my disappearance too badly. She is the only thing I regret leaving. But I know the others will take good care of her. And if she is angry with me, I hope she could find it in heart to forgive me for leaving her.’ Wolfram sighed as he tapped the quill to the page. ‘I guess I should go ahead and admit this as well. I also miss that idiot king, although he does not deserve it. I still love the stupid wimp.’

‘Dammit, I know I should hate him. I wish I could hate him but I can't. Yuuri was everything to me. I would have given anything to have his love. But I guess we can't have everything we wish for. At least I had that one night and what came out of it.'

He rubbed his swollen belly and smiled. Wolfram was in his fifth month of pregnancy and he was beginning to show now. He smiled as he felt the baby kick. "You're active today. Well, you don't have long to go, little one."

"And how is the little mother doing this glorious day?" asked captain Ellis walking up to him grinning.

Wolfram scowled at the human closing his journal. "Encase you have forgotten I am not a woman."

"No, I have not forgotten." He knelt down beside him. "May I?"

The scowl melted away to be replaced by a gentle smile. "Yes."

Captain Ellis rested his large tan hand on Wolfram's swollen belly. He smiled softly as he felt the baby kick. "You must be so excited."

"Yes I am," said Wolfram.

Suddenly there was a shout from the crow's nest. "Land Ho!"

Wolfram groaned. “I hope this is not another wild goose chase.”

The captain chuckled and took out his telescope and peered through the eyepiece.

"Well?" asked Wolfram standing beside him. “Don’t keep us waiting. What do you see?”

Ellis lowered his scope turned to face everyone with a blank expression on his face. Suddenly a wide grin split his face. "We made it!"

Everyone cheered and jumped up and down for joy. 'At last,' sighed Wolfram. 'We finally made it across.'

"All right, settle down," said the captain smiling. "I suggest we all go and get dressed. We do not want to make a bad impression to our cousins."

Wolfram went to his cabin and took out one of the uniforms lady Flynn had had commissioned for him. The uniform was red in color with gold trimmings and a long coat that stopped at his knees. A gold chain was attached to his left shoulder, stretched across his chest to be connected to a button hole just above his right nipple. Staring at his boots, the black leather was polished to perfection. Wolfram stood before the mirror and raked the comb through his blonde locks. Smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in his coat, he took a deep breath to calm his nerves.

Suddenly there was a knock on his door. "Enter."

Captain Ellis walked in. "The ship has docked. Are you ready, your Excellency?" He bowed to the prince smiling. His uniform was much like Wolfram’s except that it was dark blue with tassels hanging down both sides of his arms.

"As ready as I will ever be."

"Then shall we go." Ellis held out an arm for him to take.

Wolfram grunted and walked passed the human with his nose held high. Captain Ellis followed behind him laughing.

As Wolfram and the captain stepped out on deck, Wolfram’s face creased into a frown as all the people on the dock had stopped their work to stare at them. The captain leaned over to whisper in his ear. "They act as though they have never seen strangers before."

"Considering it’s been more than a thousand years since they left the other side. I guess we would look strange to them," Wolfram whispered back.

Suddenly they saw an entourage of soldiers and a golden carriage making its way down to the docks. The crowd had parted to let them pass. The soldiers came to a stop, ten men on each side of the carriage. One of the soldiers stepped forward and opened the door of the carriage. Out stepped a young man about the age of his brother Conrad, with neatly trimmed silver hair, bright violet eyes and he wore glasses like the pervy sage, Murata. His body was lithe and clothed with the finest silk Wolfram had ever seen.

The captain was the first to walk down the gangplank followed by Wolfram and the historians. The captain's tall broad body blocked Wolfram from the view of the others.

"Greetings, I am Captain Ellis Gilbit." He and the others bowed to the young monarch.

The king frowned looking around and then he began speaking in a language Wolfram guessed to be that of a thousand years ago. Suddenly a young man with long red hair and bright sapphire colored eyes burst through the crowd saying something that Wolfram and the others could not understand. The red hair youth walked up to Ellis and held out several small objects. He motioned to the captain to place the object in his ear.

"I think he wants us to put this in our ear," said Ellis taking one of the objects. The historians had each taken one of the tiny devices.

“I know what these are,” said Wolfram. “They are translators. Anissina von Karbelnikoff had made something like this when my brothers and I went to Earth to retrieve the last of the Forbidden Boxes. These will help us to understand their language while translating what we say into their language.” When Wolfram reached for the last one, the youth gasped in shock backing away staring at Wolfram. He ran back to his king pointing at Wolfram babbling something.

Wolfram stepped out from behind Ellis and frowned as he stared at the crowd. Everyone had gasped saying something and then they fell to their knees bowing. Wolfram and the others put the devices in their ears and immediately they began to understand what the crowd was saying.

Wolfram stared in shock as the king stepped forward and bowed to him. "Welcome to Americus, Shinou."