So here it is the long awaited third chapter of Bargain Ally. Hope you enjoy reading as I enjoyed writing it.
Chapter 3: The town of Iselia
In front of the forest entrance to Iselia, same one Raine and Colette had left through earlier, the mayor, had gathered the townsfolk.
"The chosen is currently in danger; it is up to us to do whatever is necessary to save her. If we fail to do this, we will continue to suffer at the hands of the desians, but more importantly, Sylvarant will continue to suffer. We all knew this day might come when we have to become the first and last line of defense for the chosen, No the world it is now time to show proof of your conviction to the goddess Martel." The mayor finished with the roar from the crowd having gotten the desired result from his speech. He smiled to himself as he stepped to his side, the captain of the village guard then stepped forward to address the crowd in how they actually go looking for the chosen.
However, a voice rang out from the crowd. "The mayor will be going with us right?"
The mayor, expecting cheers for his response, answered with bravado, "I will wait here just in case, by some weird twist of fate the chosen gets back here before you find her." This was instantly answered with angry shouts and boo's which startled the mayor.
The man who spoke out first, the shop keep for the item store, continued instantly the crowd quiet down so he could be heard, "Why do you get to stay if I have to go, why do you get to stay and the children have to go huh Mayor?" anger was evident in his voice.
The mayor whose day only seemed to get worst finally snapped. "I'm sorry what leadership qualities do you have?" He took a breath before continuing, "Have you been running the village for years now? Were you the one who went to the desians knowing full well you may never come back and get treaty allowing each of us to live here without fear of them raiding us?" His face became crimson with anger as he finished. "No, you didn't so let's do this the guy who has done all that continues to lead this village now."
This only furthered to cause chaos as the village broke down arguing on who should go who should stay and who should lead. To further cause concern the more pessimistic, had decided that it was useless and that the chosen was surely already dead mourning and praying to Martel for forgiveness. This was the scene that a group consisting of a blonde hair girl, a brown hair boy, and two silver-haired siblings walked into when they came out of the woods.
"W-who goes there," a guard stuttered and shouted trying to be heard over the chaos behind him. The other guard took a quick look at the group quickly recognizing Colette. He quickly grabbed her hand and ran toward the front of the crowd. Raine, holding onto Genis' hand ran after them.
The first guard shouted at the Sage siblings. "Wait stop," he tried in vain. Lloyd not sure what was going on began to follow the rest of the group only to be stopped by the lone town guard. "You're not going anywhere… what is that thing?" the guard stuttered pointing at Noishe. This broke into its own separate argument leaving Lloyd rooted by the entrance.
The guard who grabbed Colette pushed through the crowd causing those pushed aside to turn around to shout at him only to see chosen being dragged past. Very quickly amongst the chaos, a wave of bowing and cheers were heard throwing off the rest of the crowd. The guard got the chosen in front of the mayor who once recognizing who was standing in front of him prepared to chew her out about her duty and not doing something reckless. This, however, was stopped before it began when a blonde hair man came from the crowd hugging the chosen.
"My daughter you're alright, the whole village was worried you were hurt." The man kneeled down and hugged the girl tightly; this, however, made the mayor fume even more.
"Chosen one do you know how much danger you put the world in?" the mayor started again causing Colette look out toward the forest entrance where Lloyd was still arguing with the guard. The mayor cleared his throat to get the chosen attention, however before he could begin again, an elderly woman came from the crowd and stopped him once more.
"It is good to see you safe dear," the woman said before speaking to the crowd. "Thank you all for being so concerned about the safety for the chosen. As you all can see she is well and unharmed please head back to your homes."
The crowd started to disperse most relieved that the chosen was back unharmed a few stayed a little longer hoping to have a reason as to why the chosen left the village in the first place. One particular person stared at those in front with a raging scowl, the item shop keep.
"Frank, Phaidra, This is inexcusable the chosen should not be running off on her own and…" before he could finish with his heated words, fueled by the constant disrespect he was given from everyone, the professor interrupted him.
"Mayor if we are going to discuss this then we need to do so in a civil manner and away from prying ears, it's very likely one could come to the conclusion that there is a split between the church of Martel and yourself in the power that runs Iselia." The professor said in a patronizing tone still holding on to Genis' hand. She more than anyone had little respect for the laws and rules the mayor tried to levy on the village, yet she had enough sense to know that for his faults when he remained level-headed he could work the crowd in following him. This, in her mind, was why everyone went with letting him call himself the mayor of Iselia. The mayor slowly exhaled but nodded his head heading for his home. The silent expectation was for everyone to follow him which they did. The walk toward the mayor's home was silent amongst the group having taken the most direct path to his home.
They arrived in a matter of minutes to a house behind the professors with a nice walkway heading up to the door, thanks to Dirk. A large portion of the work Dirk ended up doing for the village to be allowed residence, was done at the mayor's home. New fence and walkway were put in along with an extra room for meetings that overlooked the front of the house. He had his living room redone and the kitchen expanded. He was also planning the have the dwarf put in an outside balcony in the back so he could overlook the forest during warm summer nights.
The recently added meeting room was where the group was heading as the mayor headed for the front door. The shop keep was standing on the mayor's front porch intent on being a part of the conversation.
"What are you doing here Isaac" The mayor demanded, in no mood for another person who believed they were more capable of leading the village than him.
"Waiting for everyone, you think I am willing to risk my life for no explanation? I want to know why the chosen was outside the village." The man replied in an unfriendly tone.
Colette stepped up and was about to tell him why when the mayor interrupted. "You will know in and if after I know I deem it important enough," the mayor's tone conveying how annoyed he was with all this.
"NO, I should know why I had to almost die now not blindly follow your words." The shop keep replied instantly his voice rising higher as if he was trying to get the village back together in front of the mayor's house.
"You didn't even leave the village how can you say you almost died." The mayor shouted back.
"I have no combat experience never had to fight a monster, thankfully I might add, had I have gone out there I would not have been returning alive." Isaac continued ranting. Colette made a move up to the front of the group before anything else could be said and bowed to the shop keep.
"I'm sorry," she began with her head down at the ground.
"I don't want an apology I want a reason." Before he could continue shouting at the blonde hair girl, the professor raised her staff as if she was about to strike the man however before anyone could make a move Colette raised her head tears running down her face.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to almost die…" the rest became unintelligible through the girls crying. The sight of this defused the situation quickly. Now Isaac was apologizing to Colette for having made her cry which in turned had Colette apologizing to him again never ending. It became quite clear that the issue was resolved and that the chosen wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon. The rest of the group went inside following the mayor to his meeting nook.
The mayor sat at the head of the table that sat inside with Frank and Phaidra on one side Genis and Raine on the other. The room was quite lavished compared to rest of the village. The table was made of very dark wood much more ornate than what most villagers beds were made of. A top of the table was a fancy table cloth from Palmacosta no doubt it had been worth several thousands of Gald. Finally, the key piece was the lighting in the room was from a single chandelier that could quite possibly be a one of a kind, Dirk had researched a way to light the device without wasting so many matches finally coming over so old dwarven runes he had to carve into the metal itself.
Dirk had spent many nights researching the runes he carved into the chandelier he was able to find second-hand notes about a legendary warrior with a fabled red sword that ignites and burn anyone or anything unfortunate to be sliced by the blade. After deciphering the sketches in the book from a human account of the meeting said knight, Dirk was able to somewhat replicate that legend in the chandelier with a single match, lit in the center of the chandelier. The rune would activate and ignite each arm's candles.
The mayor called a maid into the room, one of two villagers who unfortunately need gald and were able to find employment cleaning the mayor's mess, to have her bring him a cup of tea. At no point did he offer tea to any of the others. Once he had his tea in front of him he was ready to begin.
"So why did the chosen one leave the village?" he asked aloud since Colette wasn't in the room to personally tell him someone in the room would have to speak up.
"T-T-To come find me," Genis squeaked out not comfortable speaking to the mayor who had a dislike for him and his sister.
"Why were you outside the village then?" The mayor responded.
"He was chased…"Raine started to answer for Genis but was cut off by mayor demanding the boy to speak.
"Not you I want to hear it from the boy," the mayor said with a snarl.
"I-I was chased out of the village by some of the older kids here," Genis said after a pause.
"Why did they chase you out of the village?" The mayor said as if trying to lead the boy somewhere with his questions.
"Does it matter mayor," Frank spoke up, "The point is she was concern about her friend both came back no worse for wear. We should thank Martel and count our blessings."
"It does matter Frank," The mayor said glaring at the blonde hair man, "the boys in question told me a story of how the boy was casting magic inside the village trying to set stuff on fire in some kind of game. When they stopped him he used said magic to attack them and ran." The mayor said taking a sip of his tea.
"That's not true they were picking on me first," the boy said defensively.
"So you don't deny using your magic inside the village," The mayor responded.
"I did so to protect myself," Genis replied angrily.
"How come there's not a scratch on you, yet the boys I talked to faces were covered in ash," The mayor said accusingly.
"I met someone in the forest they gave me an apple gel" Genis replied. The room became quiet with all eyes on Genis now. This being first anyone heard of this.
"Was the person a half-elf?" The mayor asked staring intently at the boy.
"Why would that matter?" Genis stated.
"Was the person a half-elf," The mayor repeated with hostility in his voice raising.
Genis was now scared and replied unconvincingly. "N-No." The mayor looked at Genis unconvinced and was about to say so when the professor spoke up.
"Genis knows how serious this is and wouldn't lie," The Professor spoke up, "though this is the first time I'm hearing of this," she glared at her brother who gulped and slouched down in his chair" the chosen did say that Genis was struck first." She paused to look at everyone around the table before looking back at the mayor. "We can agree that if the chosen said this then it must be true right."
This, of course, she did not truly believe. She was well aware of three times Colette had been lying about one thing or another. The biggest lie of all was about how the journey of regeneration would end. However, the mayor was a different story; of everyone in the room he would be the least likely to fight this statement. From the small nods that both Phaidra and Frank gave her they weren't going to say anything to help the mayor further his argument.
"Even if that is the case your brother running off still put the chosen in danger," the mayor started again, "I think it is best for the village if he wasn't here."
"You are not saying mayor…" Phaidra started shocked by what she believed it to mean, "To exile the boy?"
"For what is best for the chosen and the village yes," the mayor stated confidently.
This was met with faces of shock, disgust, horror and rage for such an idea. Raine had to calm herself she was ready to bludgeon the mayor with her staff only she didn't believe she would stop once she did. The mayor, on the other hand, continued to sit there nonchalantly as if not realizing how absurd the idea he proposed sounded. Genis was starting to shake with fear afraid that his banishment was about to happen.
Seeing this Frank spoke up trying to console the boy. "It's ok this is only the mayor's suggestion, not something we will actually allow happen."
"Why not," the mayor said in an eerily calm voice, "if the boy weren't here it be less likely for this incident to repeat itself."
This caused an argument between the two adults. The professor stayed sitting strangely silent which worried Genis. He quickly came to the conclusion that she agreed with the mayor and would not stop him from being exiled. Raine let out a breath and looked over at Phaidra who gave a silent nod as if giving an ok to some unspoken idea.
Calmly Raine said loud enough to stop the two bickering adults while masking her feelings. "While this seems to be a good idea on the surface," Raine paused making sure she had everyone's attention, "I see this having an adverse effect on the chosen one that could very well ensure the failure of the journey of regeneration."
"How do you come to that conclusion?" The mayor asked.
"Before I answer that, I have a question for you mayor. Is the chosen in your eyes a person or an inanimate object?" Raine responded eyeing the mayor as if determining his worth.
"What kind of question is that of course the chosen is a person" the mayor responded aggressively.
"Your logic makes sense if Colette was an inanimate object the word friend would mean nothing to her, however, this isn't the case. Colette being a person means she will make connections with people and if we go severing those connections she will feel nothing toward the world and will not want to save it." Raine stated to which the mayor could not argue back about.
The mayor was stubborn and wouldn't give up. He eventually conceded on grounds that Genis be punished for having used magic in the village. Raine agreed if only so they could put the matter to rest. Genis started to get up from the table when he thought it was over however none of the adults moved. They all were thinking about something till finally Raine spoke to Genis.
"Do you know what the people that gave you the apple gel were doing there?" she asked as all eye fell to him.
"No Raine, I didn't ask" Genis replied sitting back down.
This turned into another discussion about possibilities of who the strangers were and what they were doing in the woods.
"I doubt they were traders, there's no way they come from those woods or try to skip around the town," Frank said.
"It's also unlikely for them to have been followers of Martel on their pilgrimage," Raine added.
"Perhaps they were desians after all," Phaidra said which knotted up Genis's stomach.
Genis spoke up this time in his own defense. "But they didn't feel like half-elves," he lied.
"Not all desians are half-elves, Genis," Raine said solemnly.
"It is a sad truth but still, true none the less" The mayor added in.
"Huh I don't understand" Genis replied.
"There are those who when faced with unrelenting evil, will turn toward and embrace said evil than fight against it." Phaidra started.
"What?" Genis was even more confused now than he was arguing with Lloyd about what Noishe was.
"There are humans who forsake salvation and instead join with the Desians; the teachings of Martel call them the Fallen" Raine said with a lack of emotion.
"If that is truly who Genis ran into out in the woods… what do you think they want?" Frank asked after some time.
"It's obvious," the mayor started, "death of the chosen we have a treaty with them so they won't act out in the open. Yet, with the fallen they can send humans to do the job and never be blamed."
"That doesn't make sense," Genis answered "if they really wanted to the Desians could wipe out Iselia with little force" For a small bit of time Genis rebuttal hung in the air unopposed till finally, the mayor spoke up.
"It's not about what is easy it's about fear and power," The mayor took a breath before continuing. "An act of a human killing the chosen would have a devastating effect on our world; many would lose hope, more would give up and join the Desians."
"So what can we do to help further protect Colette" Frank brought up so as to move the conversation off of a horrible topic little kids shouldn't have to be a part of.
The adults started to think of and share a few ideas not coming up with anything that could immediately save the chosen from this new threat. The idea that next floated around was asking the rest of the village but that could lead to more hysteria which just makes matters worse. Then they discussed about bringing individual people they could trust and see what they would say. Perhaps even ask the Governor-General Dorr of Palmacosta. The Governor-General was a legend amongst the human settlements. Since he came into power, the Governor-General took an active approach to training an army to combat the desians. They even already won a few skirmishes outside the city walls of Palmacosta.
The sun started to wane and the outside of the village was mixed in deep orange and purples. The mayor had promised an explanation to as to why the chosen was out in the forest. While everyone but the mayor agreed that this was unneeded for such a small matter the mayor, however, insisted so that his word would remain pure in eyes of the villagers. With that in mind, the meeting came to close and the group prepared to leave and reconvene at the school where the village meeting would take place.
Frank went back to his home in search of Colette so she could be a part of the meeting while the mayor left to go gather the village folk. This left Raine and Genis alone with Phaidra who had some questions for Raine.
"Did you run into any monsters out in the forest Raine?" Phaidra asked
Raine wasn't expecting for the Elderly priest to ask about that but answered anyway. "More than a few, honestly I probably wouldn't have made it out of there without Colette's help."
"Hearing that eases these old bones," the older woman said with a sad smile, " When she said she wanted to learn how to use chakras I was concerned her natural luck would be too detrimental for her to ever be able to use them properly."
The Half-elf professor smiled knowing what the priest was getting at. "She fell a few times however it usually ended up in our favor as she hit a monster we overlooked." The two ladies smiled and chuckled before Raine added. "Her biggest issue right now is once she throws the weapons they are gone till she picks them up again if she only carries two around and whatever she threw them at doesn't go down in two hits," Raine trailed off as Phaidra finished her statement.
"She would be without a weapon, I'll let the priest training her know so they can figure something out," Phaidra said.
There was a pause between the two Raine brought up the next topic before things got awkward. "Speaking about Colette you know she still hasn't told Lloyd that she the chosen"
Phaidra smiled and chuckled lightly "For as long as Lloyd has been coming to the village with Dirk she has done everything she could to hide that from him. She is worried that he will treat her like everyone else does once he finds out."
"It's too bad the village can't be like Lloyd or at least act like it for Colette," Genis said aloud causing both adults to look down at him.
"What do you mean Genis," Phaidra asked.
"Well if the village treated Colette like Lloyd does wouldn't that help protect her from someone trying to kill her, especially if they haven't seen her before?" Genis said clarifying his previous statement. It was as if all the pieces of the puzzle were fitting together for both Phaidra and Raine.
"Genis that's brilliant" Raine exclaimed the only issue will be getting the mayor to be alright with this.
Phaidra smiled and said, "Let me take care of that with the church supporting the idea he won't be able to say anything against it."
With that, the two adults nodded to each other and went their separate ways. Phaidra went toward the school, a short walk from where they had been standing moments earlier because she would be needed to attend the village meeting. So she wasn't going to waste her energy heading home and coming right back. Raine and Genis headed for home, Raine was physically and mentally exhausted after the day she had; arguing with the Mayor twice, running in the forest, fighting an untold number of monsters, and healing wounds until almost out of energy. Raine was ready to relax, she had no plans to go to the meeting as it pertains to stuff she already knew. The only thing she cared about now was would she go wash off today's sweat first or dive into her current book on languages from past civilizations. Genis knew what he would be doing once they got back and that was cook something for their supper.
As the Sage siblings came up to their house voices could be heard at the front. The two looked at each other bewildered as to who might be at the front door of their house. Suddenly, there was a splash.
"COLETTE!" Lloyd yelled loud enough for the Sages to understand. This scream caused the two to run to the front for a peculiar sight.
In the pond, which sat directly across from the sages front door, was five small heads. One of the five was Colette who had recently fallen in. the other 4 though were dark hair boys Raine didn't recognize. Genis however, recognized them as the boys who had picked on him that morning. The two looked over toward the house and saw Lloyd standing alone covered in dirt with something in his hand.
All the children's eyes were on Raine and Genis when they saw them appear. An idea stuck the largest boy in the water and he started shouting out.
"Professor Sage, Lloyd attacked us and pushed us into the water." He shouted sounding distressed. Soon the other boys in the water also called out other things Lloyd had done to them.
"He attacked us with his swords," one boy said.
"He cursed at us in dwarf language," another said.
"He stole our toy and hit us with it." the third child said
Raine looked at Lloyd with an annoyed look. "Is this true Lloyd?"
Lloyd shook his head and said "No."
The four boys, who were treading water, shouted in unison "He's lying" then came more accusations and one child yelling about what Lloyd was holding. Raine looked back at Lloyd who clearly had something in his hand.
"Lloyd is that their toy?" She questioned with a hint of demand.
Lloyd held up the object, a kendama, and said, "They had it but I heard them talking about how they took it from Genis so I took it from them."
This was again met with the kids yelling that Lloyd was lying who responded back with a dwarven vow. All the arguing was hurting Raine's head. Genis walked over to Lloyd and looked at the kendama. He came to the conclusion it was his. Lloyd handed the Kendama to the mage who walked back to his sister.
"This is my kendama before I ran out the village it was taken from me," Genis said holding up the kendama.
Raine looked at the weapon/toy she noticed the blood on the ball that looked somewhat recent and then looked at the children one at a time to see if any were bleeding. She couldn't see any blood on the ones in the water so she went and stood in front of Lloyd looking him over. She stared intently at his face causing the boy to blush. After careful examination, she found a spot on his ear of fresh blood.
Having what she needed Raine didn't say a word she turned and stared at the boys in the water. The face she made said everything she didn't vocalize. She knew who was lying and who was telling the truth. The 4 boys in the pond very quickly got out and ran away not wanting to stick around for the punishment for lying they were going to receive. Raine let them go having decided to bring it up with the boy's parents later she let out a sigh and relaxed.
Genis went over to the pond and offered his hand out to the blonde hair girl. She took his hand to help pull herself up, unfortunately, the boy wasn't strong enough and both ended up falling into the pond. Raine rolled her eyes while the children laughed. Using her staff Raine held it out for Colette to pull herself up on the shore. Lloyd reached out and helped Genis up.
"Thank you, professor," Colette said smiling while dripping wet.
"Sorry I wasn't able to help Colette," Genis said downtrodden by how small and weak he was.
"It's ok Genis at least you tried," Colette said trying to cheer up the boy. When she saw that wasn't working she lean down and gave him a small kiss on the cheek giggling. Genis turned red as he felt where she kissed. "You'll get stronger, I know it, Genis," Colette said with a carefree smile on her face.
"What about me," Lloyd said. Colette responded to Lloyd's objection by sticking her tongue out playfully at Lloyd before laughing out loud.
"Ha-ha, You got re-ject-ed" Genis sang. The children then broke down into bickering, laughing.
"Children that's enough," Raine said after a little while of this, "Colette you need to head home your father is looking for you."
Reluctant to go, Colette said her goodbyes and ran on down the road only getting few feet before she face planted into the ground.
"I'm okay," Colette yelled as she got back up. Thanks to the water from the pond the loose dirt clung to the front of Colette causing Lloyd and Genis burst out laughing at the site. Colette looked down noticed how dirty her clothes were and put two and two together before also Laughing. She continued running back home leaving wet shoe prints on the ground.
"Lloyd, come inside so I can clean your wound," Raine said as she went and opened the door to the house.
"Huh, Lloyd hurt again?" Genis said bewildered.
Lloyd grinned and said "I'm fine it's just a scratch," Lloyd said trying to decline.
"Lloyd, Now" Raine demanded, a little harsher than she had meant to be, this startled the 12-year-old who rushed inside.
Once inside Lloyd took a look around the house was a single floor with really only two rooms. One room was mostly a bedroom with two single beds, a couple of small nightstands a closet, and bookcases full of books. The other room had a small kitchen with dining table and two chairs. There were also some desks on either wall and a few more bookcases. Raine walked over and stood at the dining table expectantly. Lloyd followed close behind and took a seat when offered. The professor proceeded to give him a look over looking for the head wound he seemed to have gotten earlier.
"So how did you get hit, Lloyd?" Genis asked to break up the silence.
"The big one…Luke I think is what I heard his name was swung it at me and Colette," he paused thinking for a moment before continuing," I think it was more meant for me then Colette, but if I moved it would have hit her so I just stood there," Lloyd finished.
Genis smirked and said, "how chivalrous of you Lloyd."
"Huh," Lloyd said confused, "how what of me?"
Genis slapped his head in anguish "it means behaving in an honorable way."
"OH" was Lloyd's response.
"Why did he try to attack you, Lloyd?" Genis asked next.
"I told him I heard him earlier about the kendama and that he should give it back," Lloyd responded.
"Perhaps you should start from beginning Lloyd, I am also curious as to how this all ended up in front of my house" Raine added without stopping in her task.
"Well, after I got past the Guard," Lloyd began," Everyone was gone so I walked around the village a little nowhere, in particular, I was going. That's when I came across the school, I went inside to have look around only,' Lloyd paused there to yawn," I guess the fights in the woods tired me out more than I thought so I took a nap."
"You took a nap in the school, really Lloyd?" Genis asked not believing the story," where did you find the room it's packed with desks."
"Right by the window" Lloyd answered.
"Your joking you would have to be standing in order to have fallen asleep in there" Genis responded.
"I did honestly," Lloyd said seriously though Genis waved it off, "anyway when I woke up it was getting dark so I decided to start to head home. That's when I ran into Colette who was walking with me up to the village entrance. When we came across those guys they were talking about how they took your kendama. They were planning to throw it into the pond but when Colette and I confronted them. Luke started swinging it around that's when the first three jumped into the water." Lloyd pointed to his head, "that's when he hit me with it. He continued to swing it so I ran in and tackled him to the ground. When we got back up I had managed to get the kendama out of his hands and he charged at me trying to get it back. He tripped and went head first into the pond." Lloyd finished.
"How did Colette fall in then," asked Genis.
"She was going to help them out of the pond and lost her balance…" Lloyd said with a sweat drop.
During Lloyd's story Raine had found the wound and patched it up. While it wasn't a mere scratch like Lloyd thought it also wasn't life threatening if treated and disinfected. She went to the closet pulling out a small bag inside was a roll of cloth and some herbs that could be ground up and put into the wound to help keep it clean. She carefully put the herb on and wrapped Lloyd's head once done she took a step back and looked to make sure she was satisfied.
"All done Lloyd," Raine said with small nod satisfied with her work, "you will need to change the wrapping once to twice a day.
Lloyd said thanks and after some time was ready to head home. The professor, feeling obligated to see the boy off safely, decided to walk the preteen to the entrance of the village. Genis followed as he didn't want to be left alone. The brisk walk was uneventful; they arrived at the entrance where Noishe had continued to wait all day. Having lain on the ground the dog raised its head and yawned at the three before getting up and stretching. This caused Genis to again attack the thought of Noishe being a dog as the stretching posture was more cat-like however with a look from Raine he quieted down. Lloyd laid his hand on the back of the green and white furred scratching up and down. Noishe wagged his tail happily in response.
"Are you sure you be alright heading back?" Genis asked Lloyd as the older boy hopped up on to Noishe.
"Yep, I'll have Noishe with me so if I get into any trouble he can save me like he did this morning," Lloyd said enthusiastically
"you intend to fight your way back," Genis questioned with a shocked tone, "that's dangerous not to mention dumb Lloyd."
"I got here just fine didn't I," Lloyd laughed with confidence, "This time I'll be able to perform the attack I was telling you about earlier you'll see."
"Lloyd Irving you are to stay on Noishe until you arrive safely at your home or I'll drag you there myself," Raine spoke up for the first time in a while staring directly at Lloyd with a scowl on her face, "do I make myself clear?"
There was silence all around the three as Lloyd processed the threat he just received. The wind picked up slightly howling as the three stood there. Lloyd finally came to the conclusion that the threat was genuine and became wide-eyed as he nodded shaking.
"Yes, Professor no more fighting tonight," Lloyd said weakly.
"Good," Raine said with a less menacing tone as she took a breath, "Lloyd would you also give your father this for me?" Raine reached into her pocket and handed Lloyd a small envelope.
Genis who couldn't resist a chance to tease her, "ooooh is it a love letter, my sister found someone finally," he broke into a fit of childlike laughter.
Ignoring Genis as best she could, though she did blush slightly from embarrassment, she handed Lloyd the envelope. "Last time Dirk came by, he offered to make some items if I provided him with a list.
"He did like what Raine?" Genis asked curiously.
"Small items mostly a few desk also could use repair if he has the time," Raine answered with an attempted normal tone.
"Okay," Lloyd said with an overcompensating tone and smile. "Three deliveries in one day, isn't that great Noishe?"
The emerald ear dog let out a howl as it wagged its tail.
"Oh, what deliveries did you do today Lloyd," Genis asked as he didn't recall Lloyd ever carrying any boxes with him.
"The packages I gave you two of course now this letter to dad" Lloyd responded grinning like a fool.
"You never gave me a package Lloyd" Genis responded.
There was silence after Genis comment, it was almost as time had frozen on the outside world. Lloyd's mind came to stand still, for a few seconds, Lloyd was focused on only one thought at a time.
"What did he just say," the words came out of the haze in a slow crawl. Genis voice rang in his ears repeating what the young half-elf had said, "Where are the packages." The next thought came slower than the first. This time a flash of light and almost as if a picture still came up replacing the words. What it showed was Lloyd reaching out for the packages this morning and nothing else.
Raine and Genis stared at Lloyd who was still has a smile planted on his face. A long awkward minute had passed and Lloyd hadn't moved. Genis stepped up to the dog and waved his hand as high as he could. Unfortunately, with his size, Lloyd wouldn't have been able to see it atop of Noishe.
"Has he stopped breathing?" Genis asked aloud.
Before Raine could respond Lloyd blinked and quickly patted himself down in a panic.
"Where are they!" Lloyd said in a high volume voice, "no no no no no," Lloyd then continued to mumble. When the patting returned nothing of value Lloyd started to take his jacket and pants off to check inside them.
"NO, Lloyd" Raine yelled with a blush having returned to her face when the boy had his pants halfway off, Lloyd not having heard her had continued to take his pants off. This caused Raine to also mumble no and run to Lloyd.
This, in turn, caused Genis to fall to the ground laughing with tears in his eyes. This went on until Noishe let out a whine stopping Lloyd in his tracks.
"What's that Noishe," Lloyd asked, Noishe only response was a nod of his head, "Behind me?" Lloyd said confused.
Raine who was near the dog saw two brown packages tied to the dog. "Are these the packages Lloyd?" Raine asked as her hand rested on one.
"YEAH that right I tied them to Noishe so they wouldn't get lost, " Lloyd said before laughing. Raine, Genis both sighed as Noishe whined as the sage siblings place their hands to their foreheads.
After getting dressed Lloyd untied the two Packages from Noishe, Handing one to each half-elf before remounting his Dog. The smile came back to his face and he again started celebrating as the two opened the plain paper wrapped parcels.
Inside the one given to Genis was some metal hooks with holes at the tail end to allow mounting on the wall. Inside Raines's delivered item was a blue shirt and short combo. Raine looked at the clothes for a while picking up the shirt and seeing it was much too small for her. Genis looked up at Raine questioningly before she took the package from his hand and replaced it with her own.
"Thank you, Lloyd," Raine said with a slight bow, "Let your Dad know we appreciate the new coat hooks.
"Thank you for the clothes Lloyd," Genis said with a bow of his own, "I can't wait to be big enough to wear them." The half-elf said admiring the swirls in the clothes.
With that concluded Lloyd waved good night to the two Sages as Noishe took off in a full run into the dark forest. When Lloyd was out of sight the Professor and Genis went home for the night, skipping the meeting. Raine could always talk to the parents of the boys who bullied Genis tomorrow.
Dirk looked up at the front door for what felt like the thousandth time. He sat in the half kitchen half forge area over a sketching table a large rock sat atop next to a sword picture he had drawn. The old dwarf had plans to make the rock into the blade he had designed. The furnace, which doubled as an oven for food, was ready for the rock, yet the dwarf still resigned himself to stand where he was and look at the door. Several times he reached for the rock to put it in and just as many times he set his hands back on the table.
"That boy better be here soon or I'll drag him home myself," Dirk said aloud to no one.
The dwarf stared down the table to a gem which sat inside a metal plate. He then turned and looked to the wall roughly where outside a small grave sat.
"I hope I am doing right by you giving your Lad the exosphere," Dirk thought as he continued to stare at the wall, "I come to love him as my own son. He has spirit but he still young, I fear what might happen if THEY found him wearing it." The dwarf sighed before continuing, "yet, I also fear what would happen to him without it."
The dwarf was silent as if expecting a response to tell him what to do but nothing came, except a long familiar howl and green blur running past the front window. Just then the front door opened and In step, Lloyd smiling.
"Hey dad I'm home," the boy stated the obvious as he walked up to the dwarf handing him the list, "I did everything you told me to do."
The dwarf looked at the list then at the boy and laughed. "I didn't expect you to take the whole day though lad!."
The human and dwarf laughed together, the boy went to the table and sat down as the dwarf went to the kitchen counter and poured a bowl of soup before passing it to the boy.
"My favorite dwarven stew surprise!" Lloyd exclaimed.
"Before you go digging in Lloyd I got something for ya lad." The dwarf pushed the metal and gem contraption to the boy.
"What is this thing?" the boy asked as he picked it up.
"Put it on yer hand," the Dwarf instructed. The boy did as he was told and runes carefully carved into the metal lit up to small screws then started screwing into the boy's hand as the gem heated up when it came into contact with his skin.
Lloyd screamed in pain as the screw went down . The boy was afraid that the heat from the jewel would melt through his skin that was until the next second when everything went back to normal. The pain he felt seconds before was gone the heat from the jewel was now just warmth of something being atop of his hand.
"I'm sorry Lad I should've warned ya that would hurt," Dirk said sorrowfully, he then sat the bowl in front of Lloyd and clapped his hands, "Listen while you eat boy, that stone in your hand is called an exsphere, the metal piece is called a key crest. On their own, an exsphere is a parasite to any living being slowly draining the life force from them and eventually killing them." Dirk paused to make sure Lloyd was paying attention who was still staring down at the stone," Eat lad or your stew will get cold. "These things were the cause of many my brethren's deaths, once you get one attached to you, you won't be able to just take it off."
Lloyd interrupted hearing this, "how come is it dangerous"
"Aye lad could cost you and whoever you are around your lives" Dirk responded.
"Why stick this on me then?" Lloyd panicked
"That is why you have a key crest," Dirk said as he motioned for the boy to calm down. "I lost a lot of brothers and sisters to these stones when mining, thankfully a master runesmith teamed with a blacksmith and made the key crest. Instead of it draining and slowly killing you it empowers and strengthens you."
Lloyd's eyes lit up at this "I'll become stronger"
Dirk laughed at this "Aye lad you'll get stronger." Now promise me, lad, to always keep the exsphere hidden.
"Huh, why," Lloyd asked.
"Exspheres are special, so special in fact that those who know what they are would do anything to obtain them. Yours is even extra special lad," Dirk replied.
"Why is mine extra special," Lloyd asked with a childlike wonder.
"Yours is special because it came from your Mother," Dirk said.
"Mom…" The preteen calmed down looking down at the blue stone which twinkled with energy. "This is from mom."
Dirk sighed and nodded. "Aye, when I came across you and your mother lying on the forest floor she was still conscious, she wasn't going to live long but her only concern was about you." Dirk made eye contact with the boy. "She wanted you protected from," The dwarf scratched his head as trying to come up with something, "the…weather, and asked me to do so." Dirk took a deep breath after saying this with a pained look on the dwarf's face.
Dirk proceeded to share with the boy the process in making a key crest while some on the finer points would take only someone of a dwarf's skill to do, there were other points that Lloyd could learn and with practice perform on his own. He believed this is best for the one day off in the future when Lloyd would strike out on his own and should he ever need a quick fix he is able to do it himself.
Lloyd had another serving of soup before yawning, he started the climb upstairs to wash up and to go to bed. As he was walking up the stairs a strange battleax propped up against the stairwell caught his eye.
"Hey, dad where did you get that," Lloyd asked pointing at the battleax.
"That old thing, its back from my younger days when I ran around with some other like-minded dwarves performing tasks for money," Dirk said as he did some small design changes to drawing of the future weapon.
"You were a sell-sword," Lloyd asked with wonder in his eyes, "You must have seen and done so much tell me about it."
Dirk looked up and saw the twinkle in Lloyd's eyes, it was one he saw before, there be no talking the boy out of hearing about the past when Lloyd was like this, he mentally berated himself for taking the ax out in the first place.
"Not tonight lad, maybe after you get the runes for a key crest down I'll tell ya," Dirk said as he put the rock into the forge. Lloyd was ready to protest this but knew it would be pointless tonight so he slowly made his climb up stairs.
The next few months was busy, to say the least for this small village in Iselia. Raine did her best to teach the village children while still occasionally butting heads with the mayor. Lloyd would prove to be an even greater challenge for Raine so she would often time have her younger brother Genis tutor the boy. This worked out quite well for Genis as the two became fast friends, through Lloyd's help Genis wasn't picked on as much and even began making more friends. However, there were still times, mainly by the boys who picked on him once already, would stir up trouble, during these times when neither Raine or Lloyd were around. Genis would head to the woods and talk with the half-elves, Max and Matilda. Colette was still clumsy as ever but that didn't stop the smile from leaving her face. The townsfolk agreed to Phaedra's and Raine's proposal for the time being and outside of church ceremonies or when a stranger was in town they call her by her name instead of the title. This would be one of few times, in years to come, when Colette would look back and feel like a normal girl. Dirk would continue to be pestered by Lloyd who wanted to know about his past as a mercenary, a term that seemed to make the old dwarf twitch every time it was uttered, eventually, he caved in as promised after Lloyd memorized the runes to carve for a key crest. This would end up being one of the last happy moments in the battle tested forger's life.
And so another chapter comes to a close, as stated about hoped you enjoyed reading it. Look forward to the next chapter. Read and review!