Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Legend of Dragoon.
The Roads of Fate
By: Sora
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Chapter 3: The Camp
When they got to the Limestone Cavern it was still light outside but, the sun was beginning to set in the west. Fortunately there was enough light still coming from the entrance so that they had no need to use any lights for quite a while.
When they reached the stream in the middle of the cave that had stepping stones poking out of the water Dart made sure to warn Rose about how slippery it could be. But there was really no reason for a warning for the water level was low so the rocks weren't slippery. In fact, the water didn't even touch the tops of the rocks. Dart found that kind of odd.
"I don't think I understand. What's so bad about the water being so low?" Asked Rose once they had gotten to the other side of the stream.
"Nothing. But it's just out of place for this time of year. This time of year there is usually enough water flowing through here to cover up the rocks completely. Its just odd that's all."
There was moment of silence between the two with the only sound breaking into the silence being the noise of the water cascading down the short water fall in front of them.
Dart shook his head slightly to take himself out of the trance he felt himself beginning to fall into. "Come on." He said "the rock fireflies should be just around the corner. We can make camp there."
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"It's strange that no monsters have attacked us yet." Rose looked at Dart over that campfire they had made a short while ago.
"You're right" he said absently staring into the flames. He looked up. "We should be on our guard. They might be planning something."
"Dart." She said giving him a 'are you paranoid?' look. " You're giving the monsters too much credit. They're not that smart."
"You never know what's going on inside of their tiny minds."
"Uh-huh. Riiight."
"Rose, you need to lighten up."
"Oh, yeah Dart. The Dragoon of Darkness is supposed to lighten up. That'll happen."
"Was that sarcasm I heard?"
Rose had decided long ago that there were some comments that just needed to be ignored. That was one of them.
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Dart sat in front of the fire watching as it's flames danced in front of him. However, soon his eyes found Rose through the flames. He sat there for a while watching the fire's shadow dance across Rose's face as she stared blankly into it. One moment the pale skin of her face would be surrounded in light, then in the next the fire would cast it back into shadow.
'She really is quite beautiful.' He thought as he watched her. 'She could even be more beautiful than-' he closed his eyes, shook his head and bade the train of thought away before it could go too far.
"Something wrong Dart?"
"Huh?" He said jerking his head up. Rose's voice had startled him. "Oh, nothing. I just have a headache that's all. We should probably eat what Shana packed us."
Dart looked around for the packs Shana had made for them. He couldn't find them. "Uh, Rose?"
"Hmm?" She said calmly.
"Where's our food?" Rose just stared at him.
"Dart?"
"What?"
"You're a moron."
"Wha-. Why?"
Rose took her Dragoon Spirit out of the Dragon Buster that was laying, unsheathed, at her side. "Remember?"
"Oh." He said blushing slightly at his own stupidity. He took the Divine Dragoon Spirit out of his pocket and held it up to his face. Rose remained silent. "I forgot. But I have a question for you."
"Yes Dart?"
"How do we get the packs out of the Spirits?"
"Just do the opposite if what I told you in the forest."
"Oh. Ok." . .oh yeah, that helps. But he didn't want to look like more of an idiot in front of Rose . . .How would I do this again . . . ? Oh yeah.
Dart closed his eyes and concentrated on the pack that was held inside of his Dragoon Spirit. As he did so the Spirit began to glow brightly, lighting up everything in the cavern except for the highest places in the jagged ceiling above them.
As Rose watched the pack that he had carried on his back a few hours ago materialized smoothly at Dart's feet.
"There, I did it." Dart said, smiling at Rose. The expression of triumph on his face made her want to smile back, but, as always, she was able to keep a calm expression painted on her face. Instead she just nodded at him and looked back. "Now." He said, still smiling. "Lets eat."
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A/N: How'd you all like it? I know this one was short. Hopefully the next one won't be quite so brief as this one was. I would like to take the time now to thank everyone who has reviewed on my story so far. I greatly appreciate it. Thanx. ^_^ And as always . . R&R minna-san!! Hehe C'ya!