Ashgar was an ancient city, many of the structures predating the
rebuilding of Tienne itself.  The architecture and layout certainly reflected
this age; the buildings themselves were generally flat-roofed and made of a
ancient grey stone that had resisted the elements for millennia.  Most of
them were three to four stories tall, and clustered tight together.  The
alleyways between them were narrow and winding, opening up into the odd
square or cobbled quadrangle, where many of the mock battles between children
would take place.

     The Nordrir favoured their isolation and the city layout definitely
attested to this.  However, the Lucky Star was known to the dockhands of
Ashgar's harbour, and so the ship met no trouble as it pulled alongside the
great pier.

     The Dragoons themselves garnered a different reception.

     "Don't bother yeself much about it, lad," Jil advised as Kyle attracted
another frown from the Nordrir helping to unload the cargo.  "They don't be
likin' th' Church pryin' inta their business, even though they be respectin'
th' fighting style of Dragoons."

     Kyle merely shook his head.  "It'll be fine, I think.  We're just here
until we find the heretics."

     "You sure you nae found them already, lad?" Jil asked, face neutral.

     The Dragoon ignored the comment, continuing.  "You tell me that the
harbour master said that no ship had left in the last two days?"  Seeing
Jil's nod of confirmation, he sighed.  "Then they're here.  Somewhere.  They
wouldn't have attempted the forest, I'm sure of it."

     "Then I guess this be farewell, lad."  She chuckled at Kyle's
questioning look.  "I nae be returnin' ta Tienne fer a good fortnight.  Th'
crew be prepared fer a quick departure, like ye originally planned.  All I be
needin' is a destination an' cargo.  An' after payin' off yer bill, I be
thinkin' ye nae have enough to put meself on retainer."

     Kyle winced again at the mention of the bill; Jil had made good on her
promises, even after reducing much of it due to goodwill.  But still, she had
been pleasant company for the last five days, and that deserved something, at
least.  He smiled gracefully, and bowed to her.  "Farewell indeed, then, Jil
Fallensand.  Perhaps, if we should meet again, it will be under more pleasant
conditions."

     Jil bit back a laugh.  "Well, this be a turn fer th' books.  Where did
Captain Cavanaugh th' Brooder disappear to, I be wonderin'?"

     Kyle sighed and shrugged in reply.  "Perhaps today he shall be put to
rest."

     Jil raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment.  Instead, she turned her
attention to the gangplank.  "I be thinkin' ye best be goin'.  Yer comrades
be waiting fer ye, an' ye be needin' all th' daylight ye can get."

     The Dragoon nodded, hefting his naginata, and began to move off.  As he
alighted the gangplank, Jil's voice reached him one last time.  "Take care,
Kyle Cavanaugh."

     He gazed at her, and a bit of the old Kyle crept into the smile he
returned.  "I will."  And with that, he rejoined his soldiers, entering the
mythical city proper.
     
                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     On the far side of the city, two travellers strode through the main
gates of Ashgar.  Though they too were foriegners, the lean one in the dark
robes replied promptly and correctly to the guards' challenge, allowing them
to continue within the confines of the city without wasting time.

     Their quarry was here, and there was nowhere to run.

     It was only a matter of time before the inevitable confrontation.







                           FINAL FANTASY LEGACY
                               Knights of the Round

                         Chapter 18 - Shale and Sky

                       FFL Concept by Brian Stricklin
                        FFL #18 by Terence Fergusson







     
     Kyle's unit certainly stood out as they gathered by the quayside.  All
three Dragoons wore full Boost Armour, the shimmering crimson metal a stark
contrast to the furs the dockhands wore.  Cheney stood nearby, lightly
holding onto the reins of their steeds.  The other four horses that had
previously belonged to the Dragoons that had fallen to the Kraken were now
Jil's property; the payment had helped offset the bill, and there had been no
point in bringing along four horses spare.

     "Reill?  Martin?"  The two Dragoons stood to attention, well-rested
after the extra day's journey the delays had given them.  Kyle smiled grimly
to himself.  Today, they would likely need every ounce of strength they had.
"I want you to split up, and search every inn and establishment you come
across.  If you find any of the heretics... that's what your flare grenades
are for."

     Both of them nodded in acknowledgement.  "Understood, Captain."  "Right
on, sir."  They raced off to begin their search as soon as Kyle dismissed
them.  Once they were out of sight, Kyle dropped the smile.  Again, he was
walking blindly into a situation with far too few troops, and all of them
only slightly more experienced than the newest recruit.  And yet, that wasn't
his only concern at this point....

     "Kyle," spoke up Cheney, still tending the steeds, "curiousity begs me
to ask if you know what you intend to do with the heretics once you have
them."

     "Take them back to Tienne to stand trial," came Kyle's automatic answer.

     "You sound sure of yourself," remarked the old man.

     *It's the only thing I *am* sure about,* thought Kyle.  He shook his
head again, distracting himself from that train of thought.  "Cheney... I
have to ask you something."

     "What is it, Kyle?" came the reply, but the old man's tone seemed to
suggest that he knew what was coming.

     "Can I... can I trust you?  Not to interfere, I mean?"

     "Interfere, Kyle?"

     Kyle growled.  "You know what I mean.  You've stated how you feel about
the Church's views on magic before, and after seeing you in action, I suspect
you're at least partly responsible for the fact that we ended up chasing the
wrong group two weeks ago."

     Cheney shrugged.  "That was then, this is now.  But if it helps, I
promise you I will not interfere in your search in Ashgar.  Besides, you need
someone to stay behind to take care of the horses and book passage back to
Tienne, correct?"

     The Dragoon grunted in reply.  In this city and climate, horses were
near useless.  Coming to a decision, he unstrapped one of the flare grenades
at his belt, and handed it to Cheney.  "Fine, Cheney... I trust you with
this.  If you see them... signal me.  Promise me you'll signal me."

     Cheney glanced at the small sphere, then nodded.  "Very well, lad."  He
gave a gentle tug on the reins, and the horses began to follow.  "I hope you
find what you're looking for, Kyle," he remarked thoughtfully.

     Kyle shrugged, taking the comment at face value.  "I hope so too."  And
then he was off, deep into the alleyways of the city.
     
                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Davin blinked in the daylight, shielding his eyes briefly while they
adjusted once more.  Torchlight paled in the wake of the afternoon sun.

     They had, at Syeira's insistence, taken care to leave the tomb as they
had found it.  The remains of the spear and the Egg lay once more undisturbed
within the sarcophagus, awaiting future discovery.  Of course, the lid had
been far heavier than it looked, and it had taken longer than he'd liked.

     Still, he thought, what had he learned from this?  He shrugged mentally.
Questions and more questions, by the looks of things.  But it did prove the
Guardian's connection to the demon of so long ago.

     Syeira emerged from the tomb behind him, stretching in the light.  "Hey,
Davin... it's getting a bit late.  Don't you think you should book that ship
now?"

     Right... right.  "Sorry... this whole spirit-hole thing distracted me."

     Syeira waved it off, seemingly unconcerned.  "It's okay... got a chance
to brush up my Runic, anyway."

     They started off at a steady pace, walking away from the Tomb and
heading down one of the northern alleyways.  The alley itself was only a
single building's length, and opened up into a large open area surrounded by
houses and shops.  Yet, the distance was great enough so that the masts of
the ships in harbour were clearly visible over the buildings on the far side
of the square.

     Davin trudged along regardless, lost in thought.  It was only when
Syeira caught his attention and pointed that he finally looked up.

     "I'm pretty sure that's a new addition to the skyline," Syeira said,
slightly worried.

     Davin cursed loudly.  "That's the flag of the Lucky Star.  We've run out
of time."  He grabbed Syeira's arm and fled back the way they came, the thief
protesting at the manhandling.

     "Hey!  What's the big idea?!"

     "What else?" Davin replied.  "We've spent almost an hour looking in that
tomb... the Dragoons could be anywhere by now.  We've got to get the girls
out of there."

     Syeira nodded determinedly.  All Davin could focus on was the hope that
they wouldn't be too late.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Her left hand was bathed in the soft green light of the sphere, pulsing
slowly and steadily in time with her breathing.  Her right hand was only
illuminated by the rays of the sun, but within it, she held a similar sphere,
within which was a confusion of red and black.  It reminded her perhaps of
one of her younger companion's more volatile concoctions.

     The two Guardian Eggs were so contrasting in description that it
unnerved her slightly.  She wondered how they'd been... made?  Was that the
right word?  Formed?  Created?

     How old were they?  How many of them were there?  She knew that each one
contained a link to some related Guardian... but why?

     Every time she had called upon them, the words had simply been given to
her.  The Eggs created some kind of... bond between her and the Sleeper.
Perhaps that link could be used in other ways?  She considered experimenting,
but hesitated, wondering if this was the time or the place for it.

     "Marcine?"

     Mika's voice startled her out of her contemplation.  "What is it, Mika?"

     "Could you get me a glass of water, Marcine?"

     Marcine sighed.  Mika seemed well enough to her, but she reminded
herself that they'd all had a rough time of it lately, and it couldn't have
been easy for the young girl.  And riding chocobos certainly did take some
getting used to, in her experience.  "Sure, Mika.  I'll be back in a bit."

     "Thanks."

     Marcine left the room they had rented, and climbed down the long narrow
stairs towards the common room.  It was as she was nearing the bottom that
she first heard the commotion and slightly raised voices coming from the
common room.  But it was only when she heard mention of the Church and
heretics that she thought to approach more cautiously.  Staying just out of
sight, she peeked around the corner of the corridor into the common room of
the inn.

     A Dragoon, in full Boost Armour, was arguing with the innkeeper.  The
innkeeper seemed not too pleased that the Dragoon was bothering his
customers, but the Dragoon himself was - rather politely, she thought -
stating that the pursuit of heretics came before any other concerns.

     Marcine wasted no more time.  As quickly as she dared, she raced back up
to her room, two floors up.  Mika looked up in surprise as Marcine burst back
in.  "Huh?  Where's my water?"

     "We've got to go," Marcine answered, somewhat flustered at this turn of
events.  She started packing the little things she'd had out, throwing
everything together, and putting away everything Davin and Syeira had left
behind.

     "Go?  But big brother's not back yet!"

     Marcine threw her pack over her shoulder.  "There's a Dragoon downstairs
in the common room.  They're here, Mika."

     Mika blanched.  "But... that's the only way out!  How are we gonna get
past them?"

     Marcine stopped, hesitating.  Then she turned to the room's only window,
pushing it open.

     "What?!" Mika exclaimed.  "No way!  You're joking, right, Marcine?"

     Marcine shrugged.  "Do you have a better idea?  We're on the top floor
anyway, so it's just a short clamber up onto the roof.  But we can't risk
getting caught now."  She leaned outside, looking upwards, before beckoning
to Mika.  "Come on, I'll boost you up there."

     Mika sighed, and relented.  They had to discard the hooded cloaks, since
their sheer bulk made them too difficult to climb with.  Packing them away
instead, it took them another two minutes to help each other out and up onto
the roof.

     The task was awkward, not strenuous, but the effort left Marcine feeling
drained somehow.  She'd thought that maybe they had earned a brief respite
from being chased everywhere they went... sadly, it seemed that respite had
ended.

     "Where do we go now?" asked Mika, who was gazing across the city, taking
in the wondrous view their precarious position offered them.

     Marcine pointed off to the north, towards the ships docked at the
harbour.  "We've got to get out of Ashgar.  With any luck, Davin's booked a
ship already, and we can leave as soon as we find him."

     "And if he hasn't?"

     Marcine sighed.  She walked slowly up to the northern edge of the roof,
and looked across the gap created by the alley.  It was small enough that
even Mika could have made the jump... but the height still worried her
somewhat.  *Best not to think about it....*  A small but steady leap carried
her safely to the other side.

     She looked back across the gap at Mika.  "If he hasn't... then we do
what we have to.  We fight."  And with that, she fell silent, and the two of
them began their hazardous flight across the rooftops of Ashgar.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Twisting, turning alleyways, all alike.  That was Kyle's first
impression as he had dived into the heart of the city.  He'd been wondering
around for the last twenty minutes, heading generally south... and what he'd
seen had only cemented that impression.

     "How the hell are we supposed to find them in this maze?" he muttered to
himself.  It was bad enough that the Nordrir were ambivalent to him and his
men, refusing to aid the 'interfering' Church.  Having to scour this
labyrinth just made it worse.

     With a sigh, he turned again to face the junction he had stopped at, and
randomly picked a way forward.  No point dwelling on it, when doing was more
important.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     As Kyle vanished around the corner of a bend, two people decked out in
hooded cloaks emerged from one of the darker alleys.  They breathed a sigh of
relief when it was certain the danger had passed.

     "That was too close," remarked Davin.  "The inn's just five minutes to
the south of here....  I hope Marcine's okay."

     "She won't be," Syeira replied pointedly, "if we don't hurry."

     Davin sighed.  "Right, right."  He started down another of the
alleyways, forcing the thief to catch up.  "Look, I'm sorry we wasted so much
time in that tomb... but we can't do anything to change that now."

     Syeira just shook her head, smirking.  "As you say... wait."  Syeira
stopped dead.

     Davin, confused, looked back at her with concern.  "What is it?"

     "I don't-- there!"  She pointed past Davin, at the exit of the alleyway.

     Blocking the exit was a powerfully built man, clad rather simply in a
sleeveless tunic and breeches.  His slightly tattered red cloak caught the
small gusts of wind dramatically, revealing a recently bought rapier hanging
at his side.

     Syeira groaned, hand to her head.  Davin hit a wall in frustration.
"Not here... not now!"

     "Hold heretics!" announced the man, ignoring the companions' reaction.
"Think that thou canst escape me so easily?  What manner of disguise is
that?"

     Silence.  Davin was counting under his breath, and Syeira just wondered
if their pursuer would ever give up.

     "It matters not what kind of disguise that is!  For Beastmaster Stine
shalt track thou down no matter where thou might hide!"

     Davin drew his sword, tired of wasting so much time.  "Let's just get
this over with... we don't have time to deal with you."

     "Hah!" Stine taunted.  "That is where thou art wrong, my friend!  Thou
shalt *make* the time!  For now, with Stine's good comrade, he shalt--"

     "What 'good comrade'?" asked Syeira, boredom creeping into her tone.

     "Why, this good comrade right-- friend Siegvin?  Where hath friend
Siegvin gone?"  Stine looked around the junction he was in quizzically, as if
the action would magically cause his most recent travel partner to appear.

     *Siegvin?!* thought Davin urgently, *Siegvin's here?!*  All Davin could
remember of their first encounter was how only a lucky attack from Syeira had
driven the swordsman away.  If he was here too, then....  Davin motioned to
Syeira to get ready to retreat while he kept Stine busy.  They *had* to reach
Marcine now.

     Stine returned his attention back on the heretics.  "No matter!  Stine
shalt visit the Citizens' justice upon thou today without his good comrade's
help!"  Putting two fingers to his lips, he whistled sharply.

     Syeira looked back in surprise as the other end of the alley was cut off
by... some kind of gelatinous mass.  There were at least five of them, blue
blobs that slithered out of the shadows, with stumpy little limbs and a
snarling 'face'.  "Blobras?!"

     The beastmaster unsheathed his rapier, facing Davin.  "And now, the most
accomplished Beastmaster of all time shalt bring an end to his divine quest.
Have at thee, heretic!"

     Davin shook his head, preparing himself.  *I hope this fight doesn't
last as long as his speech,* he thought, before battle prevented further
reflection.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
     
     Kyle paused in his tracks as the sounds of battle reached him, coming
from back the way he came.  He briefly wondered if it was worth
investigating; the last couple of times it had just been another bunch of
kids conducting a mock battle.

     Still, he would never forgive himself if this was the one time that
would lead him to the heretics.  He started to double back, following the
sounds.

     Wait.  What was that shadow?

     He looked up, just catching a glimpse of someone crossing the gap of the
alley, three storeys up.  *Whoever's up there must be insane,* he thought to
himself.  Making up his mind, he tensed his legs and leaped, the jets of his
armour easily taking him up the thirty feet necessary to reach the top.

     As he touched down on the roof of the building, he brought his naginata
to bear, ready to challenge the roof-jumpers.  There were two of them, who
instantly spun to face him as they heard him land.

     The first was a young girl, maybe ten years of age, with a shock of red
hair.  Kyle vaguely remembered her as the kid he'd brought back the first
time he'd gone after the heretics.  And as for the other....

     "Kyle?!"

     "Marcine?" Kyle asked, a little shocked, though he didn't know why.  He
knew he'd have to face his sister at some point; his whole mission was based
on it.  But seeing her now, after so long... no.  He couldn't buckle now.

     Marcine took a step back, shaking her head.  "Why are you here?  It's so
far from Tienne... you're... you're here for me, aren't you?"

     Kyle nodded grimly.

     "No... why you?  You should be....  Father put you up to this, didn't
he?  Didn't he?!"  Marcine bit off a curse.  "I can't *believe* him!  Does he
even *care* about us?  About you?"

     The Dragoon sighed.  "I've got to bring you back, Marcine.  It's my duty
to the Church... you know that."

     Mika tugged on Marcine's arm.  "C'mon, Marcine... we--"  She let go as
Marcine strode forward angrily, closing the distance slightly between her and
her brother.

     "How could he do this?  How could *you* do this?" she demanded.

     Kyle exhaled, face set.  "Because... of what you did.  Because of what
you are.  Because you're a--"

     "Heretic," finished Marcine for him.  She sounded... disappointed.

     Kyle nodded slightly.  He palmed the flare grenade at his side.  "I'm
sorry, Sis... but without duty...."  He drew his thumb across the timer.

     He didn't quite see Mika drag Marcine back, pulling her down.  He did
hear the cry of surprise from his sister though, as well as the deep male
voice behind him intone the words that he heard too late: "Blood Wave."
Spinning around, he caught the wave of blood-red energy directly in his
chest, as it speared through him.

     Kyle staggered back and dropped to the floor, his head assaulted with a
vicious fever.  The flare grenade fell out of his numb fingers and rolled off
into the void, forgotten.  With as much strength as he could muster, Kyle
looked up, focusing on his attacker.

     The swordsman stood tall, already in a battle stance.  The dark crimson
blade was positioned as if the man had finished a wide slash to the air.  His
figure was hidden by dark heavy robes, parting slightly below to allow
movement.  A hood covered much of his head, and the face itself was hidden by
an almost featureless black mask with silver eyes.  Under the shadows of the
hood, the mask looked unnervingly real, with the eyes standing out in the
darkness.

     Behind him, Kyle could vaguely hear Marcine yelling his name.  The
cloaked swordsman laughed in reply.  "Keep your head, witch... he's not my
target.  You, on the other hand, are.  I'm glad I finally caught up with
you."

     Heat prickled the skin of Kyle's back, and he could smell ozone in the
air.  He watched helplessly as a bolt of lightning soared over his head,
striking the swordsman in the chest.  The man grunted in reply, driven back a
step.  However, recovery was quick.  "Quite the nuisance, even without your
bodyguard," he casually remarked.  "Still, it shall end here."

     *What's going on?* Kyle thought urgently.  *An assassin?  A bounty
hunter?  Could it be the one who had written that letter?*  "Are you...
Stine?" he croaked out.

     The man laughed.  "That egotistic fool?  No, but I dare say he is around
here somewhere.  Quite skilled, I admit... but a fool and irritating company
nonetheless."  He nodded slightly to the Dragoon.  "You may call me Siegvin.
And I am here to finish this."

     Kyle glanced back at Marcine, who was reciting yet another spell.  She
looked... so sure of herself.  As if she was doing something that was now
second nature to her.  *How many spells has she cast so far?  How many more
Sleepers has she awakened?*  Her confidence disturbed him somehow... for a
moment, Marcine seemed more like the mage he'd faced in Atlantea than his
sister.

     Marcine hurriedly completed the incantation, pushing the air in front of
her towards Siegvin.  "Bio!" she shouted, and the magic leapt towards the
masked man.

     Siegvin staggered as green globules of a toxic gas enveloped him,
forcing him to swallow a cry of pain.  Falling to his knees, the swordsman
now used his blade as support.  "Bitch!  You'll pay for that!"  His attempts
to apply an antidote were disrupted as a bottle smashed against the ground
in front of him, exploding in his face.  It was a momentary distraction, but
enough to allow an escape.

     Mika tugged fiercely on Marcine's arm, palming yet another explosive
mixture.  "Come on, Marcine, we've got to goooooo!"

     Marcine glanced worriedly at her brother.  "But what about Kyle?"

     Mika merely pointed at Siegvin in reply, who was slowly recovering.
"Not with that... murderer here!"

     Marcine slumped, and walked towards the gap to the north.  "You're
right, Mika.  Let's go."  Mika complied quickly, leaping across to the next
roof.  Marcine, however, hesitated before the jump, glancing one last time at
Kyle.  "I hope," she said, "that one day you'll forgive me, Kyle.  Farewell."
And with that, they were gone.

     Kyle struggled to his knees, trying to shake off the fever that kept him
from stopping them.  It was futile effort.  Slumping back to the ground, he
was only vaguely conscious of footsteps approaching him.

     "Your sister," whispered Siegvin, "is quite the young firebrand, I
notice.  But rest now, Dragoon.  I intend to finish your job for you quite
effectively."  The sound of running footsteps, a leap, then silence once
more.

     He was having difficulty concentrating, but Kyle knew that this wasn't
what he wanted.  *This is *my* task... my duty....*  But for now, it didn't
seem like he had a say in the matter.

     Instead, he rested, and hoped the fever would break soon.  Until then,
all he could do was wait.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Davin darted back just in time to evade the slashing tip of the
beastmaster's rapier.  As much as he hated to admit it, Stine had chosen an
excellent place for an ambush.  The narrow alley made it difficult for Davin
to utilise his blade effectively, while Stine's own weapon needed little
horizontal space to carve open opponents.

     From the sounds of things, it didn't seem like Syeira was having any
better luck.  With no space to manoeuvre, the thief was unable to evade
combat long enough to cast a spell.  And physical attacks did little or
nothing to the giant blobs; the slashes her knives made closed up almost
instantly.

     Another thrust from the rapier, and Davin was dodging back once more,
almost colliding with Syeira in the narrow confines of the passageway.
"Watch it," she bit off, still struggling to keep the enchroaching monsters
at bay.

     "Sorry," Davin swiftly apologised, not looking back.  He drove forward
once more, trying to force Stine back and out of the alley.

     Syeira slashed the air in front of her again, trying to keep the Blobra
in front of her from approaching.  In the narrow confines between the
buildings, they could only come at her one at a time... but she didn't have
anywhere she could go either.  She'd managed to dispatch one of them with a
throwing knife, which had caused it to pop like a balloon.  But she no longer
had enough knives to try that any more... unless she favoured fisticuffs, of
course.

     She'd almost ran out of ideas when the sky above her lit up brighter
than day, briefly distracting her attention upwards.  There was something
up there... a shadow getting... larger?

     With a yelp of surprise, she leapt back, the whine of jets all around
her.  Shielding her eyes, she managed not to get splashed with too much
gelatin as a Dragoon landed on the Blobra directly in front of her.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Reill was, at best, not pleased.  Having heard the battle long before he
saw it, he'd put his Boost Armour to good use to land right in the middle of
things.  And now, he was half covered in bluish slime.  Not the best start to
the day.

     Still, he'd located the heretics and used the flare, so half his job was
already completed.  Levelling his naginata at the woman in front of her, he
got into a fighting stance, one designed for combat in narrow spaces.  "Halt,
heretics, and surrender yourselves immediately!"

     The burly musclehead who was still engaged in battle lit up at that.
"Ahah!  Finally, the Church doth deign to aid the might that is the Citizens'
justice.  Together, we shalt lay the smite upon--"  At that point, Reill's
attention was distracted severely by the mass of slime that leaped on top of
him, bringing him down.

     This, of course, was the distraction the beleaguered 'heretics'
required.  Stine had immediately refocused his attention on his Blobras,
trying to coerce them to leave Reill alone.  This proved to be a fatal
mistake when Davin smashed the beastmaster into the nearest wall.  Syeira
followed quickly, trampling Stine on her way out for good measure.

     Within seconds, all Reill had for company was an unconscious Stine and
a group of confused Blobras.  And with no other moving target in sight, they
turned on the downed Dragoon.

     "Oh, boy," muttered Reill weakly, as he prepared to defend himself....
     
                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Pausing to catch their breath, Davin and Syeira took note of their
bearings.  No longer in the network of alleyways that pervaded the city, they
had emerged into one of the open courtyards of Ashgar.

     Davin sighed despondently.  "Damn that Stine... we've wasted too much
time, and... and that Dragoon sent off a signal.  I saw it.  We have to get
out of here as soon as possible."

     Syeira nodded slowly.  "But we can't leave without the others."

     "Yeah... but how are we going to find them?  Maybe we should get back to
the inn, and work from there and-- what?"  He glanced over at Syeira, who was
tapping him on the shoulder.

     In reply, she pointed over to the rooftops on the far side of the
courtyard.  "I don't think finding them is going to be a problem," she said,
smiling.

     A couple of shouts attracted the attention of the roof-jumpers, and
Davin and Syeira raced across the yard, coming to a stop directly beneath
Marcine and Mika.  "Marcine!" Davin yelled.  "Are we glad to see you... but
what are you doing up there?!"

     "There was a Dragoon in the inn we were staying at," replied Marcine.
"And Davin?!  He's here!"

     "Who's here?!  Siegvin?!  We already kn--"

     "No!  Not Siegvin!  My brother!  My father sent Kyle after me!"

     Syeira shook her head.  "Look... this shouting isn't going to get us
anywhere.  Marcine?!  Get over to the harbour!  We've got to get out of
Ashgar!"

     Marcine nodded quickly.  "Okay!  Mika?  We've got to-- MIKA!!"

     Davin and Syeira glanced at each other, puzzled, until a familiar voice
made itself heard.  "I told you I would end this, Marcine Cavanaugh."

     "Damn," Davin exclaimed.  "We've got to get up there.  Syeira, come--"

     "No."  At Davin's confused and almost betrayed expression, Syeira
continued.  "*You* have to go to the harbour now.  We don't even have a ship
yet, and we can't escape without one.  I'll get up there and help them...
somehow."

     Davin opened his mouth to protest... but stopped.  As much as he hated
it, Syeira was right.  He fixed the thief with a sombre gaze.  "Help them,
Syeira.  Don't let them down."  The square echoed with his departing
footsteps, and the sound of the struggle above.

     Syeira stared at the building in front of her, then at those around her.
She shook her head and sighed.  "Ah well... here goes nothing...."

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Marcine trembled, half in fear, half in anger.  Siegvin stood before her
on the other end of the roof, holding Mika in a headlock that lifted the
little girl well off the ground.

     "Let her go!" Marcine demanded, preparing herself for the fight.

     Siegvin shrugged, and flung the alchemist aside.  Mika bounced once and
skidded to a halt, precariously close to slipping off entirely.  "As you
command," the swordsman said, smiling cruelly behind the mask.  "It's you I'm
here for, anyway."

     "DiFire!"  The spiral of fire lanced forward, preparing to blast Siegvin
off the roof.  But, at the last moment, Siegvin brought up his blade in a
wide arc, and the bolt of magic deflected off it harmlessly.

     Marcine was stunned.  "No... not possible.  DiBolt!"  Again, Siegvin
expertly reflected the shaft of lightning off the face of the blade.

     The swordsman advanced slowly on the mage.  "One of the most interesting
properties of Ashura's blades," he commented, "is their complete resistance
to most magic... if you're good enough to parry the spell.  Not that it
helped Ashura, in the end."

     Flustered and terrified at the ease of which Siegvin was brushing aside
her spells, Marcine quailed slightly, before feverishly trying again.
"Di-Ice!" she shouted, thrusting her hands forward.

     This time, the spell was not projectile based.  The air around Siegvin
began to crystallise, slowly taking shape around the swordsman.  It was not
something you could easily deflect....

     ...yet deflect it he did.  The sword spun around him in an intricate
pattern, before he brought it down heavily on the roof itself.  Half-formed
ice crystals shattered as they fell around him.  "Not powerful enough, girl.
You're weakening."

     "Stay away from her, you big meanie!" announced Mika, having caught her
second wind.  Winding up, she threw a couple of flash bombs at the ground in
front of him, creating a burst of light to blind him.  Finally, palming one
of her special mixtures, she hefted it once, then hurled it at Siegvin....

     ...who caught it lefthanded.  "You cannot blind those who cannot see,"
he remarked snidely, before sending the flask tumbling back.  It smashed open
at Mika's feet before she could react, the gas quickly dispersing around her.
Doubling over in pain, she was left hacking and coughing as Siegvin returned
his attention to Marcine.

     She was tired.  Casting so many spells in so little time had drained her
reserves tremendously.  She glanced up, still catching her breath, as Siegvin
approached.

     Siegvin shook his head, amused.  "And now, it ends.  If it's any
consolation, you were a bigger nuisance than many I have killed over the
years.  Take that thought with you to the afterlife."

     Marcine could only stare blankly at him, fear and fatigue paralysing
her.

     The swordsman descended into a long, low battle stance, sword held still
over his left shoulder.  The blade began to glow with a silvery aura as
Siegvin intoned his finishing technique.  "ZANTETS--"

     Marcine never saw where the blast came from, yet it enveloped Siegvin
completely, interrupting his deadly move.  At first, it had just been motes
of red light vanishing into the masked man's body from all directions... but
then, the explosions began.  Racked with magic, Siegvin slumped to the
ground, as the light left his body.

     Even though she was still confused as to what had saved her, Marcine
needed no further prompting.  She dashed over towards Mika, and lifted her
clumsily, coercing her as best she could to hold on tight.  Then, without
looking back, she fled the scene, leaping over the gap to the north once
more.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     A couple of roofs away from where they had left Siegvin, Marcine was
startled as a familiar figure finally pulled herself up from a third storey
window.

     Syeira shrugged helplessly as she noticed that Marcine was no longer in
immediate danger.  "Sorry I'm late... just reminded myself the hard way that
most people don't like it when a thief runs through their house."  She
brushed off the remains of someone's dinner from her cloak.  "Some of them
have good aim, too.  What's up with Mika?" she asked, somewhat concerned.

     Marcine glanced back at the resting alchemist, who rested fitfully in
the piggy-back Marcine was giving her.  "I think she inhaled too much of the
flask Siegvin threw back at her... she should be okay with some rest."

     Syeira nodded slowly.  "Come on then.  Davin's gone ahead to the
harbour, so we have to hurry."

     Marcine smiled.  "Let's go."

     They had hardly taken two steps, when they were stopped by a soft whine
that Marcine was both beginning to recognise and dread.

     Jets flared as the Dragoon completed his Boost assisted jump.  Marcine
recognised the man as the one she'd seen before they'd fled the inn.

     The Dragoon paused momentarily to hurl his flare grenade into the air,
creating a signal that could be seen throughout the city.  He then brandished
his naginata, aiming it at the girls.  "Apologies, miss," he announced in a
rushed, clipped manner, "but I'm afraid I'm gonna haveta ask you all to come
with me."

     Syeira didn't wait to give an answer.  Rushing forward, she slipped
within his guard and brought him down, struggling with his weapon.  The
Dragoon, surprised, fell back with Syeira in advantage... but within moments
he was fighting back, struggling to regain control of the battle.

     "Get out of here, Marcine!" Syeira shouted through gritted teeth.  "Get
to Davin!"

     "But...?"  No... she couldn't leave Syeira, could she?

     "I said get *OUT* of here!  Don't wait for me.  Get Davin to start
leaving if you have to!"  She ducked a wayward punch, and tried to pin the
Dragoon's arm down.

     "We're not going to leave without you!" Marcine protested.

     "I'll be there.  I promise."  She smiled slightly to herself, though she
couldn't afford to face Marcine with the Dragoon occupying her entire
attention.  "Now get your butt out of here!"

     Marcine sighed, and nodded.  Hefting Mika once more, she retreated as
quickly as she could.  She just prayed that this was a promise the thief
could keep.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Only a couple of minutes had passed by the time Siegvin had recovered
enough to regain consciousness.  Slowly picking himself up, he stared hard at
the building behind him, through a window in the top floor.  That had been
where the Flare had come from.

     He laughed softly to himself.  "Think yourself lucky," he announced,
"that I do not have time to deal with Darovan's mindless pups today.  You
have merely delayed the inevitable.  My true quarry awaits."

     Satisfied, he turned and gazed towards the north, towards the harbour.
It was time to resume the chase.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     The Ashgar docks were steadily quieting down as the day wore on.  The
Lucky Star had been the only ship to pull in that day, thus the only
dockhands still about were busy ferrying cargo to the warehouses, and helping
maintain some of the other ships in dock.  Up and down the harbour, there was
not a single Dragoon to be seen.

     Although Davin was relieved to learn this, he was still unconvinced that
there was no danger here.  He'd only seen two Dragoons so far, and he was
almost certain that there were more somewhere in the city.

     Still, he didn't have so much time to waste that he could be *too*
cautious.  And there was the problem again.  Time.

     Yesterday, he'd been told that the ship to the Ryukin Islands wouldn't
leave until tonight.  He had enough gil to get them all passage on that ship,
but he very much doubted that he could convince it to leave any earlier.

     And if they didn't leave early, what was to stop their persuers from
boarding the ship and taking them by force?  It would be just another trap,
except this time, there would be no escape.

     *But what are the alternatives?* Davin thought dismally.  He glanced
over at the Lucky Star, shaking his head.  That was the vessel the Dragoons
had come in on.

     He watched as the captain onboard the renowned ship 'encouraged' her
crewmen to work harder.  He grunted, half amused, and began to turn away...
when something struck him about the lady captain.  She seemed... familiar.
*Where have I seen her before?* Davin asked himself.

        (A bar, sound drowning out everything.  Wedge returning
         with drinks for them all.  Asking him what he thought of
         the world outside the Mystic Academy.)

        (Biggs coming back with a friend of his.  Introductions.
         Conversations.  And a name....)

     "Captain Fallensand of the Lucky Star!" Davin announced to himself.
Would she be able to get them out of here?  It was dicey... she'd obviously
been the one who had brought the Dragoons in with her....

     ...but it was worth a shot.

     Davin walked up to the Lucky Star's berth, signalling for attention.
"Captain Fallensand!  Captain Fallensand!" he yelled.

     The captain paused in her supervision, coming over to the gunwale
closest to the pier.  "Aye, what is it ye be wantin'?" she asks, frowning
slightly.

     "Permission to come aboard, Captain?" Davin asked, politely.  "I have
something I wish to discuss with you."

     Captain Fallensand grunted, then nodded slowly.  "Aye, then.  But make
it quick."

     Once aboard, the captain wasted no time for pleasantries.  "So.  What is
it ye be wantin' so bad to speak ta me about?"

     Davin scratched the back of his head, nervously.  "Um, well...."

     "Spit it out, lad.  I nae have time for stallers."

     Davin couldn't avoid looking somewhat embarrassed.  "I was... hoping to
be able to get a ride to the Ryukin Islands."

     Jil narrowed her eyes slightly, crossing her arms.  "And what is it that
be making you think that I be willing to travel there?"

     "Well," Davin replied, counting off his fingers, "first, you're docked
here in Ashgar, which is pretty isolated as it is.  Secondly, the Lucky Star
is renowned for being one of the few vessels to see most of the world's
seas."

     "Aye, that she is.  And third?"

     Davin smiled slightly.  "And third, I was told that you'd been there
when I was first introduced to you a couple of months ago, back in La Verde."

     Jil looked puzzled for a few moments.  "La Verde?  But that was... wait.
Ye be the whelp Biggs be travellin' with!"

     Davin winced at the term, but nodded weakly.

     Jil's face lit up.  "Hah!  It's been a while since I've seen that lug.
Though I'd have expected to have seen 'im drinkin' up a storm in Tienne last
time I was there.  Is he with you?" she asked, smiling.

     Davin sighed, and shook his head despondently.  "I'll... explain later."

     Jil flashed him a look of concern, but shook it off.  "Nae matter...
I suppose I can be sparing a l'il bit of time fer one o' Biggs' old
companions.  Ye wanted a ride to the Ryukin Isles?"

     The elementalist nodded slowly.  "Yeah.  For me and three others... and
I hate to ask this, but we need to leave as soon as possible.  As they get
here, if you can."

     He received a suspicious look in return.  "As soon as possible, ye say?
What's all the rush?"

     Davin sighed.  "I'm sorry, Captain.  I don't have time to explain it all
now... but as soon as we're off, I'll give you a full explanation, I promise.
Look, I can pay my way, and even--"

     Jil waved her hand in dismissal.  "Nae, nae.  I promised Biggs a long
while ago I owed him a favour, and if it be that important, then I guess we
be leavin' as soon as we can."  She turned from him briefly, firmly back in
the captain's role.  "Ye hear me, ye bilge-suckin' vermin?!  If we're not
ready ta set sail in fifteen minutes, I'll keelhaul th' lot o' yer!  Now get
movin'!"

     A collective groan came from the sailors who were within earshot, but
they were used to their captain's bark.  Even if her bite was just as bad.

     A bright light exploding into existence high above the docks caught
Davin's attention.  "What?" he said, surprised.

     Jil shook her head.  "Been a right ol' fireworks night in Ashgar today."
She looked at Davin quizically.  "Perhaps ye be knowin' something 'bout it,
aye?"

     Davin looked out over the approach to the docks, concerned.  "A little.
I'll... explain it all in good time."

     Jil shrugged, not looking entirely convinced.  "As ye say," she replied,
before returning to supervising the crew.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Cheney trudged back to where he'd left the horses, sighing.  He'd kept
his promise to Kyle, and it looked very much like a change of plan was in
order.

     A ship back to Tienne was going to be of no use now.  If he'd read the
signs correctly, it seemed very much like Kyle would have to follow the group
to the Ryukin Islands.

     Jil's voice couldn't half carry though.  His ears were still ringing.

     With that in mind, he quickly set about making the arrangements for yet
another boat.  Because while he had a lot of faith in Kyle, he strongly
suspected that faith wasn't going to be enough.

     In more ways than one.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     She rolled with the throw, digging her feet in hard and preventing
herself from toppling off the edge.  Bouncing back to her feet, she palmed
her dagger, watching her opponent carefully.

     It had been a mistake to try wrestling with a Dragoon several times
stronger than her, but it had been the only way she could think of that kept
him from stopping Marcine.

     Martin scrambled to his feet, keeping the naginata pointed at her.  And
then he shook his head.  "Sorry, miss, but the Captain would strip me down if
I let your friend get away."  Still facing the thief, he tensed his legs....

     "No you don't!" Syeira yelled, and rushed him.  Dodging past the
polearm once more, she grabbed his arm and....

     ...they were high above the open square to the west of the roof, the
Dragoon's jets having launched them airborne.  Syeira held on for dear life,
the sudden motion starting to make her sick.  The Dragoon himself seemed to
be having trouble controlling the flight; he hadn't been expecting the extra
weight, and was unable to compensate.  The two of them landed heavily in the
middle of the cobbled area, the force of the landing driving them apart.

     Syeira struggled to right herself, wanting to retch.  She glanced around
at the crowd, trying to locate her opponent....  The crowd?  She shook her
head.  With all the commotion, battles and explosions on the rooftops, almost
everyone in the neighbourhood would want to know what was happening.

     Ah... there he was.  The young Dragoon had fallen equally foul of the
spill, but was taking more time to recover.  If she could just get him to
stay down for a few minutes longer, she could get out of here.  A Sleep spell
would handle it perfectly.  She concentrated, focusing on the chant.
"Fatigue of the body, becomes fatigue of the mind....  Sle--oww!"

     Syeira rubbed her head where the rock had hit, somewhat annoyed,
frowning at the crowd behind her.  She only received stony glares in return.
It didn't look like they were going to allow her to use any magic or foul
play, at least while they were watching.  Syeira gritted her teeth and
readied her dagger.  She hated having to do this the hard way.

     Martin, to his credit, had taken advantage of the brief respite to
return to battle readiness.  He held his naginata in a loose grip, ready to
use either end in his attempt to incapacitate his attacker.

     Syeira moved in, sidestepping to evade the polearm.  This time, however,
it was not enough.  The butt of the naginata crashed into her side, causing
her to stumble.  The following downswing slashed through empty air, narrowly
missing her as she slipped out of range.

     She kept back now, taking more care.  Unless she could get inside his
guard, a frontal attack was just likely to get her skewered.  But how to....

     The swing came in low, the shaft of the naginata threatening to sweep
her feet from under her.  Reacting swiftly, she jumped forward, using the
Dragoon's head as a launching post.  Mid-flight, she brought her blade down
in a crushing backstab against the Dragoon's back....

     The crack of the dagger snapping off at the hilt against a Starsilver
alloy was not what she wanted to hear.

     Landing awkwardly, she spun on her heels, just in time to catch the butt
of the polearm straight to her chest.  Winded, she was in no position to
prevent the second leg sweep.  She crashed to the ground, weaponless.

     She looked up as Martin raised the blunt end of his weapon high, ready
to bring it down for the knockout blow.  "Sorry 'bout this, miss," he said,
shaking his head, "but I can't let you interfere with the Captain's orders."
And the shaft began to descend....

     Someone in the crowd hurled something at her.  She snatched it out of
the air, the move almost completely instinctual.  A brief glance at the
object... a mace?  What were they...?

     Syeira grabbed the incoming naginata shaft with her free hand, and
pulled hard.  The Dragoon stumbled forward slightly, trying to pull back.
His balance would be off only momentarily... but as the head of the mace
crashed against the draconian helmet, it was clear that it had been enough.
The blow sent Martin rolling to the side, naginata discarded as he held his
ringing head with his hands.

     The thief leapt to her feet, her borrowed weapon clattering against the
cobbled stones of the square.  It looked as if the Dragoon was going to be
occupied for a short while, or at least long enough for her to get a decent
headstart.  She flashed a smile of thanks to the crowd, most of which were
already beginning to applaud the display of courage and determination.

     A not too distant tolling caused her to look to the northern skyline in
horror.  The harbour bell was ringing; a ship was about to leave.  Cursing,
she took off in that direction, the crowd parting before her.  She didn't
have a single moment to lose.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Davin was startled out of his vigil by the sound of footsteps
approaching.  Looking back, he relaxed as he saw it was only the captain.
Jil looked at him almost askance, but shrugged instead.  "Th' Lucky Star be
ready ta go in less than five minutes.  But yer friends nae here yet."

     Davin looked back over the harbour.  "They'll be here... don't worry."

     Jil crossed her arms again.  "Ye way too tense, lad."  She had a
suspicion of what was up, but was reluctant to say anything until she was
sure.  Instead, she followed Davin's gaze, looking over the warehouses.

     A figure on top of one of them caught her eye.  It appeared to be trying
to descend by hopping down a pile of crates stacked against the wall.  "Now
what be goin' on there?" she commented to herself.

     Davin hardly heard her.  "It's them!  Marcine!  Over here!  ... Damn,
they're out of earshot."  He focused on the lone figure, who finally managed
to jump the last few inches to the ground.  She was carrying some kind of
bundle on her back, that seemed to have made the descent very difficult for
her....  *Wait... that looks like....  What happened to Mika?*

     He leapt over the gunwale, landing on the pier.  "I'll be back in a
minute," he shouted up to a confused Jil, before racing towards where he had
last seen Marcine.

     As he skidded off the pier and onto the main loading area, he could see
Marcine slowly making her way towards him.  He smiled as she caught sight of
him, and her pace increased.  Running under the bow of the boat directly
adjacent to the Lucky Star, he hurried to catch up with the mage.

     He laughed as he came alongside her, reversing his direction to help her
along.  "You made it, Marcine.  How's Mika doing?" he asked.

     Marcine sighed, the flight having taken its strain upon her.  "She's...
okay.  Leave her be.  She just needs a bit of rest, is all."

     Davin nodded, understanding.  "Okay.  Let's get you--"

     "Look out!" came the cry.

     The elementalist glanced up in surprise, then pushed Marcine forward,
diving to the ground himself.  Marcine barely had time to protect herself,
before both she and Davin were lying flat on the quayside.  Simultaneously,
the harbour echoed with the words: "GUNGIR SWORD!"

     The air literally hummed above them, the sword's aura missing them by
mere inches.  As soon as the danger had passed, Davin was up, helping Marcine
to her feet.  And then, he looked over at the direction the missile had
originated.

     Siegvin landed deftly in front of the warehouse he had made his attack
from.  Hand outstretched, the air shimmered around it, and within moments his
blade had reappeared in his grasp.

     Davin swore, then quickly turned to Marcine.  "Get to the Lucky Star,
now!"  Marcine was too exhausted to protest, and let herself be guided in the
right direction.  She fled as quickly as she could, carrying Mika with her.

     The masked assassin moved to intercept, but Davin stopped him.  "I won't
let you past," he declared defiantly.

     Siegvin chuckled.  "We shall see."  The violent red colour of his sword
shone in answer to Davin's own argent blade... just an instant before they
clashed together in battle.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Marcine staggered on, finding it difficult to even concentrate on her
path.  Physically and emotionally drained, it was becoming more and more
difficult to even put one foot in front of the other.

     Just as even the strength to stand left her, she stumbled forward into
strong, firm arms, that began to help her the rest of the way.  She looked up
at her unknown benefactor.  "Cheney?"

     The old man nodded.  "Yes, Marcie, it's me."

     Marcine shook her head.  "No... you're with the Dragoons... you can't...
you were the one who shouted out, weren't you...?"

     "Yes, Marcie."

     "But, why?" she asked, too tired to be all that bewildered.  "You're
with Kyle, right?  Why are you helping me?  I'm a heretic."

     Cheney sighed.  "Because I think both you and I would agree that that
man who attacked you does not have the best interests of the Church at
heart."

     He guided her slowly up the gangplank onto the Lucky Star, into the
waiting arms of the sailors there.  Jil was there, staring at the old man,
puzzled.  "I nae be wantin' to say anythin' before, but I be right in
guessin' that she be one of th' heretics ye be after?"

     The old monk nodded in reply.  "She is.  Put her somewhere safe to
rest."

     Jil frowned.  "Why ye be doing this?  Aren't ye loyal to Kyle?"

     Cheney nodded sadly.  "Yes.  I still am.  Even if he's caught up in
something he doesn't quite understand yet."  He looked across the ship back
over at the docks, where the swordsmen continued their deadly duel.  "I just
don't believe that Kyle would like the alternative ending at this juncture."

     He looked back at Jil with a grim expression.  "He needs help.  Set sail
as soon as he's onboard."

     Jil crossed her arms, unconvinced.  "Th' lad said there were four of
'em.  I only be countin' three."

     The monk paused on top of the gunwale, looking back.  "Whoever that man
is, he won't stop until he's onboard or dead.  If he gets to Marcine... Kyle
will never forgive himself.  This is something he has to deal with
personally."

     And as he landed lightly on the paved area of the docks, he gazed up at
Jil's worried expression.  "I intend to see that he gets that chance.  We'll
see you again.  Be sure of it."

     Jil nodded slowly.  Catching the attention of one of the sailors on
deck, she barked out an order.  "Signal th' harbourmaster!  We be pullin' up
th' anchor immediately!"

     And as the sailor complied, sending off the message via the Ship's Code,
the harbour bell tolled.  The Lucky Star was about to depart.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Slash.  Parry.  Duck.  Stab.

     Davin grunted as yet another of his attacks was deftly turned aside at
the last moment.  Siegvin moved as if performing some ancient kata, shifting
from stance to stance fluidly.  His blade was always there to deflect a blow,
or take advantage of an opening.  Davin's arms were already covered with
scratches from a few near misses.

     Siegvin chuckled at the elementalist's obvious frustration.  "You've
improved," he wryly commented, "but you're still far out of your league,
boy."

     Davin shook his head.  "I'll still stop you."

     He received a snort in reply.  "I doubt that."  Siegvin's sword slipped
forward, disengaging the parry.  Davin leapt back just in time to avoid
getting skewered.

     He brought his sword up to block the masked man's overhead strike.  Even
though Siegvin guided his blade with only one hand, the man still seemed to
possess an unnatural strength.  It took all of Davin's strength to keep the
blade from descending.

     "I wonder..." mused Siegvin, "do you even know why the Ashgar are so
warlike?"

     Davin gave ground again, letting the downward slash continue its natural
course.  He readied his sword immediately, trying to catch his opponent while
he was overextended.  The stab was once again caught, and they locked blades
once more.

     "...warlike?" said Davin.  "I think... the Unknown King... a fallen
Sleeper...."  He was forced to move his blade swiftly, parrying and guarding,
as Siegvin unleashed a startling barrage of slashes.

     Siegvin smirked behind the mask.  "Very good.  You are quite observant.
But come now... you can do better than that."

     Davin returned the favour, slashing and hacking at his opponent's
defense, trying to force a mistake... but sprang back hissing in pain as a
counterattack opened up a large vertical gash in his chest.

     "Why," he asked of Siegvin, "would you be so interested in what I know?"

     Siegvin relaxed his stance slightly, almost beckoning Davin in again.
"Call it an interest of mine.  The irony is sweetest when you kill those who
have only just realised why they are dead."

     Davin sniffed in derision.  "I'm not going to play your game."

     Siegvin sighed.  "Really?  I'm disappointed.  In that case, perhaps I'd
better stop playing too."  The blade came back, and began to glow jet black.
"Prepare yourself!  DEATH WA--"

     "SECRET FIST!"

     The old man sprang from behind, darkness swirling around his fist.  The
punch was swift and straight, yet even as the monk followed through, the
knuckles did little more than brush Siegvin's side.  However, the black aura
sped onwards, propelled from the fist, vanishing into Siegvin's body.

     Interrupted, the masked swordsman staggered back.  "No... you won't deny
me this chance...."  Yet he swayed slightly, life force draining as he stood
there.

     Cheney backed away, falling into a defensive stance.  "I've already
denied it.  Do you think you can kill us both before the Fist claims you?"

     Siegvin roared in frustration.  He sheathed his sword with a snap and
fled the harbour.

     Davin blinked at his saviour, confused.  "Who are you?" he asked, still
fatigued from the battle.

     The old man smiled slightly.  "A friend... for now.  Get back to your
ship.  Your opponent will return swiftly once my attack wears off."

     The elementalist wasn't quite sure what had happened, but he understood
enough to take advantage of it.  "Thanks!  I owe you one," he promised,
before darting back to the Lucky Star.

     Cheney smiled to himself slightly.  "Yes," he commented to himself, "and
maybe, with luck, both you and I will survive long enough to see that
through."

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Davin scrambled up the gangplank, just as it was being pulled in.
Alarmed, he found Jil at the bow of the ship, still overlooking the docks.
"Hey, why are we moving?" he demanded.  "We're not all here yet, are we?"

     Jil sighed.  "Sorry, lad, but whoever yer fourth companion be, they nae
be here yet."

     "Then why are we--"

     Jil cut him off.  "You dinnae think I was payin' attention to that l'il
scrap of yours?  I be leavin' now so he cannae follow.  Ye be a smart lad...
surely ye be seein' th' sense of this?"

     "But...."  Davin slumped.  The captain was right.  "Sorry... sorry.
Is... Marcine okay?"

     Jil glanced his way.  "Marcine?  She be th' young lass that came
stumblin' in?  Carryin' th' even younger lass, I mean."

     He nodded slowly.

     Jil smiled slightly in response.  "Aye, lad.  She's restin' jus' fine."

     Davin sighed, brightening up slightly.  "Good... that's... good to
know."  He moved over to the port side of the gunwale, leaning on the
railing.  The Lucky Star was slowly gliding backwards, still somewhat abreast
of the ship in the next berth.  He could see sailors hard at work on the
other boat, getting the ship seaworthy for its next trip.

     He sagged despondently.  "I can't believe... that after all this, we're
just going to leave her behind...."
     
        (...a jink here... left turn... harbour can't be much
         further, can it?)

     "I mean... she's been here since almost the beginning.  Heh... ever
since she tried to rob us...."

        (No!  Wrong turning... got to take... *this* one!)

     "Mika was starting to get along really well with her, too.  Sure... they
had their arguments... but there was something behind all that bickering...."

        (Damn... he's *still* following me?  His head was
         ringing like a bell!  Can't lose him... too close
         now....)

     "I hope she's okay... Mika would never forgive me if she wasn't."

        (Opening ahead... lots of light... I'm there!  And
         Davin's over there on...  oh, great....)

     Davin took a deep breath.  "Farewell, Syeira.  I hope we meet--agh!"  He
cast a wounded look at the captain, who had interrupted his soliloquy.  "What
gives?" he demanded.

     Jil snorted.  "If ye be finished feelin' sorry fer yeself, there's
something ye may be wanting to see."  Davin followed her gaze across the
harbour once more.

     A lone figure with short black hair, running for all she was worth...
cape streaming in the breeze... .

     "SYEIRA!" yelled Davin, laughing out loud.  "She made it!  Come on,
Syeira!"

     "I nae think you should be feelin' so lucky yet, lad," warned the
captain.  "Look again."

     Behind Syeira, maybe ten to fifteen strides behind her, a Dragoon was
keeping pace, pursuing her doggedly.

     Davin cursed loudly.  "I thought we'd seen the last of those guys...."
Suddenly, a horrible thought occurred to him.  He raced to the starboard side
of the ship, looking over the side.  He stared only into sea water, and a
shallow wake of the slowly departing ship.

     "We've ran out of pier!" Davin shouted.  "Captain Fallensand, we've got
to turn back!"

     Jil gave him a look of sympathy.  "Nae, lad.  We cannae turn back now.
If we stop here, ye'll be caught no matter what happens.  Are ye willin' ta
risk that?"

     Davin nodded emphatically.  "Yes!"

     Jil shook her head.  "Not after ye spent so much energy allowin' th'
other lass to get here safely.  I'm sorry, lad... but it be up to her now."

     The elementalist growled, not liking this turn of events one bit.  He
ran back to the bow, tracking Syeira's progress... along the pier that led to
the other ship in dock.  "The other ship...."  He checked....

     The stern of the other vessel was still abreast the Lucky Star.

     Syeira seemed to have realised this as well.  Hopping onto the
gangplank, she ignored the cries of sailors who challenged her trespass.
Evading those who were near enough to try and grab her or hold her back, she
continued her helter-skelter flight, striving to reach the Lucky Star in
time.

     "Come on, Syeira!  You're faster than this, I know you are!"

     The thief gritted her teeth, pushing herself harder than she'd ever done
so before.  Only a few more feet to go....

     ...and as the bowsprit of the Lucky Star moved away from the very stern
of the other ship....

     ...she jumped.

     The whistling breeze... the cold sea air... the churning waters beneath
her occupied her entire attention.  A second too late, an inch too far... she
wasn't going to make it....

     ...but she did.

     She latched onto the bowsprit, scrabbling for purchase.  Davin let out a
breath he didn't even know he was holding, and helped drag her onboard.  "You
made it, Syeira... Mika will be glad to see you."

     Syeira struggled to catch her breath, waving away offers of assistance.
"I appreciate the thought but... wait...."

     "What?" Davin said, confused.

     Syeira glanced up.  It was faint, but she could hear the sound of jets
on the wind.  *Where is he...?  There!*

     She carefully focused on the descending Dragoon, currently in mid-jump.
Cupping her hands, she began her chant: "Gusts of Wind, come to me!  Swirl
and Gather gracefully....  Aero!"

     A minature whirlwind formed around the descending Dragoon, blowing him
completely off target.  Syeira watched with satisfaction as the luckless
knight crashed into the water, just a few feet from the pier.

     As she turned back to Davin, she realised something was wrong.  The
hubbub of the ship had quietened, and all the hands on deck were staring at
her.  *Uh oh,* she thought.

     "What ye all be starin' at?!" Jil demanded.  "Get back te work, ye lazy
slobs!"  The command had the desired effect, and the crew steadfastly
returned to their duties, ignoring the incident for now.

     "And as fer ye," Jil said, rounding on Davin, "now that we're safely out
of port, I be looking forward ta th' explanation ye promised me.
Immediately."

     Davin smiled weakly and followed the Captain below decks.  As much as it
was nice to have finally escaped Ashgar, he did not share Jil's anticipation
for the forthcoming discussion.  Still... it couldn't be worse than facing
Siegvin single-handedly again.

     Could it?

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     With a last burst of effort, Martin pulled himself up onto the dock,
using a final blast from his Boost Armour to push him over the edge and onto
solid ground.  He lay there, staring at the sky, trying to figure out when
the whole day had started going wrong.

     His reverie was interrupted by someone blocking the light.  The shadow
was vaguely human-shaped, and was dripping slime on him.

     "Gah!" yelled Martin, before he recognised the face of his comrade
beneath all the gelatin.  "Reill, sir!  Is that you?"

     Reill nodded dismally.  "Yes, it is.  Take it you had about as much luck
as I did?"

     Martin sighed.  "Guess so, sir.  Seen the Captain?"

     "I'm right here, Private."

     Martin glanced behind him, mouth agape.  "Sir!  Are you alright, sir?"

     Kyle's face was drenched with sweat, and his body still suffered from a
slight fever.  But he was upright and walking, which he was thankful for.
"I'm fine, Private.  What happened to you two?"

     "Got hosed, sir."  "Ambushed by Blobras, Captain."

     Kyle sighed, depressed.  "Has anyone seen Cheney?"

     Reill gestured over to one of the ships still in the harbour, where the
old man was indeed beckoning them.  They dragged Martin to his feet, and made
their way over to him.

     Cheney was understandably concerned by the sight before him.  "Are you
feeling okay, Kyle?  You look a little sickly."

     The Dragoon Captain merely waved off any attempt to aid him, feeling
stronger by the minute.  "I'm fine, really."

     The monk frowned slightly, but didn't push any further.  "I was getting
worried when none of you responded to the flare.  Still, can't be helped.
I've managed to book us passage on the next boat to the Ryukin Islands."

     Kyle blinked, surprised.  "The Ryukin Islands?  Why there?"

     Cheney indicated the empty berth where the Lucky Star had been.  "Jil's
ship left barely ten minutes ago.  As far as I could ascertain from the
dockhands, she was headed for that destination.  Your sister was onboard."

     "It's true, sir," Martin supplied.  "I chased one of them all the way
back here."

     Kyle grunted.  "As you said, it can't be helped.  When does it leave?"

     "Tonight, Kyle.  Which gives you three plenty of time to get cleaned
up."  He smiled slightly as the privates' were reminded of their current
condition.  Not that they needed reminding.

     "You're right, Cheney," replied Kyle, after a few seconds pause.  "We
should prepare ourselves for the voyage."  He gazed off to the far west,
towards the setting sun.  "We'll catch up there.  I'll catch up to Marcine...
there."

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     As the Dragoons departed, nobody noticed a shadowy cloaked figure stow
away onboard the same ship that Cheney had chartered, bound for the Ryukin
Isles.

     This was one stowaway the crew would never find.

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Somewhere in Ashgar, away from prying eyes, the mage focused on a single
machine.  It was quite a unique contraption.  It was the combination of both
powerful Jikuu enchantments, as well as stolen Tienne technology.

     Its purpose was simple; it allowed a private, clear 'visual'
communication with whomever possessed a similar device, no matter where they
were in the world, using very little mana consumption.

     The mage stared into the globe, focusing on the image within.  He came
face to face with his direct superior, who had cloaked herself to conceal her
precise identity.

     "Your report?" the woman asked of him.

     "Darovan's Legacy has left Ashgar and is now heading towards Ryukin
shores."

     "Good.  Anything else?"

     "The Fallen one follows.  I had to interfere to prevent the death of His
Legacy."

     There was a pause from the unknown listener.  "I... see.  You have done
well, despite the fact that he is involved.

     "Still," she continued, "we do not have the luxury of time anymore.
There is much we must do before Darovan's Legacy returns."

     The mage nodded, once.  "I understand."

     "Good.  Then this is what you shall do...."

                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

     Both Yahl Russa and Ashgar looked out over the Northern Reaches, a
violent expanse of ocean, and treacherous this far north.  However, tonight
the sky was clear, a half moon illuminating the crest of every wave.

     Soaring through the sky, a lonely Zuu made its way from Ashgar, tracking
the progress of the two ships far ahead of it.

     Astride the large avian creature a single figure was mounted, nursing a
growing lump on his head.  He smiled ferally, then tossed the ice pack to the
seas.

     "Hah!" he yelled into the wind.  "Thou mayest think that I can be
outrun... but where dost thou think thou art running to?

     "It matters not!  Wherever thou dost run, wherever thou dost hide,
Beastmaster Stine says that he will always... *always* be but one step behind
thou!"  He laughed long and hard, revelling in his seemingly already
predicted victory.  The Zuu merely continued its flight, a little unnerved by
its master's actions.

     And so, the chase continued, into the night.



                         -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Author's Notes:
     First off, my apologies to everyone.  I'm well aware that it's been
*far* too long between chapters, and I *almost* got it in by the deadline.
Unfortunately, I failed, and so you all had to wait an extra day.  C'est la
vie ^_^

     This was a difficult chapter.  I'm pleased with myself that I managed to
pull through it, although some scenes probably could have been tightened up
better, or improved in some way.  One example, of course, being Syeira's
final flight to the ship; I think it could've been made a bit more dramatic,
but I lack the time and the energy right now to face going back and
experimenting with it.

     Another thing I regret is not having enough time (personal time that is,
this is nothing to do with deadlines) to insert a scene in Tienne.  It's been
a little quiet on the homefront, and Lambert, Armand and Pearl have hardly
been touched recently.  Unfortunately, I couldn't think of any clear idea of
what I wanted to do there, so what started off as a vague idea got dropped
during the last couple of days of writing.  Perhaps future authors can help
correct this.

     Right, credits list.  Prereaders first.  Many, many thanks to The
Eternal Lost Lurker, Lawrence Chu and Ardweden, who performed many tasks like
giving feedback on how they thought the chapter was shaping up, how in
character the group was, as well as picking over this thing with a fine
toothed comb and eliminating those hard to find grammar mistakes.  I *really*
appreciate their effort.

     Oh, and thanks to the denizens of #improfanfic, who were there to bounce
ideas off.  Not that I bounced that many ideas off them, but they were there,
so that has to count for something.

     By the way, there should be yet another update to the FFL Glossary by
the time you finish reading this, so make a note of that.

     Well... guess I should sign off for now.  I hope you've enjoyed reading
this chapter (even if you hated the Author's Notes ^_^) and once again, I
hope I've made you want to continue reading.

     Milton?  You're up to bat!

     Thanks.
                                         Terence Fergusson
                                      -- Student of Advanced Murphodynamics