Chapter 2
Erza folded the newspaper she was reading gently, placing it on the table. Her eyes were glassed over ever so slightly, a side effect to the temporary spell Lilisaundra had cast. She leant against the wall right outside the dining hall; ever so softly chanting her spell. This seemingly simple spell took a lot of concentration from whomever casts it. Whatever the user thinks, is what the used says. Lilisaundra kept quiet, listening intently to what the fairies said. If she were to make this plan work, she had to be convincing enough for the mages to believe her.
"Erza, do you know where Lucy is? Have you seen her this morning?" asked Wendy in her ever meek voice.
"A letter came this morning from Master, a job specifically for her. She left this morning." Erza stated, little emotion behind her words. Natsu picked up on her lack of emotive conversation. Even more so her lack of concern for her nakama. Unaware of the events that took place last night involving him and the celestial mage. Gray also noticed, but brushed it off as just morning haze that still hung about. The hall started to occupy more and more people as the morning passed by. Once the hall was filled most of the way, team Natsu packed up and headed for the train station, much to Natsu's protests.
The journey home was eerily quiet, the loss of the celestial mage ever present. The mood amongst them somber and worried. "Do we want to do another mission together when we get back?" ask Gray, "Or do we want to wait for Lucy?"
No one answered, a unanimous decision made. They would wait for Lucy to return home, safe and sound.
Lucy faded in and out of consciousness, jostled by the rickety ride of a horse drawn cart. Rays of sunshine shown through the holes in the canvas ceiling, giving way to the outside world. She pulled her arms, only to be abruptly stopped. Shackles encased both wrists, a chain connecting them to the tail board of the cart. Lucy felt rough bandages circling her stomach, covering a wound that ran from her hip up along her ribs. She couldn't feel the strain of her belt, there was no secure tether right under her belly button. No leather stopper on her left hip that held her beloved keys, no whip on the opposite side. She laid there, defenseless, open to every whim of the man and woman seated next to her.
There is crust on my forehead, I can feel it. This is so annoying, why am I the only one people go after? Why am I an ever growing target? Lucy thought to herself, questions flew about in her dizzy mind. Did Natsu really do that? Was I having a really bad dream? Who is this woman sitting on my right? Did she have something to do with this? This cart will be the death of me. She thought, just as the cart went over a particularly harsh bump in the road. She stilled as the occupants began to speak.
"This new location is really out of the way. Was that really necessary Lilisaundra?" questioned the man on my left.
"The Magic Council was getting too close. Our only options were either move, or be arrested. That is why the house in deep in the forest. Any more complaints, Gerd?" Lilisaundra, whom I presume is the woman, answered, irritation ringing clear in her voice.
"I really like the new house, the view from the southern wall is amazing!" Chimed a voice from beyond my head, a crack of reins was heard right after. His voice held a tone of innocence, which elicited a small giggle from Lilisaundra.
"At least someone appreciates all the effort I went through for this house! Thank you Berd!" said Lilisaundra. The cart grew quiet as they journeyed on to their destination. Lucy slowly slipped back into an unconscious state as their journey continued.
Fairy Tail was rambunctious as always, especially with the arrival of Team Natsu. Small brawls broke out around the guild, though they were settled fairly quick.
"No damages this time! It's a miracle!" cried Master Markov from his perch on the bar Mira tended. He waved his mug toward the arriving group, showing his gratitude and joy. He mentally did a head count, and found Lucy missing. He figured she was just home resting after a long mission. "Lucy most be very tired to not have stopped by. How unlike her." Mussed Master.
"What are you talking about Master? You sent a request for Lucy, I gave it to her this morning…" Erza stated. Something wasn't sitting right, but she couldn't pin point it. Her memories of this morning were foggy, and incoherent.
Master looked at her with a puzzled expression. "I didn't send a request my child…"
"Then where did this come from?" Questioned the requip mage as she pulled out the piece of paper. Realization dawned on her. If she had the paper, that meant Lucy didn't. So where was Lucy?
The guild had quieted down during their conversation. All eyes were on Erza as she tried to remember what really happened this morning. Who was it that gave her the paper? What did they look like? Erza kept drawing blank memory after blank memory. Tears of frustration silently escaped down her face. Looking towards Master, her eyes held the guilt and despair she suddenly felt.
