“We’re here, Ladies!” Locke said in triumph. “We’ve made it to the Golden Sea! Figaro Desert!”
Lina raised an eyebrow. “This is where you’ve taken us? To a DESERT!?”
Terra looked at the endless dunes that covered her entire view. “Is it safe?”
“Safe as can be as long as we keep moving,” Locke said with confidence... “And yes. Ladies, this is where our contact lives.”
Lina nodded her head. “Great...” she grumbled irritably. “So any fiends out here?”
“Of course,” Locke responded as he nodded his head. “A few scorpion-like ones, but other than that, if we keep moving, we’ll get to the castle in no time.” And with that said, the treasure hunter started walking.
Lina sighed. “First intense cold, now intense heat? Isn’t there anyplace NORMAL around here!?” She cried in indignation.
“It’s not so bad,” Terra said softly as she walked next to Lina. “At least it’s clean.”
Lina blinked her eyes as she looked out into the Desert. “Clean?” She asked as a wind was already pushing up sand. “Terra, the whole place is dirt...”
“But there’s no machines, no human destruction... It’s natural,” the green-haired woman said as her eyes stared off into the horizon.
Lina blinked her eyes. “Well... that’s true...” the redhead admitted softly. She was about to ask the woman what she meant, when she heard Locke call back to them.
“HEY!” The shout was barely heard over the wind that kicked up for a moment. “Are you ladies going to get a move-on or what?”
“Coming!” Lina shouted out to Locke before looking over to Terra. “C’mon. We better get going.”
“Yes,” Terra agreed as she hastened her pace to match Locke’s. They were running away, after all.
Lina kept up with Terra, the two women lessening once they caught up with the man. “So, Locke,” Lina started. “Where does your contact live out here? Does he have a shack or something to keep out of the heat?”
Grinning, Locke told her, “You’ll see...”
Keeping up with the Treasure Hunter, Lina frowned. It would be her luck if it was some nutty old man whose wide-brimmed hat was his shelter.
As they walked Terra kept on looking around, not really focusing on anything and completely missing the interaction between her companions. Hours passed like that, the trio crossing sand-dune, after sand-dune, after sand-dune...
“Oh my god, are we there yet?” Lina panted, her light clothing somehow feeling much too hot for this weather.
“Almost,” Locke said. “Another ten minutes or...” he trailed off as he grinned. “Well what do you know? I can see it on the Horizon! LOOK!” He shouted as he pointed with his right hand in the direction.
Raising her head, Lina looked out to where Locke was pointing. Her eyes widened as she made out the shape of a VERY large castle. “No way...”
Staring out towards their destination, Terra’s eyes widened as well. “It’s so big...”
“Yep!” Locke said. “Figaro Castle, the greatest modern marvel in the world!” He said excitedly as he began rushing to the site in the distance
Lina smiled brightly at the aspect of a nice place to visit and maybe score some free food! “What’re we waiting for? WOO HOO!” She cheered as she started moving faster. No, not a run, but definitely covering distance now!” She may have been healing, but she didn’t want to aggravate her ankle further.
Terra was left behind for a moment and she blinked in confusion. She then rushed after the other two, not wanting to be left behind.
As they got closer, the details of the castle became more prominent. It wasn’t just a castle. The way it extended out into other buildings, it was like a very elegant mansion and fortress city rolled into one! Beautiful and intricate stone and metal work which was beyond anything that Lina had ever seen before in her life! Of course, she noted that it may not have had the beauty or majesty of Saillune City, but this place was incredibly unique from anything Lina has seen before.
And all around, she could see people. Soldiers, probably. They were wearing uniforms consisting of light green cloth with light brown leather armor all over, their gloves and boots being made of the same thick leather. Their neck-guards on the back of their brown leather helmets had coloration of red and green.
And some were even riding... giant chickens?
Lina had to blink her eyes and STARED! Indeed they were... Gigantic yellow birds.
At least none of the soldiers seemed to want to bother with them. Obviously, the patrolling Figaro soldiers either deemed them beneath their notice, or didn’t consider them, a threat at all.
Hell, they didn’t get a response until they made their way to the main gates. A younger soldier, probably around eighteen years, jumped in Locke’s way.
“Wait!” He cried out sharply... before blinking his eyes, a smile coming over the young soldier’s face. “Hey, it’s you!” He said in a relieved voice, before he lightly stepped back and out of the way. “Please, proceed.”
Terra blinked her eyes at the scene. They knew him? Enough to allow him pass without questions?
Blinking her eyes, Lina realized she had to evaluate her thoughts of the thief treasure hunter. He seemed to have some major connections with this place.
Going forward, Locke took a hold of the handle of one door. Pulling back and the pushing forward to swing the door open, he motioned for them to step inside.
Nodding her head, Lina took the first step inside... And her eyes widened at the sensation of, “Air! Cool air!” She shouted in complete shock as she stepped further in. Looking around, she was trying to feel if there was some sort of ice spell, but she just wasn’t feeling any magical output...
“Ahhh...” Locke sighed out in relief as he could already feel the cool air, even from outside. “The miracle of air-conditioning...”
“How do you effect the air?” Terra asked as she stepped in, her skin welcoming the change to a cooler temperature.
“That is just one of Figaro’s main well-guarded technological secrets,” Locke said as he walked in behind them, closing the door tightly.
“And it’s a wonderful one!” Lina cried out, very happy. Looking around, she could see two sets of stairs that lead down at either side of them, and then another large door at the back of the room.
Lina had the feeling their path lay before them... and with each step they took she realized precisely where they were going.
Going across the hall and up some stairs, they reached the end of the air-conditioned entrance hall. Lina winced as when Locke opened the doors. She could feel the warm air again. “Looks like we’re heading outside?”
“Yep,” Locke agreed. “Only for a little bit though.” And he walked outside, showing that in the exposed part of the castle’s ‘roof’, sand was converging between the stones that made up the floor and in corners as well as in the corners where two walls met.
Terra looked at the outside of the castle and had to wonder for how long it had been there.
Getting further into the castle, two soldiers posted by two large sets of doors on the sides, saluted towards Locke.
“Figaro! The Most Technological Kingdom on the map!” The soldier on the left said with pride.
“Figaro and the Empire are allies!” The Soldier on the right stated.
“Hold it,” Lina said as she looked at Locke. “Allies?”
Locke shrugged his shoulders. “Still nice guys here.” And he continued walking.
Terra shared a look with Lina at that. What were they doing here?
Still, the two followed Locke all the way to the back of the castle. Opening a set of doors, the two could view one expansive posh room, which was aligned with golden suits of armor along the red carpeting...
...and more of that WONDERFUL air-conditioning.
It was so nice, that none of them really noticed that there was a man in full elaborate robes and hat pacing around the room like a madman while muttering to himself.
Terra turned to Lina as they walked. “Do you get the impression Locke is comfortable here?”
Lina nodded her head. “Definitely. No one’s giving a damn he’s here.”
“Hey, they do care!” Locke said, having heard them. To prove his point, he whistled. “Hey! Chancellor!”
“Taxes are on fall, but such a cut is increasing the revenue into expenditure for armaments,” the Chancellor continued to mutter. “If only we had Narshe’s funding we could-HI LOCKE-get what we need and take care of...” The Chancellor continued walking and talking to himself.
Chuckling nervously at the lukewarm greeting, Locke shrugged it off. “Eh... He’s small potatoes compared to who we’re going to see anyway...”
Lina blinked her eyes as she looked towards where the elaborately robed Chancellor was walking off to and back to Locke, who had a sweat-drop on the side of his head. “Some impression you make here...”
“He doesn’t seem that bad,” Terra protested to Lina, in Locke’s defense.
“Of course I’m not,” Locke said. “Now, c’mon! We’re gonna see my contact!”
Lina blinked her eyes as she saw Locke head towards a pair of ornate doors. Wait, they were probably reaching the end of the castle, and if they needed to go there to get to his contact... “Hold it!” Lina shouted. “Your contact is...”
“What’s wrong?” Terra asked worriedly, for Lina was paling. Maybe the air-conditioning was too cold?
Grinning, Locke opened the doors. “Follow me into the royal chambers...”
Lina gawked. “We’re going to see the ruler?”
Nodding his head, Locke walked right in, walking along the hallway and plush red carpeting as they made their way into the cool room. It wasn’t what one expected, as besides the pillars from the floor to ceiling, the room was rather plane in appearance...
But at the end, sitting in one of two thrones, they could see a man. His blonde hair wrapped back in ponytail at the base of his neck, he wore what were obviously green and blue silks and leather armor chest-plate and thick-soled leather boots which were obviously intricately dyed to match the outfit. One could see that his dyed leather shoulder-pads were more for protection than to add to his frame, and were connected with a blue cape which seemed to smooth out flawlessly even was it was being sat on.
Terra hesitated as she approached, a part of her mind reminding her of something dangerous.
Lina watched both Terra and Locke moving forward and continued on with hesitation. She stopped at what she felt was a comfortable distance and reached out gently grabbing Terra’s wrist to hold her back. She wanted the girl to stay safe too.
Continuing forward so he was right up to the throne, Locke and the man then seemed to exchange numerous words for a bit, whispering to each other. Lina frowned. She’d normally read lips, but Locke had his back to her, and was blocking her sight of the other man from where she stood.
After a minute or two, the man got up from his thrown and took some steps towards the two women. Stopping at only two feet away, he looked Terra up and down with an appreciative gaze. “You mean, THIS young woman...!?”
Terra stood there, uncomfortable under the scrutiny but taking in strength with Lina’s presence next to her
The man continued to walk around Terra, examining her. “Green hair, pale complexion, excellent ass...” He nodded his head. He walked back to Locke. “It has to be her...”
Terra flushed bright crimson from having her posterior complimented.
“Hey!” Lina shouted, not liking how he was sizing up Terra back there like a piece of meat. “Who do you think you are!?”
Seemingly startled for a moment, the man said, “Oh... sorry!” He apologized before turning back to them with a smile. “How rude of me to turn my back to a lady!”
Lina raised an eyebrow. Who was this nutcase?
Somehow reading Lina’s expression, the blonde told them, “I am Edgar Roni Figaro, King of Figaro Castle, the Golden Sea, and South Figaro.”
“Hey, girls,” Locke said, grinning. “Surprised someone like me knows a king?”
“I am,” Edgar said with a nod of his head.
“Me too,” Locke agreed, nodding his head.
“Mmmhmm,” Edgar said, again nodding his head.
“Yuh-huh...” Locke said, nodding his head.
Slowly, Lina turned to Terra. “Nuts. They’re both nuts...”
Terra could do nothing but nod her head in silence, staring at the nodding men.
Finally, after a full minute of acting like bobble-heads, Locke stretched a moment, before letting off a yawn. “Well.... Talk to you later!” And with that said, he was already walking away.
“HEY!” Lina shouted. “Where are you going?”
“To hit the Library,” Locke said. “I’m sure there’re more books here than the last time I visited three months ago.” He gave the two a thumbs-up. “And relax. Edgar will behave himself.”
“But...” Lina sighed as Locke was already up and off, leaving the two women with the King of this Desert Castle.
“So...” Edgar said slowly as he continued to eye the green-tressed woman. “You’re an Imperial soldier?” He asked her curiously.
“I...” Terra started and gulped, averting her gaze from his. “So they tell me.”
Edgar gave her a calming smile. “No problem,” he told her seriously. “Figaro and the Empire are allies!” He proclaimed, his voice carrying a tone of pride, and his hand carrying off a trip to lightly fondle her ass. “Please relax while you’re here. It’s not in my blood to harm a lady.”
“But I see it’s in your blood to harass one...” Lina glared as she saw the King goosing the poor amnesiac girl’s rounded posterior.
Terra blushed even harder and took a step back from Edgar, unnerved by his attention. “Look, why are you helping me?” Terra asked slowly, trying to change the subject off from her butt. “Is it because of my... abilities?”
Smiling at the woman, Edgar said, “I’ll give you three reasons: First of all, your beauty has captivated me! Second... I’m dying to know if I’m your type...”
Lina snorted. “Pervert.”
His eye twitching for a moment, Edgar continued. “And... I guess your... abilities... would be a distant third.”
The poor green-tressed woman just stared at Edgar in surprise. “......? What’s with you, anyway?”
Lowering his head in defeat, Edgar let out a depressed sigh. “Guess my technique’s a bit rusty...” he grumbled to himself before lightly walking off and leaving the two women alone.
Lina once again snorted. “Never turns his back on a lady, my ass...” the redhead shook her head in disgust before turning to Terra. “Hey, are you all right?”
“I... he...” Terra lowered her gaze to the floor. “He actually wants to help me... and not because of my abilities.” Of course, the fact that he wanted to get into her pants went completely beyond her.
Lina sighed. “You and me need to have a serious talk...”
Terra looked up in confusion. “About what?”
Letting off a sigh, Lina told her, “About the birds and the bees...”
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(Posted Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:12)
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