A Way to Go

The ship docked in Cherik, the harbor town in Cavalese. Leon told the team, "Baruk's office is in the northern part of the city. No dawdling because this heat is oppressive and I would like to get inside for at least a few blessed moments!"

He walked off and the others followed. But Stahn was confused; he still didn't understand everything about where they were going. "Rutee…what is the Baruk Fund, anyway?"

"It's a charity," she stated, "Baruk runs it with donations from the goodwill of people around the world and he sends money to people who really need it. I could go into more detail, but it would just go right over your pretty blond head and I don't want to fight with you in this heat."

"Thanks for the comment…." muttered Stahn as they arrived at the office. Downstairs, they found a man in a business suit who tied his brown hair back in a ponytail.

Baruk exclaimed, "Well, if it isn't Leon and Rutee! It's been about half a year since you last came here with Master Hugo. I see you've brought along a small group of friends this time. Good! The more the merrier. So, what is it you need to talk to me about? I know you all too well, Leon. You wouldn't just up and come without an important reason. Your sister, yes but you, no."

Leon glared at Rutee for snickering about the comment. "We'd like to know if anything strange has happened around here lately."

"Well, Ilene sent me a report," Baruk admitted, "Apparently, pirates are attacking our cargo ships."

"Heard anything about the Eye of Atamoni?" Rutee inquired.

Baruk was shocked by those words. He asked her, "Is that some sort of sick joke?"

Leon shook his head. "A High Priest named Lydon stole it from Straylize Temple and it appears as if he is heading this way. There was a statue shipped to Cavalese recently."

"No, I haven't," Baruk admitted, "But I'll do all I can to find out on my end. You should probably ask the people in the shipping industry; they'll know more about that than me. Take whatever you need from my house because if this thing really is in some idiots hands then it could be dangerous."

"We already know that. But thanks for the concern," Stahn said.

Baruk told him, "You, young man, show some great potential. Watch yourself so that you don't die before it can be realized. I'd hate for all your talents to go to waste."

Stahn uttered a confused thanks as the team returned to the harbor. From questioning, the sailors, they learned that there had been a rather large statue delivered recently from Seinegald. Apparently, the person who knew most about what was going on was Jake. He had gone to make reservations at the inn in Cherik.

So the team walked back to the inn to ask about Jake. The girl at the counter mentioned him going to get some supplies at the store and seemed overly suspicious of the group. Stahn was mystified by that; why did he earn such stares from the people here?

In the store, the owner told them that he had gone back to the harbor. Then, he accused the group of stalking Jake and yelled when they didn't want to buy any weapons. Leon decided they should high tail it out of there right away before starting a scene. He began muttering under his breath at how the people in Cavalese were always so unreasonable.

Stahn was still confused. "Why are they like that?"

"What?" inquired Rutee, "Why are who like what?"

"The people here. Why do they seem to hold us in such high contempt? We've never done anything to hurt them," Stahn said.

Rutee stated, "They've been like this for generations upon generations. It's widely believed that this is where the survivors of the Aetherian People gathered after the war. They came to escape the persecution of the Er'thers who had suffered so long under their rule. Now, even a thousand years later, the rift between this country and others has continued to go on."

Stahn looked at her, not noticing the others had left. "That's sad. They're missing out on so much because they cannot trust others."

"I don't like coming here," Rutee admitted, "I always feel as if I'm being stared at. That's why my father doesn't make me come along most of the time when he has to visit the stores here. But once in awhile I do come along because I just want to help out."

"You're lucky to have a father who loves you like that. I don't have any parents. My grandfather raised me and my kid sister, Lilith. She's 17-years-old now and someone you wouldn't want to get on the bad side of. I love her a lot," Stahn replied.

Rutee told him, "It's natural. Even at our worst fighting, I still love my little brother."

Stahn smiled at her, happy that she still could care for her sibling. "That's good to know. The way you fight all the time, I feared you hated one another. I can only hope that you will eventually be able to get along. That he will discover that being mean all the time doesn't help anyone."

"He's got a reason for that," Rutee began, "When we were small…."

"Well, it looks like you two had a pleasant conversation while we were gone. We've found where the Eye of Atamoni is, in any case," Leon called to the duo. Instantly, a deep crimson blush covered both of their faces and they looked away. Rutee began silently cursing her brother for the timing; she hoped that by telling Stahn what was wrong he might understand and thus help Leon out.

Philia added, "They took it to Kavolia to install in the temple there. We've got to stop them!"

Leon nodded. "First, we have to report all this to Baruk. Then, it's starting to get late so we'll just have to crash at his office. Let's get moving."

S...S

"So, Kavolia," Baruk muttered, "Well, you've all got your work cut out for you. I want you to get some rest so you can have a fresh start in the morning. After all, it wouldn't do for you to be too tired and then gobbled up by the monsters before you make it there."

He ordered his maids to take care of the young ones and left to retire into his own room. The servants began setting up pallets on the office floor. Everyone settled in with some warm milk and drifted off to sleep. Soon, Stahn was the only one up; his thoughts swimming inside of his brain and for once preventing him from reaching dreamland.

-I know what it is! You're thinking about Rutee,- Dymlos accused.

Stahn told him, "I am not. We're just friends, nothing more. All I'm happy about is that she and her brother really do care for one another. My troubles sleeping are more to do with how we're going to stop Lydon and recover the Eye of Atamoni."

A low chuckle escaped his Swordian's Core Crystal. -Sure, if you say so. I was once a young man in love myself so I know how you feel.-

"With Atwight?" asked Stahn.

Dymlos replied, -Did I mention anyone by that name? Now go to sleep and make sure you're ready for battle in the morning.-

Stahn knew he wasn't going to answer; he was obviously trying to keep it a secret. So he settled into his covers and laid his head on the pillow. Instantly, his vision began to focus on Rutee's sleeping form. 'I don't know why, but I do feel drawn to you in some way. There's just something going on that I can't explain. Hopefully, we can figure it out by the time this is all over.'

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words...

Lots of sweetness abound in this chapter. I just love this pairing. Well, we'll go to Kavolia's temple in the next chapter. I'll see how much more fluff I can work in as I go along; I have a story outline worked out but I've noticed that once in awhile I deviate from it to add in little things like this.