Chapter Six

And not a protagonist in sight…

Morning rose at last, and Adrienne was the first up. She walked out to the Highroad and watched the sun rise. She was conflicted; she missed her little brother already. She remembered Jonas practicing that same speech by himself one day, those exact words, and they couldn't convince her then. So why did she let him go?

While she was busy pondering this, a fiend eyed her from the wilderness. It saw an opportunity; the pack wasn't around, so he was looking at a free meal. Without a second thought, the fiend growled and charged.

Adrienne couldn't react fast enough. She stepped to the side, but the fiend snapped down on her leg. Screaming, she was dragged off the road. She lashed out with her free leg and caught it in the nose, which made the fiend let go for a little while. She stood and tried to escape, but she knew it wouldn't make a difference as she limped. The fiend was already closing in, she was too…

"Fang!"

A figure got between Adrienne and the jumping wolf and punched it in the chest, sending it flying backward. "A lovely vixen like you shouldn't be bleeding like that. It's ain't very lovely." The man said without turning.

"Who…are you?"

He moved forward without answering, sending a few solid kicks into the creatures chest. He stomped on its head a few times for good measure, and then rose to his full height. He turned to the woman, and his face softened. "Are you all right?"

She nodded, trying to ignore the blood on him. She tried to stand up- when did she fall? - but winced and thought better of it. "Who are you?" she asked again.

The lanky man approached her, squatting to be at eye level with her, and flashed his signature warm smile. "Adonis Orion, your friendly neighborhood knight in shining armor."

V

Seymour stopped the carriage. "Where is the summoner now?" he asked the nearest bodyguard.

"Lord Seymour, her entourage has decided to stay another day at the local travel agency. Should we go ahead to the gate?"

Seymour waved the thought off, "We cannot; it is important that Lady Yuna head to the gate first."

"Yes sir. Should we ask for a room so you may lodge indoors?"

He waved it off again, "Take the carriage to someplace hidden. My plans hinge on her not seeing me. I'll sleep outside to that extent."

That night, the Maester's dreams were troubled. The scene unfolded in his head like it always did. First was Bevelle, burning to the ground, then Luca, a smoking husk of what it was. The temples were razed, islands were decimated, people fled, and all the while a prominent figure was there, a shapeless black form in the sky.

A voice called him, "This is what you will cause! They have lived in their security for far too long. You will become Sin, and you will destroy them all in cold blood, just like you did your own father!"

Seymour awoke the next morning and stepped out of his cart.

"Maester!" The guard saluted, "I trust you slept well."

Seymour smiled, "Very well in fact. Come; let's catch up to Lady Yuna."

V

Adonis had neatly wrapped the wound. "What'd you think you were doin' out here?" he asked, "Lil' lady like you shouldn't be out by their lonesome."

Adrienne winced, "I just came out here for some thinking. What about you? I don't think you'd have a reason to be out this early."

Adonis made a dramatic motion with his hands, "Oh, you know how we heroes work. We appear when were in dire need, showing up in the nick of time to save the lovely…"

"You followed me." She translated, her irritation mingling with slight amusement.

Adonis through his hands up in indignity, "Ma'am, I am deeply offended you'd even suggest such a…"

"Am I right?" she interrupted again.

This time it was Adonis' turn to wince, "Don't be angry. I was just concerned, ya know? A lovely maiden like yerself shouldn't be walkin' round without an escort in dangerous country like this. It ain't like I'm trying to be creepy or nuffin' but…"

Adrienne interrupted once more, holding one finger up, "I'll let it slide, because I'd probably been eaten if you hadn't been there. Thanks by the way."

"Hey, it's what I do. If you could do me a favor, though, I'd like to grace this lovely presence with a name."

A blush came to her face. Had he been hitting on her the entire time? "My…name's Adrienne."

Adonis smiled his completely disarming smile, "Well, Adrienne, we should get to town before this one's buddies miss 'em." Without another word or warning, he grabbed and picked up the woman and carried her back looking like a pair of newly-weds. She resisted at first, squirming around a little, but then decided she was safer with this man than a pack of wolves.