Chapter 24 Albrook

Celes and her friends made it to to town. Albrook was full of people today, swarming

around to but their goods and new cloths.

Celes and her friends split up to find their part.

Locke smiled as he freely stole from the rich and bought his own goods and weapons.

He walked in front of a small jewelry store and smiled faintly. Gracefully laying on a

small pillow, was a dark blue crystal, about the size of his thumb nail. It was made into

a bracelet, with silver for the band and small gold pieces for extra beauty. Locke

laughed, walking into the store he asked the man how much and bought it for 1000 Gil

he had stolen from a overly paid man. He made his way down the street.

Sabin helped people when he didn't find the parts. He helped a little girl get her kitten

from a tree and a old lady with her shopping. Then he helped cook for a chief, then

served for a lady who broke her leg moments before. He made his into a garden to relax

and meditate. He sat down on the cool grass and hummed. He looked across the garden

and saw a tall, brunet woman, with beautiful hazel eyes and lightly tanned skin, which

glowed like the sun. He smiled. She turned and bent down to collect her fair of flowers,

then glanced up and waved at him. She saw him watching! He was caught watching her,

like the sneaky man he knew existed. Only she seemed not to care, as if she knew was

wasn't Stalking her, but merely soaking in her beauty. Sabin watched her hair flow like

liquid chocolate down her back, her pretty smile as she approached him. Wait. She was

coming over! Sabin's face flushed, his palms became sweaty and his neck hairs stood

on end as she stood in front of him. She knelt down and asked, her pure, soft voice

echoing in his mind. "I see you like my garden. Is it not the most peaceful place you

have ever seen?" Sabin just nodded, looking down. What was it about her that caught

his eyes so? He didn't think this way about the two pretty women on his team, but for

this stranger, he did. She sat down near him, her burgundy skirt dropping down around

her like a puddle. Her light red blouse was buttoned up to the top, but three buttons

were not closed, exposing her collar bone. Sabin swallowed and said, his voice shaky

and broken. "Uh..I love to just sit down in gardens and meditate. If you wish..That I'd

leave, I will...Gladly go."

She giggled. "Oh,no, no, no. You may stay, if you want." She smiled, holding her palm

out.

"I'm Maia. My father owns the town and the flower shop," She laughed. "Although I

manage it, he owns it." She waited for him to reply, when he didn't she smiled.

"Are you.." She looked around suspiciously and whispered. "Are you wanted?"

Sabin chuckled, looking over at her hazel eyes. "No, I am here for some parts. Steams

pipes, but alas! I could not find them, so I went here to calm my frustration." He

corrected. No need to have her think that and her going around avoiding guards or

telling them they can't see the garden. He watched a smile go across her face and said.

"What?"

She stood up and dusted the dirt off and laughed. "Are you thirsty, sir?

Sabin nodded. "I am. I've been helping the town out and lost count of time. Are you

offering a drink?" Maia smiled. "Of course good sir, a woman never leaves a..." She

looked at his wide shoulders and blushed. "Tired man to be driven to thirst and hunger

when she can fix it." She insisted, smiling down at him. Sabin chortled, getting up.

"May I help?" He asked tenderly, a little too tenderly. She cocked her head and nodded.

"Sure thing sir. Follow me." She walked away and lead him into a small flower shop.

Their were small vases filled with many different colored flowers. The larger vases

held tall plants. The windows had gardens built into a bow, filled with yellow, red and

pink cosmos. What caught his eyes, was a very thin rose, labeled as "Desert Blood.".

Sabin was about to touch a thorn on the stem, but was stopped by Maia.

"Oh, no sir. Please don't touch that. It'll kill you in seconds. It was found in Figaro's

desert. Killed three men in just a minute! How horrible."

Sabin shrugged. "Then why must you have it in here?"

"Oh, the Emperor makes us. He said he will need it when a 'Certain' woman comes back..Or something like that."

Sabin gasped. "He wants to kill a lady!?"

"Oh..I shouldn't have said that, know he'll kill me..."

Sabin slowly laid a hand on her shoulder. "I will not tell, my lady. I promise you."

Maia smiled weakly. "Oh, thank you kind sir. I appreciate it."

Sabin took his hand back and said, bowing his head. "My name, fair maiden, is Sabin."

Maia smiled at first, then giggled. "What a wonderful name, sir..I mean Sabin."

She bowed then went off to get his drink. When she came back, she held a pitcher of

water and two cups in her hands. Maia almost fell over, but Sabin caught her, an took

the pitcher and laid it down on a table. Maia thanked him and poured heir drinks.

They sat down and began to talk. Nightfall was coming quickly, in about two or three

hours. He had talked a whole evening with this woman.

His friends must be worried about him, or at least wondering if he had found the parts.

Sabin rose and smiled at the confused look Maia had given him.

"I am terrible sorry, Maia. But I must part to find my friends, to tell them I am fine."

Maia sighed. She stood and nodded, holding her arms out. Sabin lightly gasped. She

wanted a hug! From him. Sabin smiled, walking closer to hug her back.

"I will miss you, brave and powerful Sabin."

Sabin chuckled. "Never fear, Maia. I will see you again. But I have mission to do, but

don't worry, I will live and see you and your beautiful garden again." He lightly kissed

her cheek and bowed before leaving her side. Maia sighed as his tall, bulky figure

disappeared from her sight.

Celes growled when she finally saw Sabin coming from the south part of town. When

he stood in hitting distance, she smacked his arm, which didn't hurt him. Sabin looked

down at the blond.

"What?" He asked, confused. Celes growled again, while Setzer laughed.

"Where were you, Sabin? Celes had me look all over town four time over. Crazy Celes

thought you were dead." Setzer informed the giant bear, holding up three long pipes.

"We found the parts an hour after we arrived and waited for your big ass." He added,

walking away as if it ended the talk. Celes smacked him again, but on the head and

followed Setzer. Sabin shrugged as he ran after them.

Edgar saw his friends coming down a hill and smiled. They made it just as the sun was

setting behind them, causing their figures to slightly glow orange and pink.

When Setzer told them the parts would only take an hour to put in, they could leave,

since the ship took no serious damage. So the next morning they could fly.

Edgar woke and slowly made his way to the pilot room. Setzer was there, a frown on

his face. He looked up and sighed. "Good Edgar, your here. I can tell you the bad

news." Edgar nodded, leaning against the wall.

"Well... My crew found this in town when they got our supplies for food." He held out

a paper and frowned. Edgar took it and gasped. Kefka has put them on the wanted list.

"We are looking for these people:

Edgar Roni Figaro- Blond male about 6' 1, king of Figaro.

And General Celes Chère. A blond woman, about 5' 9 with blue eyes.

And finally, another blond known as Terra Branford. She has purple eyes and is about

5' 7. Beware of Celes and Terra, they are monsters and use Magic!

Award is one billion Gil, all in gold pieces."

Edgar laughed. "Kefka doesn't know we all can use magic now! We can surprise

them!"

Setzer sighed. "No Edgar. My men spotted them heading for our ship and we won't be

able to take off with out them suspecting something. You guys need to take our

Chocobos and head to Vector's base by yourself."

Edgar let the paper fall to the ground and said. "So...That is the case then...I will tell

the rest about the plan and we will leave quickly."

Edgar left to report his bad news.

After he told them about the plan, they packed up and went to their Chocobos.

Edgar turned to Setzer and asked. "When we come back, will you take us to Zozo, if

its not too much to ask?"

Setzer laughed. "As mush I don't want to risk my ship going there, I have lost to Celes,

she decides what I do or do not do. And I'm betting she want that just as much as you

do." He smiled. "So, yes king Edgar. I will take you there once all is done."

Edgar thanked him and took off with his friends, looking back one last time, he sighed.