21*

The two caravans soon reached the western entrance to Marr's Pass. A guard met the caravans to ask for their offering. Lora was inside the wagon with Lulie exchanging contact information, when she heard yelling outside. They both poked their heads out to see Tobias being held back by Andy and Jake. Lora looked to see who was the cause of this and saw a familiar looking clavat guard. She hopped down and stood in between the furious Tobias and the guard, "What seems to be the matter?"

Tobias calmed down and the boys let go of him, "This guard says you must give an offering to him as well." Tobias glared; he had put it in much nicer terms that what came out of the clavat's mouth.

The guard smirked, "That's how it is lady. Without stopping here you know the Cedon caravan won't make it back in time."

Lora glared at the guard, "Well is that so? Then here!" Lora clocked the guard with her fist and sent him to the ground. Both caravans laughed at the guard and Jake poured a bag of gil on top of him, "That should be enough for both caravans, Good day."

Lora rubbed her knuckles as they entered Marr's Pass. Lulie popped up next to her, "Good one!"

Lora smiled, "Yes, that definitely felt good."

Once the Cedon caravan found a place to stop, the two caravans said their farewells. Lulie hugged Tobias and Lora, "We'll be sure to write! We'll talk to the elders as well about your news."

Lora nodded, "Thank you. I wish you all safe travels!"

Everyone waved goodbye until the Fum caravan turned a corner. Lora then turned to Tobias, "Well I'm glad they were there to hold you back."

Tobias chuckled, "I don't think anyone expected that out of you."

Lora shrugged, "He deserved it, but I think we shouldn't stay here too long just in case."

"Well then, should we go pick up supplies?" Tobias asked Lora. Lora was about to answer when a mail moogle flew over with a mouth full of letters. Lora's heart skipped a beat as she reached for the letters. She ripped open the first one from Sol Racht. She looked at Tobias, "It's from Sol Racht!"

Tobias's eyes widened, "What does it say!?"

Lora looked down the paper and began to read:

Dear Cedon caravan,

We have arrived safely in Alfitaria. It seems the increase in monsters and danger is worldwide. We have contacted all villages and cities for updates. An increase is monsters have been reported from all cities and villages except from Pora. We have no word from them. Our best trained soldiers have been sent to Pora. If you have any new news please inform me as soon as possible.

Sol Racht

Lora felt a quiver in her throat as she read about no word coming from Pora. Tobias clenched his hands into fists, "What does the next letter say?"

Lora opened it, her hands shaking, "It's from Kima!"

Lora and Tobias,

I fear Pora will be lost forever if we do not have help soon. Monsters have invaded our village. We are no longer protected. Most of our villagers have evacuated to the Fields of Fum or Alfitaria. Jasper, I, and a few experienced fighters are all that's left. Please send help immediately!

Kima

Lora had tears in her eyes and was shaking. She looked at Tobias who was standing there emotionless. She had no idea what was going on in his mind. Lora placed the letters in the wagon, "What should we do?"

Tobias turned to Lora, "Get the supplies. I'm going to try to catch up with Jake and the others."

Lora nodded and wiped her eyes. She hoped Kima and Jasper were still standing strong. Their crystal should protect them and give them strength, shouldn't it?

Tobias ran down the road as fast as he could, pushing past the slow moving crowds. Eventually he caught sight of them near the eastern exit of Marr's Pass. Once he caught up, he stopped to catch his breath. Lulie ran over to him, "Tobias, what's wrong?"

"Pora…..invaded by monsters. You have to alert all the villages near you and Pora."

Jake joined Lulie and put a hand on Tobias's shoulder. Tobias looked at Jake's pained face, "What is it?"

"Tobias, we just received more recent news….Pora was overtaken and the crystal was destroyed."

Tobias took a few steps back, "No! How could this have happened!?" Flashes of happy memories with Jasper and Kima flashed before his eyes.

Lulie was becoming more concerned with Tobias's behavior, "Where's Lora!?"

"Getting supplies…"

Lulie turned to Jake, "I'm going to find her. We need to do something about this."

Lora had the wagon loaded up with all the supplies Cedon would need for another year. She wiped her hands off and turned to see an upset Lulie standing before her, "Lulie? What's wrong?"

Lulie grabbed Lora's hand, "Pora has been overtaken and their crystal destroyed."

Lora gasped, "No! How is that possible!?"

Lulie shook her head, "We don't know. Our elder just informed us in a letter from a few days ago."

Lora looked down at the ground feeling tears brimming in her eyes. She hoped Kima and Jasper were alright. She didn't know them very well, but they had accepted her so easily.

Lulie tightened her grip on Lora's hand, "Lora you need to come to our caravan, Tobias is in a terrible state."

Lora looked back up immediately, "Tobias!" She couldn't even imagine the pain he must be feeling. The two girls ran hand in hand to the Fields of Fum caravan.

When they arrived at the caravan Tobias was sitting down at the back end of the wagon surrounded by Andy, Sheula, and Jake. Lora walked past them and up to him. "Tobias.", she said softly.

Tobias looked up and Lora immediately embraced him. He then wrapped his arms around her and held onto Lora as tightly as he could. Tobias closed his eyes and let the scent of Lora surround him. He began to feel comforted and loosened his grip on her. Lora brushed away some of his hair, "It will be alright Tobias. I am sure Kima and Jasper are still out there."

Tobias broke from their embrace as an idea came upon him, "I have to go find them."

Lora looked at him surprised, "Now?"

Tobias nodded, "Jake said I was welcome to travel with them to Fum. Then I can start searching for them."

Lora began to feel her stomach drop, "But Tobias you know I can't come…"

Tobias nodded, "Yes. You must return to Cedon and deliver the myrrh."

Jake interrupted the two, "If Tobias is coming we must leave now. Fum is waiting for their myrrh as well."

Tobias stood up, "Let me go retrieve my belongings and I will be with you in a moment."

Lora walked behind Tobias to the Cedon caravan quietly. So much had happened in a matter of minutes. She was trying to fight back the tears. It was too soon for him to leave. He was supposed to be going to Cedon with her, but Lora kicked herself for such selfish thoughts. If she had no strings attached to her she probably would go as well.

Lora joined Tobias in the wagon and helped him pack, "So you're leaving just like this?"

"Yes. Kima and Jasper need me."

Lora wanted to tell him that she needed him as well, but damn her pride. Tobias hopped down with his belongings and helped Lora out of the wagon, "Well I suppose this is goodbye Lora." It wasn't until Tobias said this that he realized what he was actually doing. He felt a sadness hit him, but he had already made his decision. Kima and Jasper were in bigger danger anyways.

"Wait, Tobias. Take these." Lora held out two wrist cuffs made out of the coeurl skin, "There wasn't much left, but I made these for you."

Tobias took them from Lora and put them on his wrists. He felt a slight bump in one and took it off.

"There is a secret pocket for storing things and on the inside I stitched your mother's seal."

Tobias pulled out a cure magicite from the secret pocket. He really didn't know what to say. He felt like a terrible person for leaving her in this state. Tobias put on the cuff again and hugged Lora, "Thank you Lora. You'll make it to Cedon perfectly fine without me."

Lora sighed, trying not to cry, "I know."

Tobias smiled and kissed her forehead, "Be strong."

With that Tobias turned and headed towards the Fum caravan and out of Lora's life.

*