Family Affairs

After gathering up the rest of Faction 5 and Tarawath, we rented out some Chocobo’s from the Al Zahbi stables and headed toward the southern tip of the Wajaom Woodlands. Most people don’t know it, but if you head down far enough and know where to look there’s a small cave entrance were an old Elvaan hermit lives. Or at least that what’s people will tell you if you don’t know about it yourself. The only truth to that is that there is an old Elvaan who lives deep inside the cave.

“So, we’re going to seek out the help of some old Elvaan fella?” Stitch asked as her Chocobo came up along side Kallo, “Aren’t you old enough as is?”

I looked down at her and raised an eyebrow, “Not as old as this guy.”

“So, what’s his deal then? How come he lives way out here?” she asked.

“He’s retired.”

“Oh! Retired, what did he use to do? Swashbuckling? Assassination? Grand Theft!?” the excitement was beginning to rise in her voice, “I’d only assume it’s the good stuff since he lives like a hermit.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s a correct assumption.”

Tara piped in next, “So which is it then, Tiger?”

“All of the above.” I answered the both of them.

“And how is he suppose to be able to help us? I thought you were the best the Tenshodo has to offer?” Stitch asked. “And you want to go ask some crusty old Elvaan for help?”

“I am the best.” I smiled down at her, “And I get it from him.”

I didn’t explain much more beyond that to the group as we got down near the edge of the Woodlands over looking the waters of the oceans. It didn’t take Vael long to locate the cove that the cave was on. It was very reminiscence of the Norg port, but for smaller boats. We trekked down through the wet cave, it was extremely straight forward, no light source though.

“Ugh, who would want to live in a place like this…” Stitch shuddered as we went deeper in.

“Someone who has a high debt to society.” Vael answered her.

I was in the lead with Tara, Katurian and Gideon were behind us and Vael and Stitch were bringing up the back of our party. After a few more minutes Katurian came to an abrupt halt. “We’re not alone anymore.” He whispered as shadows converged on him.

“Easy there Tall, Dark and…Shadowy..” I whispered back, “They’re just his company. They don’t mean us any harm.”

“Doesn’t mean I’ll return the favor…” he hissed.

“You will if you want to save your Lieutenant.” I shot back, his eyes narrowed and then the shadow aura dispersed around him and snaked back into the darkness.

“Hey Tiger…what do you mean by company?”

Just as Tarawath finished her sentenced there was a twang sound further down the tunnel, following by a whistling sound. My hand shot upward and snagged an arrow out of the air as it was inches from her chest.

“Hey!” Stitch piped up, “Nice catch!” she snatched the arrow from my hand and sniffed it, “Oh! Venom tipped!”

I yelled down the hallway, “I hear Moogles are out in flocks this time of year!” I could hear the sound of another arrow being strung into a bow, then silence.

After a few more seconds a Mithran Ranger appeared out of the darkness. “…who are you and what reason do you have with the boss?” she spat!

“…you must be…Lura?” Kallo asked.

Her eyes went wide with anger, “…Lura?!” she growled, “Lura?! He said I was his favorite! Why would he talk about HER!” she turned, her hair sticking up on ends as she turned tailed and stomped off down the way.

I smiled back at my companions and followed the down way. After several long seconds we came to a large oak door, it was swung wide open and standing in the doorway facing away from us was a female Hume White Mage scratching her head in confusion, she had a southern dialect as she spoke “Why in the world…” she went to attention suddenly and spun around, “Well, well…we seem to have some visitors.” She put her hand on her hip, “Can we help ya’all?”

“As a matter of fact,” I began, “You can let the boss we know we’re here to see him.”

“And who just might you be?” she asked very matter of fact, “Because nowadays we only let through close friends –”

“And next of kin.” I finished for her.

Her eyes narrowed a bit, “…the boss ain’t got no living kin.”

“I might’ve been a bit disowned.” I smiled, “…a little.”

“…Kal?” Tarawath turned toward, confused and wanting to know exactly what was going on.

“Wait a gul’durn minute!” the White Mage interrupted, “Kallo…Kallo Landis? The boss ain’t going to believe this!” she turned and took off further into the room, “BOSS!”

Everyone turned and I could feel their eyes on me, it was Gideon who broke the silence, “And we’re suppose to be putting our faith in whoever lives in this hole in the ground?”

Smiling I nodded, “Yep.”

We walked forward through the threshold and everything changed, it went from dank, dusty cave walls to wooden planks and boards on all four sides of us. We continued down the long wooden corridor away from the cave and into the more cabin-like interior. The way was lighted with lanterns and adorned with various paintings and decorations. We passed few doors, three of which were labeled; Luradaku, Sonja and Yunie. After a few more steps we came to a large open area with a high ceiling. The room still followed the cabin-like theme but there was also visible parts of the natural rock face. It was very apparent this was were the main living area was. In the far back was a natural underground pond and ascending around the edges and upwards were stairs to another door at the top. In the very center of this room stood three figures, the first was the Mithra we encountered when entering the cave. The second was the White Mage from moments earlier and the third was an elderly Elvaan man. You could tell he had seen a very long life time, but as with most Elvaan’s living outside any stone walls for most of their lives there was still a very distinguished strength about him. The Mithra’s voice was filling the entire room in anger

“You told me I was the best watch cat you’ve ever had!” she stamped.

“Calm down, Sonja!” he couldn’t help but laughed, “Of course you are.”

“Then why did your visitors know about Lura’s name and not mine, huh? I bet you talk about her all the time!” she pouted.

“Lura’s been around a lot longer then we have, darlin’.” The White Mage rolled her eyes, “Of course more people are going to know her name over yours. Your still a baby.”

“Wha!? I am not a baby!” She turned around in one full spin pointing at the White Mage as her tail and hair stood on end.

“Girls!” the Elvaan took both their attention, “None of this is important – you know I have each of you around here for your own reasons…now what about these visitors? Who are they?”

I took one step forward and immediately all three of their eyes were upon me, “Your ears are getting soft.” I said to him, “We’ve been standing here at least 15 seconds.”

His eyes narrowed at the sight of me, “Or your feet are getting lighter.” I took a step down toward the main room, but his words stopped me, “What do you want?”

“Excuse me?” I smiled a bit, “Is that anyway to greet me?”

“I told you before. So long as you walk the path you chose, you don’t exist to me.”

Vael put his hand on Stitch’s shoulder, “We should wait outside. This isn’t for our eyes or ears. Gideon?”

She nodded, “Let’s go Stitch, Kat you too.”

Tarawath also turned to leave but Vael put his hand forward to stop her, “You should stay.” She looked at him confused as Faction 5 exited the room.

“Sonja, Yunie.” He looked to the two women before him, “Show this thief the way out.”

“…but Boss.” Yunie spoke.

He ignored her and walked up the steps to the door above the pool of water and slammed it behind him. I turned to Tarawath at my side, “Can you wait here for me?”

“Always, Kal.” She smiled.

I walked down the couple stairs and across the room but the Mithra blocked my path, “Boss said no! You have to leave!” she had both hands straight out barring my path.

“Sorry little one, but this is family business.” I put my hand on her forehead and pushed her aside.

“Bah!” she wobbled to and fro before losing her balance and landing flat on her butt on the ground hissing back at me.

Walking up the stairs I knocked a few times on the door, there was no answer so I entered. The inside of the room was simple enough, a bed, a desk, a dresser a few chests and plenty of memorabilia. None of it was treasure or loot from days past, it all looked to be personal the most prominent of course was a small painting of an Elvaan woman in the lands of Ronfaure. The Elvaan man was sitting at the desk, doing nothing, he was completely still.

I spoke first, “I don’t remember a thing about her, but I never have any trouble remembering that picture.” I motioned to the painting.

He let out a long sigh drawn out sigh as he hung his head, “…that Mithra out there ain’t like the other girls.” He dropped the disownment act slightly, “And I saw a ring on her finger.” I smiled and nodded even though he couldn’t see it. “You went and got engaged and couldn’t even tell your old man?”

“You’ll be invited to the wedding.” I smiled, “Besides, last time I saw you I was told never to come around. Being sworn off as your son and all.”

“Not that it stopped you.” He turned around in his chair, “You never did listen.”

“If I had, the family business wouldn’t be as successful as it is today.”

“Don’t say that.” He sneered a bit, “You know damn well I never wanted you or your brother to become thieves. At least he made out alright.”

“Sorry.” I shrugged, “Can’t help what’s in the blood though.”

“You should’ve been a Knight.” He mumbled, “Or something, that makes a difference, that helps people. Not…what we were.”

I took a seat on the bed, “And who says I don’t help people?”

“You’re a thief, Kal.” He turned to me, “Same as me and your mother.”

“I can’t help myself while I help others?” he was silent for a few seconds before I spoke again, “The title determines nothing about the individual. It only says a few words about how the person does what he does. A knight isn’t always full of noble ambitions and well-wishing, nor is a rogue the center of malcontent and malicious acts. Now, I know Windurst may not be indebt to me like they are to the War Warlocks or the Mithran Mercenaries, and the establishment very well isn’t going commend the way I work or give me a spot next to Semih Lafihna. But, too a lot of those people I’m as much a hero as you and mom are to me. Even if no one knows it.”

He sighed heavily, “Damnit.” He reached over and picked up the picture of the Elvaan woman, “No doubt you took after her.” He smiled, “I guess that means Akeem must have more of my blood.” He chuckled a bit, he was still admiring the picture so he missed my grimaced face.

“So, you want to bring her up here and formally introduce me?” he put the picture down and turned to me.

“Oh, Tara? Ha! No, I don’t think so.” I smiled.

“And why not? She looks perfectly fine. Albeit, probably a bit on the slow side if she fell for you.”

“I guess that means I have more of your blood then I thought.” I smiled as I headed toward the door.

“Watch it there, now! I ain’t so old I can’t put stars in your eyes, kid.” He followed me.

Once out the door, I came to the sight of Tarawath sitting at a table with two Humes and the Mithra who reside along with my father. Tarawath was prattling on about something or other and the rest of them were listening very intently. As we descended the stairs they all turned their attention to us.

“Well, you’re both still in one piece.” Tara smiled, “I guess we’re off to a happy start?”

“Tara, I’d like to introduce you to my father, Drevan Landis.” I introduced them as he brushed past me and took her hand kissing it. “Oh, please…” I mumbled.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

She blushed lightly, “Well, we know were he gets it from.”

“Boss!” the Mithra tugged on Drevan’s sleeve, “Don’t we get an introduction?”

“Of course, Kitten.” He stood back up, “Tara, Kallo…these are my companions, Sonja…” he motioned to the Mithra, “Yunie…” he pointed to the Hume we met earlier with the southern accent, “And lastly, Lura.” He introduced us to the newest of the three we hadn’t yet met, another White Mage.

Upon a more formal introduction the Mithra, Sonja was already upon me, tugging down on my shirt as her eyes grew wide with excitement, “Wow! The bosses son! I never thought I’d get to meet you, Kallo~! Oh! Oh! Is it true you once fought off a whole squad of Yagudo to give Tara a bouquet of roses!”

She almost knocked me over as she crashed into me, “Uh! Well, yea, sort of. It wasn’t quite a squad though.” I chuckled.

Yunie came up behind Sonja and pulled her back shoving her to the side, “Stop embarrassin’ us sugar. You’re clinging to him tighter then white on rice.” She smiled, “So, from the stories Tara’s told us, I reckon you got a bit of thing for Mages?”

Tara piped up, smiling at me as she watched me squirm, “You’re very perceptive. Kallo’s got quite a thing for White Mages, especially.”

I chimed in quickly to follow, “I don’t suppose she also told you we’re engaged.”

I heard Sonja let out a displeased huff of air and Lura walked past giving Yunie a shove, “You’re embarrassing yourself as much as the furball.”

“Hey! Boss said you can’t call me that anymore!” Sonja hissed!

Lura laughed as she disappeared into one of the rooms, giving me a sly wink as she passed.

Tarawath caught it too of course, “I think you’re dads companions have taken quite a liking to you, Tiger.”

My dad chuckled, “They’re more for my protection and of course so I don’t get too dreadfully lonely.”

Sonja spoke, “Yea! We’re no companions like in the way the barmaids in Whitegate are!” she giggled a bit, “Boss has been completely faithful to Mrs. Landis since the she, err…sorry, Boss.” Her ears and tail dropped low as her voice dropped.

“It’s fine little one.” He smiled, “Could you and Yunie leave us to talk about business?”

“Absolutely! C’mon Yunie! We’re going to make it after all!” Sonja spat those last words like there was some kind of hidden meaning behind it. Yunie most assuredly caught the meaning as her eyes slanted in anger.

“We won’t be callin’ you furball much longer…” she clenched her fist.

“Really?!” Sonja yipped excitedly.

“Cause you ain’t gunna no fur on ya when I’m through with ya!” she chased the Mithra meowing into one of the back rooms.

Tarawath smiled at me as me and my dad took a seat, “Faithful since day one, Mr. Landis?”

“Please, call me Drevan.” He grinned, “And yes, I’ve been as much in love with my wife as the day I met her.”

“Well, I suppose on that note I should be grateful you and Kallo share the same blood.”

The two of them laughed and my father spoke next, “Ah ha, of course, but rest assured he wasn’t blessed with all my greatest features.”

“But you can be sure it’s were my ego came from.” I added in with a sneer.

“Enough of that though…you two didn’t come here for a social business. What is it you need Kal?” Drevan asked.

“Those other four people we were with are my clients.” I said, “I’ve been hired to get them into the Alzadaal Ruins.”

“Well, that shouldn’t be too hard. Certain areas are open to the public. What would you need me for?” he asked.

“I recently met with the President of Salaheem’s Sentinels and attained a certain key from her…” I paused.

“I don’t even want to know how you pulled that off.” My father laughed.

“Neither do I.” Tarawath smiled, hers wasn’t as giddy as my dads was.

“Regardless…from what I learned prior to high tailing it out of there, the key isn’t going to be enough. It’s just what we need to enter the inner chambers of the Alzadaal Depths.”

“The Depths?” my fathers eyes went a bit wider, “What in Altana’s name could you possibly want with the Depths? You know what kinds of horrors lay within those?”

“…Beastmen?” I guessed with no thought.

“Beastmen!” he laughed, “We’ll be lucky if that’s all we run into! If we even get inside. Try Soulflayers as a worse case scenario. Or the Abominations of the lost civilizations, living machinery…ah, pfft! Beastmen…”

“Can I continue?” he nodded, “You won’t even have to come into the actual Depths. Once through the doors that the key open there’s two halls, that are more like…locks? From what I understand each is lined with a series of traps and panels and gears that if you can get past on the far side is a switch. Each hall of traps and such is identical but both switches need to be flipped at the same time. So, of course, a professional trained in the subtle acrobatics and skilled finesse of thieves and bandits such as ourselves would be the safest bet. But, as I said, it’s not just two good thieves we need. We need the best, because it has to be done simultaneously.”

“So why not two of the best.” Drevan added.

“We’re blood. Can’t get much more in sync then that, can we?”

My dad smiled, “I think I have enough in me for one more go at a good time. I’ll need the night to get ready.” He stood up and walked past, putting his hand on his shoulder. “And you better not embarrass me tomorrow in front of your lovely fiancé.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’d just be returning the favor.”

~ by Kallo on March 18, 2009.