Day 2

"Bandits," I whispered, nudging Jellal. For a scary second, he didn't move. Was he dead? "Jellal!" I whispered-screamed.

Sleepily, he looked at me with his beautiful olive green eyes. "Hmm?"

"Bandits," I repeated.

He tried to get up but was obviously in pain. His wound appeared to be reopened. I pulled him up and helped him mount my horse. I guided Jellal and the horse deeper into the woods, where we waited.

"Cover me with the blanket," Jellal instructed. "If the bandits want anything, it's going to be me."

Obeying his command, I pulled the cloth blanket out from the sack and draped it over his body. The two bandits slowly approached me.

"What are you doing so close to Bosco?" the first bandit asked. 

"None of your business," I snapped.

"This looks Fioran," the second bandit added, pulling at my scarlet cloak. I slapped his hand away.

"We're simply going to..the village," I made up. "To visit family."

"I see," the man said, staring at my horse. He strode over to where Jellal was hidden and grabbed Excalibur. "Then why is the king's sword with you?"

I couldn't risk Minerva finding out Jellal was badly injured from these two, so I instinctively yelled, "Akwele seo magdp!"

The two bandits flew backward, collapsing into a tree and landing in a bloody heap. I looked nervously at Jellal, who stared blankly at me.

~ ~ ~

"Tell me where Jellal is heading!" Minerva snarled, grabbing Gray by the collar of his tunic. Gray and Natsu had both been captured by Minerva and were struggling to free themselves. A simple guarding patrol had turned them both in prisoners.

"Tell me!"

"Never," Gray growled. "Threaten me all you want. Kill me, even. I will never tell where my king is."

"Will you tell if I do this?" she asked, smirking. "Rhysta."

Gray's face turned a sickly pale as he felt an invisible hand squeeze his neck. He cried out in pain, gagging and choking.

"Stop!" Natsu screamed. "Stop!"

"Make me," Minerva hissed, dragging the tip of her blade across his cheek.

"I'll kill you!" Natsu shrieked, lunging at the woman. Minerva simply reappeared beside him.

Finally, the salmon-haired boy wiped away his tears and whispered, "Listen! He's going to the Lakes of Avalon! Let Gray go!"

And with a flick of her hand, she let Gray's lifeless body fall to the ground. Natsu let out a strangled sob, hugging his friend's body to his chest.

Minerva did say she would let Gray go.

And she did.

Just not alive.

~ ~ ~

It was night. Once again, I had Jellal seated comfortably on the ground, where I treated his wound with the painkilling herbs Porlyusica had given me. We were pretty close to Avalon now, and we weren't going to stop.

"Erza," he said finally. "If you had magic since you were born, why did you come to Fiore?"

I looked at him, pleased he was speaking to me. "Bosco was a great kingdom, but at the time, Ivan Dreyar was ruling. He was a terrible king, and there were terrible people there. Mira and I left for Fiore. Magic wasn't allowed here, but at least it's safe."

"How many times have you..used it here?" Jellal asked weakly.

I laughed dryly. "Hard to say. The first time I really used magic was when that statue came alive."

"You really weren't kidding when you said you saved me more than I would I ever realized," he mused, staring at me with wonder.

I nodded modestly.

"So you cheated."

"What?" I asked in surprise.

A small smile flickered across his lips. "When we went to the bar together and that guy bet you five thousand jewels you couldn't roll ten sixes on the dice. You used magic to do that."

I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah.."

"And your juggling skills?"

"Not so good without magic."

"And when you stole food?"

"Huh?"

"Was that you?" he asked with amusement. "So I wasn't going crazy?"

"Yes, that was me."

"I have one more question," Jellal said, hesitating. "Did you use magic to make me love you?"

"Never," I promised.

Then, with great difficulty, he managed to sit up and kiss me.