Jacob & Sasha

Jacob's coming to Greenridge was purely an act of desperation. There, he hoped to get some information regarding which direction was Baskar Colony. Heck, he could even hire a Silver Wolf or two if it was necessary. Certainly, the brother of a High Priest would prove interesting for them, any tavern thug would instantly think of a fortune. And he would get whatever he asked for his assistance, Marco was the type who would pay anything in order to save the only family he had left. Even if it was his worthless twin brother, who couldn't do anything right, even manage to get lost along with the Mediums of the four Elemental Guardians that he needed for his sacred ceremony to become the High Priest.

By the time he had arrived, he had learned all of the spells from the four Mediums, Invoking all three he could handle and finishing them, then equipping the final one when he was done. Now, he had the Mediums of Moor Gault, Grudiev, and Schturdark equipped. He must have looked like a powerful warrior, because people were all asking him to help them with an investigation.

"Adlehyde?!" he exclaimed, "They found Adlehyde's ruins?! I can't believe it. But I have no time to help you out. I've got to return to Baskar Colony. If one of you would be willing to help me back to my home, I will certainly return the favor by helping you head through the ruins."


Excuses began to fly, such as previous commitments and a slight sickness to the seas that separated Baskar from this continent. All of those who had asked for Jacob's help were backing off. It looked as if Jacob wouldn't be able to find the help he required in order to get home once more.

"You're looking for help getting home? And in return you'll help me get into the ruins? Sure, I'll take you up on your offer. I can guide you as far as Neo-Adlehyde, where you can catch a ship to Baskar without any problems at all," a female voice said from behind him. Jacob turned around, and saw a girl of about twenty, with blond hair and pale blue eyes. With the look of a sorceress, he could see why she would be interested in Adlehyde, and why she was going to the reborn version of the kingdom.

* * *

When Sasha heard about Adlehyde, she began to smile. The sacred home of her ancestors had been found at long last. She had longed to find the secrets of her ancestors, as did most Shamans. It was enough to add a detour on her journey back home. Sasha gripped the Teardrop, wondering how she would ever be able to get in. After all, the people who were in charge of the operation wanted to have two or more in the party. And Sasha's guards were all dead, so she really needed someone now.

Sasha thought, 'I'd better go into the saloon, maybe I can find the bodyguard I need while on this little trip. Heck, I need to hire someone in order to get inside, so I might as well take him with me back to my homeland. Then, all I have to do is tell him I no longer need assistance, and pay him.'

She walked into the saloon, and was disgusted. Sasha could see the usual brutes and thugs, people who would see the money and power that followed her even without her telling them. It seemed harder than she'd originally thought to find a partner. If necessary, she'll head to the next town, and find a Silver Wolf there. Treasures always brought forth the worst kind of mercenaries to a town.

As she scanned the room, she saw what appeared to be a Baskar. He had brown hair worn in a ponytail, and green eyes. Knowing that the Baskar were known for their innocence, and their hatred of anything involving greed. They were the perfect type of people to transport a princess. And the Baskar were magicians as well, meaning she could discuss, debate, and compare magic theory with him.

She walked up to him, and heard of his plight. Sasha saw all the men leave the youth, and then she spoke up. "You're looking for help getting home? And in return you'll help me get into the ruins? Sure, I'll take you up on your offer. I can guide you as far as Neo-Adlehyde, where you can catch a ship to Baskar without any problems at all." The boy looked up, and smiled at her.

* * *

"Thank you for your help," Jacob said, "I know we can find a way inside together. I just hope I can live up to your expectations. If it was my twin brother who was here, I know you would be successful. But I'm not half as strong as he is, so there might be a few problems along the way."


"Don't you think of yourself like that! Everyone has individual strengths, weaknesses, and worth. You and I are not going to fail on this mission. Remember, you are in the presence of a young, beautiful, and powerful sorceress, and I can tell when a person is strong. So stop speaking like that, and just help me to get through this ruin alive," ordered Sasha, her blood boiling.

Jacob eyed her up. There was a fury that seemed to rise now that he had said those things about him. Usually, people didn't get this mad unless the insults were directed at them. So why was this girl trying to tell him that he was worthy, when his father knew better?

Sasha apologized, "I'm sorry I got so mad, I just hate to hear such words spoken about oneself. I can't believe you don't even know your own worth. My name is Sasha Inverse, a Crest Sorceress from the kingdom of Neo-Adlehyde. What are you called, boy from Baskar?" The false name was the one she used in order to throw those that wanted to attack her off track, they would stop going after her if she could trick them into thinking that she was not a woman of noble birth.

Jacob blushed. "My name, is Jacob Shisai, brother to the new High Priest of Baskar. I only hope I can live up to the expectations that you have set for me on this mission."

They left the saloon together, heading for Adlehyde. Jacob gave Schturdark and Moor Gault to the princess, so she would be protected as well as he. Sasha couldn't help but feel weird around Jacob, it was something she couldn't name. Could she be in love? Certainly not, she barely knew the young man, and he'd come off as a whiner to her. She then chalked it up to pre-battle jitters.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

I formatted the opening with four chapters when the four were separated, two chapters as they began to form groups, and one chapter when all four come together. One chapter per group. We get to Adlehyde in the next chapter, right before the team finally gets to meet each other. Yeah, Sasha's assumed name is from Slayers. Well, I was watching my "Slayers: NEXT Volume 1" today. That is one of the funniest shows out there. You know, Amelia and Zel remind me of Virginia and Jet.