Okay this chapter is also deicated to people! Say hello to Aya and Aerena!
Bot who are now complaining about this being short. So just so u know, Aya
if u falsely call this chapter short then you have to double the words of
this chapter in your next chapter story of my pick ok? Ok, and yes Aya, I'm
going to be nice to Lavitz... for now. *evil grin*
Olive eyes widened and then narrowed as Frugel came out to fight them, holding a young girl as a human shield in one arm and a large war club in the other. Lavitz unmistakedly reconized her, but from his training knew that if he showed any sign of emotion he would seal her fate.
******** "Tut!" Shana said letting yet another arrow fly, and killing Frugel's last guard. Dart looked too afraid to of hitting the girl to attack. Looking to the girl, she had sat in at the war meetings she knew what i was doing. She to showed no emotion towards me, but plenty of anger towards Frugel for being treated in such a manner.
"HARPOON!" I shouted as I stabbed the lance at Frugel. His eye's widened, the oaf was most likely surprised that I had the guts to attack. Dart didn't attack, I can't say that I blame him, a sword would be much easier to hit the girl with.
********
"You'll pay for that!" Frugel shouted as he charged Lavitz, knocking him backwards using his huge club.
Lavitz remained standing having only been pushed backwards, wiping his blood lip he turned to face Frugel. "My mother hits harder than that!" Lavitz said as he smirked, not thinking that he would ever regret the words. He was wrong.
"Is that so?" Frugel said glaring at him as he knocked one of Shana's arrows out of the air. "Well then, I'll have to hit a little harder." Grabbing the girl by the arm he threw her into a rock wall. The impact caused a few loose bricks to fall narrowly missing her limp form. A large gash across her forehead started to slowly trickle with blood.
"Dear Soa!" Shana said as she went to run over to help her.
"Leave her!" Lavitz said holding an arm out to stop Shana. "She's better off not fighting this fight!"
"She's hurt Lavitz!" Shana said as her mouth fell open. The cut on the girl's forehead had closed up, she was in complete perfect condition save being uncontious.
"She's a white mage." Lavitz said in response to Shana's look of awe. Shana was about to reply but Frugel ramned into her. She lay motionless on the ground, before starting to stager to her feet.
Dart had been attacking Frugel through the whole conversation, so when Lavitz charged at Frugel he found several wounds Dart had created that seemed to be more prone to damage.
Shana drew the last arrow of the battle, aiming for the gash Dart had placed across Frugel's chest. Letting go of the string she found that his club had missed the arrow as he swung trying to block it, and in turn had hit it in deeper.
"You'll pay for that!" Frugel shouted as he charged at her, he didn't quite make it, as Dart met him head on, knocking him to the ground.
"Let's head out of this hell hole!" Dart said as he sheathed his sword. "Are you alright?" The question was asked to Shana as Dart knew Lavitz would be fine. He had said something about being a knight, hadn't mentioned his position though.
"Stop them!" Frugel shouted as he pushed off his knee to stand up.
"What is this guy? Immortal?!" Dart shouted in frustration.
"Dart, Lavitz the horses!" Shana said running towards one. Dart nodded and ran after her, while Lavitz ran over to the girl, and scooped her up into a piggy-back postition.
"You'll be fine Tyra, just wake up before we reach Bale or I'm dead." He whispered to her wondering if she could hear him. Shifting his spear on his back so it wasn't digging into his flesh he ran and jumped onto the last horse and began to follow the one that carried Dart and Shana. The first horse ran across the drawbridge but by the time that the second horse reached it, it had been raised halfway.
"LAVITZ!" Dart shouted as he turned his horse around to watch. Shana shut her eyes tightly and muttered a prayer to the goddess Miranda. The horse stalled at the end before backing up and managing the jump. "He made it!" Dart told Shana.
"Thank god!" She exclaimed as she opened her eyes.
"Lets lose the horses, their tracks are deep, and easy to follow." Lavitz stated grimly.
"We'll get away faster!" Shana said in a worried tone.
"But whoever we come across well be left to deal with the Sandorans who follow us, and with the rumors that I've heard about the Limestone Caves, good luck getting a horse into there." Lavitz said before a whistling met their ears. Lavitz quickly knelt over in pain as an arrow pierced his calf. "Damn it!"
"Are you ok?" Shana asked in a worried tone. "I know first aid." She offered helpfully.
"I'm fine!" Lavitz said as he pulled the arrow out of his leg and tossed it aside. "She didn't get hit did she?"
"No she's fine." Dart said helping Lavitz up. "Who is she?"
"Tyra is my younger sister." Lavitz said as he starting walking towards a large oak tree. Shana was already leaning up against it's strong trunk while Dart showed intrest in Lavitz's family history.
"I don't see the resemblence." He stated matter-of-factly.
"She's not actually my sister, she's Albert's sister and even then she's just a girl taken under his wing out of gratitude." Lavitz finished and seeing Dart's satisfyed nod they both turned around just in time to watch two Sandoran soldiers run past completely oblivious of them.
"Let's head for that shed," Dart said pointing towards a small abandoned shack. "Shana you can fix up Lavitz's leg when we're there."
"Is that too tight?" Shana asked in a polite tone.
"It's fine, honest." Lavitz said turning around to face Tyra's now stirring form. "You awake kid?"
Nodding her head slowly she glanced up at Lavitz. "I thought I asked you to not call me that."
"Sorry about that then kid." Lavitz said with a smirk. "I found these in the pouch on one of the horses we stole, I kept them for you, I know what they mean to you." Lavitz said handing over a black leather belt with two daggers hanging in sheaths on either side.
"Thanks, so who is this?" Tyra asked standing up and stretching.
"I'm Shana and this is Dart." Shana said speaking slowly and clearly so the girl would understand her.
"And I am not stupid." Tyra shot back in the same separated speech.
"I'm sorry," Shana said is a polite tone despite the fact she looked rather taken back. "I was just helping your brother's leg heal along. If that's alright with you of course!" Shana said raising an eyebrow in delight at the girl's anger. She was however quite shocked when the next comment was not directed towards her.
"LAVITZ! I thought I TOLD you not to tell people I'm YOUR little sister! They all treat me like a little girl when you say that!" Tyra said placing her hands on her hips.
"You are a little girl though." Dart said as he walked towards the door, "Let's get out of here." They followed Dart outside.
"She's not." Lavitz said standing up for her. "She sits in on our war meetings and gives her opinion and is well respected by all knights. Albert is attempting to find a way to adopt her in the name of his father. So she is well on her way to royalty."
"So the king just took her in one day? Right off the street or what?" Dart asked intrestedly.
"She saved his life but in the time used too much of her own power and passed out. To return the favour he brougth her to live in the palace until she was recovered, and they became like brother and sister, she never left. Until she ran away." Lavitz explained.
"The brother sister part sounds like me and Shana." Dart said loudly, causing Shana to blush although no one noticed. They passed a small family just outside the Limestone caves and gave them directions on another route to Bale telling them they would be welcomed my Mrs. Slambert they entered they cave.
"Wow. . . pretty!" Shana said in delight.
"They're only fireflies." Tyra said rolling her eyes.
"The ones near a battle field are the most useful." Lavitz stated.
"Agreed." Dart said in turn.
"What do you guys mean?" Shana asked in a curious tone.
"Shana they're rock fireflies, they have healing powers." Just then the whole caveron was filled with a warm glow when the light faded all wounds were healed. "See?"
"So even the kid is smarter than me." Shana said in a bitter tone.
"Now don't say that Shana, I'm sure there are lot's of things both of you know that the other doesn't." Dart said trying to prevent an arguement.
"Really Dart?!" Shana sounded thrilled by the complement. Dart nodded slowly.
They continued the walk through the caves. Tyra every now and then would attempt to strike up a conversation but to no avail. Shana showed little disire to speak with the girl and Dart and Lavitz were deep in a conversation about which brands of weapons they found most reliable, a topic Tyra couldn't relate to as her father had made every dagger she had ever owned.
"What's that?" Shana asked as she peered through the dense fog.
"It's the cave gaurdian!" Lavitz said as he whipped his spear off his back and prepaired for the enevitable fight.
Dart lunged forward and completed his addition, letting out a shout. "VOLCANO!"
"ROD TYPHOON!" Lavitz yelled as he ran forward for his first attcak. Shana pulled an arrow tight and waited for Tyra to clear to take her shot.
"SHATTERED WIND!" Tyra shouted as she crossed her arms, holding her daggers tightly and slashed downward for her first hit, slicing in oppisite directions for her second. She then dug her heel into the ground and spund on it bring both blades to her neck level and pushed them into the serpent's flesh before flipping back to where he started. There was a loud hissing noise as Shana succeded in lodeging and arrow in the beasts eye.
The battle continued on much like this for the rest of it's period when it came time to finish it, Dart decided to drop back into his comfort zone and use the addition he was most used to. Running forward swinging his sword, his shout echoed, bouncing off the walls and rattleing in the depths. "DOUBLE SLASH!"
The snake fell to the ground. Dart, and Lavitz walked on as nothing had happened, Tyra starred at it with disgust for a moment before walking off, and Shana stood there feeling pity for the creature that she helped to destroy.
"Shana come on." Dart said without turning around, he knew she was still there, it was just like Shana.
"Coming." Shana replied sadly as she turned to follow them out. A sudden rattle of rocks made everyone turned around to see the cause. The snake was up again, it towered tall then lunged at Shana. Shana let out a scream and raised her arms defensivly, in hindsight she knew it made no difference, but at the time she didn't care.
A burst of bright light burst forth from her forhead. It was blinding for a moment before dying down, the snake was sent flying into the far wall as if struck at by some invisable hand. Laying on the ground, and this time it would not get up.
"Shana?" Dart sounded puzzled.
"What was that?" Shana replied, her voice trembling in fear.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!" Tyra shouted at Shana before turning on her heel and walking out the now unguarded exit. A few particals of dust fell from the roof of the cave as a warning.
"This place is going to colapse!" Lavitz shouted towards Dart and the trembling Shana. It did colapse! Right after they were safely outside.
Lavitz started walking towards Bale almost impatently. "I have to get my report to King Albert."
"Come on Shana let's head to Bale!" Dart said to Shana. It took the four of them just under four hours to reach the capital. Upon entering you could hear music and laughter, a warm breeze blew playfully about them. The river that flowed into the heart of the city was sparkling clean.
"So where's your house?" Shana asked directing the question to Lavitz.
"It's not far from here, but if it's alright with you I'd like to go to the castle first." He replied in an important tone.
"That's fine Lavitz, you never did tell us what your position in the army was." Dart said reflecting.
"It's not important." Lavitz said as he waved at a passing peasant.
"He's head of the first knight hood of the kingdom of Basil." Tyra said as she easily grew tired of Lavitz being so humble when he had every right to be otherwise.
"Land Tyra!" A young boy with blond hair and icy blue eyes ran up to them. "I see you're safely home, care for a spare?"
"You're on!" Tyra said grinning.
"Not now Jake." Lavitz said in a defensive tone. "She has to see Albert first." Jake nodded his head and turned back the way he came.
"You're so mean!" Tyra said in an amused tone. "I could've used some practice!"
"Judging from your fights on the way here, you're not rusty so I see no additional practice needed." Lavitz put his hands on her shoulders and guided her through the crowds, and up the staircase into the main floor of the castle.
"I'm not going to vanish into thin air! You can let go of me you know." Tyra said sarcasticly to the knight. Lavitz losened his grip but didn't fully let go until they reached the throne room.
When they entered the room Lavitz knelt down on the carpet out of respect for his king. Tyra followed suit and Dart bowed while Shana curtiesed.
"Do stand!" Albert said in a cheery voice. "Such a joyice day it is when my sister and childhood friend return home to me!" By his comand They all stood. "Lavitz, have you anyone to introduce?" Albert asked in the humorous voice he was gifted with.
"This is Shana of Seles, and Dart also of Seles, they helped us escape from Hellena." Lavitz said bracing himself for the harsh words he was expecting.
"You know my uncle is no more that a mad man when he throws children into 'Hell on Earth.' He'll pay for his actions soon enough." Albert's words were spoken in a cold harsh tone but he was not as upset as expected. "Lavitz, Tyra I would like your reports now, Dart and Shana I am truthfully greatful towards you for your actions, but would you wait on the balchony while the information is passed."
Dart found in odd that a fourteen year-old girl would be present but went out onto the balchony to wait with Shana.
"I can't see Seles, the mountains are in the way." Shana said in a worried tone. "I hope everyone's alright!"
"They'll be fine, trust me." Dart said as he watched Shana brushing hair out of her face.
"I hope so Dart, but with you here, nothing can go wrong!" She said in a more cheery voice. Lavitz walked up to them grinning.
"Let's head to my house, I can gaurentee good food and a warm fire." Lavitz said as he shifted the end of the spear to stop it from digging into his back.
"I'm not such a bad cook myself." Dart said openly as they were leaving the castle.
"Since when!?" Shana managed to ask through her laughter.
"Since always." Dart said happily.
"What can you cook?" Lavitz asked as a little girl ran up to him and handed him a portrait of himself. "Thanks Lisa." He said and the girl ran off again.
"A thick slab of meat over the fire!" Dart replied confedintly.
"That's all?" Shana and Lavitz asked at the same time.
"Yeah." Dart said nodded his head. "It's the best!"
"Lavitz your home!" Mrs. Slambert greeted them at the door. She was rather short in hieght but definitly not in hospitality or personality. She was a cheery woman, accustomed to many tasks over the years and always adapting to new ones.
"Mother, meet Dart and Shana. Dart, Shana this is my mother." Lavitz said in a more casual tone than what he had used at the castle.
"You've brought a bride home with you!" Mrs. Slambert said enthusiasticly. "Hello Shana darling, my son is a great boy, don't let his position scare you away. He's head of the First Knighthood you know!" Her eyes flashed with pride for her son.
"She's not my wife!" Lavitz burst out turning beet red.
"Lavitz, ever since your father died, and your yonger brother dissapeared, it's been just you and I. For Soa's sake boy! Find a bride!" She said in an amused tone. "So who do you belong too Darling?" She asked Shana.
"Shana is Dart's sweetheart." Lavitz said before Shana could give her reply. It was Dart's turn to go red, but he didn't stop at beet, he kept going until his face and armour matched. Shana's eyes glowed with unnoticed hope and detirmination.
"Well as long as the girl isn't being wasted." Mrs. Slambert said as she turned towards the kitchen, "I'll fix you up some lunch."
"I can help!" Shana said running to catch up.
The meal prepared was more of a feast than a light dinner. Not in a bad way mind you, there was beef and ham with three types of salads. The four keenly enjoyed the meal as well as each others company.
"It's great to eat REAL food again." Dart said as they got ready to leave.
"Lavitz I made some extra jerky, would you like some?" His mother proffered a tempting bag of jerky. One that made Dart's mouth water and him hope desprately that Lavitz would take it.
"No thanks mom." He replied.
"My naigbor Ms. Elliot made too much also, would you like some of hers?" She asked drawing another bag from the same pocket.
"No thanks mom, we've really best be going." The trio turned away much to Dart's dispair and started towards Hoax.
"It'll be a long walk." Dart said dully.
"I hate walking long distances." Shana whined.
"Guys I forgot something I'll be back in a minute can you wait for me by that elm,?" Lavitz said as he turned around and jogged back into Bale. "Mom!" He skidded to a stop only inches from her. "What are you doing here?"
"I knew you would come back for my jerky!" She said delightedly. She handed him two large bags of jerky and an envelope from the castle.
"What's this?" He asked as he opened the seal.
"I'm not sure, Albert had it sent down by messanger, it arrived a soon as you left I kept it for him knowing you would come back for my jerky." She said swelling with pride.
"It's a letter stating permission that I may accompany you to Hoax and farther if needed." Tyra said walking up to them, her hair was parted in a zig-zag style and then pulled into two loose braids. She wore an emerald semi tight sleaveless shirt that brought out the colour of her eyes and accented her hair and baggy blue pants. A black hooded cloak hung from her shoulders and fell to her mid calf.
"What if I don't want your company?" Lavitz said with a smirk.
"Nowhere in that letter does it state that your permission is nessisary." Tyra said glancing at Mrs. Slambert for the first time. "Hey Mom, she said walking over.
"You wrote up that letter didn't you?" Mrs. Slambert said as she watched a Lavitz have an inner battle between anger that his sister would be put on a battle field and be forced to fight, anger that Albert would let her, and question in why his opinion didn't matter.
"Yeah I did, but it's legal, I got Albert to sign it for me." Tyra said as she waved to a girl she knew who was walking with a younger boy.
"Alright. Come on I don't want to keep Dart and Shana waiting." Lavitz said as he stashed the letter away in his bag. Tyra readjusted the belt on which her daggers came and then started to follow Lavitz.
"So you left them at the elm didn't you?" Tyra asked. When he nodded she started laughing. "You always leave people at the elm when you go back for jerky!" He nodded again and smiled.
"Why don't you ever let people see you for who you are?" He asked her as the elm loomed into view.
"People other than you, Albert, and Carrol don't like me for who I am, except my biological brother DID." She had made a mistake and knew it, but would Lavitz catch it. . . he did.
"Who's Carrol?" He asked rasing an eyebrow.
"A boy I knew before you met me." She replied hoping that would end the conversation. It didn't, but when Shana and Dart walked out to meet them, it did.
"So, we head for Hoax?" Dart asked noticing the two bags of jerky in Lavitz's hand he smirked and rolled his eyes.
"That's right." Lavitz replied. "It's a four day walk so lets get going."
All done! And it's 3797 words long hope it's long enough for the bored reader who bothers to read it!
For those of you who haven't noticed or been told, I deleted reality check, hope you don't mind too much.
IwA: O.o evil chapter! Stupid terrible evil chapter!
Shana: ^-^
IwA: what are you so happy about?
Shana: I'm Dart's sweetheart!
IwA: Oh, about that!
Dart's Lawyer: *walks in* Shana, you've been served for 'being dumped by you now ex-boyfriend Dart Feld.'
Iwa: ^-^
Shana: What's that supposed to mean?
Lawyer: *anime fall*
Dart: I JUST DUMPED YOU!
Shana: oh. . . ok. . . wait a second!
Olive eyes widened and then narrowed as Frugel came out to fight them, holding a young girl as a human shield in one arm and a large war club in the other. Lavitz unmistakedly reconized her, but from his training knew that if he showed any sign of emotion he would seal her fate.
******** "Tut!" Shana said letting yet another arrow fly, and killing Frugel's last guard. Dart looked too afraid to of hitting the girl to attack. Looking to the girl, she had sat in at the war meetings she knew what i was doing. She to showed no emotion towards me, but plenty of anger towards Frugel for being treated in such a manner.
"HARPOON!" I shouted as I stabbed the lance at Frugel. His eye's widened, the oaf was most likely surprised that I had the guts to attack. Dart didn't attack, I can't say that I blame him, a sword would be much easier to hit the girl with.
********
"You'll pay for that!" Frugel shouted as he charged Lavitz, knocking him backwards using his huge club.
Lavitz remained standing having only been pushed backwards, wiping his blood lip he turned to face Frugel. "My mother hits harder than that!" Lavitz said as he smirked, not thinking that he would ever regret the words. He was wrong.
"Is that so?" Frugel said glaring at him as he knocked one of Shana's arrows out of the air. "Well then, I'll have to hit a little harder." Grabbing the girl by the arm he threw her into a rock wall. The impact caused a few loose bricks to fall narrowly missing her limp form. A large gash across her forehead started to slowly trickle with blood.
"Dear Soa!" Shana said as she went to run over to help her.
"Leave her!" Lavitz said holding an arm out to stop Shana. "She's better off not fighting this fight!"
"She's hurt Lavitz!" Shana said as her mouth fell open. The cut on the girl's forehead had closed up, she was in complete perfect condition save being uncontious.
"She's a white mage." Lavitz said in response to Shana's look of awe. Shana was about to reply but Frugel ramned into her. She lay motionless on the ground, before starting to stager to her feet.
Dart had been attacking Frugel through the whole conversation, so when Lavitz charged at Frugel he found several wounds Dart had created that seemed to be more prone to damage.
Shana drew the last arrow of the battle, aiming for the gash Dart had placed across Frugel's chest. Letting go of the string she found that his club had missed the arrow as he swung trying to block it, and in turn had hit it in deeper.
"You'll pay for that!" Frugel shouted as he charged at her, he didn't quite make it, as Dart met him head on, knocking him to the ground.
"Let's head out of this hell hole!" Dart said as he sheathed his sword. "Are you alright?" The question was asked to Shana as Dart knew Lavitz would be fine. He had said something about being a knight, hadn't mentioned his position though.
"Stop them!" Frugel shouted as he pushed off his knee to stand up.
"What is this guy? Immortal?!" Dart shouted in frustration.
"Dart, Lavitz the horses!" Shana said running towards one. Dart nodded and ran after her, while Lavitz ran over to the girl, and scooped her up into a piggy-back postition.
"You'll be fine Tyra, just wake up before we reach Bale or I'm dead." He whispered to her wondering if she could hear him. Shifting his spear on his back so it wasn't digging into his flesh he ran and jumped onto the last horse and began to follow the one that carried Dart and Shana. The first horse ran across the drawbridge but by the time that the second horse reached it, it had been raised halfway.
"LAVITZ!" Dart shouted as he turned his horse around to watch. Shana shut her eyes tightly and muttered a prayer to the goddess Miranda. The horse stalled at the end before backing up and managing the jump. "He made it!" Dart told Shana.
"Thank god!" She exclaimed as she opened her eyes.
"Lets lose the horses, their tracks are deep, and easy to follow." Lavitz stated grimly.
"We'll get away faster!" Shana said in a worried tone.
"But whoever we come across well be left to deal with the Sandorans who follow us, and with the rumors that I've heard about the Limestone Caves, good luck getting a horse into there." Lavitz said before a whistling met their ears. Lavitz quickly knelt over in pain as an arrow pierced his calf. "Damn it!"
"Are you ok?" Shana asked in a worried tone. "I know first aid." She offered helpfully.
"I'm fine!" Lavitz said as he pulled the arrow out of his leg and tossed it aside. "She didn't get hit did she?"
"No she's fine." Dart said helping Lavitz up. "Who is she?"
"Tyra is my younger sister." Lavitz said as he starting walking towards a large oak tree. Shana was already leaning up against it's strong trunk while Dart showed intrest in Lavitz's family history.
"I don't see the resemblence." He stated matter-of-factly.
"She's not actually my sister, she's Albert's sister and even then she's just a girl taken under his wing out of gratitude." Lavitz finished and seeing Dart's satisfyed nod they both turned around just in time to watch two Sandoran soldiers run past completely oblivious of them.
"Let's head for that shed," Dart said pointing towards a small abandoned shack. "Shana you can fix up Lavitz's leg when we're there."
"Is that too tight?" Shana asked in a polite tone.
"It's fine, honest." Lavitz said turning around to face Tyra's now stirring form. "You awake kid?"
Nodding her head slowly she glanced up at Lavitz. "I thought I asked you to not call me that."
"Sorry about that then kid." Lavitz said with a smirk. "I found these in the pouch on one of the horses we stole, I kept them for you, I know what they mean to you." Lavitz said handing over a black leather belt with two daggers hanging in sheaths on either side.
"Thanks, so who is this?" Tyra asked standing up and stretching.
"I'm Shana and this is Dart." Shana said speaking slowly and clearly so the girl would understand her.
"And I am not stupid." Tyra shot back in the same separated speech.
"I'm sorry," Shana said is a polite tone despite the fact she looked rather taken back. "I was just helping your brother's leg heal along. If that's alright with you of course!" Shana said raising an eyebrow in delight at the girl's anger. She was however quite shocked when the next comment was not directed towards her.
"LAVITZ! I thought I TOLD you not to tell people I'm YOUR little sister! They all treat me like a little girl when you say that!" Tyra said placing her hands on her hips.
"You are a little girl though." Dart said as he walked towards the door, "Let's get out of here." They followed Dart outside.
"She's not." Lavitz said standing up for her. "She sits in on our war meetings and gives her opinion and is well respected by all knights. Albert is attempting to find a way to adopt her in the name of his father. So she is well on her way to royalty."
"So the king just took her in one day? Right off the street or what?" Dart asked intrestedly.
"She saved his life but in the time used too much of her own power and passed out. To return the favour he brougth her to live in the palace until she was recovered, and they became like brother and sister, she never left. Until she ran away." Lavitz explained.
"The brother sister part sounds like me and Shana." Dart said loudly, causing Shana to blush although no one noticed. They passed a small family just outside the Limestone caves and gave them directions on another route to Bale telling them they would be welcomed my Mrs. Slambert they entered they cave.
"Wow. . . pretty!" Shana said in delight.
"They're only fireflies." Tyra said rolling her eyes.
"The ones near a battle field are the most useful." Lavitz stated.
"Agreed." Dart said in turn.
"What do you guys mean?" Shana asked in a curious tone.
"Shana they're rock fireflies, they have healing powers." Just then the whole caveron was filled with a warm glow when the light faded all wounds were healed. "See?"
"So even the kid is smarter than me." Shana said in a bitter tone.
"Now don't say that Shana, I'm sure there are lot's of things both of you know that the other doesn't." Dart said trying to prevent an arguement.
"Really Dart?!" Shana sounded thrilled by the complement. Dart nodded slowly.
They continued the walk through the caves. Tyra every now and then would attempt to strike up a conversation but to no avail. Shana showed little disire to speak with the girl and Dart and Lavitz were deep in a conversation about which brands of weapons they found most reliable, a topic Tyra couldn't relate to as her father had made every dagger she had ever owned.
"What's that?" Shana asked as she peered through the dense fog.
"It's the cave gaurdian!" Lavitz said as he whipped his spear off his back and prepaired for the enevitable fight.
Dart lunged forward and completed his addition, letting out a shout. "VOLCANO!"
"ROD TYPHOON!" Lavitz yelled as he ran forward for his first attcak. Shana pulled an arrow tight and waited for Tyra to clear to take her shot.
"SHATTERED WIND!" Tyra shouted as she crossed her arms, holding her daggers tightly and slashed downward for her first hit, slicing in oppisite directions for her second. She then dug her heel into the ground and spund on it bring both blades to her neck level and pushed them into the serpent's flesh before flipping back to where he started. There was a loud hissing noise as Shana succeded in lodeging and arrow in the beasts eye.
The battle continued on much like this for the rest of it's period when it came time to finish it, Dart decided to drop back into his comfort zone and use the addition he was most used to. Running forward swinging his sword, his shout echoed, bouncing off the walls and rattleing in the depths. "DOUBLE SLASH!"
The snake fell to the ground. Dart, and Lavitz walked on as nothing had happened, Tyra starred at it with disgust for a moment before walking off, and Shana stood there feeling pity for the creature that she helped to destroy.
"Shana come on." Dart said without turning around, he knew she was still there, it was just like Shana.
"Coming." Shana replied sadly as she turned to follow them out. A sudden rattle of rocks made everyone turned around to see the cause. The snake was up again, it towered tall then lunged at Shana. Shana let out a scream and raised her arms defensivly, in hindsight she knew it made no difference, but at the time she didn't care.
A burst of bright light burst forth from her forhead. It was blinding for a moment before dying down, the snake was sent flying into the far wall as if struck at by some invisable hand. Laying on the ground, and this time it would not get up.
"Shana?" Dart sounded puzzled.
"What was that?" Shana replied, her voice trembling in fear.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PLAYING AT!" Tyra shouted at Shana before turning on her heel and walking out the now unguarded exit. A few particals of dust fell from the roof of the cave as a warning.
"This place is going to colapse!" Lavitz shouted towards Dart and the trembling Shana. It did colapse! Right after they were safely outside.
Lavitz started walking towards Bale almost impatently. "I have to get my report to King Albert."
"Come on Shana let's head to Bale!" Dart said to Shana. It took the four of them just under four hours to reach the capital. Upon entering you could hear music and laughter, a warm breeze blew playfully about them. The river that flowed into the heart of the city was sparkling clean.
"So where's your house?" Shana asked directing the question to Lavitz.
"It's not far from here, but if it's alright with you I'd like to go to the castle first." He replied in an important tone.
"That's fine Lavitz, you never did tell us what your position in the army was." Dart said reflecting.
"It's not important." Lavitz said as he waved at a passing peasant.
"He's head of the first knight hood of the kingdom of Basil." Tyra said as she easily grew tired of Lavitz being so humble when he had every right to be otherwise.
"Land Tyra!" A young boy with blond hair and icy blue eyes ran up to them. "I see you're safely home, care for a spare?"
"You're on!" Tyra said grinning.
"Not now Jake." Lavitz said in a defensive tone. "She has to see Albert first." Jake nodded his head and turned back the way he came.
"You're so mean!" Tyra said in an amused tone. "I could've used some practice!"
"Judging from your fights on the way here, you're not rusty so I see no additional practice needed." Lavitz put his hands on her shoulders and guided her through the crowds, and up the staircase into the main floor of the castle.
"I'm not going to vanish into thin air! You can let go of me you know." Tyra said sarcasticly to the knight. Lavitz losened his grip but didn't fully let go until they reached the throne room.
When they entered the room Lavitz knelt down on the carpet out of respect for his king. Tyra followed suit and Dart bowed while Shana curtiesed.
"Do stand!" Albert said in a cheery voice. "Such a joyice day it is when my sister and childhood friend return home to me!" By his comand They all stood. "Lavitz, have you anyone to introduce?" Albert asked in the humorous voice he was gifted with.
"This is Shana of Seles, and Dart also of Seles, they helped us escape from Hellena." Lavitz said bracing himself for the harsh words he was expecting.
"You know my uncle is no more that a mad man when he throws children into 'Hell on Earth.' He'll pay for his actions soon enough." Albert's words were spoken in a cold harsh tone but he was not as upset as expected. "Lavitz, Tyra I would like your reports now, Dart and Shana I am truthfully greatful towards you for your actions, but would you wait on the balchony while the information is passed."
Dart found in odd that a fourteen year-old girl would be present but went out onto the balchony to wait with Shana.
"I can't see Seles, the mountains are in the way." Shana said in a worried tone. "I hope everyone's alright!"
"They'll be fine, trust me." Dart said as he watched Shana brushing hair out of her face.
"I hope so Dart, but with you here, nothing can go wrong!" She said in a more cheery voice. Lavitz walked up to them grinning.
"Let's head to my house, I can gaurentee good food and a warm fire." Lavitz said as he shifted the end of the spear to stop it from digging into his back.
"I'm not such a bad cook myself." Dart said openly as they were leaving the castle.
"Since when!?" Shana managed to ask through her laughter.
"Since always." Dart said happily.
"What can you cook?" Lavitz asked as a little girl ran up to him and handed him a portrait of himself. "Thanks Lisa." He said and the girl ran off again.
"A thick slab of meat over the fire!" Dart replied confedintly.
"That's all?" Shana and Lavitz asked at the same time.
"Yeah." Dart said nodded his head. "It's the best!"
"Lavitz your home!" Mrs. Slambert greeted them at the door. She was rather short in hieght but definitly not in hospitality or personality. She was a cheery woman, accustomed to many tasks over the years and always adapting to new ones.
"Mother, meet Dart and Shana. Dart, Shana this is my mother." Lavitz said in a more casual tone than what he had used at the castle.
"You've brought a bride home with you!" Mrs. Slambert said enthusiasticly. "Hello Shana darling, my son is a great boy, don't let his position scare you away. He's head of the First Knighthood you know!" Her eyes flashed with pride for her son.
"She's not my wife!" Lavitz burst out turning beet red.
"Lavitz, ever since your father died, and your yonger brother dissapeared, it's been just you and I. For Soa's sake boy! Find a bride!" She said in an amused tone. "So who do you belong too Darling?" She asked Shana.
"Shana is Dart's sweetheart." Lavitz said before Shana could give her reply. It was Dart's turn to go red, but he didn't stop at beet, he kept going until his face and armour matched. Shana's eyes glowed with unnoticed hope and detirmination.
"Well as long as the girl isn't being wasted." Mrs. Slambert said as she turned towards the kitchen, "I'll fix you up some lunch."
"I can help!" Shana said running to catch up.
The meal prepared was more of a feast than a light dinner. Not in a bad way mind you, there was beef and ham with three types of salads. The four keenly enjoyed the meal as well as each others company.
"It's great to eat REAL food again." Dart said as they got ready to leave.
"Lavitz I made some extra jerky, would you like some?" His mother proffered a tempting bag of jerky. One that made Dart's mouth water and him hope desprately that Lavitz would take it.
"No thanks mom." He replied.
"My naigbor Ms. Elliot made too much also, would you like some of hers?" She asked drawing another bag from the same pocket.
"No thanks mom, we've really best be going." The trio turned away much to Dart's dispair and started towards Hoax.
"It'll be a long walk." Dart said dully.
"I hate walking long distances." Shana whined.
"Guys I forgot something I'll be back in a minute can you wait for me by that elm,?" Lavitz said as he turned around and jogged back into Bale. "Mom!" He skidded to a stop only inches from her. "What are you doing here?"
"I knew you would come back for my jerky!" She said delightedly. She handed him two large bags of jerky and an envelope from the castle.
"What's this?" He asked as he opened the seal.
"I'm not sure, Albert had it sent down by messanger, it arrived a soon as you left I kept it for him knowing you would come back for my jerky." She said swelling with pride.
"It's a letter stating permission that I may accompany you to Hoax and farther if needed." Tyra said walking up to them, her hair was parted in a zig-zag style and then pulled into two loose braids. She wore an emerald semi tight sleaveless shirt that brought out the colour of her eyes and accented her hair and baggy blue pants. A black hooded cloak hung from her shoulders and fell to her mid calf.
"What if I don't want your company?" Lavitz said with a smirk.
"Nowhere in that letter does it state that your permission is nessisary." Tyra said glancing at Mrs. Slambert for the first time. "Hey Mom, she said walking over.
"You wrote up that letter didn't you?" Mrs. Slambert said as she watched a Lavitz have an inner battle between anger that his sister would be put on a battle field and be forced to fight, anger that Albert would let her, and question in why his opinion didn't matter.
"Yeah I did, but it's legal, I got Albert to sign it for me." Tyra said as she waved to a girl she knew who was walking with a younger boy.
"Alright. Come on I don't want to keep Dart and Shana waiting." Lavitz said as he stashed the letter away in his bag. Tyra readjusted the belt on which her daggers came and then started to follow Lavitz.
"So you left them at the elm didn't you?" Tyra asked. When he nodded she started laughing. "You always leave people at the elm when you go back for jerky!" He nodded again and smiled.
"Why don't you ever let people see you for who you are?" He asked her as the elm loomed into view.
"People other than you, Albert, and Carrol don't like me for who I am, except my biological brother DID." She had made a mistake and knew it, but would Lavitz catch it. . . he did.
"Who's Carrol?" He asked rasing an eyebrow.
"A boy I knew before you met me." She replied hoping that would end the conversation. It didn't, but when Shana and Dart walked out to meet them, it did.
"So, we head for Hoax?" Dart asked noticing the two bags of jerky in Lavitz's hand he smirked and rolled his eyes.
"That's right." Lavitz replied. "It's a four day walk so lets get going."
All done! And it's 3797 words long hope it's long enough for the bored reader who bothers to read it!
For those of you who haven't noticed or been told, I deleted reality check, hope you don't mind too much.
IwA: O.o evil chapter! Stupid terrible evil chapter!
Shana: ^-^
IwA: what are you so happy about?
Shana: I'm Dart's sweetheart!
IwA: Oh, about that!
Dart's Lawyer: *walks in* Shana, you've been served for 'being dumped by you now ex-boyfriend Dart Feld.'
Iwa: ^-^
Shana: What's that supposed to mean?
Lawyer: *anime fall*
Dart: I JUST DUMPED YOU!
Shana: oh. . . ok. . . wait a second!