Lost and Found

Sana-Lynn's breath caught as she stared at the adorable little critter that had just emerged from the bushes.

It gave its tiny cry again flapping nascent wings as it strutted around pecking at the grass with a little orange beak. Apparently it was some kind of bird.

Enthralled by its sheer cuteness, the white mage shuffled forward a few steps, compelled by an overwhelming urge to the pet the little yellow fluff-ball.

Valor put an arm across her path to bar her way. "Careful Sana-Lynn, it seems an infant, which means its parents cannot be far away. They may not be happy to see us."

"Oh, but its just so… so cute," Sana squeaked. She wanted to hug it to her so badly. The trepidation was real.

A lower pitched squawk soon sounded from somewhere off in the bushes, however, and the baby bird suddenly looked up before chirping a few times in response.

A much larger animal's yellow head poked through a fern, looking decidedly less adorable than the ball of fluff. Sana noticed its avian eyes narrow as it focused on her and Valor, its head a wedge of yellow with a large hooked beak atop of a long sinuous neck. A yellow crest suddenly lifted on its head as it strutted out from the undergrowth.

It was huge, easily twice Valor's height, and Sana was eased back by the warrior as he put himself firmly between her and the creature.

The animal's wicked beak clucked a few times, its head jerking about as if assessing the two humans before it. Then it squawked raucously before giving a long ululating cry that was answered back by at least a dozen other squawks from deeper into the trees.

Soon, a half dozen other huge birds strutted into the vale, their crests all raised in what appeared to be alarm. More were visible back in the trees as well.

Sana had certainly gotten over her urge to hug the infant. It seemed the extended clan had arrived and was none too please at the intrusion of humans into their home. She clutched at Valor's pauldrons before her. "I don't think we should harm them, Valor."

His hardened blue gaze could barely be seen from profile. "I have no intention of doing so, Sana-Lynn, unless they give us no choice."

Suddenly a voice called out from the trees to the west. "Here, use this."

Sana looked over, trying to peer deeper into the western tree line. "Robin, is that you?" Then a strange thing was tossed out from the trees to land on the ground, rolling to a stop just at Valor's left boot.

Sana saw Valor glance down at it, but he did not move from his stance before the growing flock of birds. The white mage knelt, however, and picked up the strange item. It looked like a big artichoke heart with thick pulpy leaves… perhaps a vegetable of some kind.

Sana quickly realized what Robin meant for her to do. "Please, Valor, lower your guard."

He glanced back at her. "You cannot be serious, Sana, they look ready to attack at any moment."

She managed a giggle. "Well, so do you, Valor. Please, just lower your arms at least. I will take this vegetable to them… as an offering."

He frowned at her from profile, but reluctantly did as she asked. "Very well, but go slowly, Sana-Lynn, and make no sudden moves."

"Of course, Valor, I shall do so." Setting her ashen staff down, the white mage held the large vegetable in both hands and went around Valor with slow deliberate steps.

The nearest of the great birds narrowed its dark eyes at her, seeming to focus on the thing she held out in her hands. Its crest lowered but rose again slowly, yet it seemed curious this time rather than alarmed.

She went forward until the bird towered over her, its strong scaly legs and three-toed feet shuffling a bit as it inched toward her.

Sana stopped and lifted the vegetable as high up as she could before her, hoping the animal took her intent. It clucked a few times before its beak suddenly lanced down, snatching the vegetable up before rearing back its head and swallowing it whole. Its long tongue licked juices from its beak before it looked down at Sana again, seemingly expectant.

Sana glanced back toward Valor. "I think it wants more."

The warrior slowly made his way up next to her. "Are there any more?"

A low whistle suddenly sounded from the trees to the west as Robin Magus stepped from the tree line, holding another of the vegetables out in her hands before her. The large birds all quickly focused on her as the black mage made her way into their midst. The lead bird squawked at the others, as if to warn them off, before strutting up to tower over the black mage.

Keeping her glowing eyes on the lead bird, Robin spoke evenly. "It has been many years since the Chocs left the southern woods near my tribe's ancestral lands. Migratory in nature, we once had a flock nest there every year before the worgs became too numerous and drove them off. I had thought them lost to us for good. I never believed I would find anymore."

It was strange, but Robin sounded almost… fond... to Sana. "Chocs, you say, Robin? I have read a number of bestiaries, but never remember finding anything of them."

"As I have told you before, white mage, your studying was inadequate. You would gain more knowledge by living in the world rather than reading about it."

Sana frowned but nodded. "Yes, I remember you mentioning something about your beast lore at the inn where we all met."

Valor merely moved his eyes toward Robin, still facing the lead bird. "Yes, I remember as well. What are these vegetables then?"

The black mage waited until the lead bird had snatched the food from her before answering. "Though Chocs are predatory by nature, they do seem to love Gysahl Greens above all other food. The pulpy leaves are highly nutritious and quite meaty with a sweet taste that the animals love. I have two more hearts for Valor and the fool thief, if that blasted monkey ever stirs from his indolence."

Valor looked to her. "Do Gantz and I need to feed them as well?"

Robin nodded, the great bird looking between them as they spoke. It now seemed much more at ease to Sana-Lynn. "Yes, Chosen of Earth, all of us will need to feed the matriarch here if are going to have any chance at soothing the lead male. He waits in the trees for a sign from her to attack. Without his trust we won't have any chance at all of riding them."

Sana blinked. "Riding them, Robin, truly?"

Robin backed away slowly from the lead bird. Suddenly, all of the animals seemed to be looking curiously between the humans and each other, their heads constantly twitching about, feathery crests rising and falling. It was actually a bit comical and Sana giggled.

The black mage answered. "Yes, Sana-Lynn, Chocs have been known to allow trusted humans to ride them. My tribe had been doing so for centuries. They are actually quite good-natured once you earn their trust. We are fortunate to find a flock here not far from Truce. If we can ride them it will cut our travel time in half… or more."

Valor's eyes widened incredulously. "Are they really so swift?"

She nodded. "They are, Chosen of Earth, and they have an uncanny sense of direction as well."

To everyone's shock, Gantz suddenly appeared from thin air before them, holding one of the Gysahl Greens. The matriarch squawked in alarm, but calmed quickly when he presented it to her. "Found this thing in the trees just over yonder, by the by." He paused as the animal snatched the offering from him. "Okay, as I understand it, we get these Choco bozos to trust us and we can ride them all the way to Garland and certain doom? Sounds great, still bet I could out run them though."

Robin had growled at his sudden appearance, but merely folded her arms. "Oh? They can run nearly all day at full speed without rest. How about you, fool?"

He gave an off-hand shrug. "Eh, guess they got me there."

Sana went over to retrieve her white staff, now much more comfortable in the animals' presence. The matriarch seemed more relaxed as well, despite some agitated squawks from the others. "I guess that leaves only you to feed her, Valor, and we can see what happens next."

Robin nodded and went off into the trees to get the last heart. She then came out again with the birds all watching her intently as she went over to hand it to Valor. The warrior took the offering with a nod before going up to the matriarch and presenting it to her. Clucking a bit, the bird snatched it from him. After gulping it down, it looked around a bit more before suddenly raising another ululating cry.

A deep squawk answered back from the trees which silenced the other animals, before another great bird stalked out. It was even bigger than the matriarch, its sleek head harboring a feathered crest that swept back sharply like a wicked headdress.

It stalked up to the matriarch and the two suddenly seemed to have an animated discussion that consisted of many clucks, squawks and flapping, the other birds looking on, their feathered crests rising and falling repeatedly.

Then suddenly the big male turned to eye the humans, stalking toward each in turn and lowering its head to peer at them closely. Sana shivered a bit when it came toward her, looking menacing as it puffed up its wings, its wicked crest poised.

Robin spoke up. "Stand your ground, white mage, this is part of the ceremony."

Sana went for what she thought was a friendly smile as the animal lowered its head to glower at her. She then clutched her staff, trying not to tremble, as it peered at her this way and that. It then strutted around her, looking at her from different sides and angles. She stood still as it did so, trying to rein in her unease. This was no monster after all, just an animal, and one that could apparently help the Light Warriors a great deal.

Suddenly, the fierce animal looked to the matriarch and other bird seemed to nod, her crest rising as she strutted over to stand before Sana-Lynn. Suddenly, the bird lowered itself to the ground before her and Sana gasped. "What is she doing, Robin?"

The black mage nodded sharply. "Excellent, we have been accepted! Get on her back, white mage, ride her about and show her that you mean no harm. There are tuffs of strong feathers about the base of the neck that you can tug to steer her and then nudge her gently in the side with your heel to spur her forward. This is a probationary ride, so have a care. Do well and we can all get mounted and bring this interminable quest to an end all the sooner."

Sana nodded before Valor suddenly came up and held out a hand toward her. She blinked at him. "I think I can manage to get on her myself, Valor."

He smiled. "I know, Sana, but allow me to hang on to your staff. Now that I can summon and banish weapons, I have a sheathe on my back that is no longer in use. It is not made for a staff, but I think I can manage to stow your staff there while we ride."

She giggled a bit. "A bit presumptuous, Valor, what if she doesn't like me riding her?"

He shook his head. "You will not fail in this, Sana-Lynn, I have faith in you."

Gantz folded his arms with a sly look. "Well, it seems this forest is just full of lovebirds."

Sana felt her face heat as she noticed Valor scowl at the thief's comment. The warrior smoothed his face, however, when she handed him her staff. "Well, Valor, I suppose I will have to do something about finding a way to stow my staff when I ride. Not to offend you, but I would rather not give it to anyone else. It is part of who I am."

He nodded, taking the staff. "As my weapons are a part of me, Sana, no offense taken."

She then looked down, biting her lip. "I have never ridden an animal before."

Robin sighed. "Summon your Holy to calm you if you must, white mage. Animals can sense agitation even more easily when you're riding them."

A good idea, and Sana gave a nod to Robin before summoning the calming power to her. The hum of the Holy was greater now, stronger, yet somehow even more soothing since her trial beneath the Citadel. Her nerves calmed quickly and she mounted the animal. "Oh, she's so soft and fluffy." She then gave a squeak as the animal raised up on its feet. It peered back at her and she nodded in what she hoped was an encouraging way. She then took Robin's advice and gripped the tough guiding feathers and gently spurred the animal forward.

She went tentatively, being very careful how she tugged at the animal's feathers. Slowly, she guided it in a loop around the vale, not much surprised when the other birds started following her lead. Only the head male remained still, watching her intensely.

She rode for quite sometime, starting to really enjoy it, the Holy keeping her calm and poised. Without her staff as a focus, she would be unable to shape its sacred power into spells, but she didn't need the staff to simply summon its serene presence.

After a time, Sana got more confident, suddenly smiling as she noticed Robin riding next to her on another animal.

The black mage nodded to her. "You have soothed them better than I have ever seen, white mage."

Sana-Lynn stared at her for a second. "You do realize that was a compliment, Robin."

The other girl simply stared back, her glowing eyes only narrowing before she spurred her mount forward.

The white mage laughed, spurring the matriarch on a little quicker herself. They continued to ride about, gaining more and more speed. Sana continued to laugh in delight and then suddenly mirth when she noticed Gantz dart by on the back of his own mount. He actually stood on one foot upon its back, his other leg stretched behind him, arms out to his sides. The second time he passed her, he was doing a handstand.

With the wind in her hair as her she spurred her mount to greater speed, Sana suddenly wondered if this is how Gantz felt whenever he ran at great speed. It certainly was exhilarating and she knew the animals weren't even going full tilt yet.

After a few more loops, however, she managed to slow the bird by tugging back on its guiding feathers. She came to a stop and the animal looked at her curiously, not seeming winded at all. She smiled at it, stroking its neck soothingly and it clucked at her a few times.

After halting her mount, Sana noticed the other birds gathering before the matriarch. She then started as Valor suddenly rode up to her side on the back of the lead male.

He nodded to her. "You have done something amazing for us once again, Sana-Lynn."

Gantz came up to her other side, sitting his mount normally now. "Whew, that was actually bloody fun. Can't wait to get in the open and see how fast these beauts can scoot!"

Robin came up before them on her mount. "We should go now. Some other Chocs may wish to come along for escort, but most will stay here to look after their young. The sooner we get to the Temple of Fiends, the sooner our mounts can return home."

Gantz shook his head and his mount seemed to mimic him. "Do we really have to call them Chocs, though? Sounds a little dumb to me. I'm rather partial to Choco bozos myself."

Valor sighed. "You would be, thief."

Gantz smirked at him. "What, you got something better, Val?"

"I do," Sana said, grinning. "Why don't we compromise and call them Chocobos."

Gantz shook his head. "Chocobos, really? That's never going to catch on, Miss Priss."

"Oh, I don't know, Gantz, I think it has a nice ring to it."

Robin growled. "I could have ridden rings around you all by now! So, if you are done dithering like children with a new pet, may we get moving before the world ends?"

The Chosen of Earth was suddenly dour. "Yes, Garland awaits us in his temple, Chosen, and it is far past time that he be made to face justice." He then paused, turning his fierce mount around to face them all. "Let us ride!"