Five days since the trek began. Five days of merciless heat during the day and uncomfortable warmth during the nights. Five days of talking and planning. Five days of strain on Lexaeus' still-injured torso.
Barely two hours into the journey on the third day had Lexaeus been cornered by Kayleigh and Big Davy. Despite his best efforts to hide it both of them had noticed the large Nobody's fatigue. As a result he was forced to sit most of that journey on the back of one of the horse-drawn carts. Luckily it was situated roughly in the middle of the group of traveling locals so he wasn't forced away from Demyx and Zexion who were hardly able to keep up with the frontal cart even if they were being chased by ferocious beasts.
A similar thing happened the next day as well except he was only forced to stay there for three or four hours rather than the whole day.
Long since freed from the persistence of flirty teenage girls the three Nobodies had been able to talk together in relative peace and without much distraction. They had spoken softly of the Dorchadas and what their course of action should be once the Gummi Ship was restored to full working condition.
There was no need to return to the previous settlement. Between them the two younger Nobodies had split the load of Kier Crystal into their backpacks. Supposedly it was half and half but Lexaeus had a feeling that Zexion had managed to come off with the lighter load, if only because he knew well the manipulative nature of the Schemer.
Every night they would take the evening meal with Kayleigh, Big Davy and their son who happened to be the boy they had seen the night before departure. Kayleigh had informed them that her husband's name was really David and that they should use that instead of the stupid nickname given to him by the other travelers.
After the meal they generally got left alone again until it was time for the young children to be put to sleep. Somehow during their stay at the settlement Demyx's talent for singing had been discovered and gotten a lot of positive attention. Now the unfortunate blond would be forcefully dragged away from his companions and made to sing the children into their respective dream-lands.
Zexion seemed to find this extremely amusing. Even Lexaeus had to agree it was funny how Demyx tried to protest but was so easily swayed by a kind old lady asking him politely to do this for them and giving that smile elderly people can give that makes you feel guilty if you don't help them out.
"So as soon as possible after the ship's fixed we go find Sora and the others." Demyx confirmed after a fairly long-winded discussion. "But what if we can't get him to help us? Somehow I don't think we'll be high enough on his buddy-list to get anywhere near him without two keyblades ready to cut open our throats." the Nocturne folded his arms over his chest with a slight frown.
"I'm not entirely sure of that myself." Zexion admitted grudgingly.
"I think… they'll possibly give us a chance to at least explain ourselves. From what I know of both Sora and Roxas they'll be able to convince Riku as well. As long as we get our point across about the Dorchadas then they should help us at the very least get rid of the higher-ups." said Lexaeus slowly, looking from one younger Nobody to the other inquiring for further input.
"Sounds reasonable." Zexion said finally.
"Yeah, they probably would. I mean, I knew Roxas better than either of you two did and that definitely sounds like something he'd do. Especially now that he and Sora are one. It's possible that in a way he can still influence Sora's actions." added Demyx. And it was true. Out of the entire Organization Demyx and Axel had been the only ones to get close to the Nobody of the keyblade master.
But at the same time they had no idea how the times had changed Sora. For all they knew he could be completely different from how he used to be.
Light, delicate footsteps approached them slowly. Looking around the three Nobodies spotted Kayleigh smiling kindly at them. "You guys should ge' some res'. David's gonna push us all harder tomorrow to gain a few extra miles. Better gather as much energy as ya can 'kay?" she said in that soft soothing voice of hers as her hand delicately gave each of them a squeeze on the shoulder.
"Just get some sleep." she repeated with another smile before heading back to her husband and son.
Turning his head a little Demyx could see that most of the other travelers were already sleeping or on their way there. Children nestled close between their parents loving embraces. Young couples entwined together in content. And friends lying close together sharing each others' warmth.
Stars twinkling in the sky and a comfortingly cool breeze added to the peaceful serenity of the scene before his eyes.
Hoofbeats upon loose gravel. Dust clouds rising up in the black distance. Hushed whispering. A series of faint red glows. Hurried movement and muffled grunts.
Hoofbeats speeding off back into the night. More talking, less hushed.
A slightly colder campsite.
A/N: And here's chapter eleven up on Christmas Eve Yeah it's kinda short but I'm happy with it and it does what it was meant to do.
Suggestions for the new title are still welcome and as always all reviews are appreciated.
Merry Christmas everyone.
xxx Gael