Faris’ blow landed. The dragons screeched, stunned, as Caius darted back through the air with a speed twice that of any dragoon. Faris squared himself to meet him as Caius called on his dragon for a stream of fire that he capped off with ice. It looked like they were both practiced with dodging magic.

”Then I’ll not hold back!” Faris readied another spell (Thundara) to stun them as Caius went in for the finishing blows. It did its jobs. Slowed and reeling, they had no defenses against the blade tossed their way, and Caius zipped between them like an irritable fly -- if a fly could wield a sword. With the two of them fallen, he darted back to the ground and straightened himself at their side.

”Not bad for a thick-headed lout like yourself.” Faris pulled his sword again and readied it against the last dragon at the end of the hall. It was always the last that had the most to lose, and it was always the last that dealt the killing blows. It looked like the magic or the stress had driven the beast mad, and it thrashed about as though it had a death wish of its own. The walls trembled with every blow, and Faris’ eyes widened as dust was loosed and cracks ran up the ceiling like spider webs.

Faris cursed loudly and threw himself back. ”Cover me! There won't be a thing I can do to fight it back!” He called on the crystal, willing it faster than it could manage, and light burst from him in a flash of red. His cape retreated. His scarf wrapped around his neck in a pointed collar. His tunic encompassed his body from wrist to neck to toe in a baggy suit of blue. By the time it was done, the walls had already teetered and the tunnel was coming down in chunks.

Faris tried his best to keep the heat from his cheeks. The garb of a geomancer was about the least respectable look a man could manage.

Still, Faris channelled the crystal through him and thrust out his hands, spinning around in a strange dance before raising his arms. The earth’s power extended from his palms and launched itself into the stone. He felt it quiver. He felt it lose balance, but he grit his teeth against the force of gravity and pushed it back. He kept his hands in the air, concentrating with everything he had as the dragon kept thrashing and renewing the tremors around them.

”Put an end to the devil before it takes us all down with it!” Faris could barely get the words out as he held the tunnel in place. He’d never studied geomancy, and his fire crystal wasn’t best suited for it. Still, its power struggled with him, and he put everything he had into its strange magic. ”Go!”

ulla

”A white mage, eh? I’ve never been much for white magic myself. It’s a healer’s art, and I don’t have the spirit for it. I’ve got a mighty respect for those that do. It takes a clearer head then I could ever manage.” Faris glanced at the girl. He should have guessed Jo’s talents in an instant with a getup like that. The white robes gave the game away.

”I bet you’ve dealt a few surprises in your day, knocking a devil upside the head when they think they’ve got you cornered. A woman has to hold her own, and the world won’t stand for it. You’ve got to fight everything you’ve got if you’re going it alone. There’s no other way about it.”

Faris looked the girl over. She had a fire in her, that was for sure, though it was hard to say how long it would burn. He’d seen them stamped out more times than he could count. In all likelihood, she’d end up back in the church she’d left, but he hoped she’d stick it through and come into her own. No matter which world he traveled to, not a single one of them gave an easy fight.

”My crew?” Faris tilted his head before bursting out in barking laughter. ”Aye, now that’s an offer! I’ve been needing a healer like you, but I’ll not have you throwing about your life so easily. Think the matter over. Stand on your two feet. Then I’ll take you in a wind’s breath.”

He pushed open the doors of the tavern and barged inside with a challenge in his eye. The place was a den of unsavory types from thieves to thugs to smugglers, and he caught eyes looking them over from every wall. Faris kept his chin high and met the gaze of every one of them until they were the first to look away. The message was clear -- mess with me if you want to risk your head. With the girl at his side, the same went for her.

”It’s not the most agreeable of places, but it’ll get you fed. I’d’ve kept you waiting searching anywhere higher.” Faris led her to a table and crossed his arms, head cocked to the side. ”I’ll grab you something worthwhile. Don’t go picking any fights until I’m at your back. With these types, you’ll find a knife through it before you can blink.”

He started off towards the front, put in his order, and waited with his arms crossed. A few men tried for small chat with him, and he offered it back in return. Where did you come in from? What’s your name? Haven’t got a sword, have you? Faris returned the volley with a sour look. Captain Faris, a world rougher than this, and you’ll see the wrong side of that sword if you cross me. Before long, Faris had two bowls of something with rice, beans, and a little meat on top, and he brought it back, placing it in front of the girl before he fell into the chair across from her. If any stares met them, he ignored them like they were nothing but gawking birds.

”That’s my end of the bargain. Now I’ll have answers for it. Where do you come from, and what do you know about that Warrior of Light?”

ulla

”Slipped it in?” Faris leaned in, a scowl at his lips. ”You’ve not done a thing like it.” Still, he’d seen enough of this kind of talk that he could only throw his hands in the air and shake his head. ”Fine, if you’re determined to think the worst, I’ll not say another word about it! That bird’ll come around and you’ll see soon enough for yourself!”

Or would he? Had Boko ever taken to Faris? Faris couldn’t remember a single word he'd spoken to the thing. Dread grew at the bottom of his stomach as he fought a groan. Their fates held by a string at the edge of a chocobo’s beak. Maybe he’d remember Krile a little more fondly.

”He was a right hero, the Bartz I knew. An airhead, but a hero. I didn’t know him from the start, but I knew him well enough for that.” Faris shot Bartz another scathing look before he let out a deep sigh. ”Aye, mayhap you’re not the same. But you’ve got the same spirit in you, I know.”

Faris shoved his hair behind his bandanna and shook his head. ”Galuf? I never knew him with his right head on before he got it back again. Lenna and Bartz met him at the meteor, I think, and then I got him on the way to the Wind Shrine. He remembered you in a second though. You crashed in right when we needed you most.” Faris tried for a grin in Krile’s direction. It helped to hide his own unease.

This won’t work. The thought swam like a shadow below the waves. Bartz is hurting. Look at him. Faris shoved it under until it drowned. There was no use doubting now.

”Eh?” Faris blinked at Krile. Twice. ”Share a bed?” Faris paused, repeating it to himself, before he burst out laughing. ”And watch his head burst? He’s had just about enough of us, I think.” Faris tossed Bartz a teasing grin. ”Aye, I’d’ve not thought twice in the day, but you’ve been shifting up a storm. You say you’re not the same Bartz? Then I’ll not bed with a stranger.” Faris reached into his pocket and shoved a handful of gil into his palm.

”It’s ill-gotten anyway. I’ll expect you to help me repay it. I lost at least a hundred gil on that mark on the road. You and your dancing.”

ulla

Bartz walked beside him. It felt like a dream. Where have you been? Faris wanted to shout it at him. Who are you now? Why did you leave me alone? But those were questions best saved for a heavy night of drinking when his spirits were low and his dignity lower. Instead, Faris walked with his back straight and his eyes straight ahead. He’d take Bartz to Krile. That was all there was left.

Krile would be thrilled. He hadn’t been lying when he’d said it. The girl thought of Bartz as a brother, and a stint of amnesia wouldn’t mean a thing to her. Still, part of Faris wanted to grab Bartz by the shoulders, turn him around, and wheel him anywhere but here. Krile still awoke gasping at night from the fear that she’d be left behind. She still held her grandfather dear to her heart, and to have more family follow in his footsteps would only break the resolve she’d built since. Had he made the right decision? Faris didn’t know, but he’d made the one Krile would have wanted, and that was enough for him.

Faris hesitated outside the inn’s door. It was a shabby affair that felt perfect to Faris but that might’ve sent others running. He glanced at Bartz, hesitating, before he opened the door. It wasn’t like Bartz’ standards were set high or even existed. He’d have been just as happy sleeping in a stable on a mound of hay.

”I don’t want to see you darting off again,” Faris said as he rounded the bar tables and started up the stairs. ”This isn’t about me. It’s about Krile. You go running off without us and it’ll break her heart. She’ll think you don’t want a thing to do with her.”

Faris slowed to a stop outside their room. The door stood before them like the last pass before shore. Bartz didn’t want a thing to do with her. With either of them really, but here Faris was pretending and roping Bartz into the act while he was at it. What would Lenna have said if she could have looked Faris in the eye? He wished he knew.

The key scraped in its lock and then the door was open. Faris stepped inside and looked around, almost dreading finding her. ”Krile? I’ve got a mighty surprise for you.” Faris grabbed Bartz and yanked him inside so he wouldn’t dawdle. ”Look what I found washed up by the tides. I had a time getting him here too.”

ulla