I Own nothing but me. Due to actually receiving a few reviews and practice elsewhere at a more regular writing style I shall go back to it.

Chapter 6

The Clan heads out of town through another exit and heads out of the forest into some idyllic farmlands. Fields of wheat, crops and grazing lands as far as the eye can see.

Cid Leads the way towards a farmstead where the Chocobo rancher that needs our help is. I lose myself in the peace of it. I often do when on long walks and Cid said it was going to be an hour or so.

"Alan wait up lad." I turn to see Cid and the rest of the clan a fair distance behind me.

"Sorry I guess I was caught up in the scenery."

Luso catches up to me and starts up a conversation.

"Hey Alan how come you walk so fast?"

"Well I lived in a mountain filled area and I liked taking hikes. After long enough I developed a stride on flat land that was faster then most people to make up for the slower speed of going up or down hills, I walk at the same type of stride on both but I go faster flat then up."

Luso nods understandingly. "You hike long distances right? Whats the best you ever walked?"

I cringe slightly at the memory. "A Trail called the Devils path. Thirty three miles of nearly vertical ups and downs, with a fifty pound pack on my back the whole three days. Fun but just murderous on my legs and shoulders."

Luso nods in stunned agreement and I fall back on my old anti-social tendency of awkward silence. Luso eventually falls back to talking with the clan members as I stroll onward.

After an hour or so we arrive at a road where Cid turns to the side. I take this as a sign that we have arrived. Suddenly I get nervous. I Think it just hit me that I will personally be taking part in a life or death battle with only a days training and a single sword and shield to my name.

Soberg notices my sudden hesitation and falls back behind the clan to talk to me.

"Hail Alan whats seems to be the matter with you?"

"Huh? Oh. Hi. Uh well I think I just realized what I will be getting into here."

Soberg nods understandingly "Yes I understand. You see when I first fought a battle I was terrified of it. As a mage even monsters know to target my kind. So I was worried but Cid watched after me in the battle. You see, me and Cid started the clan here and this was when we were just starting out. Cid had convinced me, just out of the Magick academy at Morrabella, to join him in his clan. He said that the judge of the clan saved him. But that's not important right now. In my first battle I had to rely on Cids strength. Just as you have to rely on the rest of the clan now to help you through this coming battle."

I stand both awed and oddly comforted by the slightly ramble like speech of the Nu Mou.

"Thank you for the comforting words. I hope I can rely on you to help me from here on out Soberg."

Soberg nods. "You have my word that I will help you as much as I can, and I hope I can count on you for just as much."

"Well that you have my word on. I may not be very imposing but I am rather reliable when I absolutely need to be."

"Good. Now then hurry we have been left behind."

I Look up the road where the Cid is waiting.

I run up to them with Soberg just behind.

"Sorry I just needed someone to talk to for a second."

Cid nods understandingly. "I am surprised that Luso's not nervous as well but he seems reckless enough to be fearless, hes already up ahead with the rest of the clan at the Chocobo Hutch we will be guarding. Follow me."

I take a deep breath let it out and nod. Lets hope I don't get eaten alive by wolves or beat to death by goblins. Even by my low standards of performance the first quest should be easy even for me to survive in one piece.