Chapter 32: Information

Sheena wandered the streets of Luin. They'd been here for a day, and things were surprisingly normal here. There was no hint that a rogue army was on the continent.

She saw what she was hoping for, and went down to the docks, walking into the houseboat that Aifread had tricked them over twice.

Orochi stood up. "Sheena," he said pleasantly. "Good to see you."

"You, too." She sat down on the floor. "I saw the marker, and I want information. What have you learned?"

Orochi sat on the small bed. "The former Design Joseph has put together an army and found the Exspheres to equip them all. He intends to make himself ruler of Sylvarant."

"How far has he gotten?"

"Palmacosta is currently abandoned after he paid a visit there. Asgard went down without a fight. I heard a detachment was going to Hima. He seems to be keeping away from Luin for right now. Probably doesn't think it's important enough."

"Where did he get the Exspheres?"

"Apparently there were extensive deposits in the ground around the Tower of Salvation. We're not certain, but we think when the Great Tree went berserk, its proximity awakened the Exspheres in a ridiculously short time. He's also got some angels as lieutenants, and than means he's found some useable Cruxis Crystals, probably from the same source."

Sheena groaned.

Orochi looked at the next Chief curiously. "Are they as strong as the stories we're getting?"

"Strong enough that ordinary people won't have a chance."

"That's odd in itself. Joseph has six lieutenants to start with, and he sent three to the other continent. Those have been found slain and their exspheres crushed. I heard from a reliable source that Joseph was livid about that."

"What else can you tell me about his lieutenants?"

"Only that some are stronger than the others."

"What about Joseph himself?" Sheena pressed.

"We don't know. He hardly ever fights, so we can't gauge his abilities."

"And his army? Who's in it?"

"Brigands, and whatever surviving Desians he could find." Orochi told her.

"One last thing: Where's his main base?"

"Around where the Tower of Salvation stood. He's using the captives from Palmacosta and elsewhere to dig out more Exspheres."

Sheena rose to her feet. "Thanks, Orochi."

Orochi allowed himself a grin. "You're the next chief, Sheena. Chief Igaguri would personally flay me if I didn't help you."

Sheena grinned. "Heh. Tell grandpa I said hey."

"I'll do that."

She hugged him and left. Along the way back to the inn, she rubbed the discreet identification sign--that a Mizuho ninja was in the area with information to be passed on--off the side of a house.

Lloyd leaned out the window. "I see her!"

"Let's hope she got something useful," Zelos said from where he was reclining.

"Hey, I trust her," Lloyd said defensively.

"Sorry. I know she's probably picked up some info, but I'm jittery over this separation thing. There's strength in numbers, right? And we know more about Joseph's schemes than the people here do. Don't they ever LEAVE the town?

"I'm wondering why she didn't let me come along." Lloyd turned to his friend.

"Probably because you're not an official member of Mizuho."

"Right, right," Lloyd sighed.

Sheena came in. "I've got some bad news."

Zelos sat up. "What?"

Sheena outlined what she'd learned from Orochi. Wisely, she held back the locations of Joseph's conquests until the end of the summary.

Characteristically, Lloyd was up and running in an instant. "Come on!"

Zelos sighed. "He just regressed."

Sheena shrugged. "Lloyd's still Lloyd." She turned and ran after him

Zelos jumped up, and ran after them while praying fervently that things were alright.