Thank you for the reviews!!! They really help me continue to write =) Sorry it has been awhile since my last update, I was busy deciding my future after college. Now that it's decided, well at least for the next 5 months, I can write more!

Caravan Tale

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"Ouch!" Lora whined in pain. That was the fourth time the needle had pricked her in an hour. She nursed her thumb and continued sewing.

Tobias who was walking with Helon and Mog turned back to Lora who was sewing in the front of the wagon, "I've never heard someone complain so much about a needle or one so clumsy."

Lora looked up from her tedious work, "Well if you could guide Helon away from the rocks this wouldn't be an issue."

Tobias shook his head and laughed, they would be zigzagging all day if he even tried that. He turned back to Lora, "You've been working on that since this morning, work on it tonight. Take a break and walk with me."

Lora looked at her progress on the little jacket so far, well at least the sleeves were done. She put the skins and sewing kit into her trunk and joined Tobias and Mog. "It feels good to stretch my legs." Lora stretched her arms to the sky and closed her eyes enjoying the warmth of the sun. When she opened them again she saw Tobias smiling at her, "So what's the damage?" He had caught her off guard for a moment, "What?"

"Your thumb, how is it?"

Lora held out a very red thumb with a few poke marks, "It'll be fine by tonight."

"Well that's good to hear. I look forward to what you're making me." Tobias began to laugh at Lora's expression on her face.

"Is that what all this was about!? You just want your surprise! How do you even know there will be any skin left!?" Lora had gotten riled up by him again. Mog just chuckled at the two and flew to the wagon to have a nice juicy striped apple.

"There is always some left." Tobias answered Lora knowingly, "Selkies never waste anything."

Lora smirked, knowing it was true, "And how do you know of such things?"

Tobias pulled out a piece of scrap fabric and handed it to Lora, "My mother taught me. She is a terrible seamstress like you." Lora nudged him at his remark but focused on the Selkic symbols sewn into the cloth, "Your mother did this?"

Tobias nodded and looked ahead as if reliving his past, "It's the symbols of her, well our troupe I guess. She made me that right before she left so I could find her."

Lora handed the worn fabric back to Tobias, "Is that why you travel?"

"No. We ran into each other a couple years ago though. I loved travelling with the troupe, but there was just something missing. I guess I travel to find that element of what I'm missing."

"Do you think you're any closer to finding it?"

Tobias was quiet for a few minutes, thinking Lora's question over, "I'm not sure." He turned to look at her, "But I do know that the need for me to look has waned since travelling with you."

Lora felt her face get warm as she listened to Tobias's reply. She felt as if he was looking into her deeply. She didn't know what to do so she turned to look ahead. They walked quietly for awhile.

Tobias also turned away; he hadn't realized what he had even said. He couldn't figure out what had come over him to say that. Seeing Lora's blushing face though, made him smile. He had never seen that look on her before.

That evening Lora had gone right back to her sewing. She was determined to finish it before they arrived back in Cedon. Tobias was looking over the map to plan their travel route. "We'll be at the miasma crossing in a week or so."

Lora stopped sewing, "I know. I'm trying not to think about it." She tried to begin sewing again but her hands were shaking too much and she pricked her thumb again. She winced in pain, but kept quiet so Tobias wouldn't pick on her again. She wouldn't get any work done this way. Lora put the sewing away and grabbed the lantern hanging inside the wagon, "I'm going to go down by the river." Lora lit the lantern by the fire. Tobias put down the map at her announcement, "Isn't it a bit dark for swimming?"

Lora shook her head, "It's my favorite time for a bath."

Tobias just shrugged and went back to the map. He could never win an argument with her anyways. Lora headed down the hill to the river. This was Lora's favorite river, it was so wide and calm you couldn't even tell it had a current. She remembered spending hours here with her father the year before. Lora undressed and set her clothes on a nearby tree branch. She dove right into the cool waters. As she came up for air she flipped her hair around and sighed in contentment. It wasn't as nice as the sea but it was pleasant enough.

Tobias turned as he heard her splashing in the river. He felt the sudden urge to join her but had a feeling she wasn't properly dressed. He would surely get a slap if he dared. Mog flew over and sat by Tobias eating food as usual. Tobias was about to pick on Mog using up the food supplies when he thought Lora had called his name. Tobias just shook his head thinking he was hearing things. A few minutes later he heard it again, "Mog did you just hear…." Then Lora's scream cut in, "TOBIAS!"

Tobias was up in a flash and running towards the river.

Lora had been swimming when she felt a cold clammy hand grab her arm. She turned to see a grotesque water creature. She shrieked and yelled for Tobias. It was pulling her farther away from the bank of the river. Another one joined him and they began to pull harder. Lora was kicking at them and trying to break free. She yelled again and again while struggling. Lora feared Tobias couldn't hear her from this distance and another water monster was swimming towards her. They began to pull her under water when a large amount of splashing came from behind her. All Lora could see was a metallic light slashing across the water and she heard the creatures shriek in pain. Their grips loosened and let go. Lora soon found herself being pulled back to shore away from the deep river.

Tobias rushed down to the river where all he could see was a great deal of splashing. He was about to jump in when Mog called after him, "Your sword, kupo!"

Tobias blindly felt for it at his side when he realized it was back by the fire. Of all the things to forget! He turned to go retrieve it when Mog had caught up to him half dragging his sword. Tobias grabbed it and turned to plunge into the cool waters. As Tobias swam closer Lora's yelling had become more gurgled. Something was pulling her away. Then Tobias saw the water creatures grabbing at her. He immediately began slashing at them trying to avoid Lora. One of the creatures yelped as Tobias had cut off its arm. This was the breaking point and the creatures began to creep away. Without hesitation Tobias grabbed Lora's arm and pulled her back to shore.

Once Lora's feet touched the ground she immediately got up to run away when she bumped into something in front of her. She was about to shriek until a soaked Tobias picked up the lantern and revealed she had run into him. His face was full of concern and he wrapped his arms around her, holding Lora tightly. Lora stayed there feeling his embrace until her heavy breathing was back to normal.

"I told you it wasn't a good time for swimming." Tobias finally said, breaking the silence.

As he let go of Lora they both then realized that she was still naked. Tobias's face went bright red and he turned around immediately, "Grab your clothes quick in case those things return."

Lora went over to the tree and put on her clothes as fast as she could. She had a feeling her face was as red as his at the moment.

Lora joined Tobias whose face flushed even redder at seeing her again. They walked back to the fire quietly. As Lora brushed and dried her hair near the fire she looked up at the still blushing Tobias, "Thank you Tobias. I should have planned my little trip to the river better."

Tobias just scratched the back of his head, "Thank Mog too. I completely forgot my sword; it was Mog who brought it."

Lora looked down at Mog and smiled, "Thanks Mog." She scratched his head and he purred in contentment.

Once Lora felt she wasn't soaked anymore she headed towards the wagon, "Good night Tobias." He nodded at her and once Lora was settled in the wagon he climbed to the top of the canopy. Lora stuck her head out, "Aren't you coming in to sleep?"

Tobias didn't look at her for fear of blushing, "….Um no. I can see better up here if there are more monsters."

Lora had a feeling that was a lie but shrugged and laid back down to sleep.

Tobias laid down and looked up at the stars. He couldn't get the picture of Lora out of his head. She had seemed so stunning in the lantern light. He didn't know what had come over him to hold her. He had held her much longer than he should have. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep beside her with these thoughts running in his mind.

Lora's back felt cold as she snuggled with Mog. The wagon seemed somewhat empty. She had gotten used to Tobias's rhythmic breathing. How had she become so fond of him she wondered? He had saved her once again and Lora had no idea how to repay him.

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Ooooh nakey Lora! XD I hope you enjoyed the new chapter =)