Deep within the Morocc desert, a lone figure, his ragged cloak swept by the hot desert breeze, wanders alone. For almost a week, he circled the desert, occasionally stopping where he could find an oasis. Every dune had become familiar to him, and he had memorized the location of every landmark. Today he rests beneath a peculiar rock formation he had passed several times already. The conical hat covering his face prevented him from noticing someone approach him.

"Hey Eremes, you look dead."

Startled, Eremes quickly pulled out a dagger from beneath his cloak and struck out. Seyren parried the blow with his sword.

"Yeah, I figured you'd do that," said Seyren with a sigh. He sheathed his sword as Eremes replaced his dagger within his cloak. "If it was Howard that went to see you, he'd have an extra opening on his face by now."

"What do you want Seyren?" asked Eremes, his tone dreary. Before the swordsman could answer, he noticed scraps of food scattered behind Eremes. "Didn't you prepare some food before you went training?"

"Yeah I did, but that was only good for about a day. I've been walking around for a while…" He stopped and gazed at a distant rock formation to their left. "We're actually pretty close to Morroc… Maybe we ought to head there before continue?"

"And you sounded so gloomy just now. Well, good to know that I don't have to coax you for a change."

After about an hour, the two of them arrived in Morocc. They headed towards a nearby tavern and ordered a table. A waitress approached them and asked, "What will you be having?"

"I'll have the Morocc special," answered Seyren. When the waitress looked inquiringly at Eremes, he said, "I'll have the special too." As the waitress left them, Eremes repeated his question.

"So what do you want Seyren?"

"What do I want? I just want to spend some time with a friend, that's what. Why, you too busy? From what I've noticed, you've been doing nothing but walking and hunting in the desert. That's unhealthy you know. You might get a heat stroke," answered Seyren.

"I was born in Morroc. I'm used to the heat. And besides, I need the training."

"For what exactly?" asked Seyren curiously. "Me and the rest haven't really thought that far ahead yet. Are you planning on becoming one of those assassin guys?"

"Well… I'm not really sure what I'm gonna do, but I just really think that I need the training. As for becoming an assassin… I'm not sure either…"

"Well I don't see the point why you need to exert yourself too much… Oh thanks."

The waitress had returned and served their drinks. Seyren drank his glass down and asked for another, while Eremes stared quietly at the ice cubes swirling around in his glass. "You know," he said. "I just remembered… as soon as I got here in Morroc, I immediately took the thief exam and then headed out to the desert."

"You said you live here right? Where do you live?"

"Actually I can't remember exactly where… I'm not even sure if I really did come from Morroc or not," said Eremes uncertainly. He felt strangely unsettled.

"Didn't you just say you were used to the heat here?" asked Seyren as he took a sip from his second glass. "Your complexion says so. And besides, no one who was born from Prontera can stand the heat here for too long. And you were out in the desert for like… two, three… five days?"

"Well I didn't exactly sit under the sun for five straight days," he answered amusedly. "But yeah I guess you're right." He decided to ignore his unsettledness for now. "Say, do you know what the Morocc special is made of?"

"I don't know. Fruits?"

"Well yeah, it has a couple of fruits," said Eremes as he sat back and recalled the ingredients. "But the main thing is fresh Muka juice."

"Wait, what?" Seyren nearly spilled his glass over the table. "You mean it's made from those hopping cactus things in the desert? THOSE Mukas?"

"Yeah, why? Fresh Muka juice is important here in Morroc. I think it has more nutrients than regular cactus juice and it tastes even sweeter."

"So what, you killed those things and sucked their… juices to survive in the desert?"

"Well no. Raw Muka juice tastes bland. And besides, unless you're careful, you'll get sand in the stuff. You won't be able to drink it then."

"Dang, I didn't know that…" Seyren looked at his glass funny and pushed it a bit far from me. "Well if you know that stuff, you MUST be from Morroc."

"Yeah I guess," replied Eremes as he smiled knowingly to himself. "…I guess you're right. Yeah."

"Well, who did you learn that from?"

As though a spark suddenly jolted from every point of his body to his brain, fragments from Eremes's memories quickly flashed before his eyes. Time was reduced to a standstill as strange, yet familiar faces and voices flowed through his mind. Seyren's worried tone however, brought him back to reality.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Y-Yeah…" Eremes shook off the strange images from his mind. "Yeah… I'm fine."

"Well okay but you didn't actually answer—"

Seyren was cut short as a loud noise from outside caused a stir within the tavern. "What was that?" he asked. He stood up and made his way through the crowd starting to gather around the entrance of the tavern. Eremes followed shortly. Outside, the two of them found an unconscious Howard next to Cecil who was apologizing to a burly-looking merchant.

"I'm really, really sorry about what he did," she said apologetically, her head bowed. "He just doesn't know when to not touch other people's belongings."

"He broke three month's worth of potions!" said the merchant angrily. "Do you think I'll just let that go? I ought to just take all your stuff right now!"

Eremes was about to make a move when Seyren held out an arm to stop him. "We don't want to cause a scene here Eremes. Let me handle this." He approached the burly-looking merchant and tapped his shoulder. "I'm sorry about your loss friend, but there's no need to cause a scene outside the tavern."

"Who the hell are you? Stay out of this!"

"Now, now," continued Seyren, unabashed. "Tell you what, here's a couple of coupons for free drinks at another tavern down the road." He quickly handed the merchant three pieces of paper and pointed down the road south. "Just take the third left, and you'll be there."

The merchant eyed the coupons suspiciously before saying, "I don't remember there being any tavern there," he said.

Seyren looked over his shoulder discreetly before motioning the merchant to come closer. "Listen friend, that place is only for specially chosen people. I'm one of the people responsible for recruiting. I was hoping to talk to you a while ago but this little accident—" he glanced meaningfully at Cecil who looked like she was waiting for a signal. She nodded and motioned at Eremes to help her drag the unconscious Howard away from the crowd. "—has caused trouble for you. Rest assured, I'll hand over those responsible to the Morroc authorities. Well then!" He quickly pushed the merchant toward the direction pointed. "Off you go. Tell them… Wind sent you. And, oh yeah, here's a free storage ticket for goodwill." The merchant walked away with a confused expression in his face. After the merchant was out of earshot, Seyren told the crowd that there was nothing to see before pursuing the trio who left earlier. He caught up to them behind a small tent just a bit off the road.

"That was quick thinking Seyren!" said Cecil, impressed, as Seyren approached.

"Well, actually, I was hoping I didn't have to do that," he replied. "I'm pretty sure your clever enough to make up something more believable. Why didn't you?"

"Well I…" she glanced at Howard, still unconscious. Eremes, who was kneeled next to him, stood up and said, "He's just unconscious from a mild concussion. Must have slipped on something."

"Slipped?" Seyren face-palmed before turning back to Cecil. "What exactly happened back there?"

Cecil sighed before answering. "The idiot accidentally knocked over the guy while he was carrying potions," she said. "He was about to apologize when he slipped on an apple core. The idiot."

"Well that sounds just like Howard," said Seyren. He walked over to where Howard was lying and noticed a wet sheet of parchment in Howard's back pocket. He picked it up disgustedly and said, "You'd think he'd at least avoid getting apple juice in his map. Anyway, we have to move somewhere else before that merchant catches on."

"Why?" asked Cecil.

"Why? I made all that up of course. Handed him a couple of old fliers I picked up near where the old swordsman's guild used to be. The ticket I gave him, I picked it up while hunting near Prontera. It expired months ago. Found it inside a Poring."

"Well that's amazing," said Cecil as she helped Eremes shoulder Howard's prone body.

"A ticket in a Poring is amazing?"

"Well, a Poring that lived for a couple of months? That's amazing."

Night has fallen, and the four were camped in the middle of the desert. Howard has regained consciousness and was shivering because of the cold night-time breeze. As he sneezed, the other three moved away from him. "Aw come on you guys," he said. "It's just a cold."

"I'd sooner catch a disease from a flock of condors," said Cecil, who eyed Howard disgustedly. "It's your fault we have to camp out here in the desert anyway! If you hadn't caused trouble…" She sighed and looked at the direction of Morroc, barely visible because of the dust and dark. "That merchant's probably tearing the town apart, looking for us."

"I don't mind camping out in the open," said Eremes. "I've been doing it for about a week now."

"Well sorry Mr. I-can-live-off-the-land-because-I-hate-civilization," she replied, pouting. "Remember that a delicate woman is travelling with you. You should be more sensitive to my needs…"

Howard snorted and muttered, "Delicate?" Cecil proceeded to hit him in retaliation.

"No I don't hate civilization. I just like being on the move. And… you're an archer right? Don't you live off the land by hunting as well? And isn't Payon a village detached from civilization?"

"I… shut up Eremes!" interjected Cecil before heading into her tent. Eremes glanced amusedly at Seyren, who merely shrugged.

"You know guys… A-Achoo!" Howard sneezed again. "I-I think I'll get some sleep too…" He got up, wrapped himself up more securely with his blankets, and retired to his tent. After a few minutes, Seyren suddenly blurted out, "I just remembered! Margaretha was supposed to meet with us back in Morroc! We have to get her!"

Eremes sighed. "Maybe you should go by yourself. I'll stay here and mind the camp," he said. Seyren shook his head however, and said, "You can't avoid her forever you know. She really wants to see you. And besides… that merchant we met a while ago remembers me. You're more suited to do this since he probably doesn't remember you." Before Eremes could protest some more however, "Margaretha will get violent if you don't go and see her. If went to see her I killed for not bringing you with me, I'll haunt you for the rest of your life." Eremes sighed once more before getting up and donning his hat. "Fine, I'll be back as soon as possible. But I'm telling you, she won't listen to any explanations."

Back in Morroc, inside an inn, Margaretha was quietly seated in front of the bar. She was observing the other patrons merrymaking as she sipped her drink. After a few minutes a burly merchant entered the inn and sat on the stool next to hers'. The merchant sighed tiredly causing Margaretha, being taught to offer aid whenever she can, to ask what was wrong.

"Oh sorry, did I disturb you miss?" asked the merchant as he gestured at the bartender to get him a drink.

"Not at all," answered Margaretha with a warm smile. "You just seemed to have had a long day, and I'm willing to offer a listening ear if talking about it will make you feel better."

"Gosh, miss, you're too kind." After giving the bartender his order, he continued. "I thought today was just any other day. Was gonna export some supplies to the republic up north. Then, some idiot just went and broke my entire stock. When I find him... I'll…"

"I offer my condolences to you but you must not let anger bring you to violence," said Margaretha.

"Well, it wasn't just that one guy either. Some fast-talking weirdo just went up and talked to me. Gave me some papers and stuff. Told me of some exclusive club or something… When I found that there wasn't any club, he already gone and vanished with the idiot who broke my stock." The merchant stopped for a moment to down his drink in one swig and then ordered another before continuing. "Now that I think about it, those blokes might've been hired by one of my rivals! Those bastards… Uh sorry about that miss."

Margaretha nodded, her expression understanding. Someone waving at her from outside the inn caught her eye however, so she said, "Thank you for sharing your problem with me. I hope that my listening to you is enough to bring you peace." The merchant did not hear her but Margaretha did not notice. She quickly made her way past the merrymakers inside the inn and out of the front door.

"Gosh, miss you're such a good listener," said the merchant, unaware that the one he was having a conversation with had already left. "Maybe I could convince you to… er… huh?" He was surprised to see that she had disappeared. "Hm, went to the comfort room I guess." He leaned against the counter and patiently waited for her to return.

Outside of the inn, Margaretha was surprised to find someone she least expected waiting for her. "Kathryne? What are you doing here?" When the mage approached where the light from the inn was shining, Margaretha saw that she was wearing a thick ragged cloak. "…What are you wearing?" she asked.

"It's really cold out here you know, and I hate the skimpy outfits they make us wear," answered Kathryne as she tried unsuccessfully to shift the cloak she was wearing to a more comfortable position. "I heard everyone was going to meet at Morroc so I rode along with the first caravan heading this way. Just arrived."

"But I thought you were going to spend more time studying at the Mage Academy?"

"Honestly, I was hoping to study," replied Kathryne with a sigh. "…But for some reason, I recognize all the texts I found at the library. There was nothing new to find."

"Now that is just strange, didn't you tell me that that was your first time at the Geffen Academy?"

"Yeah I know. Must've come across those texts when I was younger…" She sighed once more before continuing. "And there I was, hoping to come across some new knowledge."

"But… I've been to the library at Geffen. It isn't exactly small. You can't possibly have read everything there? Didn't you check?"

"Yes, I did check everything. Took me about two hours to finish checking."

Margaretha sighed. Kathryne's disappointment outweighed her curiosity on the peculiar subject. Deciding not to pursue it any further, she asked Kathryne, "What about the others? Have you seen them?" Kathryne shook her head. "I was about to check the inn. Aren't they inside?" Margaretha answered, "No, they're not there. I checked in the inn before sundown and asked the innkeeper if they were there. He said no."

"Now that's odd…" said Kathryne thoughtfully. Before they could continue speaking, a cloaked figure from one of the alleyways appeared and spoke to them.

"I knew I'd find you here." Eremes took off his hat and approached them.

"You know, I think I've gotten used to you just sneaking up out of nowhere," said Kathryne as she made room for Eremes to face both of them. "You were always like that before, so I'm less surprised to see you do that now that you're a thief." Eremes shrugged and replied, "I'm doing a good job then."

"Aren't you going to say something to me?" asked Margaretha, interrupting the other two. Eremes, who was trying not to meet her gaze, with a lot of effort, faced her. "Um, hey Margaretha…" he said awkwardly. "I was hoping to find you as soon as I got here, but some things happened and…"

"Wow, that was definitely not the excuse I was expecting to hear," she said angrily. Eremes seemed to shrink from the glare he was getting from her. Kathryne was surveying their exchange, hardly able to stifle her giggling. The other two paid her no attention though, so she was able to get away with it.

"Listen, I'm not lying. Something did happen a while ago. Howard got knocked unconscious and Cecil and Seyren can't hang around here. It all happened so quickly, you have to believe me."

"So? Where are they?" asked Margaretha, her tone going down slightly. "Why can't they be here?"

Eremes glanced at Kathryne, whose eyes were tearing up as she covered her mouth to hold her laughter. He sighed and said, "It's late Margaretha, and I think Seyren is the best person to explain. Meet us at the entrance of town early tomorrow morning."

Margaretha asked, "Why on earth can't you explain now—" Kathryne interrupted her, saying, "Margaretha wait, I think you should let Ereme off tonight. When I got here, I heard from a couple of people that a commotion happened in town a while ago. Eremes and the others must've been caught in it."

Margeretha bit her lip before saying, "Fine, but I want a full explanation by tomorrow! She turned around and made her way back to the inn. As she was about to open the door, she asked, "So… are you going to join us Eremes?"

Eremes was startled. He quickly shook his head, "I can't just leave those guys out there in the desert so I have to get back. I promise I'll see you first thing tomorrow morning."

"Oh…" Margaretha's expression had a slight hint of disappointment as she spoke. She quickly shook it off and said, "W-Well… good night then."

"Huh? Oh uh yeah, g-good night." Margaretha re-entered the inn, apparently forgetting about Kathryne. Eremes relaxed his posture before turning to face Kathryne and asked, "Why didn't you say anything about the commotion before Margaretha got on my case?"

Kathryne shrugged and answered, "I just remembered. And besides, it was too much fun watching you two. Like a wife berating her husband for coming home late." Eremes sighed and said, "It's not funny! It was bad enough that Seyren can't come here. I didn't want to have to get Margaretha myself." Kathryne giggled, much to Eremes's irritation, and said, "You two look so cute together."

Eremes decided not to speak any more on the subject. He turned away from Kathryne and made his way back to the city entrance. "Hey, where are you going?" asked Kathryne, who quickly walked to catch up with him.

"Aren't you going to stay in the inn? Everyone else is camping out, you know," said Eremes, who quickened his pace.

Kathryne laughed and said, "Don't try to outrun me now. And don't worry about me. I can handle camping out in the desert."

"What about Margaretha?"

"Oh I don't want to bother her while she's thinking about you… "

"Oh shut up, rag-girl. You just don't want the guys inside the inn to see you like that. You'll lose face as a woman."

"R-Rag-girl?" repeated Kathryne furiously. "How rude! I'm just wearing this out of necessity! And it was the only cloak available!"

"Rag-girl!"

"Hippy!"