"Dimension Traveller"

"Dimension Traveller"

Yet Untitled By;fernand jiro
    "Allura!" The troll spat, "Get us some more wine!"
    The girl groaned. She stood from her corner, putting down the scraps of food she was eating, and grabbed ahold of the large wooden jug next to her. It wasn't as heavy as it looked and she was very strong for her kind. It was what happend when one worked most of their life. Quietly, she poured each of the trolls at the table wine to the top of their carved wooden mugs. They all cheered drunkily at the refills and ignored her from then on.     Allura never cared for the trolls. They were ugly, first of all, having noses the size of her fist, grey-green wrinkly skin as thick as hard leather, and very rarely, if ever, would you find a place on their bodies not covered in warts. Then came the fact that they were short. The tallest ones didn't even come up to her mid-back. However, she had heard it said that she was tall for an elf. And finally, they were greedy pigs. Not one of them would risk their lives to save their own mother. It made her wonder why they had taken her.
    "What are you just standing there for, elf?" The troll spat again. "Go sit back down. You're ugliness is making the guests sober!"
    She didn't argue, it would have been pointless. She didn't think she was ugly, in fact, she thought she was quite pretty. Not beautiful, of course, but at least pretty. She kept her raven black hair hanging loosly to mid-back, not caring what the trolls said about it being 'so nicely brushed'. She also didn't care that they taunted her clothing. They kept saying it looked more human than elf or troll. She didn't see why. All it was was a white tunic with flaired sleeves, and slightly loose thin brown leather pants. Her boots were black, so that might get them to yell, but otherwise she liked it.
    "I don't know why you keep her around, Mugwart." She heard one of the troll guests say. Of course, they thought she was too stupid to listen in, so they spoke loudly. "The elves only get in the way. They always have."
    Mugwart, her 'guardian' only shrugged and laughed. "Now who would fill our glasses if we got rid of her?" The whole table collapsed in a mass drunken guffaw. "Besides," he continued after a long while, "we've 'ad her for this long, we might as well keep her."
    "How long has it been?" One asked.
    Mugwart paused. He looked truly stumped. One thing a troll was not known for was it's brains; especially when drunk. "Eh... twelve, or so years?"
    Allura frowned. "Twenty-seven!" She corrected harshly. The entire table seemed to quiet. She had spoken out of turn. It was not a wise thing to do.
    The silence lingered for longer than she wished, and a thin layer of persperation covered her skin. She clenched her fists until, finally, the silence was broken. "Who told you to speak, whelp?" A particularly ugly troll blurted. "Get out!"
    Disgusted, she took her plate and stomped off into the kitchen. It was getting worse every year. They treated her like garbage. Always slinking around these tunnles as if she had not right to be here. And perhaps she didn't. It's not as if she had really seen another elf before. She knew nothing about them except that she was one, and trolls had not fondness for them. She wasn't even sure why they had taken her in when she was found alone in the forest when she was just an infant. They probably thought they could benefit from it somehow.
    With a sigh, she placed her dishes in the washpot, and headed back out. Let them wash the dishes for once. she thought. I'm not gonna stay here another minute.
    "Where are you going, elf?" a voice, not unlike the sound of grinding stones questioned.
    Allura didn't even have to look back to see who it was. She continued until she got to the end of the tunnle. "I'm going up, Grandma Maggot." She grabbed her leather bag of stuff and shoved it through the opening above her. "Don't bother following. Trolls don't like going above ground, or so I hear."
    There was no reply and no one to stop her as she pulled herself out of the tunnles and into the open air. She took in a deep breath before looking around. The air in the caves and tunnles was always so musty and old, it was hart to tell whether she would breath or drown.
    The stars shown brightly tonight, but they were nothing compaired to the moons. They were completely full, giving the surrounding forest a mystical glow about them. It seemed almost magical.
    Quickly, before anyone found out she was missing and decided to go after her, she made her way into the deep forest. She had gone there many times and knew the way. She even had a secret hideaway where she kept all the things a female, let alone an elf, shouldn't have. Weapons, like a bow and arrows, knives, and even a sword or two. She had taken them from the hold, and learned how to use them out here.
    After a while of walking, she finally came to a small, partially hidden cave. The forest surrounded it as if it wasn't there, continuing up a large mountain, only thinning out into bare rock halfway up. Allura marvled at the sight, taking it all in, before stepping inside the dark cave.
    Instinctivly, she grabbed a small candle of the shelf near the entrance, along with some flint and lit it. The room brightened, reveiling many carved shelves filled with glass bottles and vials of powder and colored liquid. With a moment of thought, she picked a few off the shelves and placed them in her leather napsack. The shelves were getting crowded, and she had to clear out again. After all, no matter how hard she tried, none of the potions worked. Maybe she just wasn't meant to have magic, like the trolls had said.
    It was said, that some elves had magic. Sometimes it lay dormant for years, sometimes centuries before showing up. It could be anything and Allura was sure she had some... no matter what anyone said. She just had to wait. But in the meantime, she tried to make what she called, artaficial magic. Mixtures and medicines that act as magic would... None of them turned out the way she wanted.
    She sighed at the thought, as she put the last bottle in her bag. Yes, she would just have to wait.
    As she turned, she was blinded by a bright light, confusing her senses. It wasn't but a moment later, however, that her sight returned. It took a few seconds to take in what had happened. She wasn't in her cave anymore...

"Darkness Consumes"

"Darkness Consumes"

Darkness Consumes By;fernand jiro
 There are those who say there is nothing darker than black. That the color that absorbs light is the darkest of them all, and nothing could surpass it. Those fools are wrong. The color darker is never seen by the human eye, and never will be, but it's always there. It always will be. You want a word for it? There is none. Not a word that has been spoken can describe the dark of it, but many have tried. That color is known, and not one living creature goes one day without encountering it, but it is never seen. Never. And it never will be. I know this color, and always will. It remains my eternal companion, this darkness darker than dark. Blacker than black. It is my soul. And no light will ever reach it. Never.
    You think it sounds depressing? Pessimistic? Evil? I've heard it all before. And you'd be right. I have no reason to be optimistic... to be... happy. My life, if that's what you could call it, has been shrouded in darkness. Only recently have I found that light even exists. Good is more than just a myth. And it's something I can never have... But you don't want to hear the ravings of a vampire. Perhaps I should never have started this, but then, when I die, who will know my story? Even if no one cares. No one who wants to hear the tale of darkness. But at least I will know I tried. At least I know that someone, even the smallest someone, will hear my story, and pass it on, and learn from my mistakes. To know that what I have done will never be done again... perhaps that will be the only way to find the color beyond. The only way I can ever see light. If only it were that easy. If only...


 I am darkness. I am chaos. I am a vampire. And more than that, I am a 'pure' vampire. I am the first 'pure' vampire. You do not know what a 'pure one' is? I'm not surprised. Not many do. In fact, only a handful or two of the vampire race have even heard of us. Half of them believe they are a myth, and only half of those remaining know how we came to be.
    The 'pure ones' are rare. So rare, in fact, that there have been only ten, maybe twenty in the history of the children of the night. We are born, not 'turned'. If a vampire is lucky enough to live ten thousand years, for only a year every ten thousand, they are able to mate, once, in order to create a child. It is meant for two vampires, but can be done with a human, creating a half-breed. But when done correctly, creates a 'pure one.' I was the first. Dracula? Yeah, he was one as well. We are unique in the dark world. We have every power of the vampire, and few of the flaws. We can walk in the day, though it is painful, and none alive has found a way to kill us that does not take most of the world with them. And those who do don't live long enough to use their knowledge. In fact, I will probably killed for just telling you this. Oh, I did not say that no one knew, I said no one alive knew. You silly humans, think you know it all...
    I was the first. My name is from a language long forgotten. Born in darkness, raised in darkness, taught only evil. I was taught to kill, and nothing more. I did not even know what I was until my father's death. I killed him. Do you think I regret this? Heh, no. It was him or me. He taught me everything he knew. Everything he wanted me to be, I was. Ruthless, guiltless, shameless, with no mercy, not even for my own blood. I enjoyed gutting him, and he died with a smile on his face. He would live forever, because I had forever become his slave. My pride was the only thing that kept me from realizing it.
    I killed. Vampire, human, animal, it mattered not to me. I enjoyed it. I reveled in the kill, the suffering of the lesser beings. Even what some may call my own race were below me. What could they do? I was invincible. I had them all as slaves, as minions. But even my own kind knew what I was. Even they were disgusted by me. What was to be their savior became their worst nightmare. Even they tried to kill me. They failed, of course. Thousands, millions of humans and vampire tried, and died. It was the first time in history that human and vampire united. And the first time that vampire realized that the races could live as one.
    They subdued me. The many as a whole were able to cage me, in a word. They were able to confine me, for good, or so they thought. I don't know how long I was trapped inside those caves, with no escape. No light, no hope. There, I stewed. I wanted only revenge. I did not cry our, I did not yell, I did not frantically search for a way out. I sat, in silence, moving only to assure myself I still could. One thing my father taught me was patience. 'Do not become frustrated,' he would say, 'your time will come, and in the time you have to wait, plan.' And I did. Time meant nothing. It could have been days; I could have been hundreds, even thousands of years. It was all the same to me.
    Then, as what I later found out to be during the Renaissance, a group of my own found their way into the caves. From them I learned of the 'Great Dracula' who brought the vampire into what it had become. He was a 'pure one' like me, and had met with the same downfall, but instead of entrapment, he escaped and went into hiding. No one had seen him in years. And so, a group of young, hopeful children of the night followed the myths and found me. But I would not make the same mistakes I had before. No, this time, I would work in secret. After all that time planning, I thought nothing could stop me. I, again, was wrong. A magician, a human, was my downfall. I was too overconfident, and he was able to banish me to a world of nothingness. A nothing that I could not escape from.
    There is no way I could make anyone understand what I went through. The torment. A world of nothing but evil. A hell of sorts. No up, no down. No light, no dark. To be forever falling, and to be powerless against the nothing. The only companion, memories. Memories of a life gone wrong. Memories of, even lives that were not mine, but could be nothing but. Memories of previous lives where the same mistakes had been made. All I saw for hundreds of years were memories of horror, memories of what I had done wrong, nothing good, I was never shown hope. No one will ever truly know what I had been through, and I truly hope that no one ever will. Any ego, any pride I ever had was gone. I had become an empty shell of darkness and lost hope. I wouldn't even know hope if it slapped me in the face. And indeed, that's just what it did.
    I did not know how long I had been out. Somehow, I had been freed. I was free, but nothing in me would accept it. I was as a beaten child would be in a loving family... humph, if a loving family is what you could call it. His name was Ralichlu and he was a wizard, but nothing like the one who had imprisoned me. He was a wizard of the dark arts. The leader, in fact, of all evil wizardry, and he wanted me.
    It took me years to come out of my daze, my shell, and my shock of the Hell which I had lived. In the beginning, I was a spineless, shy, quiet child. I would never talk, and would shy from any contact with any living thing that brushed my skin. It took months of him giving me old blood in cups before I would feed on my own. First from, ugh, such a disgrace, from animals; rats, dogs, and finally, human. My fierceness had returned, but any rational thought was far from my mind. I was like an animal myself. It took Ralichlu nearly two years before he could get a comprehensible sentence from my mouth. The rehabilitation was slow, and tiring, but in the end, he got what he wanted. Me. I was nearly myself again when he told me why he had freed me.
    I was to be his apprentice, to learn black magic, and to take his place as the Dark Wizard of Chaos.
    I agreed, but, to be a student, when all I ever was was a leader... always higher than the rest. It was a learning experience. I learned to wait, to act, to respect, and to learn, while all the while planning only for myself. Indeed, it was the dark wizards' way for the apprentice to murder the master once all that is needed is known. This I did, and I learned well. I had truly become the world's greatest threat. No one could trap me again. No one could get rid of me as they once had, I was invincible. Or so I thought. Once again, I was wrong.
    I met a being higher than myself. A being that had more power in his fingers than I had in my body. But, instead of kill me, as I had thought he would, he kidnapped me, and brought me to a place I had never seen. A... community do diverse, one might call it a utopia. The people there lived in harmony. It was not the perfect place on might suspect. They had their problems, but all helped in fixing them. And for some reason, they wanted me. Their leader, a woman, told me that she knew me once, in a lifetime before. For a moment, the memories flooded back to me, but only a moment. I wiped them from my mind, and confronted her with no fear. I laughed, I threatened, but she did not even flinch. She was the only being I had ever met who was not afraid of me. I was... impressed, to say the least, and I swore I would make her mine. I would have her, or no one would escape my wrath.
    I worked slowly. I did not force my will on anyone. I played by their rules. She was the only one, it seemed in the community that did not shy from my gaze. The only one who saw me as a being instead of a monster. It was something new. But, as an idiot, I did not realize how special that was until it was too late.
    She had a family; two husbands, and three children. It was her way. She was dedicated to them and did not waver. Her husbands, of course, hated me, but could to nothing to keep her from seeing me. It seemed she wanted to help me. To change me into something new. Something... good. As if she could show a dog a rainbow. It was as of she saw hope in me when all others saw evil, and despair. I laughed at her attempts, taunted her actions. While all the time, I wanted her more, and the memories threatened to destroy what had been worked so hard to restore.
    I knew her from a life, long ago. We had been together then. We had been in love. For the first time, I felt what love was. For the first time, I knew what hope was. For the first time, I remembered happiness. And for the first time, I felt it all ripped from my grasp when I realized I could never have her. She would never love me as she had once, long ago, in a time before time. She was here to save my soul. She wanted the impossible, but did it only because of her foolish kind heart. Love was never a part of the equation.
    I left for a time. I turned to my studies. To my magic. A return to the darkness. As with anything, the good always came with bad. I had felt love, hope and happiness, but with it came, for the first time, shame, guilt, and loneliness. She had something I could never have, and I wanted it. Foolishly, I turned my new feelings into something I knew like my own name; anger. I would have her. She would be MINE!
    I gained an apprentice. He was a 'pure one' as I was. I thought with an apprentice that I could gain an advantage. I thought he would help me in my plans. I did not realize that he could be even more evil than I. I did not know that my place in the world was slowly deteriorating...
    My anger swelled. It swallowed me whole, and I was blinded. I believe I had gone mad. I went back to her. I held nothing back. I used what I learned, I used what trickery I knew, and I seduced her. I took no regard for her family, or her trust. I didn't care that she had grown to care for me. I didn't care that her family would do anything for her. I didn't care that I was on my one year in the 10,000-year cycle. I only thought about my desire, and my revenge. And, as cruel fate would have it, my sanity decided to return when it was all done. I realized what I had done only a moment too late. But a moment was all it took to seal my fate. A moment is all it may take. A moment that lasted forever.
    There was a prophecy; one of many, in fact, that said a half 'pure' vampire would rid the world of the threat of the children of darkness. It was in that moment that I knew I would be the downfall of my own kind. In that moment I knew that I was to blame for the death of all vampires. In an instant, I knew that my son would be the one to kill them. Only a moment. I knew that all I ever wanted was a family, love, hope, and it was something I made sure I could never have. I realize only a moment too late that I had destroyed any chance of happiness. My foolishness, my pride. There is no one but me to blame.
    There are those who think they can still save me. The only love I ever had, even she thinks I can still change. After all I've done, she still has faith in me. I know she is wrong. I have been damned. I have written my own ending to this story, and nothing can erase it. A few may try, but in the end I know they will fail. When my apprentice kills me, there will be Chaos. I know what he is capable of, and I fear he will be worse than I. That will be my fault. And then, my son will be born and will eradicate the 'vampire threat'. That too, will be my fault. You say that the end of all vampires won't be a bad thing? Humph, you humans. Your point of view is fogged. So one-sided. Imagine this; you have the knowledge inside you that you, and you alone, caused, or will cause the destruction of your entire race. See if you can live with that knowledge. I have to. Every second of my days is torture, knowing that I am too weak to stop neither my apprentice, nor my son from being born. Knowing it is all my fault.
    That is what lives inside me. That is the ink that stains my soul. And that is the color that is darker than black. And now, I wait. I wait for the end. I fear death, yet I welcome it. For only in death can I possibly find peace. Maybe then, I can somehow repent. Maybe then I can make up for all I have done. Maybe then I can forgive myself. But not now. I cannot forgive myself for what I have done. No matter how much I want to. I have done too much, killed too many...
    Now you know my story. Now you know what mistakes I have made. You know my warning. Do not ignore the warnings as I did. Do not assume you can control Fate, for she is a cruel mistress, and will prove you wrong. Do not let your soul become black. Perhaps whoever reads this can stop what is already in motion. Perhaps it's not all hopeless. However small a ray of hope, one must always believe that it is attainable, or else life is worth nothing.
    Do not let the darkness consume you...

Winds of Change

                                                        Winds of Change

PrologueBy;fernand jiro


    The wind blew wildly on this cold autumn night, rusling the few leaves left on the trees, and whipped up all those that had fallen. Because of this wind, it seemed much colder than it really was. John brushed a strand of his dark blond hair out of his eyes, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. For a moment, he glanced into the sky. The sun's ray were just beginning to show over the horizon, but he knew the light wouldn't last long. The clouds were already blowing in from the West. It was going to end up a dark and gloomy day, as it had been for a week now.
    He let out a breath, and pulled a cigarett from his pocket, sticking it between his lips. He cupped his hands around cigarett, as one would to light one, then dropped his hands, and took a puff.
    There was a soft gunting sound from the top of a small, nearby cliff. John looked up, calmly. "You know that stuff kills you." a deep, but smooth voice followed.
    John let out a forced laugh, threw the cigarett to the ground, and stomped it out. "Not that it'll matter." he mumbled. He looked up again, and, during a short gust of warm wind, he seemed to fly as he leaped to the top of the cliff. "What do you care about my health anyway?" He walked to a man kneeling on the grass in front of a sword.
    The man had a bulky, muscular build, and short, dark hair, quite the contrast to John's slender build and long, blond hair. The bulky man wore a dark trenchcoat, similer to John's and had his head bowed to the hilt of the sword.
    "Zack?"
    The man sighed and looked up. "Silence, John." he said quietly, "I hear only silence."
    John frowned. "They've gone, Zack. Everyone else has accepted it but you." He instincively took out another cigarett. "The Gods have abandoned us." Zack stood quickly, face red with anger, but said nothing. Instead, he snatched the cigarett out of John's mouth, and threw it before it was lit. "What'd you do that for?" He asked calmly. "It's not as if it's gonna kill you." He took out another one stubbornly. " You being an angel and all." He lit the cigarett.
    "The Gods have not abandoned us." Zack said sternly.
    John shrugged. "If you say so." he offered him a smoke. "It'll take your mind off things."
    Zack slowly, unsuredly, took it, and looked to John. "You have no lighter." he stated, "How did you light them?"
    The tall blond held out a hand, casually, palm up, as a tiny flame flickered just above the skin. "Order of the Pheonix, remember old friend?" he replied with a dull grin, "Perhaps your memory is failing you."
    Zack threw the cigarett off the cliff and pushed John's hand away. "You still have your powers, then?"
    John held the cigarett between his fingers and raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why?"
    "If you still have your powers," he answered, "then the Gods have not abandoned us. And that means something is wrong."
    John's grin faded. He decided his attempt to smoke was pointless around him, so he put his cigarett out. "Wrong?" he asked, "Like what?"
    "I think the Gods themselves might be in trouble." Zack answered grimly. "Else, why would they have broken contact with their followers?"
    "Good point." he snorted, "Our headleader says he hasn't had a vision in months."
    "That's when it started." Zack agreed, "We have to do something."
    "Do what?" John asked, unbeleiving, "We don't have even close to the power they've got! They're Gods. they can take care of themselves!"
    Zack bit his lip with a frown. "I wish that were true. But if we stand here and do nothing, then nothing will get done, and we put this, and all other worlds at risk of destruction."
    "But what is there to do?" John snapped, "We don't even know what's wrong!"
    "That's why we're going to find out." He turned, and as he did, two giant ash-white wings eurupted from his back. "Are you with me, old friend, or are you part of the problem?" Without waiting for an answer, he took off to the skies.
    "We're just followers!" John cupped his hands around his mouth and called after him. "We can't save Gods!" He let his arms drop to his sides, and let out a long breath. "I know I'm going to regret this..." he mumbled as he lept off the cliff to follow his friend.

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 5"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 5"
By;fernand jiro

Chapter 5
    The entire forest was silent. The force of the voice held a demanding tone that none could disobey. No one moved, except to turn their heads to the source of the voice. There stood a tall, sturdily built man with an beard and short, brown-red hair, which had started to gray at the temples. He wore long forest brown colored robes, and had a twinkle in his eye despite the stern look he gave the three young adults. "This bickering is pointless." he stated.
    "You!" Lori exlaimed as she recognized the stranger.
    "Ben!" Alex and Miriek exclaimed in unison. The three all glanced at each other with questioning looks, and then turned to 'Ben' for an answer.
    Ben smiled. "I see you've all finally met." He raised an eyebrow. "But one is missing..." he shrugged. "No matter, he will be with you shortly." He glanced to Miriek, but she didn't seem to understand.
    "You know these outsiders, Ben?" she asked.
    Again, Ben smiled, and gave a small nod. "Alex here, I have known for quite some time. I gather herbs for him. And she," he motioned to Lori, "Is a new aquaintence. I see you did as I said."
    Lori nodded, but still didn't quite understand what was going on. "I met him." She pointed to the Prince.
    Ben put a finger to his beard. "So you did." He turned to the forest spirit. "My child, this was not how you were supposed to meet. I suggest you apologize."
    Miriek stood there for a moment, then took a calming breath. His relationship with her, Lori realized, was probaly a great one. She did exactly what he said, no questions asked.
    She looked down at Lori. "I'm sorry I kicked you," she attempted an awkward smile, "You scared me. I'm not used to people." She held out a hand, which Lori took, and was pulled to her feet. "Most of them are not at all kind."
    Loraina looked back, about to help the Prince up, but he was already being helped by the 'Ben' stranger. She turned back to the girl. "Who are you?"
    "I'm Miriek." she said, in a much more friendly tone than before, "The forest guardian here. Who are you?"
    "My name's Lori. I live in town."
    There was a change in Miriek's face, like a grimace when Lori said that. "I don't like going out of the woods." she explained, "There are too many people there for my liking." 
    Lori cocked her head at the information. "You don't like people?" she asked, "You mean you live here? In the woods?"
    Miriek calmly nodded. "Yes, I do."
    Lori took a half-step back, remembering all the old legends of the forest demons. "You're not... you're not one of the ones of the old ways... are you?" she asked nervously.
    "I am." The forest guardian raised her head. "Does that scare you?" She said, almost chalanging.
    Lori raised an eyebrow. "No." she replied just a little too quickly. "I just... it's heard that these woods are haunted by black Magic."
    Miriek laughed. "No, there's just me. And my teacher and godfather, of course." She waved a hand at Ben, who nodded.
    Lori was confused and curious. "I thought the old ways died a long time ago. You cannot be who you say. Magic does not exist."
    There was a almost inaudible chuckle from the old man. "Oh, it exists alright." Miriek smiled. "The old ways exist inside those who can hold wisdom in their hearts." With a wave of her hand, a small rainbow appeared in the air.
    Lori gasped. "Its... it really is magic!!!"
    "This?" Miriek waved her hand again, and the rainbow dissipeared in a shower of sparkles. "No. That was only illusion. To fool the eye. Real Magic is a combination of creation and destruction." She grinned. "Illusion does not take much power. But," Miriek added, "This does." The girl raised her arms to the sky, and in a flash of light and glitter, she was gone.
    In her place was a snowy white owl.
    There was a sudden yelp and a dull thud from behind Lori. She turned to look, and found Prince Alexander was on the ground again, and grabbing for his sword. "D-d-d-demons!" he exclaimed.
    There was a soft chuckle from Ben, as Lori raced to Alex. "What's wrong?" she asked.
    "She's a demon!" He yelled, pointing to Miriek, who was again in her human form. "An evil creature!" He held his sword in front of him in 'defense'
    Miriek's fists immediately balled, and a frown appeared on her face. "I've had it up to here with you men and your close-minded world!" She yelled, but Ben held up a hand to calm her.
    Lori looked up to the other girl. "I know what you mean." she said with an air of friendship. "None of the men in the city will accept me just because I work."
    Miriek's anger almost immidiately dissipated, and looked surprised. "Really?"
    "Yeah. So far, I've only met two or three guys who didn't care."
    Miriek frowned. "I thought I met one... but he turned out just the same as the rest." She got a sad look in her eyes but quickly snapped back into reality. "And then there's Ben."
    "Lori.." Alexander coaxed, "Stay away from her. You can never trust these forest people. She's trying to win your trust, so she can turn on you!"
    Again, Miriek's anger rose. "Can't you get it through your thick skull that people who are different are still people?!?! I--"
    Once more, she was cut off by a wave of Ben's hand. "Let me." He said, turning to the Prince. "Alex, how long have you known me?" he asked.
    "Almost my entire life." he replied softly. "Since I was very young... why?"
    "Do you trust me?"
    "With my life."
    "Then beleive me when I say that this girl will do you no harm, and that maybe the rumors are not all correct." Alex still looked hesitant, "Were they right about Lori?" He asked. "Is she as weak-minded and stupid as your father and Martigan say?"
    Alexander paused. "No.. Lori is very smart."
    "...for a peasant?" Ben helped the Prince, once again, to his feet. "You will find, your majesty, that things are not always what they seem. It all depends on your point of view."
    "But--"
    "That goes for you two as well." Ben looked hard at the two girls, but his tone was soft, and gentle. "You will find, Lori, that not all men are as closed-minded as you think, and some do and will care for you no matter what you do for a living." She was speechless, and he then faced the other. "And Miriek, not all non-believers are bad, and people can learn. This is your lesson."
    The young adults stood in silence, thinking over Ben's wise lecture, until, finally, Alex spoke. "Ben, we need your help."
    Lori's head rose suddenly in rememberance. "Yes! That's why we came! We need--"
    "I know." Ben cut her off. "Your family is in trouble. But I'm afraid that our safe haven in the woods will not be safe for much longer." His eyes now looked sad.
    Miriek looked shocked. "What do you mean, Ben?"
    "I mean, that soon, you will have to leave here to stop a danger stronger, even than you and I." He raised his arms, including the three. "You all have a destiny, and it's time you embrace it. You must fight the coming evil."
    "Wait!" Lori said with sudden realization, "Does this have anything to do with that shooting star the other day?"
    Ben smiled. "You are wiser in the magic arts than you think."
    "No." Miriek said with disbelief, "We can't. We can't fight something that powerful. If it's stronger than you we don't have a chance. If--"
    Ben calmed her. With a smile and a sad look in his eyes, he put both hands on her shoulders and spoke. "This would have happened eventually, my daughter. I cannot protect you forever. You have power even you don't understand, and it is time you used it. Put your fears aside, gather your strength, and trust in me."
    Miriek, on the brink of tears, nodded, but stayed strong. A determined look appeared on her face. Ben gave her a reassuring hug, then pulled away, turning to the East. "The beginning of your jouney starts here." He said, raising a finger in the direction he was facing. "That is where the star fell. You must find it, and destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands, and believe me, they will come." He looked the small group over. "You will soon be joined by one other. He will help you on your quest. If you fail, it could mean the destruction of all any of you have come to know and love. Be careful."
    The three nodded, absorbing the overwhelming news. They may not be ready for the experience, but they would take what they got and do their best, and that's all anyone can ever do.
    Ben turned to Lori. "I will inform your family of the situation." he said softly, "I assure you, they will be safe."
    "Thank you." she whispered, and Ben turned, at last, to the Prince.
    "Be prepared." he said, "For you may come to a situation where you will be torn between duty and honor, and you may not like the consequences."
   Alex seemed desterbed by this, but said nothing. Seeing that the three were as ready as they could be at this time, Ben nodded, and turned. "May the spirits guide you on your journey. And remember, in times of trouble, I will always be with you, even if you cannot see me."
    Alex looked to the other two for reassurance, but they had none to give. When he looked back, there was a great white stag standing in Ben's place. It gave a nod.
    Be well.

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 4"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 4"

Chapter 4
    Alexander walked through the halls of his palace, heading towards the throne room to see his father, the King. He had been ordered this morning to see him. He didn't know why, but his father rarely told him anything important.
    He shrugged and turned into the throne room only to see Martigan standing next to the throne with a deep grin on his face. His father however, had a frown. What was going on? Was this about...?
    Prince Alexander stood before his father and bowed in respect. "Why is it you sent for me, your majesty?"
    The King was a very polished, but stiff middle-aged man with short-cut brown hair, beard. He wore only the finest of clothes, and a golden crown adorned his head. He nodded in acknowledgment of the bow and then frowned. "I heard you picked up a pet on your way home yesterday."
    A pet? Alex was confused. "You mean the girl, your majesty?" he asked.
    His father nodded. "Yes, the peasant."
    "With all due respect, father," he started, "peasants deserve respect as much as you or I."
    At that, the King gritted his teeth and growled. "I have nothing in common with any peasant, you hear me?! Peasants are like a disease in any city; no matter what you do to exterminate them, they're always there."
    "But, your majesty," Alex argued, "If you truly wish to get rid of the poor people, then why not give them money? Then they would no longer be poor."
    "Have you lost all senses, boy? The peasants wouldn't know what to do with money. They'd squander it all and become nothing but peasants again." The King clenched his fist. "And you interacting with them is not acceptable." Alex tried to speak and protest, but his father didn't stop. "I have decided that you will no longer go out on Sundays. The minister will take care of the morning rides for you. And until I decide, you will stay in your room, and not leave."
    "But, father..."
    The King immediately, stood up and pulled his hand back in a threat. Alex winced, expecting what never came. He opened his eyes to see his father looming over him, red faced and fire in his eyes. "If you ever address me as something so informal again, I will not hesitate! Do not go against my word!"
    "But-" Alex decided a sore face was not worth the argument, and dropped it. "Yes, sire." And with a bow, took his leave. But just as he left the room, he overheard Martigan speaking to his father.
    "What an unruly child, your majesty. I told you he was nothing but trouble."
    His father sneered. "Do not speak of my son that way!" He snapped, "When his time comes, he will rule like I or not at all."
    "Yes, your majesty. But, what about the peasant?"
    There was a pause before the King answered. "It doesn't matter, when my plan is finished, we won't have any peasants to worry about. I will rule, completely, and no one will disobey me. Ever."
    Alex gasped at the fierceness and sureness of his father's statement. What did he have in mind? He had to warn Lori, and her family. But, how would he leave? And where would they go?
    It didn't matter; he just had to warn them. And he would save them, no matter what.


    Lori awoke that morning with a smile on her face. They were going to have a new house, and money! What could be better?
    She danced into the kitchen where her mother was cooking breakfast. Something else they didn't do very often. She took in the delicious smells of eggs, bacon, and biscuits. They had never in Lori's life had such a big meal for breakfast. It looked delicious.
    She skipped up to her mother and kissed her on the cheek. "Good morning mother!"
    Lori's mother looked surprised. "Well, you're in a good mood..."
    Loraina shrugged and smiled. "I can't help it." She said, "Isn't it wonderful?"
    The conversation was stopped short when a small voice came from behind them. "Mommy, what smells so weird?" Timmy asked from the doorway, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
    Lori couldn't help but to laugh. "It's breakfast, Timmy! Eggs, bacon, and biscuits! A breakfast made for kings!"
    Timmy looked surprised. "We can do that?"
    She laughed again as she lifted her brother to the table and sat down herself. "Let's eat!"
    They ate breakfast in good moods, laughing and talking, until they heard a pounding at the door. 
    "Who might that be?"
    Lori stood up from the table. "I'll get it." She walked to the door and opened it, revealing Prince Alexander. He was breathing heavily and parts of his clothes were torn. "What happened to you?" Lori asked, shocked.
    He took a few deep breaths before answering. "The... the King... he plans to..." Then he paused. "May I come in?"
    Lori nodded. "Y-yes, of course. My family is in the kitchen." She led him to the table where her mother and Timmy both gasped.
    "Y-your majesty!" Lori's mother jumped up and led him to a chair. "W-would you like a seat?"
    He nodded. "Thank you." He sat down and caught his breath, while the family awaited his explanation. Why was he here? He took a deep breath and looked Lori's mother in the eyes. "You have to leave this place." He said bluntly.
    "What?" Asked Lori's mother. "What do you mean? We don't get a new house?"
    He shook his head. "My father, the King, he has something in mind. Some sort of plan. I don't know what it is, but he says he's going to destroy all the peasants." He took another deep breath and spoke again. "Do you have any relatives, or a place to go?"
    The older woman shook her head. "No. No one."
    Alex frowned. "That might complicate things..." he mumbled to himself. Then, his face lit up. "Wait! I know! My father doesn't go into the forest! I know a man there. Perhaps he can help you!"
    Lori raised an eyebrow. "The same man who does your 'herb shopping for you'?" she asked with a slight hint if a grin. She was beginning to like this guy. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all...
    Alexander nodded. "Yes, the same. I must go see him." He stood. "Will you come with me?"
    Lori blinked. "Me? Now? Into the forest?"
    "Yes." He replied simply. "With me. He's a nice man, and I'm sure he'll help you." 
    Lori considered. The forest was rumored to harbor evil demons and tree spirits. If the legends were true, she was placing herself in grave danger. But if they weren't then they would be saved from whatever plan the King had in mind. That is... if the Prince wasn't lying.
    What if he was? What if he was just setting her and her family up for a trap? Could she trust him? She wanted to, but she never met a man before she could trust. And Alex wasn't only a man, but he was a rich man, and a prince none-the-less. Was he trustworthy?
    Lori slowly nodded. "Yes." She said, "I will come with you." She then turned to her mother and brother. "If I don't return..." She didn't finish the sentence. Alex had interrupted her.
    He pulled out a leather sack and handed it to her mother. "If we don't return," he started, "use this money to move far away from here. My father has probably sent soldiers to find me. It's best if you leave as soon as possible. Go to some place safe, and we'll meet you there."
    Her mother nodded and took the sack of money and looked down. "Good luck."
    Lori hugged her mother. "And you." She said, and rustled her brother's hair. "Take care of mom for me, okay squirt?"
    Timmy nodded and smiled. "I'll be good!"
    And without another word, they left in search of this man in the forest.


    Alex picked the twigs out of his hair, and grumbled. This trip would be a lot easier, he thought, if the forest itself didn't seem to block our way.
    He then looked to the young woman with him. She was grumbling as well, refusing to take help. She persisted in doing everything herself. She was a very stubborn girl, but he admired that in her. Every princess he ever met either relied on everyone else to do everything for her, or was a spoiled brat. Neither one was good company.
    No, this girl was different. She wasn't dependent on anybody and had very high self-esteem. Something he had never seen before in a woman. She was indeed special. He was glad he had taken that Sunday ride that morning.
    "How long is it until we reach this 'guy'?" Lori's voice snapped him out of thought. 
    He looked around. "Not long, I think. Just a little longer." 
    She looked at him as if deciding something. "We're lost, aren't we?"
    "No!" He denied it. "No, he said he'd be here when I needed him." Alex sighed. "I usually meet him on the edge of the forest..."
    Lori's jaw dropped. "And we've been wandering inside the forest for how long?!?!" She mumbled something under her breath, but calmed down. "You had better be able to get us out of here." She said in a low, threatening tone. "Or you won't be able to have an heir. I promise you that."
    Prince Alexander gulped. She sounded serious. He looked ahead and saw a clearing. "Stay here." He said, "I'll check out this place, and then we'll rest."
    Lori sighed but didn't argue. Instead, she just sat down onto the mossy carpet of the forest floor and started playing with some grass. 
    Alex made sure that she was safe, then he headed towards the clearing, hoping to find something to eat, or at least some water nearby. He also hoped the man would be there. He didn't want to disappoint Lori. 
    As he surveyed the area, he noticed a snowy white owl perch on a nearby tree branch. It was looking strangly at him, as if curious to what he would do... But that was ludicrous; owls were nothing but birds. They didn't care what he did... did they?
    He shook the thought out of his head, and resumed his survey of the clearing. It looked like it had been used within the last few days. There was a patch of ashes and sticks, which could have been a fire. Could this be what he was looking for?
    "Ben?" He called out. "Ben, are you there?"
    The only answer he received was the soft hoot of the owl. It looked at hom with a questioning look, as if asking why he was so deep in this enchanted forest.
    He turned around, unnerved by the bird. It's just a bird... he thought to himself. But still...
    "How do you know Ben, stranger?"
    He whirled back around, only to come face-to-face with a girl. She was tall, and strongly built, wearing a white tunic with knee-high boots and white slacks. A green sash adroned with a white feather was tied around her waist. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, and streaked with glistening red strands, that enhanced her face. She looked familier... like she was the forest...
    "You haven't answered my question, stranger." she said sternly. She took a step closer.
    Alex raised an eyebrow. The owl was no longer there, he noticed, and she had the same look of curiosity...
    "You're one of those forest spirits, aren't you?!" He demanded. "You're the one who frightens the king's men from here!!"
    The girl frowned. "So what if I am?" she said, taking yet another step closer, "Who are you?"
    Alex copied her frown, and put a fist to his chest. "I am Prince Alexander, son of the King!" He said, handling the hilt of the dagger on his belt. He might need it. No telling what forest demons could do.
    She balled her fists. "Y'know, I have had it up to here with you non-beleivers, and your threts! Did Ra'ule send you?" she snapped. "Are you here to kill me?! Well I don't care! But, I tell you, I'm not going down without a fight, your highness..."
    Alex had only a split-second to whip his dagger out as the forest spirit charged at him with fierce rage. He spun out of her way, and twisted back around to use his knife, but she was already gone. He glanced around, but saw her too late. She gave him a firm punch in the abdomen, and he yelped in pain.


    Lori immidiately stood. She had heard it. There had been a thud and a yell. Alex was in trouble.
    She cursed the luck, and turned around, heading for the clearing. Men are so much trouble... she thought to herself. Now she would have to save him without humiliating him. Impossible.
    When she reached the clearing, however, she saw the situation and gasped. "Forest spirits!" she whispered. She did not want the wrath of the forest upon her, but what was she doing to Alex?


    Alexander clenched his teeth, and faught the pain. She was mush stronger than she looked. He glanced up, just in time to see her dissappear from his view, and elbow him in the back. He fell to the ground, face first into the cushiony moss, with an "Oopff!"
    The girl stopped, and loomed over him. "How the mighty have fallen..." She mumbled, and frowned. "Leave my forest, your highness." she demanded. "Leave, and don't come back." She turned to leave, but thought better of it, and brought her foot back--
    --but did not hit the prince as intinded. Instead, her foot connected with the ribs of a peasant girl with light brown hair. Lori let out a grunt, and fell onto Alexander with another.
    Miriek was startled, but kept her frown. "Foolish girl!" she snapped, "You shouldn't be here!"
    Lori frowned as well, attempting to get to sit up. "Well, you shouldn't beat up on someone who only wants help!"
    "And YOU should stay out of other peoples' business!!"
    "This IS my business!!!"
    "STOP!!!"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 3"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 3"

Chapter 3By;fernand jiro

    He woke up to the hard knocking sound on the door to his room. He turned around, pulling the soft, expensive blankets up over his head to drown out the noise, and groaned. It was dawn. He didn't want to get up this early.

    The knocking, however, didn't cease. It persisted in its noise. Then, a low, scratchy voice sounded through the muffled door. "Wake up, your highness." It said, in a snobbish tone, "You are to make your ride through the city today."

    "Do I have to?" The Prince said in a groggy voice, hoping the man would go away.

    "Prince Alexander! We do this every Sunday! You should know by now!" the voice yelled at him, "Now get up, or I will have to inform your father about this."

    Alexander gave up. "Fine... I'll be down for breakfast in ten minutes." The man seemed satisfied and gave a 'yes sir' in acknowledgment and left, while Alex stood up and stretched the sleep out of his muscles. This was going to be a long, strange day...

    The city was basically empty. Nobody worked on Sundays, so nobody came out to the shops. It made no sense to do these Sunday morning rides, but his father, the King, made him so he had no choice in the matter. It was very boring.

    Alex yawned on his white horse, Blaze, and decided to make this ride more interesting. There was only a small stretch of roads before they were back at the castle, and nobody was out on Sundays, so...

    He slowed his horse and turned. Next to him was a thin sickly looking man on a dark horse. The man had a skinny face, and a long nose which he constantly had high in the air snubbing anyone lower ranking than he. This was Martigan, his 'watcher'. Alex addressed him and the other guards that had come on the Sunday ride. "Here me, guards," he started, "We're going to have a race. The first one back to the royal stables will get a week off with pay... in gold."

    That woke all the guards up. They all nodded in agreement and got ready for the race. Martigan, however, hesitated. "Are you sure that's wise, sir?"

    Alex shrugged. "Why not? What harm could it do?" Martigan said nothing, and so Prince Alexander readied his horse for running. "Ready... GO!"

    All the horses shot off, following the roads, hugging the turns, heading for the palace. All that was left was a turn, the Fountain Square, and a long stretch of road to the castle. Alex heard the hooves beat hard on the ground and his heavy breathing matched the pace. The thrill of adrenaline shot through him in this race home.

    Suddenly, a movement caught his eye. There was someone in front of them! He pulled to a halt, but it was too late, the person had been thrown to the ground.

    "Halt!!" He called to all his men as he stopped the horse and looked back at whome they had run off the road and into the mud. The person was crouched down on the ground with their backs to him, so a face couldn't be seen. Alex felt bad; he had to apologize.

    He guided his horse to the person with Martigan following, as the human in rags raised its head. Now Alex could see who it was. It was a girl! She had slightly longer than shoulder length light brown hair and deep green-blue eyes. She was obviously a peasant, wearing dirty rags, and was partially unwashed, while her hair was scraggly and unbrushed. If she had been cleaned up and wearing true clothes, other than rags, she would be beautiful, of that, he was sure.

    Who was this girl?

    Prince Alex slid off his horse and hit the ground next to the girl, and Martigan snorted. "You're wasting your time with these poor folk, sire." He said, "It's not good for your image."

    Alexander shrugged off his watcher's ego, and frowned. "It was our fault she fell, Martigan," he said, "It should be our duty to help her up." He held a hand out to the girl and smiled kindly. "Do you need help? Are you all right?"

    The girl brushed the hair out of her eyes and tried to speak, but seemed not able to. Instead, she just took his hand and he helped her up. He then glanced her over. She had a deep gash on her forehead, probably from the fall. "You're hurt." He said, reaching for her head, but she shied away.

    "I-I'm fine, really." She said, stubbornly. "I'll just be going now..."

    She turned to leave, but he caught her by the arm. "No, please. Tell me, why were you out here on a Sunday morning?"

    She hesitated, not knowing what to do. While she groped for words, Martigan sighed rudely. "Speak up, girl! Don't you know to whom you speak?" She shook her head, showing she did not, and the man continued. "This is Prince Alexander, future ruler of all the kingdom. So speak when you're spoken to."

    "Martigan." Alexander silenced him, and turned back to the girl, expecting an answer. "So? What were you doing?"

    She stuttered. "I-I was w-w-waiting f-for someone. I w-was told he'd b-be here." 

    Alex was curious. "Someone?" He inquired. "Who might that someone be?"

    "I... I'm not sure..."

    Martigan sighed. "This is a foolish waste of time, your majesty. Just leave her and come back to the castle before your father gets worried. She's just a peasant. And a girl at that."

    Alex would have burst out with insults at a comment like that, were Martigan a normal man, but he wasn't. He was King's advisor, and Alex's watcher. If he were to act like that, he would go without food for a day or more. No, it was better to stay calm.

    "Peasants and girls are my subjects just as much as you or the men who run the shops. And it is our fault she is in this mess." Martigan sighed, but said nothing. "Take the soldiers back to the castle, Martigan. Tell my father I will be with him shortly."

    Martigan protested. "But, sire--"

    Alex looked at him with a commanding glare. "That is an order, Martigan." No matter Martigan's ranks, he had to obey the Prince in this matter.

    Martigan obeyed, ordering the rest of the men and horses to head back to the castle, leaving the girl and the Prince alone on the streets.

    "F-forgive me, your highness for not being respectful in your presence." She said, not meeting his gaze. 

    Alexander seemed to almost laugh. "Don't worry." He said, "I won't turn you in." He placed a finger under the girl's chin and lifted her head up to meet his eyes, but she resisted. "Don't be afraid," he said, smiling, "I won't hurt you." Their eyes met and he brushed the hair from her face. She was beautiful. "We should get that cleaned up."

    "I should go home," She said, "I'll be fine. Really."

    He shook his head. "I don't think so. You should come with me. I have the best healers there." Actually, the cut probably wasn't bad enough to need a healer, but he wanted an excuse to take her to the castle.

    She looked shocked. "T-to the palace?" She asked, "I-I can't go there. It wouldn't be right!"

    He laughed a little. "Why not? You'll be fine. I promise you that you will return safely to your home."

    "But..."

    He mounted his horse and held out a hand, inviting her to join him. She hesitated. "Do I have to order you?" He said, still smiling. She then reached out and took his hand, mounting the horse behind him.

    Loraina observed the great halls in wonder. They were beautiful! The walls were covered in art from the greatest painters in the known world, and the celings were lined in gold and ivory, creating patters she had never even dreamed of. She had never seen this much wealth in her life, let alone in one room! It was amazing!

    "You like it?" the Prince asked her.

    It took her a while to find her voice. "It's..."

    "What is that doing here?!?" Lori wasn't able to finish her sentence before the one whome the Prince had called 'Martigan' barged in, pointing directly at her.

    Prince Alexander stepped in front of her, as if sheilding her from an evil worse than death. "This is..." He trailed off.

    "Loraina." She supplied her name.

    "This is Loraina." He said as if he hadn't faltered before, "And she is coming with me. I want the best healers here for her. She is to be cleaned and healed."

    Martigan got a disgusted look on his face as he stepped foreward and got a closer look. "Her?" he seethed, "But she's a peasant, your majesty! If your father knew about this, he'd--"

    "Then tell my father." Alexander snapped, "But for the moment, call upon the healers, and get this woman cleaned up."

    Martigan sneered, but did not argue. "All of the healers are out, your highness," he said calmly, "Sunday is their day off, you know that."

    Lori, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "I could go home," she said softly, "it's just a cut."

    Martigan's face brightened, which only seemed to make him look worse. "An exelent idea!" he said, "Perhaps the lesser folk aren't as simple-minded as I'd come to expect. This one knows her place, anyway..."

    Lori could feel her cheeks turn red from anger. She did not like this guy. Not one bit. However, she did not say a word, in fear of stepping out of 'her place.'

    "She will stay here until her wounds are dressed and she is cleaned." The prince said calling upon an air of authority. "Come on, Loraina." He turned and walked down the hall opposite Martigan. Lori hasitated only a moment, then followed.

    "Lori." she said when they were out of Martigan's ear-shot.

    Alexander looked over and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

    "Call me Lori." she replied, "Only my mother calls me Loraina."

    He smiled. "All right... Lori." He stopped at a beautifully decorated door, and opened it. "This is my room. Since there are no healers here, I'll dress that wound myself."

    She shook her head. "Oh, no... you don't have to..."

    "I can order you..." he thretened with a smile as he had done before. With a sigh, she walked inside the large room, and sat down on the bed. It was as soft as feathers.

    "Now stay there while I get my med pack." he said, "We'll get you cleaned up in no time."

    "Ow!" Lori flinched as the cold rag touched the cut on her forehead. "That stings!"

    Alex laughed. "Just hold still, and it'll be over in no time." He tried to dab the wound again, but she leaned back the closer he got. He sighed. "Would you just let me clean this cut?"

    Lori shook her head quickly. "What did you put on that rag anyway?!"

    "It's called Bylynth. It's oil from a plant found in the forest. Now would you just--" He tried once again, but she moved.

    "The forest? Who goes there? Nobody goes into the forest."

    Alexander smiled. "I have a friend. He does my herb shopping for me. Now hold still..."

    This time, she hesitantly let him dab the cut, however... "Ow! That really hurts!" She jumped back. "Are you sure you're not trying to kill me?"

    He chuckled. She was a skittish little thing, wasn't she? Maybe she wasn't used to being in a castle. "If that were my intent, I would have done it long ago. Now let me clean this cut or it will swell and get infected."

    She finally gave up and held still, allowing him to clean out the wound. Alex watched her face as he tended her with professional work. She seemed to look at him with wonder and fear. Who was this beautiful peasant? And what drew him to her so? "Why did you bring me here?" she asked quietly.

    He looked at her strangely. "To apologize for running you over by tending your wounds."

    Lori shook her head. "No, I mean, WHY did you even do that? I'm just a poor girl, who works. Nobody really cares for me, especially rich people."

    He looked shocked. "Well, I'm sure there are people who care for you. What about a family? Do you have that?"

    "Well... yes, but I meant besides them. Rich people aren't seen with the poor and that's the way it is. Why are you so different?"

    He looked her strait in the eyes. "Because I care." He then pulled away. "There. Finished. How does it feel?"

    She paused, seeing if it still hurt. "Better."

    "That's good." He put away the rag and stood up. "So, where do you live, anyway?"

    Lori shrugged. "Just outside of town, on a farm. Just me, my mom and my little brother."

    "What's it like," he asked, "where you live?"

    "Well, the roof leaks a little, and it's cold in the winter. I have to work because father left, and Timmy isn't old enough to work yet, but it's not so bad because at the bookstore where I work I can get to read the books for free."

    "You can read?" He then mentally hit himself for asking something so stupid and mean.

    "Yes. Father taught me, when I was still young." She replied, almost in a 'so there' tone.

    "That sounds terrible." He then realized what he said, and quickly corrected himself, "I mean, the house. Can't you afford something better?"

    "No. Not with the little money I get. I'm just a girl. They don't pay me as much as a man. It's bad enough that I even work. Most places wouldn't even pay me." She sighed. "It's not fair."

    "No, it's not." He felt sorry for the girl, and a need to help her. "Women should be treated as equals, not like dirt under our feet."

    Lori raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"

    "What do you mean?" Didn't she think that way?

    "You're a man. Men don't think like that. Never have. Never will. That's why I'm not married. No one want's a girl who works. It's bad for their 'reputation'"

    That caught his attention. "You're not married? And you're... nineteen?"

    She shook her head. "Not yet, but I will be in a month. And no, I'm not married. Why, gonna laugh at me now?"

    He was shocked that she would even say such a thing. Hadn't he already proven his kindness? "No. I don't laugh at people for what can't be helped. But maybe I can help you."

    She snorted. "How? What, you gonna marry me?"

    He paused. He couldn't marry her. Marrying a peasant? No, his father would never allow it. "No... But I can help your family. I can buy you a better house. One that's warm, and doesn't leak. And you won't have to work. Would that help?" He hoped it would.

    She cocked her head and looked at him, as if she wasn't sure if she could believe him or not. How much would it take to gain her trust?

    "You would do that?" She asked, "For a working girl? Why?"

    He shrugged. "Because I can't stand to see people miserable. Besides, I can spare a few coins for those less fortunate. I've got enough." And it was true. He could spare some money to help. After all, he was a prince.

    She gave him a look. "You got that right!"

    Alex ignored the look and shrugged. "So? Do you accept?"

    Lori stared at him for a long time, and moments passed slowly. Then, finally, she nodded. "Yes..."

    Lori glanced over to her left. There rode the Prince on his white horse next to her, a peasant girl. It was like a fairy tale, where a hansom prince fell in love with a young girl, and they lived happily ever after. But that was all it was... a fairy tale. Nothing like that ever really happened, did it?

    No, he was just being kind because he felt sorry for her. Maybe he was ashamed that a female in his city worked, that was all.

    She then looked to her right to where in the sky danced the beautiful colors of the sunset. This is the time she felt most peaceful. If only people were as peaceful as a sunset, then things would be a lot better for the world.

    Without thinking, she turned back to look at the Prince, and their eyes met. To Lori, it seemed as if the whole world had disappeared, and all that was left was her and Prince Alexander. In his eyes reflected the sunset, and she felt all her doubt in him fade away.

    Then, the moment ended, and she regained her senses. She turned away and did not meet his gaze again. It was just hope, she thought, just hope...

    They finished the trip home in silence, and only when they had reached Lori's house, did the Prince speak. "Is anyone home, do you know?" he asked.

    Lori shrugged. "Mother should be home, and my little brother, Timmy. Why?"

    He slid off his horse with practiced ease and hit the ground with a dull thud. "I was hoping to talk to your mother." He said, and walked to her horse, offering to help her down.

    Loraina just glared at him. "I can dismount a horse myself." She told him and did so as he backed away.

    "I'm sorry," he said, "I was only trying to-"

    "I don't need your pity." She snapped, "What I need is to be respected as a human, not some weak peasant girl who can't do anything for herself."

    He said nothing, in fear of upsetting her again, and they both headed inside her house, preparing to meet her mother.

    "Loraina!" Her mother said almost the second she entered the house and was almost smothered by the hugs she was given. "Oh, I was so worried!" She said, in a definitely worried tone. "You had been gone all day..."

    Lori smiled at her mother. "Don't worry. I'm fine." She assured her. "In fact, I brought a... friend."

    Lori's mother glanced up, finally noticing the young man behind her daughter. His shoulder length blond hair stood out in the dim light. "W-ho...?" She glanced back at her daughter in surprise. "I-is this the man who...?" She couldn't finish the sentence.

    Lori shrugged. "I think so... but I'm not sure..."

    "But th-this is..."

    Alex bowed. "Prince Alexander Mortaia Orlan at your service ma'am." He said politely.

    The woman quickly got humble. "N-no!" She stuttered, "n-n-not our service! We are not worthy of your presence, my lord!" She bowed her head down and did not meet his gaze as Lori had once done. "W-why is it that you h-have come to our humble home, lord?"

    Alex looked uncomfortable as he lifted her face up to meet his. "Please don't do that..."

    Lori's mother looked away and protested. "But, lord..."

    "Just... please." He insisted, and reluctantly, the woman obeyed, raising her head, but still not looking him directly in the eyes. "Now, I came to return your daughter to you, and to offer you a better house, and extra money. Will you accept that?"

    The woman seemed to search for words, but unable to find them. She stood staring dumbfounded at the Prince. "I-I..." She looked to her daughter. "What would we tell the Stranger?" she asked.

    Lori looked from her mother, to the prince and back again. The Stranger did promise that only after she went to the city would she get the money for the house... and she did meet the prince in the city... "I think..." She paused, and smiled. "I think we should tell him, 'thank you.'"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 2"

"Heart of Destiny Chapter 2" 

Chapter 2BY;fernand jiro
    The young girl sat impatiently, concentrating hard on what she was doing. If indeed this spell were to work, she would need all of her strength. She had to still her mind.
    In and out; around in a circle. That was the way of things; dark and light; chaos, creation, and the ever burning orb.
    Suddenly, she heard a twig snap, breaking her out of her maditative state. With an air of irritation, she brushed off the green forest outfit she wore when Ben wasn't around. She frowned. She knew these woods like the back of her hand; she sensed that something here was not quite right. She was friends with many of the animals here, and so was Ben. He knew where the clearing was, and the only company she had besides him was that of the whispering trees.
    Again she heard another twig snap. She tensed. This was not right.
    After throwing on her white hooded robe and slipping on the tall, tanned boots she always wore, she leaped high, using her magic to propel her to the branches of her friend trees. Peering down, she looked for anything that was amiss.
    There it was. It was someone from the borderlands; the outside. This was odd. None of the people on the edge of the woods ever went inside, especially into the heart of it. There were rumors of people that worshiped the old ways. That of nature and not of technology. And one of those she was.
    Ah, but this one seemed to know what he was doing. He slipped silently through the trees. He wore a lot of green, with silky mehou feathers tied in his hair with leather cords. He wore high boots of what looked like emerald dragon leather. Slung on his back was a quiver of arrows, a bow across his arm and a dagger clearly visible in his boot. And lastly, his hair was raven black, cut shorter then that of the usual man.
    He stealthy pulled an arrow from the quiver and loaded it onto the bow. She looked below her to see a white male stag, grazing peacefully, not suspecting an approaching death.
    "No..." she whispered. She gracefully leaped from the branches, flipped in mid-air and landed in a crouch in front of the stag, who understood immediately who she was. It kneeled down and she laid her head on the stag's heart.
    She felt the man hesitate. "Get out of my way, girl." He growled.
    Miriek did not move. "No," she said stubbornly.
    He raised his bow again in a thret. "I don't want to have to kill you," he warned.
    Miriek stubbornly did not move. "Then I suppose you will have to kill me. If it is my time, then it's my time. But I have sworn to protect this forest from people like you." She tilted her head. "I will not let you kill him."
    Her warning came too late. An arrow whizzed through the air, and she heard it's shrill cry as it cut through the wind. "Move!" she cried to the white animal. "Go!"
    The animal shot away quickly, but it would not be able to escape the arrow. In a split second, Miriek leaped up and intercepted it with her shoulder.
    "Ahhhhhh!!!!" she cried out as the pain shot through her arm. She fell to the ground breathing hard and wailing in agony.
    The man ran to her side. "Are you crazy?!" he roared. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
    "Better for you to take my life than that of my friends." Miriek gasped in pain. She then grabbed hold of the arrow and started to pull.
    "No No!" the man cried, "You'll only make it bleed more! We need to get you to a healer!" He glared at her. "You are very foolish. Why did you stop my arrow? That was my dinner."
    Miriek sighed. "Why do you insist on eating meat? You don't have to you know." She frowned. "You outsiders take with no thought of given back to nature in return." She grabbed the arrow, and with a shrill scream, drew it out. She threw it to the ground and collapsed. "It sickens me. How could you want to kill my friend?" She sighed as everything fadded into blackness.

    She had passed out from the pain, the foolish girl. He stood, looming over her, thinking over what she had told him. Outsiders, she had said... Did that mean...?
    He took a step back from the girl in surprise. Yea gods, he thought, this woman is one of the nature lovers! The hidden forest guardians!!
    He looked at her white robe, which was now stained red with her blood. She would need help, or she would bleed to death. He knelt down to pick her up to carry her, when something caught his eye.
    The white stag. It stood with its eyes twinkling brightly. He couldn't seem to stop from staring at those eyes... Why is it they seem to see through me to my soul????     He shook his head. He had to get help...
    "Perhaps, Ra'ule, it would have been better if you had listened to her words. She is not the foolish one you think she is."
    He turned to see a man standing in the exact same spot as the stag had a moment before. The man was tall, with fire red hair and a beard, although the red had begun to fade to a dull orange around his temples. His eyes shone that he knew Ra'ule; knew his thoughts and his every move, as if he could see right into his soul.
    "She... uh... needs help. I need to get her to a healer." Ra'ule stammered.
    The man grinned. "You are fortunate she is one who can heal herself quickly. She has slipped into a trance." He explained, "The wound is already gone."
    Ra'ule looked. Indeed, the man was right. "But... that's impossible." he whispered.
    The man laughed, and as he did, his eyes twinkled unnaturally, as though there were something in him that was familiar. They seemed to brim with knowledge. "Not to one of magic," he said, amused.
    "Ha! You're an old fool. Magic isn't real, and if the girl believes that, then she's a fool too. Hokey religions is all it is, old one." Ra'ule laughed.
    The old one raised an amused eyebrow. "Look at the girl, Ra'ule," the man said quietly, "she seems familiar to you, does she not?"
    Ra'ule jumped. "How did you know my name?"
    He shrugged. "I know a lot more than your name, son." And with that, Ra'ule turned to walk away, and as he did, the white stag gave a nod of acknowledgment, then galloped away.
    "Magic... is not real... no way..."

    Miriek awoke with a ponding headache. She would have to work on the effect of her power draining if she were ever to heal without such harsh side effects. When she finally opened her eyes, she jumped. She was not in the woods, or her grove of trees. She looked around. Oh, gods, she was trapped! Panic swept over her and she cried out in alarm.
    "Woah, woah! Hey, it's okay!" came a familiar voice. She squinted. Many years ago, she had almost lost her eyesight from the ashes of the fire. It was very hard now to make out detail. Light, dark, and face shapes were basically all she could see.
    "Oh, it's you." She calmed down in recognition, "How did I get here?"
    Ra'ule shrugged. "I brought you here. You've been out for a good three days." He went to put a hand on her forehead, but in alarm, she moved away. "Jeez! You're a skittish little thing, aren't you?" He asked uneasily.
    "I don't like humans much," she growled.
    "Look, all I'm doing is checking your temperature. Relax, I won't hurt you." Miriek eyed him uneasily, but let him touch her forehead. "Jeez, you're burning up!" He shrieked.
    Miriek shook her head. "I'll be fine. It's happened before."
    "At least let me get a rag to try to bring it down,"
    "Fine."
    He went and got a bowl and a rag, and wet her forehead. "You said you weren't human," he said attempting to learn more about this strange girl, "What are you then?"
    She eyed him. "I don't know." She held her hand up. On it was a trace of... something. It shone and sparkled faintly. She then reached behind to the back of her head, and pulled out a streak of hair. It was a blazing orangish red, like fire. "My parents died when I was very young. There was a fire..." she stopped and laughed. "I don't even know you! What am I saying?!"
    He shrugged. "I don't mind. I think... whatever your race is... it looks like it might be nice."
    She looked at him, then leaned forward. She inhaled deeply, and when she looked at him again, she laughed.
    "What?!" he asked defensively.
    She shrugged. "It's just your scent." She giggled hysterically. 
    "You're attracted to me."
    He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "How did you...?"
    She touched her nose. "Smell. All of my senses are fine-tuned. Except for my eyesight, that is. When you live like I do, you discover that your senses are heightened." She grinned. "Nature can teach you a lot if you are willing to learn."
    "You do magic, right?" he asked her.
    "Yes, it bothers you?"
    He raised his head in pride. "I don't believe in magic."
    She shook her head. "And yet, you shun technology as I do. You live on your own." She touched his cheek. "You poor thing. You are so lost." She turned away suddenly. "I have to go."
    "Wait!" He cried out, and blocked her path to the door when she stood. "I want to see you again."
    She smiled. "If you do, then you know where to look."
    He looked confused. "How will I find you?"
    She grinned. "Don't worry, I'll find you." She winked at him and turned away. He looked out into the woods for a moment, then back again. In a tree branch perched a white owl. It hooted softly, then flew away.
    "Goodbye, tree spirit." Ra'ule whispered.

    He walked through he forest, looking for the forest guardian. She had said yesterday that he could find her at the heart of the woods, but where exactly was that? How would he know whenever he got there? He wasn't even sure he knew where he was going.
    He stepped into a clearing, and he looked around. Where was she? Why was it that he wanted to see her again? Why? What was it about this girl that seemed so... familiar?
    "Perhaps, my friend, it is because we have many lives, and I would not be surprised if we have met before."
    He turned around to see the girl. She was dressed in white robes with a green sash ties around her waist. Her skin shimmered faintly, and her brilliant streak of red hair glimmered brightly despite the lack of sunlight.
    She grinned and Ra'ule caught a glimpse of giant white wings before they disappeared in a shower of glitter.
    "How did you-Where did you-" he stuttered.
    Miriek smiled at him. "I told you. I've been living in these woods since I was an infant. And I've studied magic almost my entire life."
    "But-you-how did you... you're a witch!" He snapped, and started to back away. She went to step forward to comfort him, but he leaped back. "Stay away from me!" He gave her a look of absolute hatred. "I can't believe I trusted you! I thought it was all a fake! You're a demoness!" He glared at her. "You've bewitched me into loving you is what it is." 
    "I didn't--" Miriek began.
    "What was with the wings? Only a witch can impersonate a demon like that!" he accused.
    "But... I... Please, you must understand..." she stuttered, "I'm not like that... please... I would never do anyhting to hurt you."
    Ra'ule ignored her words. "I will go to the prince immediatly." He glared at her coldly. "His highness does not take kindly to the practitioners of the dark arts. And if you don't like people, then you're doomed." With that, he turned and marched boldly away.

    Miriek felt as though her heart had just been torn to peices. She watched Ra'ule march out of her clearing. As soon as she was out of view, tears rolled down her cheeks.
    "I thought he was different," she cried softly, "I thought he would understand, even if he didn't beleive in magic..."
    Her tears hit the ground, and the second they did, a large snowy owl hooted softly and flew up to land on the back of a white stag. The large deer turned it's head to nudge the owl, and the owl hooted again, and flew away...