...

I'm sorry.

Lot of stuff happened...moving, getting used to life in the new locale, more than a few panic attacks and nervous breakdowns...well, here I am...hehe...

...Sorry...

I don't much feel like review responses, but I managed to churn out a chapter. Enjoy.

-Funny.

Ah, good evening. I've been expecting you-

Ahem. Sorry. Old habits…die hard. At any rate, I am called Kylie.

Er, I'm Kylie. Nice to meet you. Sorry.

If you're wondering why I'm all overly-polite and all that jibber-jabber, well…it kinda has something to do with my little nugget of advice.

That advice?

You may not get the role you expect.

The one word I would use to describe the Ossa Trail would be…

Rocky.

That's it. That's all the Ossa Trail is- just a buncha rocks and some trees- with the occasional bear or wolf here and there. No big deal, considering I had a bunch of Holy Bottles in my pack- turns out if you keep enough of them in your pack, the monsters don't bug you. Handy.

So, now, the burning question. What was a nice little peach like myself doing out in the middle of nowhere?

Simple. Waiting.

Not waiting for anything in particular, mind, just a familiar face. That familiar head of spiky brown hair- followed by another, equally spiky head of white-

No, silver. He's very particular about that. Silver hair.

…Aaaand, right on cue. On seeing them, I quickly threw the cowl of my robe up- and put on a winning smile, visible, even under the hood. Coughing a few times, I tested my voice- disguising it a little.

It added to the mystique. Don't judge, it isn't polite.

"Well now…certainly a surprise, young masters. It is good to see you two once more."

"Huh?"

Lloyd looked around, confused, until he spotted me- then, his face brightened, and he and Genis ran as fast as they could towards me.

"No way!"

"Kylie! How'd you get here!?" Genis said- smiling brightly at my hooded face.

"I walked, my friend. It's slow going, but it's the most reliable." I chuckled, nodding at the elven mage.

"You walked all the way here? In that robe? Through the desert!?" Lloyd asked- shocked, and perhaps more than a little stupefied at my stupidity.

"I took off the robe while I walked. I didn't want to roast to death." I said, shaking my head a little.

"Pardon me."

Despite having Lloyd and Genis (possibly) on my side, I couldn't help but panic a little as I heard the voice of the schoolteacher turned battlemage. Looking up slightly, I met eyes with Raine- though I wasn't supposed to know that, yet…

"…Hm? Might these be friends of yours?" I asked, tilting my head a little, looking between the three, ahem, new faces.

Lloyd looked back- and smiled at the professor.

"Oh, Professor. This is Kylie. We met her at the house of Salvation near Iselia- and she helped us along."

"Yeah." Genis piped up. "She gave us a few canteens- and the desert gear- even a few poison bottles!"

"Nobody should have to suffer at the hands of the desert. I was simply doing what any decent person would do at that time." I said, shaking my head.

Raine's expression softened a fraction- as she kept staring…I swear. If she already has me figured out, I wouldn't be surprised.

"So, then you're a traveler?" She asked, looking me over.

I shook my head.

"Merchant." I elaborated. "I make my living traveling the world, selling my goods where I can."

"Yep." Genis said. "She's a real life-saver- those poison bottles really helped."

I smiled. "Hearing that warms my heart, friend…but, I believe I have taken up a good deal of your time already…shall we conduct business?"

Lloyd nodded, but Raine shook her head.

"We already have enough supplies, thank you." She said, not unkindly- but with more of an air of practicality. "If we carry much more, we'll be overburdened."

Lloyd drooped a little- and gave me an apologetic look.

"Sorry."

"There's no need for apologies, friend." I stated, waving my hand. "But, before you leave…I must caution you on something."

"…Huh?" Genis mumbled, looking at me. "What is it?"

"…Something is stirring in the mines beneath the mountains- something old, and very powerful…"

Prior knowledge For The Win.

"Should you challenge it, it will most certainly lead to your demise."

Lloyd paled. "W-what…?"

"Be cautions, and you will be fine."

"I-if you say so…"

"I know so. Watch your back, my friend."

Saying our goodbyes, they walked away.

…And the instant they were out of sight, I hightailed it out of there- I had to be at Izoold before sundown.

Being a traveling merchant is the pits, lemme tell you.

See? Don't freak out- you might end up being a Salesman! No combat!

…Blisters on your feet, though. I recommend exercise.

That's about it.

Read and review, please.

Sincerely,

-Funny.