VG Rumble

Karana

I was warm, comfortable, supported...I couldn't remember where this feeling came from. All I knew was that I had been tired and upset after our day in the caves...Why did I feel fine now?

I shifted, and something moved against me. A hand? The touch was gentle and soft as it flowed from my head, through my hair, and to my back, then back again.

Now I remember! I sighed, letting Ilum caress me so. Ilum was comforting me and I fell asleep. That's why I'm here.

Yes, I was definately in Ilum's arms. His voice was soft just above my head, talking to Warren, who was somewhere nearby. I hadn't heard Raven or Luke yet. Where were they?

Ilum must have said something funny or stupid, because Warren began to laugh. I opened my eyes to look at the humored boy, raising my head a fraction from where it lay against Ilum's chest.

Luke had left to find the village alchemist. He had some business to attend to before they left for Rabanastre. The shop was dark and cramped with ingredients for potions hanging from the walls. A man sat at the end of the room, mixing herbs to make medicine.

The old man gave Luke an odd look. "Hello, Lucas."

Luke nodded and took a seat beside the man.

"I suppose you want something?" the man asked.

"I will be leaving with a few other people for the mines of Rabanastre soon," he said. "I thought I should visit you one last time."

The old man pushed the bowl of herbs he'd been mixing aside and looked Luke in the eyes. "Lucas, we've been over this many times. I don't blame you for Balthemier's death. It wasn't your fault."

"I know, but," Luke shook his head, as if to shake away a bad thought. "I just can't stop thinking about him. He is dead because of my mistake."

The old man placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "You are a good person who would never purposely harm an innocent human. Stop being so hard on yourself. It's been over four years since it happened. Stop living in the past and create a new future for yourself." The old man reached behind him and grabbed a small bag of bottles. "Here, take these. You'll need potions for where you're going."

Luke nodded and took the potions. He got to his feet and headed for the door. Before he left he turned to the old man and said, "Thank you."

(Where is everyone?)

(I'm brain dead right now. Sorry.)

(I think we should just wait and let Kitty and Dynamo get their characters back to the camp...they'll know what to do. Or you could just say something? I don't know...)

(Let's just say Luke and Raven finished doing the things they needed to do and are coming back with the supplies and a few horses.)

Raven

"Time to go," Luke spoke briskly as we arrived back at the camp, horses and supplies in tow.

"Shouldn't we eat first?" Warren asked as he reluctantly dragged himself to his feet. Ilum gently shook Karana and helped her to stand before guiding her to a horse.

"We can eat on the way," Luke decided, "time is short." Warren sighed and I smiled apologetically as I handed everyone a simple meal of bread and cheese before returning the excess to one of the saddle bags and mounting my chosen horse.

"Aren't you two eating?" Karana asked.

"No, we ate on the way back," Luke, who had not dismounted, turned his horse around and headed off at a brisk trot so that we had to urge our horses forwards at a slight gallop to catch up.

________________________
How's that?

Karana

I chose a blue roan mare with a golden mane and tail. Not only was she gorgeous, she was very laid back and patient...the kind I liked.

I rode alongside Ilum, letting Raven and Luke lead the way as Warren brought up the rear. There was some space between our groups, but I was still afraid to talk too loud. What if I said something that would be taken the wrong way? What if I embarrassed myself?

"You sleep well?" Ilum suddenly asked, breaking my train of thought.

I turned to him, smiling sweetly. "Yes, thanks." I couldn't help but blush. "I'm sorry I fell asleep on you..."




*Trying to give you an opening, Tony...hope this helps.*

Ilum smiled back, "Not at all. You needed some rest any way. I'm just glad to help." Karana quickly diverted he gaze, but Ilum kept on starring, "In truth, I'm just glad you're not hurt."

Karana

That hit me deep. It left me feeling grateful that I was indeed alive and unmarked. It also gave me the hint that this young man really cared for me.

"I'm glad you're okay. I was really worried when that husk..." I gulped. It was hard to keep going, just thinking about how tense those moments had been, "...tried to crush you."

He just smiled back at me, and I eased my horse closer to his so that I could hold his hand again.

Ilum...I don't know how to tell you this, I thought to myself, making sure no one could hear me. I think I'm falling in love with you.

Ilum just took her hand and held it gently. Still holding his smile he looked forward at the sunset. Luke raised his hand telling them to stop. "Were only a little farther from the mine, but we'll rest up for tonight."

Ilum jumped off his horse and them help Karana with hers. Warren came up and patted him playfully on the back and smirking at the same time. Shrugging him off Ilum laughed a bit. He hadn't had real friends like this in a long time. He was thankful to them all, especially... he paused as he watched Karana remove her stuff from the saddle.

He walked over to an oak tree and sat down facing the sun set. Warren began to gather wood while Luke and Raven chatted in the distance. Karana soon made her way to Ilum's side. Instead of moving away he pulled he closer for a kiss.

Karana

I had not been expected that. It wiped all thoughts from my mind when he kissed me, so soft and loving.

"Did I go too fast?" he asked when he let me go, maybe a little afraid by my speechlessness and shock.

It took me a moment to catch my breath, but my heart was still racing. "No...It just surprised me..."

I half-smiled, pulling him even closer so that I could kiss him in return.

"So, how will we get to the mines next morning?" Raven asked.

"There are many entrances into the mine, most of which are guarded by Rabanastrians to ensure no thieves get into the caves. There is one entrance that has been forgotten over the years. We'll ride east until we reach a lake, then we ride north to the entrance." Luke closed his eyes for a moment, there was something else he wanted to say. "I'm worried about Karana and Ilum."

"How so?" Raven asked.

"You've seen how close they've been getting. A few minutes ago I heard Karana say something about love to Ilum."

"Really?" Raven said, "I didn't hear her say anything like that."

"When you've lived in the wilderness as long as I have you learn to rely on more than just your sight," Luke told her.

"So, you think they're in love?" Luke nodded. "I don't see how that might be a problem," Raven said.

"I've seen couples like them before, adventurers who fall in love during times of strife. Their attraction toward each other may affect their logic during battle, causing them to make mistakes that may cost them their lives."

"I know Karana," Raven said. "She won't let her feelings for another get in the way during a fight."

Luke sighed. "Perhaps you're right. Don't tell them that we know, we don't want to do anything that may drive a wedge between them or anyone else in our group."

Raven nodded. "I won't tell them."

They heard Warren's voice from the middle of the camp. "Fire's ready!"

Raven began walking toward the camp. Luke started to follow, then stopped. Something wasn't right, his senses were trying to warn him of something. When he strained his ears to listen he heard the pull of a bowstring. Luke ran up to Raven and tackled her to the ground. Something whistled over their heads and pierced the tree next to them just before they hit the ground.

"Luke, get off me!" Luke got back to his feet, but didn't offer to help Raven up. "What's the big idea!?" she yelled.

An arrow had hit the tree. Luke pulled it out of the bark to examine it. After looking at the size of the arrow and the craftsmanship he came to one conclusion, "Goblins."


-- Random Encounter, prepare to fight! --

x5 Goblin archers
x3 Goblin scouts

*Ah, great! You love battles!*

Karana

I pulled away from Ilum. Something had made my senses go crazy.

Luke had tackled Raven before an arrow soared past them, hitting a tree. Luke had said the word goblins.

Goblins.

"Goblins," I told Ilum, quickly getting to my feet as I drew my own bow. From the shadows, I could probably take some of the out.

"Karana," Ilum began, moving to follow me.

"Don't worry about me! I can take care of myself right now."

I moved into the shadows, bow ready.

Raven

I felt Luke crash into my back, catching my hair as he tackled me to the ground.

"Luke, get off me! What's the big idea?" I demanded angrily. I felt the weight shift and rolled onto my side so that I could drag myself to my feet. Luke plucked an arrow from a tree and examined it.

"Goblins," he concluded.

"Oh. Luke..."

"Later," he snapped as our group gathered together. Through the trees, I caught the sight of figures clad in green. Two to the left, one straight ahead, carrying a bow. One right. A few in the trees...

"Target the archers," Luke commanded, already striking down a tree with a livid bolt of lightening so that its inhabitant was fried. I wielded my mace and rushed forwards, breaking away from the group so that I could go after the goblins.

"Raven!" Someone called after me but I had to shut them out as I slammed my mace into the head of one of the goblin scouts and then narrowly avoided a barbed arrow.