[Saphire Reign]

As the sun came over the horizon, my eyes opened. Alec was nowhere to be found, so I was stuck with a sleeping Maneka. I stood up; it was a beautiful crisp morning. I felt something behind me and turned, Alec was standing at a tree “Lecto, wake up!” The little Maneka jumped up “What master, what?”
“Can you smell that?” Lecto sniffed the air several times then jerked his head back “It smells like Raco. How long has his sent been close?”
“To long.” I sat silently listening to the conversation, Alec glanced at me “I suppose you would like to know what we are talking about?” I shrugged my shoulders “I figured I would ketch on eventually.” No expression played on his face so I knew I needed to be careful about what I said. Lecto grabbed his little cane and stood next to Alec “What do you plan to do with this “human”?” All he did was stare at me.

Finally he sighed “She can come with us but you need to watch her, Lecto.” I raised my eyebrows “I honor my promises. I won’t run but you might want to watch your back.” Lecto’s eyes got huge and he freaked “You can’t talk to master Alec like that! Master Alec she can’t talk to you like that!” I looked at Lecto weird “I can talk to either of you however I want.” Lecto slowly turned Alec. I was kind of getting nervous. Alec turned and started walking down the road. Lecto followed close behind. I waited a few seconds, sighed, and followed.

After about ten minutes of walking, Alec stopped “We should see him come out right there.” He pointed to the left of the river. All the sudden a guy looking similar to Alec came out from the left of the river. He stopped when he saw us. Three others came out behind him. The guy, Raco, put his arm out in front of one of the girls. Raco spoke first “What are you doing here, Alec?”
“Wondering what you are doing here.” Raco caught my eye “And who’s this?” Alec stepped in his line of sight “How is your Mestalgo doing?” Raco growled, a smile played on Ales’c lips. Lecto spoke “Master Alec wants to know where Chikao is.” The other guy who had come along with Raco smirked “Apparently Alec needs someone to talk for him now.” One of the two girls, also with Raco, hit him on the shoulder. I smirked and Lecto jerked back at me so I stopped. Raco drew his sword “Do you have any information about Chikao?” Lecto growled, “I just asked you the same question!” Alec put his hand on Lecto’s shoulder “Enough Lecto.” He turned his head toward Raco ȁ tle Brother, how fairs your search for the crystals?”
“It’s none of your business.”
“So, you lost them all to Leah and she gave them to Chikao, right?” I could see Raco’s face tighten at the name of Leah. I peaked my head around Alec “Yo, Raco, how many what are these crystals?” The girl who had hit the other guy on the shoulder cringed “Well, the crystals run these worlds but he’s still missing a few.” Raco glanced at the girl “He doesn’t need to know a thing.” Alec chuckled “I wasn’t even the one asking.”
“Yeah, but you put the questions in her head.”
“Gee whiz brother I don’t brain wash people. Besides this girl here tried to kill me yesterday and I didn’t know her before that.”
“Why the heck is she standing behind you then?”
“We made a deal.”
“You made a deal with a human that would keep her with you?” Alec sighed “You know what, we could fight about this all day but instead I have one question to ask.”
“What?”
“Have you ever come in contact with a Hemolo named Katsutoshi?”
“Katsutoshi. I don’t think so but you never know.” Alec rolled his eyes and turned “This was a waste of time and energy.” He started walking down the river, Lecto following close behind. I stayed for a second and looked at Raco “Are you his little brother.” He looked at me weird “Yeah, did he really make a bet with you?” I nodded, he shook his head “That’s very unnatural of him.” Lecto yelled “Human, come.” I turned and started after them, yelling “I have a name.”
“Get over it human.”
“Humph.”