Thanks for the reviews again! I'm sorry but I can't reveal any secrets, you'll just have to keep reading ^_~

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy Crystal chronicles

Caravan Tale

*

That night after washing up Tobias sat at the fire thinking about the day's events. Lora was brushing her lavender locks, "You're being awfully quiet Tobias."

"Don't you think its odd how we were ganged up on like that today?" Tobias asked quietly.

Lora stopped brushing her hair and looked at him, "I do. I've never seen or heard of monsters organizing like that."

"It's very unsettling…" Tobias didn't know what to think or do. He just hoped it wasn't like that at other places. Lora went back to brushing her hair until she began to remember a conversation from the past, "Wait. I remember hearing something about monsters from the Alfitarian caravan." She put down her brush and thought about it as Tobias waited for her to continue. "Sol Racht, the leader, had warned me of an increase in monsters on the road, and even at Marr's Pass that guard had mentioned something about an increase in danger closer to the city. Do think it has any relevance?"

"It might." Tobias sat in thought, "Well let's hope the Alfitarian caravan will be back in Alfitaria when we stop there."

That night Lora had trouble sleeping. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach…..

After a few days of travel, things went back to normal in the Cedon caravan. Tobias went back to his usual happy self with Lora having to punch him every once in a while for a snide comment.

"I'm surprised we haven't come across any bandits so far." Tobias stated, "You would think we would have stumbled across at least one considering the hard times lately."

Lora chuckled, "Well maybe we did and you were too busy fooling around to notice. I blame you if we are short of something."

Tobias gave Lora an offended look and began walking backwards so he could face her, "Well if there ever was a thief I would…."

"You would what?"

Tobias felt a sharp point at his back.

Lora sighed, "You just had to say something didn't you?"

Tobias turned around to see a young redheaded selkie boy.

The boy scoffed, "This is too easy. Give me all of your gil!"

He pointed a sword that obviously didn't belong to him at the both of them.

Lora knew they could easily beat this kid, but she felt for him so she decided a different method. She walked right up to the point of the sword and batted her eyelashes while tracing the tip of the sword with her finger, "That was really brave, what you just did right now." She said seductively. Tobias just looked bewildered and slightly disgusted at what Lora was doing.

The boy's face flushed red and he loosened his grip on the sword, which was a mistake. Lora quickly grabbed it from him and flipped the sword around, "What's your name?"

The boy was shocked at what had just happened but became angry, "I don't have to answer to you woman!" he was about to run away when an older selkie stepped onto the road. He walked up to Lora and looked her over. Lora could tell these two were harmless, but she still held up the sword for show.

"You're Ben Li's girl." The older selkie finally said.

"How do you know that?" Lora asked inquisitively.

"Ben was one of us. The Striped Brigands! Well that is until he met your mother. She made him settle down. You have a lot of him in you."

Lora knew of the brigands and dropped the sword, "You must be Meh Gat. My father talked so highly of you."

Meh laughed, "We did have some good times back then."

The boy then quickly interrupted, "Not to take away from catching up or anything, but we were in the middle of robbing this caravan!"

Meh chuckled, "This is Bal Dat, our youngest member. Artemecion is back there in the bushes." A purple striped moogle then popped out of the bushes and joined the group. Tobias and Mog decided to join in as well seeing as they wouldn't be departing soon. The group had lunch together as Meh Gat told stories of Lora's father when he was young. Bal ate quietly. He was frustrated, being shown up by a girl. Artemecion and Mog were in their own moogle conversation. Before the two parties went their separate ways Lora handed them a sack, "Just some supplies for you just in case. Feel free to write. I hope to see you again."

Meh thanked them and the striped brigands went on their way with Bal frustrated and kicking the pebbles in front of him.

"So is that how we're going to treat all thieves?" Tobias asked Lora as they kept walking.

Lora shook her head, "No, just nice ones."

Tobias laughed, "I'm not sure you're going to meet any others like that."

"Well, maybe we will in Alfitaria."

"No, with all the Lilty patrols, we'll be lucky to get in ourselves."

Lora sighed, "Do you think we'll have to offer a gift there as well?"

Tobias shrugged, "I don't know. I hope not because if you dance again, I have a feeling you're going to get in to too much trouble."

"Well let's just wait and see. I thought you enjoyed my dancing." Lora teased.

Tobias scratched the back of his neck, "Don't get me wrong, I do. But I really don't want to go around beating up perverts all night."

Lora laughed and nudged him, "Then I'll beat them up. You can sit back and watch."

Tobias smiled, "I wouldn't mind watching that. Well three more days to go. I can't wait to see the show."

*

Hurrah for the striped brigands! I really just wanted to put them in a little =) Next stop Alfitaria….hmmm I wonder what will happen next!? Thanks for reading!