Heyo! Sorry I haven't updated lately but there was spring break and a wedding and ofcourse st. patty's day which is self explanatory lol! Thanks for the reviews I hope you enjoy the Cedon caravan's adventures in this new chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own FFCC

Caravan Tale

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It had been a very humid week since Tobias and Lora had their chat. Tobias was back to his normal self with just the hint of the gash on the side of his head. Tobias traced it with his finger, "I have a feeling this will be a scar soon."

Lora looked over at him, "There are worse things Tobias, besides you can call it a battle wound."

"Yes. I'll tell how I fought off ten, no thirty monsters with only my bare hands."

Lora giggled at his sarcasm, "Then you'll be irresistible! The girls will go crazy for you."

Tobias stopped walking and crossed his arms, "Why do you always bring up the ladies? I never talk about girls."

Lora was startled by his suddenly serious comment, but quickly recovered, "Well, you must have had someone special at one point in time right? Most people at our ages do." She quickly turned back around and continued walking.

Tobias perked up and quickened his pace to catch up with her, "No I haven't had such luck in that area, but you have been in love haven't you?"

Lora was becoming flustered, why did he have to ask that!? She bit her bottom lip thinking of a reply, "Well…I…."

"Hello Cedon caravan!" a voice interrupted the flustered Lora and curious Tobias. They had almost walked right past the Alfitarian caravan! Lora looked up to see Sol Racht driving the wagon, "Good day sir! How is your caravan faring?"

Sol Racht hopped down in his clunky armor, "We have finished collecting for the year and are on our way home."

Tobias smiled, "Well that is good to hear! We are on our way to Moschet and then head back to Cedon."

Sol Racht stepped up to Tobias and looked him up and down and turned to Lora, "It is good to see you no longer travelling alone. This year has been extremely treacherous for collecting myrrh."

Lora nodded and took a few steps closer to Sol, "That is why I have been hoping to meet you again in our travels. We have come across a fair amount of trouble ourselves." Lora and Tobias continued to tell Sol Racht of their experiences in Tida. After awhile Sol Racht shook his head, "This is indeed bad news. We have heard similar stories in our travels this year. We will hurry to Alfitaria and send word to other caravans. I will inform you of any news or updates I receive, you should do the same as well."

Lora nodded, "I will. May your journey home be a safe and quick one."

"Thank you lass, I wish you all the best as well." Sol Racht climbed aboard the wagon and cracked the reigns a bit harder than needed, picking up a fast speed.

Lora and Tobias looked at each other; this was not good news at all. Lora had a sinking feeling in her gut, "Let us hope Moschet has no surprises for us." Tobias nodded in agreement. They began to walk forward silently both of their minds brimming with worries. Lora thought about the news from the Alfitarian caravan the rest of the day and into the evening. She and Tobias were both in deep thought about what was becoming of their world. If news like this was happening all over the world this couldn't just be a simple fluke, could it?

"Tobias?" Lora whispered prodding him in the back.

"Mmmrmm"

"Tobias." Lora poked him harder.

"Hey, I was having a nice dream you know…" Tobias sluggishly turned over to face Lora, "What is it?"

"Do you really think it's as bad as Sol Racht said?"

Tobias rubbed some sleep from his eyes, "It is possible, but I would rather find out for myself than listen to others." He looked over into Lora's concerned selkie eyes, he could tell that wasn't the answer she was looking for but he was too tired for this conversation. Dawn would be here in a few hours. He rolled back over when Lora poked him again.

"What will you do after Moshet, when our deal is finished?"

"Travel with you to Cedon ofcourse. Now let me sleep."

Lora turned over so that she and Tobias lay back to back. As she closed her eyes she felt comforted by Tobias's answer and his rhythmic breathing.

"Hey sunshine! Wake up!" Lora blinked wearily and sat up to see Tobias peeking into the wagon with Mog, "Come on the mail is here."

It took Lora a few minutes to register what Tobias had said. She stretched and fixed her hair before she hopped out to face the day. Tobias was working on breakfast over the fire as she sat down near him, "Where did you get eggs from!?"

Tobias smiled craftily and turned towards her, "Let's just say I borrowed them from a farmer down the road."

"You're lucky you didn't get caught! Clavats do get temperamental about those things!"

Tobias turned back to the food, "Heh, I know."

Lora then realized the blunder she had made, "Sorry Tobias I wasn't even thinking."

Tobias just shrugged, "It's alright. Mog has your letters by the way."

Lora looked around for Mog. She spotted him near the far side of the caravan chatting with the mail moogle. She got up and trotted over, "Mog, I believe you have something for me?"

Mog looked up and flew to eye level with Lora and let her take the letters, "Lora, can this moogle stay with us a bit? He is weary from his travels, kupo."

Lora patted Mog on the head, "Of course he can." She then bent down to the sleepy mail moogle, "Make yourself at home."

The moogle nodded, "Thank you, kupo. The name's Hum. Road's are very treacherous now a days."

Lora walked back over to Tobias where breakfast was ready, "Did you get any letters Tobias?"

Tobias shook his head and continued to eat his eggs. He had hoped to hear from Kima or Jasper, but he had just given Hum his reply to Kima.

Lora opened her first letter from home:

Lora,

It was so good to hear from you. We are happy that your travels have fared well. We hope you return very soon. Tell us more of this fellow you travel with. We hope he isn't like Jun. You must have your wits about you remember! The Lilty family has moved in nicely. Their son is very anxious to meet you. He is a very headstrong person. Nem has started a garden like you asked, but I'll let him write about that for you below. Let us know when you head for Cedon.

Poppa

Hey sis, I hope you like my drawing. I planted the seeds and guess what is growing? Rainbow grapes! You better hurry home or I will eat them all. I want you to bring me something back that I will like. Beat those baddies!

Nem

On another page Lora found a drawing of Nem surrounded by rainbow grapes. She giggled at it and felt the pang of missing her family. Tobias was looking over her shoulder, "Oh, another masterpiece of your brother's. Maybe you should get him some paints?"

Lora shook her head, "No, I know exactly what to get him and it's at Moschet."

"Well, what is it?"

"You'll see." Lora tartly replied as she began to write her reply on her parchment.

Hello family, I have only one more myrrh tree to visit before I head home. I have important news to speak with the elder and to you about when I return. The man I travel with goes by the name of Tobias. He has helped other caravans throughout his travels and is now helping me. He plans to travel to Cedon with me, so you will get to meet him. Tell Nem I will have a surprise for him when I return.

Lora

Tobias watched as Lora sealed up her reply to her family and opened her other letter. Tobias knew it must be from Kima. Another envelope fell to the ground from the letter Lora had opened, "Tobias, I think that's for-" Tobias had greedily snatched up the envelope and opened it:

Tobias,

I was so glad to hear from you. I am also glad that you still travel with Lora. I must warn you this letter brings bad tidings as well as Lora's. The monsters have grown so much stronger around Pora. Jasper and I must actually go out of our village to patrol the roadways. I fear the worst for Pora when we must leave for myrrh. It seems our crystal is struggling at times. It doesn't sing like it used to. Our elder has become sick with worry. I was wondering if this was happening anywhere else? I pray for a safe journey for the both of you.

Kima

Tobias looked up to see a pale faced Lora. Her letter was shaking a little, "I take it I received the same letter as you." Lora nodded.

"We have to inform Sol Racht immediately. This concerns me deeply."

Lora nodded, "I'll write him and Kima."

Tobias stood up and walked over to the mail moogle, "When do you think you'll be able to travel again?"

Hum looked up to see a very distressed Tobias, "This afternoon should suffice if I could have some food to travel with, kupo."

"Done. You need to travel to Alfitaria first. It's an urgent letter."

The moogle nodded very quickly understanding the importance.

Lora shakily began to write the replies to Sol Racht and Kima:

Sol Racht,

I hope you have made it to Alfitaria safely. We have news about the Pora village. It seems their crystal is waning and monsters have the area surrounded. They have road patrols now, but they need more manpower. If there is anything you can do please inform Pora immediately and let us know the outcome.

Lora, Cedon Caravan

Kima,

I am sorry for Pora's struggles. Tobias and I will inform Alfitaria of your news. We hope this will help you soon. Pora isn't the only place this is occurring. We were nearly killed in Tida and I fear what will happen at Moschet Manor. If the worst does happen, you will be safe in Cedon. Just let them know who you are and that you are a friend of mine.

Lora

"Finished." Lora set down her quill. Tobias picked up the letters and sat down next to Lora, "Hum says he can deliver them this afternoon."

Lora rested her head in her hands, "Good. We need all the time we can get."

Tobias patted her back even though he knew it wouldn't help. He had a deep dreadful feeling about the future of Pora. He had to help Kima and Jasper in some way.

*

Oh me oh my! What will become of Pora? What will happen at Moschet? Tune in for chapter 16!