Chapter 2

Ralen left his unexpected house-guest's room and walked down the hall lost in thought. "So, she's woken up has she?" The question came from empty air. Recognizing the voice, Ralen merely turned towards the hidden speaker, eyebrow raised. "Yes, just now. As I'm sure you know, since you were listening at the door." He quirked a smile, "Is there a reason why you're casting in my house? Surely you don't expect a Lamia to attack you from behind the tapestries?"

"No, not really." The disembodied voice answered. "I just didn't want anyone to know I was in the hall waiting." A heavily armored warrior appeared suddenly in front of Ralen. Boyhood friends, Ralen and Rezor had seldom going more than a day without seeing each other. The small noble and husky goldsmith's son were as close as brothers. They'd since grown and taken on the responsibilities of adulthood; Ralen as Imalda's lord and Rezor as the captain of the town's forces.

Ralen eyed his friend knowingly. "You're not here, invisible, listening at the door out of concern for our visitor." It wasn't a question. Rezor shrugged unabashed by the irritation he could hear in his lord's voice. "Court life has made you suspicious."

"Perhaps," Ralen allowed as they walked down to the main part of the keep and into his private study. "But you still haven't answered my question." He sat down at his large desk and gestured towards a nearby chair.

Ignoring the invitation, Rezor wandered around the room. He picked up objects here and there, apparently fascinated by the bric-a-brac that had been on display since Ralen's grandsire had been Lord of Imalda. Ralen waited, leaning back in his chair arms folded in front of him. He knew his friend well.

Rezor finally put down a vase he'd been studying as if for the first time and turned to his lord. "She say anything?"

Ralen cock his head half-mockingly, "Oh- so you didn't hear much lurking at the door? Unless you're asking me if she can't speak due to some freak injury to her voice."

"Damn it Ralen!" Rezor exploded. "You know what I mean!"

"Yes, I do." Ralen answered, shaking his head. "And I still say your being paranoid."

"Oh right!" Rezor threw up his hands, agitated. "A strangely dressed furball washes up on our shores daily!"

Sighing, Ralen leaned forward and rested his arms on his desk. They'd been over this countless times since her appearance two days before. "She was washed overboard during the storm. She managed to get to shore despite being badly injured."

"And the [i]only[/i] ship sighted anywhere close to here was at the Reefs, a three day sail!" The captain shook his head violently, "There is no way- in any Hell- she could've made it to shore from there!"

"She's a mage!" Ralen argued. "Its possible she used a spell to make it to shore."

Rezor sneered. "She must be quite an unusual mage then. Theres no spell that would freely move anyone to safety like that- and you know it too!"

"Well, yes," Ralen admitted, but then continued seriously. "That doesn't mean its not impossible. Neither of us are mages. Besides, there's no use interrogating her about it. The events are hidden from her, she has no memory of how she survived."

"Hmph," Rezor waved that away. "Then what did she tell you?"

"You heard it as well as I did," Ralen pointed out testily. "Her name's Pheonic Rae, she's from the Windurst Mithra tribe and is a Red Mage adventurer from the Windurstian Confederacy. You know as much as I do."

"Which means we know nothing." Rezor said over his shoulder as he stalked out of the study. Ralen watched him go silently, knowing his old friend was right. There were too many questions left unanswered by Pheonic's sudden appearance. Sighing, Ralen walked over to the large window behind his desk and stood looking out over the same view his guest saw from her room. The sight of the lush gardens normally brought a smile to his face, but not today. Today, instead of green life he saw a small face surrounded by bright red hair normally bound up in a complicated knot looking back at him with bright blue eyes. Eyes that managed to convey secrets and laughter at the same time, as if daring him to suss out what she was keeping hidden. He met the unblinking gaze in the window for a moment before turning away abruptly.

What secrets are you hiding? And why do I feel those secrets are the reason you're here in Imalda?

****

Early afternoon, one week later.

The sound of sword play reached her ears before she could make out the members of Imalda's Guard busy at daily training. The town boasted a small guard, barely fifteen members in total, but they appeared to be decently equipped. Phe could make out a couple of figures in the heavy armor of the samurai. They were wielding over-sized great katanas longer then she was tall with skill she noted critically. As she drew closer she could tell that the town's guard was evenly mixed between damage dealing attackers, heavy armored knights and even a few mages. A well balanced force, though she couldn't judge their skill from just observing. She was a believer in doing not showing, and that nothing proved competency like being face to face with someone trying very hard to kill you.

Standing off to the side, by a large overturned barrel was Rezor, Imalda's disapproving Guard Captain.

Lord Ralen had invited her to dine with him and the captain the night before. Phe had heard the unvoiced command in the politely issued "invitation" and gracefully accepted. She hadn't spent the past several years moving in high politics without learning a thing or two. It would not be in her best interests to alienate the local lord when it was obvious he had doubts about her (admittedly thin) tale.

The meal had been exquisite, the finest she'd had in sometime. The cook had obviously worked to impress the foreign guest and Phe had made a point to visit the kitchen to thank the Master Chef that morning. The town mayor and Loyiont, the healer who had been in charge of her care, had also attended. It'd been a pleasant evening; Loyiont had been very interested in her explanation of "what exactly a Red Mage was." The Mayor had been charming, regaling them with the town's gossip and history. She'd spent most of the main course in a fit of giggles over his dry mimicry of the local celebrities.

Lord Ralen had been a gracious host, answering her questions about Imalda and the region's history. They had all tactfully avoided any mention of her sudden appearance as well, she reflected as she came up to the Captain's side. Everyone had enjoyed a pleasant meal, except for the Captain who'd drained several flagons of ale during the meal and spent more time glowering at her than taking part in the conversation.

As he was still doing, she noted amused. "Red Mage," Rezor nodded curtly as she came to a stop next to him. "Captain," she replied as she hopped up to sit on top of the overturned barrel. Like a child's, her feet didn't touch the ground. Dressed in a gaily colored red tabard style dress and boots she knew that she also looked like a girl still at the Academy.

"Whatever it is you'll have to wait," Rezor growled, turning his attention back to his force's training. Phe nodded agreeably, seemingly content to sit in the sun and watch the men get all sweaty. Rezor scowled down at her, even on the over-sized barrel she only came up to his shoulder, and focused on his men again.

Rezor had watched the newcomer flirting, laughing and charming everyone the night before, noting how she could not seem to sit still. For someone who'd supposedly been within an inch of death barely a week ago, she'd recovered at an astonishing rate. Always giggling over some gossip or regaling them all with the- exaggerated he was sure- powers of Red Mage-craft. He snorted again at the thought of a "Red Mage" defeating a God and went back to guiding his men's training, confident that the Mithra would get bored and find someone else to annoy in short order.

Phe smiled to herself, guessing at the direction of the captain's thoughts. Patience was something she had tons of and was well prepared to wait him out. She needed the his advice and would wait until the Gods woke and returned to Vana'diel if need be to get it. The summer sun was bright and hot, she could feel its heat on her head and shoulders, relaxing her nearly to the point of slumber. Like all Mithra, she considered sun-filled days to be good days for napping. And curling up to watch some very brawny men play with their weapons wasn't a bad way to spend the time.

*****

Rezor wiped the sweat from his brow before calling for a halt. They'd been at it for several hours, he realized, glancing at the sun's position. He'd spent the past hour working with one of the new guards on their axe technique and hadn't realized much time had passed.

The men wearily racked their weapons and headed off to the barracks, grateful their captain was too preoccupied to find them something else to do. Belatedly recalling his earlier interruption, he smiled. Positive the cat had gotten bored and wandered elsewhere in search of amusement, he turned back only to scowl at the red-clad Mithra still perched atop of the barrel, feet kicking back and forth slowly. His scowl deepened as he stalked over and heard her deep throated purring.

Her eyes were nearly shut and she was obviously enjoying the sun's heavy heat that had reduced his men to sweaty puddles. She looked over at him, eyes still slitted lazily and smiled. "All done?"

"What do you want?" He sighed realizing that, for now at least, she'd won. Her smile widened into a grin as she accepted his capitulation. Phe's eyes laughed into his glaring ones for moment before continuing. "I'm actually here because I need your advice."

"Anything to get you out of my sight." He folded his arms in front of him, clearly waiting for her to continue. Always one to turn the screw a little tighter, she smiled sweetly. "Careful, wouldn't want anyone to think you actually like me."

"I don't. Now what do you want?" His face was now a dull red. Seeing the signs of incipient rage, Phe decided to stop toying with the Captain. Quickly, with a seriousness that belied her laughing eyes, she made her request.

Rezor looked down at his scuffed boot toe, scowling as she described her need. He nodded thoughtfully to buy himself sometime, as the ramifications of her request occurred to him. With very little effort on his part there stood a chance that he could deal with the potential threat of the Red Mages presence in his town. He looked back at her with a grim smile and told her what she wanted to know. Phe bowed courteously to the Captain, satisfied with his answer, and headed towards the town gates. Rezor watched her leave, equally satisfied that he'd just gotten rid of a potential threat to the town.

He hadn't warned her that the Lamia, ancient experiments of half woman and snake, that roamed the countryside at night and liked to make unwary hunters the new members of their undead army.

*****

Same day, half hour til sunset

Pausing, Rezor looked up from honing his sword's edge as Ralen entered the armory. He nodded briefly in greeting and went back to his task. Sighing, Imalda's lord threw himself into a handy chair that creaked in warning from the sudden weight.

"By Altana! What a day!" Ralen groaned wearily. "There are times I'd like to bestow this grand title on some deserving soul and take off. Become an mercenary or something and go off in search of fame, riches and women."

It was an old complaint, Ralen wasn't always comfortable with the responsibilities and duties that being Imalda's Lord conferred on him. Rezor smiled briefly in sympathy before once again honing his sword.

"Tough day?" He asked idly, testing the edge with his thumb. he looked over at his friend with an eyebrow cocked in invitation. "Yes," Ralen moaned, sliding deeper in the chair with his legs spread out in front of him. "The town council is throwing fits about the budget. They want more gold but don't want any new taxes levied."

"Ha! Same old story then, " Rezor snorted then looked at his lord speculatively. "Speaking of budgets....."

Ralen's glare was strong enough to melt steel. "Don't even play." He growled in warning. Rezor cocked his head, eyebrow raised. "I suppose that's some ridiculous adventurer cant your guest has taught you." He said disapprovingly.

"As a matter of fact, yes she did. I overheard her use that with Loyiont this morning when he came to examine her" Ralen said mildly. He stretched, rotating his neck to loosen any kinks. "Speaking of the Lady Pheonic, have you seen her recently? She's asked to see the town's charter."

In the act of sheathing his sword, Rezor froze for a bare instant before smoothly completing the motion. "Not since mid-day, no I haven't." He said, turning away to put the whet stone on the mantle. "She asked me some questions about our local wildlife and if there were any ancient ruins like the Olduum monoliths in the area."

"Oh?" Ralen asked with concern, looking over at his friend. "Did she say anything about where she was going?"

"Hunting." Rezor said shortly, looking down at the fire before turning to face his lord. It had just occurred to him the Ralen would not be happy by his actions; he seemed to harbor a fascination with the half-grown Mithra that Rezor considered ill advised in the circumstances. All the delicate beauty and playful charm in the world could not be allowed to distract him from his duty.

"She'll be back soon then." Ralen said in with some relief. No one hunted the night hours if they wanted to see their grands. Sunset was within the hour and there should be time enough to show her the town's charter before the evening meal.

"Dawn."

Ralen blinked at the short reply. "Dawn?"

Rezor turned to look at Ralen calmly. "She said she'd be back by dawn."

Ralen sat straight up in his chair, alarmed. "You warned her about the Lamia didn't you?"

"She didn't ask, so no I didn't" Rezor shrugged unconcernedly. "She simply asked me where the good hunting or trapping locations were."

"I see." Ralen said, forcing a calm into his voice he was far from feeling. "It didn't occur to you to warn her that due to our close proximity to Arrapago Reef it'd be a wise idea to be behind the town's walls when the sunsets?"

"I'd be lying if I said it hadn't," Rezor admitted to his friend even as he knew it'd be in his better interests to lie. But he'd never been able to lie successfully and they both knew it.

"You do realize that you sent her to her death?" Ralen said dangerously. Recognizing the tone Rezor turned to face his lord's fury stoically. "Her death is not at my hands. I consider her a threat to this town and if the Lamia remove that threat so much the better. We both know she did not come here for altruistic reasons and the story she told you is marid shit- and we both know it! "

Speechless, Ralen stared at his friend. He opened his mouth to speak, closing again after a moment. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes in an effort to control his towering fury. After several precious seconds he spoke, eyes closed still, with a tightly controlled voice that was barely above a whisper. He'd known Rezor has become more paranoid over the years, but this was too far even for him.

"So with no let or reason- no proof- you just condemned someone who has caused no harm to an unspeakable death." He paused, looking at his lifelong friend with a cold fury that shook the defiant captain. He opened his mouth, only to shut it at the tiny shake of Ralen's head. After a second Ralen continued. "Whatever your intentions you, not the Lamia, you are the cause of her death. Did you even think? She's well dressed and that jewelry she's wearing is not paste. Whatever the circumstances of her arrival she's undoubtedly well off and for all we know a close confidant of the Star Sybil!" Ralen ranted, voice rising in his fury. "If she dies because of your unfounded paranoia I promise you that the you will face Crown Justice over this if I have to walk to Aht Urghan myself and lay this before the Empress!"

Silence settled on the room like a spell, even the fire seemed subdued as they stood there, staring at each other both shocked at Ralen's vehemeous outburst. After a moment, the fire resumed its monosyllallic hissing and crackling and Ralen spoke once more.

"Tomorrow, at dawn there will be a search party sent out. If by some miracle we find her alive I won't have you executed out of hand." Ralen told his life long friend. "You will be under house arrest in your quarters until the search is complete. You will have no visitors. As of now, despite whatever we find tomorrow, you are no longer the Captain of Imalda Guard."

Rezor, now former Captain of the Guard, stared at his friend in shock, his defiance crumbling like a poorly mortared wall against a Troll Ranger's firemecha. Never, not in the deepest part of his soul, had he ever thought Ralen would react like this! Numb, he watched silently as Ralen turned to the door calling for the guardsmen that stood at attention at the end of the hall. There was a brief conversation in the hall. The guardsmen, men he'd trained, marched in grim-faced. The one on the right, his second in command Rezor recognized in shock spoke. "You are to come with us. In respect of your position, I won't ask you to had over your daggers or throwing stars. I will have your word that you won't try to escape or I will be forced to cut you down."

He nodded jerkily at the brief speech, "Understood."

That one word carried all the shock and horror still crashing through him. He walked out the door slowly, carefully as if each step brought great pain. He met Ralen's eyes for a moment before looking away, unable to meet the towering fury simmering there. His second silently motioned in the direction of his quarters with his head.

Following the silent command Rezor turned heavily in that direction and walked to his imprisonment. Head lowered, he was a beaten man with the heavy realization that he'd disappointed his brother, in all but name, so much that no spell, no potion or remedy could mend the ocean of seething emotion between the two of them.

Ralen, watched the man he'd grown up with, fought with against the Mamool- Ja in their youth. The man who'd help him in recent years, push the Lamia back from Imalda's walls. The man he'd thought of as more brother then friend and realized belatedly that somewhere along the way he'd changed. The man currently walking as if to his under some charm was no longer the steady friend he could count on to be there with a sword, a grin or a dry joke.

He turned away, mourning the loss of both a friend he thought he known and a woman he'd suspected was rapidly becoming more to him than just a house guest.