Chapter 57

It All Ends Up In The Sewers...

---

The wind whistled ominously through the Kobold Village as Kara found herself under the very scrutinising stares of Warren, Joseph and Malcolm.

"...'oops?'" Warren looked quizzically at Kara, "You lead us to the wrong place and all you can say is 'oops?'"

"I'm surprised we even got an 'oops,'" Malcolm shook his head, "Although a 'sorry' would have been far better."

Kara ruffled her hair in confusion, wondering just how she managed to lead herself, her brother, Warren and Joseph to the Kobold Village instead of Two River city. She turned back to face her three travelling buddies and plastered a nervous grin on her face.

"Well…um…anyone can make a slight navigational error," Kara flustered under the scrutinous glares she was receiving from the three guys. It was about this point she realized she didn't have much chance of weaselling out of this one, but that wasn't about to stop her from trying, "Besides, this is a great village! Look around at all the happy Kobolds. It's, uh, well…we're just taking the scenic route to Two River, that's all. It's really all for Joseph's benefit anyway. Maybe this place could jog a memory or two!"

The unconvinced look she got from Joseph told Kara all she needed to know. Joseph never really said much, but with looks like that he never had to. Warren only yawned, showing Kara how much attention he was really paying to her. Malcolm, meanwhile, had only narrowed his eyes at her. Kara gave in and sighed, letting defeat overcome her.

"Okay, so I messed up," She confessed with a sweatdrop, "It's not like I led us off a cliff or anything. We're not really that far away from Two River, are we?"

"Far enough," Malcolm frowned as he tried to think about it, "I wouldn't like to try and make the journey right now, it's pretty late and we'd only end up having to camp out again. I'd really like somebody to look at my leg, it's still hurting."

"Don't worry about it Kara," Warren sighed tiredly, proving that he was actually paying attention to the surprise of the girl. The prospect of having to camp out again wasn't one that Warren wanted to face. He wanted nothing more than to get some sleep in an actual bed, "Let's just find the inn and rest up for the night. If we hurry we can probably catch up with Riou and the others at Two River tomorrow."

"I don't think I'm capable of hurrying anywhere at the moment," Malcolm muttered, and since he was still being held up by Warren and Joseph, he was probably right.

"I'm pretty sure we'll find something to help that here," Warren replied, "Holding you up is beginning to become something of a bore. Do you realize how hard it is fending off creatures whilst carrying you?"

"I wasn't pleased when you threw me to the ground like you did," Malcolm moaned, "That didn't help any of my injuries."

"At least we kicked those creature's collective asses," Warren grinned and high-fived Kara with his free hand, "Sorry about the mud puddle though."

"Funny that, you didn't seem too sorry when you were laughing at the state of me," Despite his words, Malcolm did manage a little smile anyway; "Can we just find the inn already?"

"Here, here!" Warren chorused, "Any idea where it is?"

"It's probably that big building at the back of the village," Kara pointed out said big building out to the others, "I mean, what else could it be?"

"I don't know if I want to take advice from you anymore," Warren jokily chided, noting Kara's pout and he grinned as a result, "Oh, come on. Let's go see if you're right. Don't look at me like that, it'll take more than that petted lip and those baby blue eyes to melt me."

Warren and Joseph walked past Kara towards the building she had pointed out, with Malcolm more-or-less being dragged along with them. Kara simply stared at Warren incredulously for a moment before jogging to catch up with them.

"Excuse me?" She asked, somewhat dumbfounded, "I'm not trying to 'melt' you. If I wanted to try and melt you, you'd damn well be a puddle in the ground by now!"

"Sure I would," Warren chuckled lightly, "You really need to curb that temper, honey."

"I DON'T have any anger management problems, buster!" Kara retorted loudly, storming past the three guys. She was clearly in the huff as she looked back at Warren over her shoulder and yelled at him, "And don't call me 'honey!'"

"Oh, damn," Malcolm muttered, looking at Joseph, "This is going to end in violence...and I'm going to end up face first on the ground again."

"At least it would feel like the world had been lifted off my shoulders," Joseph replied dryly, "You certainly didn't miss many meals out there on your island."

"...I liked you better when you were quiet and broody," Malcolm sighed, suddenly feeling like he didn't have a friend in the world, "Where'd that bitchy statement come from?"

"You try carrying yourself around for a day and see how bitchy you are afterwards," Joseph looked over at Warren, who seemed to be nodding in agreement. Malcolm could only silently fume at the pair of them. Warren turned away from Malcolm's silent fury, and suddenly stopped in his tracks. Unfortunately, Joseph and Malcolm were still moving. As a result, Malcolm suddenly found himself lacking one of his sources of balance, and once again found himself crashing down to the ground in one hell of an undignified heap.

"Ow!" He moaned into the ground, lifting his head to look up at Warren, "What was that for!"

"I think I'm about to let myself in for a world of trouble," Warren answered, receiving puzzled looks from the downed Malcolm and from Joseph, who was in no real hurry to help Malcolm up. "Kara, I really don't want to sound like I'm doubting you," Warren flinched as Kara turned sharply around to face him, "But I'm pretty sure we just passed a building with an 'Inn' sign on it."

"I didn't see it," Kara replied huffily, turning back away from Warren. Her hair whipped around sharply, which pretty much indicated how angry she was at Warren.

"Fury of a woman scorned, I guess I can't blame her for doubting me," Warren said sheepishly, "Think I went over the line?"

"Warren, you went so far over the line that the line is now just a speck to you," Malcolm replied in a sort of protective big brother way, the effect partially ruined as he tried to get back up. "Please say you'll apologise to her...I can't face too much of her when she's in berserk mode."

"It's either that or face eternal pain and suffering," Joseph added, wondering if he was just kidding or if he was talking from personal experience, "Probably, I mean."

"Okay, okay," Warren smiled, "But seriously, we did pass the inn already. It was right there..."

"Then we really should stop her from going into that building," Malcolm sighed as he realised Kara's wrath was probably going to extend to everybody if she was proved wrong for the second time in under twenty minutes, "It could be someone's house for all we know."

"Oh dear," Warren mused with a grin, "It probably wouldn't be a good show on our part if Kara lost it totally at one of the Kobolds. Funny, yeah, but we'd be camping out again as a result. Joseph, you go stop her."

Joseph looked at Warren in a rather shocked manner, "Me? Why me?"

"Because she isn't angry at you," Warren grinned, "That means she might actually listen to you."

"Plus you did want to 'lift the world from your shoulders,'" Malcolm added from the ground, with an equally wicked grin on his face, "We're letting you do that."

"Fine...I hate you both," Joseph muttered as he chased after Kara, who was seemingly oblivious to the guys' conversation.

"Gee, this whole trip has brought nothing but hate and fighting," Warren sighed sadly, his grin fading quickly from his face, "I guess I shouldn't tease her so much...she really takes these things to heart, doesn't she?"

"She'd kill me for saying this," Malcolm watched as Joseph caught up with Kara, feeling like he'd just sent the lamb to slaughter, "But Kara's way too sensitive. Especially when she's being teased by people she likes."

"Eh?" Warren looked slightly dumbfounded as he helped Malcolm back up, "You think she likes me?"

"She wouldn't get that angry at you if she didn't," Malcolm replied softly as he brushed the dirt off his shirt and trousers, "That's just how she is. Wait until she cools down a bit, you'll see. Why else would she get so uppity about what you said to her?"

"I thought I was just playing along with her game," Warren's brow creased in confusion, and then a half smile crept onto his face, "Do you really think she likes me?"

"She's my sister, remember?" Malcolm replied with a shrug, "If I don't know these things about her, who would? She knows all my personal quirks too...and don't think for one second she wouldn't exploit them. She hasn't changed a bit in three years. It's like Riou and Nanami, nobody knows them like the other does...it's kinda the same between Kara and me. Only we don't get along as well as Riou and Nanami do."

"Is that a hint of bitterness I detect in your voice?" Warren asked cheekily, "You aren't jealous of our leader's close relationship with his sibling, are you?"

"Warren, do you want to have BOTH of us angry at you?" Malcolm retorted, equally cheekily.

"Ack!" Warren said in mock horror, "Anything but that!"

Malcolm and Warren chuckled as they reached the spot Kara and Joseph had stopped at. Kara looked about as pleased at Joseph telling her they had passed the inn as you can imagine...to wit, not at all.

"I swear! You three are just trying to antagonise me!" She yelled in hysteria, causing quite a few Kobolds to turn and look at her, "I think I've been upset enough over the past few days without you three adding to it"

"Kara, we're not trying to upset you," Warren tried to tone down his usual over the top tone, "We're just telling you the truth."

"The Kobolds are staring at us," Joseph said quietly, "Can we at least try not to make a scene?"

"You keep this up and you'll not only get a scene, but a whole dramatic presentation!" Kara hissed angrily, but at least she wasn't yelling anymore, "That building has to be the inn. Look at those two, they're heading straight for it."

Warren, Joseph and Malcolm both looked to see the two people Kara had indicated. One was a determined looking girl in yellow, with her long red hair in two braids. The other was a worried looking guy carrying a pack that looked very heavy. It was clear he was struggling to carry it. It was pretty clear she was the leader of the two.

"There aren't any other humans here but us and them," Kara's tone had suddenly become more smug than before, "So why else would they be going to that particular building? They're in the same situation as us! It has to be the inn!"

"But Kara, we just passed the inn," Malcolm replied tiredly, "There was a sign and everything..."

"Well, maybe this place has two inns," Kara gleefully retorted, "And surely the bigger one will have more rooms than whatever tiny one you saw will."

"We don't have a lot of potch to spare, Kara," Warren added, hoping not to rain on Kara's parade, "Surely the smaller inn will be cheaper..."

"It can't hurt to ask, now can it?" Kara smiled smugly, she knew she had won this argument, "Come on, it'll take us all of five minutes to see."

"You promise not to get mad if it's not an inn?" Warren asked, almost timidly.

"I promise!" Kara looked as innocent as possible. Nobody was convinced by it, "Seriously, I'm too tired to fly off the handle again."

"Fine, let's go," Malcolm submitted, letting Kara lead them towards the large building, he added in a much quieter voice, "And once again she gets her own way."

"You gave in too easily," Warren chided, "We could've made a stand if you had shown some tenacity."

"And your 'promise not to get mad' was, what, your heroic voice?" Malcolm retorted, forcing Warren to reply with the mighty flick to the forehead, "Ow!"

Kara walked boldly into the supposed 'inn' to see the two people she had noticed earlier talking to an elderly looking Kobold. He was leaning on a walking stick for support, and Kara couldn't help noticing the irony there. The three guys walked in behind her, all knowing right away that this was definitely NOT an inn.

"So that's why we've came here," The red-headed girl said to the Kobold, "Will you help us?"

"We really shouldn't be taking up so much of his time," The male said quietly to the girl, "Besides, this quest seems rather dangerous..."

"Come on Hix, this is perfect!" She replied, "The Unicorn will only appear before a 'Pure-Hearted Maiden' and a 'True Warrior.' That's what the Quest of the Unicorn is all about. If you go through with this, then you'll have completed your quest of manhood!"

"What's going on..." Malcolm began to ask, but was immediately 'ssh'd' by Kara. Warren and Joseph looked just about as perplexed as Malcolm did by the conversation unfolding in front of them.

"The Quest of the Unicorn," The elderly Kobold mused, "I haven't heard that mentioned since my childhood...I'm afraid that it is just a myth, a fairytale told to children. I'm sorry you made this trip for nothing, but it seems this has been a wasted trip."

"Tengaar, let's just forget about this and go," Hix said nervously, "Let's just forget about this whole quest..."

"What are you talking about Hix?!?" Tengaar yelled at him, obviously not willing to let this go so easily, "How can you be accepted as a man if you don't go through with this! The Warrior's Village will never accept you as a true warrior at this rate! Oh, you're impossible!"

The elderly Kobold's ears seemed to perk up, "Uh, excuse me...did you say you came from the 'Warrior's Village?'"

Tengaar looked at the Kobold and nodded, "Yes, that's right. Why do you ask?"

"It's getting late," The elderly Kobold said, "You'd best stay here the night. We can discuss this further in the morning. I insist you and your companions rest here."

"Companions?" Tengaar asked, confused, "What are you talking..."

Tengaar turned around to see the four 'companions' standing there, all looking bewildered by the conversation they had just listened to.

"Eh-heh...well, it's good of you to have us. Thank you very much!" Kara chuckled nervously before turning back to face the three guys, she muttered quickly, "Play along, we'll get free boarding for the night."

"Well, I must say it'll feel good to rest awhile," Hix said offhandedly, "This bag weighs a ton..."

"What are you talking about!" Tengaar fumed, causing Kara and the guys to flinch at the ferocity, "There's barely anything in there! I should know, I packed it! Oh, I give up...let's just get some sleep."

"Uh, young lady," The elderly Kobold said to Tengaar, "May I speak with you in private for a moment."

"Huh?" Tengaar looked confused for a second, then shrugged, "Sure sir, I'll let Hix unpack for us."

They all watched as Tengaar and the Kobold walked over to the far side of the room, wondering what that was all about. Hix turned to face the four companions with an apologetic look on his face.

"Sorry that you had to see that," He said softly, "Did you come to see the Chief of the Kobolds too?"

"Well, actually..." Warren began, but was cut off by a very swift elbow to the ribs.

"That doesn't matter now," Kara grinned as Warren silently fumed at her for elbowing him, "What was that all about?"

"Oh, well for me to be recognised as a warrior by my village, I have to complete my journey of manhood," Hix sighed, "Tengaar read about this quest in a book, and has been dead set on going through with it ever since."

"But the Unicorn is just a myth," Malcolm replied, "I've read about it too, and like the Chief said, it's just a children's tale. It's just to prevent Kobold children from wandering alone in the woods."

"Oh, you haven't a romantic bone in your body," Kara moaned at Malcolm, "A brave knight facing a Unicorn to protect his fair maiden...it's wonderful."

"She's a pretty high-maintenance girl, this Tengaar," Warren added, thinking that Kara and Tengaar were too much alike for his liking, "Does she always yell at you like that?"

"Tengaar...well, she's really a lovely girl. She just wants what's best for me," Hix replied, "She's nice...maybe too nice."

"Are you sure she wants what's best for you," Malcolm asked, "Not what she thinks is best for you? There is a big difference."

"You're just saying that because of what father did to you," Kara shook her head at him, "I'm sure Tengaar isn't that pushy."

Hix, probably wisely on his part, didn't respond to that.

"Well, I don't know about you," Warren yawned loudly and paused a second before continuing, "But I could really do with a good night's sleep. I'm sure we can figure this whole mess out tomorrow."

"Good idea," Kara replied, stifling a yawn herself, "We need to be up and away early anyway if we're going to get to Two River city tomorrow."

"You don't mind us staying here with you, do you?" Malcolm asked as Kara and Warren headed towards the beds that were being layed out for everyone, "I know we're not companions or anything..."

"No, it's okay," Hix replied, "I feel a bit better having talked to you guys. Sleep well."

"I guess we can't complain..." Malcolm shrugged as Hix walked away, "It might not be an inn, but Kara's not going to kill anybody. I think this counts as a victory."

"Guess so..." Joseph replied quietly, "Are you sure this whole Unicorn thing is a myth?"

"According to the books I've read, yeah," Malcolm answered, "Why'd you ask?"

"No reason..." Joseph replied, helping Malcolm towards one of the beds, "I just wondered, that's all."

"Oh, okay..." Malcolm looked dubious at Joseph's reply, wondering if the young amnesiac knew more than he was letting on, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Joseph said as he lay on top of the bed. It didn't take very long until all four of them were fast asleep.

---

Warren was the first to awake of the group. Having travelled with them for a few days, Warren was smart enough not to try and wake any of them up before they were ready. Instead he slipped out of the Kobold Chief's house and into the brisk morning air. Warren shivered a little, it was a pretty chilly morning. There was a brief plan for the day, one which Warren had cleverly formulated before he fell asleep. Firstly, they still had to get a doctor to check out Malcolm's leg. Secondly, once that was done, they could FINALLY make their way to Two River and meet up with Riou and the others. It would be good to finally find out whether or not Elaine had delivered that letter of Shu's or not.

"Excuse me young man..."

Warren blinked in surprise and looked down at what appeared to be a Kobold Doctor. The stethoscope and white coat was probably the give away, and Warren had to believe he was only wearing it because he saw a picture of a doctor somewhere.

"Um…of course, doctor," Warren stepped aside and let the doctor in. He scratched his head, not quite sure what to make of the figure.

"Huh..." He pondered out loud, "Guess the Kobold Chief summoned him for us. How nice of him."

"I don't think that's the case..."

Warren turned around to see Joseph walking towards him. Joseph yawned as he walked out into the crisp morning air, "You don't think so? Why else would there be a doctor here?"

"I couldn't say," Joseph replied, a tired edge to his voice. Warren guessed that the doctor's entrance had woken him up, "But we never mentioned Malcolm's leg to anybody else..."

"Well, that is bizarre," Warren scratched his head in confusion, "My easily piqued curiosity demands I check this out. Coming?"

"Sure," Joseph yawned again, fully intending to go back to bed as soon as this debacle was over, "Whatever..."

Warren and Joseph walked into the hut, and were met with a rather unusual sight. The doctor was over by the bed Tengaar had slept in the previous night. Both Hix and Kara (whom Warren couldn't believe was already awake, he blamed the doctor again) looked panicked.

"What's going on?" Warren asked nobody in particular, genuinely curious about this scene.

"Tengaar..." Kara's voice was wobbly, and she even looked like she'd been crying, "We can't wake her up...she's still breathing, but...it's like she can't wake up again."

"Don't SAY that!" Hix was in hysterics, "Tengaar...she has to be okay..."

"At least that explains the doctor," Joseph nodded in understanding.

"Ugh, what's going on? It's too noisy for this early in the morning..."

Malcolm managed to hobble over looking very bleary eyed. It took him a few moments to even notice the doctor examining Tengaar, and a few more to realise something was up.

"Tengaar won't wake up," Joseph summarised, "And Kara and Hix are pretty upset about it."

"Aren't you?" Warren asked Joseph as the doctor seemed to be taking Tengaar's pulse...causing Joseph to wonder if a doctor with paws could even take a human's pulse.

"I don't even know her," Joseph replied dismissively, "Although if it's upsetting Kara, it's upsetting me because it's upsetting seeing her upset."

"The fact that you're babbling shows your concerned," Kara walked over to the guys, her arms folded across her chest, "Thanks."

"Come here," Warren said softly to her. Kara complied wordlessly and found herself being hugged, "It'll be fine, I'm sure the doctor can help her..."

"I cannot help her," The doctor said abruptly, standing back from the still form of Tengaar.

Hix wailed something incomprehensible, but it was enough to showcase his upset.

"What?!? Why can't you help her!?" Kara yelled, breaking out of Warren's hug and storming towards the doctor.

"Kara, please don't yell," Malcolm muttered, "It's not going to help matters any, and you'll only give us all migraines."

"I can't help her because this isn't a medical problem," The doctor replied calmly, not rising to Kara's challenge, "It's clearly a mystical one. Tell me, has this child been talking about the 'Quest of the Unicorn' a lot since she got here?"

"All the time," Hix replied worriedly, at least managing to sound legible, "That's what we came here for."

"Hmm..." The doctor mused as he walked past the group, "I'm guessing the Unicorn must have cursed her."

Kara and Hix both looked alarmed, whilst Malcolm, Warren and Joseph just looked on in disbelief. The doctor walked out of the house, his prognosis complete.

"The Unicorn you dismissed as a myth yesterday..." Malcolm narrowed his eyes at the Chief of the Kobolds, "Has suddenly become real and cursed Tengaar...uh huh. Sure."

"'Curse of the Unicorn?'" Hix sounded really panicked, and he completely missed Malcolm's point, "Oh no! Tengaar...there has to be a way to save her, hasn't there?"

"There has to be," Kara looked pleadingly at the Kobold Chief, "Please say you know a way to save her."

Malcolm felt like the point he was trying to make had just been completely stamped out by Hix and Kara. He sighed and stepped back, letting the Kobold Chief say his piece.

The Chief of the Kobolds continued as if nothing had happened, "To save this young girl, you have to bring three mystical items to the Unicorn's tree in the forest."

"'Unicorn's tree?'" Warren almost laughed at the idea, "What, has he personally marked it as his territory?"

"Warren, this isn't the time for childish humour," Kara rolled her eyes at Warren's immaturity, "What are these three items?"

"They are the Blue Stone, the Red Flower," The Chief of the Kobolds paused for a second. Nobody knew if it was for affect of just that he had a bad memory, "Oh, yes, the third item is the Green Bell."

"They don't sound very mystical to me," Joseph said dubiously, ruffling the back of his head, "Where are we supposed to find these things?"

"The Blue Stone is in South Window City, I read once that they are sometimes sold in the item shop," The Kobold Chief replied, trying to sound knowledgeable. It was hard to not think he was just repeating something that he had read somewhere. There was a serious lack of imagination here, "The Red Flower grows in the Cave of the Wind. The Green Bell…um...the Green Bell..."


"It's a sewer…"

The party had been following the slippery winger for only a few moments. They had gone down a ladder (Millie, being the only girl wearing a skirt, had more or less demanded to go down first…after Elaine, of course) and found themselves, as Avara's disgusted voice had proclaimed, in the sewers.

"He's very sneaky," Andrew stated as he looked around, "It'd be almost impossible to track him down here. Who knows how many different paths and dead-ends this sewer has?"

"I refuse to pursue that creature through here," Avara said arrogantly, "How can you expect someone of my standing to wander through such a disgusting place?"

Chris snorted as he barged past Avara, pointedly budging into Avara's shoulder as he walked past, "What's the matter? Afraid you might get a little dirt under your precocious fingernails? Let's just leave him here, we might get lucky and lose him for good."

"Avara can wait here if he wants to," Riou walked on after Chris, the others right behind him, "We have to catch up with Elaine before she does something stupid."

"Hmph," Avara bristled, annoyed at that 'lose him for good' comment, "It's not like I can go anywhere in this city without Riou being there. They seem scared of me, can't imagine why."

Nobody was paying him any attention though, which only annoyed Avara even more. With a grumpier than usual look on his face, Avara walked on to catch up with the others.

"Well, it really can't get any worse than this," Nanami stated matter-of-factly, "This sewer absolutely stinks."

"And yet when I comment on it, I get chewed out," Avara grumped, "I should have stayed in Muse, then I wouldn't have gotten stabbed in Kuskus, I wouldn't have had to be saved by Luc and I wouldn't have met this moron."

The 'this moron' comment was followed by a direct finger point at Chris, who merely shrugged amiably and asked him, "Then why didn't you stay?"

"I wanted to help a friend out," Avara replied, following his reply with another finger point, this time aimed at Millie, "Just like you're here to help her."

"I'm just here to make sure," Chris pointed at Fitcher, who was cowering behind Andrew. It seemed like Fitcher didn't like the sewers either, "That he pays back what he owes me. And I won't get that if we don't get his wallet back from that Winger."

"There are some things that are much more important than money, Chris," Avara replied simply, if not in a kind way, "I hope you will learn this lesson some day."

Chris looked confused as Avara swept past him. Millie also stormed past Chris, a somewhat hurt look on her face. The group walked on in comparative silence after that. There was the occasional collective groan as they realised that they had taken a wrong turn and had found themselves facing a dead-end. There was also the occasional creature to deal with, but between the group they didn't have much difficulty…despite them having an additional handicap in the form of Fitcher. The most troublesome of these creatures turned out to be the Landsharks, who proved very difficult to physically hit. However, they proved very susceptible to magic, as Avara gleefully found out.

"Are you sure that lightning magic is the safest kind to use down here in a sewer?" Nanami had worriedly asked as Avara took out another one, "There's not much room for error…"

Avara had simply glared at her and replied sharply, "I don't miss. I'd be more worried about her summoning magic."

Millie, while not the sharpest tool in the shed, knew fine well that she was being referred to, and she pouted accordingly, "I know what I'm doing."

"Really?" Avara asked her, watching as she nodded in reply, "Do you know you're about to walk off a ledge?"

Millie stopped dead in her tracks, as did everybody else. She looked down. She immediately wished she hadn't.

"Er…thanks," Millie nervously laughed, "Is there a ladder down?"

"Right here," Riou pointed the ladder out, "Going down first again, Millie?"

Millie did indeed go down first, which was difficult considering she continued to keep Bonaparte in a death grip as she climbed down. Everybody else climbed down at a vastly superior rate. Even Fitcher managed to climb down at least a fraction of a second quicker than Millie did.

"Looks like there's only one path from here," Andrew led the way. It was painfully obvious that he was still worrying about Elaine. He had practically jumped down that ladder, "Of course, that means we'll hit another dead-end…"

"Don't jinx it!" Millie chided, "Oooh, if we do find another dead-end, I'm gonna hit you!"

Andrew mockingly flinched away from as she giggled. Both of them knew she was just kidding. Everybody followed the two, totally missing the secret passageway behind the waterfall. And because they missed it, nobody saw Chaco stick his head out from it to watch the group walk past, totally oblivious. A huge grin appeared on his face as he snuck up the ladder to head back to the Winger district. He didn't start laughing until he had gotten back to his house. He laughed long and hard, wondering if it were possible to find a living creature dumber than one of those humans...

Meanwhile, back in the sewers, things were progressing as you would expect. The path was becoming more straightforward, but that didn't stop the group finding more dead-ends. The monster attacks became less frequent, as they realised they weren't dealing with a lost Winger child or a defenceless sewer worker. That didn't necessarily stop Avara from using his lightning magic on them, but most of them lived to fight another day. For the most part they walked in silence, not wanting to draw any unnecessary attention to themselves. There was, however, one serious conversation that occurred.

"Avara was right, you know," Millie said to Chris as they walked, she didn't bother to look at Chris as she spoke, "You're really greedy when it comes to money."

"Hey, I'm just after the money I've earned," Chris retorted, looking desperately for support but finding none, "Surely that's fair, right?"

"All I've heard from you is 'money, money, money,'" Millie still didn't look at Chris as she spoke, which was really irritating the young mage, "What happens when Mr. Fitcher pays you, Chris? Will you just leave us all behind in search for more potch? Is there anything you won't do for money?"

"Why am I being portrayed as the bad guy here?" Chris looked confused, wondering where this attack had come from, "I'm just trying to earn enough money so I can be taught how to use magic properly! I'm not greedy!"

"Sure you're not," Fitcher rolled his eyes, ignoring the look Chris was giving him.

"There's several people in the Orange Army who could teach you, Chris," Riou intervened, fearing that things were getting a little too loud down in the sewers, "People like Zamza or maybe even Avara..."

Avara simply shrugged, "I might not like you, but you do have potential. I think I could be persuaded to assist you in your training. I have no need for your potch."

"Let's just track that Winger and that girl down first," Chris said to no-one in particular, "There's nothing else for it now. We'll see, okay?"

"Okay, that's more like it," Millie finally turned to look at Chris, "Everyone wants you to stay with us at the castle."

"We could use another mage in our fight against Highland," Riou added, "I'm sure you could really help out."

"Plus you get to spend more time with Millie," Andrew added, smirking at the scowling Chris, "I'm sure you'd both love that."

"Of course we would, wouldn't we Chris?" Millie asked cheerfully, completely missing Andrew's subtle hint to Chris.

"I said I'd think about it," Chris replied, hoping that this conversation was finally over.

The group walked on in silence again. It was only because of this silence that they heard the faint ringing sound in the distance.

"What was that?" Riou asked, looking around in confusion, "Another monster?"

"Maybe it was a lost pet," Andrew shrugged at the looks he got from the others, "It could have a collar with one of those bells on it."

"Ooh!" Millie exclaimed excitedly, "I bet that would look so cute on Bonaparte!"

"Over there," Nanami pointed ahead, "There's something shiny on the ground."

Nanami rushed ahead to see what it was, the others following behind her.

"What is this thing?" Nanami looked confused as she bent down to look at the sparkling object she had found, "It looks like a bell that's been painted green...what's something like this doing down here? How strange..."


"Ah yes! The Green Bell has been hidden away in the sewers of Two River City, just in case something like this were to occur," The Chief of the Kobolds eventually said.

"Wait, if you had the Green Bell already, why hide it so far away?" Warren looked confused, "Surely it would've been better to hide it somewhere closer."

"Don't be silly Warren," Kara countered offhandedly, "They had to hide it far away so the Unicorn couldn't destroy it. I'm right, aren't I?"

"Uh, yes! Yes, that's exactly it!" The Chief of the Kobolds laughed heartily, "There's no fooling someone with such quick thinking!"

Joseph, Warren and Malcolm sighed at the inevitable smug grin they received from Kara.

"More like it's real easy to fool someone so gullible," Warren muttered to Malcolm, who could only shake his head at this scene in disgust.

"Okay, so there's three items," Hix turned to face the others, "I don't want to trouble you, but could you help me find them?"

"Of course we will!" Kara replied quickly, "It won't be a problem, right guys?"

"Kara...we don't really have time for this," The pain in Malcolm's leg may still have been there, but the headache he was getting nearly eclipsed it, "We have to meet up with Riou and the others."

"There's no problem there!" Kara chorused, "One of the items is in Two River, right? So somebody can go there and tell Riou about what's happening! I'm sure he won't mind letting us borrow the other boat to get the other two items! We'll bring it right back, after all."

"Well, how do you propose we get back to South Window and the Cave of the Wind?" Malcolm had seemingly relented to this idea, but was still thinking realistically. His father would probably throw another fit if they walked back into Lakewest so soon after their bust up, "We'd be as good as dead walking into Lakewest in such a small group."

"I guess that means we'll have to go to Two River then, doesn't it?" Kara replied, the plan formulating in her head, "Don't worry, I'll let you lead the way."

"Fine, okay," Malcolm gave in, throwing his arms up in frustration, "Can I at least have my leg checked before we go?"

"Sure! I'll go and catch the doctor," Kara ran out of the house before anyone could say anything against her.

"I'm going with Kara too," Joseph said determinedly, "I don't want to go back to South Window city. Not after what happened before..."

"That's fair enough, Joseph," Warren had heard of Joseph's misadventure in South Window. Mind you, all four of them had had a misadventure in South Window, and Warren didn't like the idea of going back there either, "Hix and I will go to South Window and the Cave of the Wind. We can always ask somebody at Genkaku Castle to help us out."

"Look at us, we're extraordinary plan-makers! We should so have Shu's job!" Kara beamed at Warren as she came back with the doctor, "We've hung around here long enough. We'd better get going as soon as the doctor is finished his examination. Let's save Tengaar!"

"Ah, this is a minor problem," The doctor said as he looked in his bag for something, "Just put this salve on it and it should cool the pain down. I wouldn't recommend running anywhere, but you should be fine walking to Two River as long as you take a few breaks."

"Thanks, doctor," Malcolm took the salve and limped into a more private area of the house, "I'll be out in a second!"

"Th-thank you all," Hix said bashfully as the five made to leave the Chief's house, "I don't know how I'll ever repay..."

"ATCHOO!!!"

All five stopped and looked back at the bed Tengaar was lying in, for that seemed to be the direction the sneeze had come from. Malcolm, being the most realistic of the group, was the first to ask, "Did she just sneeze?"

"Oh, no," The Chief replied, wiping his nose with his paw, "That was me. Terrible case of the sniffles."

"It sounded rather feminine to me," Joseph added doubtfully.

"Oh, don't tease the poor Chief just because he has a girly sneeze," Kara grabbed Joseph's shoulder and began to drag him out of the house, "We have mystic items to get!"

Joseph protested as he was dragged away, and Malcolm and Warren could only watch on in amusement before following them out. Malcolm looked back at the still form of Tengaar on the bed, a look of suspicion on his face. With a shrug, he turned away and left the house.


"What should we do with this thing?" Nanami rang the bell softly, it made a pleasant enough ring, "It doesn't seem worth keeping."

"I like it," Millie said happily, taking the bell from Nanami's unresisting hands, "I can make a nice accessory for Bonaparte with it."

"Fine, let's keep going then," Avara walked on ahead, quite positive he would never be able to understand those two girls, "I think I see another ladder up ahead."

"A ladder going up, eh?" Chris grinned at Millie, "You going first again?"

"Not a chance!" Millie retorted, "You can all go before me this time."

"How generous of you," Andrew tried not to laugh at Chris as he began to climb up the ladder, "Come on Chris, let's not keep the lady waiting too long."

"Shut up, Andrew," Chris muttered angrily as he followed Andrew up the ladder. Before long everybody had climbed up the ladder, but it didn't take too much longer for them to reach another one, going back down the way.

"This is seriously beginning to get irritating," Avara cursed all ladders as Millie made her way down this one.

"It looks like there's only one way to go from here," Millie called up to the others as Andrew made his way down the ladder, "There's a passageway here, but it looks really dark and gloomy. I can't see where it leads."

"I guess we'll soon find out," Andrew mused as he looked into the dark corridor, "No point in turning back now, I guess."

The pair waited for the others to climb down, all seemingly interested in where this corridor would lead.

"I think I can feel a breeze," Riou said as they waited for Chris, the last person to climb down the ladder, "I think there must be a way back up to the surface through here."

"Let's hope we can catch Elaine and that Winger before we get that far," Andrew said worriedly, "If they've gotten out of these sewers already, we might never find them out there."

"Let's hurry then," Riou agreed with Andrew, and soon they were wandering through the corridor.

"Oooh," Nanami shivered, the corridor wasn't only dark, but pretty cold too, "I don't like this...I hope this corridor isn't too long. It's creepy."

"Don't worry Nanami," Riou replied, "It looks like the passage is opening up...we must be in another room."

Indeed they were, it looked to be a storage room filled with supplies. It didn't look like anyone had been down here recently. Well, except for one person.

"Elaine!" Andrew yelled, abandoning the group and rushing forward. He had been the first to see her, and unfortunately she was lying on the ground in a seemingly comatose state. She certainly wasn't moving as far as anybody could tell.

"What could have done this to her?" Andrew asked softly, his voice filled with concern, "We have to get her out of here...she needs a doctor."

"Uh...Andrew," Nanami was shivering again, but it wasn't the coldness that was doing it to her this time, "B-b-behind you!"

Andrew turned his head around to see what Nanami was babbling on about. He gulped as he realised that Nanami probably was right to be babbling about this. For standing in front of the group was the largest rat any of them had ever seen. It was obvious this was no ordinary rat, something had radically altered it. To call it a mutant rat probably wouldn't be too far off the mark. It blocked the only other exit from the room, and more importantly than that...it had found new prey to eat.

"I'm guessing we found out what could have done that to Elaine," Avara took his staff and held it firmly in front of him, "I'm not letting that thing do that to us..."

"I guess we have no choice," Riou took out his tonfa and charged straight at the Pest Rat...