Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

Caravan Tale

*

Lora Li was singing as she walked alongside her caravan. It was an old Selkic lullaby her mother had sung. She was still in high spirits after her success a week earlier at River Belle Path. Mog was snoozing away in the caravan due to Lora's singing. Lora suddenly perked up and stopped singing. On the horizon a caravan was coming, she was sure of it. A little while later the two caravans finally met. Lora looked at the impressive caravan, much larger than Cedon's. It was definitely a Liltian caravan it had the scent of the Lilties. From the caravan out hopped a heavily armored Lilty, "Greetings, Cedon caravan! I am Sol Racht of the Alfitarian caravan."

Lora smiled at the Lilty, "And good day to you sir! I am Lora Li the sole caravanner of Cedon."

Sol Racht did a double take, "You are a brave one indeed to provide for your village alone. Where are you headed young lady?"

"I head to the Mine of Cathuriges. Where is this grand caravan headed to in an area with so few myrrh trees?"

Sol Racht tried to stand a little taller after Lora called his caravan grand. She tried to stifle a chuckle. Sol Racht approached her closer, "We head to the Mushroom Forest. The monsters and miasma have been growing stronger in other parts of the world. This seems to be a safer area of late. We cannot risk much, and I do not tell this to every caravan." Sol puffed out his chest a little more as Lora continued listening to him, apparently the Lilty liked an audience, "If you are heading up to the mines, then I assume you head to Marr's Pass as well."

Lora nodded in agreement and was about to speak when Sol continued talking again, "You will find it much changed, very busy and crowded. I hope you have something to offer."

Lora was about to ask him what he meant, but one of Sol's companions cleared his throat, "Sir Racht we must not dally any longer. Good luck Cedon caravan may the Lady watch over your travels!" Sol Racht nodded his head to Lora and Lora did the same. They then parted each caravan hurrying to their next destination.

"Hmmm, I wonder what he meant by something to offer?" Lora asked herself. The news from Sol Racht was much more intriguing than she had realized at the time he had said it. It did not bode well for the Cedon caravan. If monsters were truly increasing in number and strength, it was going to be harder for smaller caravans to get to myrrh trees in time. Lora decided not to worry about it too much and just focus on getting to the pass. She was curious about what was going on at the pass this year.

Eventually the Cedon caravan reached the one thing that Lora hated most of all, miasma streams. She looked at Mog nervously. The previous year on their way back to Cedon, her father was out of range of the crystal's protection due to an updraft of miasma while they crossed the stream. Lora had sprinted her heart out to her father. It had terrified her to see his body contort in so much pain. He was lucky that the miasma had only infected his right leg.

"Don't worry Lora. You are very nimble and you will hold the chalice, kupo." Mog tried to reassure her. Lora's nerves began to act up again, but she thought of everyone waiting for her in Cedon as she pushed step by step to the miasma crossing. Lora could feel her breathing tighten up as she got closer; the miasma seemed to suck up everything, even her breath. Lora pushed forward holding the precious chalice with Mog right behind her. As the crystal strengthened Lora began to increase her caravan's speed through the miasma until they were finally out. Immediately Lora fell to her knees and took deep breaths of the fresh air. "I hate that part.", Lora stated to no one in particular as she stood up and returned to the road to Marr's Pass without a single look back at the miasma stream.

A few days later, Lora found herself at Marr's Pass. Sol Racht had been right, it was bustling with other caravans from all over the world. But before she even entered a clavat immediately stopped her, "Caravanner, please present your gift to the people of Marr's pass for protection during your stay."

Lora looked at the clavat boy puzzled, "What are you talking about!? We have always had free passage here."

The boy looked at her sternly, "It is a new law at Marr's pass. Each caravan must present something of worth to be protected here during their stay due to the ever growing danger encroaching on our crystal's protection. Even you can't get out of this one selkie." The boy ended with a scoff. Lora glared at him, but what else could she do, "Fine, but my so called gift is not tangible. Let me in and I will present it this evening."

The clavat boy looked at her skeptically and then walked over to talk with a Lilty dressed in similar armor. While they were chatting Lora had a strong sense to just enter the pass, but she stopped herself, 'You are representing your village and selkies. Behave!' Besides she had the feeling that someone was watching her. She was about to look around for this secret spy but the clavat boy returned, "Very well, but be in front of the crystal at sunset."

"Deal!" Lora held out her hand, but the boy just brushed it away.

Lora stuck her tongue out at him as he walked away. A selkie vendor chuckled and winked at Lora as she went to find a place to keep her caravan. Sunset would come in only an hour's time. She had to hurry. Mog watched as Lora pulled out a chest, "Lora Li this is unfair! If only your mother knew what you were about to do. Kupo!"

Lora turned to Mog, "She would've done the same thing for Cedon. Besides all the other caravans have to give something also." Lora quickly changed her outfit and put on bangles up her arms and on her ankles. She had a feeling the whole town was going to be there. Her stomach was doing somersaults, but she had to be brave.

Lora walked down the road to a crowd of people in front of the crystal. Her bangles tinkled prettily with each step she took. The same clavat boy was there in front of everyone, "Ah! And here she is, the Cedon caravan presents their gift to Marr's Pass!" Lora stepped in front of the crowd, "Um, if anyone would be kind enough to accompany me with instruments I would be very thankful." The crowd looked at one another and after a few minutes two selkies appeared with drums and a flute. Lora smiled at them appreciatively. They knew what she was up to; it's what all selkies would fall back on for it was in their hearts always.

The two selkies began the beat and melody. Slowly Lora began to move her feet. As the beat quickened so did she. Then Lora began to sing a very old Selkic tune as she danced in front of the crowd. She flipped and spun around teasing the audience. Lora had been known for her sultry dances back home. She felt as if in a daze, loving every beat of the song. Eventually it slowed down and Lora was back on the ground out of breath in front of the crowd. They all cheered for Lora's performance, even the clavat boy. Lora bowed gratefully and thanked the selkies who accompanied her. As the crowd dispersed she felt eyes on her again, but it was still so crowded she had no idea who it was. Lora was angry that she could not see who it was, she was never used to being surprised like this. She decided to head back to the caravan to get a good rest and to see if anyone was trailing her.

As she headed back to the caravan she knew she was being followed but wherever she looked no one could be seen. 'This is one clever selkie' she thought to herself. Instead of heading straight to the caravan, she headed over the inn nearby. She wanted to see if this person would follow. She headed into the bar. Immediately as she walked in, all eyes were on her. Most of the customers had been at her performance apparently. 'Great. Just great.' Thought Lora, she hated being ogled by people. She walked up to the bar and most people resumed back to what they were doing. An older Lilty bartender brought Lora a glass of wine. Lora looked at the glass of wine and then the bartender, "Sir, thank you but I cannot afford to pay for this." The Lilty shook his head, "No, this is on the house, made from our finest rainbow grapes."

"Thank you." Lora said and took a nervous sip. She wasn't used to such generosity outside of her village. "It's very good!" she exclaimed after finally tasting the wine. The old Lilty smiled and went to serve another customer. Lora took another sip, enjoying the full taste of the wine. Rainbow grapes were her favorite.

After she set her glass down, she felt a tap on her shoulder. As Lora turned to see who it was, she could already smell the mead on his breath. It was the clavat boy from earlier, "Nice dance selkie girl, but I don't think that was enough." Lora gave him a stern look, "I've given enough. Everyone else could see that." The boy began to move in closer. Lora suddenly began regretting leaving her racket in the caravan and even coming into the bar, "You better stop or you'll regret it." She warned the drunken clavat. This only made him angrier as he grabbed her arm, "Dance for us selkie slut dance!" As Lora struggled to get out of his grasp she hit the wine glass and it smashed to the floor.

That was the final draw and Lora kicked him in the stomach. The whole bar watched as the clavat landed on the floor. Lora turned around to apologize to the bartender when she felt the boy grab her hair. She turned her head enough to see a fist coming toward her. She winced, but then the pain never came. When she opened her eyes someone was in front of her and had caught the clavat's fist. The boy then let go of her hair and backed away out onto the street finally realizing what he was doing. Lora turned away from the stranger quickly to the bartender, "I'm sorry to have caused you trouble." The bartender just waved it off as if it happened all the time. Lora couldn't stand all the looks anymore so she ran out and headed for her caravan. As she ran down the street she suddenly heard another set of feet chasing after her. She stopped and turned to watch her pursuer as he caught up to her. She was in no mood for any of this tonight. As he caught up to her, Lora could see he had a boyish face full of mischief, but he was dressed oddly. He did not wear any design of clothing from any of the races. He stopped right in front of her, "Well, aren't you going to thank me?"

Lora looked at him coldly, "For what?" Lora was sick of this place; being watched, grabbed, chased it was a nightmare. Marr's Pass definitely wasn't what it used to be.

"I just saved you back there from that idiot!" he exclaimed. Lora brushed it off, "I could've taken care of it without you."

The boy smiled, "Yeah, sure, whatever you have to tell yourself at night."

Lora looked at him incredulously. He had the attitude of a selkie but he wasn't exactly one, was he? Lora continued to stare at him. He had blonde hair that looked like it had been tossed around and he wore a black tunic similar to selkie design, but black and gray pants similar to clavat style. The boy followed her gaze, after awhile he couldn't stand it anymore, "WHAT!?"

Lora was startled and realized how long she had been looking at him, "Well, what are you?"

He knew what she meant by that question, but he decided to play with her since this selkie was so ungrateful, "I am Tobias." He smiled curtly at Lora.

Lora rolled her eyes, "I'm not playing this game. I have more important things to do."She began to storm off when Tobias yelled to her, "I look forward to your gift at the next town!" She turned around to yell back at him, but he was gone. Lora had the strangest feeling that he had been the one watching her.

Tobias smirked as he hid behind a storage barrel. She was an enchanting creature. It had been fun to follow her around for the day. As the moon rose up in the night sky, he realized how late it was. 'I better get back to those two.' He thought to himself as he stood up and headed towards the pass's crystal.