Chapter Five: The Interludes Fruition

The morning was very quiet. The two ate breakfast in silence, Seymel withdrawn into her own world and Baralai watching her with concern over his coffee.

"I'm going to stay here for a while – I don't need to return for a while. I'll check in with them in a few days. I guess you need to get back pretty quick?" Seymel miserably took a spoonful of cereal and realised she didn't feel hungry anymore.

"Yeah, they'll start panicking if I'm gone too long," Baralai replied and took a sip of his coffee, still intently watching her.

She nodded understandingly and massaged a temple. The dream, or nightmare, made her feel like a spike had been driven through her head – the images of random pictures still seared across her brain. Probably her own fault for replaying them over and over.

Baralai stood and had a sombre expression.

"I better go, Sey," he whispered. She stood and hugged him tightly, not wanting to let him go and leave.

"I'll see you soon, 'Lai, see if I don't," she promised with a bitter edge.

"Stay safe, Sey. I doubt New Yevon will keep me in Bevelle for that long again – there's not enough to do," Baralai insisted and he felt her miserably nod. She let go and he left after a brief kiss – the pain of contact knowing how little time they'd spent together after so long apart was unbearable. Now he was gone, she sank back into her chair and pondered. She still had a few days to spare.

In the end she did nothing for the day, her spirit temporarily broken from Baralai's departure, but she knew she'd be up bright and early tomorrow with renewed vigour and the will to go on the Shoopuf alone and take a nice walk around.

Safe in the knowledge she'd feel better in time, she happily began to resume her now soggy cereal, appetite back along with a little cheer.

Her laziness paid off – she got a lot of thinking, pining and whining time to herself which she used constructively in the hotel room so if she wanted to verbally rant to herself, no-one would be present to declare she was mad.

Her tide of emotions had passed and the new morning had brought about a far cheerier Seymel to breakfast. Yes, she did get a slight twinge of sadness that Baralai was no longer there, but she didn't let it bring her down. She boldly had stepped up to the Hypello and asked him if he could ride the Shoopuf across with only a minor twitch of fear on her face. The ride itself had ended with Seymel curled up in a ball sobbing quietly, but that was only a minor hiccup.

Now with the sun on her face and a smile beginning to tug onto her lips, she set off with the nightmare gone, the nasty thoughts far away and she felt energetic and ready for a beautiful carefree day.

Of course, knowing Seymel, it wasn't destined to last. Her walk had been largely uneventful – there was a bit of a battle against an Ochu, but when you have fire magic at your command, the creature was child's play. She continued on right near to Djose, then turned around and headed for the hotel, which was when she got interrupted in mid-walk.

"Halt. Give me your treasure," said a cold dead voice behind her. Seymel swirled around in a second, her hands readied to cast a spell. A man dressed in plain loose clothes stood with a dagger gripped tightly in his hand.

"No," she decided and prepared to cast her favourite spell, Firaga.

"No, huh? Well, we'll see about that," he spoke softly and launched his attack at her. The dagger swung at her in a flash and Seymel fell back in shock. Rare few muggers and thugs were this quick to take a pop at you before checking you over to see what goods you were likely to carry. The dagger narrowly missed her, but he drew it back and thrust wildly at her. She gave an ear shattering scream as the blade plunged into her stomach and out again.

She stood in shock as blood began to trickle out the gash.

"Firaga!" she retaliated and flames built to a frenzy around the attacker, orange and yellow power licking his torso. He bellowed in pain and slashed violently again in her direction, nicking her arm.

"Get away from me!" she screeched, feeling light headed. She gathered her strength once more in preparation for a Flare spell. That should finish him.

The man surveyed her critically.

"You're not getting out of here alive..." he said decisively and began to leave. Seymel's legs were wobbling terribly and she fell to her knees.

With one last effort she yelled, "Flare!" before collapsing on the ground and resting.

The crimson light forged into power curled around his body and exploded into the sky – a fire of light and heat that made Seymel shield her eyes momentarily.

The man roared in pain, skin a little charred, energy spent, but staggered away. Seymel remained still until she was sure he gone. She felt weak and out of sorts.

Seymel gave an uncontrollable laugh and spat up some blood.

"H-heh...who'd thought it'd...end this way," she choked out to herself and pulled her elbows up to prop herself up.

"Ugh..." she groaned. Pain was flashing all over her body, cut oozed blood in a very upsetting pool. That was way too much blood than she liked...

Her head was spinning and making her feel sick, maybe it was poison, more likely blood loss now she thought about it...Where, where was she again?

The man who pretended to be a thug had gone. He wasn't a thug – all they wanted was money or items, whatever came to hand. They didn't usually take more interest in killing people than getting useful treasure... who was he?...

'...Where was Baralai?' she miserably thought and began to feel unconsciousness call.

No...Seymel hauled herself to her feet, then fell to her knees, tears slipping down her face. Her arms clutched her middle, the main stab wound taking its toll.

"Help..." she shouted as loud as she could, but it came out as a strangled sob. She was descending down into blackness. She prayed someone would find her, anyone.

She crawled to the side and propped herself against a smooth rock and cried. A hand pressed against her face while the other remained on her stomach to stem the bleeding as best she could.

"Baralai, where are you?..." she wept, wiping the tears away and sniffing back any more crying. If she was going to die, she at least wanted Baralai to be there...

Her eyes began to close and her mind glided down into a warm dimness...