AN: Next chapter~!
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
"We're finally here," Genis exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Yeah, no kidding," Lloyd said as he breathed in the hot and humid desert air. This place looked so much different from Iselia and he looked past the entranceway to the strange and new surroundings of Triet. It felt good to be somewhere new.
"It took us less time then I expected. You two are good travelers," mom said as she stopped walking in the entranceway to the city and Lloyd stopped as well in an automatic response as his gaze turned to her. "I think it's going to be a pleasure journeying with the both of you."
"Thanks, mom."
"Oh, you're welcome Llo--" mom's eyes widened as she looked towards the town. "Boys, get behind me and be quiet."
Before Lloyd could respond he felt himself being pushed backwards by mom's arm. Noishe walked in front of the three of them and moved sideways, obscuring Lloyd's vision of Triet. Huh? What's going on? Lloyd thought as he felt a wave of confusion course through his system.
"Good boy," mom murmured softly to Noishe as she stroked his fur softly before both arms were in front of Genis and Lloyd. He glanced at Genis but his gaze was filled with as much confusion as Lloyd felt.
"This is an order from Lord Forcystus," came a masculine voice that was so loud that it carried to his ears. Wait… Forcystus? Lloyd thought, clenching his fists into his sweaty palms. Do these guys work for him? "A human named Lloyd is on the run with an Exsphere."
Lloyd felt his feet freeze in position. He could not see the bearer of the voice from his vantage point but he knew exactly who it was. It was a Desian, and that was all the information that he needed to feel a strange mixture of anger, fear and hatred in the pit of his stomach.
"His identification code is unknown. Form a cordon in all areas immediately."
"What does this Lloyd look like?" came another masculine voice that was softer then the one before.
"His likeness and description are on the wanted posters. We're counting on you."
"Yes, sir."
"Don't move," mom whispered harshly, never moving her arms or her stance that looked as if she'd be ready to move at any given moment. Lloyd did as she said, with the mixture of emotions never leaving his system. After what had seemed like an eternity her arms fell from their position in front of him and Genis and her stance relaxed, as she turned towards them.
"Looks like we'll have to be careful in this city. We can't have those Desians getting to you now can we, sweetie?" mom said as she brought a hand to ruffle his hair and he felt the mixture of emotions evaporate and a calming relief take it's place.
"Does this mean we have to leave here now?" Genis asked and mom shook her head.
"I only counted four Desians. We should be fine for now. I doubt we'll even run into them, and I know that we're going to need to rest and buy some supplies before another trip through the desert."
"But they could recognize Lloyd from the poster."
"That's a fair point. How about we look at the wanted poster before we make up our minds?" mom said as she moved past Noishe and Lloyd and Genis followed her. Lloyd noticed Noishe move in the corner of his eye towards a stable around the front of the town.
"Is this the wanted poster?" Genis asked while eyeing the poster.
"Well, it does say Lloyd's name below the picture."
"It's good," Genis said, still studying the wanted poster. "They'll never find you with this…I think."
"Am I really this ugly?" Lloyd asked, feeling shock flood through him. He was never one to care about his looks or even look at a mirror much at all but…was he really hideous?
"Of course not, you're a very handsome young man," mom said and Lloyd smiled. "This just goes to show that the Desians have no artistic talent."
"Heh," Lloyd ran a hand through his hair, feeling embarrassment course through his system. "Uh, thanks mom."
"Anyway," Genis said loudly, and when Lloyd turned to him he thought he caught Genis' blue eyes roll. "What should we do now that we're here?"
"Well, we're going to need some more supplies before we head off to where Kratos and the others are."
"But mom, what about where dad and Colette are? We have no clue."
"I kn--" Anna stopped herself in mid-sentence. "I'm sure that someone in Triet knows where Colette and Kratos are. I'll just ask about the Chosen's group around town but don't worry about it. I'd be willing to take care of all of that, if you two boys want to go and explore this town on your own."
"And let you do all the work?" Lloyd shook his head. "No way, I want to come too."
"Lloyd, you're volunteering to do work? Do you have heatstroke or something?"
"No, I don't have heatstroke, Genis," Lloyd's voice was laced with annoyance before he turned back towards mom with a smile. "I just want to help my favourite mom."
"Your only mom," Anna said with a wry smile.
"Yeah, I know that but I have two dads so picking favourite parents makes sense."
"So you've picked a favourite dad?" She asked with an eyebrow raised.
"No I haven't! I like both my dads the same! You gotta--" her laughter stopped his sentence. "Oh, I get it. Ha ha, very funny."
"Well it wasn't meant to work you up so much. It just…kind of did," she broke out into laughter again and Lloyd smiled. "We should get going. I know where the marketplace is, follow me."
Mom did not hesitate as she immediately began to walk away from the building that the poster was on and towards a large group of people and Lloyd and Genis followed her.
"You're such a mama's boy," Genis muttered.
"Shut up," Lloyd said, feeling annoyance course through his system. " I am not."
"Oh yeah? Then prove it. Come with me and explore Triet."
"No way, I wanna stay with mom."
"Ha, then I was right. It was your idea to go off with your mom. You're a--"
"Am not. We can always explore later, anyway."
"No, you won't be able to do that. Not today at least," mom said, turning her head to look at them.
"You heard."
"You two weren't very discrete," Anna said while slowing to a stop and turning to them. Lloyd stopped as well, and the throng of people moved around the trio. "Now, we're going to have to get the supplies we need, figure out where the Chosen's group is, rest and get out of here as quickly as possible. That way it'll be easiest to catch up to them."
"Oh…so I guess there really is no time, huh."
"Yep. If you want to explore Triet you should do it now," Lloyd opened his mouth to respond. "Now don't you worry about me, I'm fine with doing all of the work, honestly."
"No way, I already made up my mind," Lloyd said while shaking his head, feeling determination course through his system. "I want to go with you. Can't leave all the work to you, now can I?"
She chuckled and raised her hands into the air. "Okay, okay, I give up. If this is what you really want, then I'm more then happy to have the company. Just don't expect anything exciting to happen. Shopping isn't exactly my favourite thing in the world."
Mom turned around and they began walking again, weaving their way around the throng of people. They were in the marketplace now, Lloyd knew since there were stalls of various items all around them, and he could loud voices carrying over the chatter of the area.
"Mama's boy," came Genis' barely audible mutter and Lloyd looked at him and narrowed his eyes before he jabbed him with his elbow.
"Ow…"
"You two getting along back there?" Anna asked as she turned around to look at them.
"Yes," they both replied in monotone unison. Lloyd could of sworn he saw a smirk grace her lips before she turned around again and wove her way through the crowds and began looking at the merchandise of the stalls. Lloyd looked on in awe at the wide array of things that lay across the tables. There was so much stuff, it was amazing. He shook his head and began to refocus himself. He wasn't here to look, he had to help mom.
"What should we be looking for?"
"Hmm, well we'll need some more water flasks for one thing."
"More of them? But dad already gave us some."
"I know that but this is a desert, I want to make sure none of us get dehydrated. It may be a little excessive, but I'd rather nothing happened to any of us."
"Oh, okay," Lloyd said, and looked at the various animal skin flasks that were on the table. "What about those ones?"
"Good eye, Lloyd. Those ones won't be too expensive," mom said as she got a large number of them into her grasp.
"We'll also need one of these," Anna murmured as she was fingering a knife and then she held it by the hilt and examined it.
"For what?"
"It'll be good for opening cacti for water. We shouldn't dull our swords over something like that."
"There's water in cacti?"
Mom nodded. "That's why they have the waxy skin and the sharp thorns, to keep the water inside. You know, their flowers are very beautiful even if they're rare to see."
"They are?"
"As rare as rain in a desert," she smiled to herself, and her eyes looked as if they were somewhere else. "That is the only time that they bloom. I only ever saw them once."
"Is there anything that I can help you with, miss?" The woman that was running the stall said as she walked up to them.
"Yes, there is. How much would all of these be?" She asked while holding up the knife and the animal skin flasks in her hand.
"Good choices. That'll be no less then 1000 gald."
"1000 gald? That's outrageous. This thing is worth no more then 50," mom said while holding up the knife. "And these flasks can't run you more then 250."
"Maybe I was a bit too hasty in my prices. How about 600 gald?"
"You think just 'cause I'm not from here that you're going to swindle me out of my money?" Irritation laced mom's voice and Lloyd was surprised that any was there to begin with. The woman was just selling her wares, after all. "That's double what it's worth."
"Um, mom, maybe you should just pay what she--"
"Lloyd, be quiet," her voice was harsh and Lloyd felt shock course through her system.
"What--" before he could mutter another word he felt her hand on his arm leading him away from the merchant.
"I'll just be a moment, excuse me," she said to the merchant, leaving Genis to follow them.
"Have you ever haggled before?" mom said with none of the irritation that there once was as soon as they were a distance away from the stand.
"What's a haggle?"
"Lloyd, how stupid are you?" Lloyd felt anger course through him and his glare turned to Genis. "Haggling is like deciding about the price of something you want to buy."
"Hey, that's right," mom said with surprise lacing her voice. "Where'd you learn about something like that?"
"Oh, it was something that I read in a book. I also read that Triet is one of the only towns in Sylvarant to haggle."
"Now I'm impressed."
"Heh, well thanks," Genis said smiling at the compliment.
"If only Lloyd would borrow one of those books of yours, maybe he could learn a thing or two."
"Well I'm just not the reading type is all."
"Are you also not the listening type? You never pay attention in any of Raine's classes."
"So I've heard. It's a good thing that we'll be travelling with your teacher soon, I'll have to make sure that she continues giving you lessons."
"Studying on the Journey of Regeneration?" Lloyd felt his stomach drop. "I thought I wouldn't have to."
"Lloyd," mom began, taking on the authoritative tone of voice. "There is no reason not to study."
"I--I guess so," Lloyd mumbled. Bastard… he thought as he sent a glare at Genis who looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying himself. "Can dad teach me instead?"
"That's something that you'll have to take up with him," mom said while she was smiling. "But I'm sure that he'll say yes."
"Alright," Lloyd said feeling triumph flood through him. "Stuff makes more sense when he explains stuff. Hey, Genis, I almost forgot to say. I know what a hypothetical situation is now."
"Wow, Lloyd, you said a word that's more then ten letters long. Now that is impressive."
"Hey," Lloyd said, hearing the sarcasm in Genis' voice. "Just what--"
"Boys, you can stay here arguing as long as you want but I need to get back to shopping. Can't stay in Triet all day."
"R--right. I'll come with you," Lloyd said and followed her back to the stall they were at before.
"Mama's boy," Genis muttered under his breath.
"Am not."
Mom moved to the front of the stall where the woman that had the knife and flasks that she wanted.
"Now where were we, again?"
"Why'd you get these things, mom?" Lloyd asked as he held up a white robe. He was sitting down on the dock that was by the water's edge while watching mom put water in the animal-skin flasks. She turned to him as she was filling the last flask.
"Those are to deflect the heat of the desert."
"How does it do that? Is it magic or something?"
"Don't you know anything?" Genis said, annoyed as he sat on the dock, dangling his legs across the edge that were not long enough to reach the water. "The colour white deflects the sun's heat, just like the colour black attracts the sun's heat."
"Seriously? I never knew that."
"Well now you do. These'll help to keep all of us cool," mom said as she capped the final flask and walked from the water's edge towards them. "The desert heat can feel overbearing at times."
"That's true, it was kind of rough getting here."
"I know, especially when you two aren't used to traveling. I want to make things as easy as possible," Mom said as she sat down beside him and Genis.
"Well, thanks mom."
"Oh, no problem, no problem," she said absently as she searched through the bag that carried their supplies.
"Whatcha looking for?"
"Oh, just making sure that I remembered to buy everything, that's all," she said before she fell silent and continued rummaging through the bag.
Lloyd stretched his legs out in front of him and leant back on the balls of his hands as he stared at the oasis that sparkled in the sun. It was kind of nice taking a break and he raised his hand to wipe his brow. He glanced at Genis and it looked like he was taking the time to relax as well.
"Are you boys both ready to go?" Mom asked finally as she got up to stand and looked from Genis to Lloyd.
"I'm ready."
"Yeah, me too," Genis said as he stood up and Lloyd followed suit.
"Well then, let's get going."
"Wait," Genis said. "Don't we need to know where we're going first?"
"Oh, right, I forgot about that," she paused in contemplation before continuing and her brow furrowed. "I know, I'll go and ask if anyone's seen the Chosen. You two can stay here and relax."
"But mom, that's not fair on you. We should all go together."
Mom smiled. "I'd be happy to have you come with me. Now where do you think we should start first?"
"Oh, well what about there?" Lloyd pointed to a brown tent that was close to them. "I've been wondering what's in there."
"There?" mom gave a sigh. "Well, if you really want to…"
"What's wrong with there?" Lloyd said, feeling curiosity course through his system.
"Oh, well that's a fortune teller's tent."
"That's perfect! A fortune teller will know where Colette and dad are."
"And Raine," Genis said.
"Yep, and Professor Sage too."
"I…don't know about that Lloyd. I've been to this fortune teller before, a long time ago."
"Oh yeah? What'd he say?"
"Well…she told me that I'd lived an easy life, and gave me dozens of career options and also that…how did she put it? I'd find new love in strange, exotic places."
"Well, that's not too bad," Lloyd said.
"I was together with your father at the time," mom said and her eyes caught the annoyance in her voice. "These fortune tellers…it's such a sham. All they do is talk in generalities."
"Maybe the fortune teller knows something about where they are, though," Lloyd said. "I bet Colette would've wanted to check a fortune teller out."
"Yeah, I bet she dragged Raine and Kratos there too."
"Well, okay, if you say so."
It took little time to walk towards the fortune teller's tent. Lloyd walked into the tent first and it took him some time for his eyes to adjust to what was very dark from the bright sunlight of the Triet desert.
"Why, hello there," came a female voice, and Lloyd first saw two bright green eyes before the shadow of her face became visible. "Welcome to the House of Fortune. What would you like me to divine for you?"
"We just want to know the location of the Chosen and her companions," mom said.
"Oh, I do know that. I'll just need 100 gald. This ability doesn't come for free."
"You've gotta be kidding me. Sorry, we'll just be going--"
"Mom, please?" Lloyd said, turning his gaze to hers. "She says she knows where they are."
Mom sighed as she reached in the money pouch and handed over the money.
"Mmm…" The fortune teller paused, rubbed her temples and looked as if she was in deep concentration. "I can see her! The Chosen is heading for the oasis that is said to have been destroyed when Efreet went out of control."
"…Is that true?" Genis asked.
"The Chosen's companion said so, so there's no doubt."
Mom sighed. "Well, thanks anyway," She turned to Lloyd and Genis. "Come on, boys, let's get going. We should be able to catch up to them by the end of the day if we hurry up."
"Right, mom," Lloyd said and the trio made their way from the tent towards the entrance of Triet. "Where is that place Efreet destroyed anyways?"
"It should be to the south of here," mom said. "I've got a compass, it won't be hard to find. We'll figure out which way south is once we get out of here. We should put on those white robes I bought later, too."
"Oh, okay then."
The trio walked in amicable silence and it took less time then Lloyd knew to reach the entrance of Triet. Lloyd was going to say something but before he had a chance to he was interrupted.
"Wait!" came a masculine voice and Lloyd turned around, feeling confusion course through his system. What greeted his eyes was three Desian soldiers and that confusion soon turned to anger.
"Doesn't he look like the guy in the wanted poster?"
"Let's see…" The other Desian went up to the wanted poster and came back. "Yeah, he looks just like it!"
"Good for you, Lloyd. They say you're good looking."
"Do I really look that bad?"
"No you don't, sweetie."
"You must be Lloyd."
"No, you must be mistaken," mom's voice came out again, as calmly as ever. "This is my nephew Emil. The thing is he looks so plain that he seems to be mistaken for people that he isn't quite a bit although this is the first time that he's been mistaken for a wanted criminal," mom's gaze turned to Lloyd briefly and her eyes looked as though they were telling him to play along. "Something to tell your parents once we get back to Palmacosta, right?"
"Y--yeah, um…Aunt Flora," Lloyd said. I'm plain looking? Wow, mom…thanks a lot. What happened to handsome?
"Quite the story. If it's true then why did that kid call him Lloyd if he isn't Lloyd himself?"
"Good question," mom turned to Genis. "Why did you say that?"
"W--well, um…" Genis was not a good liar, especially put on the spot like that. "I saw the poster before and wanted to call Emil that wanted guy's name to see what would happen…"
The Desian smirked under his helmet. "You're bad at lying, kid."
"Oh, please. Have you no sympathy for a young child being tongue-tied when the Desians demand answers and threaten to capture his friend for crimes that he did not commit?"
"If he really didn't commit them then he wouldn't mind coming with us so we can make sure his story checks out."
"You've got to be kidding me. I am not willing to let me and my nephew and his friend fall into Desian clutches."
"Well we're going to have to ask you to come with us," another Desian said, grasping the hilt of his sword. "Your nephew does look a bit too much like that wanted criminal."
"Unbelievable," mom said while dropping the bag of goods that they had bought that day to the ground.
"Mom! What are you doing?"
"So she's your mom is she?"
Lloyd saw mom draw her sword and he drew his own automatically.
"And here I was wanting to get out of this without actually having to fight."
"Stupid woman. You'll pay for lying to us."
"You guys are really starting to piss me off," Lloyd said feeling anger surge through his system.
"Get him," called the Desian.
Lloyd did not allow them the first strike as he ran forward and struck the Desian closest to him. The Desian did not have chance to guard and he struck his midsection again. While using the momentum from it he struck the Desian's sword-bearing arm. He saw fireballs fly past him and towards his opponent and it made him fall to his knees and finally collapse to the ground
Lloyd looked up and saw that mom was keeping the Desian that was attempting to cast a spell at bay while avoiding the other sword-wielder's attempts to stop her. I really shouldn't be surprised… Lloyd thought to himself as he saw a green mana-dense wind pass him and hit the sword-wielder, stunning him for a few moments. Mom took that opportunity to attack the mage and Lloyd felt the mana flow through his body before he unleashed it as a wave of white mana towards the sword-wielder.
That Desian turned towards him while forgetting about mom and ran towards Lloyd with his sword raised. Lloyd held up his own two swords in a guard that he could not recall the name of at the moment. Fireballs flew past him again and landed on the sword-wielding Desian Lloyd was fighting that caused him to stumble backwards. Lloyd automatically thrust his sword into the Desian's chest who soon after fell to the ground. Lloyd looked over to mom but saw that there was no need for his aid. The mage that fell to the ground with mom standing over him, looking at Lloyd.
"Good job, Lloyd. You even used the tierce correctly," mom said, stepping over the bodies. "I'm impressed."
"Heh, uh, thanks mom," Lloyd said feeling himself swell with pride at her words. "They were all talk, anyway."
"I guess so," mom said with a smile. Her gaze dropped for a few moments and then it came to his again. "Did you boys mind all that?"
"All what?" Lloyd felt confusion course through him. After all, it was Desians that came to try to take them away. It's not like they were people, they were monsters.
"Well, it's just that--"
Lloyd felt pain unleash from behind him and he gasped but he could hear nothing and see nothing and feel nothing and all of his world was black.
"Lloyd!" Genis said feeling fear course through his system at the sight of his best friend face down in the dirt.
"Genis, get ready," Anna said while she was in front of him, holding her sword with her voice low and confident.
"R--right."
He held his kendema and felt the mana flow through himself as he concentrated on a wind spell. He closed his eyes, shutting out any reminder of his friend that lay before him. He unleashed the spell and quickly began the incantation for another. His stomach was doing flip-flops but he tried with all his might to continue the spell. He had to do this. He had to. The wind spell unleashed itself and he opened his eyes to see the progress of the battle. Anna was avoiding their attacks easily enough but she was not landing any blows upon the enemy. One Desian attacked her and the other made his way towards Lloyd. Genis' eyes widened but his legs refused to move.
"Stop, unless you want this kid to lose a limb," the Desian said, holding Lloyd in his grasp, with a knife against his throat. Genis looked to Anna who looked as if she was barely containing the rage that must have been coursing through her. She glared at the Desian that was holding Lloyd before she dropped her sword to the ground.
"Do what you will of me and my son, but let that boy go," Anna said, allowing her gaze to drift to Genis. Genis' eyes widened and his heart began to pound against his chest as the two Desians' gaze was upon him. "He has nothing to do with any of this."
"P--please, mister," Genis said, letting the tears well in his eyes. He knew that he needed to do all he could to be let go and he was willing to use his age as an advantage.
"The leader did say that he only wanted this Lloyd kid. The mother is just a bonus."
"Well…" The Desian that had not taken Lloyd paused in contemplation. He leaned down to grab Anna's sword. "Fine. You are a fellow half-elf, after all," Genis' heart raced, and his gaze quickly turned to Anna who was looking at him with an inquisitive stare, but not the one of disgust that he was expecting. "Get going, kid."
"Th--thanks a lot, mister," Genis said as he backed up, giving Anna a last look.
The Desians and Anna's backs were turned as they began to walk away. The two Desians each took an arm of Lloyd.
"Get your hands off of my son," Anna said.
"Heh, so you want to carry him the whole way to the base?"
"Yes, I will. I don't want either of you touching him."
"Fine," one Desian said. "Less work for us."
The other Desian laughed, and handed Lloyd to her. Lloyd's arm was slung over her shoulder and they then slowly walked away. Genis blinked and he looked over the town and his mind raced. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do? What am I--
Genis felt a nudge on his arm and he looked beside him to see Noishe.
"Hey, Noishe, you saw what happened too, huh?" Noishe looked at Genis. "Let's go save them together."
Noishe lent down and Genis soon understood why. He climbed onto Noishe's back and soon he felt the wind through his hair and he felt a determination to save them both harden in his stomach.