Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles

Caravan Tale

*

Lora put the bottle of wine stiffly into the wagon. She would have to stay here tonight to heal her sore muscles. She began to gather sticks when she called near the wagon, "Quit hiding, I know you've been here the whole time!"

Tobias hopped out of the caravan and walked up to Lora, "I think you owe me big time." He smiled at Lora.

Lora just looked at him and pushed the fire wood into his arms, "If you're staying in my caravan I need you to make a fire, my body still hurts." Tobias nodded his head and obeyed Lora's orders surprisingly. Lora knew he deserved a thank you, but she wouldn't say it. What was he doing here anyway? And why was he with the Pora caravan if he's not from Pora? Why was he helping other caravans and not his own? Why was Lora even letting him stay with her for the night?

Lora shook her head from all the questions and pulled out some bread and salted fish for the dinner. When Lora came out the fire was already full blaze and she began cooking the fish immediately. Tobias had gone back into the wagon and retrieved the apology wine, "I thought we could spice up the evening." He smiled at Lora.

Lora just shook her head at how familiar he was treating her, "Fine, but I have no glasses."

"No problem!" Tobias said as he popped the cork and grabbed his plate of fish. Lora looked over at him with her hand stretched out towards him, "I get the first swig."

Tobias pouted, but gave the bottle to Lora.

"So, why did you help out that caravan?"Lora asked as she took her first sip of the sweet wine.

"I like to help others in need, and they can take me where I need to go; besides this world doesn't need another Tida." Tobias replied as he gulped down his fish.

"Why did you follow me at Marr's Pass?" Lora continued.

Tobias sighed, "I was hoping you wouldn't figure that out!" He leaned back on a rock nearby, "Not many selkies work in caravans and besides you seemed very entertaining making that face at the guard." He laughed. Lora chuckled. She forgot how good it felt to have someone to talk to besides a moogle.

She looked over at Tobias to see a serious look on his face.

"If we're going to play this question game, how come you are the only caravanner for Cedon?"

Lora was surprised by this question, she had not expected it at all, "I'm the only one of age, but I am also strong enough and have the skills to collect myrrh by myself."

"That doesn't mean you should travel alone." Tobias muttered.

Lora turned at him, "I am fine on my own! I won't fail Cedon."

Tobias decided not to dig further. It was obviously a delicate subject for her. After an hour of small talk Tobias took a gulp from the bottle to discover it was empty. Realizing this, he stood up and stretched, "Well, I think it's time for a good rest."

Lora nodded and then remembered that there was really only sleeping space in the wagon for two people beside each other. Tobias was already ahead of her as he climbed to the top of the caravan, "I prefer sleeping under the stars. You can stay in the wagon."

Lora picked up the dishes and placed them in her trunk. As she lay down, she could see Tobias's silhouette above her. Just who in the world was he?

Tobias looked up at the stars and he could hear Lora breathing softly. She sounded so innocent while sleeping, but he had the sneaking suspicion she had a dagger just waiting in her pillow. The stars were dimmed out this evening since the moon was showing in all of its glory. Tobias looked upwards at the stars until his eyelids became too heavy to keep his eyes open.

Thud! Lora woke up in a flash to hear someone outside the wagon moan in pain. She quickly hopped out to see what the commotion was. There was Tobias on the ground rubbing his side, "Forgot I was sleeping on top of the wagon." He winced.

Lora placed her hands on her hips and watched him get up, "Well you should pay more attention to your surroundings. Anyways help me pack up. I have a lot of ground to cover."

Tobias nodded, "But don't you mean we have a lot of ground to cover?"

Lora thought about it for a minute. She did enjoy the company of Tobias, but she barely knew anything about him, "How can I be able to trust you? We barely know each other."

Tobias walked up to Lora, "True, but isn't that how most great partnerships begin?"

Lora looked away from him trying to make a decision; he did make a good point.

Tobias could see that she was in a heavy debate with herself, like most caravanners that he had asked for safe travel, "How about this, I will help you collect the remaining myrrh you need this year since my previous caravan disrupted your collection. If you get sick of me at any point, I will gladly leave."

Lora looked at Tobias again. She knew he was telling the truth. She could always tell a lying selkie by their eyes, but his other facial features did not fit with selkie looks, "It's a deal Tobias, as long as you tell me what you really are."

Tobias shook Lora's hand to make the deal complete, "Well then let's pack up."

Lora watched as he headed over to where they had dinner, "Wait! You didn't tell me what you are!"

Tobias turned to Lora, "I will……in time." He covered the ashes from the fire with some fresh dirt. As he helped Lora with the packing and harnessing Helon, he felt a slight tinge of uneasiness with the deal he had just made with this selkie girl.