Authors Note: Well, here we are with a new chapter. I also did an overhaul of the chapters before it. I'm new to the site, so I didn't know how to separate my paragraphs beforehand. Special thanks to AzHasANewName1 for pointing out my mistake. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and whatever comes next. I believe the battle of the Mila Tree is the next chapter.


Chapter 11: History Lesson

Lucina was anxious as she walked into the tavern. They were in a small town a few miles from the Mila Tree and they were prepared to march the next morning. For now, the army was taking a much needed rest and the people of the town graciously allowed them to stay nearby. Though the army was camped a few minutes away, a few people went into town to relax.

Lucina had decided to take Robin's advice and try to get acquainted with her allies more. She understood that she didn't need to be close friends with all of them, but it didn't hurt to make a connection. Problem was, Lucina wasn't really a people person. She did not have time to gain social skills in the future, which was one of the many reasons she was hesitant to get to know people.

That's when idea struck her. She knew the perfect people to start to open up to other than Robin and her family. She took a breath in and looked around the tavern. Sure enough, the people she was looking for were in the back.

Lucina walked over to meet with Khans Flavia and Basilio, who were joined by Rocksus. Basilio seemed to be in the middle of telling an amusing joke, as Flavia and Basilio were red with laughter.

"And then the healer said that's what happens when you sit on my staff!" said Basilio. Flavia and Rocksus roared with laughter.

"This is why I keep you around oaf." Flavia smiled. "Your always good for a joke."

"Erm." said Lucina. "I beg your pardon."

"Lucina." said Basilio heartily. "To what do we owe the pleasure your highness?"

"I was." Lucina said nervously. She took a breath and then looked at them with a steady gaze. "I was wondering if I may join you?"

"Of course." Flavia said. "Though I'd have thought you'd rather sit with someone more your age."

"Well." Lucina said, trying to think of an excuse. She thought better of it though and decided to tell the truth. "To be honest, I'm trying to reach out more. I know it may sound silly, but I thought you might be a good start."

"It's not silly at all." said Flavia. "In fact, I think it's rather smart. While Feroxi aren't unsociable outcasts, we prefer to speak with our actions instead of words. You seem to have a similar style, so it's wise to start socializing with people like us."

"Your always welcome Lucina." Basilio winked. "Grab a chair."

Lucina smiled and grabbed a chair behind her. She then sat down and joined the group.

"Care for a drink?" Rocksus asked. Lucina nodded and and Rocksus turned to the bartender. "Beg pardon sir? Could you grab a pint of ale for the young lady here?"

The bartender nodded and prepared Lucina's drink.

"So, Lucina." said Basilio. "There's been something I've been meaning to ask you."

"If it's about your death, forget it oaf." Flavia said. "I bet the poor girl gets that enough."

"That wasn't what I was going to ask." said Basilio. "Though now that I think about it-"

Basilio stopped himself however when Flavia shot him a look.

"Alright, alright." said Basilio, waving his hand to Flavia. "I won't ask. What I WANTED to ask was why she was disguised as Marth when she came here. I mean, I get the whole not wanting to reveal who you really are to your father thing, but why masquerade as a man?"

"Actually, I don't know how to answer that." said Lucina. "I guess since I essentially took the identity of Marth in the future, I felt it best to play the part as it was meant to be."

"Well, you played your part well." said Flavia. "I'm impressed you managed to fool everyone."

"You didn't fool Lon'qu." Basilio laughed. "He knew you were a woman. Otherwise, he would've creamed you."

"I suppose he would." Lucina chuckled as the bartender came with her drink. She thanked him as Rocksus paid the bartender.

"I hope he can be the next West Khan." Basilio said. "He has all the makings of one. He's tough, smart, and level headed. All the makings of a great Khan."

"As long as he's better than the last one we had." said Flavia.

"Who were the Khans before you?" Lucina asked. "I never had a chance to learn Feroxi history in the future. I'd like to know."

"I'm certainly curious myself." said Rocksus. "I've heard many rumors and stories, but those only go so far. Weren't you once ruled by only one Khan?"

"That we were." said Flavia. "But that's because he was a tyrannical dictator. His name was Magnus and he desired nothing but war and bloodshed."

"He embodied everything that people claim we are." said Basilio. "He was barbaric, nasty, and cruel. Ironically though, he was the one that forged the alliance between Ylisse and Regna Ferox."

"I've heard." said Rocksus. "The Feroxi fought along the Ylisseans in the first Plegian war."

"They did indeed." said Flavia. "However, I have a feeling if Magnus was still in charge, He wouldn't have been so eager to join them in the second war. King Gangrel was more his type."

"How did he take control?" Lucina asked. "I understand that one Khan generally has most of the power, but you both are still essentially equals. It's just that Flavia has the final say."

"Well, technically, there were still two Khans back then as well." Flavia explained. "Magnus was the West Khan. However, his lackey, Arith, was the East Khan. Arith was a lot like Magnus, except for the fact that he was dumb as bricks."

"Now, now." said a voice behind them. "No need for insulting of bricks."

Lucina turned to see Gregor behind them. The two khans let out a hearty laugh as Gregor grabbed a chair to join them.

"Evening old friend." said Basilio. "What brings your wrinkled face here tonight? The wife finally let you off your leash?"

"Gregor have no leash." Gregor chuckled. "Wife out hunting with son. Gregor take night off. Sees old and new friends and decides to join. Would like to reminisce about old times too."

"Did you grow up in Regna Ferox too?" Rocksus asked.

"Oh yes." said Gregor. "However, Gregor born in far off country to North. Great, great distance from home. Place called Jermia."

"I've never heard of that place." said Lucina.

"Very small country." said Gregor. "And as Gregor said, very far up North. Looks much like Regna Ferox in winter, except winter all the time there. Very pretty. But anyway, family moved to Regna Ferox when Gregor was wee lad. At time, Magnus was ruler. That was when Gregor met Basilio."

"Yup." said Basilio proudly. "We've known each other since we were kids. I still remember all of the butt whoopings I'd give you when we were training."

"Or fighting over toy." Gregor laughed. "Besides, Gregor recall beating you far more than you beat me."

"Alright." said Flavia. "I think we've heard enough about your childhoods. I think out guests would rather learn about Magnus."

"I find both to be fascinating actually." said Lucina. "What was it like, growing up under Magnus?"

"Was hell." said Gregor. "Basilio and Gregor very poor because of him. Practically had to steal food for family. Took up jobs when about thirteen."

"Magnus enjoyed all forms of power." said Basilio. "He taxed people left and right and if anyone challenged him, he'd either kill them himself or he'd send soldiers to do it for him."

"A cowardly act." Rocksus roared.

"Especially for a Feroxi." said Flavia. "A true warrior takes matters into their own hands, no matter how dirty they may be afterwards."

"Hear, hear." said Gregor.

"Magnus was a brute." said Basilio. "But we got the best of them though. I still remember that day so vividly, the day Gregor and I had enough. We were about 22 at the time and we saw some of the Feroxi soldiers harassing this poor boy. We knocked those soldiers into next week and saved that boy. That's when we knew, we had to fight back."

"Gregor and Basilio began revolution." said Gregor proudly. "Started out quite small, only two of us. Soon though, grew very big. Many people begin fighting back. Feroxi spirit was raised."

"Things became more intriguing once the war started." said Basilio. "Magnus not only had to mobilize to help aid Ylisse, but also prepare to stop any rebellion in Regna Ferox. That was our opportunity."

"Army was good for invasion." said Gregor. "But in shambles when come to protection. We took advantage of occasional Plegian attacks too. Eventually, Basilio and Gregor gathered enough people to launch assault on Magnus and Arith."

"I happily remember that day." said Flavia. "I was the oaf's second in command at the time. We led an attack on Magnus while Gregor led an attack on Arith. Boy was it a bloodbath. And Basilio and I got to fight Magnus himself. I got to kill him too."

"Hold on." said Basilio. "I'm the one who killed him."

"Oh please." said Flavia. "I sliced his head off with more sword."

"Yeah, after I struck his chest with my axe." said Basilio. "I got the final blow, I killed him."

"Just because you got the decisive blow, doesn't mean you got the kill!" Flavia shouted.

The two khans then started to argue as Lucina, Rocksus, and Gregor watched, with Gregor laughing at their banter.

"Some things never change." said Gregor. "Two as close of friends as friends come, but always butting heads like bulls."

"It does seem that way." Lucina chuckled. "What happened after Magnus was defeated?"

"Originally, Basilio and Gregor were asked to be Khans." said Gregor. "But Gregor not want to be Khan. Gregor most tired of war and politics at time. Plus, while Gregor can play leader when necessary, Gregor no leader. Thus, Flavia took Gregor's place. Was much wiser decision Gregor thinks. Gregor also wish to travel world, so Gregor become swell sellsword."

"Sounds like the life." said Rocksus. "I was like that in my younger days. Before my father died, I travelled all over the continent. That's how I met Merope in fact."

"Sounds most lovely." said Gregor. "If Gregor stuck in Regna Ferox as Khan, Gregor never meet Panne."

"Traveling is an incredible experience." said Lucina. "I was always traveling in the future, but I found it more relaxing in this time. I especially enjoyed it when I was under the guise of Marth. I do regret not doing certain things over that time though."

"Like what?" Rocksus asked.

"Well, I never participated in a lot festivals." said Lucina. "I did explore some villages and towns, but I never got too involved. It all seemed to be very fun. I did also aid some people who were plagued with bandits."

"Always good to do." said Gregor. "Gregor not always do it for free, but Gregor always happy to help."

Lucina laughed a bit. She liked Gregor a lot. He was always very kind and often very wise. Lucina noticed that many Shepherds seemed to go to him for advice. Perhaps Lucina should talk to him sometime as well.

Once the Khans began to settle down, Rocksus suggested they start a game of poker. Lucina had never played and was eager to give it a try. The bartender brought them the game and they played for several hours. Lucina wasn't very good, but she still did alright. Rocksus seemed to have an extraordinary amount of luck, as he ended up with the most chips by the end.

It was getting late and Lucina was getting tired. She bid her group good night and left the bar. She reflected on the experience along the way to camp and realized how much fun she had. She didn't know how often she would spend time with the older crowd, but she knew that she wanted to do it again. She was also interested to see what it was like with the other Shepherds too.


"Hiyah!" Chrom shouted, driving his lance towards Sumia, who easily swatted it back.

"Kyah!" Sumia shouted back, giving her lance a twirl as she swung left towards Chrom's flank. He dodged her strike and attempted to thrust his spear towards her chest. Sumia did another twirl with her lance to deflect her attack and then swiftly held it to Chrom's neck.

"Yield?" Sumia asked with a smirk.

"Yup." Chrom sighed.

The two of them had been practicing for since dinner ended. Chrom was always an excellent swordsman, but he decided that he wanted to expand his horizons a bit, so he began training with a spear. And who better to train him than his own wife. Chrom was getting better, but Sumia was far more experience, easily beating him.

"Ironic that your such a strong warrior, yet you can't handle a lace for shit." Suma laughed. She then tripped on a rock and fell flat on her face. Chrom walked up to her and helped her up.

"Ironic that your so graceful in combat, but such a clutz outside." Chrom smirked.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh at your wife's misfortune." said Sumia, rolling her eyes. "At least your getting better. You barely got a strike in last time we practiced."

"I still barely got a strike in." said Chrom. "And this is you fighting on foot."

"Oh, you'd be dead if I fought you on my pegasus." said Sumia.

"I don't know." said Chrom. "I've fought some pretty tough pegasus riders before. None of them have lived to tell the tale."

"Probably because I got to them first." said Sumia. Chrom chuckled in response.

"Hey Mom, Dad!" An excited voice shouted nearby. They turned to see Cynthia running towards them, lance in hand. As she drew closer, she tripped and tumbled the rest of the way towards her parents.

"Yeah, she's definitely your daughter." said Chrom to Sumia as they ran towards Cynthia to check on her. The plucky young princess simply got up and smiled at her parents.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting anything." said Cynthia. "But I just finished making a spearhead for my lance and I wanted you guys to help me put it on."

"Have you never made a lance before dear?" Sumia asked.

"No, I have." said Cynthia. "Plenty of times. But this one is special. This is one I brought back from the future. It was one I was hoping to finish with you guys. I know it's, not much, but I thought it would be a good way for us to spend time together."

"Of course." Chrom said happily. "Let's take a look."

Cynthia handed the spearhead to her father. It was a silver blade, with an engraving etched on it. It said The Justice Cabal on it, along with a word Chrom had never seen before.

"What is the Justice Cabal?" Chrom asked. "And what is this word? Canter...Canti...Cantiu…"

"Cantiviurrius." said Cynthia proudly. "It's short for, canticum venus susurri eius, or 'whisper song' in Latin. It's the name of the lance. Owain named it."

"Of course he did." Chrom chuckled. "What's the significance?"

"The Justice Cabal used to have a theme song." said Cynthia. "The Justice Cabal is a sub-group of our friends, consisting of me and Owain. We would whisper the theme song before running into battle. It got silly after a while though, so we stopped doing it."

"Can we hear it?" Sumia asked.

"Sure!" said Cynthia. She then leapt to her feet and stood in a saluting stance. She then began to sing:

To justice, we stand

To victory, we fight.

All through the day,

All through the night.

We stand for what's right,

We'll give you what for.

Till the villain is gone

And your safe for sure.

We'll aid everyone.

We'll answer the call.

Prepare for the end,

We're the Justice Cabal!

When Cynthia finished, Chrom and Sumia laughed and clapped in amusement.

"That's pretty good." said Chrom. "If we ever need a theme song for the Shepherds, we'll make sure to let you guys know."

"Really?" Cynthia asked. "I'm so happy you liked it."

"It was cute." said Sumia. "Now then, let's see about putting on this spearhead. Afterwards, we'll practice with it. I'm sure your father would be willing to go a few rounds with you."

"Actually mom." said Cynthia. "I was hoping I could train with you first."

"I think that'd be a good idea." said Chrom. "I'm interested to see how our daughter fairs up with you."

"Works for me." said Sumia. She then took the spearhead from Chrom and began to put it together with Cynthia.

Chrom watched as the pegasus riders gently attached the spear, spinning it carefully onto the tip of the lance and then tying it together with a piece of blue string. After Sumia gave one last tug, the spear known as Cantiviurrius was complete. Cynthia looked upon it in awe, as if she had never seen anything like it before. At first, it just seemed like any old lance to Chrom. Then he began to realize how much it must have meant to her.

Chrom couldn't imagine that he had much time to spend with Cynthia in her time. He also didn't know how much time Sumia got to spend with her either. Chrom then began to have a feeling that the spearhead Cynthia was holding was made by Sumia. It would make sense. Why else would Cynthia want to finish it with them?

Chrom began to feel bad for his future daughter and the rest of the Shepherds children. All because of Grima, their whole lives where taken from them. Everything that they could have had, everything they deserved, was stripped away because of the Fell Dragon. Because Chrom wasn't alive to stop him.

"Chrom?" He heard Sumia ask.

He brought himself back to his surroundings and looked at his wife.

"Are you alright?" Sumia asked, concerned.

"I'm fine." said Chrom. "I was just spacing out."

"Ok." said Sumia. "Cynthia is ready to practice."

"I'll be happy to watch." said Chrom with a smile. They then went back to the training field.


"This." said Chrom weakly, Thoron Bolt in his chest. "Is not...your...fault. Promise me you'll...escape this place. Please...go."

Chrom then fell to the ground as Robin screamed, drowning out the evil laughter resonating in the room. Robin then woke with jerk, covered in sweat.

"Dammit." He swore to himself. Robin was really getting tired of this dream. It felt so strange to him. He didn't understand why, but something about it felt familiar. But how could that be?

"Not getting any sleep?" a voice said to the side of him.

Robin jumped as Tharja materialized out of the shadows of the night.

"When will you cut that out?" Robin asked, rolling his eyes.

"When it stops being entertaining." said Tharja with a sly grin.

Robin had a strange relationship with the dark mage. When Tharja first joined the shepherds during the Plegian war, she took to stalking Robin wherever he would go. In fact, that was why he was so easily able to detect the Shepherds children. Robin simply ignored her during that time, thinking that she would eventually lose interest. Instead, her advances became more, well, advanced. At one point, she started acting "normal", because she thought that was what Robin wanted. It backfired, because Robin liked her the way she was and "Normal Tharja" was scarier than the regular Tharja. She then tried seducing him with her magic and body, but Robin still refused her advances. Eventually, like Chrom did with Cordelia, Robin simply told Tharja that he didn't love her the way she did him. Tharja was heartbroken, but eventually fell in love with Gaius. Thanks to that, she and Robin began to form a real friendship. Robin could tell that she was still in love with him, but he had a feeling that her love for him was now greatly overshadowed by her love for Gaius.

"So what's troubling you?" Tharja asked.

"Just a bad dream." said Robin.

"The same one you've been having?" Tharja asked.

"How did you-" Robin began to ask, but then realized something. "Have you still been stalking me?"

"Call it looking after my good friend." said Tharja.

"Right." said Robin, shaking his head. "But yes, the same dream."

"What is it about?" Tharja asked.

"Its...:" Robin said, thinking about what he should say. He sighed and then looked at Tharja. "It's about Chrom's death. I'm sure you've heard about what happens to him in the future?"

"He is betrayed by an ally." said Tharja. "Yes I've heard. So you saw who killed Chrom. Who is it?"

"I don't know." said Robin. "It's all a blur when it happens. All I know is, I hear Chrom's voice and then I see him fall dead."

"Well, we can find out for sure." said Tharja. "Come with me."

Robin got out of bed and followed Tharja. She took him to her and Gaius's tent. The mages of the Shepherds had enchanted the tents, allowing them to be bigger on the outside than on the inside. They also allowed several objects, such as cabinets, desks, beds, and other things to be stored within the tent once it was taken down. Just take the tent down and everything disappears inside it.

The tent couldn't have been more opposite. Gaius's side was littered with candy wrappers and different boxes of sweets. There were also several bags of gold and other treasures under his bed. Gaius himself was in his bed, reading a cookbook. Tharja's side was much different. There was no bed on her side, as she slept with Gaius. Instead, there were shelves and cabinets full of spellbooks, strange potions and their ingredients, and a ton of dark magic artifacts and trinkets that Robin dare not touch. There was also a mighty cauldron in the center of it all.

"Evening Bubbles." said Gaius, looking up from his book. "What's he doing here babe? I thought you were on patrol?"

"And I thought you'd be asleep by now." said Tharja. "You've barely slept in days."

"Yeah, well somebody's gotta scout the area around the Mila Tree." said Gaius. "I'll go to bed in a few minutes. I just want to finish reading this recipe on Red Velvet Cheesecake."

"You better not try to make something in my cauldron again." Tharja snapped, gathering items from her shelves. "It took me a week to have it properly cleaned before my potions stopped smelling like chocolate cake."

"That was one time." said Gaius, unfazed. "Besides, you know you liked the end result."

"That's beside the point." said Tharja seriously, though Robin saw a slight smile on her face. "Besides, you might have to stay up a bit longer. I'm not sure how long this will take."

"Why, what's up?" Gaius asked curiously.

"Robin has been having dreams about Chrom." said Tharja.

"That's not surprising." Gaius chuckled. "I'm honestly surprised he's not the Queen of Ylisse by now."

"Oh, ha ha." said Robin. "Do you happen to see boobs and, oh I don't know, pigtails on my head?"

"No, but you'd look pretty cute if you did." said Gaius.

"Alright, enough." said Tharja. "The dream he has been having is about the Prince's death. I want to see if this is a dream or some sort of vision."

"No shit?" said Gaius. "This I gotta see."

"Sit here Robin." said Tharja, gesturing towards a chair.

Robin sat down as Tharja began to pour ingredients into her cauldron. As she did so, she muttered incantations that Robin couldn't hear. Eventually, the potion turned purple as a mossy green smoke began to rise. Tharja put her hands into the smoke and pulled some out. The smoke was still moving, but it looked almost like cotton candy in her hands. She walked behind Robin and uttered an incantation.

"Dnim sluos siht nihtiw seil smaerd tahw em wohs, ssenkrad fo secrof ho." said Tharja.

Robin couldn't see what was behind him, but he heard a whooshing noise above his head. He glanced his eyes up and saw the green smoke swirling around his head in a perfect, misty circle. He was curious as to what could be happening.

"I'm getting a vision of your last dream." said Tharja. "Did it start out with you running into a field of sunflowers and butterflies?"

Sunflowers and butterflies? Robin thought to himself. That sounds more the like the dream from last night when-

"NOOOOOO" Robin shouted. "THAT'S NOT THE DREAM! THAT'S NOT THE DREAM!"

Robin quickly shot out of the chair, causing the green smoke to dissipate. Gaius fell to the floor laughing as Tharja looked on Robin with her arms crossed, disappointment etched on her face. The dream in question was one Robin had last night and he didn't want anyone to know about it, especially since it concerned a very intimate moment between him and a certain future daughter of his best friend.

"Are you sure that wasn't the dream you had earlier?" Tharja asked.

"Yes." said Robin quickly, feeling himself go red in the face. "Definitely. That was definitely not it. It was a dream I had last night."

"Very well." said Tharja. "Then we've got a problem. That was your most recent dream."

"That can't be." said Robin. "My most recent dream was about Chrom's death."

"Well, that spell was made to show me your most recent dream." said Tharja. "And according to what I briefly saw, that was your most recent dream."

"You sure you did the spell right babe?" Gaius asked.

"I've done this spell a thousand times." said Tharja, shooting daggers at Gaius. "I've done it on you on occasion."

"I'm sure you have." said Gaius, without the least bit of concern.

"Maybe it was a vision." Robin suggested.

"Even if it was, it still would have appeared." said Tharja. "Dreams and visions are surprisingly similar. That spell would have still detected what you saw. So unless it's something else, I can't help you."

"I don't know what to tell you." said Robin.

"Well try this another time." said Tharja. "In the meantime, I'll whip up something to help suppress your dreams. Until then, drink this."

Tharja handed Robin a bottle of dark brown liquid, which Robin recognized as a sleeping drought. Robin thanked Tharja and bid her and Gaius goodnight. He then returned to his tents, lost in his thoughts about what could have happened.


"Damn it all!" shouted Laurent. "I thought they had it."

Laurent was frantically going through the inventory of the magic tent. The tent was used by the mages of the army. Most mages had their own personal collection, but most of the basic ingredients were stored here. He was looking for a type of mushroom that only grew in Valm to use for an experiment. Most of the mages that Rocksus hired used the mushroom and Laurent was hoping that they would store it here. However, there didn't seem to be any.

Laurent was about to ask some of the mages to see if they had some to spare when Ian walked in.

"What's with all the shouting Laurent?" He asked.

"Apologies Ian." said Laurent. "My outburst was caused by a lack of a certain ingredient for an experiment I am currently conducting."

"Which is?" Ian asked.

"The experiment or the ingredient?" Laurent asked in response.

"Both I suppose." said Ian, rolling his eyes.

"The experiment is a comparison of growth samples within our country." said Laurent. "I wanted to study how the soil is here compared to back to in Ylisse. I think it would be fruitful to trade if some vegetation could grow here in Valm like it does in Ylisse and vice versa. So far I've studied nearly all forms of fauna here, with the exception of a mushroom that only grows in Valm. It's called the Mila Bloom and it's said to be used in many spells and ceremonies."

"Is it rare?" Ian asked.

"Sort of." said Laurent. "While not abundant, they can be found all over Valm in certain seasons. Now would be an appropriate time of year to find them."

"What do they look like?" Ian asked.

"They look like an ordinary mushroom." said Laurent. "However, they have a strange purple and orange coloration on their leaves. They also have pure white stems."

"Well, you may be in luck." said Ian. "I saw something like that on the way here. I'd say I saw them about fifteen minutes away from camp."

"Truly?" said Laurent inquisitively. "How did you come by them?"

"Well, I had to take care of business on the way to camp." said Ian. "If you catch my drift."

"I am well versed with the lingo of 'bathroom talk' Ian." said Laurent. "Though you could just say you were going to the bathroom."

"Point is" Ian sighed. "If your looking for those mushrooms, then go out and find them."

"Would you accompany me?" Laurent asked. "It is most unwise to venture alone at night."

"It's only a fifteen minute walk." said Ian. "We're not in the future anymore, so there are far less risks. Besides, if your so nervous, just take your tome. I have to get some sleep for tomorrow. I suggest you do too when your done."

"Very well." said Laurent. "I suppose you are correct."

With that, Ian left for his tent while Laurent grabbed his tome. He lit a lantern and walked towards the woods. Laurent wasn't superstitious (ironic since he was a mage), but he had to admit it was very creepy in the woods.

I should have brought someone with me. He thought to himself. Kjelle would have joined me.

His thoughts drifted to Kjelle. Laurent had to admit, he was rather taken with her. Something about her raw strength and never say die attitude was rather attractive to him. He didn't try anything though, as she didn't seem to like him, at least not like that. Plus, the two of them were good friends, which statistically would have made it harder for them to move past something like that. Then again, Laurent's parents were the exact opposites and they fell in love. Perhaps Laurent had a chance.

Laurent became lost in thoughts when he stumbled on a rock. As he fell, he landed in front of a group of plants. They were mushrooms, with a spotted pattern of orange and purple. Underneath the head of the mushroom was a pure white stem. It was a group of Mila Blooms.

Laurent looked on the plants with a sense of excitement. He started grabbing a few and stuffed them into a box he brought. He was about to put another in the box when he stopped. He then took a closer look and the mushroom and realized something odd. The mushrooms looked like they were already plucked. He looked at the group of mushrooms and noticed that none of them seemed to have a stem that was in the ground.

Now that Laurent thought about, the Mila Blooms usually only came in groups of two or threes. A lot of them could bloom in the same area, but they were usually scattered. There were at least twenty of these mushrooms all clumped up in a bunch.

Laurent quickly got up and took out his tome while he swirled his lantern around the area. Nothing seemed to be around, but he felt like he was being watched. Laurent didn't know how, but he felt like he just walked into a trap.

"Ease yourself Laurent." He said out loud to himself. "Perhaps someone simply dropped these while making a delivery. Besides, the odds of running into anything too dangerous at this time of night is 50,872/1."

Laurent relaxed and turned around, only to be met with a hand clutching his chest. Laurent flashed the lantern towards the origin of the hand and found the smiling face of Drekkam.

"Then your luck must really suck." said Drekkam smugly.

Before Laurent could react, there was a flash of red light that came from Drekkam's hand. The form of Laurent vanished and a small, wooden statue of the mage from the future took its place. Drekkam smirked and touched the top of the statue with his finger. He then lifted his finder up and as he did, a keychain formed. He then placed the Laurent statue on a hook in his cloak and looked down on at the mushrooms.

"Figured you'd fall for this." said Drekkam. "For one so smart, you certainly are a fool. One down, eleven to go."

Drekkam then disappeared into the night with his new prize in tow.