Chapter Two

Triet was a dry town. I found the sand and the hot air tiring. Somehow the locals found the energy to do their jobs and bustle about. And what a bustle it was. There were people gathering around a board in the center of the town. I pushed myself through the crowd to get a good look at the wanted paper pinned there. There was a drawing of a boy with brown, spiky hair. The name Lloyd Irving was written on the bottom in large letters.

"Isn't he one of The Chosen's companions?"

"He was here with The Chosen One just a few days ago?"

"Didn't the Desians come here and attack them?"

"They got away, right?"

I tapped on one of the civilians' shoulder. "Where do you think they'll go next?"

The people who had been talking looked at me warily.

"Well, I think the next seal is to the east," the girl looked to her companion for confirmation.

"Yes," the other agreed. "The water temple is at the Thoda Geyser to the east. You have to go through the Ossa Valley to get there."

"Thank you," I said with a smile and then slipped my hand into my pocket. I dropped the Gald into the hands of the two and then continued to walk about the town, keeping my eyes open for the crescent moon that decorated inns.

"Would you like a room? It's one hundred gald a night."

"Yes, thank you." I was given a key and I went up the stairs, into the room that would be mine for the night.

"Sheena, this town is hot." Corrine appeared at my side suddenly, but not surprisingly. He always showed up when other people weren't around.

"It's in a desert, Corrine. I'd be confused if it wasn't hot. If this place were cold, well, it'd be like Flanoir being hot."

Corrine giggled. "That's a funny thought."

Picturing the snowy Flanoir as a desert brought a smile to my face as well and I chuckled. "This is ridiculous," I said, still laughing. "We must be overtired."

"Go to sleep then."

"I'm going. I'm going."

The Ossa Valley Trail was green and easy on the feet. The only things you had to look out for were the many monsters, but being a ninja and all... it wasn't hard for me to dodge them.

I had a hill in the valley and crouched down only a few minutes before I heard voices. A group of people came into view. Leading the way was the boy I had seen on the wanted poster. Lloyd Irving. Beside him was a smaller child with grey hair that went all over the place. He carried a kendama; a typical weapon used for magic by elves and half-elves. On the other side of Lloyd was a girl with brightly colored wings coming out of her back. She was The Chosen. Behind this trio, were two older travelers. The first was a tall woman with white hair similar to the small boys. She sported a staff that marked her as a healer and magician. The very last of the party was a magic-swordsman. From my experience, I could tell that he would be the most dangerous of the group. If I wanted to assassinate The Chosen, I'd need to do it quickly and out of his reach.

I took a deep breath and then stood up, gathering my courage. "Stop," I commanded in a loud voice and jumped down, landing a few feet in front of my victims.