Warriors of the Wind: The Return of Nausicaa

Deceiving and Deceivers

(A/N: Reviews, reviews, I love reviews! Thank you everyone. This next chapter wasn't as long as I wanted it to be, but I felt like it filled the gap I was trying to fill. Hope you like it.)

Chapter 13: Deceiving the Deceivers

Nausicaä marched towards the Kalvandir ship, Teto resting on her shoulder. She was going to find and rescue Asbel if it was the last thing she did. And if those Kalvandirs did anything to hurt him…

'I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.' she thought.

Right now she had to do the job of distracting the guards. It had been Lord Yupa's idea. She would go to the Kalvandir ship and do her best to keep everyone busy while he searched for Asbel. She had the utmost faith in the sword master, she just feared that it was too late. The thought of discovering that Asbel was dead made her almost afraid to actually find him.

"He's not dead." She said out loud. She looked at the fox-squirrel on her shoulder. "He's not."

Teto squeaked in response, almost as if he were agreeing with her. Nodding, Nausicaä made her presence known to the Kalvandirs and the monitor came on

"Ah, Princess, good day to you." said the guard.

Nausicaä nodded in greeting. "I was hoping to see Prince Ved."

The guard nodded. "But of course. I shall inform him of your presence."

The monitor turned off. Nausicaä waited for a few moments before the door opened, allowing her entry. A few guards were waiting for her on the other side. They bowed to her as she approached.

"His majesty is glad you have come." Said one of the guards. "Please follow me."

As Nausicaä expected. She was brought up to Ved's room. The Kalvandir prince looked happy to see her, and she suspected that he thought that maybe she had changed her mind about who her heart belonged to. If so, he was in for a rude awakening.

"Nausicaä, how good of you to come." He said warmly. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

She offered him a smile. "I was hoping that perhaps you would be able to help me find Asbel."

The Kalvandir prince's smile visibly lessoned. "I am sorry, princess, but I don't see how I could be of any help."

Nausicaä motioned around her. "You have all this technology. Shouldn't you be able to track him or something?"

"Technology has its limits." Ved explained. "I don't see how I can find him if he's gone off into the toxic forest." He cocked his head to the side. "And even if I could, I don't think he wants to be found, at least not until he finds whatever it is he's looking for."

Nausicaä's fists clenched. Ved was very crafty. His words would sound reasonable if she didn't know the truth.

Hanging her head, she tried to look upset. "I guess you're right." It was time to for plan B. "But that was only one of the reasons I came. I also wanted to compare what we know of the toxic jungle. Perhaps we can find some answers to our questions."

This seemed to brighten Ved's mood. "It would be an honor. Please, come with me. I shall show you to our lab."

Teto hissed at the Kalvandir prince and Nausicaä shushed him. Ved didn't seem to notice as he led her down the seemingly never-ending hall of his airship.

"How do you remember where ever room is?" she asked.

Ved chuckled. "You eventually memorize it. Just like you learned your way through the toxic jungle."