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THE THIRD GUARDIAN

Chapter 21

The next morning, Auron left briefly to visit a food vendor. Raiel was having major problems getting herself awake after the long, difficult day and night before their arrival at the inn for a few hours' sleep.

When he returned with their breakfast and coffee, she pulled herself out of bed and stood unsteadily for a moment before taking a step toward their little table. Only Auron's lightning reflexes allowed him to grab her in time to keep her from stumbling to the floor. Walking would require a few more active brain cells than were functional at the moment.

Chuckling, he got her to a chair and put a container of coffee in her hand. "This should help."

She mumbled something that was probably "Thank you".

The smile on his face faded as he looked at the side of her face. A huge, swollen red-purple-blue bruise stained one side of her beautiful face. His hands balled into fists as fury began to rise in him again. He breathed deeply and slowly trying to disperse the anger. He couldn't give in to his emotions. A day would come. He knew it. Didn't know when or how, but it would come and he hoped he'd be there.

A little later, he and Raiel tapped on Lord Braska's door which was opened by Jecht, sword in hand.

"'Mornin', Raiel, Red."

"Good morning, Jecht. Have you had breakfast?"

"Yeah, while ago. Lord Braska should be out of the shower any minute."

Jecht's eyes hadn't left the ugly splotch on her face since Raiel entered the room. He went to her, touched it with his big finger as gently and lightly as a feather, then folded her in his arms. "I'm so sorry, Raiel. Wish I coulda gotten there sooner."

She tried to smile with the uninjured side of her face. "Jecht, you couldn't have gotten there any faster than you did. You didn't even stop to open the door - -"

She gently touched the web of deep scars now on his upper right shoulder, saying, "This bruise will fade, but those scars won't. I'm truly sorry to be the cause of them, Jecht."

"Don't ya worry about it, little girl. Ya weren't the one causin' the trouble an' outta all the scars I got, those are the only ones I'm not ashamed of."

Braska exited the bathroom, his morning toiletry complete. "Good morning, my young friends. I hope you rested well."

Both responded in the affirmative, but he noted Raiel's swollen, discolored face, the shadows under Auron's eyes and earlier he had noted the tired look on Jecht's face. They were beat up and tired.

Gently touching Raiel's painful face, he intoned another Cure over her and she closed her eyes and slowly inhaled as the cool, refreshing effect of the spell wafted through her. Almost immediately some of the pain was reduced. "That feels so good. Thank you, Lord Braska."

Auron asked, "What time are we leaving, my lord?"

The Summoner's sweet smile appeared on his face as he answered, "Tomorrow or perhaps the day after, maybe even the day after that."

"That long, sir?"

"Yes, Auron. I recall you saying that the next segment would be a very long pull, broken only by two inns."

"Yes, sir. It's about three-forty from here to the narrowest part of Thunder Plains, then roughly three hundred or so from there to and through Macalania Forest. We can figure on at least three hundred more around Macalania Lake to Bevelle, depending on where or if we find a crossing. It'll be tough."

All four were silent for a moment as they envisioned the days of endless walking, fighting and camping - probably three to four months, if not more - on their own, relying on their own collective ability to survive. Yes, it would be tough, but they knew they could do it.

The Summoner continued, "Guadosalam may not be our place of choice, but the accommodations are quite adequate, there is plenty of food available and all four of us need rest. We have to be at our best before we leave. Other than visiting some of the shops, I would like to visit the Farplane, then see how much time I can log in that very comfortable bed."

Auron asked, "Where would you like to go first, my lord?"

Braska thought, then said, "I think the Farplane which is on the top level. After that, we'll be here on the first level until our departure."

"Whenever it is convenient for you, Lord Braska. We'll be standing by."

"Then let us go now. I don't want your time used in waiting for me. I want each of you to rest and relax so we'll all be prepared for the long journey ahead of us." Smiling, he added, "And that is an order, just in case any of you may have misunderstood."

Just before they left, he cast Cure on Raiel again and received a grateful smile from her. Her injury would heal better if he continued to periodically cast the spell on her. High level spells could give the appearance of healing when, in fact, the body was still struggling to complete the inner healing required. Slower was better in some cases.

As they escorted the Summoner up to the top level and the entrance to the Farplane, Auron did some thinking about their extended stay here.

Raiel was also thinking. She wasn't sure at all that she wanted to enter the Farplane. The faces of her family were fresh in her mind many times daily; she didn't need a collection of pyreflies to make it worse. She and Collin hadn't been able to find their father's body in the water when they returned to the boat that terrible night. She would rather believe that he indeed was in the Farplane with their mother. And what if Collin wasn't there?

Jecht didn't know what to do, either. Could he face the rest of his life here if Asha and Tidus were there? Somehow, in his heart of hearts, he knew that he wasn't going to make it back to his Zanarkand but even the slimmest hope kept him going. He had to have that tiny shred of hope.

Only Lord Braska looked forward to visiting the vision of his Aloma. He knew she would be there. When he left this place, the next time he saw her would be when he joined her after summoning the Final Aeon in Zanarkand.

In the entrance area, Guado guards took note of the party entering, correctly surmising they were a Summoner's party. The three Guardians certainly had the look of an experienced security team as their eyes automatically swept the area immediately upon entering. Only after satisfying themselves that the place was secure did they step away from the man they were guarding, though their vigilance never ceased. Impressive. But what in Yevon's name had happened to the woman's face? Whispers were beginning to be heard - could they really be true?

Lord Braska turned to his three companions, asking, "Do any of you wish to visit the Farplane with me? You are certainly welcome to wait here if you had rather."

Raiel answered softly, "I had rather not, Lord Braska. My family lives in my memories."

Jecht hesitated, "I'll go with ya if ya need me, but I'll stay here if ya don't."

Auron volunteered, "I'll go with you, my lord. I have no memories of my family."

Braska said to Raiel and Jecht, "We'll not keep you long."

Raiel replied, "Take as long as you like, Lord Braska. We'll be right here."

Smiling gently, Braska patted her arm and cast Cure on her before turning to Auron, "Shall we?"

The pair ascended the long stairway and vanished as they stepped through the side of what appeared to be a large, light blue sphere.

Jecht and Raiel found space to lean against a wall and began their wait. Their still, silent demeanor impressed the watching Guado even more. People who were waiting usually meandered around, talking, bored with their boredom, impatient to be on their way, generally disturbing the peace of the place. Yes, this was an excellent team of Guardians.

Roughly twenty minutes later, Raiel saw Lord Braska and Auron exit the blue sphere and lightly bumped Jecht's elbow with her own. They immediately walked to the foot of the stairs, one on either side, waiting as the Summoner and his Guardian descended to join them.

Smiling, Lord Braska said, "I hope I wasn't too long."

Jecht's soft growl answered as he smiled in return, "I didn't expect ya back this soon. Wanta go back again?"

Braska's quiet laugh responded, "No, my dear Jecht. I had a nice visit but it was time for me to take my leave. If you're ready, we'll return to the lower level."

Raiel noted that Auron had said nothing since his return. She wouldn't pry into what was a personal matter. He would tell what he wanted to tell if and when he wanted to tell it.

After arriving on the lower level, they visited several vendors to make what purchases they needed to replenish supplies, including salt and spices for Lord Braska's seasoning packet.

Jecht visited an armor shop and came out wearing a huge grin and some sort of hand/arm/shoulder guard thing on his left arm that fit like a long, thick leather glove, hinged at the elbow, with a leather strap that looped around his neck to hold it on. There were four flanges that flared up from the armor from wrist to elbow for Yevon only knows what reason.

Seeing him and it, Auron froze in his tracks. Spying him, the grinning Guardian approached with his swaggering, almost strutting walk. "Hey, look, Red! Pretty cool, huh?"

Auron stared at it, speechless. Finally he asked, "What is that, Jecht?"

A beaming Jecht said, "My new armor."

Auron's eyes examined the contraption silently. "You paid good gil for that?"

"Yeah, sure. Why?"

"Think you can get it back?"

"Now why would I want it back? Ain't this the coolest thing ya ever seen?"

"No, I wouldn't say that."

Jecht's eyes were looking at Red with some confusion. "What's the matter with it?"

Auron said, "How are you going to manage both a sword and a blitzball with that agility-limiting monstrosity on? You won't even be able to raise that arm above your head."

Jecht looked down at his prized new armor and said, "Well, I just - uh, I - uh -" and he fell silent as he studied his beautiful possession with new eyes. Without another word he turned and walked back into the armor shop, again exiting after only a moment. Crestfallen, he growled, "They won't take it back. It's now 'used.'"

Raiel felt so sorry for him. She touched the ugly armor, "Well, it seems sturdy enough." Looking down into the flanges, she asked, "Air vents? Guess they thought of everything."

A snort-laugh erupted from Auron, drawing a glare from Jecht. Braska decided that he would just stay out of it and asked, "Anyone hungry?"

Attention diverted, Jecht's growl responded, "Yessir! Let's go find somethin'."

Smiling, Auron said, "We'll catch up with you later. I want a word with Raiel."

With a wave of his hand, the Summoner and Jecht moved away in search of food.

Seeing a public bench off to one side of the wide walkway, Auron guided Raiel to it and sat down beside her. Taking her hand, he said, "Raiel, I've been thinking. We're going to be here for a few days - and - it's going to be a pretty tough trek for a long way when we do leave. What - what I'm thinking is - would you like to do our acceptances here? We'll at least have a some privacy for a couple of days."

Raiel blinked, thinking, 'Here? In Guadosalam? Well, he's - got a point. I sure wouldn't - uh - no way could they - oh, shut up, Raiel.'

Looking into the dark eyes she loved, she smiled and said, "Yes. Thank you for thinking of it, Auron. At least we'll have a little time together. Today?"

He smiled, nodded and said, "Do you mind waiting here for a few moments? I want a word with Lord Braska."

Red coat billowing and flapping around him, Guado heads turned as his long legs quickly carried him to the vendor where he had last seen the Summoner and Jecht heading. She could just make out his scarlet coat as he stood talking with Lord Braska. Moments later he returned, saying, "Now. Would you like to walk a bit and see what the shops have to offer?"

Raiel gave him a strange look. "You're offering to go shopping with me?"

"Yes. There are many shops and who knows when we'll ever have the opportunity again."

Wondering what had happened to the inborn male aversion to window-shopping, she decided she would take him up on his offer before he changed his mind. Such an offer would probably never be made again.

Hand-in-hand, the two began a leisurely stroll down the long, winding walkway, stopping here and there to browse through a shop or check out some item that had caught their attention. Auron purchased several large packs of coffee and Raiel laughed, "Where are you going to carry all that, Auron?"

An Auron half-smile in place, he said, "Where there's a will, my love."

After a time, they came to a small stand that sold fresh juice where Auron purchased two cartons that they carried to another of the benches placed every hundred feet or so along the edge of the walkway.

Raiel was excited and happy to be making a union with Auron but, at the same time, was a little sad that none of her family would be there to celebrate with them.

A deep voice beside her inquired softly, "What are you thinking of?"

"Rin. His thoughtfulness that makes this possible. Dad. Collin. Mom."

Turning to him, she asked, "Today - did - was Collin -?"

Auron shook his head. "I didn't see him. That doesn't mean he wasn't there. I'm not his family."

She just nodded, then asked quietly, "Do you think I should have -"

He interrupted gently. "I think you should remember your family as you knew them. You have many wonderful memories that keep them alive to you. Maybe it's because I have no real memory of my own parents but I've never truly understood coming to "see" people here. I'm sure that is simply my own shortfall. I would never discourage those who get peace by coming here."

She sighed, "I can't decide if wondering if they are there is better or worse than maybe not finding them there. I just don't know. Maybe that's what draws people here."

"If you decide you want to go, I'll go with you."

She smiled and touched the side of his face, "Thank you, Auron. I'll have to think about it."

He smiled, "Want to walk a little more?"

"Yes, I'd like to find a new shirt and pants before we go. These are getting rather thread-bare."

They meandered down the line of shops and vendors and stopped in a clothing shop. Casting an amused eye at the tall man in the red coat who waited by the door, a clerk helped Raiel find what she wanted. As she paid and he was wrapping her purchase, the Guado asked with a smirk, "Paying his penance?"

She looked at him with puzzlement. "What do you mean?"

"Him shopping with you. He's paying for hitting you?"

The clerk instantly knew he had said the wrong thing. In a flash, the soft look in her eyes was replaced by cold, angry sparks.

Her rage showing in her low voice, she said, "I bear the marks of an attack made on me in the Maester's house by the Maester's son." Pointing to Auron, she said, "It was all I could do to keep him from killing that foul being with his bare hands. You owe him an apology."

Seeing that she wasn't moving and continued a hard stare into his eyes, the clerk stammered, "Of c-course. M-my apologies."

Raiel snatched her package from the counter, turned on her heel and left, leaving the Guado feeling as if he had narrowly escaped serious injury. 'Must learn to keep my thoughts to myself!'

Angry and shaking, Raiel wanted to scream out of pure frustration at the Guado people. She had received nothing good from a one of them and would be happy to leave the place behind. In her anger and unmindful of the eyes taking note of her, she was walking so fast that even Auron's long stride had to move a little quicker to keep up.

Auron asked, "Are you sure you want to do our acceptances here, Raiel? We can wait, if you'd rather."

She slowed her pace and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I was angry, Auron. If one more of these people cross me, they just may find themselves on the wrong end of my blade!"

Auron chuckled. "That's what I'm afraid of!"

She stopped, looking into the face that was so beautiful to her and said softly, "Auron, I don't want to delay our union even one more day. I love you so very much and I never want to have any regrets where you are concerned. We both know how uncertain our days are, especially on a Pilgrimage. No, let's not delay. Maybe Seymour has actually done us a favor by making this time possible."

Auron wrapped her in his arms and held her close, feeling the tension leaving her body. "Ready to start back?"

She looked up at him with smiling eyes. "Do you think Lord Braska and Jecht have had time to finish their tasks?"

His eyes showed his surprise. "Uh, what do you mean?"

"Auron, as soon as we agreed to do our acceptances here, you ran off and had a conference with Lord Braska. Then, you offered to go shopping with me without even as much as sighing along the way. So. Think they are ready for us?"

Auron's tanned cheeks turned slightly pink and he grinned a bit sheepishly. "Yes, they should be." Then, with happy eyes, he scooped her up in his arms and swung her around, laughing. "I love you so much, Raiel."

Laughing, eyes sparkling, she said, "And I love you, Auron. More than I have words to tell you."

Hands clasped, they strolled back to the inn, a tall, handsome man in a red coat and a beautiful woman who wore a sword on her back.

Outside their door, they stopped and smiled at each other, then Auron tapped on the door which was opened by a smiling Jecht. Stepping back, he bowed them into their room with a flourish.

Raiel could hardly believe what she was seeing as her delighted eyes took in beautiful flowers in vases here and there, small scented candles which sat flickering in holders on nearly every surface, an additional small table (procured hurriedly from the clerk) covered with a gleaming white linen held a generous amount of food and a silver container of ice held containers of juice - out of deference to Jecht's vow to abstain from all alcohol. Except for Auron's occasional sips of sake, none of them had a taste for it anyway.

Unable to contain it, a bubbling laugh of pure delight escaped her throat as she stood with hands clasped under her chin as her shining eyes took it all in, pleasing the Summoner and Jecht no end.

Lord Braska said, "Hope this is adequate, Auron."

Glancing at Raiel and smiling, he answered, "You and Jecht did very well. I thank you."

Raiel walked to the Summoner and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you, Lord Braska. This is just lovely."

With a kiss on her forehead, he smiled, "I'm so glad you like it, my dear. Not too bad for the two of us, I think. I've never decorated anything, much less a honeymoon suite."

Jecht laughed, saying in his raspy growl, "Oh, I used to decorate stuff all the time. Put these little curtain things up in the locker room, had matchin' white towels in the showers..." which drew laughs as he expected.

Wrapping Raiel in his big arms, he gently kissed her uninjured cheek and said softly, "I'm real happy for ya, little girl. I want you an' Red to have a really long, happy life together."

Hugging him back, she said, "Thank you, Jecht."

Lord Braska cleared his throat and began, "Well, if you will permit me, I'll take for myself the great honor of officiating at this very special and very happy occasion."

With Jecht standing just to the side, the Summoner stood before Auron and Raiel. "You both know how dear you are to me. To see you here, now ready to make your acceptances of each other, gives me one of the great joys of my life and rekindles some very special memories."

Chuckling, he said, "To have observed your individual journeys to this place in your lives has been interesting, to say the least! There were times when I wasn't sure that either of you would actually survive the other. But here we are - with those days behind you. My most fervent hope is that you have only happiness in your lives for countless years to come."

Turning to her with a gentle smile, he said, "Raiel?"

Looking up at Auron who had taken her hands, she said, "Auron, I'm not really sure exactly when I fell in love with you. I think the seed was planted the day we first met; it took root, sprouted and has grown every day since. It just took me a while to recognize what it was."

Smiling, she said, "We've had our rough patches but we both know that we belong together and will never be separated no matter where life takes us. In making this union with you, I give you my promise that I will do my very best to be the life-mate you deserve. My only wish is to be with you and for you to be happy."

She paused for a brief moment. "My only regret is that my family isn't here to share in this moment with us, but" - turning to look at Braska and Jecht - "you have become my family; I love you both - and it makes me very happy for you to be here."

Turning back to Auron, she looked at him with shining eyes and said softly, "Auron, with all my heart, I love you and, with all my heart, I - accept you."

The Summoner nodded at Auron.

Auron's eyes locked onto hers, he said in that deep soft voice that made her soul sing, "Raiel, I never expected to find someone I'd love, much less to be loved in return - and in you, I have both. That day on the road when we found you, I felt something hit me but had no idea what it was, only knowing that it was completely out of my realm of experience and that - it scared me."

"It took me a long time to figure it out, but once I did, I knew that it was good and that it was right - even though I nearly blew it. Thank you for forgiving me a monumental, stupid blunder!"

"I promise that I will love you forever, Raiel. I want many years with you, even a lifetime will not be enough. Know that my only wish is to be with you and for you to be happy. I am so happy to give you this" - he took a small gold band from a pocket and slid it onto a surprised Raiel's finger - "to thank you for accepting me and to tell you that I accept you with all the love I have to give."

He took her in his arms and their lips met in a long, happy kiss. Then he kissed her again.

Lord Braska and Jecht shook Auron's hand and kissed Raiel. Sharing the food and cold juice, the small sphere playing as they laughed and talked, the four enjoyed the union celebration immensely.

After a time, Lord Braska and Jecht stood, taking their leave. Closing the door behind them, Auron held out his arms to her and she happily walked into them. They just held each other for a time.

Smiling, Raiel looked at the ring on her left hand and asked, "Where did you get this?"

Auron's half-grin tugged at one corner of his mouth, "In Moonflow."

"Moonflow?"

"Yes, I sent a note and gil to Banon telling him what I wanted and he sent it back with the Hypello driver. I've kept it in my pocket ever since."

"Thank you, Auron. It's beautiful. But I don't have one for you."

"You have given me your heart, Raiel. Nothing could ever compare with that."

Another long kiss.

A little shyly, "Auron?"

"Hm?"

"I don't have a clue what I'm supposed to do."

A soft smile as he held her close. "We'll figure it out, okay?"

She nodded, then chuckled.

"What's funny?"

"I was thinking about Collin's book."

Looking at her strangely, Auron repeated, "Collin's book?"

She laughed and told him the story: After her mother died, she was raised by her father. After her father was killed, she bounced back and forth between Home and Kilika, mostly running as free as the wind with Rin, until her brother sent for her to join him in Bevelle. She was eleven, he was seventeen.

At some point shortly afterward, Collin realized that he needed to have a certain talk with his young sister about the facts of life. One day he called her into the tiny sitting area of their little home to have this conversation, but found that the words were hopelessly stuck in his throat. Telling her he would return shortly, he left, leaving a befuddled young Raiel staring after him.

When he returned, he handed her a book. Knowing that their few gil were too precious to spend on such a luxury, Raiel was horrified that he had done so and berated him for being so frivolous, demanding that he take it back.

He said cryptically, "Raiel, there are things you need to know. It's in this book and I want you to read it." Then he turned and went to his room, shutting the door behind him.

Curious as to what was so important that it required a book, she opened it, then nearly dropped it as her scandalized eyes fell on an illustration on the very first page. She banged on his door, yelling, "Collin! You want me to read this?"

From the other side of the door his muffled voice told her, "Just read it, okay, Raiel?"

So, wide-eyed, she read it but simply could not believe that parts of it were actually true ("..then you do what?) though she never had the nerve to ask her brother. She just looked at him funny for several weeks, causing him no end of discomfort as her eyes silently followed him.

Laughing, Raiel continued, "I always thought of that book as 'Collin's book.' "

Auron smiled, picturing the Commander's consternation over this part of his young sister's education.

"So, Auron, what I'm saying is - that's all I know. What the book said, I mean. I've never been around anything but men so I never had the chance to ask anyone about - parts of it - so I hope you understand."

Gathering her in his arms, he smiled, saying in that low, velvet voice, "Raiel, why don't we write our own book? That's the only one that will be 'right' for us."

Looking into his dark eyes, she smiled and softly said, "I love you, Auron."

His soft, deep voice answered, "I love you, my precious Raiel."

His kiss began tender and gentle but slowly grew increasingly passionate. When the tip of his tongue slowly ran over her lips, the electric tingle that shot through her body almost took her breath and her hands gripped red cloth tightly as her heart pounded wildly. Imitating him, she felt a tremor run down his body when her tongue softly caressed his beautiful lips.

This was certainly not covered in Collin's book but it didn't matter because she had a new teacher now. And she was an eager student.

The next morning she woke up surrounded by strong arms and, at first was momentarily surprised to feel Auron's skin against hers before remembering. The night before, he had released his hair from the strip of leather that normally held it securely at the nape of his neck and now it had fallen over his shoulder and was laying on hers like a pool of soft black silk.

She looked up into beautiful dark eyes looking down into hers and was greeted with a wonderful, sweet kiss.

His soft rumble breathed, "Good morning, my love."

"Good morning, my beloved mate. Did I ever mention that I love you?"

"I'll never hear that enough."

Another long, deep kiss.

Afterward, she smiled softly, thinking of the wondrous new world to which Auron had introduced her.

"What makes you smile?"

"Many things, but I was thinking of Collin's book. There was an awful lot they forgot to mention!"

Auron laughed with her, then leaned down for yet another kiss. Raiel's soft hands touched his face, loving the rough, stubbly, morning feel of it, before they wandered into his soft black hair as his hands were exploring anew the curves and planes of her body.

Later, his stomach growled loudly, eliciting a muffled giggle from Raiel. He laughed softly, asking, "Hungry yet?"

"Yep."

"I'll get a shower and shave then I'll go get our coffee and breakfast."

"Sounds good. I'll shower while you're gone."

The bed felt strangely big and lonesome after he left for the bathroom, her eyes appreciating his magnificent, muscled body. Feeling her eyes on him, he glanced back at her, that eyebrow raised. She grinned and shrugged, garnering a chuckle from him as he disappeared behind the closing door.

Wrapped in the warm covers, Raiel was quiet with her thoughts. She never knew it was possible to so totally love another person. She had loved her parents and her brother in rich, full measure but this was love on a completely different, all-consuming, all-encompassing level.

Last night, as she had looked into Auron's face above her, softly lit by the flickering flames of the small candles, she had seen unlimited, pure love looking back at her and had nearly been moved to tears as the overwhelming power of it filled her entire being.

Quick concern had appeared in his eyes as he asked if she was alright and she had answered, "Auron, I see your love in your face and its depth engulfs me in the most powerful force I've ever known."

He said, "Raiel, the words have never been created that I would need to tell you how much I love you. The time to tell you extends beyond eternity. I can only say 'I love you' and hope you know all that I cannot say."

After he left to visit a food vendor, she took a long, hot shower, then dressed in her new blue-green shirt and black pants. She smiled as she looked at her ensemble, thinking, 'Well, how many girls wear boots at their union acceptances?'

She was combing out her hair when someone knocked on their door. She opened it to find a maid there, "All right if I do your room now?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Raiel returned to her combing chore as the Guado went about her tasks. Putting fresh linens on the bed, the maid smirked, "Just married, huh?"

Turning slowly, Raiel's eyes narrowed as she studied the woman a moment. "It's any interest of yours why?"

Stammering the Guado said, "M-meant no harm."

Just then, Auron entered the room. Seeing Raiel's face, he had the feeling that he had returned just in time. He looked at the maid who suddenly busied herself with her duties.

He put the food and coffee on the little table, walked up behind Raiel and planted a kiss on the back of her neck, bringing a loving smile to her face. "Ready to eat?"

"Yes. Thank you, Auron."

As they took their seats in the two big chairs, the maid was mentally catching her breath. She didn't even like humans but the sight of this big, powerful, very handsome, black-haired man set her sap racing. Whoa! 'Maybe ol' Jyscal had the right idea, after all.' The rest of her thoughts wouldn't bear repeating as she finished and left the room.

Auron chuckled. "More difficulties in the Human-Guado relationship department?"

"I swear, Auron, I'm gonna make firewood out of one of them yet!"

A deep, booming laugh echoed down the halls of the inn.

Several days later, the party gathered to take their leave of Guadosalam. A grinning Jecht asked Raiel, "Did ya obey Lord Braska's order to rest an' relax?"

She retorted, "I bet I spent more time in bed than you did, Jecht."

A Jecht-laugh assaulted the ears of passersby. "But did ya rest an' relax?"

Raiel turned to face him smiling, one eyebrow raised, hands on hips and said, "At times I was so relaxed I could barely move, Jecht." Then she asked sweetly, "Any more questions?"

Jecht's tanned cheeks turned pink as he opened his mouth, then shut it firmly and turned to find something else to do.

Lord Braska laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks. When he recovered, he asked, "Shall we go now, my dear friends?"

Guadosalam was finally behind them. They were traveling in a northwesterly direction which would take them to the narrowest part of the horrific Thunder Plains. The landscape they were traversing was that of green lowlands, crisscrossed by many small rivers and streams.

The flora was lush and thick, and the scent of a myriad of flowers wafted past. For such a lovely part of Spira, it was populated only by fiends and whatever travelers passed through. Perhaps it was the calm influence of the environment but the fiends, though plentiful enough, were relatively minor compared to so many they had fought previously.

They had walked many miles and fought many enemies. Their camp this night was beside a kidney-shaped lake that was bordered by soft grass and encircled by a thick stand of trees. As their food slowly roasted over their fire, Jecht and Raiel happily plunged into the clear water, diving and swimming. No Hypello and not many fish, but the water felt wonderful.

Later, after they had eaten and enjoyed their coffee, Auron and Raiel wandered off hand-in-hand for some private time. Around a curve in the lake's shoreline, they stopped.

Raiel suggested, "Auron, come into the water with me."

He looked at her. "Raiel, you know that I do not relish being in bodies of water."

She smiled and said, "It isn't deep and it's very refreshing."

"I don't have swimming attire."

"Wear your shorts."

"The prospect of wearing damp underclothing does not appeal at all."

"So, take them off."

He just looked at her, eyebrow about as high as it could go, which sent her into a fit of happy giggles.

Thinking he would call her bluff, he said, "I will if you will."

She popped right back with an instant, "Okay!"

Too late he remembered that you never challenged or dared her to do anything because she would beat you in spades just to prove her point.

Bikini in a tiny black heap on the grass, she stood, hands on hips, grinning at him.

"Well, are you just going to stand there gawking or do you need some help?"

Auron came to the conclusion that he had been outwitted at every turn and had no choice but to remove his clothing and get into the dreaded water.

Feeling most uncomfortable to be undressing in the open, the last piece of his clothing finally joined hers on the grass, he sighed as she took him by the hand as they walked into the clear water until it was about chest high on him.

He hated to admit it but the clear water did feel refreshing and turned to take her in his arms. A long kiss and it wasn't long before he didn't give the water any thought at all as another chapter in their book was written.

Later, letting the air dry them as they sat on the grass, Auron looked at her and chuckled.

"What?"

"There's not another person in Spira who could have gotten me into that lake."

"It wasn't so bad, was it?"

He gave a soft whistle, "Can't wait to do it again."

She fell over laughing and he leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, Raiel."

"I love you, Auron. I truly do."

"We should get back."

A small sigh. "Yes."

She stood and the black bikini was on in less than thirty seconds, but it took considerably longer than that for Auron to don all the pieces of his clothing, armor and boots.

Finally he stood and, smiling at her, wrapped her in his arms once more. "Why did we wait so long to make our acceptances?"

Raiel laughed, "I think we were too busy fighting."

His low rumble said, "I like this much better." Then he sighed, "Let's go."

Taking her hand, they returned to the camp.

Jecht asked, "Red, your hair is wet?"

"Yes."

"Ya went in the water?"

"Yes."

Blink. "Didn't know ya had swimmin' gear."

"I don't."

Brown eyes went from Auron to Raiel and back again as a grin spread across his handsome face. "So, ya like water now, huh?"

"Under certain circumstances. And I'll answer no more questions on the subject."

Laughter rang out across the lake startling some night birds. Shortly afterward, they all staked out their places and began to settle in for the night - Lord Braska and Jecht to one side, Auron and Raiel wrapped in his coat on the other.

Very soon, the sound of laughter was replaced by Jecht's raucous snoring which completely blotted out Braska's soft little sounds.

A long good night kiss and Auron and Raiel drifted into sleep as stars in the blackness above them twinkled silently as if they didn't want to disturb the four people sleeping below them.