“Mrrrew. I still don’t think it’s such a good idea.” Sylbianna said as she put a book back in her bookshelf. She may have been young, but she was a talented Martial Magician, also known as Scholars in common tongue. Tamtu had fought alongside her in many battles in Al Zahbi and it was thanks to her stellar perception of battle situations that Tamtu and Sooraya were able to clear some situations with ease. Any other time Tamtu would’ve taken her advice to heart, but it was different this time.

Tamtu stretched out on his chair and put this hands behind his head. “I owe her that much. If no one’s going after her and the other captives, who will?” he said, gazing at the ceiling which, in the usual Aht Urhgan fashion, was also decorated with golden tints.

He hopped from the chair and pouted at Sylbianna. “No one can do aaaaaa~ny~thiiiiiing for my poooor Najelith, Sylbie….Nobody waaaaants tooooo…”. The scholar sulked and looked at Tamtu.”I-I’ll come with you.”

FLASH.

“MRRREOW!!!!” Sylbianna staggered backwards, rubbing her eyes. “Tamtuuuu. W-w-w-what was that for??”

Tamtu smirked and patted the Mithra on the head. “I told you. I’m going alone. You’ve helped me out enough already. I promise I’ll keep the map in one piece for you.”

“B-be careful, okay?”, the scholar whispered.

Tamtu smiled and nodded. “Always, Sylbie.”

()~()~()

“Kweeeeeh!”

Tamtu fed a San d’Orian carrot to the rental chocobo as he walked it to the gate. He made sure the reigns were secured tightly, since it was going to be quite a trek to Halvung. He double checked his gear, made sure he had a warp scroll with him for Najelith so they would be able to get out of there easily.

“Tamtu!!”

He couldn’t see who it was because the Chocobo was blocking his sight. Tamtu peeked between the bird’s tailfeathers and saw Gaweesh catching his breath.

“Weesh? What’s up? Why aren’t you at your post?”

Gaweesh set his turban straight and handed over a beautiful dagger. “You’re going, right? Give this to her.”

Tamtu took the blade into this hand and looked at it. It was Najelith’s. “Did she lose it in the battle?”

The adjutant nodded. “Maybe you could even make some use of it, since…you know..” he said. Gaweesh looked irritated, but it was obvious that it was because of the bounds of his duty as the Najelith’s second in command, not because he was jealous of the White Mage.

“I’ll bring her back.” Tamtu said as he mounted the yellow bird. You keep doing your thing here, Weesh. She’d be disappointed if you didn’t!”

A quick jolt off the reigns and the chocobo speeded of into the Wajaom Woodlands.

“Gotcha….”

()~()~()

The forests surrounding Aht Urhgan were thick and hidden paths were everywhere. More often than not, Tamtu and Sooraya had found them by chance, saving them from certain death whenever trying to support Imperial troops stationed all over the continent. Going to Halvung didn’t require any shortcuts. It was generally straightforward, as long as you kept heading towards a watchtower to the north.

Chocobos were brave creatures. They were always able to outrun many monsters, keeping their riders safe from harm. Altana was kind to bless her children with these birds, who would never stop until their masters were where they needed to be. It was in little things like these, and thanks to his religious upbringing in the San d’Orian cathedral that Tamtu was able to appreciate the world around him so much.

One of the special things in the world was the watchtower he made sure he stopped by at. He dismounted the chocobo and prepared a small meal for it. Things would especially be dangerous from here on out, so it was only wise for both of them to take a break. Tamtu sat down against the gate and unwrapped a rice ball and some dumplings for himself. This was where he first met Najelith and where they shared stories of their lives together.

“Breathe easy…and keep your eyes focused. You’ll know when to let it go.”

Archery. He never imagined he would get into it. But it made sense, for some reason. One of his best friends was a Ranger. Nightbird’s constant boasting about how efficient he was eventually rubbed off on Tamtu. But he would always face reality in the end. Financial reality, to be exact.

“A wind crystal, some arrowheads and the right type of wood….”

Najelith provided him with a solution, since she saw he had some proficiency in synthesis and showed him how he could easily keep his wallet ready for other things. It was easy to pick up archery with the Aht Urhgan resident. With the basics that Nightbird had taught him before it was only a matter of time until Najelith invited the white mage to join her in the occasional hunting in the thickets or woodlands. During those times, he understood why so many would follow her lead. But it was particularly the tales they had waiting for eachother that developed such a strong bond between the two of them.

()~()~()