Disclaimer: All characters and places belong to Squaresoft Enix. Apart from the additional characters created by me.

A/N: Thank you to everyone that has reviewed so far, it really means a lot to know that you like the story so far. JD

THE HOOD

Chapter Eleven – Fervor

To say that she felt embarrassed, well that was only one of the emotions being experienced by Milady. Now seeing the proof for herself, she was truly sorry for doubting this man as he kneeled before her. What could she possibly say to him to show her remorse? If she could have only seen his face, then she may have been able to determine his true reaction to her uncertainty. Perhaps now he was angry for having to prove himself, for he like a statue did not move from his position. Was he waiting for her to say something or do something?

She took a simple step towards him. With one hand grasping an invisible object to her chest and the other stretched until she touched one of his hands. Speaking softly she said

"Please Sir Knight, forgive me for I should not have doubted you,"

Her gentle touch had roused him from his almost meditative stance. As he looked first to her hand placed on his and then upwards to her face. Her dark brown eyes threatened to release the tears that she had struggled to retain. The direction of his gaze from her hand to her face led her to believe that she had now performed a terrible deed. She should not have touched him. But she was most surprised when she started to withdraw her hand, he had grasped it with his own.

"Milady, I do not need to forgive you, for there is nothing to forgive. Had you not questioned my authenticity, well that would have been most foolish indeed. But I must ask you to trust my judgement. If we proceed directly into the town of Dollet without first establishing if the Sheriff has already arrived before us, well that would be erroneous to say the least." Stated 'The Hood'.

As her now built up emotions caused her heart to race. Everything that had happened to her in the last seven days tormented her. The Sheriff taking her against her will to Balamb. The ambush in Galbadia Wood. Her thoughts and feelings about 'The Hood'.

Her fear for her Fathers well-being. She was now unable to control and hold those emotions back. Closing her eyes as her lip trembled. 'If she lost her Father, she would have nothing left to live for. Her existence in this world would be meaningless and there would be no one to comfort her! No one to protect her! No one to love her! She would be alone!' As these thoughts raced in her head, she could do little to restrain the tears that had now started to fall down her cheek. Taking a breath, she once again opened her eyes. Ignoring the tears she tried to speak.

"My Father…….He is all that I have left in this world."

Dropping to her knees she continued

"I…I do not know what to do? I do not wish to lose him as well."

Rising to his feet 'The Hood' retrieved his sword from the ground and wiped it before re-sheathing it. Seeing this beautiful woman sobbing before him tore at his very soul. Bending on one knee before her, he spoke

" Please Milady do not weep so, for I have not said that I will not escort you, merely that we should take care when entering Dollet. I offered you my protection in escorting you, so your life is in my hands."

He offered her his hand as he continued

"I swear this now, for I will do everything within my power that will enable you to see your Father once again."

She looked towards his hooded face. Accepting his hand as she stood once more.

"Thank you," she replied.

As their hands lingered for a short while together, the silence that had now fallen between them was finally broken when 'The Hood' stated

"Now. I think we should continue from this place, for we have stayed here long enough."

After re-mounting their horses, they once again followed the path of the river this time to the west. In a few more hours they would reach the 'Bridge of Souls' and only then would 'The Hood' allow them to rest and eat. Time was of the essence and at present, he was unsure if the Sheriff had already travelled the roads ahead of them. He may even be following behind them. He was, however certain that the Sheriff would indeed be heading for Dollet and that they would need to be cautious. He needed to think of a plan, but riding on the back of a horse did nothing to aid his concentration. More so, he was finding it difficult to concentrate on anything but her.

In his frustration he started to grind his teeth. How he longed for a hot bath and sleep in a real bed.

Milady on the other hand, had been doing nothing but thinking since her confrontation with 'The Hood'. 'How different the outcome would have been had the Sheriffs party not been ambushed that day. She would have certainly already reached Dollet and if the Sheriff kept his word, then she would have already seen her Father. But then she would have been held against her will, nothing but a prisoner within the castle walls until her marriage to Siefer Almasy Sheriff of Balamb had been completed. No at present her situation despite the circumstances was much improved. She currently had her freedom and more importantly, she now had the assistance of a Knight. Had her prayers she made every night while in Balamb finally been answered? Was he her salvation?' She turned her head slightly, so that she could look at him. All she could do now was hope and pray that he was.

Their pace had been steady up until the point when they had caught sight of a few straw covered wooden huts in the distance. Slowing down to a gentle trot to pass them, they could now see the Tannery and Watermill ahead of them, which meant they were near to the bridge that linked Galbadia to Dollet.

As they approached the bridge, a tall burly man carrying what seemed to be a thick branch from a nearby tree came across from the other side at surprising speed. His voice bellowing

"You must pay a toll if you wish to cross this bridge!"

"A toll! What right do you have to make a charge for crossing the only bridge into Dollet?" Asked 'The Hood'.

"The right to keep my family alive! Now pay the toll and you may cross safely." Replied the man.

"And if I refuse to pay?" Questioned 'The Hood'.

"Then you may not cross," said the man.

"I could simply run you down with my horse, or shoot you with an arrow and cross this bridge," stated 'The Hood'.

"Aye, you could and I could have someone hidden pointing an arrow at you. But I have yet to meet a man that could better me in a fair contest, for that would be great indeed. Alas no-one has dared to accept the offer of free passage for such a simple task." Replied the man.

Now 'The Hood' would take an enemies life without hesitation, but to kill in cold blood. No, he would be then no better than the Sheriff himself. Besides if this man did indeed have someone hidden, then he could not risk the life of Milady.

"And what would this contest that you crave so much entail?" Asked 'The Hood' who was now curious about the mans offer.

"The use of a quarterstaff. All they have to do is knock me from this bridge and the free passage is theirs. But most people tend to pay, for the water here is cold and swift," said the man.

"Fair contest you say. I hardly see fairness when you stand there holding half a tree," replied 'The Hood".

The man looked to the branch he was carrying a laughed

"This is not my staff, this is but wood for the fire."

To which he then tossed the branch onto the bank beside him, as it landed with a thud their horses moved nervously. Then reaching behind him, the man removed a staff almost as tall as him, which had been covered and tied with an animal hide. He said

"This is my staff".

"Then how is a man to accept your challenge if he carries no quarterstaff of his own?" Asked 'The Hood'.

This time the man smiled

"One rests against the side if the Mill."

The Hood looked back towards the Mill and indeed saw a staff similar in all but size to the one the man was now holding. Stepping down from his horse he began to remove his bow.

With a deep concern on his face Zell said

"Surely you are not going to challenge this man? Look at him he is like a giant!"

Passing Zell his bow, quiver of arrows and sheathed sword he answered

"I refuse to pay and will not kill this man in cold blood. True he is indeed a giant of a man, but even giants have a weakness and using a quarterstaff once more will remind me of my childhood. It will do me well to use it once again as I did when I was a boy."

So 'The Hood' turned and walked the short distance to the Mill. Picking up the staff to test both it's balance and strength.

Milady with fear in her eyes looked at Edea.

"Why is he doing this, when he could have simply just paid this toll? Is he mad? Asked Edea.

'Irvine the Archer' replied

"It is a matter of honour. The coins we have will be needed for food and shelter, so to part with any would be quite mad. True we could have paid him, but he may not have accepted anything less that the full content of our purse. Then we would have nothing. To kill this man would be murder and that is out of the question for any man let alone our hooded friend. Besides, this man wants a challenge and if no one has accepted before then his skills may not be as great as he claims. We can do little to stop it now, for picking up the staff is acceptance of the mans challenge."

When 'The Hood' returned to the start of the bridge, the man had already made his way to its centre and was now leaning against his staff.

"Make your move when you are ready," said the man.

'The Hood' simply nodded in reply.

A/N: Another cliffhanger...What will happen? Will 'The Hood's' identity be revealed? Will someone drown? Who is the giant man protecting the bridge?

Find out in the next chapter....JD