Book I: The Wanderer

Chapter II: When Birds and Magic Collide

Lloyd Irving always enjoyed and valued his sleep. But then again, doesn’t everyone? He may fall asleep during his classes, but that was always because Professor Raine made a little crazy with little scholarly mania.

Yeah it’s best we don’t press into that any further for a while.

“Lloyd. It’s time to get up.”

Lloyd rolled over. “Just a few more minutes Dada…” He let out a loud snore.

“C’mon Lloyd! Aberos wants to start early.”

“Early is for losers Genis,” mumbled the sleeping boy.

“Lloyd!” shouted a voice.

“I said go away Genis.” The groggy Lloyd grabbed the ground and threw what he could find. A clump of sand.

It his it’s target in the face. The target was not what he thought it was.

“Lloyd Irving!” roared the voice. It was accented…it could only be one person. Aberos.

“Do not try my patience boy! Get up! Now!”

A strong arm grasped Lloyd’s forearm and hurled him out of his tent, sprawling into the hot desert.

Lloyd rubbed the sleepiness and sand, out of his eyes.

“What the hell was that for?”

Aberos walked towards him, a stern frown planted on his face.

“If you’re going to be travelin’ with me. Expect to wake up early or be left behind.”

“Yeah, yeah…whatever.” groaned Lloyd.

“Go help Genis with your tent.” he jerked his head back. “Be ready to be leave in fifteen minutes and not a second later.”

With a swift, stern nod, Aberos left to tend to the horses and ready them for the day’s trek.

Lloyd groaned again, and got up, rubbing his back sorely. His landing had not been soft.

He brushed off the last bits of sleep and went to do as the Wanderer instructed.

Sometimes he was as bad as Raine…

Genis, who was seated up front next to Aberos answered. “It’s a three day journey to Triet from the House of Salvation. It’s going to take awhile.”

“We’ll be there tomorrow morning.” Aberos spoke up. “Or tonight if the weather holds out.” He urged the horses to go a smidge faster. They complied and sped up a little.

“Ugh!” moaned Lloyd. “This is more boring then Raine’s classes.”

“You can get out and walk if you like.” chuckled Aberos. “I can make this trip not so boring anymore.”

“Uh…y’know…. Maybe it’s not so bad…” muttered the defeated boy.

“Your lucky.” Aberos commented as he pulled the reins. The horses stopped. “We’re halting for a rest.”

“Why?”

Aberos removed himself from the front seat of the cart. He began tending to the horses. “Horses need feeding and so do you. After I whip us up some grub, we’ll rest for a spell, and start again.”

Aberos leaned against the cart. His stomach was full and now he rested. It was midday. No use trying to find shade now. His pointed hat shielded his eyes from the sun’s hot rays/

Lloyd and Genis sat on the opposite side of the cart discussing what would happen when they caught up with Collete’s group.

“Think they’ll let us tag along?” asked Lloyd.

“Think with logic Lloyd.” his elven friend replied. “Collete and the others will have to. They can’t send us back to Iselia since…you know. And Raine won’t let us go off on our own.”

“Yeah I guess you’re right.”

“Do you think Aberos will come along too?”

“You heard him last night Genis, he isn’t going to come along.”

“Uh…Lloyd he never said that.”

“Did he? Gah! Now I’m all confused.”

Aberos grunted slightly. Nay lads, I won’t be joining your group. Not unless Fate has set another course for me. I probably will end up going with them. I could teach Genis more magic, and contribute to the group greatly. They’ll need me to guide them through the paths of this world.

“Hey! What’s that black cloud?” Genis half-shouted. “The rainy season isn’t for another three months!”

“What?!” Aberos leapt up and searched the skies. A black cloud, was coming from the north, going fast and diving towards them.

“Crows!” yelled the Wanderer. He went for his staff in the cart, but it wasn’t there. Instead a pair of evil-looking crows hovered there with Aberos’ staff in their talons. They flew higher and higher, out of Aberos reach.

He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth and started to conjure up a bolt of lightning, but the flock of crows had already descended upon them.

Today was not simply his day.

The crows flew about them, trying to kill them with beak and talon. They dived, scraping the ground and missing by a margin of an inch. Aberos was separated from the birds in such confusion.

Four birds fell to lightning strikes. Three others were slain by rocks from the sky falling on their heads.

The Wanderer continued to use magic and all went well until…

A crow rammed itself into his chest, knocking him back into the cart with a crash. The cart didn’t have a dent on it. Aberos did.

He groaned as he reached into his robes and took out some apple gel. The Wanderer slapped some on his wounds before staggering back up. He concentrated on heat surrounding his hand, making a flame hotter and hotter until his entire fist was engulfed in fire.

He wasted no time or mercy on the birds. Dispatching many with a terrific flamethrower. The others fled to a safe distance, leaving a path to the boys free.

Lloyd ducked as a crow dived for his head and stabbed it, in it’s backside.

“There’s no end to these crows!” he said among the endless flutter of black.

“Duh, Lloyd.” replied Genis. “We have to get them to separate. I can’t even see the cart anymore! Only black.”

“I’ve got an idea Genis. This is the perfect time for me to use that new attack I’ve been working on!”

“No way Lloyd!” answered Genis. “You haven’t fully mastered Tempest yet! You could fail and end up with a sword in your back.”

“It’s ok Genis. I can handle it!”

“No you can’t!”

Too late. Lloyd has already begun the attack he had named Tempest.

The human teen leaped into the air, spinning wildly with his swords pointed outwards. He was like a spinning blade at a lumber factory.

However, the success did not go on for very long.

He fell, flat on his face. One of the blades flung into the sand next to him, the other fell down. It looked like it was headed for Lloyd!

“Ah!” Lloyd shut his eyes tight and readied himself for the end.

But it never came.

“Huh?” He opened his eyes a bit. Aberos had grabbed the sword’s hilt out of mid-air.

“You know kid,” the Wanderer said. “You really need to work on your moves. Want to see how good I am with a blade? Here’s your chance kid. Watch closely.”

Aberos twirled the blade expertly, hacking and swinging the crows. He even threw Lloyd’s sword at the crows were held his staff. They too fell, and Aberos caught it when it was loosed from the crow’s talons. The sword came back to Aberos’ hands like a giant boomerang. He tossed the sword aside (away from Lloyd of course) and grinned at the birds flying around them.

“Well, well, well. It’s not nice for birds to come out from the forests.” grinned the mage. “A wind could come and blow you away!”

And on cue, Aberos released a great whirlwind, sending the birds squawking away.

Dead black bodies of the crows littered the desert ground. The horses remained calm. The birds had ignored them.

“What were those things?” asked Genis as he pulled Lloyd up.

“Nothing I’ve ever seen.” Lloyd commented. He retrieved his swords and sheathed them.

“Crow…crows…” murmured Aberos. “Why did they go after us?”

He studied the sky where the crows had fled. “Lloyd. Get in the cart and drive the horses.”

“Huh? Why?” responded Lloyd.

“No time. They’re gonna be going after us again. Lad, you’ve seen how I’ve done. Make them go at a gallop. Hurry!”

“Ok.” Lloyd ran over to the cart and grabbed the reins, seating himself in the front seat.

“Genis get in the back of the cart and stand. Have your kendama ready. Make sure you can cast magic too.”

Genis complied and Aberos joined him. He nodded to Lloyd who started the horses.

Their battle had turned into a chase.

Aberos and Genis stood in back; ready to unleash their magic.

The crows flew after them, pursuing the three relentlessly.

“Genis…get ready,” ordered the Wanderer.

The elf lad nodded, gripping his weapon tighter.

“Why can’t I help?” complained Lloyd.

“Swords will be of no use here!” hissed Aberos. “Now quiet! Eyes on the road. It’s a straight line to Triet form here.”

The crows began to dive.

“Here they come,” muttered Genis.

“Aye lad, aye.”

The crows were now only feet away, until a green flash scattered them.

“What the hell was that!?” yelled Aberos.

The green flash barked.

“I know that bark anywhere!” Lloyd said cheerily. “Noishe!”

The ‘dog’ in question ran alongside them.

That dog is still alive? Thought Aberos. I wonder if it’s even a dog…

Now with Noishe to help them, the fight became easier. The ‘dog’ scattered the birds if they ever got to close. Aberos and Genis attacked with fire and lightning spells. Gradually the flock got smaller and smaller.

“I think I have time for one more attack,” said Aberos. “Genis, hold off on the spells. It’s time you see some real magic.”

The Wanderer aligned his staff with himself. He began chanting words inaudibly, going faster and faster.

Thrusting his staff in the sky, he let loose a great bolt of lightning in the shape of a sword. It struck the birds in the center of their flocks, killing many and the others fleeing back to the north.

Aberos sat down in the cart, Genis joined him.

“Whew! That was close!” Aberos exclaimed. “Haven’t tried that spell before. It went well. Pity it took up most of my strength.”

“They won’t be back will they?” asked Genis.

“Nah, we’re too near Triet. They won’t chase us any longer.”

The cart halted. “Hey Aberos,” asked Lloyd. “Triet is a fortified city on an oasis?”

“Well it used to be fortified. The sandstorms have worn down it’s walls quite a bit. And there is an oasis next to it. Why?”

“Well we’re here then.”

“We are? Excellent! Move aside lad. I’ll drive from here. Lads, welcome to Triet. City of the Desert.”

“Well I have goods to deliver lads.” Aberos said. “Go browse the markets for awhile. Window shop a bit and ask around about the Chosen. And be careful.”

The two boys nodded and walked towards the open-air market.

Aberos dealt with the merchant who was receiving the goods and put his pay away. He sat observing the central circle of the desert town, smoking his and pipe and looking for anything suspicious.

It didn’t take long for something suspicious to come.

A few Desians strolled in, and started putting wanted posters up. Aberos stayed hidden in the stable.

“This is an order from the Lord Forcystus of this region human ranch! There is a human named Lloyd on the run with an Exsphere. His identification code is unknown. Form search parties now! Find him!”

“What’s this Lloyd look like?” asked another Desian.

The first one answered. “Likeness and description are on the wanted posters. The Lord Forcystus is counting on all of you!”

“Yes sir!”

The Desians parted, going in different directions, combing the town.

“How did the Desians know Lloyd was banished and tailing the Chosen” murmured Aberos.

“You say something citizen?!” a Desian had come next to him, half-asking, half-shouting the words.

The Wanderer kept his head bowed low. “Of course not!”

The Desian solider held up a poster. “Seen this guy?”

Aberos pretended to squint at the poster. “Nope. Can’t say I have. He sure is ugly though.”

“He is isn’t he?” The Desian looked at the poster.

“I do hope you catch him!” Aberos lied. “If I see him I shall contact you at once!” He saluted the Desian.

The half-elf nodded and stalked away to another part of town.

“Like hell I’ll help you miserable bastards,” muttered the Wanderer. “I’ve got to find Lloyd before the Desians do!”

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