It was surrouned on all four sides by a rocky cliff that stood about ten feet tall. A winding path, nearly impossible to see, wound from the entrance up on of the cliff sides.
Tad and Densetsu lay on their stomachs on the eastern cliff. Tad was told to keep an eye out for any guards who might spot them, as Densetsu peered into the small window of the hut with his binoculars.
"Take a look at this," Densetsu said, handing Tad his binoculars.
Tad put the binoculars to his eyes and adjusted the vision. Through the window, he could clearly see what was going on. Densetsu was right; there were nine. Three were already asleep, and everybody was passing around a bottle of wine. Good.
Propped up in one corner were Cyphus and Deric, their weapons taken away. At first glance, Tad had thought that they were asleep, but at seeing the briuses and cuts on them, realized they had been knocked unconsious. In the stables, where kanks and Ebony, the chocobo. Kanks were massive beetles, about the size of a man, often used for riding because of their massive endurance. Though they were peaceful creatures, they seemed to spook Ebony.
Silvara was also in one corner, but she was wide awake, eyes wide in fear. Tad growled. If they so much touched one damn hair of hers...
He hadn't realized he had gotten up until Densetsu pushed him back down. "Not now. When darkness comes."
"But what if they hurt my...friends?"
Densetsu took the binoculars back. "That woman. She is more to you that a travelling companion, isn't she?"
"She's my friend," Tad said with a voice that didn't invite any further questions.
Densetsu shrugged. "Don't get all worked up." But he had known exactly what he wanted. Tad cared deeply for the woman. That would be a great advantage.
Soon, all the thieves but two went to bed. The two remained guards played dice for a while to pass the time. After a while, their discussions seem to got a bit more heated.
"It looks like they've upped the ante," Densetsu said showing no emotion inhis voice.
Tad didn't know what he meant until he saw the guards casting glances to a wide eyed Silvara. "That's it!" he growled. He leaped off the cliffside, unaware of Densetsu being right behind him, and rushed in the hut with a roar.
One shot of the C-14, and the back of one of the guards blew up. The other guards screamed, just before Tad shot him in the head.
Slowed down by the booze, some men were slower to rise than others. But at seeing Tad and Densetsu, and their fallen comrades, they soon added haste to their movements.
Tad put away his gun and fought with his own hands and feet. His metal bracers were all that stopped the swords the thieves had. The copper plating on his shoes gave him the edge he needed, though.
After he defeated two of the thieves, Tad realized that that meant Densetsu was left with five all to himself. But with a quick glance, Tad found out that Densetsu was faring extremely well.
In one smooth motion, Densetsu disarmed one man, kicked another in the stomach, and impaled the first. He jerked free the naginata roughly, and the butt end of the spear was smashed into the face of another. The naginata twirled so fast Tad could hardly make out the individual moves. But soon, all the thieves lay dead or dying.
Tad didn't realize he was staring at the dead bodies, until Densetsu said, "It is time to deal with the living now, don't you think?"
After she was freed, Silvara was able to cast a healing spell on Deric and Cyphus. But the resulting effect was that she became so tired, she could not stay consious any longer. Tad carried her, cradling her small form in his arms, angry at himself for trailing away and letting this happen to her.
"Tad," said Deric softly. "Who is that man?"
Tad glanced over to where Densetsu stood, facing away from everybody, overlooking the cliff. He seemed seperated from the rest of the group, as if not really a part of them. Cyphus sat reading a book. "He says his name is Densetsu."
Deric tapped his chin. "Densetsu, huh? That name sounds familiar... but anyway, I don't trust him."
"Well, you're just a dumb elf. You wouldn't."
"Shut up and listen to me!" snapped Deric. "From what I've heard he's both an excellent tracker, and an efficient fighter. What proof do we have that he wasn't following us?"
Tad shrugged. "He hasn't attacked us and he helped me rescue you."
Deric shook his head. "I don't know..." he said, and walked away.
After a few minutes, they decided to make camp. Densetsu accepted Tad's invitation to stay the night with them, but he told them he would have to leave in the morning.
There were three tents. Densetsu used his own, without sharing, and Deric and Cyphus each carried one. Cyphus offered to share with Deric and gave his to Tad and Silvara.
An hour passed. Tad couldn't fall asleep. Then, Silvara's eye fluttered open, and she looked up at her husband. "Tad..."
Tad beamed happily. "You're awake! Are you ok?"
Silvara nodded. "Yes. But Tad, we have to talk..."
Tad sat up, and Silvara followed suit. "Y-yes?"
Silvara looked Tad in the eyes, a small smile on her face. "Tad... I'm pregnant!"
Tad's mouth worked, but he couldn't talk. Instead, he hugged Silvara tightly. "Silvara, that is so amazing!"
Their moment was interupted by a rapping on the outside of the door. Tad, angry at the moment being broken, unzipped the door. Densetsu was there, with a cup in his hand. "Tad," he said, in that same emotionless, deep voice. "My gratitude for letting my stay the night with your group." He handed Tad the cup and walked away without another word, or waiting for Tad's response.
Tad looked at the liquid curiously, then drank it. It was water. Some kind of flavered water.
Silvara crushed Tad with another hug, and Tad smiled, hugging her back.
"We're going to be parents, Tad!" said Silvara happily. "I'm going to be a mother!!"
Tad and Silvara fell asleep a while afterward. Despite their excitement, it has been a taxing day. Tad woke up by being kicked in the stomach by Deric. It was mid day.
Tad was still slow to get up. He was very groggy and woozy. "Wus goin on...?" he asked thickly.
Deric grabbed Tad by the arm and yanked him to his feet. "Tad! Wake up!"
Tad could hardly stand, and Deric had to help him stay on his feet. Even though Tad's mind was cloudy, he knew that something was wrong. Somethign was wrong with him.
"Tad! Densetsu is gone, and so is Silvara! He kidnapped Silvara!!"
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