Ziabach's worst enemy!

Part 10

I rung out my clothes. They seemed to keep creating water no mater how many times I did this action, it was like they never got anymore dry, the same with my hair. As much as I would have liked to take a shower and rid my clothes of all the new salty water that had just been splashed into them, I knew I didn't have time. The sun was already at the tops of the hills, which ment my time was running out to prepare.

I couldn't go home to change clothes, but I did have a spare mask in my bag, hidden in a compartment. No one else had a mask like mine, they all had holes for eyes, not a slit just wide enough to go from end to end, and tall enough to cover just under my eyebrows. And they all had a whole for a mouth, my didn't. If I was ever in a fire or something, it would help filter the air I was breathing.

I searched through my bag, I had a couple rocks left, something I could get more easily then not, my dagger, something that was useful, but not a thing I could use to fight Dilandau or Folken with. Although Dilandau was nicer to me, and he did seem to have a touch of a gentle side, he was still part of Zaibach. Making him a ruthless killer. Besides, a man like him who only follows orders is bound to live a short life anyway, and not likely to have nerves for pain. None of them did...

I narrowed my eyes and pulled out my extra mask. I checked to be sure that it had the whole in it for my ponytail, I noticed that having your hair up against your neck while you're fighting can be distracting, and has a tendency to make you hotter, and realize the sweat on your neck.

I had a couple smoke bombs, good for getting out of tough situations, which I knew would come along the way sooner or later, I was just lucky they hadn't come sooner. And I would be even more lucky if the bombs still worked, considering they were old. Some bandages, just in case I found someone in need of help on my way home. A lighter for the bombs, and extra rope, which I tried to replace more often then not.

Along the way I stopped and picked up some rocks that were about the right size. They were just enough to break a camera lens, and not too heavy, carrying rocks can tend to make a pack weigh more then it should.

I wondered if I should get a bow and arrow, I would have little time to train with it, but I had had some earlier experiences with them, when Joe was obsesses with them. I chewed on my bottom lip as I thought about it.

I decided not to, I was going to have enough trouble getting a sword as it was. I didn't want to steal it, that would make me almost as Bad as the dragon slayers. I checked the front pocket of my bag, I had twenty gold pieces if that. That wasn't really enough to get something. But maybe I could trade the gold with something else to get the sword.

I was just glad that I got it back before those numb skulls Merle and Millernia went through it and got my money, or my mask and dagger.

I slung the pack on my back and headed off. I was going to have enough trouble going through town getting a sword without being noticed. But I hadn't gotten into Zaibach repeatedly for four years without being good at sneaking around. I was pretty confident that I wouldn't be recognized or noticed. If I couldn't find a sword, I might be able to get new clothes, because with all the salt scraping against my skin, it was really hurting, and the salt that had infiltrated my gash on my head was enough to make me run around screaming. Within a few minutes of walking I came to the gate with guards for the market. I nodded at them and they glanced at me for recognition, before I walked into the market. I headed straight for the stand dedicated to swords. They had some fine ones, and I tried not to be so conspicuous as I looked at some and ran my fingers along one of their blades.

It was nice and simple, a mettle blade that was welded into the handle with a great deal of work. the handle was a black with a silver twine around it slowly curling to the top. A beautiful piece of work.

"Hey Girly, are you just here for kicks or what?" The man at the stand asked as he removed the cigar in his mouth.

"How much does this sword cost?" I asked.

"You've got to be kidding me. You're a girl. You can't possibly have the strength to hold the sword and be able to fight with it."

"Who says? And anyway, it's not for me, it's for my brother. His birthday is tomorrow." I said. I had gotten good at telling lies. I wanted to show this man how good I was, but then people might think that I was coming to steal, and that would defiantly attract attention to me, which would bring Allen and Van out. And then I'd be right back where I started, which wouldn't be very good.

"That one? Thirty-six gold pieces." He said, taking a drag from his cigar. I bit my lip. It looked like I was going to have to triad something else after all, that was if he was going to let me take the sword anyway. "I have twenty pieces, and a dagger of good craftsmanship that I can trade for this sword."

He looked as though he was thinking about letting me take it, and then held out his hand to see the dagger I had said I had.

I dig through my bag, pushing off the extra rocks that I had gathered, and pulled it out. I placed it in his hand and waited for him to look at it. I hoped it was enough to be able to get the sword. As handy as the dagger had been before, I needed the sword more now.

The man took it out of it's sheath and tested the sharpness, the point, and the handle. "You're right, it is a good blade, I would trade you the twenty gold pieces and the blade for the sword. But I don't think that I can." he said. Handing me back the dagger. "Why would a girl have twenty gold and a dagger?" He asked.

I gulped, he was more observant then the others. "My parents were always over cautious, they have me carry them around just in case I get lost or some guy ever tries something."

He eyed me as if testing to see my assurance. I held my gaze and hoped he would by my story. Like I said I was good at lying.

"Get out of here." he said. I looked at him with surprise and raised my eye brows. "Something about you isn't right. Leave now. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who's noticed you. A girl, dressed in all black, and dripping wet, wants to buy a sword." He said. "And you've got twenty gold. No normal lady would have that much money, unless they stole, or were royalty. And royalty wears dresses. You're dressed more like a thief then anything else." He said. "So leave before I call the security."

"But Mister!" I started. He stud up and screamed for the security, just like he said he would. "Stop! Stop!" I yelled, he didn't listen though, kept yelling.

I spun around and hoped that I wouldn't have to fight. Then I could defiantly count on Van and Allen coming to get me again, and I couldn't afford that loss of time. Marle was still in Zaibach, and I was sure that she was running out of time faster then I was.

"FINE!" I shouted, and grabbed the sword. "If you're going to report me for something it might as well be good!" I said, and strapped it onto my back and pulled it out, waiting for the guards to come.

I suppose that someone else might have run away from the village, but I wasn't known for running. I got into my fighting position and waited as I saw the crowd start parting because of all the guards and soldiers barging through, pushing people out of the way.

I noticed that I still had the dagger in one hand and hooked it onto my belt, if I ever lost my sword I could at least still injure someone with the dagger, and maybe be able to escape. I could always just barge Zaibach and work on getting Marle out, instead of both of us. Show her the way and then help her down as I held off the soldiers.

Soldiers finally made their way to the front of the crowd, and I probably should have put on my mask, make me less recognizable. But I didn't have time now, and even if I did put it on with everyone watching then they would all know that I was the one who always infiltrated Zaibach.

Allen and Van pushed their way forward. "So, it looks like you're up to no good." Allen said, a smirk on his face.

Of course, he always had to look good for the girls that now surrounded us. "You have no idea why I do the things that I do. Leave me alone, I don't want to have to kill you, considering your purpose is the same as mine." I said, holding out my sword with one hand and tilting it towards his, which was hanging down in his hand.

"You think you could beat me in a duel?!" He asked, almost offended, then started to laugh.

"Well, I beat you in hand to hand didn't I?" I asked. "It's good to see that you don't let pain get in the way as much as Van does." I said. As I smiled, matching his first.

His eyes narrowed and so did Van's.

"What's wrong? Are you just going to stand there and let me insult you or are you going to try and stop me?" I asked, cockily.

I didn't have to say any more before Allen lost his temper and charged, I dodged easily sliding to the left, he left his back wide open. I didn't really understand why so many people thought he was so good, if it was true that he was supposed to be better then Van then they would never stand a chance against Zaibach, they still had to work a lot on charging and skills.

Allen Spun around and brought his sword with him, trying to slash me across my stomach, but I blocked easily, even though his attack was strong, so was my block. I quickly maneuvered my sword out from under his and barely skimmed his cheek, just deep enough to make it bleed. I had no desire to kill him, even if he was lousy with a sword, he was still someone to stand agaisnt Zaibach.

"Leave me alone, and let me do my job." I said, sheathing my sword as Allen slumped to the ground holding his cheek in total surprise.

Van looked at me as if I was a ghost, or close to it. I shot a cold smile that visibly shook him, and I could hear the other guards behind me and their swords clanging against their legs before the sleek sound of them being drawn. I spun around and using my momentum to Tia kick one of the guards, knocking him back and on his back. I punched the other in the nose, sending him off balance and quickly kicked him in the chin, sending his head back and making him stumble, but by the time that he had regained his balance, I was running towards the opening.

"STOP HER!" Allen screamed, finally able to speak again.

The guards stepped in my way, and I skidded to a stop, they held their spears pointed at me, I smiled, and grabbed the side of one of the booths, lugged myself up and jumped over the side wall, falling the twelve feet, and landing hard on my feet. The pain shot through my legs and wavered my brain, but I had enough sense to start running when I heard the pounding of guards coming after me.

Slowly the clanging of their mettle armor died down and I was able to slow before I collapsed. I knew I probably shouldn't rest, the sun was half way behind the hills, which ment I had only so much time to get to Zaibach before they killed my sister. But if I didn't rest, then going through all this would be a great waist.

I linked my hands behind my head and took a couple deep breaths, until I was sure my heart beat had gone down, or slowed. I looked around and heard a familiar almost soothing noise, the engines of Melefs. Zaibach melefs. I ducked behind a tree and under a crowd of branches, hoping to avoid being seen. They got louder as they got closer, this was perfect, I could follow them back to Zaibach, I didn't really know where it was considering it's always moving. I peered up from underneath the branches to which way they were going. They passed right over me, and I started following them, slowly jogging because of how fast they were going. It was almost like they were looking for something....

Looking for me? How long had I been gone? They were bound to start getting nervous, they had no idea where I was or what I was doing, just like before I got caught and was made a prisoner. Getting captured might be a good idea, at least then I would know I could get there sooner then just running after them. And I would always be able to get away, while I was waiting for Dilandau to come and see me, I could escape.

They were moving slowly, they were defiantly looking. But I wasn't positive it was to find me. They probably though that I might be dead or something. They would stop, and turn, and look around, move some bushes out of the way, and then keep walking.

I decided to have some fun. If I was going to get caught, I might as well spook them or get them frustrated first. I looked around and picked up a stick, I ducked behind a tree and then threw the stick at the Guymellef. I heard the loud 'CLANG' as it smacked against the mettle. The loud pounding as the Guymellef turned around to see who threw what. He looked down and saw the stick lying on the ground.

"She's here somewhere. Fall out and search carefully. Be observant." I recognized Gatti's voice. And the 'she' gave it up that they were in fact looking for me.

I heard more pounding feet as they moved around and looked everywhere. I glanced around and saw the mettle of a Guymellef foot coming towards me. I grabbed the branch above my head and pulled myself up. With all that was going on and me not sneaking into Zaibach it felt weird to my arms. I kicked of the bark and slid my legs onto another branch near it, and flexed my stomach, pulling me onto it the rest of the way.

I should probably go to Van and Allen and see if they could help me. They had to know by now that I was more then I said I was. Fighting the guards and being able to escape without a scratch on me. And be able to live through a plunge into the deep sea next to the castle ment I was much more then just a girl who worked on a farm.

Lost in my thoughts on weather or not I should go to Van and Allen a hand closed around me forcefully.

"Wah!" I said out of shock. I looked up and saw the stone face of the melef. I gave a playful evil smile "Ohh, so you found me." I said.

"Dilandau-sama, we've got her. we're returning to the vione." A voice said. One of the lower recruits, I knew all the higher people, and this is one I hadn't heard or met.

Well, so much for my plans on going to Van and Allen for some support. It was okay though, now I would just go through with my earlier plan, get in, escape, find Marle, and get her outa there while I held off the guards.

They took off, holding me tightly in the hand of the Guymellef, there was very little room for me to squirm around and act like I wanted to get out, but I seemed to be putting up a good enough act, the boy in the cockpit would occasionally look at me to be sure that I was still there.

When we did get to the vione again, Dilandau was waiting there with two other dragon slayers, Miguel, and Gumiel. I looked more at Miguel then I did at any one else, just to make Dilandau angry. Miguel didn't have a welcoming look on his face, in fact, I couldn't read his face at all. He seemed to be brainwashed, almost.

The boy in the Guymellef threw me down at Dilandau's feet and I tumbled over to him. The hit on the hard floor wavered me a bit, and instinctively I fought it and quickly got to my feet. Although I didn't fully have my balance, and when I seemed to finally be getting my wits back, the air was knocked out of me and I was sent to the floor again, only this time I was sent away from Dilandau, and skidded across the floor a bit.

I didn't even have time to try and get up before Gumiel and Miguel had their ropes being tied around my hands. "Hey hold on a sec-" I started, but was interrupted.

"Gag her too, I don't want to hear her mouth." Dilandau said, and immediately a piece of cloth was shoved into my mouth and tied behind my head. I tried to talk but the cotton was in the way and it just came out as muffles.

I was lucky that I was ready for anything when Dilandau kicked me, otherwise it might have hurt a lot more then it did.

"Get her to her cell. Folken wants to see her in a half hour. Watch her carefully. I don't know how you got out last time Tora, but you wont this time." he said matter of factually. I rolled my eyes and pulled down the cloth. "Pretty boy and draco came to get me stupid. You had better tighten your defenses, if idots like them can get in here I'd hate to see-" I was cut off again by gumiels' hand smacking me across my face, again sending me to the floor. "What's wrong with you people? I'm telling you, if you wanted to keep me out then you'd have to work on more camera's and things, because they were just walking around like any other dragon slayers!" Silenced my Miguels foot painfully smashing into my stomach and making me become winded.

"Get her to her cell now." Dilandau said. I glared up at him one last time before they picked me up off the ground and started me towards my cell.

When we got there they literally threw me into it and I smashed my head against the hard, cold, stone wall. It re-opened the gash in my head and I just slumped down and let the blood travel down my face. I wanted to look horrible when Folken came. But I didn't really understand why Dilandau was acting so cold again. I mean, I thought everything was okay, accept with the whole, him not really knowing what pain was like and everything.

But he was listening and things for a while there. And he even took me into his room so that we could talk about him helping me with my sister.

I wondered what Folken must have done to him this time. Folken has a cold side like I've never seen in a person before. He's handsome yes, and had a kind spot just like anyone else with a soul, and he shows it more often then other people. But he's got a chill to his aura, more so then Dilandau does, and that scares me, just a little, because I don't get frightened.

So, I sit here and wait, with blood dripping down my face, and crouching in the dirt of my cell, while I wait for my chance to escape and break Marle out. I hope it will come soon, Marle must be in desperate need right now.