You may not know

You may not know
Why you are the way you are.
You may not know
What makes you You.
You may not know
Why you have all your little imperfections.

All that people tell you
Is that that is how it was meant to be.
You can’t understand
Why people see you the way they do
Like you’re not quiet one of them.

There is no way to see
The way that people think about you.
There is only the feeling of
Complete loneliness.

But in my world
There is no perfect person.
You will not be judged by the way
You look or act.

There will always be someone to
Listen when you have a problem
That you can’t quiet find
The perfect answer to.

In my world there will be no:
Sad endings,
No angry feelings,
Only the hope that
The future will be better.

So why not come
And join me
In the place that was made for
Anyone that seeks answers.

Why not come and join me
In a world that is like no other.
In a world that is of no compare .

This world of mine may
Not be perfect
But it is close enough.

You may come and go as you please.
And you may find who it is
That you are supposed to be.
So what is there to loose?
Why do you hesitate?

You could find the person that
Is most like you.
Though I will not promise that you
Will find all that you are looking for,
Or that you may find
What you really didn’t come for.
You may also get the answers that
You did not want to hear.

You may not know why you are coming
Or why you do the things the way that you do
But I want you to know
That there will always be someone
There for you when you have a problem
And will listen to anything
That you have to say
With an open mind
And no judgment to pass.

Mommy don’t you care?

You hardly say “I love you”
You never give me a hug or a kiss goodnight
You poke and prod at my feelings
You say such awful stuff

Do you care at all about the way I feel
You never ask how I am
How my day has been
You ignore me no matter how much I try to talk

There is a nagging feeling inside that says that this is not right
The things you do, and the things you don’t
All the things I wish you did
The days that you set me in front of the TV

It seems, that the things you say are meant to hurt me
You say you should have let me go
Give me to my father
This all should have happened years ago

You never held me as a young child
Your time was short when it was with me
You said that you were busy
when I wanted to spend time with you

I tried to tell you that I needed you
But you never listened
I cried in class because I wanted to stay with you
You sent me to my dad’s even when I begged you to let me stay with you

All I wanted was to be close to you
All I wanted was to be shown the love that I deserved
All I wanted was what the other kids had with their mom’s
But all I got was neglect

You said that I was pressuring you to spend time with me
I wrote you notes to tell you that I needed more time with you
You said that I had this constant need to be with you
You made me feel guilty about my need for you

Now I begin to see as I get older
What you did to me
In a way you made me stronger
But you made it so that I didn’t trust

I can’t get close to anyone
Or anything
There is something inside that makes me feel imperfect
Like you intended this for me

I keep everything inside
The way I feel
Every little thing that you do in some way hurts me
There is little that I can do
All I wanted was the time with you

Now there is little said between us
We barely talk at all
You say that every thing you did was for me
But I think it was just another way to hurt me

There were the little things that you did
The ones that were meant to hurt me
There were also the times that you were all mine
But those times were few and far between

Now that I am living with my dad I hoped that it would change
The way that you treated me
The way that you talked to me
But all of it is the same

Mommy don’t you care about the way that I feel
Don’t you care about the way that you hurt me?
Don’t you care about what is best for me
Don’t you care about the time that was wasted?

Mommy don’t you care?

Be careful, it’s my heart

It’s not my watch you’re holdin'
It’s not a note I sent you that you quickly burn
It’s not a book I lent you that you never return
It’s my heart
The heart with which so willingly I part
It’s yours to take, to keep, or to break,
But please, before you start,
Remember to be careful, it’s my heart.

Table of contents

Chapter 1 – A Voyage Unknown…………………...……………………..………6
Chapter 2 – The Desert……………………………………………….……...18
Chapter 3 – The Stranger……………………………..…...................................28
Chapter 4 – The Voice…………………..…………………………….……..38
Chapter 5 – The Girl………………………..……………………….….……48
Chapter 6 – The Beast………………………………….……….…….…….58
Chapter 7 – The Hunger………………..……………………………………66
Chapter 8 – The Cave……………………………………………..…....…..75
Chapter 9 – The Creature………………..………………………...…………85
Chapter X – The Pain…………………………………...….….………..…….90
Chapter X1– Eldon’s Fate………………………………...……..………......…95
Chapter X2 - The Doctor……………………………………………………103
Chapter X3 – A Broken Heart…..…….………….…………………...……..111
Chapter X4– The Mystery Man….………………..……………….….……121
Chapter X5– A Mystery Solved…………………...…………………...…….131
Chapter X6 – The Secret………………………………………….…..……141
Chapter X7 – The Letter…………………………….…………….…..…..152
Chapter X8 – Getting Away from the Castle………….…………..……….…..162
Chapter X9 – The Book of Spells………………………………....……….…172
Chapter X0 – The Captain………………………..………………………….185
Chapter XX1 – The Argument………………………………….…………….195
Chapter XX2 – Leaving Once Again…………………………….……….…....202
Chapter XX3 – The Ship and Crew……...……………………….…….....…..211
Chapter XX4 – Setting Sail………………………………...………...……216
Chapter XX5 – Lara’s Dream Guy……………………….…..……............….220
Chapter XX6 – Land!..............................................................................................223
Chapter XX7 – The Plank…………………………….…………….….….226
Chapter XX8 – The Dive……………………………….…………….….233
Chapter XX9 – The Snoop…………………………………………………238
Chapter XX0 – The Pirates Son……………………………………….…….244
Chapter XXX1 – The Life Changing Question……………………………….…248
Chapter XXX2 -- Getting Ready…..……………………….………………253

Chapter 1

A Voyage Unknown

It is a dark and eerie night on the thirteenth of May 1358. The first quarter’s moon cast a mysterious glow across the treetops, surrounding the castle in which I live. Shadows dance across my floor as the breeze gently teases the immature leaves that have sprung from their buds but days ago, and the sweet aroma of the freshly blooming flowers lingers through the cool night’s air.
I awake to my beloved brother, Eldon, shaking my arm and whispering my name softly into my ear. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Once fully awake I quietly got dressed. I have been waiting for this day for what seemed like an eternity and maybe even longer.
On this particular day my brother and I are going to set out to hopefully find our eldest brother, Galen. My parents, whom we can hardly get to talk about him at all, say that he was taken when he was only a child, not quiet old enough to take the crown. I was only a baby and Eldon could not remember that far back. He was but a toddler when Galen mysteriously vanished. Now that we are both old enough we are going to find the person that wrecked our family almost two and a half decades ago.
I had written our mother and father something the previous night. Before we left I remembered to place it on the pillow on which I lay my head each night. I am sure that my mother will find it when she came up to greet the new day, as she has done since I was four.

It read:

To our Dear Parents,

You have raised us and gave us protection from the wind and the rain. I love you more then you will ever know. You may never see us again, but know that you will always be on our minds.
Contrary to what you may think, Eldon did not push me into this, as he has done many times before. I am the one that thought of going. We need to go and avenge our brother’s death. This has been the tragedy that has made us grow so much apart, and we must take the problem into our own hands to fix it.
Do not blame this upon thyself. You were great parents. You gave us more then we ever needed.
You will never find us, so do not try to look, you will have no success. We know not where we are going ourselves.
You have taught me well so do not worry thyself to death over this. It is only a mountain that we have to cross on our own.
I want you to have another child so that the baby may take over the kingdom some day when it is old enough. As we know not if we will ever return to the home that we both love with all of our hearts. It hurts me to do it this way, but this was only way, sorry. Keep your face to the sun and you shall never see the darkness that surrounds you in this painful time.”

Love
Always
Alana LaCombe

My name is Alana Faye LaCombe. I am twenty-five. I stand at 5’7”. I am a dark elf but look nothing of it. I have long blond hair, with blue eyes which have little specs in them to make them appear to be purple, and a fair complexion. My form or image is very rare as well. Dark elves are said to be extremely hideous or ghastly. But that describes none of my outward appearance, or so I have been told by many. Although, I can be very crewel minded.
I am an unusual elf, not just in appearance, but I am full of mischief and wonder. I like to get into things. When I am around the people that I know and love I am very talkative. I am very out spoken, which the only problem with speaking your mind as some of you may or may not know is that it can sometimes get you into trouble. I am able to speak many languages and often use this to my advantage.
I am hardly seen at the balls that my parents like to throw. Although, I will dress up to surprise my parents occasionally, I hardly dance. This is because I really don’t like being in a huge crowd. I never have, which makes it kind of hard to be a princess.
I like to just take off on horseback. To me this is soothing and somewhat relaxing. The day’s angers and worries seem to be swept away with the wind. I go as far as the wind takes me; and it leads me a little further each time.
Eldon on the other hand, is more the royal type, but he is quiet and tends to bite his tongue, even when he has something very important that he would like to say, but he also has his times when he goes out into the town and lingers with our people, which doesn’t help him stay on Father’s good list.
He looks more like a dark elf. I don’t mean that he is hideous, in fact I hear from many people as we ride through town that he is quite handsome, and I myself if I were not of his blood I may think the same. He looks more like an elf; he has dark brown hair which is cut short and curls up at the ends, his copper color eyes have gold specs in them that can make you forget all the problems that you have when you look into them. His height is 5’11”. He is twenty-eight. But still acts very boyish at times.
He has on a black tunic, paints and boots; he also has on chain mail gloves. Very few women are aloud to wear chain mail. The clothing that one would wear was based on his/her class.
As I look out the window I see three horses. Two of which are black, the other is brown. I plan to ride one of the black ones.
I slip into a deep green dress with a silver band around the middle. It was one of my favorites. It was more suitable.
But Eldon thought Are you dumb in the head, that dress will defiantly give us away. He signed then went on You knew that we were going as peasants. We have been planning this voyage for how long? So I had to change into a burgundy peasant dress, which showed my figure well. I already have my bags packed as did Eldon.
We left; it was still very dark only the moons light to lead our way. The dirt road away from the castle was a very smooth ride. The trees cast unnatural shadows on the road sides.
I was on my horse. I have had her since she was a colt. I named her Jadis. Eldon rode Rosac. Rosac was also a black horse. I call him Fulteen. We put our baggage on Fulteen before we had left.
Let me let you in on a bit of a secret, Eldon and I are sorcerers, well I’m a sorceress but they do basically the same thing. We do more than just mix potions. We command the power of all things, but we are the best at nature. We can do just about anything. We are applied to agents of both good and evil. But we have never told a soul of our amazing power. Not even our parents. We fear of what will happen to us if word gets out. (Hence the telepathic talking near the beginning of the story)
We have ridden for almost a good days worth. The sun is now more in the west as we came upon two beings that resembled humans. They walked on foot, with no horses to carry them.
As far as we could tell by looking around we are approximately…in the middle of no where. So we thought that they were looking for a place to stay. There is a town two days riding time up ahead. I have been there but once when I was very little.
“Good day stranger or rather Good-night.” Eldon said in a sly yet mocking tone.
“Yes and also to you. My name is Torin. This is my friend Quentin. We are traveling together. What might we be able to call you?” said the taller of the two.
“My name is Eldon…and this is my sister Alana. We too are traveling together. You are welcome to join us if it would please you.” Eldon said and I thought that he didn’t have a brain in his head.
What are you thinking…you have no idea who those people are, only but their names. Who are we to know if they are trustworthy? For all we know they could turn us in. You know as well as I that Mother and Father will come looking for us and will do everything in their power to find us. I don not see why you would risk that?
No you do not see sister… they have been in front of us this whole time and must have pasted through our town days ago. There is no way the Mother and Father would have known then what we were planning to do unless of course you told them?
“We would enjoy that very much. I believe that we need someone else to talk to besides each other.” Torin said excepting the offer.
You know I would do nothing of the sort. I have been waiting just as you have and I would not jeopardize that by telling. You, being me brother, should know better than that.
Then it seems to me that you should trust my judgment. I would not do anything to jeopardize this as well, and you should also know that. Eldon thought.
Who put you in charge of all this?
Well since I am the man on this trip, whither you like it or not, it is only my duty to take the lead.
Alright, very well, I will just have to live with it. I thought giving in, to drained to argue anymore.
I am glad that we have come to an agreement.
As am I. I thought. It was then that I started to observe the new people that have joined our group. This conversation between my brother and I had taken but a moment.
Torin had shoulder length blond hair and forest green eyes, which are as enchanting as a forest. He stood a little taller than I did but shorter than Eldon. We were right in our guessing they were in fact humans. Quentin was a little shorter than Torin. Not by much only an inch or two. His blond hair a little bit shorter than Torin’s as well. But the eyes were almost identical, Quentin’s were more of a washed out green. They looked like they had seen their share of the world and there was almost no life in them. I honestly thought they were brothers.
“Where is it that you are headed?” Eldon asked them quickly
“We are looking for a far off land unknown to all.” Torin told us.
I quietly got off my horse so that they could have a rest from walking. Eldon pulled me up onto the back of Rosac.
Quentin has still yet to day a single word. They put their baggage on Fulteen and jumped onto my horse. We could only ride for a short time when all of a sudden almost out of no where it got dark. So we were forced to set up camp. It was barely light enough to see what we were doing when Eldon said that we were to stop. We slept until the sun came up over the treetops, well they did, but I on the other hand couldn’t sleep.
The next few days past without much of anything important. Torin talked with Eldon, and Quentin and I just sat there listening. A little bit after we started on the trail the third day we came to the town. It seems like a small town from the look of it. We came to a sign that read Cordial town of Aaron. We went into the town not intending to stay.
The men went off on their own. So I went to the nearest stable to buy horses for Torin and Quentin. I found a brown horse with a black mane and a black tail; I decided that one was for Torin. Then I found one that was light brown with a dark brown mane and a dark brown tail for Quentin.
I went looking for them, but couldn’t find them, so, I went and did a little shopping of my own. I bought some more dresses and Eldon a new tunic and pants. The dresses that I bought were not something that would give us away. Although there is this one dress that I looked at that is very much to my liking. I also bought a new bag to put it all in.
As I walked out onto the street it hit me. If I knew Eldon as well as I thought I did then he would be in the tavern.
I was right. As I walk up I can see Jadis and Fulteen. I walk in, not really knowing what to expect, and there they were. I have to push my way up to the table and in doing so sat down. I knew Eldon would not be mad that I bought the horses, for he is the one that told me to do so. I told Torin and Quentin that I had something for them. We all get up and go outside the tavern, were I show them the horses that I have just bought. They are so overwhelmed that they really don’t know what to say. They thanked me a hundred times and more. Torin pulled me aside before we went back into the tavern.
“I will pay you back whatever you spent for these horses.” As he said this he is pulling out a sac.
“No you will not, the only payment I want from you is your word that you will stay with us till the end. Along the way I am sure that you find little things to do for this payment of yours, but I will take no money from you or Quentin. Do you hear me?” I am firm and stand my ground. He finally agrees but I can tell that he is displeased that I am not letting him pay for the horses.
Eldon said that that’s what we were going to say in this kind of situation. We didn’t want anyone to know that we had to money because we were rich. Although we did save most of it from whatever money we got from our parents.
Eldon and I have been planning this voyage for a long time. We have saved a lot of silver and gold. We are not sure how much we would need.
We go back into the tavern and sit down at the table. I keep seeing Torin and Quentin; mostly Torin looking at me through the corner of my eye. We must have sat there and talked for a long time. We learned some interesting facts about them. Like when Torin was very little a robber killed his parents. From then up till now he has spent his time with Quentin. Quentin lived with his grandfather. We didn’t know why. He didn’t get into it. I don’t blame him. They left because his grandfather suddenly died. Quentin was given everything that his grandfather owned. So they had enough to make the journey.
We said very little about ourselves. We figured we would tell them when the time was right. If there ever was a time. But we did not lie about what we said.
Quentin still had not said much and I was starting to worry about him. So I asked Torin, he said not to worry about it, Quentin was always that way, but I still worried a little.
We must have lost track of time because when we left the tavern it was black, so we found the nearest inn until morning.
I was the last one to get up in the morning, but still got very little sleep. I told Eldon that I wasn’t wearing the peasant dresses any more. He just shrugged and left. So I got dressed, it wasn’t silk or anything fancy. It was a deep green color, much like the other dress, but plainer, it was also one of my favorite dresses.
We went and ate at the tavern. We all got fried eggs. After we were done we left town once again on the road. We rode for a long time in the deep thick woods of Hugyu. It was hard to see through all the thick branches.
Torin and I talked most of the way, mostly because we were on the same horse. Torin’s horse got its leg caught, and twisted it, but it was not very bad. Still it could barely hold its own weight let alone Torin’s. So I lifted Torin up onto my horse. We just tied his horse to Fulteen. Fulteen was tied to Eldon’s saddle. Eldon was in front of Quentin who was in front of us.
Torin and I talked about almost everything. Like where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, things like that. Torin and I became really close on that ride. Not only because we were really close being on the same horse, but in a friendly way that I had never had before.
When we finally got into a clearing we saw nothing but sand and dirt. No trees, or wildlife, well, not yet. If only we knew then what was to come upon us in the near future.

Chapter 2

The Desert

We rode for so long and hard but it still turned dark before we got into the next town, so we were forced to set up camp. I didn’t get much sleep because the ground was harder than a rock. I hadn't gotten good sleep since we left the castle.
When we left Torin was still riding with me. I fell asleep a short time later, Torin was really comfortable and I just could not keep my eyes from closing, he made such a good pillow. My eyes got heavier and heavier. I finally gave in. I fell back on Torin. He was a little shocked; he jumped a little when I fell back. I opened my eyes to see want happened, but only could keep my heavy eyes open for a few seconds. Torin looked at Eldon, afraid of what he might do to him seeing that it was his sister that is sleeping on him, but he just smiled.
The ride was so smooth. I could not even feel the horse moving. I heard nothing, not even the men talking. They did there best to keep quite. I only heard the soft humming in my head; I was in such a deep sleep. I must have been asleep for a long time, because when I awoke it was almost dark. I did not even wake up when Torin moved me. Which I found out later that he had done.
Suddenly the horse reared up, and I, still being limp, flipped over Torin. I fell to the ground, landing on my back. The pain shot throughout my body. The horse took off into the night. Torin was still on its back holding on as tight as he could, afraid to jump off. Quentin rode after him.
Eldon jumped off his horse, landing on his feet, he ran to me as quickly as he could. For he and only he knew what would happen if I was not tended to quickly, but he wasn’t fast enough.
I started to transform. I threw my head back as the medium length, black fur covered my entire body, my eyes turned a bright yellow color that could look right through you, fangs grew from my mouth, and huge paws replaced my hands and feet. I fell to all fours, slashing at Eldon. He dodged my huge paws and the long claws that where attached. I hissed and growled at him. He tried to get close to me, but failed many times which was starting to make me even madder. I batted at him more, and then suddenly felt so weak.
I lay down, but kept my eyes on him. He sat in front of me looking deep into my eyes. I started to calm down slowly but not enough to change back; he put his hand on the top of my head as he talked to me telepathically.
Hey there now, you know that you have to calm down. I have to look at you back to make sure there are not major injuries and you know very well I can’t do it with you like this. Besides what do you think that Torin and Quentin would say if they came back and found me talking to and petting a creature like you? He was right and I did know what would happen.
I feel so weak and there is still so much pain. I don’t know if I can calm down even if I wanted to. I really do, really. I thought as I purred.
Why do you think that I am here? Just for looks, just close your eyes and listen to my voice. He said as he waved his hand in front of my eyes. “Selep!” is the last thing that I remember him saying to me.
He was putting a spell on my so that I am able to calm down. It is very hard for me to forget the pain that is surging through my body. At this point he is able to change me back to my normal form without me having to use any of my energy. First my eyes then the fangs, then he lefts me up so that I appear to be standing. This helps the rest of the transformation. Once I was back to normal he lays me back down on the ground in a more comfortable position. It takes a lot of strength to change into the Black Beast. Is has taken hours to calm down before, but most of the time Eldon just put the spell on me so that your parents wouldn’t see me like this. For some reason Eldon could calm himself down and he rarely transformed to begin with.
Just then Torin and Quentin came riding up behind Eldon. “Is she okay?” They asked.
Eldon simply says without looking up, “In time.”
You see this is the drawback of being sorcerers, I turn into the Black Beast if I am hurt or mad, and a small black cat if I am sad. When I am the Black Beast and standing on all fours my head is just below Eldon’s chest. Eldon turns into a huge sea green dragon if he is hurt or mad; and a little black lizard with a green strip down his back when he is sad, which I have only seen him turn into once, but that is a completely different story.
The men set up camp. Eldon told them that when I fell I hit my head, so I would be out for a while, he was lying but I could understand it this time. I do not have any idea how long I was out. I could have been out anywhere from a day to a few days. All I know is that as I woke up I found my self in Torin’s arms so that I wouldn’t fall off Jadis. I rubbed my eyes and shook my head before I said anything. I found it odd that Eldon would have Torin hold me instead of doing it himself. This could mean one of two things: he trusted Torin quit a lot or there was something that was wrong with him that he could not hold me up. I don’t think that it was the first one because of the fact that we have only known them for a short amount of time and with Eldon it take a lot for him to trust a stranger.
By this time we were coming upon another town, Torin motioned for Eldon to come over to him. Eldon took me off the horse and told me to walk. “You need to walk form here.” He said aloud then added telepathically. You must regain the strength in your arms and legs.
I fell when he first put me down, but got back up. I stumbled along beside Torin; Eldon was on the other side of me. I had hold of Jadis’s reins, just to keep myself balanced. The first few times I fell Torin was there to help, but Eldon told him to let go. Quentin was in back of me. Quentin looked concerned, but said nothing as usual. To be honest I was more concerned about him then I was about myself. The closer we got to the town, the better I walked and felt.
Why was he holding me and not you? I thought to Eldon.
Because I have been up since you fell to make sure that there was nothing else wrong with you and I didn’t trust myself to hold you in fear that I would fall asleep and I know that if the happened then we would both fall off. He thought back.
Thank you for looking after me.
Any time.
As we entered the town I was walking like normal. Eldon told me to get back on the horse with Torin, so I obeyed. Torin lifted me up onto Jadis; a few people asked if Torin and I were wedded. We got tired of answering, so we just nodded, and give a joyous look. You see it is hardly seen that a man and woman would ride the same horse unless they were married. Even then they do not ride together often.
This town was bigger than all the others that I had ever seen.
Eldon’s first question was, “Where is the tavern?”
“I don’t know go look for it.” I said after getting off of Jadis. Quentin and I went off on our own, because Torin went with Eldon. I was in front of Quentin as we rode the horse through town.
It was then that Quentin started to open up to me. It seemed to me that he didn't want any one to hear because he put his chin on my shoulder and talked softly into my ear. We rode for sometime before we stopped at any stores. During the conversation he told me: “The reason that I lived with my grandfather is because I when I was younger I was left there for the summer. My parents were to come and get me in three months time. They never showed up, it was some time later that I found out that a drunken psycho stabbed my father to death, and a few days later my mother killed herself from the loneliness.”
“I had no idea I am so sorry.” I felt really bad for him after that. That’s why he wouldn’t drink while we were at the tavern, and that’s why he wanted to go with me instead of Torin and Eldon. It was all coming to me now. I understood him for the first time since we meet them.
I thought Quentin to be the handsome kind not too handsome but just enough to keep the ladies looking in his direction as he pasted by. But Quentin had some really good qualities that I had never seen aside from my father. Like honesty, trustworthiness, you could depend on him, responsible, reserved, and not really out spoken like most men are. Yes, Torin had some good qualities as well. I can depend on him, and so far I can trust him. He too is a good man. I wish I could tell Torin and Quentin the truth about myself I feel like I am lying to them. It just doesn’t feel right. They opened up to me, but I can’t open up to them. It’s becoming hard to find anything to talk about now because we have covered all the basics.
Quentin and I went in to all the stores that we could find. I slipped away from Quentin long enough to go back to the black smiths. I had told the black smith to save some special things for me.
I walk into the black smith's shop. “Ah you are back. I was beginning to think that you were not coming back to get these.” He said as he handed me the things that I was going to buy. I had told him to save me four swords and two daggers. I had pointed out to him which ones I had wanted. I picked all silver weapons. I got two daggers for myself because I am a good two-handed dagger fighter. My sword was more delicate, it had four light purple, almost white stones and three light blue diamonds on the handle, and the diamonds went in a pattern purple, blue, purple, blue, purple, blue, and purple. It was really lovely and well made. Mine was the lightest but the sharpest, I made sure of that. I now have a bandage on my hand, but I barely felt it as I did it, I can abide a lot of pain if I am expecting it, unlike the horse.
Eldon told me to get him a plain sword. His sword had black winding circles on the handle, just as mine has, and it had a three-foot blade on it. All four of the sword blades are three-foot long, but his is the heaviest, simply because when we still lived at home he practiced with a heavy sword. That is one of the reasons why he is so strong. I picked one on the plainer side for Quentin. It had three white diamonds. Torin's was more masculine, it was heavy, but had two red diamonds on the handle.
“No, I would not leave craftsmanship like this behind.” I said as I paid the good man. I went to find Quentin, and found him a short time later, and I knelt down in front of him and presented it to him properly. I had also bought a belt and sheath for each of them and myself. I had my daggers and sword on me at the time.
Another thing that I bought that day was a long black cloak; it is as long as I am tall. That’s the way I like them so you can hide almost anything underneath. I also got it big so I had a little more room for my weapons.
We went to find Eldon and Torin, we knew where they were, the tavern. I told Quentin to go in and get them; he only came out with Torin. I gave them a puzzled look; Quentin told me that Eldon had left.
Torin said that “Eldon had gone to find someone. But he told my nothing else.”
I had no idea whom it was that he went to find. We knew no one in this area.
I knelt down in front of Torin and bestowed him with the sword. Also known as effects, I prefer to call them effects, but we all have our own way of talking. After I gave him his effects he thanked me graciously.
We set out to find Eldon; he to had bought a black cloak. We passed him multiple times without knowing it; he looked up and saw us as we passed him for the thousandth time, we nodded to one another and I took a knee. I presented him with his effects. He thanked me and we were off. Torin’s horse was almost healed only a few more days, four at the most. Eldon said that he had talked to a man, and he said that the nearest town was three and a half days ride.
We road until dusk and then set up camp. I slept a little better now that I was almost used to the hardness of the ground.
We had lizard for the first real feast since we left the castle. I was tired and went to sleep soon after we were done feasting.
I was up at dawn tending to the horses. I had also bought food and brushes for them. I fed them as I brushed them. Before I had fallen asleep that night, I took off their saddles so they would be more comfortable.
We rode two more days; they were long hot days, I was so uncomfortable and hot. I finally just gave in and grabbed some of Eldon’s clothes. As I stood behind one of the horses and took off my dress Eldon pooped into my head. What are you doing now? We are in the middle of nowhere, plus we are going to be coming to a town soon. Do you know what they will do to you if they find out that you are a woman?
That is why they won’t find out. I thought. Both the shirt and pants were baggy so I used some rope for a belt. I put my effects on, and put my cloak around my waist. My dress was put in with the rest of my baggage.
Eldon, Quentin and Torin looked at me like I was demented. I was the only woman to attempt and follow through with something of that sort. It was against the law for a woman to wear men’s clothing in these times.
I had to act like a man if any one passed us or we came to a town, most men wore their hair long but not like mine. So I took one of my daggers and cut my hair to about a foot below my shoulders. It was one of the most undignified things for a woman to do, especially the way I did it. I still had long hair for a man, but I was not going to cut it any shorter, I used a piece of rope to pull my hair up off my neck in a ponytail.
Now what are you doing? You really like to push it don’t you! Why are you dong this? Eldon asked.
I know what I am doing you will just have to trust me on this one. I though back. Now that is the end of it.
Fine have it your way. He thought.
“Aren’t you going to say something to her?” asked Torin.
“No, there is no reasoning with her when she has her mind set on something like this, plus she already knows what I would say to her if I said anything at all.” Eldon answered calmly.
The fourth day ended and there was still no sign of the next town; it took longer than the man had said. We set up camp and went to sleep. I got a lot more sleep then I got in the previous nights, I think I was the first one asleep. When we all got up, and ready, we started back on the trail.
I still had Eldon’s clothes on; it seemed that it was a lot hotter then the last day.
Later in the day, as the sun was setting, we saw in the distance someone on foot. I put on my cloak. It was getting cooler anyway. We rode faster to catch up to the person that was ahead.

Chapter 3

The Stranger

As we neared the stranger we noticed that the being walked hunched over like an Ogress. I have not seen one up close but had heard terrible things about them. I have heard that they eat people in one bite, and they only drink human blood. Also they have long sharp teeth that can bite through anything that they want to. Their jaw power is twenty time ours.
What do you think that is? It resembles an Ogress don’t you think? I thought to Eldon to afraid to speak out loud and not wanting the other two to know that I am afraid.
I am unsure of what it is, but I am sure that it is not an Ogress. If it was, it would have turned to us by now to see if we are friend or foe. He though back in a mocking tone, telling me that he detected the hint of fear in my voice. But at that moment something strange happened, the being just stopped. It stood there for a few long moments without any movement. Then it turned and looked right at us.
I told you that I thought it was an Ogress. But no you wouldn’t listen to me. What are we going to do now? You know how mean they can get.
Yes I know. But I still have my doubts. He thought then turned to Torin and Quentin. “I want you two to be on guard. I do not know what is up ahead of us. It may or may not be very pleasant. Do either of you know how to use your weapons to any extent?
“Yes.” They both said in unison.
“Good, and as for you.” He said turning to me, “Keep quiet Alana. That is all I need, is the law on our trail as well.” Eldon told me. That was going to be the hard part; I can only stay quite for so long. I had no time to change; we were too close to the being.
But can I fight? I thought
Sorry, not this time. But I promise there will be another time that I can use your skill, just not right now.
Why can’t I fight? You know as well as I, that if this is in fact an Ogress then you will need all the power that you can get. You also know that I am by far more powerful than those two put together.
Yes I know, but that is the problem. We don’t want them to know how good you are; do we? He was now using a tone that I knew all to well. It was the one of “drop the subject NOW”.
Fine, I will not fight this time. But you can count on me fighting the next battle. That is a promise. I always liked to have the last word and he had just gotten used to it. He will mostly stop after I say something like that.
I had put my cloak on; as the dark neared it brought with it the cold night air, which I did enjoy very much. The stars that looked so beautiful the night before did not accompany the moon that already shown brightly on this night.
We are approaching at an increasingly faster pace than before and Torin grasped me tight as if to protect me from the thing that we neared. All that is running through my mind right now is how little he knows of my fighting ability and that I am by far the best with a sword next to Eldon among all of us, and I also have my daggers that I like to use, which I am very good with as well. Even though I am good I have really been working with a sword. I am almost as good as Eldon, but it would be almost insurmountable. Besides, I like him protecting me, because then I do not have to fight. I can save my strength for when I really need it.
Now that we are almost on top of the being I can sense that there is no threat. I think Eldon could see it in my eyes when he looked over at Torin and me.
Now what are you thinking? he asked just to confirm what he already knew from my eyes.
I really don’t think that there is any threat in this begin. That is all that it is…a begin. But you know that I have been wrong before. So you do what you want. I do keep getting the picture of fur and claws though if that will help you any.
I will stay on my guard just in case and hope that you are right.
As will I…hope that is. I caught myself.
As we came up behind the stranger I could tell it was a man. Though I had never met this man I felt like I knew him like I knew Eldon, Torin or even Quentin, there was something familiar about him, like I had seen him in a dream that I could not place.
It is but a man. I though to Eldon. I know that sounds weird and that is the last thing that we thought that it would be but, that is all this is.
You are sure?
Yes. But still be careful, you know how they can be when they think that they are in danger or just in a bad mood. I thought jokingly to take some of the tension out of the air.
Don’t worry I will.
When we rode up beside him; Eldon gets down greeting him. He was the same height as Eldon; he lifted the hood of his cloak and pushes it back onto his shoulders, revealing a face that was surprisingly handsome.
He had ear length wavy brown hair, and his eyes were pulling me in; they were a cool hazel color, though they are more blue then gray. Looking at me I meet his eyes, it seems like time stands still for the quick seconds in which our eyes are connected. Although he can not see my face it is like he had placed my eyes, only my eyes.
Walking over to Jadis he takes my hand, giving it a quick kiss. It is as if he had the same power that I have, being able to see inside the person; knowing that I was female like I knew that he was male before seeing his face. It is then that Torin can’t hold it in any longer.
“What do you think that you are doing!” Torin yells as he jumps off the horse. “Are you really that stupid that you wouldn’t realize that when someone has a cloak on they don’t want your attention!”
“Torin, that is enough!” Eldon said sternly, which shocks Torin.
“I was just trying to put this person in there place. It seems to me that he needs it.”
“Well you may leave that job to me. When I need your help I will tell you.” Eldon voice was calmer now and you can tell that he was trying not to let his temper get out of hand.
By now it is getting very hard for me not to break into the conversation. I just had to voice my opinion. Do you know how hard it is to stay quiet right now? I am this close to saying something.
I know you just have to keep that mouth quiet a little longer. We can’t risk this, we don’t know who this is. For all we know it could be someone that knows us and doesn’t like us.
Well I have to do something.
Don’t do anything stupid! he said in a warning tone.
I untied the string to my cloak, push it off my shoulders, and let it fall to Jadis’s saddle.
The stranger quickly said, “I’m very sorry I had no idea.”
I nodded as if to say it was all right, and I proceeded to putting the cloak back around me. Eldon, who had put his hand over his face and shook his head for a moment, gave me a look that often meant that I had done something terribly wrong. Like that! What are you thinking?
I had to put him into his place in my own way.
Do you not have a brain in your head? I told you not to do anything stupid.
Since when did you become the person that told me what to do?
As soon as we left the castle I took on the responsibility.
Well you can stop anytime, I don’t need it.
Alright if you are going to be stubborn about it…
I am. He knew that there was no point in arguing any further and just gave up.
The man then said looking at Eldon, “My name is Rostlyn. I am from the town of Aaron.”
Eldon, simply told Rostlyn, “I will slit your throat if you do what you just did again. Do I make myself clear?”
Rostlyn got this scared expression on his face as he said, “As clear as the clearest lake.”
Eldon then introduced us all except me of course. He could not think of a name for me right then so he left me out. I guess that he thought that I had done enough damage for one night.
Eldon then said pointing at Rostlyn “You, you can use Torin’s horse.” Torin gave Rostlyn a long cold glare. Rostlyn shrugged back; I glanced at him without him knowing. He looks so hurt and confused. I feel sorry for him.
A few hours later we came to the town. It was so dark that we could not see ten feet in front of us. No one could really see anything, let alone me. I am going to go change back into a dress. I grabbed a dress out of my bag and tucked it under my cloak.
Good idea…in fact it is the first one yet. Eldon said sarcastically.
You know, you are not as funny as you think you are. I joke back.
We walked into the tavern, Eldon’s idea of course, but Torin had agreed with him. I went around the back of the building to change. Once I was done and looked halfway chaste, I disappeared then reappeared by the horses so that I could put the clothes away. I walk in, and the first thing I see is Rostlyn looking at me. He could not look away; it is almost like he was held captive in my gaze. Pausing slightly I think, Look at our newest follower. I glanced at Eldon and he was looking at Rostlyn. I came to the table, and he stood with a shocked look on his face. It was polite to stand when a lady comes and goes from a table. Torin on the other hand just nodded to greet me to the table.
Then Eldon introduced me to Rostlyn, “Rostlyn this is Alana, my sister. It was her hand that you kissed.” Rostlyn looked in amazement.
He then stammered. “You, you were the one that was wearing the men’s clothes? But why?”
“Because she felt like it! Why else would she do it? It wasn’t because she wanted to get killed.” Torin said, with that tone in his voice.
I glared at Torin, “Why do you have to be so mean!”
Torin sat back in his chair and glared at me with an anxious look. I looked at Rostlyn, and smiled.
“He did not mean it.” I said to Rostlyn.
You are doing to again. Eldon’s voice rang into my head.
What?
Not being what you really are…a girl.
Woman…and stay out of this.
Alright…your funeral.
Oh…you…are just jealous.
Think what you will. I know what you are doing.
Fine…you just keep thinking that. I ended the conversation like usual.
Rostlyn shrugged and said, “It won’t be the first time and it won’t be the last. Don’t worry about it.” He sighed.
“What can I get for you folks?” Came a voice from behind me. Quickly turning I see the waiter standing there. His hair is long and looks like it hasn’t been washed or combed in weeks. His pushed in face and bulging eyes are a common trait of the neiny. He is wearing a light green shirt that is torn in many places and pants that are in the same condition. His jagged green-yellow teeth are extruding from his mouth because of the way he is grinning at us.
“I’ll have just a Dwafen Mix.” I told him.
“Tall or short?” he asks as I watch him make a mental note of my order.
“Short for now.”
“I’ll have the same in tall.” Eldon announced.
“Do you have Blood Puppies here?” Rostlyn asks.
“Yes…is that what you want?”
“Please,” Rostlyn answers back, “could I have that in a tall as well?” the waiter nods and looks at Quentin who shakes his head telling the waiter that he doesn’t want anything.
“I will have the Dragon scale ail.” Torin finally said.
“All right…you want that in short right?”
“Why would I, I think that I can handle a tall!” Torin takes offence to the remark.
“Calm down, I was just sayin’ that no one has ever been able to finish a tall before.”
“Why?” I ask before Torin was able to get anything else out.
“Most of the time it sends them straight back to their mommy’s. It is that strong. I tell you what no man is stupid enough to have it twice.”
“I see.” I remark
“I still want it.” Torin said letting go of some of the attitude he had earlier.
“That is fine with me. I am just here to get your drinks. You sure that you don’t want anything?” he asks looking at Quentin.
“Yes…well do you have just water?”
“Yes I can get you a glass of that if that is what you really want.” The waiter is nicer than anyone that had ever waited on us before.
“Thank you.” Quentin said graciously.
We all sat and talked for some time about anything that came to mind. We left the tavern to find an inn; we found one and slept till morning, which was a few hours later.
The next morning as we left town Eldon told Rostlyn one thing, “You may ride along with us, if you would like to, I have no problem with it. But you will stay away from my sister!”
Rostlyn nodded and thanked him, Torin was not so happy; he didn’t like Rostlyn for some reason. It was bugging me because I couldn’t figure out way. There was nothing wrong with him that I could see inside or out, I have that ability, although I do not like it at times. I can see how a person is even before I meet them, I must have been a little off on Torin, I didn’t detect the temper that he had, it is often hard to tell how much of a temper that a human has. They all have so much of it. Eldon however does not have this ability.

Chapter 4

The Voice

It is the twenty-second of May now and the day that Galen had vanished two and a half decades ago. We are all riding close talking about, well the guys any way, woman. I am thinking to myself not really paying attention to what they are saying. How much longer until we reach the next town? I asked Eldon.
Oh I would say about three days ride. Why? He answered.
I was just wondering, that’s all.
You never just wonder. He said looking over at me.
Well there is always a time for everything isn’t there.
Yes, I guess that there is. He ended the conversation there.
After that I went back to what I had been thinking about, again not paying any attention to them.
All of a sudden I heard a voice in my head. I knew that it was not Eldon it seemed horse and old, almost warn from the ages. The voice was speaking to me in an old language that I could hardly understand. It whispered to me like a voice in my ear, Turn back, and go no further. If you try to pass this point I will hurt you and your followers. I am warning you. TURN BACK NOW! Before I had time to think or speak my horse reared up. Torin fell to the ground. I jumped off the horse; Quentin grabbed the reins before the horse could run off. I am at Torin’s side within seconds.
He groaned in pain “Get away from me. What do you think that you are doing?”
“Torin you know not what you say. Hush now and rest. It will be fine.” I sobbed with tears rushing to my eyes because I knew that this was entirely my fault. Then I realized I had to stop or I would change, I had to get away, I had to run far away, so that they would not see the beast that I am becoming.
It was almost as if Torin was reading my mind. As I let go of his hand he scolded, “That’s right, go. Leave me. I never want to see you again!” He had such hate in his eyes, as if he was possessed. He also had the slight hint of the old voice that was in my head. Is it he that is possessing Torin. My mind was racing but I had to run.
I got up, grabbed the reins from Quentin, and jumped up on my horse. Far into the desert I rode until I was sure that no one could see me. It took but a few moments to get there but my mind was still racing. I could not think straight. I was not only sad I was mad, furious. But the pain of his words, even though someone else’s, coming from his lips, hurt more than any anger could.
Why did I get all upset? I wondered. I don’t love him, I don’t, I can’t, and I won’t. I am not going to fall for him or any other that comes along. I told myself, over and over again, I climbed down from my horse. “Sit down. Sit down. Sit down Alana.” I said out loud to myself. As I sat down a tail grew, as did whiskers, I shrank down; paws instead of hands, fur grew. I meowed in sorrow. Tears fell as they wet my soft fur. “Calm down, calm down.” I repeated to myself in soft meows of agonizing pain. I sat for sometime saying calm down over and over again thinking of other things; finally I started to change slowly.
Eldon rode up beside me as I finished changing back. I jumped up at him. “I did it. I did it.” I yelled, “I finally did it, I changed by myself.” I had a big smile on my face.
“Congratulations.” Eldon told me, with a joking voice. “It is about time that you are able to do it on your own.”
“Hush up.” I snapped, “I may not be as strong as you are but I can still teach you a thing or two, besides you take the fun out of everything.”
“Sorry, I did not mean it to be fun taking.” Eldon mumbled.
“It’s fine, just don’t do it again.” I scolded using the same joking voice that he had used before.
“
We got back on our horses and rode off, back to Torin, Quentin, and Rostlyn. I was not looking forward to seeing Torin at all. How could he say that to me? I am like a best friend to him besides Quentin; I don’t think you could separate them for more then a few hours.
On our way back I told Eldon about the voice that I had heard before the fall. “It was telling me to turn back. That it would hurt all of us. The voice had a strange sound, like an old man that had the voice of ages and he spoke in a tongue that I could barely understand.”
“It was a warning.” Eldon told me, “If you hear it again tell me.
“I would have sooner but before I could say anything the horse reared.”
I was expecting to find Rostlyn hurt or even worse dead. Knowing Torin, the protective person that he is, or was before today I could see him hurting Rostlyn if he was well enough. Eldon was proud of me, although he did not say anything about it. I have conquered the cat, now if I can only conquer the panther.
As we came into view of where we had left the men we noticed a tent; it was white and looked very small. As we came closer we could see that there was no one around, we rode up to the tent and breathed a sign of relief when Quentin came walking out.
The tent was so much bigger now that we were beside it. I was on my horse, and the tent was still a few feet above me. Quentin welcomed us back as though we had been gone for years. I found his reaction very odd, I could see Torin doing that, but not Quentin. It was like he did not want us to go in the tent. Like he was up to something, it was very suspicious. I could not figure it out; I knew something was not right.
I finally just pushed him aside. I felt bad but I could not take it any more. I walked in and saw Rostlyn holding Torin in his arms. A surprising scene, but very cute at the same time. It was only a few seconds later that I realized that Torin was not breathing. Eldon had not yet come in; I could hear him talking with Quentin.
“He did not make the fall.” Rostlyn said. “I did all that I could but there was no way that I could save him with the injuries that he suffered.”
Why is he so upset? I wondered, only later would I find out. “Give him to me and get out.” I commanded, “Send Eldon in and stay out, you and Quentin have to stay out!”
He ran out of the tent as I clutched Torin in my arms. I tried to keep from crying, but as I looked into his lifeless face I knew it was my fault, entirely my fault. If I had only listened to the voice none of this would never have happened. Eldon rushed in as if his pants were on fire. It was very funny, but I could not bring myself to laugh, all I could do was cry.
“He is dead, and it’s my entire fault.” I sobbed, “Please can we help him, please, I need…” My voice trailed off as I looked up to see Eldon looking deep into my eyes as if trying to read my mind.
“I know that you need him here, or at least you think that you do. But I am unsure if we will be able to help him. I don’t know how long he has been dead, or even if his spirit is still close enough to save.” Eldon said uneasily. “I believe that he has feelings for you but he need to know the truth about your feelings. You can’t hurt him like all the others that have fallen for you. You have to see him everyday and I don’t think that you would be able to live with yourself if you hurt him like this. You know how I feel about these kinds of things. Even though I am only your brother I need you to understand that he is not the man that you will spend the rest of your life with. You know that when we find that guy for you I will let you know, but Torin is not that guy, nor any of the others that we are traveling with.”
“I know that you have that power but it would help if you told me this before I go and fall hard for someone. I just can’t help but know that this is all my fault. I should have stopped as soon as the voice came into my head.”
“Alana, calm yourself, you know what will happen if you keep on like this.”
“I don’t care, how would you feel in my place?”
“Alana, you know that I am behind you all the way and that I am here for you, but you need to know that this is not completely your fault. Lets just drop all of this and try to help him.” he said motioning to Torin.
Eldon took Torin into his arms and looked at him. He could not know for sure if there was any hope for him at all. He only knows that he had to try. There was no way that he could let this man die on his time, without him trying everything that he could.
I walked to Eldon’s horse to get our bag that had all of the potions that we had made in it. We had tried to think of every thing that could go wrong and make a potion that could counteract it. It is better to be safe then sorry.
“I tried, I really did.” Rostlyn said as I past him.
“I know that you did, but it is our turn just stay put.” I went back into the tent and gave the bag to Eldon. He took it and started to dig through it looking for a specific jar the contained the drink that he wanted. He pulled out red water looking substance and opened the lid. As soon as he did so I could smell the aroma of life.
Eldon was very quiet through this whole procedure and told me to do the same. He was trying to concentrate on Torin and I knew that I had to do the same.
When he finally spoke he said only this, “Keep him close to you until he wakes, I think that we were able to help him this time but next time I don’t know that he will be so lucky.” Eldon got up and walked out of the tent glancing back as he left.
I sat in silence for a few minutes after he left then started to talk to Torin. “I know that there is no easy way to say what I am about to tell you but I know the you will understand where I am coming from. It you can hear me, I just wanted to tell you that I don’t share all the feelings that you have for me. I care for you like a friend and nothing more.” I am no longer looking at him but rather at the side of the tent. A few seconds after I looked away I heard soft moaning and felt life in my arms once again. I looked down and found him staring into my eyes.
“What happened? Why am I so weak?” His meek voice filled my ears. “And why are you holding me?” He questioned.
“Everything is just fine now, you will be fine. Just lay back and relax, you need your strength.” My voice low as I explained this to him. “Let’s just say…you were in a deep, deep sleep and I had to wake you up before you faded away.” I smiled. He closed his eyes and went limp once again.
When I reopened them I could not move, I was motionless Torin stood above me. Suddenly Torin fell on top of me as if he was being pushed but did not try to stop himself. I did not realize until he landed on top of me that he was dead. He had an arrow in his back, I screamed in fright. We had just saved his life and now he is dead once again.
I tried and tried but still could not move. I finally gathered all my strength and tried to move my arms. It worked. I lifted them and was able to push Torin off me. I sat up, then I got to my feet; I took a step, then another and another until I was outside the tent.
I saw Eldon, Quentin, and Rostlyn lying on the ground dead. A fire lit with no one to watch the orange, red, and yellow flames dance in the ring of stones. I knelt down beside Rostlyn and looked into his face; it seemed so cold and lifeless.
“How could I have slept through something of this sort?” I wondered. “And how did I survive? Why didn’t they kill me?” I bent down and kissed Rostlyn ever so softly on his brow. I did the same with Quentin. As the tears streamed down my face I realized that I was not changing, this was odd to me. I walked over to Eldon and knelt down beside him then took his hand in mine. I kissed it ever so gently, “Sleep in peace my brother. I will see you in the next life if there is one. I love you with all the many pieces of my heart.
“I can’t sleep in peace if you keep talking to me.” Eldon moaned. I stepped back, shocked as I awoke.
“You’re alive!” I shrieked as I hugged him. It was then that I realized that I was sleeping.
“I was never dead.” Eldon moaned; Rostlyn shot up like a ball out of a cannon.
“What’s wrong?” Rostlyn exclaimed. Not knowing what was going on.
“I think I was dreaming that you were all dead. It was horrible. You were all lying on the ground lifeless.” I explained. “Torin! Where’s Torin?!” I shrieked. I ran back into the tent, I saw him lying there in the spot that I had been sleeping, he was still breathing.
I sat by the fire with Rostlyn, Quentin, and Eldon. I couldn’t stop thinking about the dream, most of the time my dreams predicted the future near or far. This really troubled me; I did not want to see this happen again.
Rostlyn offered me some lizard, but I refused it. I was in to deep of thought to think of food.
“Leave her alone, she has had a trying day.” Eldon commanded. He could see that I was deep in thought and was not in the mood to be bothered.
Eldon took me up in his strong arms and carried me back into the tent. I lay awake for the longest time thinking about the dream. The only thing that I could not figure out was why I couldn’t move. I thought about that most of the night. I drifted off before the sun rose up over the hills that were to the east of us. The first thing that I thought of when I got up was Torin; I had to see if he was all right.
He beat me to it he was standing over me when I opened my eyes. It kind of startled me, but I gave a weak smile. That was all I could do at that moment.
When we all got up, we headed off again into the vast desert. Not knowing what tomorrow might bring, or the challenges that faced us.

Chapter 5

The Girl

Kicking the sand up behind us as we rode. I am still thinking of my dream. I rode with Torin because Rostlyn was on my horse. Eldon does not trust him yet, I don’t blame him. Plus I wanted to stay close to Torin just incase there is something that Eldon and I had missed when we told him that he was fine. He is still a little weak and I am still worried.
“Alana, are you all right?” I heard Torin ask. He had been talking to me, but I had not been listening. I think he figured it out when I did not answer to his questions.
“I am fine.” I answered. So he went on talking, not taking any note of what I had just said.
I could not stop thinking about that dream. I could not move. I thought for some time. Before I knew it we came up to a town. This town was like no other I had seen; it had a wall all around it, and there was a guard at the entrance; the guard wore a shining metal suit of armor.
I got down from the horse. Torin tried to stop me but he was too late. I walked up to the guard. As I got closer, the guard seemed to shrink in size. When I was standing in front of the guard he came up to my chest, this surprised me a lot.
“My I please pass? I need to get in there right away.” I said as I pointed to the town behind the wall.
“I am under strict order that no one goes in and no one goes out.” The guard answered. It was then that I noticed something strange about the guard’s voice; it was that of a woman’s.
“You do not understand I must get in there. There is someone that my brother and I must speak with. It is of the greatest of importance.”
“It is not I that do not understand it is you. I told you there is no one in and no one out.” She scolded me.
“Look, Abby, I need to go in there to see someone. It is very important.”
“How do you know my name? Do I know you from somewhere?” She questioned.
“No, you don’t know me.” I answered.
“Then how do you know my name?”
“It’s complicated. Look I will give you anything that you want. I just want to pass. Please I beg you.”
“Fine you may pass…but you must earn it.”
“What...how?”
“You must fight me and win.”
Alana don’t do anything stupid. Eldon’s voice came into my head.
Would you let me deal with this. I think that I can beat her.
There is no reasoning with you is there?
No.
Fine do what you want.
Thank you.
“Will you fight me or will you walk away and not look back?” she asked impatiently.
“I will fight you.”
“Alright choose your weapon.”
I drew out my sword and held it in front of myself. She did the same. “It looks like we are ready to begin.” I said examining her weapon. It was plain, nothing special; it looked like the one that all the nights carried. I just wondered why she was a knight. It is almost as bad as a woman dressing like a man. “Shall we begin?” I asked a few seconds after she drew her weapon.
“The sooner I beat you the sooner that you can leave.” She answered in a full of herself kind of voice.
“You sound very confident that you will beat me. I would be the same way if I had a suit of armor on and my opponent had only cloth.”
“As you wish.” She said as she started to take off the armor. Her figure was like mine and you could tell that she had muscle. There was no doubt in my mind that it would be a good fight. I knew that she had to be an excellent fighter if she was in the position that she was in. “There now it is more fare.”
“Yes I would say that it is.”
Our sword swung together and the fight began. Her foot work was perfect and the way that she handled the sword was impeccable. She gave me a challenge and I would say that she is almost as good as Eldon. The fight went on for a long time. Neither of us able to break the others defense. Go to the left…no the right…come on you are not even trying. Eldon came into my head.
You are not helping me go away!
You are not fighting as good as I know that you can. Step it up. I know that you can beat her.
You are distracting me.
Wrong I am helping you
No you are not! Get out of my head NOW! There was no way that he was helping me. I could not concentrate on what I was doing with him in the background telling me what to do. While he was in my head I mad e a few curtail mistakes and if she had been a few seconds fast could have taken my life.
I could tell that we were both getting weak and it was only a matter of time before we would have to strength left at all. The sound of clashing metal was now the only thing that I could hear and I knew that I had to beat her. I am getting to weak. I thought to Eldon.
Sorry I can’t help you, you went in to this thing all on your own.
Thank you so much for all your help. I thought sarcastically ending it.
“Alright…you win…I can’t go on any longer.” She said a few swings later.
“Good, I don’t know how much longer that I could go. You are by far the best that I have seen.”
“Thank you, are not all that bad yourself.”
I think that we should take her with us. I thought to Eldon.
Don’t you think that we have enough people right now with us?
Well I would like a woman to talk to. It does get kind of boring with all you guys.
You do have a point.
I know that I do, plus you saw how she fights we could really use her if we get into a battle.
Yes I believe that you are right if she wants to come I think that I can allow it, but no more people.
Alright.
“From seeing your skill I do believe that we would have a good advantage with you by our sides. I guess what I am trying to say is will you come with us. I could use the company of a woman and I think that you would get along wonderfully with the rest of the guys.”
“I do believe that I will take that offer. I want to get out of here. See new things. You know, have adventure.” She answered after a long while of thinking. It was very important that we leave quickly. We must meet a man that is to tell Eldon and me what we need to know. But first we need to go and see the wizard that had talked to me the night before.
“Well you will defiantly find it with us.” I said with a smile.
“Good, I am glad that you feel that I am good enough to travel with you.” She said as she opened the gate.
When she led us into the town we saw people scrambling along the road that went though the town. I could not figure out what was going on. There was no order in the town. It almost seemed, from the way that the people were running every which way, that there was some sort of panic.
“I want you to look after these three.” I said to Abby as I pointed at Torin, Quentin, and Rostlyn. “We will meet you back here when we are done.”
“That sounds good.” Torin answered.
“Are you Abby?”
“No, why would you ask me that?” Torin answered sounding a bit confused.
“Because I was talking to her and you answered.”
“What am I not aloud to talk now?” he asked getting mad.
“Keep these two away from each other.” I warned her as I pointed to Torin and Rostlyn ignoring Torin’s last remark.
“I will do all that I can.” She said as I started to turn around.
“Thank you, we will return as soon as we can.” I said over my shoulder.
As Eldon and I made our way through the crowd, the people shoved me and stepped on my feet. There was no way of pushing them out of the way, so I just stayed very close to Eldon because I feared that if I was separated from him that I would get lost. There was suddenly a blur of colors as we vanished from the crowd. For what seems like a long time I can’t see a thing. I felt a hand grab my arm, I look to see who it is, but I still can’t see a thing.
We repair in a dark, wet place that was unfamiliar to us. I looked again to see who was holding my arm…just Eldon; I breathed a sigh of relief. But the relief was short lived; Eldon clenched my arm tightly as the shadow lurked towards us. I did not know what to expect. It might be a troll. I thought at first. No, it’s too small.
Then I saw it; it’s ugly face staring back into mine. Its breath was fowl; I was face to face with a goblin. Its green skin made mine crawl; its beady eyes looked back and forth from Eldon to me. I couldn’t look away. I was under its spell; its smell reached my nose. It was the worst smell in the world.
Don’t move, Eldon thought, Don’t talk.
I knew at that moment that we were reading each other’s minds.
Fine smarty how are we going to get out of this? I thought.
Well there is only one of him and to of us.
So? Oh, now I see what you are getting at. I thought as I made a quick grab for my daggers. At that moment it became war. I slashed at the goblin, and Eldon who had already had his sword out, finished him off. I stabbed him once more just to be sure. As I did this more came running at us, more then we could handle. As we started slashed and stabbing a figure came out nowhere. He was on our side, I think. After he killed the first one they all started running away. I did not get a good look at him. He vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
There was green ooze all over the wet floor and us. The smell still lingered in the air. I dropped my daggers to the floor. As I did this someone came walking toward us, the being walked slowly and with a limp of the left side. Eldon must have seen it to, he was on one knee.
While you are down there could you grab me my dagger? Hurry and get up that could be another one. Let’s go. I thought as if scolding him.
This is the wizard that we have come to see. You need to kneel in his presence. He is more powerful then we are.
At that moment I dropped to my knees in hopes that he had not seen the mistake that I had made.
He walked up to me and put a hand out, and said in a soft and soothing voice. “You may get up my child. I will forgive you. You may forget what you have done, for I in time will forget as well.”
“Thank you for our kindness.” I said as he helped me to my feet. Eldon was already standing.
Out of nowhere a table and four chairs appeared. All of which were made out of wood.
“Are we expecting someone?” I asked looking at the fourth chair.
“Yes, but do not worry right now about what may happen in the future. Worry only about what is happening now.” He announced in a deep voice as if to scare us. “My name is Klaus. I am the wizard that you have come to talk to.” He could tell that something was troubling me. “What is it my child, you look troubled.” His voice soft and worrisome once again.
“I have just been thinking of something in a dream I have recently had.” I answered.
“Well just listen to me now and I will hear you later.” He looked at the chain that I wore around my neck. Attached to the chain was a silver fairy. She was holding a vile that contained a magic dust. It was given it me at a young age. I was told that it was the dust of life. If I only had known how much that this little vile could do.
I fingered the pendent as he looked at it.
“Do you know what that is for?” he asked.
“My mother told me that it is the dust of life. As long as I kept it save the world would be save.” I replied.
“Your mother is only half right; it is also the dust of strength.”
“I do not understand.”
“The strength can be used in two different ways. It can be used as physical strength or mental strength. But only you will be able to use it. The way you use it will define you as a person, if it is used for good or evil. But the real strength comes from within. Use it…” He was cut off as a puff of smoke appeared behind us. The smoke was taking any air that I had. I started to choke.
When it finally cleared, a tall man stood where the smoke was just moments ago. He hid his face under a long brown cloak. But I could see his eyes staring back into mine. His eyes were as cold as ice, as was his heart.
“Is this the person that we were going to meet with?” I asked looking at Eldon; almost hopping he would say no.
“I don’t know I can’t see his face.” He answered not taking his eyes off the stranger.
As he said this the man lifted his hands to reveal bear-like claws. I knew at that moment that we were face to face with the most deadly creature to ever walk the face of this world and those to come, and it was lowering the cloak that covered the eyes that were still locked on mine. My heart pounded.
The hood of the cloak fell to the shoulders of the beast and I gasped, with horror.

Chapter 6

The Beast

It didn’t take me take me very long before I realized who it was.
“Rostlyn?” I asked after a few short seconds just make sure that it was who I thought that I was. “But… how…the paws?”
“I will explain it all later. Right now we need to talk about what I came here to talk about.”
“Hold on one minute,” Eldon said, still amazed at the sight before him. “This is all too odd.”
“I will explain, but later.” Rostlyn repeated, “What I have to tell you now is very important.”
“What is it?” I asked, impatiently.
“Please let us have a seat first, and then we can talk as much as we wish.” Klaus said before Rostlyn could say anything.
“You will face many different paths. I will not always be there. I am going to give you something that will help you when you come across these difficult paths.” He said as he pulled to little pouches out from underneath the cloak, both black velvet. “Do not open them until you need them.” He warned. “Use them only if you need them.”
“How will we know when that time has come?” Eldon asked.
“You will know.” He answered.
“Is that all that you had to talk about?” I questioned.
“No, there is one more thing that I have to say and then I must get back. I know who you are and why you left your home. I will not say anything to the others, I am not he one that you need to worry about.”
“What are you saying?” Eldon asked.
“If you are not careful the identities that you have worked so hard to conceal with come out into the open.”
“Who it is that we can’t trust?” I broke in. “Is it one of those who are traveling with us?
“That I can not tell you, only that you must be very careful in the future and try not to do things out of the ordinary.” And with that he vanished as quickly as he had appeared.
Eldon and I stayed to talk with Klaus for a short time after. He gave use two jars. Both had a mini dragon in them. Eldon’s was per black, while mine was blood red.
“Alana will you stay here for a few minutes after Eldon leaves?” He asked. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Yes, I will stay.” I said as I turned to Eldon. “I will catch up with you.”
“Fine, if you must. But don’t take very long; remember the others that we came here with.” Eldon replied.
“Yes, I remember.” I answered. Then he turned and walked away.
I turned to Klaus, “What do you need to talk to me about?” I asked with a questioning look on my face.
“Your dream.” He answered.
“Were should I begin?” I asked.
“At the beginning please. If I am to help you I will need to know everything that happened.”
“Well here it goes.” I said before starting. “Before I went to sleep Eldon had laid Torin beside me so that I would not worry so much about him and I would be able to get some sleep and my strength back. When I opened my eyes I could not move, I was motionless. Torin was standing above me. Suddenly he fell on top of me as if he was being pushed but did not try to stop himself. I did not realize that he was dead until landed on top of me. He had an arrow in his back. I had just saved his life and now he is dead once again.”
“Wait one moment, you saved his life? How?” he asked sounding very interested.
“Well it was not just me, Eldon help. Actually he did most of the work. I was too weak to do it. On a good day I could have done it all by myself. My powers have matured faster than his.”
“But how did you do it? I have never heard of just a sorcerer, or sorceress in your case, being able to do something so difficult.”
“It is very simple, you say a few choice words and you give them a potion and then you wait, it takes only a few moments.”
“Well it seems to me that you two are no longer what you say that you are.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that you may be able to be considered a Witch, and in Eldon’s case a Wizard. There are very few people that are even at my level of experience and still can not do that.”
“Well I will then take that as a complement, and I shall pass it on to Eldon. I thank you very much.”
“You may go on now with your story.”
“Thank you, now where was I, oh yes I remember.
Finally after trying for a long time I gathered all my strength, and I moved my arms. Once I was able to move them I pushed Torin off of me. By the time I got to my feet I thought I would go back down again, I was so tiered. I took a step and another till I was outside the tent.
I saw Eldon, Quentin, and Rostlyn lying on the ground dead. All three of them were shot with the same arrows that Torin had through him.
A fire lit with no one to watch it. I knelt down beside Rostlyn and looked into his face. It seemed so cold and lifeless.
I asked myself how I could have slept through this. I bent down and kissed Rostlyn ever so softly on his brow. I did the same with Quentin. As the tears steamed down my face I realized that I was not changing, this was odd to me because you see when…”
“Yes I know you change forms.”
“Yes, so back to the story, I walked over to Eldon and knelt down beside him then took his hand in mine. I kissed it ever so gently. Then said ‘Sleep in peace my brother.”’
He replied with a smart remark and it was then that I knew that I was only dreaming.”
“What part is puzzling you my child?” He asked.
“I could not move. That is what troubled me the most of all. That probably sounds like a strange thing to worry about, seeing how most of my dreams like this actually happen.”
“So there are other things that troubled you?”
“What?” I asked.
“You said ‘that is what troubled me the most of all.’ What else troubled you?”
“I already found the answer to my other problems. But not this one, this one is different.”
“Did you ever think of Torin?”
“Yes I think of him all the time, we have become very close friends. But what does he have to do with it?”
“You say he was lying next to you, am I correct.”
“Yes, that is what is said.”
“Did you ever think that he might have rolled over on top of you?” He asked.
“No, I had never thought of that. That seems so easy now. Why didn’t I think of that? Thank you.”
“Now tell me what happened after you woke up.”
“Well, let’s see here.” I said trying to remember. “Oh yes, Eldon got up and I explained everything to them.
Then I went to go check on Torin. When I found that he was fine I sat by the fire with Rostlyn, Quentin, and Eldon. Most of the time my dreams predicted the future near or far. This really troubled me. I did not want to see this happen again at all. That is the end.”
“No my child this is only the beginning of a long and painful road.”
“What do you mean?”
“You say it is the end. But this only the beginning of your life.”
“I see but why do you say that it will be painful?”
“I can see the future that you will have and I see a great devastation in your future.”
“Is there anyway that I can stop it?
“That is something that you will just have to figure out for yourself.”
“Alright, thank you for all your help. I really must be going.” I said.
“I have a feeling the I will be seeing you in the near future.” He said as I got up from my chair.
“I will look forward to it.” I answered with a smile then walked away.
I met Eldon on the way out. “What was that all about?” Eldon asked.
“He helped me find the answer to my question.”
“And what was the answer?”
“Torin was lying on top of me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes that is it.”
“I can’t believe that we didn’t think of that on our own.” He said shaking his head.
“Oh, he told me something else as well.”
“What?”
“I had told him how we saved Torin’s life and he said that we may be able to be considered a wizard and I witch.”
“That is amazing, did he say how much longer before it would be official?”
“No, but he was very impressed and also said that there were even some that were as talented as he is and still can not do that.”
“I just can’t believe all this.” He said not looking at me.
“I think that sorceress sounds better though.” I said in a disappointed tone. He just laughed and then got really serious all of a sudden.
We walked only a few steps more before stopping. Eldon turned to me and said, “Alana, I fell that something bad will happen to me in the future. You must promise that you will let fate run its course.”
“I promise.” I said for argument sake. I was still thinking about what he said. What could he possibly mean? I know that he gets these feelings about things that might happen in the future but I didn’t want him to be right this time. I had just had a dream that foretold of his death, I have seen it once and I don’t want to see it ever again.
“I still can’t believe that it was Rostlyn.” He said after a pause.
“I know, how could I have not seen that?” I wondered aloud.
“That really is not like you, you are usually the first to know about anything like this.”
“But how could have not seen it sooner?” I asked again.”
“I think that he is a lot more powerful than he leads on.” Eldon said.
“He must have messed with my mind with out me knowing it.”
“That is a possibility; now let’s get back to them before they kill each other.”
“Sounds good to me.”

Chapter 7

The Hunger

We found ourselves back in the crowd that we had come from what seemed like so long ago. We went to find our followers as you might call them; we found them right were we left them.
“What took you so long? I’m so hungry. Let’s go find somewhere to eat.” Torin said as we walked up to them.
What a great welcome. Eldon thought to me
I know, his manures have improved. I joke back
What should we tell them? He asked
“We got lost.” I lied “That’s a good idea. I am getting that empty feeling inside as well.” I tried to change the subject.
“You got lost…how?” Torin asked with a strange voice.
“The same way that everyone else does.”
“I see, are we going to go eat or are we just going to just stand here?”
“I thought that we could stand around for awhile, just talk, you know.” Eldon said sarcastically.
“You know that doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Rostlyn said from behind me. Everyone laughed except Torin.
“We can’t stay here for very long, if they find that I am not at my post there will be hell to pay.” Abby said looking from Eldon to me.
“I understand. We will go and get a quick bit to eat then leave.” I told her as we turned in the direction of the tavern. (Where else?)
As we enter and sit down at a table I notice that there are only five beings at the table instead of the six of us now that Abby has joined us. Eldon must have noticed to because he had on the same puzzled expression on his face. It is Rostlyn is missing. Where could he be, he had left long before we had, he should have been here by now. I even remember seeing him in town. He was standing next to Abby. So where is he now? This really puzzled me, but I let it go thinking that he could, after all, take care of himself.
Suddenly I was interrupted a voice asking: “So what did you talk to the man about Alana?”
“What?” I asked looking around trying to place the voice.
“I asked what you talked about with the man that you went to see.” Torin answered as I looked at him.
I saw Eldon give him a look of aversion, he didn’t like people prying into business that is not their own.
“Oh nothing that you would be interested in hearing about.” I said with a smile. As I said this Rostlyn walked up behind me and put his hand upon my shoulder. It made me jump, I was not expecting it. I also did not know who it was until Torin jumped up to give him a piece of his mind. I grabbed Torin before he could do any damage, not thinking.
“Sit down.” I scolded.
As I said that the waiter came up to take our order. He looked vaguely familiar. His dark eyes looked from one of us to another. He was tall. He looked to be part reptile. When he looked at me a second time he said: “Lady Al…”
“Sorry you have the wrong person.” I cut him off before he could finish. It was then that I recognized him. He was a servant at our castle. He had one day vanished and was never seen again. He walked away puzzled. After a few moments of silence Abby’s voice rang out.
“That’s where I have seen you before. You...”
“Abby may I talk to you outside a minute please?” I asked.
“Fine if you must.” She answered.
We walked outside the tavern and the waiter followed. “I know that you know who I am.” I said looking at the waiter who we called Hadrin. “But who do you think I am?” I asked looking at Abby.
“You and your brother are Lord and Lady LaCombe. You went missing a little over a week ago. Your pictures have been sent out to all the towns that they can possibly reach. You are the people that I was to watch out for.” She answered in a strange voice, that of a scared child. “There is even a reward on your safe return.”
“There is, how much?” I asked as Eldon walked out of the tavern.
“500 gold pieces.” She answered.
“What’s going on out here?” Eldon asked
“There is a price on our safe return, 500 gold pieces. Mother and Father have sent out pictures of us to all the towns that they can reach.” I answered with a grin. “You know what that means don’t you?”
“Yes. I know what that means. It means they will find us sooner then we want to go home.” He said. This made my grin fade away. I really had not put that much thought into it.
“I was thinking of something else but this is true. We mustn’t stay here. We have to leave as soon as we can.”
I looked at Hadrin. “You must tell no one that you saw us. That goes the same for you too, Abby. You must swear on your graves that you will not tell a soul.” They both agreed and we headed back inside.
What are we going to do about this? I thought to Eldon as we walked into the tavern.
I don’t know yet, but I will come up with something. He replied with a confused look on his face. I don’t like that there are this many people that know who we are. I don’t know that I can trust them to keep their moths shut.
We will just have to keep a close eye on Abby, but what will we do about Hadrin? We can’t take him with us as well; there are already too many people with us. I thought as I sat down at the table.
I will do what I must.
What is that supposed to mean?
Don’t worry about it. I will take care of it.
I don’t think that we will have to worry about Rostlyn, so you?
No he has been with us this long knowing, I don’t think that he would turn on us now. Besides we know more about him now to.
“Where are we going to go next?” Rostlyn said a few moments after Eldon and I sat down.
“Wherever the road takes us.” I said quickly trying to get back to my conversation with Eldon. This is not going how I had planed it to.
Nor is it for me, but we must go along with it. There is not turning back now.
Even if there was an opportunity to would I take it.
Nor me.
“Alana, what do you think?” I heard Quentin ask.
“About what?” I asked in return.
“Haven’t you been listening? I asked if anyone knows where we will end up.”
“Oh, hopefully far away.”
“Why are you running from something?” Abby asked with a slight grin on her face.
“No, I just want to find adventure, and the type of adventure that I want to find is not around here.”
“I see, and what kind is that?”
“The kind that is unexplainable, one that no words would be able to express.”
Nice one, what are you trying to do? Eldon came into my head.
“Wow, you never mentioned that before.” Torin said.
“If you were listening to anything that I said you would know that I have said it many times.” I said. That is all that I could come up with on the spot.
“What are you talking about, I listen to you plenty.” He said and al could tell that the alcohol had set in.
So is that the reason that we left, to find adventure? Eldon questioned.
“I am not going to start to argue with you it is a waste of my time.” My temper was starting to show. What do you want me to tell them the real reason that we are here, that we are looking for our brother who disappeared about 3 decades ago?
I just think that you could have come up with something better.
“I am a waste of your time?” Torin came back.
“No arguing with you is.”
That went over really well. Eldon thought.
I thought that this conversation was over with. It is really hard to participate in two conversations at once.
Well if anyone could do it, it would be you.
You are so not funny. I thought with sarcasm
I am you just don’t thin so because you know that it is true.
I know the truth hurts. I thought ending the conversation.
After we ate we left, we had little time until dark fell upon us. Torin was still riding with me. Abby was on Torin’s horse with Rostlyn. I could tell that she took a fancy to him. He was after all very handsome. Well, to her at least. I could not admit that I took fancy in him out loud, well once you get past the paws and claws and those horrid teeth. She had not seen him as his real self yet, and it was not my place to tell her.
She had brought a horse of her own but she had put her baggage on it. There was no room for her because she brought too much stuff, so Rostlyn pulled her onto Torin’s horse. The horse was white with a black strip running down its nose. I would have ridden with her but if I put Torin and Rostlyn on the same horse we would never hear the end of it.
We set up camp a short time later. The sky had no stars in it so I knew that rain was on its way. Sure enough before the sun came up the next morning the rain was falling. It came in like it was on the wings of a huge bird. It poured down on the tent like arrows.
None of us wanted to leave the tent but we know that we had to get to the next town as soon as possible. The rain did not let up. It came in sheets that stung when it hit you. I even brought the horses into the tent.
“How long are we going to have to stay here?” Asked Torin, “I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten since last night.”
“Fine you want to go get food. Be my guest.” I answered.
“If I do go will you come with me?” He asked, his voice quiet.
“Fine I will go with you. But I will not stay out there for long.” I told him with a stern voice, almost like I was warning him. “It is very unlikely that you will find anything in this weather.”
I love the rain; it is very calming to me. When I was very little I would sneak out of the castle to go play in the rain. Sometimes I would even get Eldon to go out with me. But I knew he would not come with me this time.
We got up to leave and were almost to the door of the tent when Eldon asked: “Where are you two going in this weather?”
“Torin is hungry so we are going to get something to eat. We will try to find a lizard or something.” I said
“Fine just be careful. Why not take Rostlyn along?” He asked.
“Because there is only room for two on a horse. I think that he should stay here so that you can watch him very closely.” Eldon gave me a smile. The first that I had seen in a long time.
“We will be back as soon as we find something.” I yelled as the horse dashed forward. Then said just before we were out of earshot, “Take my dragon out and get him use to people.”
“Alright, I will see to it.” He yelled at the top of his lungs.
When we were out of sight I slowed the horse down a little. It was good to get away from the rest of the people. I was finally as alone as I was going to be for some time. Even though the rain poured down upon us I felt soothed and comforted. There is a strange feeling that I get every time that it rains, it is that of someone watching over me. It seems as though there is someone that is there with me and they are trying to sooth and comfort me in whatever way that they can. There is really no other way to try to explain this feeling.
But this feeling was not exactly long lived, as I looked at the sight in front of us my happiness faded. Torin saw it to. He put his arm around me as he had done many times before. Though him arms were warm and soothing even in this weather, they did not make me feel any safer this time.