1 West of Treno…
2 West of Our Hearts
Chapter 1- The Stranger
This was back in the time when the western continent was thriving. Before massive monsters and prophecies of apocalypse. Before heroes had to risk life and limb to save it from a powerful tyrant. Before the great kingdom of Lindblum fell and the massive castle of Alexandria turned dark. Yes my friends this is not a tale of these things. This is a tale of something but a spec in Gaia's history as compared to these deeds. Nay, this is not even a spec. It is miniscule. It is insignificant. However the heroes of our past at this time… were the heroes yet to be…
Oeilvert was not always overrun by monsters and evil. Once it was quite a thriving castle. Surrounded by mountains and hidden from the winds. It was a nice place. Likewise this continent was not always desolate. Why, right in front of the castle Oeilvert was a town going by the same name. It was small compared to some of the larger cities on the continent. It got quite a bit of trade and people, however. There were many wishing to pay their respects to the lord of Oeilvert castle. There were many hoping to use the Oeilvertian Chocobo's to carry goods to the rest of the continent. You see, Oeilvert was crucial. In this town lived a numerous amount of cutthroats, thieves, scoundrels and etcetera. It was just like any other town in that respect. All towns had men in the shadows. The town had dreamers, too. Those who slept at night and dreamt of other places far across the sea. Far over the horizon laid the stuff that dreams were made of. Many were determined to have it. Others were quite content. This was a world of depressed loners and happy families. It was not unusual. It was home to many and distant to none. Oeilvert was just a name given to a place anyone could call home. The orange sand it sat upon gave it a warm feel and the reddish mountains behind it gave it the look of an eternal sunrise. Bird's cries echoed through the cavern walls and sounded beautiful in the early morning or soothing in the eve of dusk. The sky was never cloudy. The bright sun shone down on them forever as if smiling upon them. At night the stars were more brilliant than anything the people had ever seen. They themselves cast light almost equal to the massive moon or grinning sun. People came her for work to help with the growing trade. People came for a place to rest. A place to gaze at the miraculous scenery. Paintings of the very view I describe to you now hung on walls of residences, offices, and in places set up for the best of these. It seemed almost like a heaven on earth. The sand in your shoes dust blown into your eyes was a small price to pay for the beauty you would witness there. It was unsurpassed by anything on the continent. One man who once lived there once wrote
"Oh how lucky are we the people of Oeilvert that we are allowed to dwell in the kingdom of the gods themselves."
The people of Oeilvert were the people of a community. That was their home. That was their family. They cared not that there were thieves hiding in the bushes. They were content that they had friends to watch their back. They knew go to a store or bar and you could get help. The taverns were full of people known by first name. The inns were full of travelers trying to make their living. It was all quaint and simple. Oeilvert was the people's city.
To the south of Oeilvert was another city. This city was not a small one like our beloved Oeilvert. It was instead a large mass of roads and buildings. No real scenery was present in this town. People knew select people but not everyone. The residences and offices had no artwork on the walls to let all see. No one had a real inspiration in this city. The castle of this city was in the middle of wheel-shaped city. All the spokes joined at the castle. Small in comparison to Oeilvert Castle, but large as compared to the other buildings in the city. Here was a city built upon not trade but industry. There were small factories working with the wonders of gun powder and making new weapons. Other factories made new ways to get around. They tried steam (whilst the engineers in Lindblum were working on the same concept) and other forms of fuel. You see, this was before the time of the Mist so that was not an option. The vehicles they did make were much to costly and many rode around on Chocobos. The people of this town were born with an exploring sprit. They tried to explore the whole continent on Chocobo saddle. Some wrote of what they saw others went to seek their fortunes. They were not content on staying in this city forever, either. They knew that ruthlessness was in people's blood. This cities population of men without morals doubled, nay, tripled that of Oeilvert's. It was an entirely different world. This was the world of Doft City. The taverns were not a good place to sit and rest. The inns were as dangerous as the streets themselves. Why did people come here? Did they have nowhere else to go? Perhaps but it was more the lord of Doft was a kindhearted man and gave many signs of sympathy but was uneducated in the way to deal with people who may have much more power than himself. The different clans and gangs had political influence. The lord thought it better to ride it out than try and stir up the hornet's nest. Here is where the story begins to take shape. Here is where the tale of different worlds collides.
The man walked through the rocky streets of Doft, Residential district. The two-story houses rose up on either side of him and from one the smoke of the weapons shop bellowed from its chimney. He looked up at the light yellow sky. The sun was dropping and in a few hours it would turn to dusk. He, over the tops of the houses, saw the point of Doft Castle lingering there. He shook his head slightly. This was not a job it was a game of chance. How did he know how many others like him were wandering around searching under rock and in caves of old to find the same man he was. He tipped his cowboy hat down in front of his eyes. He stopped walking and his spurs made a different clanking sound at his abrupt stop. He lifted up his greenish looking poncho and pulled out a cigar. He put it between his teeth and then took out a match. He was about to strike it when he hesitated. He was just stressed. He put the match away and began biting on the cigar. That sometimes helped him more than the tobacco did. He then began to move again his spurs again taking on their rhythmic clanking. His cold grayish- blue eyes stared ahead of him from under the brim of his hat. He opened the swinging door to the weapons shop. The shop was one of the smaller buildings along the street. It's green roof and red brick chimney distinguished it. As he walked inside he stared around at the walls. Swords, staves, spears. All sorts of melee weapons. He strode over to the counter and leaned up against the wood block. He rose one hand up and removed his hat from his head revealing his short brown hair. A moment later the shop owner stepped in from his back room. He smiled at the man.
"Ah! My friend! What is it that I may do for you? Did the weapon turn out as good as you had hoped?" he asked joyously
He loved to see customers come back and give him praise on his skillfully crafted weapons. It was what kept his forging blades and spears.
"It was quite good, Daniev." Said the man turning to face the owner
The man too wore a smile. He lifted up his poncho as he did outside the shop only this time his intention was to pull out a folder up piece of paper. He unfolded it slowly and then turned it to face Daniev. The paper had a sketch of a man's face on it. Under it said "Wanted! 30,000 GIL!"
Daniev was not surprised that this man had come to him with this. When he had picked up his weapon his said someday he may ask for his help. He was a bounty hunter. There were many bounties in the Doft area and the lord had set up a bounty hunter system for men who had no work or with skills and needed some money.
"I see, compadre. You are looking for him now, eh? That seems like a small amount of money for you." Daniev said
The man stared at the old shopkeeper. His eyes were getting old and his hair was almost all gone. The mustache he had was all gray and yet he still forged weapons constantly. He was truly a hard working old man who would get his reward.
"I have been a hunter for a while now my friend. I know these men that I capture. I know this man. His bounty his a pittance to what will come out of me finding him."
"And what might that be?" asked Daniev as he polished a blade
"The rest of his men have bounties this level or higher. I could easily get enough money to last me a long time with all that I would receive from the whole band." The man remarked
"I see…" Daniev replied and pondered for a moment "I haven't known you very long, amigo, but long enough to know you don't stay out of trouble because you go and find it. I've heard of this man. He is not the one to tangle with. As you said his crew are perhaps bigger cutthroats than himself. You would be foolish to go after him. I've even heard such things as he hails all the way from the eastern continent."
The man gave a grunt. He did not believe this bounty from the city of Doft could have ever seen the eastern continent.
"Just tell me where I can find him." He demanded
Daniev shook his head.
"There is a tavern on the northern side of the Industrial district known as "La Locanda". From what I know that is his main hangout." He explained
The man tipped his hat and twirled around walking toward the door. He had a grin on his face as if he were invincible. Daniev saw this.
"Senor!" he called to the man
He turned back toward the aging shopkeeper with an inquiring look in his cold eyes.
"Be careful." Daniev said
The man smiled and walked out.
The man had ridden his Chocobo to the Industrial district. The smell of sweat and burning materials filled the air. This was the one place in Doft where everyone DID know each other. They all worked together in the factories. They all knew each other's movements. They knew the other men's words. He rode to the end of the street until he saw the building with "La Locanda" on a sign above the doorway. He dismounted and tied his Chocobo to the post outside the bar. He then walked up the small stairs and into the bar. Inside it was dimly lit. He could hear the piano player pressing away at all the keys making a nice soothing bar tune. The man behind the bar was washing glasses and the rest were sitting at tables drinking or making conversation. The man walked in and his shoes clanked against the wood floor. Eyes were on him as he strolled over to the bar. He was out of place in this pub. He looked like someone from Oeilvert or even further north than that. Someone looking the way he did didn't often come to Doft city. As he sat down at one of the bar stools he pulled out the piece of paper and put it on the table showing the bartender. He looked at the paper and his brow furrowed. He scowled at the cowboy that just pranced into his bar. The man just smiled. The bartender nodded his head to the left at one of the tables. The man looked in that direction. He saw his bounty sitting slouched in a chair drinking a beer and playing cards. The man tipped his hat to the man behind the bar and strolled casually over to the table.
The tall man was oblivious to the cowboy looking figure that had just appeared behind him. He just kept looking down at his cards. His long black hair went down to right above his collar. He was facing the other way but the bounty hunter saw the man had a beard and a mustache. The bartender pointed him in the correct direction. He smirked. He tapped the bounty's shoulder. He turned around and found himself staring at a belt buckle being worn on a pair of worn jeans. He gradually raised his head higher and saw, looking down at him, a cold-eyed man with a cowboy hat. He had never seen this man before. He did not work in the factories. The rest of the men around the table looked at both with concerned looks. Who was this man and what did he want with their friend? One almost got up from the table and was going to pull a knife on the stranger. Another man put his hand out and he sat back down.
"May I help you sir?" asked the bounty looking at the newcomer suspiciously
"I seem to have lost my way. I was wondering if you could give me directions." Said the stranger eyes not straying from the man's questioning gaze
"Really? To where?" inquired the bounty
The man flung his poncho over his shoulder. He revealed his pouch under it. It also revealed the wooden handles of his custom made revolvers. These were hand crafted by Daniev and worked by the principles of the new gunpowder charges. They were quite ahead of their time. He reached into his pocket and once again pulled out the, now wrinkled piece of paper with the bounty-head sketched on the front. He kept it facing his own eyes as he looked at it. He mocked the men. He made it look like he was reading a map.
"Well I went… here… no… here…" He talked to himself as he moved his finger across the paper.
He shook his head.
"Gah! I give up! I don't think I'll ever find my way. I am not a good navigator. If you could help me I would be much obliged." He remarked as he started his hands toward the table
He laid the paper out on the table. The men saw what he was really looking at. The men all around the table jumped up… except for the bounty. He sat transfixed on the wanted sheet. 'How did this man find me?' he asked himself over and over in his head.
As the men all jumped up the stranger was more than ready. They were still in mid-rise and still had their hands on the backs of their chairs. They were still grasping the cards they were cheating with under the table. He already had one of his guns out. As if in slow motion he pulled back the hammer and pulled the trigger. The chamber of the handcrafted revolver clicked one space as there was a loud 'BANG' and a bullet exited the smooth barrel of the revolver. It hit the first man in the chest. A cloud of blood droplets appeared behind the man. It was all going so fast the man saw it slow… like what happens in a life or death situation your life passes before your eyes and you seem to be waiting a few minutes to actually live a whole second of time this man did in a gunfight. The bullet made a 'SPLUCK' sound on impact as the man flew backwards. He pulled back the hammer and then depressed the trigger once again shooting the second man in the shoulder. A small amount of blood came out and trickled down his arm and he clutched it with his other hand, thus dropping his gun. Another 'BANG' was accompanied by the third man taking a shot right to the head.
The man then resumed normal time, as it seemed. He pointed his gun with haste at the spot where the bounty once was. He was no longer there and he twirled around just in time to see his shoes dashing out the doors to the bar. He too rushed toward the doors and flung them open just in time to see the dust kicked up by his prey's Chocobo. He holstered his gun and jumped onto his own Chocobo. He pursued him with delight. He knew that he would lead him right to his crew. Right to the man's fortune. He spurred the large bird under him on. He could not… He would not let this man get away. The dust was like his past and the bounty was like that of his future. The dust was behind him, the bounty was yet to come. He quickened the pace as they left the gates of Doft city in the distance behind them. Dusk was creeping up on them both. All that allowed the man to see his prize in the first place was the orange dust following his Chocobo as it ran. Come nightfall that dust would cease to lead him through the desert and would have to default to instincts.
Nightfall came to the men in two forms. A goddess of sympathy giving a condemned man a final chance and a hateful demon ripping wealth away from a hard working man. The bounty sighed with relief as the darkness shrouded him. Him and his trail. It was about the only comfort he was given until he saw the small town of Oeilvert. He knew not which city that was. He was not concerned with that at the moment. All he wanted was a place away from the pursuing menace that was that stranger.
The man sighed with discontent as darkness came over him as if he were drowning in the sea. He would now receive no life preserver. He would get no reward. These were the thoughts that drove him onward. These were the thoughts that made him follow the bounty blindly. After another twenty or thirty minutes of unchanging scenery in the darkness it began to glow radiantly. He looked to see the stars shining with brightness he'd never before seen in Doft. Another ways he finally saw the lights of Oeilvert. This was the only place he could be. Him being an educated man knew that Oeilvert lie somewhere south of Doft but he knew not how far. Now he was about to enter the city's gates and try and collect his fortune. He rode into the city. It had quite a different air about it. He took a deep breath and found it easier to breath here than in Doft. The sweet smell of local residences having dinner welcomed him. He saw vaguely the word "Inn" over one of the doorways and turned the handle on the wooden door. Inside he found himself in a small lobby. He checked in for the night and then went upstairs to sleep.
2 West of Our Hearts
Chapter 1- The Stranger
This was back in the time when the western continent was thriving. Before massive monsters and prophecies of apocalypse. Before heroes had to risk life and limb to save it from a powerful tyrant. Before the great kingdom of Lindblum fell and the massive castle of Alexandria turned dark. Yes my friends this is not a tale of these things. This is a tale of something but a spec in Gaia's history as compared to these deeds. Nay, this is not even a spec. It is miniscule. It is insignificant. However the heroes of our past at this time… were the heroes yet to be…
Oeilvert was not always overrun by monsters and evil. Once it was quite a thriving castle. Surrounded by mountains and hidden from the winds. It was a nice place. Likewise this continent was not always desolate. Why, right in front of the castle Oeilvert was a town going by the same name. It was small compared to some of the larger cities on the continent. It got quite a bit of trade and people, however. There were many wishing to pay their respects to the lord of Oeilvert castle. There were many hoping to use the Oeilvertian Chocobo's to carry goods to the rest of the continent. You see, Oeilvert was crucial. In this town lived a numerous amount of cutthroats, thieves, scoundrels and etcetera. It was just like any other town in that respect. All towns had men in the shadows. The town had dreamers, too. Those who slept at night and dreamt of other places far across the sea. Far over the horizon laid the stuff that dreams were made of. Many were determined to have it. Others were quite content. This was a world of depressed loners and happy families. It was not unusual. It was home to many and distant to none. Oeilvert was just a name given to a place anyone could call home. The orange sand it sat upon gave it a warm feel and the reddish mountains behind it gave it the look of an eternal sunrise. Bird's cries echoed through the cavern walls and sounded beautiful in the early morning or soothing in the eve of dusk. The sky was never cloudy. The bright sun shone down on them forever as if smiling upon them. At night the stars were more brilliant than anything the people had ever seen. They themselves cast light almost equal to the massive moon or grinning sun. People came her for work to help with the growing trade. People came for a place to rest. A place to gaze at the miraculous scenery. Paintings of the very view I describe to you now hung on walls of residences, offices, and in places set up for the best of these. It seemed almost like a heaven on earth. The sand in your shoes dust blown into your eyes was a small price to pay for the beauty you would witness there. It was unsurpassed by anything on the continent. One man who once lived there once wrote
"Oh how lucky are we the people of Oeilvert that we are allowed to dwell in the kingdom of the gods themselves."
The people of Oeilvert were the people of a community. That was their home. That was their family. They cared not that there were thieves hiding in the bushes. They were content that they had friends to watch their back. They knew go to a store or bar and you could get help. The taverns were full of people known by first name. The inns were full of travelers trying to make their living. It was all quaint and simple. Oeilvert was the people's city.
To the south of Oeilvert was another city. This city was not a small one like our beloved Oeilvert. It was instead a large mass of roads and buildings. No real scenery was present in this town. People knew select people but not everyone. The residences and offices had no artwork on the walls to let all see. No one had a real inspiration in this city. The castle of this city was in the middle of wheel-shaped city. All the spokes joined at the castle. Small in comparison to Oeilvert Castle, but large as compared to the other buildings in the city. Here was a city built upon not trade but industry. There were small factories working with the wonders of gun powder and making new weapons. Other factories made new ways to get around. They tried steam (whilst the engineers in Lindblum were working on the same concept) and other forms of fuel. You see, this was before the time of the Mist so that was not an option. The vehicles they did make were much to costly and many rode around on Chocobos. The people of this town were born with an exploring sprit. They tried to explore the whole continent on Chocobo saddle. Some wrote of what they saw others went to seek their fortunes. They were not content on staying in this city forever, either. They knew that ruthlessness was in people's blood. This cities population of men without morals doubled, nay, tripled that of Oeilvert's. It was an entirely different world. This was the world of Doft City. The taverns were not a good place to sit and rest. The inns were as dangerous as the streets themselves. Why did people come here? Did they have nowhere else to go? Perhaps but it was more the lord of Doft was a kindhearted man and gave many signs of sympathy but was uneducated in the way to deal with people who may have much more power than himself. The different clans and gangs had political influence. The lord thought it better to ride it out than try and stir up the hornet's nest. Here is where the story begins to take shape. Here is where the tale of different worlds collides.
The man walked through the rocky streets of Doft, Residential district. The two-story houses rose up on either side of him and from one the smoke of the weapons shop bellowed from its chimney. He looked up at the light yellow sky. The sun was dropping and in a few hours it would turn to dusk. He, over the tops of the houses, saw the point of Doft Castle lingering there. He shook his head slightly. This was not a job it was a game of chance. How did he know how many others like him were wandering around searching under rock and in caves of old to find the same man he was. He tipped his cowboy hat down in front of his eyes. He stopped walking and his spurs made a different clanking sound at his abrupt stop. He lifted up his greenish looking poncho and pulled out a cigar. He put it between his teeth and then took out a match. He was about to strike it when he hesitated. He was just stressed. He put the match away and began biting on the cigar. That sometimes helped him more than the tobacco did. He then began to move again his spurs again taking on their rhythmic clanking. His cold grayish- blue eyes stared ahead of him from under the brim of his hat. He opened the swinging door to the weapons shop. The shop was one of the smaller buildings along the street. It's green roof and red brick chimney distinguished it. As he walked inside he stared around at the walls. Swords, staves, spears. All sorts of melee weapons. He strode over to the counter and leaned up against the wood block. He rose one hand up and removed his hat from his head revealing his short brown hair. A moment later the shop owner stepped in from his back room. He smiled at the man.
"Ah! My friend! What is it that I may do for you? Did the weapon turn out as good as you had hoped?" he asked joyously
He loved to see customers come back and give him praise on his skillfully crafted weapons. It was what kept his forging blades and spears.
"It was quite good, Daniev." Said the man turning to face the owner
The man too wore a smile. He lifted up his poncho as he did outside the shop only this time his intention was to pull out a folder up piece of paper. He unfolded it slowly and then turned it to face Daniev. The paper had a sketch of a man's face on it. Under it said "Wanted! 30,000 GIL!"
Daniev was not surprised that this man had come to him with this. When he had picked up his weapon his said someday he may ask for his help. He was a bounty hunter. There were many bounties in the Doft area and the lord had set up a bounty hunter system for men who had no work or with skills and needed some money.
"I see, compadre. You are looking for him now, eh? That seems like a small amount of money for you." Daniev said
The man stared at the old shopkeeper. His eyes were getting old and his hair was almost all gone. The mustache he had was all gray and yet he still forged weapons constantly. He was truly a hard working old man who would get his reward.
"I have been a hunter for a while now my friend. I know these men that I capture. I know this man. His bounty his a pittance to what will come out of me finding him."
"And what might that be?" asked Daniev as he polished a blade
"The rest of his men have bounties this level or higher. I could easily get enough money to last me a long time with all that I would receive from the whole band." The man remarked
"I see…" Daniev replied and pondered for a moment "I haven't known you very long, amigo, but long enough to know you don't stay out of trouble because you go and find it. I've heard of this man. He is not the one to tangle with. As you said his crew are perhaps bigger cutthroats than himself. You would be foolish to go after him. I've even heard such things as he hails all the way from the eastern continent."
The man gave a grunt. He did not believe this bounty from the city of Doft could have ever seen the eastern continent.
"Just tell me where I can find him." He demanded
Daniev shook his head.
"There is a tavern on the northern side of the Industrial district known as "La Locanda". From what I know that is his main hangout." He explained
The man tipped his hat and twirled around walking toward the door. He had a grin on his face as if he were invincible. Daniev saw this.
"Senor!" he called to the man
He turned back toward the aging shopkeeper with an inquiring look in his cold eyes.
"Be careful." Daniev said
The man smiled and walked out.
The man had ridden his Chocobo to the Industrial district. The smell of sweat and burning materials filled the air. This was the one place in Doft where everyone DID know each other. They all worked together in the factories. They all knew each other's movements. They knew the other men's words. He rode to the end of the street until he saw the building with "La Locanda" on a sign above the doorway. He dismounted and tied his Chocobo to the post outside the bar. He then walked up the small stairs and into the bar. Inside it was dimly lit. He could hear the piano player pressing away at all the keys making a nice soothing bar tune. The man behind the bar was washing glasses and the rest were sitting at tables drinking or making conversation. The man walked in and his shoes clanked against the wood floor. Eyes were on him as he strolled over to the bar. He was out of place in this pub. He looked like someone from Oeilvert or even further north than that. Someone looking the way he did didn't often come to Doft city. As he sat down at one of the bar stools he pulled out the piece of paper and put it on the table showing the bartender. He looked at the paper and his brow furrowed. He scowled at the cowboy that just pranced into his bar. The man just smiled. The bartender nodded his head to the left at one of the tables. The man looked in that direction. He saw his bounty sitting slouched in a chair drinking a beer and playing cards. The man tipped his hat to the man behind the bar and strolled casually over to the table.
The tall man was oblivious to the cowboy looking figure that had just appeared behind him. He just kept looking down at his cards. His long black hair went down to right above his collar. He was facing the other way but the bounty hunter saw the man had a beard and a mustache. The bartender pointed him in the correct direction. He smirked. He tapped the bounty's shoulder. He turned around and found himself staring at a belt buckle being worn on a pair of worn jeans. He gradually raised his head higher and saw, looking down at him, a cold-eyed man with a cowboy hat. He had never seen this man before. He did not work in the factories. The rest of the men around the table looked at both with concerned looks. Who was this man and what did he want with their friend? One almost got up from the table and was going to pull a knife on the stranger. Another man put his hand out and he sat back down.
"May I help you sir?" asked the bounty looking at the newcomer suspiciously
"I seem to have lost my way. I was wondering if you could give me directions." Said the stranger eyes not straying from the man's questioning gaze
"Really? To where?" inquired the bounty
The man flung his poncho over his shoulder. He revealed his pouch under it. It also revealed the wooden handles of his custom made revolvers. These were hand crafted by Daniev and worked by the principles of the new gunpowder charges. They were quite ahead of their time. He reached into his pocket and once again pulled out the, now wrinkled piece of paper with the bounty-head sketched on the front. He kept it facing his own eyes as he looked at it. He mocked the men. He made it look like he was reading a map.
"Well I went… here… no… here…" He talked to himself as he moved his finger across the paper.
He shook his head.
"Gah! I give up! I don't think I'll ever find my way. I am not a good navigator. If you could help me I would be much obliged." He remarked as he started his hands toward the table
He laid the paper out on the table. The men saw what he was really looking at. The men all around the table jumped up… except for the bounty. He sat transfixed on the wanted sheet. 'How did this man find me?' he asked himself over and over in his head.
As the men all jumped up the stranger was more than ready. They were still in mid-rise and still had their hands on the backs of their chairs. They were still grasping the cards they were cheating with under the table. He already had one of his guns out. As if in slow motion he pulled back the hammer and pulled the trigger. The chamber of the handcrafted revolver clicked one space as there was a loud 'BANG' and a bullet exited the smooth barrel of the revolver. It hit the first man in the chest. A cloud of blood droplets appeared behind the man. It was all going so fast the man saw it slow… like what happens in a life or death situation your life passes before your eyes and you seem to be waiting a few minutes to actually live a whole second of time this man did in a gunfight. The bullet made a 'SPLUCK' sound on impact as the man flew backwards. He pulled back the hammer and then depressed the trigger once again shooting the second man in the shoulder. A small amount of blood came out and trickled down his arm and he clutched it with his other hand, thus dropping his gun. Another 'BANG' was accompanied by the third man taking a shot right to the head.
The man then resumed normal time, as it seemed. He pointed his gun with haste at the spot where the bounty once was. He was no longer there and he twirled around just in time to see his shoes dashing out the doors to the bar. He too rushed toward the doors and flung them open just in time to see the dust kicked up by his prey's Chocobo. He holstered his gun and jumped onto his own Chocobo. He pursued him with delight. He knew that he would lead him right to his crew. Right to the man's fortune. He spurred the large bird under him on. He could not… He would not let this man get away. The dust was like his past and the bounty was like that of his future. The dust was behind him, the bounty was yet to come. He quickened the pace as they left the gates of Doft city in the distance behind them. Dusk was creeping up on them both. All that allowed the man to see his prize in the first place was the orange dust following his Chocobo as it ran. Come nightfall that dust would cease to lead him through the desert and would have to default to instincts.
Nightfall came to the men in two forms. A goddess of sympathy giving a condemned man a final chance and a hateful demon ripping wealth away from a hard working man. The bounty sighed with relief as the darkness shrouded him. Him and his trail. It was about the only comfort he was given until he saw the small town of Oeilvert. He knew not which city that was. He was not concerned with that at the moment. All he wanted was a place away from the pursuing menace that was that stranger.
The man sighed with discontent as darkness came over him as if he were drowning in the sea. He would now receive no life preserver. He would get no reward. These were the thoughts that drove him onward. These were the thoughts that made him follow the bounty blindly. After another twenty or thirty minutes of unchanging scenery in the darkness it began to glow radiantly. He looked to see the stars shining with brightness he'd never before seen in Doft. Another ways he finally saw the lights of Oeilvert. This was the only place he could be. Him being an educated man knew that Oeilvert lie somewhere south of Doft but he knew not how far. Now he was about to enter the city's gates and try and collect his fortune. He rode into the city. It had quite a different air about it. He took a deep breath and found it easier to breath here than in Doft. The sweet smell of local residences having dinner welcomed him. He saw vaguely the word "Inn" over one of the doorways and turned the handle on the wooden door. Inside he found himself in a small lobby. He checked in for the night and then went upstairs to sleep.