Author's Note: This is something I wrote a few years ago, edited slightly to decrease awkward wording, references to my other stories, and Ivan's emo-ishness (I realize emo-ishness isn't a word, but it was the only way I could turn emo into a noun.). It was supposed to be one of many short stories centered around various pairings, but after writing this I realized that finishing the entire story would take waaay too long. But I went through all of the trouble to write this story, so figure I might as try to well post it.
If I get any reviews, I'll post the rest of the chapters up. On another note, I did my research, but I could not find the Mayor of Alhafra's name anywhere, so I made it up. If you don't remember, he's the fat guy who insulted you after you let "his" ship get away.
Disclaimer: I don't own Golden Sun. If I ever get into animation, though, I am definitely going to try to make it a TV show. And then I will own it.
The gang had been sailing east for three days since their visit to Tolbi. Kraden had convinced the adepts that they were in dangerous need of supplies, specifically elixirs, the best of which could be found at Alhafra. Felix had convinced Kraden to stay on the ship while the rest of the group searched Alhafra's markets. Kraden agreed, and at the moment the adepts were meandering around the market place.
"Ah, Felix!" a young Alhafran guard shouted, running clumsily towards them at full speed. The eight teens turned around, and Felix cocked an eyebrow. The apprentice slid to a stop in front of the cluster and put his hands on his knees, shoulders heaving. "Thank…goodness…I…found…you… The mayor has heard of your arrival, and wishes to see you."
Sheba put her hands on her hips. "I thought that he never wanted to see us again."
"Ah, yes. His graciousness has decided to forgive you for the…incident with the ship," he breathed.
The four newest members of the group looked at Felix. What incident? Their eyes asked. He mouthed 'Tell you later.' Felix sighed. "Well, I guess we can't refuse his…graciousness," he conceded. The guard beamed, and led the group to Mayor Ravil Livar's castle.
Fifteen minutes later, the eight adepts stood uncomfortably before the rotund leader. Ravil was disgustingly obese; his throne had had to be specially tailored to fit his immense girth. The amount of food he ate in one meal could feed a large family for a day. Felix wondered how many of Ravil's subjects starved so that he could gorge his stomach.
"Ah, Felix, the brave warrior. What brings you and your friends to my fine town?" Ravil drawled.
"Well, we were hoping--"
"Do me a favor, my lad," Ravil interrupted, "and remind me of your allies' names. They've escaped me."
Felix patiently exhaled. He went down the line, pointing to each adept. "Isaac, Mia, Jenna, Garet, Ivan, Piers, and Sheba."
"Sheba…" Ravil furrowed his brow. "I've heard that name before…"
"I'm Faran's daughter," Sheba answered bluntly.
The mayor's eyes widened with recognition. "The Child of the Gods…" he whispered. "Rumor has it that Faran has offered a very handsome reward for her safe return." His eyes glinted with greed. He looked up at Felix. "I take it that you are heading to Lalivero in order to trade her for the gold?" he questioned.
Sheba stepped menacingly towards the mayor. "EXCUSE ME? I'm an essential part of their group, not some bag of goods!" she cried, bristling with sparks. Felix put a hand on her shoulder in order to calm her down.
"I'm afraid you're mistaken. Sheba is helping us on our quest. She's not going to return to Lalivero just yet. Make no mistake, she misses Faran and her family very much, but if she were to visit them, the emotional ties between them would make it too difficult for her to leave again. You must understand, our task is very important. We must do what is best for everyone," Felix explained diplomatically.
"Perhaps you could be kind enough to send word to him for us. Tell him that Sheba is safe?" Picard inquired.
Ravil sat and contemplated the situation. He spoke very slowly, "Very well. Your choices are your own. In the meantime, please, help yourselves to my castle. I shall send a letter in the morning." Felix's team stood shocked at the mayor's unprecedented generosity.
"Thank you, kind sir," Mia chirped obliviously.
The guard from earlier led the adepts up the stairs and around several corners. He opened the door to a small antechamber, cozily furnished with velvet and mahogany. In the middle of the room was a large table, presumably for meals. On each side of the room were four doors, each leading to a personal bedroom. While the adepts admired their rooms, he slipped out and left them to their own devices.
As Felix was admiring the carving on the table, Sheba quietly crept up behind him. "Ummm, Felix? About earlier…" she whispered, her eyes averted. She looked oddly shy.
"Listen, Sheba. I'm sorry if I sort of put words in your mouth. I—" Felix stopped as Sheba threw her arms around him, hugging him very tightly.
"Thanks," Sheba whispered quietly.
Felix's cheeks became slightly pink, him being unused to such intimate gestures. After a slight pause, a crooked smile sneaked onto his face. He quickly squeezed her back. "No problem, kiddo."
Across the room Ivan stared at the two embracing and felt his cheeks burning. He quickly turned around and studied the paintings some more.
As Felix lied in bed, he thought about the mayor's odd behavior. Felix didn't trust Ravil as far as he could throw him. His mind whirled with possible explanations, and, failing to come up with anything remotely likely, it succumbed to sleep.
Sheba was curled up in bed when she heard a sound. She sleepily opened up one of her eyes. All of the djinn were asleep. It was probably nothing. She closed her eye again.
There it is again! Her eyes shot open. Where was that creaking sound coming from? She rolled over and threw off the covers. A scream caught in her throat.
A dark hand reached out of the darkness and practically forced an odd smelling cloth down her throat. Sheba choked on the smell. Sleeping gas! She tried to sit up, but her body wouldn't listen to her. Quickly, Sheba held her breath, but she had already inhaled too much. The dark room around Sheba looked as if it were underwater. The sight made her head hurt horribly. Slowly, Sheba's vision faded, and she let the dull pain wash over her.