~*~Interlude Two: The Epic Journey~*~

Ruby soon found that epic journeys weren't always fun and exciting. In fact, at that point his epic journey had left him with muddy boots, a bloody blade, a few wounds that he didn't have the strength to heal anymore, and 160 Gil from battling wild monsters, but not much else. And he was stuck in a light drizzle, a few million miles from civilization, lacking even a wild Chocobo to ride, with a slight tickle in the back of his throat warning of an impending cold.

How did I get into this mess? he thought, shivering and feeling the comforting mass of the red Orb in the small pouch he'd sewn into the lining of his red cloak. He was beginning to learn how to harness its power of Fire to warn himself slightly on cold nights- and, lately, cold days. But it was getting to be too much- he knew he'd need a hot meal and a dry bed soon or he'd have nothing left to use even those minor fire-charms with. But where could he go with only 160 Gil?

He continued along the rutted cart trail, sniffling pathetically as he shuffled along and wishing that he was back home in the oasis village of Kaipo. He had always hated the continual hot sun, but now he yearned for it. Ruby noticed that it was getting colder as the sun went down, and he shivered slightly. I'm going to need somewhere to rest...

He looked off into the grey mist, seeing a soft shadowy thing. Is that a house?

He started towards it, somehow reaching the front door. A light was burning within. He knocked unsteadily, hoping for the owner to be awake.

_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_

Aynora Derrin opened the door slowly, not knowing what to expect, readying her staff just in case....

And stifled a laugh, seeing the soaked, muddy Red Mage on her doorstep. He grinned disarmingly at her.

"Um... would you happen to have any rooms for rent? Just for one night?"

Aynora looked him over. He seemed harmless enough...

"I suppose we might. Let me check." She rushed into the house, into the room where her mother was sitting. Despite her scars, her mother still had all the inner power and grace of the skilled warrior she had once been, and her mind was as sharp as her well-kept sword that she hung over the fireplace.

"Mother!" Aynora said, entering the room. The old woman turned towards her.

"What is it, dear? You sound excited."

"There is a man outside. He wears the traditional garb of a Red Mage. He seeks a night's rent, and offers to pay for the privilege."

"Hmmm.... Yes. Does he seem a good man?"

"He seems to be."

"Well, then. Tell him 35 Gold for a warm bed and two hot meals."

"Yes, Mother." Aynora returned to the door, where the Red Mage stood. "My mother says 35 Gold to cover room and two meals."

The Red Mage bowed. "Thank you, milady," he replied, smiling under his wide-brimmed hat. "I accept your offer with gratitude."

How sweet, she thought. "Well... you should get inside before you catch cold. Do you have any dry clothes?"

The Red Mage nodded. "If my pack is indeed waterproof..." He took it off his shoulders and opened it, putting a hand inside. "Yes, my clothes are still dry. Is there anywhere...?"

Aynora led him to the guest room. "I'm sorry that there's no fire going right now. I'll bring a few towels and some embers..."

"I've no need for embers." The Red Mage stacked some logs in the fireplace and chanted: "Power of Fire, come to my call!

Raze those I fight to help me conquer all."

A fountain of fire streamed from his fingers, lighting the logs instantly. He lowered his hand, looking quite weary. He swayed unsteadily, then straightened.

"Are you all right?" Aynora asked, concerned. The mage nodded.

"I will be fine. I just need to rest...."

"I understand... uh.... Oh! I'm so impolite; I haven't even asked your name!"

"My name's Ruby. And yours?"

"Aynora. Aynora Derrin. I should leave so you can get those wet clothes off." Aynora did just that.

_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_

Ruby curled under the heavy blankets in the guest room, the fire now burning down to embers. Dinner had been delicious-- hot Chocobo stew and bread. Aynora had taken his wet clothes so she could clean them. He lazily reached for his orb, before remembering that it was still in his cloak. He cursed quietly and started to find Aynora. He had a feeling that water wouldn't be good for it....

It only took him a minute to find the washroom. Aynora was about to throw the clothes into a pot of hot, soapy water. "Wait!" Ruby called.

Aynora jumped, surprise evident on her face. "What is it?"

"I... left something in my cloak that shouldn't get wet."

Aynora handed him the muddy cloak. He quickly pulled out the orb with a sigh of relief and palmed it, reluctant to let the girl see it. He wasn't fast enough.

"What's that?" Aynora asked, peering at his hand. Ruby sighed and showed her the orb. "Huh," Aynora commented, "that looks like... never mind."

"It looks like what?" Ruby asked, confused. Does she know another Orb holder?

"My old roommate from my school had something like that."

"Really? Did she ever tell you anything about it?"

Aynora sighed. "She said it was her good-luck charm, but not much else. She had it put on a necklace by wrapping a wire mesh around it, and she wore it around. But that's about it."

"Really? Where does she live? What's her name? You see, I'm looking for other people with orbs like this, and this is the first sign I've found--"

"But... she had to leave suddenly. She... got into trouble. I'm not free to talk about it...."

"Oh. I see. Where did she go?"

"Back to her home. Toroia."

"Toroia? But that's on the other side of the world!" Ruby sputtered. If I have to go to the other side of the world to find her...

"I know. It was a long trip, and she said she wouldn't be back again."

"...I see. Thank you." He turned to go back to his room and sleep.

_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_-^-_

Ruby said his farewells and left happy. He finally had a destination, a place to go. Toroia, said to be the most beautiful city in the world. He had to go and find... and find...

I forgot to ask what her name was! I am an idiot!

He sighed, already a ways down the road, and considered whether or not to go back. Oh, well. I'll find her. It can't be that hard, after all.... He continued down the road, back to Mysidia, where he could find a boat or something to get him there. Everything would work out in the end.

Or so he hoped.