Sirius
        The Dark Lord Saga, Chapter Four
                 by Rick Federle
                         
     
          Sailor Venus felt the crunching of the snow under her boots
     as she shifted her weight to get more comfortable.  She felt her hair
     flow in the swift wind and as she caught sight of the manor house
     before her a chill walked up and down her spine.  She shrank back
     against her love as he put his slightly trembling arms around her,
     wanted to reassure her, but yet at the same time be reassured by her
     closeness.  She pressed her back against him, resting her hands over
     his as he folded his cape about the two of them.
          It was a European style manor house such as those she
     remembered seeing from England and it sat in the shadow of a
     mountain.  Despite trepidation that she shared with her love, there
     was nothing that overtly suggested any sort of either danger or
     hostility in the appearance of the manor house.
          In fact, there was no one besides the group of them around. 
     No guards or servants visible despite the fact that it seemed to be in
     the middle of the day.  She glanced up, looking for the sun to judge
     the approximate time of day only to find that some sort of fog or
     smoke seemed to hug the upper atmosphere.  While it allowed
     sunlight to illuminate the planet, it also prevented her from figuring
     out what time of day it was.
          Or even if it was day.  For all she knew, the entire planet
     was constantly lit like this and it was actually the middle of the
     night here, which would explain why there was no one else about.
          She felt the trembling in his hands still as he regained
     control of himself and his anxiety faded as he hugged her tight
     against himself.  Reassured by his nearness and by the fact that his
     own anxiety was fading, she felt her own sense of dread fade away
     into nothingness.
          She glanced around, noting that her friends had likewise
     been powered up by the Light.  Probably because they would be
     better received if they showed up looking like the royalty that they
     were rather than a group of schoolgirls.
          "Is this then the place, Warrior of Light?"  Neo-Queen
     Serenity asked from next to Endymion.
          "I believe so, Majesty."  The Guardsman answered.
          "So who's going to go up and knock?"  Sailor Mars asked.
          "Me, I guess."  The Guardsman stated.  "It's my quest after
     all."  He let his cape furl back around him as he took his arms from
     around Sailor Venus.  A frown passed her lips as he took his
     warmth from her.  She wasn't cold in the slightest but she preferred
     having his warmth around her nonetheless.
          She fell into step behind him, aware out of the corner of her
     eye that the others had formed up around Serenity and Endymion,
     both of whom were following her.
          The Guardsman paused at the doorway to knock, but before
     he could raise his hand, the doorway swung invitingly open and a
     baritone voice spoke from the other side.  "Please enter, My Lord,"
     The voice said; "and your companions as well."
          With a barely perceptible shifting of his shoulders, which
     was the only external sign of the apprehension he felt, he stepped
     forward into the entranceway.  Sailor Venus lead the others inside
     once the Guardsman had cleared the doorway and entered into the
     manor house.
          Waiting in the foyer within was a formally dressed servant,
     standing with one hand resting on the doorknob.  The servant,
     apparently the doorman, closed and bolted the door once everyone
     was inside.
          The foyer was pleasant looking, tastefully lit by candlelight. 
     All of the furnishing were of a dark colored wood and without any
     sign of dust or neglect.
          The servant bowed formally to them.  "If you would come
     with me," he spoke; "Her Majesty is waiting to receive you."
          Venus stepped forward to her husband's side, slipping her
     right hand into his left as she joined him.  He squeezed her hand
     reassuringly, his apprehension dissolving at her touch, and the two
     of them moved in unison to follow the servant down the hallway.
          The hallway was also lit with candlelight and was wide
     enough for two people to move comfortably side by side.  She
     suspected that the entire manor was lit with candles but she
     couldn't be sure until she had some time to check.  The candle
     lighting was subdued, casting more shadows than light.  It gave
     them enough light to see by, but not much more.  Every candle that
     they passed looked new because she didn't notice any wax
     drippings running down the side of them.
          The servant led them past several sets of doors without a
     word, stopping at the doorway at the end of the hall. "Her Majesty
     is waiting for you within her study."  The servant explained as he
     opened the door.  He moved out of the way, holding the door open
     for them.
          The walls of the room were covered with bookshelves, each
     one filled to overflowing with books, seemingly ready to collapse at
     any time from under the heavy weight.  A small table sat in the
     middle of the room and a candle sat on it, providing a small circle
     of light to the person seated in the padded armchair that occupied
     the middle of the room.  The armchair was the only seat in the
     room and a brown eyed and haired male hovered silently at the
     elbow of the woman who was reading, his hands folded in front of
     him.
          "Majesty," the male spoke in a light tenor.  "The Warrior of
     Light and his companions have arrived."
          "Thank you, Seer."  A soft alto arose from behind the book,
     which was lowered to reveal the speaker.  Candlelight reflected off
     a golden coronet as she closed the book then placed it on the table
     just off to her left, her fingertips resting lightly upon it.  The
     coronet framed curly shoulder length blond hair.  Sky blue eyes
     fastened first upon Sailor Venus, examining her briefly, then shifted
     to the Guardsman before passing onto the others.
          The woman's eyes were cold and a chill crawled up Venus'
     spine as the woman took her eyes from her.  The Guardsman,
     feeling her concern, squeezed her hand minutely in reassurance.
          "This is the one who can destroy the Dark Lord, my
     Queen."  The Seer said, his eyes fixed on the Guardsman.
          "We can but hope."  The woman agreed.  "I am Queen
     Anna of Sirius."  The woman stated after her eyes had taken in
     them all.  "Welcome, Warrior of Light."  She said.  "And to your
     companions also, welcome."
          "Thank you, Majesty."  The Guardsman bowed formally as
     Venus dipped in a curtsy.  "I am grateful for such hospitality."
          Queen Anna inclined her head and nodded slightly in
     acknowledgment.  "And who are your companions?"  Anna
     inquired.
          "Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion of Earth," the
     Guardsman introduced, using his free hand to gesture to them. 
     "Their companions and guardians, the Sailor Scouts.  The Princess
     of Mercury, the Princess of Mars, the Princess of Jupiter, and the
     Princess of Venus," he continued.  "The Princess of Venus is my
     wife."  He explained as Anna gave the two of them a curious look.
          "Royals all, then."  The Queen of Sirius rose to her feet. 
     "Welcome to my house.  What is mine is yours for the duration of
     your stay."  Anna offered.
          "Thank you, Majesty."  Serenity agreed gracefully.
          "Unfortunately, I have already eaten a mid day meal or I
     would offer my company to you.  It would be my pleasure to have
     you as my guests for dinner."  Anna continued.  "My Seer will
     show you to the rooms where you may refresh yourselves if you
     wish."  The Seer grimaced, as if being a courier was beneath him,
     but didn't object.
          "Thank you for your offer, Majesty; but may I ask
     something of you?"  When Anna inclined her head in agreement he
     continued.  "Would you happen to know where the Dark Lord
     currently is?"
          "Yes, Warrior of Light;" Anna stated.  "He currently resides
     in a cavern in the largest mountain about half a days walk from
     here.  If you leave here in the morning, you should be able to reach
     his residence by mid day."
          The Guardsman bowed formally.  "Thank you, Majesty.
     
     
          Sailor Venus sighed as she plopped down on the overstuffed
     bed that was in the room they had been given for the duration of
     their stay.  "Can you believe this room?"  She asked, covering her
     eyes with her arm.  "Full sized bath, oversized and over padded
     armchairs, polished wood tables, and a very comfortable king sized
     bed."
          She uncovered her eyes and looked across the room at her
     husband who was examining one of the candles with interest. 
     "Magical lighting."  He explained as her curiosity arose.  "That's
     why it's so dim and doesn't drip."  He said as he walked across the
     room to the bed.
          "Rub my back for me?"  She asked as she rolled over on her
     stomach, stretching all the way out, resting her chin on her arms.
          "Yes."   He agreed and she felt the mattress under her shift
     as he sat down next to her and the gentle caress of his fingers along
     her spine.
          "Mmm," she murmured contently.  "Yes, that's it."  She
     told him as his fingers stopped their searching and settled down to
     massage the same spot.
          "Did you enjoy dinner?"  He asked.
          She smiled contently, feeling his love for her, his joy to be
     with her.  "It was fabulous."  His fingers stopped as she rolled over
     to look at him.  "It's the company I keep."  She held her arms out
     invitingly to him and wiggled her fingers impatiently.
          "Is that it now?"  He asked as he lowered himself into her
     arms.
          "That could have something to do with it," she agreed as
     she folded her arms around his neck.  "Now give your loving wife a
     kiss."  With a shared smile, he pressed his lips against hers.
          After a moment, he pulled his lips slightly from hers, sharing
     the same smile with her.  He stretched out on his back next to her,
     gathering her in his arms, holding her close to him.  She rested her
     head on his chest, her right hand resting lightly on his hip below his
     sword hilt, then closed her eyes with a soft sigh of contentment.
          She felt the warm glow of his love for her, as secure and
     comforting as his arms around her waist.  And then she drifted off
     with the soft, steady sound of his heartbeat a reassuring guide that
     all would be well because he was near.