Chapter 3
An Odd Due's Advice
Men in slick suits were patrolling the woods, Ceila, Rave and Kriye all hid silently in separate trees, praying that they would just go away.
Kriye couldn't believe this was happening. All she had wanted was a nice getaway to Esthar, visit aunt Ellone, see the sights, and go back home with no problems.
Instead what Kriye had gotten was a run-in with some mysterious guy, her best friend being kidnapped and later discovering that the men were really after her because she is the daughter of the sorceress, and now she was hiding up in a tree away from men in suits who probably wanted to kill her. Why didn't she stay in the library back in Balamb or something?
The night sky eventually started to fade away and daybreak rose through the trees of the forest.
When Kriye was convinced that the coast was clear she jumped down from her tree, she was shortly joined by Ceila and Rave.
The three of them all sat down on a fallen log, there was just so much to discuss that Kriye didn't even know where to begin. Thankfully Ceila took charge and started the conversation.
"So what should we do from here?"
"I don't think we should be going to Esthar anytime soon," answered Rave "I have a feeling there will be too many men in suits crawling around."
Ceila, who was wearing a dazed look up until this point, suddenly turned to Rave and in a high pitched voice asked him.
"Who are you?"
"Oh sorry, I'm Rave Almansy. I met Kriye just before.well just before you were taken."
"Now did you," said Ceila throwing Kriye a meaningful look.
"What you purpose we do then if we don't go back to Esthar?" Asked Kriye changing the subject.
"Well we heard them talking about the sorceress' daughter right; shouldn't we warn her about these scientists?"
Kriye could see Ceila about to speak up, but then she caught Kriye's eye. Through some kind of best friend connection Ceila knew not to say anything, instead Kriye decided to throw in her own suggestion.
"Didn't we hear one of the doctors' talk about a meeting being held in Timber?"
"You don't think we should go to Timber do you?" Ceila asked incredulously "I mean I'm sure aunt Ellone is having kittens right now. If we don't come home."
"I understand that Ceila, but if these people are interested in the 'sorceress' daughter,' well then I need to know why."
The two girls looked at each other hard, in the end Ceila gave in.
"Alright we'll go, but how do you plan on getting to Timber?"
"I think I can solve that problem," said Rave.
Off the east coast of Esthar, about a mile away from where they now were, Rave had a small flyer. He said it be a tight squeeze, but the three of them all could fit in there.
That night when the sun finally went down, and darkness was upon them they were going to sneak over to the flyer and start their journey to Timber. Until then they were going to have a guard posted at the end of the forest, Ceila had volunteered to be on guard watch first, and for awhile just Kriye and Rave sat on that lonely, rotten log. Kriye took the opportunity to ask him the question that had been nagging her since the moment she met him.
"Rave what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what are you doing with two strange girls in the middle of the Estharian forest, about to embark on a journey to Timber to stop some scientists from getting a hold of the sorceress' daughter?"
"Well when you put it that way it sounds pretty crazy doesn't it?" He said with a laugh.
"Just a bit."
Rave let out a heavy sigh "Do you want the honest truth?"
"Only if you're willing to give it?" She told him.
"Okay, the truth is I have no other place to go. I ran away from my home about two weeks ago. My parents wanted me to live a life that I didn't want, so I left and I have been searching for what I wanted ever since. I hadn't even come close to finding something I wanted to pursue, and then I literally ran into you."
"You want to pursue me?" Kriye teased.
Rave cracked a smile. "You know what I mean. What were about to do, that's worth something."
"I guess it is." Kriye said quietly.
There was a brief moment of silence between them before Rave spoke up again.
"It's your turn now."
"My turn for what?" She asked confused.
"Why you're here, in the woods with some mysteriously, and let's face it a devilishly handsome guy, about to go to Timber?"
Kriye couldn't help but let out a laugh "It's not quite the story that yours is. Ceila and myself are just on vacation to visit my aunt, little did we know."
"Where are you from then?"
"Ah.we both attend Balamb garden."
"Really so that's where you learned how to use a gunblade so well."
"How about you Rave, you seem to be pretty handy with one yourself?"
"My old man taught me. I'm not sure where he picked it up. He doesn't like talking about his pasts. Anyway he has been teaching me since I was a little kid."
The two of them really didn't talk after that; in fact Kriye remained silent until Ceila came to take Rave's place. As soon as Rave was out of earshot Ceila started laughing.
"What is it?" Kriye asked a little offended by her friend's outburst.
"Here I was being kidnapped by mad scientist, and meanwhile you were off meeting good looking guys."
Kriye gave Ceila a playful shove. "Believe me it wasn't like that."
"Well then," Ceila persisted "why don't you enlighten me?"
Giving into a long sigh Kriye relayed the story to Ceila. When she was finished Ceila let out a loud incredulous laugh.
"You two met because he challenged you to a duel?"
Kriye nodded.
"Then without even being asked he followed you in your search for me?"
Again Kriye nodded.
"And now he's taking us to Timber so we can foolishly try to figure out what's going on?"
This time Kriye didn't even bother with a response, as her friend chuckled to herself. At last when Ceila's laughter had died down into a serious voice she asked Kriye.
"There's one thing I still don't understand Kriye, why don't you tell him you're mother's daughter. I think it's pretty obvious that he's not a threat. I honestly don't see the harm."
It was hard for Kriye to come up with the words to make her friend understand. After a long moment of contemplating Kriye looked up at her friend, who was waiting on her log patiently, and tried to explain.
"My whole life I've been known as my parent's child, then for who I actually am. I guess it's just nice for once in my life to be regarded as someone else. I know it's silly, but for the first time in my life I feel more like Kriye then Leonhart."
"You know," Ceila replied "If he stays with us for awhile you're going to have to tell him who you really are. I mean your identity is pretty vital to this mystery were going to solve."
"I know, I know, will you just let me keep it from him a little longer?"
Ceila smiled warmly "I won't say anything if you don't."
Smiling back Kriye told her friend 'thank you,' then got off the log and started to nestle within the leaves, the overwhelming power of sleep finally started to hit her.
"I think I'm going to try to get some shut eye before I have to trade shifts with Rave," she told Ceila.
"That's a good idea," Ceila replied joining her in the grass "It's going to be a long journey tonight."
Kriye was just about to slip into her much needed slumber when Ceila once again spoke.
"You know Kriye you might be a million other things to a million other people, but you've always been just Kriye to me."
Feeling her heart lighten at Ceila's words Kriye was barely able to give a reply, however, in the end she managed to whisper a few words.
"That's all I want to be."
"I know," Ceila said sleepily "I know."
The two didn't say anything else. It was just nice to know that somewhere in this great world Kriye at least had one person that knew where she was coming from.
* * *
The night finally took over the sky, and Rave, Kriye and Ceila finally
made their move.
Traveling along the coast they made it to Rave's flyer without a
problem. Squeezing into the smaller vehicle he took the controls. Locking
their destination onto Timber Rave eased up as the flyer took off.
He couldn't believe all that had happened in the span of twenty-four
hours. It was hard for him to believe that he was chasing down some mad
scientist in hope to save some sorceress that he didn't even know the
name of. Rave couldn't believe he was doing all this, let alone figure
out why.
Quickly Rave threw a glance back at Kriye, who was lying against the
back of the congested vehicle with her eyes shut. Rave would be lying if
he was to say that Kriye was not a factor to why he was here. She was
gorgeous, from the moment he saw her he was attracted to her. Still all
of this just for some beautiful girl? No, he choose to do this, and that
thought startled him.
His whole life Rave knew where he was going, like it or not he knew.
For the first time he had no clue to what was going to happen, and Rave
didn't know what to make of it.
They arrived in Timber just as dawn was breaking. Rave landed his
flyer just on the outskirts of town. He woke up the two girls who had
fallen asleep during the trip and together they tracked their way into
the city.
Timber was nothing compared to Esthar, the contrast was something like
night and day. As the three of them walked through the dumpy town Rave
felt that something was very off.
Hoards of people were racing around the place, shouting out things and
posting up signs wherever an open space lay.
Kriye walked over to a sign that was just posted. She ripped it off
the brick building, and read it out loud to Rave and Ceila.
"It's an election poster," she told them "Come vote at city hall.
October 5th. The candidates for the upcoming election of Timber's mayor
are as follows; Jac Vallick, Russel McGivery, Tarith Neilson, Veilant
Skeely and Samson Greene. Doors open at 8:00 a.m."
Finished reading the poster Kriye threw it to the ground in disgust.
"This is great; we have to find a lunatic scientist in this chaotic
mess." She lifts her head and stares at all the people running around
frantically. "It's going to be like trying to find a needle in a
haystack."
"So the elections tomorrow?" Ceila said nervously just as two people
ran into her then walked away without an apology.
"I guess," Kriye answered.
"Maybe if we wait around things will calm down."
With no other options in front of them they walked to the nearest
restaurant where they sat down at a square table in the corner and
ordered water.
The restaurant was just as chaotic as the streets. People were coming
in and out; others were getting into an argument about what candidate
they supported. It was really quite a show, unfortunately Kriye, Ceila or
Rave had no time for shows.
They sat around their table discussing in whispers what they should do
next when two unlikely strangers came stumbling to their table, each
taking a seat next where Rave was sitting. Giving the two men peculiar
looks he asked them.
"Can I help you?"
"Yeah if you would just let us sit here for a few minutes that be
great, we have to stay low for a little bit."
With the two men not giving them much choice Rave and the girls just
gave each other apprehensive looks.
"I'm Zone," said one of them extending his hand "and my partner in
crime over here is Watts." Rave shook the man's hand hesitantly, when
Zone then turned to Kriye he looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"I'm sorry miss," said Zone coming out of his daze "but what's your
name?"
"Kriye.Kriye Heartily."
Both Zone and Watts almost fell out of their seats.
"I'm sorry," Zone apologized again "You just look remarkably like an
old friend of ours."
Rave could tell that Kriye would have like to have asked more
questions but Zone beat her to it.
"So what are three young adults like yourselves doing in Timber at a
time like this?"
"That's our business if you don't mind." Rave answered curtly.
"That's smart of you kid," Zone told him "you have to be careful at
times like this, where you stand can mean life or death."
"What's going on here anyway?" Ceila asked "Why all this commotion
just over an election?"
"In Timber miss it's never just an election. Ever since our
independence some nineteen years ago Timber has taken their elections
deathly serious. Every four years the same as the last with every
candidate as crooked as their opponent that their competing against. With
people like them running the show it hasn't been much different then when
we were under Galbadian's rule."
"Who are the two leading candidates this year?" Asked Ceila, who was
obviously intrigued.
"Jac Vallick and Russel McGivery, the scumbags."
Watts threw a look at his friend that plainly said 'keep your voice
down.'
"Who do you guys support?" Ceila continued to question, her voice
barely a whisper "If you don't mind me asking?"
"The only good hearted man in the race, Samson Greene," Watts told
her.
"He has a good shot too," Zone added "People are sick with the lies
that the candidates have been feeding them, their finally starting to see
through the lying hypocrites."
"The governors are defiantly not happy with this," Zone carried on "a
lot of shady stuff has been going on lately, and not all of it has to do
with the political scams that have always plagued this city."
Rave looked at Kriye and Ceila; he could sense that their interest was
raised as much as his own.
"What kind of shady stuff?" Rave asked offhandedly.
"Men have been meeting in this very restaurant for awhile now.
Important men, they all dress in slick suits and go to the back of the
restaurant where a lone room is reserved for people such as them."
"When are these meeting held?" Rave asked forgetting to sound
uninterested.
"I would suppose right now, sir." Watts told him "We saw a couple come
in her just as we were."
"Where in the back is the meeting room?"
"In the hallway just pass the bathrooms, but I wouldn't bother. The
room is so heavily guarded that there's no way you could get in."
Zone's answer made Rave's heart fall. To be so close yet so far was
sickening.
"Yep, it's impossible to get in that room," Zone continued a
mischievous grin spreading across his face "But that doesn't mean you
can't listen."
The three of them all look up at Zone.
"All you have to do is go into the bathroom. Just stand on top of one
of the toilets, there you'll find a vent that you can open. Just climb
into it and crawl a little ways. You'll be able to hear everything."
Jumping up from the table the three of them started to make their way
towards the bathroom when Zone called after them.
"You three take care, especially you Miss Kriye Heartilly."
With that the two strange men rushed out of the restaurant.
Ceila turned to Kriye. "We can't even do to a restaurant without having odd old men hitting on you Kriye.'
Kriye threw Ceila a deadly look before she stormed off to the bathroom. Chuckling Rave and Ceila followed in her wake.
When reaching the bathroom Rave couldn't help thinking 'why were secret entrances always in the 'bathroom,' why couldn't they be in a pretty field of flowers or something. Rave set his thoughts to the side as he helped the girls crawl into the vent, he then pulled himself in.
As Zone had told them they crawled along the vent, being careful to be as quiet as possible. The three of them came to a halt when the voices began to reach their ears.
"You have all the girls gathered?" Asked one voice.
"Enough, but we are still awaiting the main component. How's the sorceress search coming along Dr. Ledman?"
They recognized Dr. Ledman's cold matriculate voice enter the conversation.
"The girl is harder to obtain then any of us expected. She has both the cunning of her mother and the strength of her father."
"But she is still without either, is that correct?"
"Yes, as far as we know, but"-
"No buts' you must capture the girl before she returns home to Balamb, or everything is ruined. As soon as she returns to Balamb garden there is no hope. Do I make myself clear Dr. Ledman?"
"Crystal."
"Good, now if you excuse me."
The voices died down and silence now filled the vent.
The sorceress' daughter was running about, probably with no clue about the type of men that were after her. Turning to Kriye and Ceila Rave whispered to them.
"We have to go to Balamb garden and warn the sorceress' parents."
"Your right," said Kriye firmly throwing a look over at Ceila "let's go."
They crawled back to the bathroom, and jumped down.
They had just walked back into the restaurant when screams had started coming from outside. The whole room looked around at each other confused until someone came bursting into the restaurant.
"Somebody's shot Samson Greene!"
AUTHORS NOTE:
Well I finished the third chapter. I hope you enjoyed the sequence between Kriye and Ceila in the forest. I think having a good, strong friendship is so important that I tried to capture it, though; I don't think any words could ever do it justice.
Hope all is well,
Leah
An Odd Due's Advice
Men in slick suits were patrolling the woods, Ceila, Rave and Kriye all hid silently in separate trees, praying that they would just go away.
Kriye couldn't believe this was happening. All she had wanted was a nice getaway to Esthar, visit aunt Ellone, see the sights, and go back home with no problems.
Instead what Kriye had gotten was a run-in with some mysterious guy, her best friend being kidnapped and later discovering that the men were really after her because she is the daughter of the sorceress, and now she was hiding up in a tree away from men in suits who probably wanted to kill her. Why didn't she stay in the library back in Balamb or something?
The night sky eventually started to fade away and daybreak rose through the trees of the forest.
When Kriye was convinced that the coast was clear she jumped down from her tree, she was shortly joined by Ceila and Rave.
The three of them all sat down on a fallen log, there was just so much to discuss that Kriye didn't even know where to begin. Thankfully Ceila took charge and started the conversation.
"So what should we do from here?"
"I don't think we should be going to Esthar anytime soon," answered Rave "I have a feeling there will be too many men in suits crawling around."
Ceila, who was wearing a dazed look up until this point, suddenly turned to Rave and in a high pitched voice asked him.
"Who are you?"
"Oh sorry, I'm Rave Almansy. I met Kriye just before.well just before you were taken."
"Now did you," said Ceila throwing Kriye a meaningful look.
"What you purpose we do then if we don't go back to Esthar?" Asked Kriye changing the subject.
"Well we heard them talking about the sorceress' daughter right; shouldn't we warn her about these scientists?"
Kriye could see Ceila about to speak up, but then she caught Kriye's eye. Through some kind of best friend connection Ceila knew not to say anything, instead Kriye decided to throw in her own suggestion.
"Didn't we hear one of the doctors' talk about a meeting being held in Timber?"
"You don't think we should go to Timber do you?" Ceila asked incredulously "I mean I'm sure aunt Ellone is having kittens right now. If we don't come home."
"I understand that Ceila, but if these people are interested in the 'sorceress' daughter,' well then I need to know why."
The two girls looked at each other hard, in the end Ceila gave in.
"Alright we'll go, but how do you plan on getting to Timber?"
"I think I can solve that problem," said Rave.
Off the east coast of Esthar, about a mile away from where they now were, Rave had a small flyer. He said it be a tight squeeze, but the three of them all could fit in there.
That night when the sun finally went down, and darkness was upon them they were going to sneak over to the flyer and start their journey to Timber. Until then they were going to have a guard posted at the end of the forest, Ceila had volunteered to be on guard watch first, and for awhile just Kriye and Rave sat on that lonely, rotten log. Kriye took the opportunity to ask him the question that had been nagging her since the moment she met him.
"Rave what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what are you doing with two strange girls in the middle of the Estharian forest, about to embark on a journey to Timber to stop some scientists from getting a hold of the sorceress' daughter?"
"Well when you put it that way it sounds pretty crazy doesn't it?" He said with a laugh.
"Just a bit."
Rave let out a heavy sigh "Do you want the honest truth?"
"Only if you're willing to give it?" She told him.
"Okay, the truth is I have no other place to go. I ran away from my home about two weeks ago. My parents wanted me to live a life that I didn't want, so I left and I have been searching for what I wanted ever since. I hadn't even come close to finding something I wanted to pursue, and then I literally ran into you."
"You want to pursue me?" Kriye teased.
Rave cracked a smile. "You know what I mean. What were about to do, that's worth something."
"I guess it is." Kriye said quietly.
There was a brief moment of silence between them before Rave spoke up again.
"It's your turn now."
"My turn for what?" She asked confused.
"Why you're here, in the woods with some mysteriously, and let's face it a devilishly handsome guy, about to go to Timber?"
Kriye couldn't help but let out a laugh "It's not quite the story that yours is. Ceila and myself are just on vacation to visit my aunt, little did we know."
"Where are you from then?"
"Ah.we both attend Balamb garden."
"Really so that's where you learned how to use a gunblade so well."
"How about you Rave, you seem to be pretty handy with one yourself?"
"My old man taught me. I'm not sure where he picked it up. He doesn't like talking about his pasts. Anyway he has been teaching me since I was a little kid."
The two of them really didn't talk after that; in fact Kriye remained silent until Ceila came to take Rave's place. As soon as Rave was out of earshot Ceila started laughing.
"What is it?" Kriye asked a little offended by her friend's outburst.
"Here I was being kidnapped by mad scientist, and meanwhile you were off meeting good looking guys."
Kriye gave Ceila a playful shove. "Believe me it wasn't like that."
"Well then," Ceila persisted "why don't you enlighten me?"
Giving into a long sigh Kriye relayed the story to Ceila. When she was finished Ceila let out a loud incredulous laugh.
"You two met because he challenged you to a duel?"
Kriye nodded.
"Then without even being asked he followed you in your search for me?"
Again Kriye nodded.
"And now he's taking us to Timber so we can foolishly try to figure out what's going on?"
This time Kriye didn't even bother with a response, as her friend chuckled to herself. At last when Ceila's laughter had died down into a serious voice she asked Kriye.
"There's one thing I still don't understand Kriye, why don't you tell him you're mother's daughter. I think it's pretty obvious that he's not a threat. I honestly don't see the harm."
It was hard for Kriye to come up with the words to make her friend understand. After a long moment of contemplating Kriye looked up at her friend, who was waiting on her log patiently, and tried to explain.
"My whole life I've been known as my parent's child, then for who I actually am. I guess it's just nice for once in my life to be regarded as someone else. I know it's silly, but for the first time in my life I feel more like Kriye then Leonhart."
"You know," Ceila replied "If he stays with us for awhile you're going to have to tell him who you really are. I mean your identity is pretty vital to this mystery were going to solve."
"I know, I know, will you just let me keep it from him a little longer?"
Ceila smiled warmly "I won't say anything if you don't."
Smiling back Kriye told her friend 'thank you,' then got off the log and started to nestle within the leaves, the overwhelming power of sleep finally started to hit her.
"I think I'm going to try to get some shut eye before I have to trade shifts with Rave," she told Ceila.
"That's a good idea," Ceila replied joining her in the grass "It's going to be a long journey tonight."
Kriye was just about to slip into her much needed slumber when Ceila once again spoke.
"You know Kriye you might be a million other things to a million other people, but you've always been just Kriye to me."
Feeling her heart lighten at Ceila's words Kriye was barely able to give a reply, however, in the end she managed to whisper a few words.
"That's all I want to be."
"I know," Ceila said sleepily "I know."
The two didn't say anything else. It was just nice to know that somewhere in this great world Kriye at least had one person that knew where she was coming from.
* * *
The night finally took over the sky, and Rave, Kriye and Ceila finally
made their move.
Traveling along the coast they made it to Rave's flyer without a
problem. Squeezing into the smaller vehicle he took the controls. Locking
their destination onto Timber Rave eased up as the flyer took off.
He couldn't believe all that had happened in the span of twenty-four
hours. It was hard for him to believe that he was chasing down some mad
scientist in hope to save some sorceress that he didn't even know the
name of. Rave couldn't believe he was doing all this, let alone figure
out why.
Quickly Rave threw a glance back at Kriye, who was lying against the
back of the congested vehicle with her eyes shut. Rave would be lying if
he was to say that Kriye was not a factor to why he was here. She was
gorgeous, from the moment he saw her he was attracted to her. Still all
of this just for some beautiful girl? No, he choose to do this, and that
thought startled him.
His whole life Rave knew where he was going, like it or not he knew.
For the first time he had no clue to what was going to happen, and Rave
didn't know what to make of it.
They arrived in Timber just as dawn was breaking. Rave landed his
flyer just on the outskirts of town. He woke up the two girls who had
fallen asleep during the trip and together they tracked their way into
the city.
Timber was nothing compared to Esthar, the contrast was something like
night and day. As the three of them walked through the dumpy town Rave
felt that something was very off.
Hoards of people were racing around the place, shouting out things and
posting up signs wherever an open space lay.
Kriye walked over to a sign that was just posted. She ripped it off
the brick building, and read it out loud to Rave and Ceila.
"It's an election poster," she told them "Come vote at city hall.
October 5th. The candidates for the upcoming election of Timber's mayor
are as follows; Jac Vallick, Russel McGivery, Tarith Neilson, Veilant
Skeely and Samson Greene. Doors open at 8:00 a.m."
Finished reading the poster Kriye threw it to the ground in disgust.
"This is great; we have to find a lunatic scientist in this chaotic
mess." She lifts her head and stares at all the people running around
frantically. "It's going to be like trying to find a needle in a
haystack."
"So the elections tomorrow?" Ceila said nervously just as two people
ran into her then walked away without an apology.
"I guess," Kriye answered.
"Maybe if we wait around things will calm down."
With no other options in front of them they walked to the nearest
restaurant where they sat down at a square table in the corner and
ordered water.
The restaurant was just as chaotic as the streets. People were coming
in and out; others were getting into an argument about what candidate
they supported. It was really quite a show, unfortunately Kriye, Ceila or
Rave had no time for shows.
They sat around their table discussing in whispers what they should do
next when two unlikely strangers came stumbling to their table, each
taking a seat next where Rave was sitting. Giving the two men peculiar
looks he asked them.
"Can I help you?"
"Yeah if you would just let us sit here for a few minutes that be
great, we have to stay low for a little bit."
With the two men not giving them much choice Rave and the girls just
gave each other apprehensive looks.
"I'm Zone," said one of them extending his hand "and my partner in
crime over here is Watts." Rave shook the man's hand hesitantly, when
Zone then turned to Kriye he looked as if he had seen a ghost.
"I'm sorry miss," said Zone coming out of his daze "but what's your
name?"
"Kriye.Kriye Heartily."
Both Zone and Watts almost fell out of their seats.
"I'm sorry," Zone apologized again "You just look remarkably like an
old friend of ours."
Rave could tell that Kriye would have like to have asked more
questions but Zone beat her to it.
"So what are three young adults like yourselves doing in Timber at a
time like this?"
"That's our business if you don't mind." Rave answered curtly.
"That's smart of you kid," Zone told him "you have to be careful at
times like this, where you stand can mean life or death."
"What's going on here anyway?" Ceila asked "Why all this commotion
just over an election?"
"In Timber miss it's never just an election. Ever since our
independence some nineteen years ago Timber has taken their elections
deathly serious. Every four years the same as the last with every
candidate as crooked as their opponent that their competing against. With
people like them running the show it hasn't been much different then when
we were under Galbadian's rule."
"Who are the two leading candidates this year?" Asked Ceila, who was
obviously intrigued.
"Jac Vallick and Russel McGivery, the scumbags."
Watts threw a look at his friend that plainly said 'keep your voice
down.'
"Who do you guys support?" Ceila continued to question, her voice
barely a whisper "If you don't mind me asking?"
"The only good hearted man in the race, Samson Greene," Watts told
her.
"He has a good shot too," Zone added "People are sick with the lies
that the candidates have been feeding them, their finally starting to see
through the lying hypocrites."
"The governors are defiantly not happy with this," Zone carried on "a
lot of shady stuff has been going on lately, and not all of it has to do
with the political scams that have always plagued this city."
Rave looked at Kriye and Ceila; he could sense that their interest was
raised as much as his own.
"What kind of shady stuff?" Rave asked offhandedly.
"Men have been meeting in this very restaurant for awhile now.
Important men, they all dress in slick suits and go to the back of the
restaurant where a lone room is reserved for people such as them."
"When are these meeting held?" Rave asked forgetting to sound
uninterested.
"I would suppose right now, sir." Watts told him "We saw a couple come
in her just as we were."
"Where in the back is the meeting room?"
"In the hallway just pass the bathrooms, but I wouldn't bother. The
room is so heavily guarded that there's no way you could get in."
Zone's answer made Rave's heart fall. To be so close yet so far was
sickening.
"Yep, it's impossible to get in that room," Zone continued a
mischievous grin spreading across his face "But that doesn't mean you
can't listen."
The three of them all look up at Zone.
"All you have to do is go into the bathroom. Just stand on top of one
of the toilets, there you'll find a vent that you can open. Just climb
into it and crawl a little ways. You'll be able to hear everything."
Jumping up from the table the three of them started to make their way
towards the bathroom when Zone called after them.
"You three take care, especially you Miss Kriye Heartilly."
With that the two strange men rushed out of the restaurant.
Ceila turned to Kriye. "We can't even do to a restaurant without having odd old men hitting on you Kriye.'
Kriye threw Ceila a deadly look before she stormed off to the bathroom. Chuckling Rave and Ceila followed in her wake.
When reaching the bathroom Rave couldn't help thinking 'why were secret entrances always in the 'bathroom,' why couldn't they be in a pretty field of flowers or something. Rave set his thoughts to the side as he helped the girls crawl into the vent, he then pulled himself in.
As Zone had told them they crawled along the vent, being careful to be as quiet as possible. The three of them came to a halt when the voices began to reach their ears.
"You have all the girls gathered?" Asked one voice.
"Enough, but we are still awaiting the main component. How's the sorceress search coming along Dr. Ledman?"
They recognized Dr. Ledman's cold matriculate voice enter the conversation.
"The girl is harder to obtain then any of us expected. She has both the cunning of her mother and the strength of her father."
"But she is still without either, is that correct?"
"Yes, as far as we know, but"-
"No buts' you must capture the girl before she returns home to Balamb, or everything is ruined. As soon as she returns to Balamb garden there is no hope. Do I make myself clear Dr. Ledman?"
"Crystal."
"Good, now if you excuse me."
The voices died down and silence now filled the vent.
The sorceress' daughter was running about, probably with no clue about the type of men that were after her. Turning to Kriye and Ceila Rave whispered to them.
"We have to go to Balamb garden and warn the sorceress' parents."
"Your right," said Kriye firmly throwing a look over at Ceila "let's go."
They crawled back to the bathroom, and jumped down.
They had just walked back into the restaurant when screams had started coming from outside. The whole room looked around at each other confused until someone came bursting into the restaurant.
"Somebody's shot Samson Greene!"
AUTHORS NOTE:
Well I finished the third chapter. I hope you enjoyed the sequence between Kriye and Ceila in the forest. I think having a good, strong friendship is so important that I tried to capture it, though; I don't think any words could ever do it justice.
Hope all is well,
Leah