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Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy crystal chronicles

Caravan Tale

*

"What is happening to our world!?" Tobias asked as he stared at the ominous miasma stream. It was growing! The sky all around was blackened and lightning flashed. The wind was almost pushing both caravans back. Lora was transfixed on what was before her. Her eyes were full of fear. The miasma stream seemed almost uncontrollable.

Jake walked up to Tobias, "We came upon this a few days ago. We cannot cross it. It has grown more powerful and much wider."

Tobias just shook his head in disbelief, "It was perfectly crossable a few weeks ago, just like it always was."

Lora turned away from the miasma stream and looked at Jake, "If it's uncrossable why do you need us."

Andy walked up carrying the Fum chalice, "We can't cross with one crystal, but maybe two will be enough."

"Three." Tobias interjected and he pulled out of his shirt a necklace with a crystal pendant.

Lora ran back to the wagon and retrieved their chalice. The two caravans then placed the crystals close to one another on the ground. All three crystals began to hum and glow. Lora looked back at the miasma, "Do you really think it will be enough?"

"It has to be. It's all we have and our villages need us. Sheula needs a doctor soon." Jake picked up the Fum chalice and handed it to Andy, "You will be the chalice bearer. Lulie, make sure everything is roped down; you will have to lead the wagon. I'll take care of Sheula." The two clavats nodded and went off as ordered.

Lora looked over at Tobias, "I guess we should do the same." Tobias nodded and they headed back to their caravan. Lora was tying up the water barrel when the knot broke out of her hands, "Dammit!" Tobias took the rope out of Lora's hands, "I can finish this up. Go prepare the chalice." Lora nodded quietly, her nerves were getting to her, but she had to represent Cedon. A selkie can be just as good as a clavat. As Lora was exiting the wagon, Tobias called to her, "Lora, it will be alright you know." That was all he had time to comfort her with.

Once both caravans were prepared, Jake climbed into the Fum wagon and came out carrying Sheula. She was crumpled against him and shaking. Her whimpers were very quiet. Lora looked at her then Jake. She could see the pain and concern in his eyes. She then looked at Sheula again. She knew those symptoms, "You failed to cross."

"Yes." Jake answered solemnly, "The miasma blew her out of the crystal's reach."

"Do you really think it's good for her to cross again?"

Jake looked down at Sheula, "It's all we can do right now. I don't know what else to do."

Lora understood. Seeing Sheula in such a state gave her a bit more courage. She wanted to make it across even more now. "Well then, let's do this."

Both caravans smiled nervously and nodded, unsure of the outcome. They grouped close together around the chalices and pendant, leading their caravans into the miasma stream.

Their first step in, the group was immediately pushed back by the force of the miasma. Jake yelled to others over the roaring wind, "Come on! Push forward!" The group slowly pushed forward. Lora felt as if they were going nowhere with each step they took. The pressure from the miasma made her feel as if her lungs might explode. Her courage could only last so long. She hoped they would get through this soon. The chalice was becoming a burden in her arms and was shaking violently along with the other chalice. The group ended up linking arms to push forward. Lora could barely keep her eyes open due to the wind. A few minutes later though, the crystals began humming and glowing brightly, creating a protective field around the two caravans. Relief swept through the group. "It worked!" Andy shouted.

"But we're not out of it yet." Tobias shouted back. The group continued forward for what seemed at least an hour.

"We have to be close soon. I feel as if I'm being drained here." Lulie said wearily.

Lora looked over at Sheula who was still in Jake's arms, "How is she?"

"She's sweating and is clinging to me. I don't know what will happen if we don't get out soon!" Jake tried to sound strong but Lora heard the crack in his voice. She was beginning to feel uneasy. Her nerves were starting to act up again. She thought she was going to go crazy until Tobias put his arm around her shoulders. He whispered to her, "Hang in there. We are all depending on each other." Lora nodded and leaned in more to Tobias's protective hold.

A few minutes later, the miasma wind began to pick up pushing the caravans forward. "This is it!" Tobias yelled. The group began to run as best they could until they saw a familiar light, the sun.

Once a good distance from the miasma stream, both caravans stopped to look back. "We made it." Lulie said breathlessly as she sat on the green grass. Lora joined her side, "Yes, thankfully."

The caravans decided to rest the remainder of the day together. While the others were sharing stories over the fire later that night, Lora pulled Jake aside, "Can I see Sheula?"

Jake crossed his arms, "Why what can you do for her?"

Lora could tell there was more than just friendship in his heart, "She means a lot to you, I know. My father had a similar experience with miasma. I have herbs that can soothe her if you let me see her."

Jake let his shoulders relax a little and uncrossed her arms, "Will it really work?"

"It should. A Yuke caravan treated my father. They taught how to make the medication, but I can't promise you anything."

At the fire Tobias noticed Lora had snuck off with Jake. For some reason he wasn't thrilled with that idea. He looked around and spotted her talking to him by the Fum wagon. He walked up to the two, "And what are you two up to?"

Lora turned to Tobias, "I need you to get me my blue satchel in the trunk in the wagon. It's really important."

Tobias gave her an odd look but did as he was told.

Lora hopped into the Fum wagon and found Sheula shivering on a little mattress. She looked her over until she found a purple rash on Sheula's left arm. Tobias and Jake joined Lora in the wagon. Lora quickly grabbed her satchel from Tobias and pulled out some dried herbs and a grinding bowl. "Her main affliction is in her left arm. It will infect the rest of her body if it isn't stopped soon." Lora quickly blended the herbs with water in the grinding bowl until it became a yellow paste. Lora looked back at the two boys who had remained silent, "Jake, you need to hold her down. This is going to be painful. Tobias, you need to open her mouth when I tell you to."

They both nodded nervously and got into position as they were told. Lora was nervous; she had only watched the Yukes do this before. She had never done this to anyone. She let out a deep breath, 'Here goes.' She thought to herself. Lora unsheathed the dagger from her boot and pierced Sheula's skin along the purple rash. Sheula began to cry out in agonizing pain. Jake yelled back to Lora, "What are you doing to her!?"

"Just hold her Jake. Don't break Lora's concentration!", Tobias yelled at Jake to calm him down.

Lora could feel beads of sweat collect on her forehead. Once the cut in Sheula's arm was big enough, Lora grabbed a handful of the paste and spread it along the lesion. Once the paste touched Sheula's skin Sheula let out a blood curdling scream and began to fight Jake's hold on her. As Lora continued to treat Sheula's arm all she could see was her father's face and his cries of agony as the Yuke had treated him. Jake pulled Sheula back as she began to flail her arms and legs from the pain. His face was terror stricken, having only heard her scream like that at the miasma stream. Andy and Lulie immediately ran to the wagon.

"Tobias now!" Lora yelled over Sheula's screaming. Tobias quickly held Sheula's mouth open as Lora dripped the paste's juice into her mouth. Tobias closed Sheula's jaw and Sheula slowly dropped into Jake's arms sound asleep. Everyone sat back abashed at what had happened. Lora wiped her forehead, it had worked. Lora held Sheula's arm again and dabbed away the blood and remaining paste. "She just passed out. She'll be alright, but her arm will never fully heal." Jake brushed away some of Sheula's hair and laid her back on the mattress still a bit terror stricken, "Thank you Lora. How can we repay you?"

Lora shook her head, "The Yukes showed compassion to my father and I. I have done the same for you."

Lora stood up, "But I am exhausted now. I will take my leave for the night." As Lora slipped out of the wagon she tripped on her foot, but was caught by Tobias. He helped her regain her balance as they walked back to the Cedon caravan, "It's been too many stresses for you for one day." Lora nodded. Tobias helped Lora into the wagon where Mog was snoozing away. Lora crawled under her blanket and hugged Mog, "Goodnight Tobias…." Tobias laid down next to Lora, "Goodnight."

Lora immediately sat up, "You're actually going to sleep in here!?"

Tobias yawned, "Yes, I'm too tired to climb up there, now get some rest."

Lora wasn't going to argue that and soon fell asleep.