�Hey, Chris, you getting tired?� Ryan asked as they kept in step with the knights.
�No�no, just thinking. I guess I spaced out for a second,� Chris observed the skeptical look on Ryan�s face, �It�s nothing; I�m fine, really.�
�If you say so�listen, the girls would kill me if you came back beaten and broken�just try to keep your mind focused and your head on straight.�
�Understood.�
�Now, I was thinking, when we register we need to use a cool nickname to get recognized. I�m using Killa for mine.�
�Hmm�not a bad idea�I�ll think about it.� Chris quickly tucked that information at the back of his mind. It only had room for one thought right now�well, two: Leigh and food.
The girls sat down at one of the tables in the near-empty forum. Instead of the latest test or newest spell, their conversation took on a tone just a little more serious.
�I can�t believe it, they left without even saying goodbye,� Rosa pouted.
�They probably didn�t want girlfriends and so on to follow them.�
�I have an idea,� Leigh said.
�Uh-oh, I think I know what little miss love struck is gonna say,� Laine remarked jokingly. Leigh just disregarded the comment and continued.
�We know magic, we can fight, and the tracks of the convoy should still be fresh�we could catch up with them in a few hours if we hurry.�
�Yeah! It wouldn�t be too hard,� Rosa piped in excitedly.
�I�m guessing I don�t have a choice.� Laine said.
�That�s right, you don�t. Now let�s cut class and get ready!�
The convoy to Gariland made a quick stop at a nearby river to fill the flasks and kegs with fresh water. A few recruits and a knight were sent to gather meat for the journey; choices were slim in these times, it was either chocobo, or red panther. Neither was too appetizing. Beggars cannot be choosers, Chris said to himself.
It wasn�t too long before the knight at the lead yelled, �3!� Chris immediately made a quarter turn to his right and saw 2 red panthers and a chocobo headed their way; not to mention the beasts were ravenous. Chris unsheathed his short sword and readied his left hand in case he needed a quick block with his gauntlet. He took a quick glance at his allies; Ryan wasn�t with them. Damn, Chris cursed under his breath, these guys are all newbies; looks like it�s the knight and me. As the enemies closed in and they took a defensive battle position he said a quick prayer and gripped his sword.
The girls packed as quickly as they could. A few flasks of water, some jerky, and some fruit were in the food sack. They concluded that it was sufficient for the trip. Leigh looked around her house and looked for a sword or any kind of weapon, but to no avail. She knew that Chris had some spare weapons in his room but his mother was home by now. Leigh was certain that she wouldn�t let them go. But, sometimes, risks were imperative. She took a breath and knocked on the door; Chris�s mom was there instantaneously.
�Why hello Leigh, always a pleasure to see you, did the school let you out early?�
God forgive me, �Yes, I just came by to see if I left my notebook in Chris�s room.�
�Oh, that�s no problem dear. Just run ups and fetches it. Would you like something to eat or drink?�
�No thank you ma�am,� Leigh responded as she ascended the stairs. She looked around the room and spotted a pair of daggers. Perfect, she thought to herself, easily hid too. She tucked the daggers into her boots and grabbed a random notebook off the nightstand to pass off as hers. She headed back down the stairs and almost ran into Chris�s mom. �Sorry, excuse me, I�m just in a little bit of a hurry.�
�That�s okay, sweetie. And don�t worry, I�ll make up a story to explain to your parents as to why you�ll be gone.�
�Thank y- wait, you knew?�
�Your face was an open book, dear. That boy of mine is indeed lucky. I can see why he�s so hung up on you, such a nice, responsible young lady. I won�t keep you any longer; make sure that boy of mine doesn�t get into too much trouble, now.�
�Yes ma�am,� Leigh replied and left quickly, forgetting she had one of Chris�s notebooks with her. Chris is �hung up� on me?
Chris brought his gauntlet up to block the razor sharp chocobo beak darting at him. It was appearing to be a losing battle as the newbies quickly fell back. Chris sidestepped the chocobo�s lunge and brought his sword to its neck. �Forgive me.� And with that statement, Chris slit the bird�s throat
He glanced up and saw the knight fending off attacks from every which way. The knight had already succeeded in injuring one of the panthers. Chris decided that this was an opening he would be a fool to miss. He lunged at the panther with all the strength he could muster. Unluckily for him, the panther deflected the blow and sent Chris flying back with a poison attack. Chris felt his body�s temperature rise, the blood pumping faster, the sweat trickling into his eyes, and then all was black.
Leigh crept through the woods closely behind Laine. Rosa was taking the rear. She said it was so she wouldn�t have to do much fighting if a battle broke out. Laine said it was because she was scared. Leigh knew both were joking but couldn�t help but worry. If they did get in a battle, how could they possibly win?
As if the fates were playing a cruel joke, the forest gave way to a large plain in which one knight was battling with two panthers. It wasn�t the knight that got Leigh�s attention; however, it was the prone body lying 5 yards away; Chris.
�Laine, Rosa, you two go and help that man. I�ve got to go help Chris,� Leigh said just before she broke out in a mad dash for her friend�s body.
�Sure thing- wait, Chris?!� Laine said startled, but Leigh was long gone. �That girl is so much in love that it might just get her killed.�
�Well, the knight is in trouble! And I�m sure that Chris is fine, so let�s go!� Rosa replied and the duo headed towards the battling knight.
�Those children fail to see the danger approaching them,� a cloaked figure said coldly.
�Relax, I�ll make sure nothing happens to them. It is my duty to serve God,� another voice, feminine, replied.
�No�we will wait for now�there is another horde headed their way and I am curious as to their abilities,� the first voice stated.
�What is your opinion, fearless leader?� The second voice inquired.
�If things get out of hand, we�ll act. Be careful not to reveal our identities; remember, we�re wanted. The rain comes soon, we might want to give Boco and the others some shelter.�
�Understood,� the first two voices sounded in unison.
Chris faintly heard sounds from every direction. It wasn�t very pleasant. His head was pounding, his lungs were hurting, and his vision blurred every time he opened his eyes. He opened his eyes once more to see if they had improved�in his delirium he almost thought that he saw Leigh. Wait, it was Leigh.
�Hmm�Leigh,� as much as Chris may have wanted to grab her in a loving embrace, his body wouldn�t comply. He smelled the horrid odor and concluded that he was poisoned. He noticed Leigh�s lips moving, but he could hear nothing.
�Chris! Chris, are you all right? Can you get up? Are you listening to me? This isn�t time for jokes, Chris.�
He whispered a few faint words; �I can�t hear a word you�re saying�I feel weird�� His voice trailed off as Leigh franticly searched for an antidote. She burst out in tears when she discovered that there were none to be found. Leigh heard a low growl and brought her head up to find 7 red panthers encircling her and Chris. She cradled Chris�s head and closed her eyes. This is how it ends?
Suddenly, a flash of lightning lit up the battle field and thunder echoed through the plains. Leigh looked up, startled by the light and noise to find a single figure there, fending off the pack. She couldn�t tell much about the person, except they were wearing a long brown cloak and wielding a giant sword. He was moving as fast as the lightning his blade emitted so a good view of the face was not a likely happening. Leigh watched in shock as, one by one, the panthers fell. As soon as they were all defeated, the figure vanished. She heard a clinking noise and looked down to find a remedy lying on the ground in front of her. �Thank you,� was all she said before crying again. Yet this time, with joy as she cradled Chris�s head and gave him the antidote.
Laine was left on one knee after trying to keep track of the figure demolishing the monsters while attempting to defend her self. Rosa was just staring around, trying to find any trace of the warrior. The knight was out cold from exhaustion and his sword was lying on the ground beside him. Whoever just did that, Laine thought to herself, is not someone I�d like to fight. She let herself collapse onto the ground too.
�They didn�t hold out as long as you expected.�
�I am well aware of that�but the girl�s heart is strong, even if her body is weak. The boy is confused, much like myself when I was younger. They will get through their dilemma; they will do so together.�
�And what of the other ones?�
�The other two girls are strong willed, as a team their magicks will be unbeatable. The other boy, however, will become a warrior of ancient techniques, an invaluable ally.�
�Hopefully they will do so soon. I do not like interfering with fights that are not my own.�
�What�s the matter, Orlandu? Is the almighty TG Cid getting too old for his job?�
�Hardly. Remember Ramza, as long as you are a White Knight under the Germonik Faith, you are inferior to me.�
�Yeah, yeah. Well, looks like we�ll have to clear our names once more. Tell Agrias to gather the troops, we need to move quickly.�
�Aye, this night will be a long one.�