As usual, I don't own anything. I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy!

Dwarven Vow 142:
Ma tha an teachdaire slaodach, rach a-mach gus a choinneachadh.
If the messenger is slow, go to meet him.

51-

"Well, as infuriating as Kratos was, he got the results we were after."

Zelos spoke up as he led the way out of the council building, followed by Sheena and Colette. Colette skipped ahead to catch up with him, her positive mood spreading a smile across her face.

"I can't wait to tell Lloyd the good news after we've talked to Martel!"

"Th-there's no guarantee this is going to do anything…" Sheena jumped in with a reply and then shrank back. Zelos reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her back into step with them.

"Aw, don't be so nervous. It's the best chance we've had since this whole fiasco with the Tree began. Even if you don't get a pact out of it, we should at least get some information."

"Don't be scared, Sheena," Colette took Sheena's free hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "We'll be there with you. Everything's going to be okay."

Sheena sighed, relaxing a little despite her still-anxious tone of voice. "I wish I could be as confident as you two are."

Zelos laughed and Colette tried to, but she found herself stifling a yawn. Zelos and Sheena stared, and Colette blushed.

"S-sorry! It's just… it's been a long day, and it's so dark here once the sun sets… not like home at all."

"For a tiny village, they keep Iselia pretty well lit, don't they?" Zelos patted her on the head. Sheena looked up at the sky, and then back at Colette.

"The sun sets earlier there, doesn't it?"

Colette shook her head. "It's almost the equinox, so it's about the same as it is here. But yeah, in the winter it stays dark a long time."

"The summer, though!" Zelos exclaimed, slapping his hands on Colette and Sheena's shoulders. "This is gonna be my first summer living up north, and I'm pumped for it! Bring on the twenty-hour days- we're gonna party nonstop!"

"L-like I said, Zelos, that's an exaggeration. Even the summer solstice isn't-"

The group stopped as they heard a familiar voice call out from behind them. They turned around, Sheena stepping forward to approach Tiga.

"Is there something you need?"

"No, it's not that. It's getting late, so I wanted to speak to my guest- Mister Wilder." Tiga motioned to him, and Zelos flashed a smile.

"What's up?"

"I have more to discuss with the council tonight, but I do not want that to impede your ability to get the rest you need for tomorrow. Please make yourself at home. I've already set up a futon for you, and you should feel free to use the bath."

"Oh, great! Thanks a bunch!" Zelos offered a thumbs-up in reply. "Sheena already showed me which place is yours. Have fun with your council stuff."

"I'll… try," Tiga replied, pausing a moment to find the right word. "Sheena, the chief also asked me to tell you and Colette not to wait for him. He may be late as well."

"Are you discussing the location scouting? I feel like I should be there-"

"Do not worry, Sheena. Everyone understands that you have a more important task ahead of you. We'll brief you on any important information when the time comes."

Tiga turned around and walked back toward the council building, leaving the three alone on the path once again. Zelos let out a sigh and spoke up, breaking the tension in the air.

"Mister Wilder, huh? So he figured it out after all… I think I'll go ahead and take him up on that bath offer. I need to tend to my hair- this humidity is killing my 'do." He leaned against Colette, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "Care to join me, hunny? He said he won't be home until late, so we'll have the place to ourselves-"

"Zelos!" Sheena hissed. "Don't even joke about that sort of thing.

Zelos let out a loud laugh, waving one hand. "I was kidding! Don't look at us like that, Sheena- you know we've got more class than that!"

"Colette? Yes, I know she does. You? I'm not so sure."

"We wouldn't break your village's rules," Zelos added with a wink. "You and Lloyd keep your little trysts outside the gates too, right?"

"Th-th-that's not the point-!"

Colette wriggled her way out of Zelos' grip and turned to face him instead. She sent a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, and jumped to plant a kiss on his cheek before starting down the path again toward Sheena and the chief's home. Waving back in Zelos' direction with a pleasant smile, she called "Goodnight, Zelos! See you in the morning!"

"C-Colette, wait for me!" Sheena called but stayed to scold Zelos a little longer. "Joking or not, don't talk about those sorts of things where people could hear you. It's not proper."

"Hey, you don't gotta yell at me." Zelos sighed, turning toward Tiga's house. "In the meantime, I have a date with a hairbrush. Goodnight."

Sheena watched him go for a moment before turning around and scrambling after Colette. "H-hey, Colette, I said wait!"

By the time Colette made it to the chief's house, Sheena had caught up, and Colette waited by the door for Sheena to catch her breath before opening the door. Sheena looked over at Colette but pointed back in the direction they'd come.

"He's playing with fire, saying things like that right out in the open."

"He was just playing around. I don't think there's any point in getting upset over it. Besides- I had something else I wanted to talk to you about."

"Something you wanted to-?" Sheena stopped as she opened the closet with the futons. "Is it about the summoning mission tomorrow?"

"No, no, nothing like that." Colette stepped in beside her, helping with the blankets. "I was actually going to ask what you and Lloyd are planning to do."

Sheena frowned. "What we're planning to do? About what?"

Colette set the blankets aside. "About the future. I mean, you're here in Mizuho and he's working on the school in Luin- but you're engaged, aren't you?"

"We… we…" Sheena stammered. "...we haven't made it official with the village yet. Once we do that, we can figure out our plans for the future."

"And when will you do that? Hasn't it been a month already since you asked him?"

"It's not that simple." Sheena began spreading out the blankets as she spoke. "Lloyd will have to come here to Mizuho and meet with the council to ask permission. It's a very formal process, and with his injuries, he hasn't been able to make it out here yet."

"I see… and now that he's healed, he's so focused on the renovations at the school…" Colette sighed, lying down on one of the blankets. "When he sets his mind to something, he forgets about everything else. I love his determination and his work ethic, but at the same time, I just can't bear the thought of losing touch with him. Getting to stay by his side while he was healing this past few months made me realize how dissatisfied I was living in Tethe'alla while he was back in Sylvarant. I want Lloyd to be part of my life, and not just through letters and radio messages. But I don't want to get in the way of his dreams. I thought that you might have some advice, since you're the closest to him, and yet also the farthest away…"

Sheena plopped down on the blanket beside Colette, her head downcast as she replied. "That's an odd way of putting it, but I see what you're saying. I can't say I haven't had some of the same thoughts myself. When I listen to Lloyd talk about the Dwarven school, when I see the way his eyes light up and his hand gestures get all giddy, I feel like I'm falling in love with him all over again. But that makes it harder to point out that I have duties in Mizuho, and I can't just abandon them and move across the world to live with him."

"Lloyd is good at reading others' feelings, but he's not good at seeing things from someone else's perspective. Zelos said I need to bring up my worries, or Lloyd won't understand why I'm troubled. But I haven't worked up the nerve yet."

Sheena reached back and untied her hair, shaking her head to let it fall across her shoulders. "Sometimes it's best to wait and see how things play out. I'm still waiting to see where we decide to move the village, after all. We're looking in Sylvarant, and since most of us are used to this climate, we're particularly interested in the tropics. The Luin area would be perfect if we could find suitable land, so it may be that my worries are all for nothing."

Colette closed her eyes and smiled. "Wouldn't that be nice? And maybe… Dirk will keep his home in Iselia forest and Lloyd will have a reason to visit frequently…"

"There's a ferry system that runs between Iselia and Luin, right?"

"Yes, once a day. Iselia to Luin in the mornings and Luin to Iselia in the afternoons."

"Then that's perfect!" Sheena lay back, stretching out and resting her head against the pillow. "You can visit each other as often as you like!"

There was a pause, the room growing quiet except for the din of insects and soft chatter of other villagers from outside the house. Sheena let out a sigh and turned onto her side.

"If only it was that easy, right?"

To Sheena's relief, Colette laughed at the comment.

"Easier than establishing a pact with the Great Tree, though, isn't it?"

"We'll see about that…"

True to her promise, Anna had dropped Lloyd and Dirk off in Altamira on her way to the Great Tree that morning. She promised to come join them after her shift, but Lloyd wondered if that would be enough time for them to find Kratos. Altamira was a big place, far bigger now than it had been five years ago due to the influence of the new joint world government, and he didn't have the slightest idea where to start looking.

They went first to the parliament building, assuming that there might be an emergency meeting that Kratos was attending. However, they found the building empty except for a few secretaries and librarians who were at work in the records office. Lloyd asked around, but no one had seen Kratos since yesterday, and the public records of the meeting didn't indicate any unfinished business he might have stayed for. Lloyd and Dirk thanked the workers and headed back toward the main street.

"I thought Regal might've offered him a stay at the hotel if the parliament meeting had run long, but according to those records Kratos left in the early afternoon. Where'd he go after that…?" Lloyd was mumbling to himself as he walked, and was surprised when Dirk joined in the conversation.

"Yer friend Regal, huh? He's part ay th' Parliament. D'ye 'hink he might know whaur Kratos has run off tae?"

Lloyd perked up at the suggestion. "Hey, you're right! He just might! We should drop by his office and see if he's there. Maybe Kratos is doing something for Lezareno Company."

Unlike the parliament building, the Lezareno company office was full of people, all busy with individual tasks and not much for conversation. In contrast to the curious tourists they'd passed in the main streets, no one even glanced away from their work at the sight of a dwarf in their midst. Either they didn't notice or they were too busy to care.

"Excuse me," Lloyd began, stepping up to the reception desk, "I'm looking for Reg- er, for Duke Bryant. Is he in his office?"

The receptionist didn't even glance up from the paperwork he was filing. "Do you have an appointment?"

"Huh? N-no, but it shouldn't take long. I just had something I wanted to ask-"

"I'm sorry, but the president is busy. He can't just take every guest who walks in to ask him a question. If you wish, I can take your name and contact information and let him know you wanted to speak with him, but I cannot guarantee when he'll get back to you."

Lloyd sighed sadly. "No, it's okay. Just let him know that Lloyd dropped by and-"

"Lloyd Irving?" The receptionist looked up from his work for the first time. "You're-? Oh! Oh! My apologies!" He fumbled for a slip of paper and stamped it with the company seal and the date, then handed it over in Lloyd's direction. "Take the employee elevator up. The president should be at his desk."

"Oh… okay. Thanks!"

The two walked around to the employee elevator and showed the stamp to the operator, who let them on and sent them up to the top floor. "Whit was all 'at abit?" Dirk asked once the door had closed behind them. "Ye're nae secretly someone special in th' Lezareno Company are ye?"

Lloyd laughed and shook his head. "No, I'm not sure what happened either. Maybe a friend came by to see Regal one time, the friend got turned away, and Regal got super mad about it."

"Heh, 'at would explain why the guy was sae apologetic-"

The elevator door opened up, and Lloyd and Dirk found themselves face to fact with someone waiting to get on. He stepped back as soon as he realized there were already passengers on the elevator, and only a split second afterward did he recognize them.

"Lloyd? Dirk? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, Regal!" Lloyd gasped, running up to him. "Are you heading out somewhere? We're lucky we caught you! It's so good to see you-"

"Answer th' man's question, Lloyd."

"Oh, s-sorry." Lloyd blushed. "It's been a while, so I got a little carried away. As much as I'd like to catch up, we're actually here to ask you about Kratos. You saw him yesterday at the parliament meeting, right?"

"Yes, I did." Regal shifted the papers he was holding to one arm. "I was on my way to visit him myself, I just had to drop some files off in accounting. Have you been to see him this morning? How is he doing?"

"To visit him…?" Lloyd paused and glanced back at Dirk before returning his attention to Regal and continuing. "Does that mean you know where he is? We've been trying to find him, but he didn't tell us where he'd be staying or what he was doing."

Regal frowned and glanced down at the papers. "He didn't tell his family…? That doesn't seem right." He looked up again and shook his head. "All I know is that one of my assistants saw him being checked in at the hospital last night when she was visiting her mother-in-law. I thought I'd visit him, given that we didn't exactly end yesterday's meeting on a positive note-"

"Th-the hospital?!" Lloyd choked. "So there is something wrong with him! I knew it! Dammit, why wouldn't he tell us these things?!"

Dirk reached out and tugged on the back of Lloyd's coat. "Calm down. We jist need tae visit an' ask him. I'm sure he has a reason fer nae tellin' us."

Lloyd sighed. "Fine. Regal, we can help you carry those files if you want. Then can you show us where the hospital is?"

"Are you sure?" Regal asked. "If this is an issue, I don't want to intrude on your family's affairs."

"You're fine. Actually, Kratos is kinda mad at me right now, so the more people we have with us, the better…"

"Well, then, it would be my pleasure."

"Our soldiers will keep a close eye on the Tree's condition while you work," Anna explained, motioning Sheena's group toward the gate of the restricted area. "We cannot accompany you into the NV Zone, however. If something goes wrong, it will be up to you to make sure you evacuate safely. You have permission from the Joint Parliament to use magic, however, we expect you to exercise discretion. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am." All three of them replied at the same time, giving an obedient bow and turning toward the Tree. As they approached, Zelos nudged Colette and whispered over to her and Sheena.

"It's weird, seeing Miss Anna so serious. She's a good soldier, but I still can't think of her as anything other than Lloyd's mom."

"I'm worried about Kratos," Colette added, fidgeting with her hands as she walked. "Something must be seriously wrong if he isn't here. I wonder if it has anything to do with his injury from yesterday."

"Injury?" Sheena asked. "He looked fine to me-"

"Let's discuss this later, hunnies," Zelos broke in. "Right now we've got a summon spirit to chat with."

They made it to the edge of the NV zone, and Colette was the first to step over the line into the dead grass. Seeing she was safe, Zelos followed, and then Sheena, and the three turned to look back at Anna and the other soldiers before exchanging a nod and continuing.

There were several meters of dead grass before the ground became rocky and barren, indicating where the original event had consumed the vegetation. The three pressed on until they were within a couple of meters from the trunk and then stopped, Zelos and Colette glancing over at Sheena.

"Whenever you're ready," Colette whispered.

Sheena cleared her throat and began in a loud, confident voice.

"I am the summoner Sheena, of the village of Mizuho. I have come here seeking a pact with the spirit Martel. Please, spirit, grant me your presence."

There was a pause, all three of them overwhelmed with anticipation and fear. The longer they waited, the less likely it would be that they'd receive an answer at all, and Sheena felt her stomach churn as a few seconds turned into an eternity.

Then, a voice.

"YOU WHO SEEK A PACT WITH MARTEL, COME FORWARD."

The voice was rigid, almost mechanical, and seemed to come from the tree itself. Sheena stepped forward, steeling her nerves as she did so.

"I am the one who seeks a pact," she said, willing the shakiness out of her voice. "Please allow me to speak with the spirit Martel."

The hazy image of a human figure came into view in front of them, and it solidified into a familiar face that caused all three of them to step back.

"T… T…" Colette stammered. "...Tabatha?"

The spirit shook her head. "I AM NOT THE BEING WHOSE NAME YOU RECALL. I AM MERELY AN EXTENSION OF THE SPIRIT MARTEL TAKING A FAMILIAR FORM TO INTERFACE WITH YOU ON MARTEL'S BEHALF."

"On Martel's behalf?" Zelos murmured. "Why can't Martel talk to us herself? Is something wrong with her?"

"MARTEL IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO LEAVE THE CONFINES OF THE TREE DUE TO HER ROLE KEEPING THE SYSTEM IN EQUILIBRIUM. I HAVE ACCESS TO MARTEL'S KNOWLEDGE AND WILL THEREFORE ACT AS YOUR INTERPRETER."

Sheena glanced back at Zelos and Colette and then turned back to the spirit. "I said before, I am here seeking a pact with the spirit Martel. The condition of the Great Tree is causing pain and destruction in our communities, and I wish to cooperate with Martel in solving these problems."

There was a moment of silence. The spirit stared blankly at Sheena and then finally replied, her voice still mechanical and stolid.

"MY APOLOGIES. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO MAKE A PACT WITH MARTEL."

Zelos grimaced and Colette's hands flew over her mouth, but Sheena stood firm. "Why not? Is Martel unwilling to make a pact with a summoner?"

"IT IS NOT THAT. QUITE THE OPPOSITE," the spirit replied. "MARTEL CANNOT ESTABLISH A PACT WITH YOU BECAUSE SHE IS CURRENTLY BOUND TO ANOTHER."

The statement finally broke through Sheena's composure, and she stepped back, her shoulders drooping.

"Martel already has a pact… with another summoner?"