~Chapter 28~

Back To Business

The tornado was gone by morning, and as they walked out of the castle after the security shield opened, Oliver learned sure enough that tornados truly were dangerous in Autumnia. There were dents in the city's walls, holes in the roof of the city, and somehow a pine tree got lodged through the steel doors. The streets were littered with scraps of metal, broken glass, and other debris, some of the buildings scuffed or dented as well. Fortunately, the kingdom's guards, plus a few maintanence teams, were already at work- removing debris from the gears in the tracks on the streets so the buildings could move properly, cleaning up the broken glass and metal shrapnels, and mending all the dents and holes.

"Wow, tornados really do damage to this city..." Oliver whispered to himself.

"Well, it's not too surprising, en't it?" Mr. Drippy brought up as they stood on an already-cleared street. "It's no different than Automatas having a weakness to storm attacks, see- machines don't do well against forces of nature, y'know, 'specially powerful wind-storms."

"I should build something, so the damages are less severe," Marcassin stated as he walked with them, using the Rejuvinate spell to help with the repairs, Oliver assisting him. "Like a giant shield that could form over the city during the storm season,"

"Well, the repairs are coming along great, and the city is still standing," Oliver said. "If there was a tornado that bad in my world, it could tear down my whole neighborhood!"

As the young wizard and young sage walked, helping with the repairs, the others stepped out of the city. "Have you've seen Abyssa anywhere?" Esther asked Swaine as they walked. "I didn't see her at breakfast,"

"Why are you surprised?" Swaine questioned. "That girl keeps to herself like a timid stray cat. It's no surprise she wouldn't be around us, until the city doors were open."

"Still... you'd think she would be awake ahead of-"

"About time you lazy bums woke up!" called Abyssa, as she walked down the street, Ghibli at her side.

Esther turned, surprised. "Abyssa! Where have you've been?"

"What, a person can't take their familiar out for some exercise in the morning? I've been up since 5 AM, waiting for the rest of you to get out of bed, so we could find this Ki-witch and get the... you-know-what back." She paused as she said this last part, looking around at the workers.

"You mean the Azen?"

"SHUSH!" Abyssa clapped her hand over Esther's mouth sternly, looking around to make sure no one was listening in. "Do you want more people on our tail?!"

"What are you so worked up about?" Swaine scoffed. "No one really knows what the Azen is."

"Then why, oh 'wise' thief, has some stranger been causing us trouble? Think about it: it's practically been passed around, so someone must know of its power... and if we keep bringing it up, chances are others are going to want in on its secret, rumors will spread, and we'll have more trouble on our hands than we already have!"

"'ou 'ah a 'oin'," Esther muffled.

Abyssa removed her hand. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I said, you have a point. We shouldn't be talking about it in public. Perhaps we should also meet with Ki in private, just so no one else sees the picture you have, too."

"That's the first brilliant idea you've had since I've met you,"

Esther gave her a sharp look, while Swaine had to stifle a laugh, coughing to cover it up. "(ahem) Right, we'll tell this to Oliver and Marcassin, too, make sure they keep it secret." he said.

"Also, if we're going to use Fast-Travel, or any other means of transportation, I suggest we not speak of any future locations, just to save ourselves the risk of being followed." Abyssa continued. Ghibli rubbed the side of his head against her leg, and she gave him a cherry-flan. "And, God willing, whoever has been trailing us won't find us again."

"Okay," Esther agreed.

The drifter then turned towards Swaine. "Alright, 'your royal pain-in-the-ass'-ness, when do the city doors open?"

Swaine gave her a look. "Not until all the repairs are finished, so we probably won't leave until late this afternoon," he replied, and couldn't help but smirk. "Which means, you'll be stuck with us a while longer. As you may know, the buildings won't be able to rotate until the tracks are cleaned of debris, so chances are we won't be finding Ki too soon, so we can either wander the streets, or hang around the palace until then."

Abyssa let out a heavy sigh. Great, I'm still stuck with these guys... she thought. "Flippin' excellent..." she muttered. "What the hell are we supposed to do around here?"

Esther looked down at Ghibli, who was sniffing around. "Well... maybe we could train with our familiars," she suggested. "I have a baabarian who could use some levelling-up. Do you have any other familiars you'd like to work with?"

The familiar-tamer regretted the suggestion, as the drifter gave her a dark glance. "No. I just have Ghibli, and he's gotten quite a bit of experience- enough to cream whatever familiars you have," she then summoned Ghibli back, turning and walking off. "I'm going to walk around. Let me know if you see that witch anywhere,"

Esther and Swaine watched her trudge off, the thief shaking his head. "She certainly knows how to shut everyone out, doesn't she?" he commented, quietly.

"I kind of feel sorry for her," Esther whispered. "She mentioned something about her parents being gone- and being glad they were. And the way she acts towards others..." she turned to Swaine. "Do you suppose she's been abused?"

He shook his head. "It's not really my judgement to make. Chances are, she stopped trusting others once she got out on her own, probably had a run-in with a few creeps... Shadar probably being one of them. An experience like that would leave anyone lacking trust or tolerance towards others,"

Esther looked at him. "...almost like you, huh?"

He gave her a look. "Would you stop comparing me to that girl?!"

"But it's kind of true, right? Before you met Oliver and I, you acted the same way... except Abyssa isn't really a thief- save for the times she did take something from us."

Swaine shook his head. "My case was different..." he paused, looking down a familiar, narrow passage. "Speaking of the past, I'm going to get back to my own quest."

Esther cocked her head, confused for a moment, until she remembered how their trip started in the first place. "Oh, right! Making up for your bad deeds! I nearly forgot!" she began to follow him, but he held up his hand to stop her. "What is it?"

"You stick around with Oliver. I think I can manage a few things here, for now." he gave her an assuring grin. "After all, we're on my home-turf. Settling problems here shouldn't be too hard,"

Esther sighed. "Alright... but if you need help, don't be egotistical. Oliver and I didn't come along just to sit back and watch you fall on your face,"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Right. I'll meet you guys at the gates, this afternoon," with that, he walked off.

Esther sighed, turning and walking down the street, seeing Oliver, Marcassin, and Mr. Drippy in the distance. As she walked, she couldn't help but look at the ground, lost in thoughts. I don't care how much he denies it, she thought to herself. He and Abyssa are quite alike. Maybe... if we could mend her heart... she could be a new friend. Then she wouldn't feel so alone.

*0*0*0*0*

William Abel was a sly character, who always knew how to make a bargain... especially when it came to 'underground deals'. He could always make a good deal, yet never really gave anyone something too shady without a high cost.

The only exception was Swaine. The thief had learned about Grace- his daughter, whom the peddler had kept hidden away, during the days when the city was going to the dogs. He didn't want her to have to go around dressed like a pig, or go suffer through ridiculous laws such as 'not looking someone in the eye', and other such matters. ...How the thief had learned about it, William didn't know-all he knew was that Swaine knew how to play his cards right, to get what he wanted, and was practically one of few who earned his respect.

Since the kingdom had fallen back into order, William felt he could relax. Knowing heroes like Oliver still existed, he allowed Grace to finally get out of hiding- though told her to be wary, as the black-market business was sure to attract the worst characters, and did not want her to be harmed. Thankfully, she never told anyone about it, and not many people really knew they were related. Plus, with Marcassin keeping things in order, he felt she would remain safe, and kept to his business, wondering what kind of characters would come in.

His answer today was a surprise, as Swaine stepped through. "Well, there's a face I have trouble forgetting," the peddler said with a grin. "What brings you in today, Swaine? Need new equipment for your pistol? We got some nice barrels, traded in from a pirate camp, sure to-"

"Thanks, Will, but I'm not here to buy anything. I need some information," he said, quietly.

"Information, eh? What makes you think you can get me to say anything? ...And don't try mentioning Grace, I've managed to fix that blackmail,"

"C'mon, Will, you're always the source of information. And if it helps, I'm willing to trade in this..." Swaine held up his Rogue's Revolver.

William let out a descending whistle. "Haven't seen one of those in a while... And you're willing to part with it?"

"Only if you give me the information I need,"

"Depends... what kind of information?"

Swaine looked over his shoulder, to make sure no one was coming in, then turned to the peddler. "Do you know of a family that goes by the name of Wellstone?" he asked quietly.

William's eyes widened. "Wellstone? It's been years since I've heard about anyone with that name, around here. Hasn't been anyone with that surname around here for the past five years, as far as I can tell."

"What happened to them?"

"I don't know much about it. I just know that, for some reason, the parents quit their jobs and moved away."

"Where to?"

He looked at him, slyly. "Why do you want to know?"

Swaine sighed. "There's something I have to do for them... now can you help me out?"

William gave a nod. "You were always a smart one, Swaine- not like the shady characters who come into here. You always offered good deals, and really knew how to drive a hard bargain. ...Yes, I know where they are."

*0*0*0*0*

After getting the information he needed, Swaine exited the black market. He had given up his Rogue's Revolver willingly- knowing he could always call on Al-Khemi to make him a new one once he gathered some supplies for it- and even apologized to William for blackmailing him, which the peddler accepted ("You're the first to make up for it!" he exclaimed to the thief).

Now he was walking around... just in time to see the buildings move, rotating back into their original order. Within minutes, the streets were filled with people walking about, going to shops, or visiting one another. He looked among all the faces, trying to recognize a few of them, then took in a deep breath.

Time to cross a few people off the list, he told himself, walking over to a stand.

"May I help you?" The man at the stand asked.

"Not quite." Swaine replied. "There's actually something I'd like to do for you."

*0*0*0*0*

A/N: Just thought we'd get back to the first plot. As for the reason behind the information Swaine was looking for... I'm still building up to that.

Next chapter, the quest for the Azen continues!

And here's some Reviewer Shout-Outs!

Kai2: You're the first to point it out though. *gives you cookie*

Titanicspaz: Well at least we're getting back on-track lol; Hopefully I will; And you'll see, got quite a few ideas I want to try to fit in.

Mike AZ 2: Thank you once again, and we shall see what I throw in; And yeah, Fanfiction cuts out links in reviews and PMs for some reason, but I still understood so no worries; Yeah, subtlety hasn't been my forte, but I appreciate your honesty nonetheless. Hopefully I can throw in some twists.

Please review, don't flame, nit-pick of you must... and see you in the next chapter!