AN- Sorry it's been a minute, to all you fans out there. (All… two... of you… crap.) Oh well. Sorry to whomever reads this. I am working on like four or five fics at a time, while working full time and schooling full time. So bite me if I update too slowly. Eh, don't mind me. I'm writing this at work, and I'm having a really shitty night. So anyhow, before I rant any further, on with the story.

"I can't believe we're lost."

Klyde grinned and shook his head as they walked down a dirt path. "Well, I guess you don't have a good imagination, then. Cause, I believe it."

Klyde and James had been wandering around for hours, and the landscape looked familiar. There were mountains surrounding the small valley they were walking down. It was starting to get late, and James was starting to get worried. He had heard the howl of wolves in the mountains, and he had a haunting vision of the creatures coming down once the moon had risen, with hungry eyes and drooling fangs. He shivered unconsciously as they continued to trek down the road.

Klyde noticed James's discomfort and gave him a smile. "Don't worry, once the night falls, we'll be able to see the stars. Then I can figure out where we… Hm. Haven't seen that before…"

James followed Klyde's gaze, and noticed a small cave carved out of the base of a nearby mountain. Klyde motioned toward it with his dagger. "We ain't got anything to lose, do we? Let's go check this place out." James had given up arguing with Klyde and just hung his head as he followed him toward the cave entrance.

The key to good thieving was silence. Silence and cover. Although cover would not be necessary here, from what the rumors were saying. Something had happened to the witch, Matoya, and apparently she had lost her sight. So all he had to worry about was being heard.

Thieves were class-gifted, even though they were not held in as high regard as the other gifted in society. While a fighter or a mage being born would be a cause for celebration, the arrival of a thief into a family was usually an ill omen. Born with extreme speed and cunning, but also a terrible disposition, the thief usually led a troubled life. No matter how strong they got, their forms were always slight, and their attitude always dark. One such person now sat perched in the high outcroppings of the witch Matoya's cave. He had heard rumors of a blind witch in a cave to the north, and the treasure she had hidden. One would have to be a fool not to go in for such an easy payday.

From his high vantage point, the thief had been spying on Matoya's actions throughout the day. She finally appeared to be packing it in, however. Finally… the thief thought. He watched as the witch disappeared into the shadows, leaving her treasure chest ripe for the picking. The thief waited three seconds for the look of it, and then swung down, using his quick speed to dart to the chest. He used his knife to pry open the lock, taking great care not to make any noise. He may be impatient, but he wasn't dumb.

The lid slowly opened, and the thief peered inside with open eyes in anticipation. Will it be a valuable item? Or maybe a magical artifact? Maybe its just Gil… His eyes fell as he saw the treasure.

"That's right, young man. Its just a potion."

The thief spun around in shock. "What the…!"

Behind him stood Matoya, a stern expression on her face. "Were you expecting something more, Devon?…"

The thief known as Devon nearly choked in surprise. "How did you…?"

"I'm not called a witch for nothing. You think I wouldn't know you were coming?"

Devon tried to stammer out a response, but only stood there with his mouth hanging open. He heard voices from outside and snapped back into reality. He let out a low growl as he shoved his way past the witch and fled from the cave.

"I'm telling you, James, there is nothing to worry about in this cave. Why are you… hey!"

Klyde and James had just walked into the entrance of the cave as Devon tried to escape, elbowing Klyde in the stomach as he fled. Klyde slowly stood up as he tried to regain his breath.

"Who the hell was that?"

Matoya walked up to the two heroes and smiled. "Welcome. I have been expecting you two."

Klyde looked up at the witch and furrowed his brow. "You've been expecting us? But… how? We haven't been expecting us! We got lost. We weren't supposed to be here."

The witch gave Klyde a small smile. "You are here, aren't you? I would count that as supposed to. If you weren't supposed to be here, you wouldn't be here. Rather simple, I think."

James scratched his head. "Ummm… if you say so. We really just need directions."

Matoya patted James on the shoulder. "Of course, dear. Don't we all just need directions?"

James hung his head. There was only so much mumbo jumbo a guy could take. "Please. We need to get to Provoca. There is trouble there."

Matoya nodded. "Ah, yes. Pirates have taken over that poor town. You boys are right. You should get down there as soon as possible."

Klyde had a thoughtful look on his face. "If only there was someway to look at a map or something…"

One of Matoya's brooms went by, and a high pitched voice rang out, "tceles b hsup". Klyde gave the broom a confused look. He turned to Matoya and asked, "What the hell did that thing just say?"

Matoya shook her head, grinning inwardly. "Um, nothing. Don't worry about it. You wouldn't understand. Let me give you something to help you find your way."

The old witch began to rummage through several dusty crates, throwing all manner of junk to the side. Klyde took the moment to actually take a good look at his host, and noticed something peculiar. Even though she was inspecting all of the goods, her eyes were tightly shut. Since they had entered, she hadn't opened her eyes once.

"Umm, how can you see with your eyes shut like that?"

Matoya stood up with a small gem in her hand and gave Klyde a soft smile. "An evil creature stole my eyes. Now, I can no longer see, as you know the term. I use my powers and intuition to take in my surroundings now."

James frowned. Such a horrible fate… "A monster? What sort of monster would do something such as steal one's sight?"

"Astos… the dark elf. He is a creature of great cunning and cruelty. He was once ousted by the elves, and now lives in an abandoned part of Elfland. In my younger years, I was a thorn in Astos' side, and this was my punishment."

Klyde rubbed the back of his neck. "That's terrible!"

"Indeed, but that isn't the point. Here." Matoya handed Klyde the gem and nodded. "You will need this on your journey."

Klyde took the gem and frowned. "And what am I supposed to do with this?" The witch merely smiled, giving him an expectant look. Suddenly, the gem began to glow, and a picture imprinted itself in Klyde's mind. It was a picture of the entire world from an aerial viewpoint. At the tip of a continent, there was a glowing dot. Matoya nodded with a smile on her face.

"Ah, you see the map, yes, young one?"

Klyde shook his head in amazement. Whenever he closed his eyes, he could see the map like it was burned across the inside of his eyelids. This will definitely take some getting used to…

"The glowing dot is your position. Can you see it?"

Klyde mutely nodded.

"Good. There is a path to the east, yes?"

Another nod.

"Follow that path, and it will lead you to Provoca."

James had been inspecting a few items off to the side. He put down a strange device and frowned. "Why are you helping us?"

Matoya grunted slightly as she sat down on a stone bench. She shook her head with a sad expression. "Such distrust… what a world we live in nowadays… I simply see that you may help me one day in the future."

Klyde shrugged and grinned at James. "Don't sweat it, dude. What does it matter why she wants to help us? The fact is, she wants to help us. I say booyah. Now we can get to Provoca, yea?"

James nodded, although with some hesitation. "I guess so… I just don't believe in taking candy from strangers, you know?"

Klyde slapped James on the back and laughed. "That may be, but its not candy we're getting. It's a magical artifact. Totally different ballgame, dude."

James hung his head. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered.

The young monk sighed. His worst fears had been realized. They had continued their quest, and now it was dark. To make matters worse, the howling of the wolves was getting closer. It was only a matter of time until pointy-fanged death jumped out from behind a tree or rock. And the worst part by far, Klyde was walking onward, oblivious to the certain peril.

"Um, Klyde… I think we have a…"

"A problem. Yes, I know." The fighter interrupted. James was taken aback. He had thought his companion to not be paying attention.

"There are four wolves ahead of us, and three waiting to flank us. These wolves are pretty smart."

James suddenly found it hard to blink. Somehow, Klyde never ceased to amaze him.

"They're trying to back us into a corner. Old hunting pincer maneuver."

"Ummm, we're gonna die, aren't we?"

Klyde gave his partner a grim smile. "Well, I won't pretty this up. They have us right where they want us. But they don't have my cunning or good looks, now do they?"

James numbly shook his head no. Death looming so close suddenly made the world feel extremely far away.

"Right. So we just have to use that to our advantage. If we slow down, they'll know we're onto them, yes?"

Silent nod.

"So we don't slow down. Continue like everything is normal."

Silent nod.

"Eventually their grip on us will tighten as they all inch closer, yea?"

Nervous nod.

"When that happens, we strike with all we have while they're bunched together!"

Even more nervous nod.

"So, in all theory, we have absolutely nothing to fear but fear itself, right?"

James took a moment to think that one over.

"Nothing to fear but fear itself?"

"Exactly."

"Um… what about a terribly painful death?"

"Well…"

"Or how about a slow excruciating death by starvation trapped in some well?"

"I think…"

"What about Michael Jackson?"

Klyde gave his partner a disapproving look. "Dude, that's wrong."

"Well, its true. He has gotten pretty scary."

"Just because he is in the media's eye at the moment, doesn't give us the right to poke fun."

James hung his head as they marched on, the fear of death by powerful jaws momentarily forgotten. Klyde found himself unable to hold back a grin.

"So, uh, how many children does it take to screw in a light bulb at the Neverland ranch?"

James gave his friend an incredulous stare, and let out a quick gasp. The wolves had gotten much closer in the last few minutes. He made frantic motions to his partner, images of a painful death flooding his mind once again. Klyde nodded, grabbing the hilt of his sword at his hip.

"You ready?" He whispered.

AN- Isn't that a fun place to end a chapter? Hee. And yes, I had to go in for the Michael gag. It wouldn't be popular entertainment if I didn't. Hope no one gets too upset. Just some light hearted fun that was directed to today's media interest just as much as the actual pedoph…. Excuse me. Alleged and proven innocent, therefore accused pedophile. World of a difference. Ahem. I should have a new chapter up two weeks at most, where the boys will face down these terrible wolves, and maybe even make it to Provoca. And what of Devon, the thief wonder? I suppose you'll just have to keep reading to find out. Leave me a review, and if you have any questions, drop me an email or leave one in a review. Check out my profile for the address. Peace!