Ranma and the Defender of the Light

------------------------

Author's notes:

This chapter includes a crossover with Mercedes Lackey's _Valdemar_, but 
one should be able to understand this story without being familiar with 
that series.

Any and all C&C is welcome, but please send any flames privately.  
<<recharges power reserve for fire-protection spell>>

LIME warning: This fanfic contains mild sexually suggestive material.

<thoughts>
:deliberate telepathy:

I finally have a webpage again.  Yaaay!!!  Previous chapters can be 
found at http://www.cs.transy.edu/ejessup/ranma.html
--
Disclaimers:

Ranma 1/2 was created by Rumiko Takahashi and is published in the United 
States by Viz.

_Valdemar_ was created by Mercedes Lackey.

I have no legal right to use material from either series.  I am doing so 
strictly for my own amusement (and that of those who like this story).

------------------------

            Chapter 3: Teyledras  (part A)

------------------------

The next day I teleported directly to the Tendo dojo.  Ranma and Akane 
had yet to return from school (Nabiki, however, was back), so I waited 
in the house for them.  Nabiki, once again, tried to talk me into using 
my abilities for personal gain.

"Even were I to consider such an unethical act," I told her.  "I would 
make certain that all profit went to me.  I fail to see why you are 
encouraging me to do so, when you would realize none of it."

That shut her up.  It wasn't long before Ranma and Akane came running 
in.  Ranma had obviously been hit with cold water recently.

"Would you like some hot water?" I asked, already reaching for my 
fourth-dimensional tank.  He nodded, so I heated a little and splashed 
him with it, changing him back.  "I'm afraid I have bad news.  I re-read 
the instructions for that ritual, and couldn't find anything I did 
wrong.  I also looked up every reference to its use that I could find, 
and none of them mentioned the possibility of what happened yesterday."

"So there's no hope for a cure?"  He looked crushed.

"I didn't say that.  That particular ritual is the most powerful curse 
removal known.  However, a less powerful spell may be better suited to 
curses of this type....  It's also possible that I did do something 
wrong that I'm just not seeing."

"So what do we do?"

"I would like you to accompany me to visit a Shin'a'in shaman.  Rituals 
of this type are closer to shamanic magic than the variety that I 
practice anyway.  A shaman may be able to spot something that I can't, 
or may have other ideas about removing your curse."

"Ok, let's go!"  Once again he was excited.

"There's just one problem....  The Shin'a'in live on the Dhorisha 
Plains.  For various reasons that I'm not going to go into now, mages 
are not welcome there--"

"So how are we supposed to visit someone if we can't go where he lives?"  
Now Ranma was angry.  Not that I blamed him.

"If you would be so kind as to let me finish...."  He looked sheepish, 
and nodded.  "The shaman of clan Tale'Sedrin will be at a victory 
celebration being held at one of the nearby Teyledras vales.  Because I 
played some part in the victory, I'm invited.  If you would be willing 
to attend this celebration, we can speak with _her_ tomorrow."  Ranma 
struck me as someone who was used to underestimating women.  Since he 
had been raised almost entirely by his father, I could see why.  Still, 
one would think that his curse would cure that attitude fairly quickly.  
"You realize, of course, that we would have to spend the night in their 
vale.  Is this a problem?"

"Well, I don't have school tomorrow anyway, so it shouldn't be."  He 
looked to his father for verification.  Genma and the man I assumed to 
be Soun Tendo were whispering something that I couldn't hear.  Soun 
vanished upstairs, and Genma turned to his son.

"Just don't forget your training, boy.  Make your father proud of you."

Soun returned to the main room, herding Akane in front of him.  Akane 
was trying, to no avail, to get her father to explain what was going on.  
"Ranma," he said, "take your fianc�e with you.  Show Akane a good time."

"That's right boy," Genma joined in, "take her.  Show her what a man you 
are."

"If you two don't mind," I addressed them sternly, "I think it's my 
decision on whether to take anyone else.  After, it's my magic that will 
take us there."

They didn't seem to know what to say.  Finally Genma replied, "Well, 
Ranma and I swam to China.  How far is this place?  It shouldn't be that 
difficult to get there."

"It's in another universe.  I really don't think you can swim through 
the fourth dimension.  Or, for that matter, the fifth."

"Oh, well, um, is there any reason you can't take Akane?"

"I suppose not.  There is a mass limit, but I've taken two people on 
teleports before.  They'll just have to limit any luggage they'll need 
for the night.  First of all, Akane, do you want to go?  And, Ranma, do 
you object to Akane coming as well?"

They looked at each other.  "If I don't those two will just come up with 
some other nonsense to get me to marry you," Akane told Ranma.

"I suppose."

"So are you going or not?" I asked Akane.

"I guess so."

"Very well."  An enemy of mine took that moment to focus an incineration 
spell on me.  The fire couldn't touch me, of course.  My ring saw to 
that.  Still, it was troubling that someone knew of this universe and 
was able to pinpoint my location to be able to use that spell.  "Oh, 
well, I was going to need to change anyway," I told them while still 
surrounded by flame.  As suddenly as they had appeared, the flames 
vanished.  Everyone gaped at me, as I was now completely naked.  "I have 
yet to develop a fire-protection spell that also protects clothing."  I 
reached into the fourth dimension for my clothes.  First, I pulled out 
and donned a pair of underwear.  My formal robe and a pair of soft 
leather boots quickly followed.  These robes were pure white, with 
sparkling silver and gold highlights, much more elegant than anything I 
normally wore.  "As you can see, this is a fairly formal event, so 
please dress appropriately.  Unless you have something more formal that 
you'd rather wear, what you each have on now should be fine."  Ranma was 
wearing a red silk shirt with black pants, and Akane was in her school 
uniform.  "You'll want to pack a small bag--you'll need something to 
sleep in tonight, and will probably want toothbrush and paste.  You 
shouldn't need clothing for tomorrow, since what you have on will be 
cleaned overnight.  I really can't think of anything else you should 
need.  If we've forgotten something, I should be able to get it fairly 
easily."  They both ran upstairs to get their things.

:Krystal?: I sent my thoughts to her.

:You're late; the party's starting.: she replied.

:I'll be there in about five minutes, ten at the most.  And I'll have 
two guests.:

:Very well, I'll arrange to get us another room.  Will they be sharing 
one?:

:I don't know--I'll ask when they come back downstairs.:

Ranma and Akane returned shortly.  "Krystal's arranging rooms for us for 
tonight, and needs to know if you'll be sharing one."

"Why would I want to share a room with that tomboy?"

"Not like I'd ever share a room with a macho jerk like you anyway!!"

:Krystal?  We will need three rooms for tonight.:

We terminated the mental link with images of our love.

"Ok, I've told her.  Just a few more things before we leave....  First, 
I need to cast language spells on both of you so that you can 
communicate with our hosts.  Ranma, you first."  Ranma walked over to 
me, and I cast the spell.  "Your turn, Akane."  I then spoke to them in 
the language of the Teyledras, "Do you both understand me?"

"Yes," Akane replied.

"Yeah, sure."  Their words had been in the same language.

"Okay then," I told them, still in that language.  "You should be able 
to speak in Japanese if you concentrate on doing so.  Otherwise, you'll 
be speaking their language until I remove the spells.  First of all, you 
must understand that these people have different customs than you do.  
They call themselves Teyledras.  Others refer to them as Hawkbrothers.  
Sometimes an enemy of theirs will call them Birdmen, but this is a 
derogatory term that you must not use."

"Of course," Akane interrupted, "but what's the deal with birds, 
anyway?"

"The Teyledras have used magic and selective breeding on certain species 
of birds.  The results are quite spectacular.  These birds are larger 
than their wild relatives and far more intelligent.  Each Hawkbrother is 
chosen by one or more of these birds.  This is referred to as that 
person's Bondbird.  They communicate with their Bondbirds--and sometimes 
other people's--telepathically.  Neither of you are scared of large 
birds of prey, are you?"

"No," Ranma told me, "as long as there are no cats."

"Cats?  No, there shouldn't be any.  After all, most cats consider birds 
to be a food source.  Of course, most Bondbirds are large and powerful 
enough to carry housecats off for their own dinner...but that's really 
not significant.  The Teyledras do work with other intelligent 
nonhumans, but you are unlikely to meet any, and none of them were 
derived from feline stock.  I must also warn you that Teyledras have 
few, if any, sexual inhibitions and no nudity taboo.  Mixed public 
bathing is common...and by public I mean in outdoor hot springs.  If 
this offends you I recommend staying in the main clearings--or, of 
course, you may choose not to come."

Ranma and Akane briefly glanced at each other before Akane said, "I 
think we'll be staying in the main clearings, right Ranma?"

"Um, yeah, of course."

"Okay then.  One other thing.  Remember that their customs are not 
yours.  Try not to offend anyone.  As my guest, you will be under my 
protection, and should come to no harm.  However, if your behavior is 
impolite, it could reflect badly on me.  Do you have any questions?"

"Nothing here."  This from Akane.

"Let's just get on with it."

I held out my hands to them, and they just looked at me, puzzled.  "If 
I'm going to take you with me through a teleport, I have to touch you.  
Are you coming or not?"  They looked embarrassed, and walked over to 
each take one of my hands, carrying their bags in the other.  "You are 
likely to feel a brief moment of disorientation as we exit the teleport.  
Closing your eyes now will help reduce it.  Are you ready?"

"Of course."

"Let's go."

I teleported (with them) to the outskirts of k'Treva Vale.  A guard 
immediately stepped out to challenge us, but relaxed--and vanished back 
into the forest--when he recognized me.  "We're here," I told Ranma and 
Akane, and they opened their eyes, shivering.

"Sorry," I told them.  "I've gotten so used to magically altering the 
temperature of the air around me that I'd forgotten how chilly it would 
be here."  I put a hand on their shoulder, and set up a warming spell 
around each of them, making sure to anchor it so that it would stay with 
them as they moved.  "Better?"

"Much, thank you.  Where's this Vale again?  I don't see anything that 
would indicate human habitation."

"It's about a half hour's walk over this way.  The Teyledras don't allow 
teleportion any closer than this.  You can't see it because it's 
invisible."

"Ok, let's go then."  We started walking.  It wasn't long before I 
pushed aside some hanging vines, and we stepped through the magical 
barrier that surrounds the Vale.

"Oh, it's hot now."

"Just let me remove those warming spells...better now?"

"Thanks."

"Not a problem."

Ranma and Akane gazed into the Vale and gaped.  For them, it would have 
been an impressive site.  The Vale itself was nestled in a valley.  The 
surrounding hills served defensive purposes.  The Teyledras depend on 
scouts to warn them of any danger that they couldn't deal with, and 
could easily evacuate the entire vale given a few days notice to pick a 
new site and create a new Vale.  Massive trees had been magically 
sculpted to form living quarters for the inhabitants.  Much of the 
original forest remained within the vale, serving to divide it into 
separate areas.  Clearings had been carved out of the forest itself for 
other uses.  In the opposite end of the valley was a small collection of 
springs.  I knew that each one would be magically heated to a different 
temperature for the comfort of those who bathe in them.  The air smelled 
faintly of ozone near the barrier.  A small herd of dyheli grazed to one 
side of the entrance.

:Greetings, friend of the herd,: I heard in my mind.

:And to you, leader of the herd.:

:I see you have guests.:

:They are under my protection, and represent no danger to the herd.  I 
have magically enabled them to speak the language, so there is no need 
for you to enter their minds.:  Dyheli, especially king-stags, think in 
terms of the herd.  The concepts of individuality and privacy don't 
exist among them.

:Very well, I will leave you to go about your business.:  The dyheli 
bounded off, but remained in sight.

"Your eyes went blank for minute there.  It looked really strange," 
Akane asked me.

"Oh, I was just speaking with the leader of the dyheli."

"Dyheli?  I don't see anyone."  Ranma was looking around.

I gestured toward the deer-like 'animals'.  "Dyheli.  One of three 
species of intelligent non-humans that live with the Teyledras.  Not 
counting the Bondbirds, of course."

"They're intelligent!?!"

:Yes, we are.:  I knew that Ranma and Akane would also have heard that 
mindvoice.  I also knew that it would have given them a headache.  Once 
again, I reached into the fourth dimension, retrieving some aspirin.

"You'll probably want this."  They each took two, and swallowed them 
dry.

"Hey, Akane, look at that!"  Ranma was gesturing at one of the 
tree-borne ekeles.

"They have houses in trees!?!"

"Don't worry," I told them.  "The guest quarters are on the ground.  
Shall we go in?" I asked, and strode toward the main clearing, where 
tables of food were set up.  The next clearing held a small stage, where 
anyone wishing to provide entertainment could do so.  Currently, a 
couple was performing an intricate and stylized dance to the 
accompaniment of various musical instruments.

Once again, Ranma and Akane were staring, this time at the people.  
Mages were easily identifiable, in their supremely elaborate robes.  
Compared to many of them, I was underdressed.  Also, Teyledras mages 
always have silver hair, no matter their age.  Constantly working with a 
heartstone bleaches it.  Scouts and guards often dyed their hair to 
blend in with the forest, and--even when in the Vale--wore clothing 
designed for this purpose.  Everyone else could be wearing just about 
anything.  There was one constant, however--almost everyone used 
feathers as decorations for their clothing or hair.

Krystal saw me and waved.  Soon, she broke off the conversation she was 
in and came to greet me.

"And who are your guests?" she asked after we had kissed.

"This is Ranma.  I know you saw him after one of my numerous battles 
with the Dark Alliance.  I believe he was in his cursed form at the 
time--"

"Cursed form?"

"He has a most unusual curse.  When hit with cold water, he transforms, 
becoming female.  Hot water reverses the effect.  His father has a 
similar curse, only his is to change into a giant panda.  In fact, 
that's why I asked him to come with me.  Tomorrow we will speak with the 
shaman.  She may have an idea for a cure.  And this is Akane."  Akane 
gave a slight bow.  "Ranma, Akane, this is my wife, Krystal."  This was 
one of the universes in which our marriage was recognized.

"Well, I wish you luck on finding a cure.  The guest quarters are over 
here."  She led us down a winding path toward a row of dwellings.  When 
we got to the fifth one, she opened the door.  "I'm afraid there are 
only two bedrooms, but we can sleep in the main room and give them to 
you.  There's also a small bath.  I thought that getting that was 
somewhat more important than another bedroom."

Ranma and Akane each choose a room, and tossed their bags inside.  
"C'mon, Akane, I'm hungry."  Ranma headed for the food table, dragging 
Akane after him.

"He's rather abrupt at times.  It may have something to do with the fact 
that he was raised almost entirely by his father.  He hasn't seen his 
mother for ten years."

"Why?"  Krystal was shocked.

"I'm not entirely sure.  It's not a situation I plan to get involved in.  
He and his father are now living with Akane's family."

"That's strange."

"Yeah, I know.  His whole life is.  His engagement to Akane was arranged 
by their parents before they were born.  However, he's also being chased 
by a girl from a decidedly odd tribe in China because he defeated her in 
a martial arts tournament."

"Huh?"

"Some weird law of this tribe.  I don't know the details, but apparently 
women of the tribe are required to marry any male who defeats them in 
combat."

Krystal and I also wandered toward the food table.  Ranma had piled a 
plate incredibly high, and was practically inhaling his food.  Akane 
tried--unsuccessfully--to get him to slow down and eat normally.  Soon, 
she gave up and concentrated on her own plate of food.  Krystal and I 
each took a plate and joined them.  After we had finished eating, we 
went over to the other clearing.  The dancers came down off the stage, 
and, after a few minutes, a trio of musicians took their place.  The 
music they played was beautiful, but quite haunting.  Akane leaned over 
to me and whispered, "How do they decide what's next?"

"There's no real reason to whisper, as long you're not talking so loud 
that others can't hear the music.  And, to answer your question, anyone 
who wants may use the stage.  If you and Ranma want, you could give a 
martial arts demonstration later."

"Ok, thanks."  She turned back to enjoy the music.

:Could we go off by ourselves for awhile?  Is there any reason for you 
to chaperone these two?: Krystal sent to me.  The emotions behind her 
thought told me exactly what she wanted to do.

:One way to find out.:

"Are you two okay here?  Will you be all right if we leave you for 
awhile?" I asked Ranma and Akane.

"Yeah, sure, no problem.  I can take care of Akane."

"For your information, I'm quite capable of taking care of myself!" 
Akane snapped back at him.

"If this is the way you two act all the time, maybe I shouldn't leave."

They both instantly calmed down.  "We'll be fine," Akane told me.

"All right then.  Krystal?"  We headed for a path leading away from the 
other side of the clearing.  At the head of the path, I reached down and 
picked up a marker.  I pressed it into the ground, making sure it would 
be clearly visible, and facing the blue side toward the clearing.  By 
the time Krystal and I returned, it was too late to prevent any of the 
damage.

----------------------

Author's note:

A word about the marker:  As anyone who has read the second of Mercedes 
Lackey's _Magewinds_ trilogy (_Winds_of_Fury_?  _Winds_of_Change_?  I'm 
reasonably sure that _Winds_of_Fate_ is the first one) will probably 
know, the blue marker indicates that those down the path wish to be left 
alone.  A red marker placed there means that they will welcome anyone 
who wishes to join them.  My character wasn't kidding when he said that 
the Teyledras have few, if any, inhibitions.  Incest would probably be 
frowned upon, and, of course, any form of rape would be punished 
severely, but I can't think of anything else.  Just be sure you don't 
put the red marker up when you mean blue.

----------------------

part B will follow

--
Erik

"What's more dangerous than a mage out to rule the entire world?  Why, a 
mage at play, of course...."

        -Ed Greenwood, "Elminster at the Magefair"

http://www.cs.transy.edu/ejessup/homepage.html
--



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