Chapter 4: Tzen or BUST!
                        ------------------------

Natasha left Nikeah the next morning, after having some breakfast.  It
was great, just like the soup.  She would have to remember this place in
the future.  Or maybe not; if she stayed here, she would get fat quick.
Nothing made Natasha laugh harder than a woman who was trying to flirt
but didn't have the looks to do it.  She didn't want to laugh at herself.

After telling the innkeeper good-bye and packing up all of her things,
Natasha started due south.  She knew that Tzen was quite far; it would
take her a few weeks, assuming nothing slowed her down.  Sword drawn, and
always ready for anything, Natasha left Narshe.

* * *

Nightfall came, and Natasha had just made it to Tzen... or what was left
of Tzen.  The town was a shambles; a still-standing wall was a rare
sight, with the exception of what seemed to be a few emergency shelters
in the center of the town.

There were some people walking around, all looking dejected.  When
Natasha asked for Rooks, she was wearily pointed toward a small shack set
somewhat apart from the shelters.  Running in a dead sprint, she reached
the shack and banged on its door with both fists.  An old man answered.

"You're late," the old man said.

"What?" Natasha replied.  "Are you Rooks?"

"Indeed."  Rooks opened the door and invited her in.  "And you are
Natasha.  Looking for some information on whereabouts of your parents,
right?"

Natasha's mouth dropped.  "How did you..."

"I know many things."  Rooks laughed.  "And I see much.  You will find
out what you want, for I have seen your destiny."

Natasha smirked.  "But I guess you can't tell me."

"No, I cannot," Rooks answered.  "All I can really tell you is that you
are closer than you think."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Natasha asked.

"I can tell that you think you're not even close."  Rooks smiled.  "But
you are."

Suddenly Rooks grabbed Natasha's arm and turned it up.  "Look at the
blood in your body.  Surely you realized that you are special!"

"No."  Natasha looked down.  "I am not special.  I'm just your typical
beautiful town flirt.  There are a million of me."

"You are mistaken, Natasha."  Rooks patted her on the back.  "There is
only one Natasha, there is only one of anybody.  No two are the same.
You are more special that you realize.  I figured that you would have
found your inner strength.  You are indeed strong.  I've watched you
fight, but your training in the martial arts was not really necessary.
You have other abilities that you will find, in time."

"Are you saying I should give up my training?" Natasha asked.

"No," Rooks answered, "Any type of training is excellent.  Back in the
days of Espers, wizards trained to learn magic, knights trained in
swordsmanship.  Your training is too well developed to give up.
However, in time, you will learn you have another ally, besides your
strength, speed and training.  That is all I can tell you.  I have
prepared a room for you to stay the night, if you wish.  I suggest you
do."

Natasha looked up at him.  "I will."

Rooks grabbed his cane.  "Good.  Here is something you will need to look
at."

Rooks pointed to a desk where two maps laid on the top of it.  One map
was of the world.  The other map was unfamilar to her.  Natasha looked
at it puzzled.

"That is a map of the World of Balance," Rooks said, "Before that fiend
Kefka took over the world.  You must compare both of them very carefully
if you wish to proceed in your quest."

Natasha began to study each of the maps as Rooks showed her to a cot in
the back room of the shack.