Alaia Skyhawk: Now for chapter 36. Still can't think of anymore witty comments or jokes so I'll just do the disclaimer.
I don't own Tales of Symphonia so please don't sue me. I do however own Krishka, Dallinius (Dalli), Aluran, the Alurannai and any OCs, except Sanaro and Annule, who belong to Mr.Who2123, so please don't steal them...
Enjoy
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Chapter 36: Concerns.
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Across the rolling plains of Balacruft, to the west of Sinoa, the nine companions travelled with all haste on their journey to Hierma and its zircon mine. It had been a month and a half since their infiltration of the research facility and the discovery of Martel's illness. Now they flew to the west as Noishe ran alongside them. Annule, rather than flying, was also running to keep the protozoan company. They were now just a few miles from Berritte and, at Martel's insistence, were going to visit Allen and Eliza Ranefernon for the first time since Martel had made her speech in the village ten years previously.
All too soon they arrived to see that little had changed in the small farming community. However, in the time since their last visit had dulled people's memories so that only a few truly remembered their faces and recognised them, though everyone in the village had heard of their exploits in convincing the people of the Nations to accept those of all races. In a matter of minutes they were surrounded by well wishers and, pleading exhaustion, told the people that while they were grateful for such an enthusiastic reception, they would like to get some rest. At this the villagers quickly made way for them, all the while telling them that they would always be welcome in Berritte.
It took close to half and hour for them to finally make their way to Briar Lane. Moments later found them standing in front of the stone and wood built farmhouse where they had stayed so long before. After a minute of contemplating the familiar building they climbed the steps of the wooden porch and knocked on the door. Small footsteps pattered quickly across the room behind the door before it was opened. It opened a little and of it peered a boy with a mop of brown hair and vivid green eyes. The boy, about eight years old, looked at them curiously and demanded.
"Who are you?"
A woman's voice called admonishingly from the kitchen.
"Now Darrell... that is no way to greet a visitor." Eliza emerged from the kitchen, came to the door and opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw them. "Oh my goodness, it's you! Oh do come in." She stepped aside with a huge kind smile on her face. "Forgive my son, he's a little wary of people he doesn't know."
As they entered the farmhouse, Martel turned to the woman.
"He's your son?"
Eliza smiled.
"Yes, his name's Darrell and he's just turned eight." She blinked as Annule came through the door, followed by Noishe. "I don't know the wolf, but with that colouring his furry friend could only be Noishe. " She smiled at the protozoan. "So you've evolved since I last saw you." Noishe trotted up to her, wagging his tail and whimpering happily as she petted him. Eliza then turned to Sanaro. "I'm afraid I don't know who you are either."
Sanaro inclined his head.
"My name is Sanaro and I was once one of the King's Knights of Tethe'alla, but I left when I discovered that the king was enslaving half-elves. I already had my doubts before then and that was the last straw so I abandoned the order." He indicated Annule. "That's Annule, he's a Vale Wolf and my long time companion. The two of us joined up with the group five years ago."
Eliza clasped her hands and smiled at the two who had just been introduced.
"Well then, it's a pleasure to meet you." She then looked at them all. "As far as I'm concerned, you are all guests so I won't hear a word about you paying for food or lodgings. So you all just sit back while I go and make supper."
With that she returned to the kitchen, and event that was quickly followed by the sound of her rummaging through the pantry for ingredients as she decided what she would be making. In the pause that followed, Darrell asked.
"So you're the Nine Companions? That's so cool." He practically bounced with enthusiasm. "Mom and Dad told me all about when you came to the village and spoke to everybody and all there's all the stories the merchants tell when they come through the village. About the fiery haired swordsman with wings like blue ice, and the storm mage with the double bladed sword, and the black-haired woman who can heal with a touch, and..."
Yuan put a hand up.
"Whoa there, slow down. I'm sure you've heard lots of stories about us, and some of them have probably been exaggerated completely out of proportion. Yes, we are the Nine Companions and your mother and father are friends of ours."
Dalli chose that moment to randomly teleport himself onto Mithos' lap. Darrell jumped.
"How did he do that?"
Mithos grinned.
"He's a summon spirit and he's my partner. He does that all the time."
Darrell came over.
"Wow, can I pet him."
Dalli looked up at him.
"Of course you can, I like being petted." Darrell blinked and then giggled. Quickly accepting the fact that Dalli could talk. After a minute or so of having his ears scratched, Dalli asked Mithos. "Can we go outside and play fetch?"
Darrell goggled as Mithos laughed.
"Of course we can." He grabbed the boy's wrist. "Come on Darrell, let's go play!"
Mithos' fellow companions chuckled as the two boys and the summon spirit raced out the door.
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Eliza crept down the stairs and looked across the room to where the nine friends and her husband were sat around the fire.
"Darrell's asleep. I knew the moment you arrived that there's something wrong, but I didn't want to ask you in front of Darrell. He looks up to you all a great deal and for the time being I don't want him to know that you're having trouble of some kind in your quest, since it would be a great disappointment for him if he found out."
Vayla waved her over.
"It's alright, and you're quite correct. Something has gone a bit wrong for us at the moment. Though it's actually a personal problem and nothing to do with our quest."
Allen frowned.
"A personal problem?"
She nodded.
"Yes, Martel is sick and we have to make a rune crest for her." Eliza and Allen looked confused. Vayla explained. "A few months ago Kratos and I nominated the rest of the group for cruxis crystals. When they received them Martel was warned that she was at risk of her body rejecting hers. Six weeks ago that's just what began to happen. I won't go into any details but we need to gather the materials to make a rune crest to put on her crystal... If we don't the disease will eventually kill her."
Allen looked thoughtful.
"So you all have crystals now, and Martel's is making her sick..."
Kratos spoke.
"We're on our way now to Hierma to get the zircon we need. We already have a mana fragment since we were given one by the alurannai because Martel was at risk. After that we need to find mana leaf herb, and then the means to forge the crest."
Allen sighed.
"Well then you're already doing all that you can do. Just remember that our family will help in any way we're able to. All you have to do is ask."
Martel smiled at them.
"Thank you."
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Three weeks later...
Hierma was a typical mining town, dusty, dirty and at noon was practically deserted since anyone who could so much as move a cart of ore was working in the mine. It didn't take them long to find the one ramshackle inn, and after a single look at the precariously leaning building the resolutely decided they would buy the zircon and came outside of town before moving on. Sanaro looked around at the rock strewn street before tuning to his friends.
"So who is going to get the zircon?"
Kratos stepped forward.
"I'll go. Wait outside of town, I'm going down to the mine now. I should be back in an hour."
The rest of them shrugged and began walking towards the town perimeter while Kratos headed towards the nearby cliffs and the sound of shifting rock. Fifteen minutes later he arrived at the mine entrance and promptly walked over to the man in the hut off to one side. The man looked up at him from his seat at a makeshift desk and said in a gruff tone.
"What can I do for you?"
Kratos looked at him in a calm and confident manner like an experienced trader.
"I need six ounces of Zircon. My employer has a customer who's ordered an unusual item and unfortunately he is unable to supply him due to a lack of materials." He carried on with a bland and innocent look on his face as he looked sidelong at the supervisor. "It's a shame it's illegal to buy... with his Lordships restrictions on zircon supplies."
The supervisor gave him a sly look.
"Aye, that is. If I could sell ya some I'd have ta charge ya extra."
Kratos nonchalantly placed a pouch containing eight one thousand gald coins on the table.
"Yes it is a shame you can't sell me any."
The supervisor looked into the pouch, nodded, and then lifted a chunk of zircon out of the samples tray behind him. He innocently placed it on the set of scales on his desk, adjusting the weights until it balanced. The man looked up at Kratos and winked.
"Now here's a piece that would be just the right size for ya. It's a pity I can't sell ya it."
Kratos took the zircon as he was offered it and quickly put it in his ver.
"Yes indeed."
The supervisor gave him a sly look, pocketed the money and went back to logging the number of ore carts coming out of the mine, as Kratos walked out...
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Alaia Skyhawk: There you go. I'll update in a few days.