Side Joren: Clarinet A

1

“Are you ready, Clarinet? I think we have our target.”

Clare opened her eyes and basked in bright sunlight. She quickly adjusted the hood of her cape and moved closer to where Virgilia was crouching. In the distance, far into the middle of Joren’s crimson dunes, was a lone carriage pulled by a hulking lizard in armor. So bizarre, this world. Ryota never said anything about how alien this place appeared, but then again all he saw was the Great Bridge. An architectural wonder, no doubt, but not the only one in this world.

“What about our other target?” Clare asked.

Virgilia turned to look west, her eyes glowing slightly. Magic. “It’s just as our informant from the bazaar mentioned. A small group of lizard riders is about to intercept our target.”

“You think they’re Elesian spies?”

“Probably. I don’t think it matters as far as our mission is concerned.”

True… Clare watched as the lone carriage slowed to a stop. It was as if they knew about the incoming danger. Maybe there was some kind of sensory magic at work. And just like that, the carriage turned east as if to get away.

“Did you sense anything?” Clare asked.

“No, my gift doesn’t work that way,” Virgilia said as she stood up. “But I think you’re on to something. If we don’t move now, our target will get away. If not from the Elesians, then from us.”

“What do you think we should do?”

“Get on your lizard mount and try to reach our target.” Virgilia slowly lifted in the air, trails of lightning coming out of her feet. “I’ll distract our so-called spies. I’ll even fight them if I have to. If you manage to make contact with our target, tell them your partner is taking care of their pursuers. We need them to trust us.”

“You sure you can handle all of those riders?”

“I can just fly away if it gets too much. The point is to lead them astray. Good luck.”

Without waiting whether Clare agreed with her plan or not, Virgilia shot off in the direction of the riders, a wave of sand exploding where she stood. Clare had to cover her face and look away.

Clare clicked her tongue in annoyance. Why the hell was she partnered with that woman anyway? They were too alike than Clare liked to admit. And it wasn’t fair Virgilia was ‘born’ with the gift of magic, while she was simply ‘good with a sword’. Stupid arbiter. Even Ryota was given magic last time he was here. Who wouldn’t want the ability to fly freely in the skies?

“Ahhh, fine!” Clare stomped towards the armored lizard crouched behind her and took its reins. “Focus on the mission. Survive. Get the reward.” It was the same mantra she chanted when she was first thrusted into this ‘champion of fate’ business.

At least Clare wasn’t juggling three part-time jobs anymore. With the money she won from the lottery she was practically set for a very long time. She could finally focus on her music—on her dreams. But before that she needed to get herself out of this mess. It’s what got her the money, but it kept putting her life on the line. Not to mention her time.

Clare jumped on the lizard’s back and it roared happily as it got up on all fours. “Let’s see how fast you can really go.” She looked east and saw the carriage getting smaller by the second. “I’d strangle that merchant if what I paid for you wasn’t as he touted. Let’s go!”

Focus on the mission. Survive. Get your reward.