Bishoujo Slayers Muyo
Part Two
 
    They arrived in Tyzma the next day during late morning. Ayeka yawned, triggering a chain reaction in the party.
    "We're gonna need a place to station ourselves for a while," Washu took charge, "Is there an inn around here?"
    "There's always an inn," Lina assured her and led them down the main road.
    The towns people cleared a generous space for the new comers. The children hid behind their mothers and pointed to them as a group, or perhaps certain individuals, no one was sure. It was dead silent except for the wind and the sound of their footsteps on the cobblestone path. Lina stopped, causing another chain reaction of collisions, "This is it!" Lina said, pushing open a heavy, wooden door to the tavern.
    It wasn't crowded, but when the travelers entered, they seemed to fill up the space pretty well. Amelia and Gourry were instantly seated, forks and knives already poised for the attack. As soon as Lina realized that they had beaten her to it, she dashed to their table and assumed a similar poise. Zelgadiss joined them, but left the silver ware where it belonged before a meal.
    Tenchi's gang easily found another table, but the Senshi had to squeeze in. The tavern was full now. The previous customers stared at the gathering and a brave waiter delivered menus. After a short, split second decision to get everything on the menu in triplicate, Lina, Gourry, and Amelia shamelessly exploded in a fury of flying bits of edibles.
    Usagi snatched a seat beside Lina and sat amongst the feeding. All three paused to gulp down some sort of blue drink while Zelgadiss quietly sipped tea and picked apart his meal. Four waiters made a chain from the kitchen to the table, passing food and dishes both ways.
    "You people from wherever...do you even eat properly?" Lina managed to state while grabbing some brown things off Gourry's plate.
    A plate of food landed in front of Usagi. Twin shredders sitting next to each other. Lina and Usagi competitively glared at each other as they consumed dinner at an unrelenquishing pace.
    At a more sedate speed, the others ate and discussed their next move. Washu suggested splitting up into groups and positioning a central base at the inn. Ami was in total agreement. Chibi-usa and Sasami teased Ryo-oh-ki with a carrot while Ryoko enthusiastically smothered Tenchi at the table while Ayeka was unsuccessfully protesting and trying to pry her off. Mihoshi happily ate while conversing with Luna, Artemis, and Minanako. Rei and Makoto wavered between conversations.
    Finally, hours later, Lina sat back in her chair, heaving a big sigh and patting the bulge where her stomach was, "Ah, much better."
    "Hey! Inn keeper!" Gourry yelled.
    A short man with a bushy beard emerged from behind a chair. The tavern was empty now, as it was after closing, "Yes, I am he."
    "We need some rooms. What've you got?" Lina kicked Gourry's chair to make sure he didn't bungle up the request.
    "Uh...for all of you?"
    Everyone looked at the little man expectantly.
    "Um, all I have available now is four rooms..." the man counted the group quickly, "Each room should hold about five of you...but I'm afraid there are only two beds per room."
    "We'll manage," Washu stood up.
    The little man grinned, "And how long will you be staying?" he rubbed his hands together in a sinister manor.
    "A few nights," Lina filled in.
    "That will be three hundred gold pieces."
    Lina glanced at Washu.
    Washu smiled back, " I said nothing about paying for hotels!"
    Lina's eyes grew twice their normal size, "WHAT!!?"
    "It's true!" Washu wickedly grinned.
    Everyone seemed to recall the food bill discussion, but hotel bills were never mentioned. They nodded heads.
    Lina groaned and fell out of her chair purposely, "Not fair...I knew there had to be a catch..."
    The Inn Keeper cleared his throat, "And that's three hundred...per night!"
    Lina pulled at her hair, growling in agony. Amelia sympathetically patted Lina on the back as soon as Lina was standing up again.
 

    The girls and guys made their own groups and were appointed rooms. They all gathered in Washu's room to hear the full plan. Washu was sitting at a wooden table with Ami's computer in front of her while everyone sat expectantly on the floor in a semi-circle. It was dark outside now, so there were several lanterns among the party.
    "Okay," Washu began and tapped at the buttons on Ami's computer, "I've split everyone up into four groups. By isolating each individual's strong points, the arranging of the groups is quite simple. Please make your respective groups as I call out your names so I can make any last minute changes. We'll depart early tomorrow morning. Group one: Lina, Gourry, Ayeka, and Ryoko? Hold on...how'd that happen...oh, never mind. Group two: Zelgadiss, Usagi, Rei and Mihoshi."
    Amelia grumped while the two teams gathered.
    "Group three: Tenchi, Amelia, Minako, and Makoto. Everyone I haven't mentioned stays here with me and helps maintain operations and communications," Washu snapped closed the computer and made a final pass over each group, "Good, remember who you're going with and we'll disperse immediately after breakfast!"
    Everyone nodded in unison and left to return to their rooms.
    Washu slumped back into her chair, opening Ami's computer again, "Better start locating those keys..." she mumbled to herself.
 

    Morning came all too soon and after another scene like last-night's dinner, everyone gathered outside, waiting for Washu's instructions.
    Washu inspected the crowd, "You're not in your groups!"
    There was a mash of dashes, bumps, and "oops"s before everyone finally formed their four groups. Washu nodded and Ami's computer popped into sight, "Okay, group one, that's Lina, Gourry, Ryoko, and Ayeka, will traverse south. The key is located in an ancient city according to my calculations. It would be wise not to dawdle, as time is of the essence."
    Lina nodded while Gourry scratched his head. Ryoko and Ayeka had engaged in a staring contest.
    "I trust that Ryoko-dear and Ayeka will behave themselves," Washu pinched one of each of the girls' cheeks.
    "Yes, Mommy," Ryoko grew starry-eyed, putting on a cute face.
    "You know I will be a perfect princess," Ayeka crossed her arms.
    "Riiight," Washu continued, "Group two, Zelgadiss, Usagi, Rei, and Mihoshi will head north. Expect ot see a silver and gold mountain. Within it, you should find another key."
    Mihoshi groaned in unison with Usagi. Zelgadiss remained expressionless and Rei nodded in understanding.
    "Group three with Tenchi, Amelia, Minako, and Makoto will head east, toward the ocean. Look for a shrine. Beneath that, you should find the last key," Washu pushed a button on the mini-computer in the air.
    "Never give up!" Amelia enthusiastically thrusted her finger into the air, displaying a red swirl.
    Tenchi nodded and Minako and Makoto understood.
    Pleased, Washu typed again. Before her materialized three objects that were square and could fit into the palm of one's hand, "These are our communication devices. We will be able to contact you if new information arises. You can also call base in case you get lost," She glanced among the group, not looking at anyone in particular.
    Lina, Zelgadiss, and Tenchi each took hold of one of the devices. Washu then tossed each group a pouch of money for food and board. Washu tossed an extra one to Lina and winked.
    "We'll see how long that lasts..." Zelgadiss murmured.
    "Those communication devices also serve as homing beacons. Once you've gained the key, just contact me and I'll zap you back here!" Washu stood up straight, proud of herself, "Good luck everyone!" She waved and spun around and entered the tavern.
    The three groups reluctantly set off. Groups two and three heading down the same road for a short distance.
 

Tsuzuku...