I don't own 10-2

You Are the Quarry

Chapter 4

My first intention was to let the Claret dragon kill his praetor ship enjoy my revenge and scram

But that wasn't such a good idea because any person could check up on me and know I've taken out much stronger fiends solo. Besides I can turn this to my advantage fighting with him could help me gain his trust. Which could speed up the process. Besides letting him wallow in pity is so much more fun.

I cast protect over both of us. Then change into the Dragoon and summon the Reis Wind. Standard practise really

I'm also obliged to protect the praetor and his precious white hair from harm

Don't push it

I've seen the praetor fight on several occasions. One on one he can give it a good go but two or three well trained fighters in front of him and he'll fall like a log

Fighting a Claret Dragon in trios is dangerous enough. Something I know well. Fighting one on one is asking for trouble. But I'm beyond caring.

I save the praetors eyeballs from being clawed out. (Despite wanting to see it) Life is full of sacrifices. At the possible expense of my consciousness. Why the hell is he out without his entourage of priests and guards?

Fighting it once in a day is bad. Fighting it twice isn't funny

It moves in for a tail sweep so I use jump. Drill shot may be new and fancy but you can't beat a classic.

Neither can the dragon

I land. Baralai has gotten stronger recently. But he is far to idle in general, busy with his duties to compete with seasoned campaigners. Good thing from my perspective. Hes probably been training more to compete with the warrior monks and mage ranks in case of an uprising. And with the delicate balance of power over the factions within Yevon his position was under constant threat.

His own advisers were probably against him as well. He is probably spreading his influence throughout the lower levels of Yevons structure to gain allies throughout the ranks as acolytes especially the higher level one (Trainee priests almost) were more likely to be on the grapevine. I may no socialize but you'd be surprised what listening and eavesdropping can do for you.

Being a seasoned fighter has its advantages. You can ride a fight out on auto pilot and calculate the best moves and outcomes without becoming vulnerable. And plus people will talk to you as they want you on their side. They also part with more information to push you in their direction. Read between the niceness and the second the battles over you'll be forgotten till the next war.

Unfortunately fighting on my own requires total concentration, theres no-one to pick you up when you fall.

Before I know it the fights over. I close the book quickly and heal the praetor before myself. Only minor scratches for him. I felt like half my stomach was being kept in by my clothing and had the blood stain to prove it. Curaga was a godsend. The wound was closed but my dress needed to be dry cleaned.

"Are you Okay Acolyte?" He sounded worried

"Acolyte Miranda yer praetor ship, I'll be fine, I need to put this book away before theres another repeat performance. I'll have the incident report on your desk tomorrow morning"

"I can manage that you go sit down"

"Its fine sir I've had worse than this and that's never slowed me down plus I'm compiling the bestiary so I'm used to this kind of thing" Never let someone hold a favour over you

"I should have remembered I saw you earlier on my inspection, you're strong I'm surprised you aren't in the ranks of mages and warriors"

"I find learning fulfilling, I had my share of fighting and found it doesn't fulfil me like it used to. I enjoy learning plus the books in the fiend library have beasts infused into the pages so I have to be strong. I haven't any plans so I can take the book back as I assume you're here on your rounds so I'll let you get back to them, apologies for the fight and I'll give you my report tomorrow." I win this round

I pick up the book defiantly and start walking

"Okay, okay but at least let me accompany you down there, you never know whats lurking around the corner" But he tries to salvage some of his pride

The halls seem much more foreboding a night without people walking through them. We walk in silence the book wrapped in my arms tightly the silence was just there it wasn't uncomfortable or strained. Thank the gods

"Acolyte Miranda"

"Yes yer Praetorship?" Speak formal sound informal

"Call me Baralai and because you have the right kind of skills can I ask you a question?"

"Sure" Uh Oh whats this?

"I'm sure you know about the missing record spheres that disappeared with Trema?"

"I've heard, I thought it was a rumour" I knew much more

"Well they're rumoured to be hidden in the depths of Via Infinito and I need someone who's a mastered time mage to scope the walls and see events that have transpired in there and maybe we can get find out what happened to them"

"Isn't it fiend infested?" Knowledge is power

"Numbers are down in recent times and you've shown you can take care of yourself and I don't want any one else finding out about this"

"But what about my current task" Cover all bases

"I'll assign someone else" Always ready

"But" Worry, look like you care

"I'm assigning a team this time it's unfair that you were singularly assigned that task so I'm giving you a more important one you've earned it"

"So how can I refuse what time where and when?" Seem keen

"My office eleven o'clock tomorrow morning the people taking over your current task will meet you at nine in the fiend library so you can brief them"

"Thank you sir" Good manners.

"My pleasure"

Maybe my evening wasn't so bad after all. I shelved the book, put another warning on it and went to bed. Didn't expect this, hes probably got something planned . Maybe this is a test. I figure it out in the morning. This encounter was certainly fruitful. And now I had an even more dangerous task. Oh Joy.