Gians of Giri

Chad's Visit

"I don't get it, where is she?" Thaelos wondered out loud. "We have been everywhere."

"I'm tired." Karie announced from his back.

"You've been on my back the entire time, Karie. You have no reason to complain."

"I'm also hungry."

"Why don't we take a break?" suggested Olina. "It's almost noon."

"We also won't get anything done on an empty stomach." Dava agreed. "Taking a break might be helpful. After all, we will have fresh eyes when we come back."

"You have a pointed." Thaelos cupped his hands and called to a skateboarding Soona. "Hey, Soona!"

"Yeah?" She called back.

"We are going to get a bite to eat. Are you coming?"

"Yes, be right there." Soona skateboarded to the group and they went into a restaurant. The group sat down at a table. They chose their dishes from the menu: fish for Dava, Olina, and Soona; vegetables for Karie; and some steak stew for Thaelos. As the group waited for their food, they talked about what happened. "I can't believe Mayna drove her away."

"I don't think it was on purpose." Dava commented. "After all, Mayna couldn't have known that Venia would be there."

"Speaking of Mayna, shouldn't he be with us?"

"Why?" Thaelos asked. "What good would that do?"

"She was the main opposition to Venia. If she was here, maybe Venia wouldn't be hiding."

"Can we still call her Viki?" Olina suddenly requested. "I liked it better when everyone still used her nickname."

"Sure, Olina." Soona ruffled Olina's hair and the little hummingbird put it back to normal. "We can do that. So how can we find Viki? Should we ask around?"

"She left pretty early this morning, I think." Dava said. "Brother Ronin or Sister Tera is usually up first. But neither of them saw her."

"She must've gotten up really early, then." Karie said. "I hope it's just for a couple of days. I want her here for the holidays."

"Isn't it a bit weird though?" Came a voice. A Dian boy with grey skin and black hair with black eyes came up to their table. He was wearing black cloak, pants, and boots. His tunic was grey. "Searching for someone you barely know?"

"Who are you?" Soona was on the defense.

"May I sit down?"

"Sure?" Soona looked at Thaelos with a questioning look. The boy took one of the two empty seats.

"Don't worry, I've already ordered my food and I'll be paying for mine."

"That is great, but who are you?"

"I'm a Rogue of Shadows." The boy started to explain. "I am a traveler like Viki. I heard that you were looking for her."

"Yes, we are."

"I have been keeping tabs on her recently-"

"Do you know where she is?" Dava asked excitedly.

"No, sorry." Dava's face fell. "But I do have a few suspicions."

"Before you go on." Soona held up a hand. "what is your name?"

"Chad. Has she mentioned me?"

"Aren't you that guy that betrayed her and said he would give her information but didn't and just ran away?" Thaelos said, a bit of anger in his voice. Chad sighed.

"It seems she has."

"What was the information about?" Karie asked. "She wouldn't tell us."

"It was...something you don't need to know about right now." Chad said. "Point is, I recently lost track of her. However, I have gotten some information on a few Zikors that are around town."

"Lira, Kindle, and Jake." Thaelos said.

"Or Trio Leader, Fire, and Rookie." Olina added. "They used different names when referring to someone not in their club."

"What about them do you know?" Thaelos asked, as the food arrived. "Oh, this looks delicious."

"Let's pray, guys." Soona and the rest of the orphans held hands. Chad just folded his hands and watched. After Thaelos ended the prayer, he continued explaining.

"The Zikors seem to only be able to activate their crystal, or the thing that they will use to get back to Zokun, on certain days."

"When's the next day?"

"Tomorrow. It's a double full moon, remember?"

"Only on double full moons?" Thaelos asked for clarification on his thinking.

"No, full moons. Double full moons allow for an easier and less strenuous traveling though."

"Oh, okay."

"Yes. So most likely Viki is with them."

"You seem to care about her a lot." Karie said. "Why is that?"

"We are Rogues." Chad answered. "Along with being nomads, we have respect for each other. It's kind of like a mutual respect thing."

"I've heard of that." Thaelos said. "I'm a Mage of Stone, by the way."

"Nice to meet you."

"Thanks."

"So, to make this less awkward, are you ready for the ball?"

"We sure are. Are you going?"

"Yes. It's the holidays, so I've decided to stay in town."

"Good for you." Soona gestured to the others in her group as she got up to leave. "We need to leave now, what are a few of the places that Viki could be staying with the Zikor?"

Chad took out a sheet of paper and handed it to the bat aniji. "May the elements keep you well."

"And may you stay safe." Thaelos replied. Karie climbed onto his back as everyone ended their meal and left.