Author's Note: Okay, I know these next few chapters might seem a little pointless, but they're building up for something to happen later. Just bear with me.

Chapter 39: Slight Delays

An hour after the sun rose, the Bretheren gathered to leave. Vivi tearfully embraced each one of his friends and sons farewell, and each wished him well or offered words of caution:

Zidane: "You be careful, eh Vivi?"

Garnet: "We'll miss you."

Steiner: "Be careful, Master Vivi."

Beatrix: "Good luck."

Freya: "Watch your back out there."

The farewell with his sons was a bit more emotional. Even Cal openly wept as he embraced his father.

Cal: "We'll miss you."

Sola: "Please hurry home."

Ollan: "Be careful, please?"

Nic: "We'll think of you every day."

Turo: "I'll play for you when you get back."

Val: "We love you."

Vivi could scarcely reply to any of them, could barely get his words of love out to his sons. But the cubes were vibrating, and he soon had to slip out of Valian's embrace to join the other mages. As the beginnings of vertigo started to overtake them, Vivi shook his head and managed to call out a few last things.

"Be good, Turo. You too, Sola, keep to your magic. Make up a song for me for when I get back, Ollan, and Nic, keep studying. Calan, protect your brothers, and the rest of you listen to him. Valian - " Vivi choked up. " - Valian, don't ever change who you are." To his friends he added, "Protect them for me, please?" Zidane nodded tearfully.

"We will. Good luck, Vivi."

Then they were gone.

The Bretheren Arcanum appeared in a three-walled garden full of flowering trees and bushes, with a river trickling through it near to them. Vivi began to weep, already missing his sons. Dregan placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

"I think I hear voices," Zentarou said. "Orko, how about we go get a look around?"

"Sure." They began to head out along a nearby street, Zentarou calling over his shoulder,

"Be back soon. If anything happens we've got the pendants." And they strolled around the wall and out of sight, letting Vivi get his emotions out with as few witnesses as possible.

The other two sat down in a corner, under a tree. Dregan let Vivi cry, let him get his heartache out, offering friendly pats on the shoulder and brotherly hugs, as comfort. He could imagine how it felt, thinking about his own family and friends. Slowly Vivi calmed down, and Dregan coaxed him to splash his face with the stream water, then sit under the shade of the tree with him while they talked and waited on word from the others.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah." Vivi sighed. "I wonder if Natar had rested up yet?" Dregan pulled out the emerald.

"Well, lets ask." Both put their hands on the emerald. "Natar, how are you doing?"

: A little better, but my strength is no where near full. I cannot carry you yet.: Both sighed softly. : My apologies. I can sense your desire for this to end.:

"Not your fault, Natar. We'll be fine for a while longer." Dregan chuckled. "Just a little homesick. You get well."

: Take care of yourselves.: He faded out, and Dregan put up the emerald.

Dregan, Vivi, came Zentarou's mental call, you might want to see this.

What is it? asked Vivi as the two stood and began to follow the others' path.

Just follow the road, and hurry! They ran along the cobblestone road. It led through a city of little shops and homes, the park apparently one of many situated along the walls, and to the city's heart where the pair saw a fearful sight in deed: gallows, complete with hangman and one to be hanged. Zentarou and Orko were to one side, and quickly motioned their 'brothers' over.

"They claim he's an evil rapist and serial murderer," Zentarou explained, "but something about him didn't get right with me. So I used Plunder Thoughts, and I swear that man is innocent! But I wanted a second check, Dregan." The elf nodded and casted, and it only took a few moments - during which the noose was dropped over the man's neck - to get his answer.

"You're right! He's innocent!" Before any of them could decide what to do, Zentarou acted, pushing his way towards the gallows as fast as he could, shouting,

"Stop! Stop! This man is innocent!"