Tales of a Journey
By: Rogue White Dragon (aka Dragoness)
Disclaimer: I don't own TOS
Chapter 27 – Summoning
(Lan's POV)
"Shit. What the hell are we supposed to do now?"
Said Raine as she stood up and began pacing the room. Frowning, I glanced at my dad and waited for him to speak. He must've been in his own little world, because his eyes looked a little distant. Sighing, I said
"If we go to Meltokio, we already know it's going to be a trap."
Regal nodded, and answered
"Which means, if we go there, we'll have to be extra careful."
Siena spoke up with one of her usual grins
"I think our odds are pretty good."
Raine shot the elf a glare, and growled
"Pretty good? We better make sure our chances are better than that if we're going to risk our lives. We only get one chance here, you know."
Siena looked a little subdued, and said quietly
"It's not like we have a choice though, right?"
Our group was silent for a moment, because that was very true. We couldn't just leave my mom and half brother there, could we? Of course not, that wasn't even an option.
"But how do we go about doing it?"
Colette asked carefully. We were all quiet again before Zelos spoke up
"We could try my secret passage again like we did last time."
I raised a curious eyebrow.
"And if they know about that place? It's not like nobody else knowsof it."
Genis countered. Zelos shrugged a little, and replied
"You got any better ideas?"
Silence again. I looked at Lloyd, wondering if he would finally speak up. He was staring at the ground, eyebrows narrowed. Colette was looking a little worried, and tugged on his sleeve
"Lloyd? Maybe we should all get some rest. I think we'd be able to form a plan better if we all got some sleep."
He didn't even reply to her, just turned around and slowly trudged from the room. I stared at his back, curiously. He'd been so talkative when we first got here, now it was almost like he'd turned mute. Colette looked sad for a moment, but quickly followed him.
"I guess that's what we're doing now, huh?"
Zelos grumbled, following the couple. I glanced at Siena, who was staring at me intently
"If you think I'm sharing a room with you, Lan, I'll break your neck."
She said it so casually; you'd think she was commenting on the weather.
"I'm not. You're a girl."
Besides, I could seriously picture her coloring on my face while I slept. If we showed up all serious at Meltokio to take on the king, and I was had pictures all over my face and such (she'd probably get carried away and go sneak into the others' rooms and do them too) he'd laugh at us. Wouldn't that just go over well?
"You actually noticed, huh? And here I thought I'd have to start using my 'feminine whiles'."
Siena shot me a cocky grin, before saying to Raine
"I'll share with you, Rainy. This boy here needs to learn to simmer down."
She pulled Raine from the room, leaving me to gawk after her. What? Simmer down? Rainy? Where the hell did that tiny piece of sanity she actually had go?
(Colette's POV)
I smiled sadly at Lloyd, as I closed the door to our room at the inn. He was already removing his swords and getting ready for bed. I wondered briefly if he had been like this when I'd been taken. Was it wrong of me to be jealous of Sheena? Seems that it's harder to get over your first love after all.
I followed Lloyd's example and got ready for bed. Sliding between the blankets beside him, I heard him murmur quietly
"I keep loosing people, Colette."
I rolled onto my side so I was facing him and replied
"It's not your fault, Lloyd. They planned this."
"And I walked right into it, bringing Sheena with us. How could I be so stupid?"
Lloyd must've caught my sad expression, because he grimaced a little. There was an awkward silence, and I said to him
"You're not stupid Lloyd. Now please, just go to sleep. You're not helping anyone if you don't get any rest."
He gave a mute nod, averting his gaze. I turned over, so my back was facing Lloyd, and waited for a while until I could hear his even breathing as he'd finally fallen asleep. He must be stressed. I stared at the wall, unable to sleep. How could I, knowing that my husband still loved Sheena? I almost laughed. Not like I was helping the matter. Turning onto my back, I rested an arm over my face, trying to stifle tears as I wondered how Lloyd would react when he realized my rune crest had been removed.
(Sheena's POV)
"Summon them, now."
I let out an exasperated sigh, and replied
"No."
There was no way I was going to help their mana cannon. Arkus, the man who was currently talking to me, scowled angrily, and snapped
"Look, I don't want to have to hurt the kid, but if you don't do it, we'll have to."
Mattrim was holding onto my side, his eyes staring fearfully at Arkus and the guards who stood by the door.
"What?"
I frowned at him, and glanced down at Mattrim. I promised Colette I would look after him, and there was no possible way I'd go back on my word. Arkus repeated himself, looking extremely annoyed. I grimaced a little, because Arkus was truly expecting more than I could give.
"Well, uh, I can't."
I would if I could have, if only to keep Mattrim safe. I knew what they'd do with the mana cannon, but there was no way I could allow Colette's son to be harmed. He was Lloyd's son too, and I couldn't bear the thought of letting him down. How would I ever face him again?
"What do you mean you can't?"
Arkus demanded furiously. I grimaced, and answered
"I can summon Undine and Volt. That's about it."
Teaching my summoning skills to my pupil had kind of gotten me carried away. Who else would I put in danger now? I cursed silently, half angry with myself, and half relieved.
"I thought you formed Pacts with all of them."
Arkus's eyes now narrowed into angry slits
"I did. But someone else made new pacts with them."
Using what must've been his last reserve of patience, he asked
"And who has pacts with them now?"
I closed my eyes tightly, wondering how I could word this without endangering anyone else. Mattrim looked up at me quietly, a puzzled look on his face.
"A boy from my village."
It was the truth, if not all of it. Arkus stared at me for a minute before turning to his guards and saying
"Get Lexus here, now. I've got a job for him."
The king of Tethe'alla turned to smirk at me, and when a tall blonde young man who was obviously a half elf entered, said to me
"A boy from your village, eh? Care to be more specific? I want a name, or…"
The bastard was already fingering a dagger at his side. I didn't doubt for a minute that he'd actually harm Mattrim if I didn't answer, but how was I supposed to protect Colette's son at the cost of my own? I took a deep breath, mentally praying that Lloyd would protect him, and hesitated only a second before answering
"My son, Lan."
Arkus turned towards the young man Lexus without another word, and began spouting out orders. I closed my eyes tightly, and my knees shook a little and buckled after they left the room. Mattrim wrapped his arms around my neck and said quietly
"My dad'll take care of him, I know he will."
The child couldn't have been aware about how much danger I'd just put my son in, or he probably wouldn't have spoken to me just then. I knew they wouldn't kill Lan, but what would we both do if we were forced to summon the summoning spirits, and the world was forced into chaos? War wasn't exatly something to take lightly. A mana cannon against Sylvarant? They'd be slaughtered.
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wow, seems my chapters are getting a little shorter 'n usual, ne? Sorry. I just really wanted to update, and it's getting kind of late for me here. I've got to get some sleep before tomorrow, because me gots work to do. :P:P:P Anywho, hope you guys liked it (even though it's a little short)
Lady Valandario: haha, glad you enjoyed it, sorry about the cliffie? Thanks for reviewing!
Daniel the Dragonfly: Nice enthusiasm. Thanks for the Review!
Anonymous Readergirl: w00t, another Sheloyd-er fan. Thanks for reviewing!
JKaitz: Well, this is that first little bit that's kind of like the 'beginning of the end'. Haha, I'm glad you like Siena's sarcasm. I really try with her. Thanks for Reviewing!
P.S. don't worry, it'll all work out between Sheena and Lloyd, those 'requirements' will just…well, haha, you'll see…
Miori101: Sorry this update had to come after Spring break. I got really caught up with a bunch of anime stuff. Thanks for the review!
DeadlyDragon12: I'm sorry to say this, but so far…odds are in Sheena's favor. Unless I get like a dozen people who insist upon a Colloyd. That'd make my life a little difficult, though, cause I'm already thinking about a sequel (haha, which is kind of a sad thing because I've still gotta finish this one). Thanks for Reviewing!
Thanks tons, people, and, again, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.