The Necklace

[Emora Deen]

This one goes out to Soran, who wanted to finally finish this story! Now, since I've only ever known what Alabama looks like, I wrote about a place that doesn't exist in Alabama.... lol.


Prologue…

“You’ll never win Dorn!” the tall man clad in steal armor said and held up the sword in his hand. “Never as long as my family lives will you enter into the mortal world!”

They stood on the top of the Forgotten Mountain with every evil creature surrounding them. Behind the tall man and his even taller companion was a bright light in the shape of a door. It was large, large enough for many people to go through at once. The bright deep blue eyes of the man clad in armor shown as the hooded figure advanced on him.

“Never! I will not let you pass!” Bellor said and from his cloak drew an amulet. It was made from gold and a green stone was placed delicately in the middle. It was rather clear, almost like a pool of liquid. He held it up in front of him. “Rakurash!” he screamed as the hooded figure grew near. But, it was too late for Dorn. The green stone glowed and something that resembled a laser beam struck the Demon King in his chest.

As the screams from Dorn escaped, the power of the stone seemed to draw the one power that Dorn needed to get into the mortal world. It took his power for using the Gate, but that was all the power the amulet could take. However, as soon as it had begun, it ended and Dorn was left with a complete empty feeling. His power to travel between worlds had been taken, and any time power is taken it leaves a great whole until it is returned.

Dorn was left in a state of weakness from the transfusion of power, but this would not stop him. He caused his army to advance forward and through some great unknown feat Lord Bellor and his elf friend, Lord Saiwin Allrand got away. They left the Forgotten Mountain with the safe conviction that Dorn was unable to travel into the world of mortals.

Though the world of mortals was safe from Dorn, Lord Bellor and his family were not. It wasn’t long before Dorn slaughtered Bellor’s wife and took his son. He tormented Bellor by killing those he loved, his friends and family… any one. Bellor never saw his son again…

Many years passed and since Bellor had no more love ones for Dorn to take it was quite. Up until the point where he met a lovely young Sorceress who he fell in love with. Many attempts were made on her life. Bellor knew that Dorn didn’t directly attack him because if he did Dorn would lose his power forever. But, he would go after his new wife with the same fierceness he did before.

So Bellor decided to escape and left for the world he had tried so hard to protect. There he lived with his family… and since he was half immortal when he thought it fit to go back he faked his death and returned to his own world. But, his family was safe and he often visited them.

For many years Dorn has laid dormant, waiting and biding his time until he could make his move… until he was strong enough. He’s been waiting until the time was right… And that time is now…

A/N: Okay Soran! The old version I'll post when I get back from Christmas shopping...

[Emora Deen]

Not the Prologue

Mia sat in the most boring class of the day, math. The whole time she was paying attention she was cursing the person who wrote down the first math problem. To bad they were dead... Math was her worst subject and no matter how much she paid attention she never seemed to get it.

She felt some one poke her in the back and Mia turned her head. "So what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?" her friend Sam asked and she looked back at the teacher before speaking.

"I have no idea, why?" Mia asked suspicious and smiled. She turned around in her seat and listened to his reply.

"I need some help in history," Sam said and smiled. "You seem pretty good at that."

"You don't need any help, your the same as me. Oh, wait... you cheat," Mia said and smiled. She stopped when the She Devil, Mrs. Rihte glanced at her.

"Something to add Mia?" the old bat asked and Mia smiled again.

"Something to add.... oh sure, ummmm...... two plus two," Mia said before she could stop herself and the room exploded into giggles. Mia blushed and looked down at her book. What in the world did I just do?

"Very funny Miss Kayhe. Now, where were we?" she asked herself and began to finish the problem on the board. She stopped a second and looked at Mia. "Mia... be sure to see me after class by the way."

Mia gulped. It's what I get when I do something I don't normally do, she thought to herself. Mia nodded and scooted down in her seat. She began to read a book she had picked up in Books a Million. It was called the Sword of Truth series. Some girl named Kahlan just showed up in Richard Cypher's life.

The rest of the period her nose was in that book. It only came out when the bell range and every one left the class except her. She gathered her books and stacked them on the desk. Then she waited for her long lecture.

Mrs. Rihte was a thin woman. She was thin beyond belief with jet black hair that was long and stringy with gray and white streaks. She had it usually pulled back into a tight tiny bun that was perfectly centered. Her face reminded Mia of a crow, with a long beak and jet black eyes.

"Mia... you are usually such a quiet student. What has gotten into you?" Mrs. Rihte asked and sat behind her desk. She pulled off her huge glasses and looked at Mia. If she could even see her.

"I know Mrs. Rihte. I guess it's a faze I'm going through," Mia said and stood. She gathered her books in her arms.

"Let us hope that this faze is over by tomorrow," the old witch said and smiled. "Go on to class. I won't right you a note so you'll have to deal with that on your own."

"How... yes ma'am." Mia settled for that and walked out the open door. She walked calmly down the old hall way and towards her locker. She had the most unlucky locker. She was the last locker on the top and her number was number 665. There were only 660 students in the whole school.

Mia held her books with one hand and tried to open her locker with the other. But, to her luck her books fell out of her arms and slammed to the hard floors. Mia growled and put her head to her locker door. She closed her eyes for a moment just trying to get her grip.

Mia new she would be late for class... the first time ever. But, for some strange reason the way the day was going she really didn't care. So as Mia had her head against the locker door the locker door below hers creaked open.

Mia's breath froze and she opened her eyes to look down at the open door. She backed away slowly as if some horrible creature of superstition would come out. She sighed and kicked it closed then picked up her books once nothing happened.

She opened her locker, stuffed her old books in, grabbed her new ones, and slammed the door. Then she hurried down the hall and out the side door.

It was a cool autumn morning on November the second. The wind blew slightly as she turned the corner to the next class. She knocked on the door and entered the room. Every one in the room turned to look at her and a hushed silence over came them. She hated when that happened. Mia smiled and took her seat as Mr. Hart turned and looked at her.

"Miss Kayhe.... late? This is odd. What is your reason?" he asked and sat on the top of the desk.

"Mrs. Rihte wanted to speak with me," Mia said and sat her books on an empty desk.

Out of all the teachers at Wilson High School he was her favorite. He taught there English/creative writing and history.

Mr. Hart nodded and smiled. "You weren't wounded were you?" he asked jokingly and stood once more.

"No, sir," Mia said and a smile came to her lips. "I came out unscathed."


"That's good." He turned back to the board and spoke to the whole class. "Now if you were our narrator and these things were happing to you... these things that to you science could not explain... what would you think?"

No one raised there hand and Mia went a head. He called her name and she spoke questioningly, "I would be slightly confused and afraid."

"That is why our narrator is writing this all down in his journal. He wants someone to believe him... If he lives through it, that is. Now when he is thrown on board the ship and sees the condition of the Discovery what would you think from his description?"

Sam raised his hand and waited. "Yes Sam?"

"Ghost ship."

"Good, and when the old Swede saw the ship outlined in red what would red signify to you? In other words in a horror movie now days what does red mean to you teens?" Mr. Hart looked around the room. No one had their hand raised but he knew some of them had the answer.

"Death," A voice came from the back and Mr. Hart noticed it came from Mia.

"And the captain’s eyes, they were dark. In a story like this what could that mean?" Mr. Hart asked and looked around, still no one spoke.

Mia sighed, she would have to answer again. "It would suggest that he was evil or darkness, but the narrator saw him as a wise person... almost a god."

That class went as usual. When ever Mr. Hart started to get into that deep stuff she was the only one who would ever answer the questions. She was into all that dark and depressing stuff. She loved fantasy, adventure and Sci-Fi... but she also knew that nothing like this could ever really happen. It was all make-believe… maybe that’s why she liked it so.

This was the real world and things like that never happened and would never happen. Such was the way of life.

Mr. Hart ended the class with a question that she and Sam answered together. "What was the narrator’s motto?"

"One who has only a moment to live..." Sam said and Mia finished. "Has nothing left to conceal."

"Good, now you’re dismissed." Every one in the room rose from there seat and left. Time to go home.

Mia rode the bus home. She was hoping to get her car by the end of the year but the way things were going with her family financially she wasn't so sure. She didn't mind. She only lived about fifteen minutes from the school. She could walk home if she wanted to.

So Mia got off the bus at her drive way and walked the half a mile to her house in the woods. It didn't take as long as it sounds. When she reached her yard her dad was stacking fire wood. Mia dropped her books near the back door and helped.

"Hey," her father said and stacked another large log.

"Mom still sleeping?" Mia asked and carried a large log of her own to the pile.

"What do you think?" Dan said rather coldly. "How was your day?"

Mia sighed and stacked the last log. "About the same." She walked up the steps of the back porch and grabbed her back pack. She opened the door and walked in behind her dad.

"Tomorrow when you come home I want you to help me," Dan said with an attitude.

Mia's father annoyed her greatly. Almost every day she would go home and work, work, work. And the whole time while she did he would call her stupid or something for messing up slightly. As soon as they were through he would proclaim that she never helped around the house. She would smile and look at her father then answer, "Yes sir, I'll try better next time sir."

That really pissed him off. She didn't mind and it actually gave her a kick. Now on to the story of her mother. Tera worked at the local hospital, while her father stayed home on the account that someone had to watch the house. He worked small jobs here and there

When Mia wasn't working or at school she was reading or with her friends... which seldom ever happened. She loved hanging out with Sam, Laura, and James. But, hardly ever got to do it.

Mia also loved trying her brain. She had watched one to many Star Wars movies and read way to much of, "The Amazing Cosmic Powers of the Mind." She would some times try the activities in the book, and fascination would take her away. Some of them actually worked. But, she all related it to mind over matter theories because magic didn't exist in the real world.

Right now Mia had a chair pulled up to the window of her bedroom on the second floor. She had her head propped up on her arms on the window ceil. She was staring at the stars.

Every time she saw a shooting star she would wish on it. She would wish for something, anything to take her away from where she was, or at least to make her family more... exciting. Not that getting yelled at was not exciting. On the contraire, it was quite... Oh, never mind it was boring because it happened every day.

She was surprised it hadn't happen that day. Sure, he was curt with her but... that was all the time. Oh well, there is tomorrow, she thought and rose from her seat.

Mia walked to her bed and pulled down the covers. She turned off the light and soon fell a sleep.

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Three

Mia woke the next morning for school. She dressed in her uniform as usual.. She put on the plad skirt that seemed short to her, but she had exceptionally long legs. She put on her white button up blows and her socks. No one else in the house was up. Her mother was at work and her father was a sleep and tired from staying up all night and watching TV.

She slowly made her way down the steps with her book bag and sat it by the door. Then she felt around her neck. She was forgetting her necklace. So she ran up the steps softly so not to wake her father and get yelled at until the bus came.

Mia opened up the door to her room and grabbed the necklace off her dresser. She walked down the steps putting the long dangly thing around her neck. When Mia reached the bottom she tugged on her inch high shoes and grabbed her back pack.

As Mia walked she twirled the green gem hanging from the long gold chain in her hand. Her Grandmother had given her the necklace on her sixteenth birthday with a smile and a whisper.

"Take good care of it and never leave it some where," she had whispered in her ear.

Mia stopped at the end of the road. It was dark and the sky was covered in thick black clouds. The wind tossed her hair, making it a bit untidy. Across the road from her was a large open field and in the field there was a barn. She could hear the ghostly sound of tin creaking from the strong gusts of wind.

As lighting popped her head turned to the right. The big yellow bus came over the hill just as a strong gust of wind tossed dust into the air.

The bus came to a stop in front of her and she walked on bored. She went to the very back and took her seat. Her cousin John Kayhe sat in front of her. He didn't talk that much in the morning but you get him in the middle of the day and so on and you'll be laughing until your head rolls off. It was always quiet on the bus. Except when the little ones started getting on. Then it got loud.

After about fifteen to twenty minutes they arrived at school. Mia got off the bus and walked in through the front door and straight to her locker. She grabbed her books and headed to her homeroom class. When Mia made it into the room she found it odd that everyone was looking at the television.

Mia walked over to Laura and tapped on her shoulder. The blonde turned to her. "Hey, you want believe this... watch."

The reporter began. "Today at the tunnel in Birmingham, Alabama there was a traffic jam do to a strange show of lights. It is unknown to what those lights were but as we are told they were caused by a gas leakage. Traffic was redirected until the investigation was over. Investigators say that the gas has been contained."

"In other words, they have no clue what happened," Sam said and walked away. "It's a conspiracy I tell you."

Mia laughed and Sam looked at her. “What? It has to be?!” he said, a grin forming on his face. “Why, if you weren’t so…”

"Don't say anything you will regret," Mia cautioned and smiled.

"I wouldn't, don't feel like getting kicked in the balls this early in the morning," Sam said and sat down in the chair while the teacher called role.

She laughed and lifted her book bag when the bell range. During science Mia found she drifted off into her thoughts, so much for being the "perfect student". She finally snapped awake and the bell range again. She left her chair and was more than half way to her class when she realized she had forgotten her bag in the class room. Mia did an about face and ran back towards the lab. She ran into the room, while the whole class watched. She felt slightly embarrassed and blushed. Mia lifted her backpack up and left the room quickly.

The art room was at the end of the hall where her locker was. She glanced at the bottom locker. The evil wretched curse locker. Quickly, she looked away and ran to her class.

It was finally the middle of what could have been, if possible, the longest day of her life. She was in the lunch room sitting at her usual table alone...



Larang watched the many children of the strange world run around. He was looking for some one with an amulet around there neck. How simple… If only. Not to mention he was at a children facility that he suspected to be a school. His Lord stated that he was searching for some one near one of the gates. The gate happened to be at this horrid prison for children.

He watched as they walked around in there uniforms. They all looked alike. How was he supposed to find this boy around here. Larange didn't even know what he looked like. But, as long as that imbecile half-elf, Rodal Allrand didn't stick his nose in it his master business everything would go smoothly.



Rodal watched the group of men walk across the parking lot of the Waydorvill High School. He watched them closely because he knew there intent. How did he get stuck on this stupid mission. He had better things to do than take care of this stupid kid. Whoever he was... Bellor’s grandson or not…

Just this morning Lord Belden gave him the great privilege of coming after this boy. Rodal growled and followed the group towards a building with students filing out of it. He cared nothing for some rich spoiled brat.



Mia walked out of the lunch room and into the cool fall air out side. People were walking around every where going to there classes. Sadly hers was behind the school. So she was luck and got to walk all the way across the campus and into the field house for a make up class of Drivers Ed.

Sam and Laura had Music that period so she made the long trek with another friend. Her book bag... No not really, it was James. He was a good friend of hers also. A little bit of a story teller. No one would believe anything he said because he was constantly lying. He was like the Boy Who Cried Wolf.

They walked calmly across the parking lot and onto the side walk passing a group of men who looked like wrestlers or something. Maybe there was a special program that day, they always seemed to have them.

Mia noticed that one man sent her a cold look. But, then stopped and looked at her shocked. She walked passed him and turned the corner go across the football field.

"Mia, that dude was looking at you like you had just slapped his mother," James said, snickering.

"That’s an odd analogy," Mia said and smiled.

James shook his head. "There you go using those big words," He complained and looked at her.

"At least I know how to say big words."

"Yeah, well can you spell them?" James asked and they both laughed.



"That was him... I mean her. You fools you let her get away," Larang snapped and turned quickly. They walked around the corner and jogged to the two people crossing the field. The girl turned her head and saw them. She stopped and tapped on the boy shoulder.


"Who do ya think they are?" James asked and looked at her.

"I have a bad feeling," Mia said and grabbed James's arm. "Come on." Mia and James began to run across the field while the group of about five followed. "Who are they?" Mia asked and opened the door to the field house.

They ran in and found no one in the room. They were early. Mia turned and locked the door. Just as she did Coach Williams walked out from his office. "What are you doing that for?" he asked questioningly.

"Coach, we just got chased across the field by these really big guys," James said and took a breath.

"Sure you did Turner," Coach Williams said and looked at Mia.

Mia stepped forward and spoke up. "We did, see for yourself."

Before he could a loud bang rocked the door. Mia ran across the room to get as far from the door as possible, she knew for sure that someone would knock it down on her or something of that nature. James followed her but her Coach stood there.

The Coach was usually a jolly man who laughed all the time and never seemed to take anything seriously… But, when he turned to Mia and looked at her his eyes were different… he was different. He seemed… “Get in there,” he said pointing to the shower room.

"What... what do you mean? What is happening?" Mia asked and she began to shake. He didn't look the same or talk the same. He seemed like a different person.

"The Counsel must have sent someone. Hide, the door want hold Lord Dorn's men long," Coach Williams said and walked her to shower room and into a closet that had no door. It was the uniform room. It has no door, Mia thought desperately. And why was she hiding? Why weren’t they hiding with her? What the hell was the Counsel?

He shoved her in and she ran to a stack of clothes. She climbed under and hoped she was well hidden. Just as she did she heard an explosion. Mia screamed....

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Four

Rodal saw the group enter through the blown down door. He had to get the boy before them. He ran forward and climbed up a pipe to the roof. He saw a hatch, most unusual for a building of this purpose. So he opened it and jumped through...



Mia could hear the commotion coming from the other room. She could smell the smoke which was mixing with the smell of sweat from the clothes. Mia rose up out of the pile and backed into a dark corner. She pulled her legs in as a body came flying into the room and crashed into the wall.

Mia let out a yell and slapped her hand over her mouth. She had to be quiet but looking at James's bloody body made her want to scream as loud as she could. Mia, forgetting about what Coach Williams had told her, crawled over to her friend.

She looked out the open door to see something she never thought she would see. Coach Williams wasn't Coach Williams... he was a... if her memory served her right. A warlock or wizard of some sort… He had to be something of that nature to do what he was doing. She looked on confused and frightened as fire rained from his hands. One of the men spotted her and it was the one who had looked at her strangely.

Mia's heart skipped a beat as she was jerked from where she was sitting. She turned her head to the front. A dark haired man had her by the arms. Mia screamed and jerked against the man. "Let go of me!" she yelled and the man covered her mouth.

"Shut up idiot," he said rudely and threw her over his shoulder. Mia yelled again and the man began to climb into the roof.

This can't be happening! What the hell is going on! They came out on the top of the roof and Mia yelled out again. "Let me go!"

"Gladly." The man said in a cold voice and dropped her off the edge. She landed on her back and the air was knocked from her lungs. The man jumped to the ground beside her and grabbed her by the arm. He began to drag her across the field…

Mia jerked and slapped. "Please, let me go!"

The stranger turned towards her quickly and looked at her with dangerous blue eyes. "I'm trying to help you... so shut up!" he yelled madly and pulled her along.

"If your helping me then why are you ripping my arm off!" Mia yelled back.

"I don't want you running off."

He pulled into the school building roughly. Mia yelled the whole way and almost every door in the school opened. The stranger came to a stop in front of her locker. He turned to it and placed a hand on her door. "Volcorn dalm ve!"

Mia looked at him as if he had bunny ears and a tail and then at the locker. The man with the dangerous eyes then turned the people that were staring at them and pulled out a small orb. Mia’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the faces she knew so well. As there eyes went blank and glowed and the lights flew into the mysterious orb.

Mia gasped and stared at the hostile magician. He turned back towards the locker door and just as he did it flew open, slamming into the other lockers. Mia screamed as she felt she was being pulled towards the locker. Her hair flew around her and then everything went black...

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Five

Mia felt as if she had been hit by a car. She had no idea what she was laying on but it was itchy. Maybe that had been a dream. Maybe she had slipped down the steppes and was lying on the old carpet in front of the door.

Mia opened her eyes to find she was face down on the ground. She rolled over and looked up. A canopy of trees was over her. She could hear the sounds of birds and something else. Then a shadow stepped over her and jerked her to her feet. "Wake up girl."

Mia looked at the man shocked. He was a couple of years older than her. He had shaggy dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes. He didn't seem at all happy. He dropped her and walked towards a gray horse. "Come."

Mia stepped forward and stood behind him. "My name is Rodal Allrand, I am from the Coucel, sent to bring you to them. I am not your enemy," he said and turned to her. He looked at her with utter disgust. "And I am NOT your friend."

Mia jumped a little at how harsh and loud he spoke. She was already scared out of her wits, did he have to yell?

"Get on the horse."

Rodal watched the girl climb on and was surprised at how well she did it. Then he climbed on after her and took the reins. He kicked the horse and they galloped into the forest.

It wasn't long before it grew dark and Rodal stopped the horse. He climbed off and pulled the girl off with him. "We will camp here. Don't run off."

Mia walked stiffly to the base of a tree and plopped down onto the hard earth. The day I wear a skirt is the day I'm kidnapped, she thought and watched as the man began to build a fire. As it grew darker the air grew colder and Mia tried to keep herself descent and warm at the same time.

She was so scared and cold. All she could do was think about James. Was he dead? He had to be, he was broken and bloody. That thought brought tears to her eyes. But, she stopped and concentrated on the fire. This can’t be real, she told herself.

"Come here," Rodal ordered in a bored tone and Mia walked towards him slowly. "Sit by the fire or you'll get cold."

Mia sat down in the most lady like position she could, since she had a skirt on. She wished so much to have pants…

This girl must not be a very respectable one, Rodal thought, women here would not where such things. Rodal looked at the girl for a long moment. How did he get stuck with this? He growled out loud and saw out of the corner of his eye that the girl jumped.

She was obviously frightened. Now he wished he still had a little kid or a boy. No, he was stuck taking a puny, screaming, little girl all the way to the Bellor Plains. Rodal sighed and lied down on the ground. He closed his eyes.

Mia watched him and felt slightly uncomfortable as thoughts raised through her mind. Now was her chance. She could run. Mia rose up quickly and took off through the woods. Running as fast as she could in the dark and through the brush.

Rodal growled out loud and stood up quickly, slamming his hands into the dirt to do so. He took off through the woods. He was quicker than her and he tackled the girl to the ground forcefully. She didn't scream at all, just grunted on impact. Rodal lifted the girl off the ground and held her by both arms.

"I told you not to run off, I'm trying to help you! Stupid," he spat and jerked her around. The girl elbowed him in the side and shoved away.

"Why should I trust you?!" Mia asked and stepped back.

Rodal gritted his teeth and held his side, narrowing his eyes on the trembling woman before him. The girl had a point. "Fine, go off and get lost in the Spirit Forest. Go on, go now."

Rodal walked back towards the camp. The girl followed him, which he expected. Tell a human spirits are in the forest and they stick with anything with two legs and a sword…. "Stupid," he muttered and looked behind him.

"I have a name and it is not stupid!" The girl yelled and stalked back into the clearing. She sat in her same place and laid down. She made sure her skirt was decent.

Rodal lied down as well and was soon out.



Some one shook Mia awake and when she opened her eyes it wasn't Rodal like she expected. Mia scooted back quickly, not caring whether she had a skirt on or not. Rodal was standing behind the older man. His arms were folded and he wasn't even paying attention. He just stood there with an unpleasant expression on his handsome face.

"Well, hello." the man said cheerfully. "May I ask your name, traveling companion?"

Mia waited a moment. Well, Rodal said he was there not to hurt her so maybe this man was there to hurt her either. "Mia," she told him.

"Nice to meet ya, Mia, and I am Loorgon, Rodal's helper," the man said and bowed. "Pleased to meet you, Mia."

"Are you finished? I want to get going,” Rodal muttered.

"You get used to him," Loorgon said and smiled. He held out his hand and Mia looked at it questioningly. "I'm not about to hurt you."

Mia got up on her own and dusted herself off. The man smiled and walked towards a gold horse. "Is she riding with you or me?"

"Take her," Rodal said and climbed upon his horse. "I don't want her."

Mia walked towards the gold horse where Loorgon stood. The man climbed on and Mia followed. She folded her arms, not about to hold on to him!

"You might want to hold on," Loorgon said and smiled.

"I think I'll take my chances," Mia said and looked around.

"Oookay," Loorgon said and took off through the forest after Rodal. The man heard a yell from behind and then felt a tight grip around his waist. He smiled and shook his head.

Mia thought they were going to ride forever. She had rode horses before, but never this long. Her tail was hurting along with her head from all the bumping and jarring. By the time they reached a hill over looking a... town or village... what ever, it was dark.

"Where are we?" Mia asked as she looked around, her mouth open.

"We are in the province of Nole," Loorgon said and they were off again.

When they stopped for the last time it was at a large barn just out side the town. Mia slid off and so did Loorgon. Rodal walked towards them. "Lets get a room for the night and food."

"I agree, I could use a bath." Loorgon said and smiled down at Mia. She was shivering and looking around at people in the city. It seemed to have a cheerful glow about it. Loorgon took off his cloak and put it on her shoulders. "That will keep you warm." His voice was kind and it made her smile despite herself. "Were not all moody people," Loorgon said and winked at Rodal.

He mumbled and stalked off. Loorgon noticed that the girl looked at him as he walked by and rolled her eyes. He chuckled at her reaction towards Rodal’s coldness. In a way he found the way both of them behaved around each other adorable. It was like two five year olds.

Mia watched the people walk by. Some were scruffy and grouchy looking, others were sweet old people types. Mia dodged people as she and Loorgon followed Rodal. She was only five four and most of these people were six something it seemed like. She felt like a child even though she was seventeen.

They walked up to a large building. Mia was the last to walk into the room and when she did she was shocked. The room was packed so tight that it made her unable to breath just to look at them all.

People were drinking and yelling about stupid things that didn‘t make any since. There was a fight over in the corner and some woman giving a man a lap dance in the other. Mia looked around with wide eyes as if she had never been let out of the house in her life.

"Ya look as if ya never been in a tavern me pretty," A gruff voice said from the side of her and Mia hopped behind Loorgon as a hand reached for her. Loorgon glared at the man for a moment and he returned to his drink.

Loorgon turned his head to look at the girl. "Stay close to me." She nodded and Loorgon continued into the room. The girl was clinging to his arm.

Rodal led them through the crowd of people to the end of the room. There was bar and a man behind the bar. The three stopped and Rodal began to speak with the man about a room.

"I need one room and one full bed," Rodal said and the man nodded. He handed Rodal a key. "We will pay when we leave."

"It is the last door on the left." The man said and Rodal nodded. He turned and led Loorgon and Mia to the other side of the room towards the steps.

When they reached the end Mia felt some one touch her thigh. She jumped quickly in surprise and swung around. A group of men were laughing. "Scare ya, pretty."

It was the same man that spoke to her at the front of the room. Mia was pushed out of the way by a tall form. Rodal. He looked at her and coldly said, "Go." Mia began to walk up the steps and Rodal followed. The group behind him laughed.

Mia wasn't liking this at all. But, she planned on asking a whole lot of questions when she was in the room. Mainly about why she was there and how she got there and if she was really there at all. She entered the room and Loorgon and Rodal followed, closing the door behind them.

Mia turned to them. "Alright some one explain," Mia said and looked at them with arched eyebrows.

"Explain what?" Rodal growled and through his pack off his shoulders.

"Why you took me from my home, why I saw my friend get killed and how about why I'm here!" Mia said loudly and looked at them both.

"You explain Loorgon, she gets on my nerves," Rodal said and sat in a chair next to a water bowl.

"I will explain, but first lets get some rest." Loorgon said and watched Rodal walk across the room. He pulled down the covers on the bed and pulled his muddy boots off. Then, he crawled in between he covers of the bed.

Mia sighed and went to the corner of the room. She guessed she was sleeping on the floor. She sat down and was about to lay down when...

"Rodal!" Loorgon said and walked to the end of the bed. "Don't you think the girl should get the bed?"

"No," Rodal said plainly and through his arms over his eyes. A moment passed and the young man sighed. Then he stood up and walked towards the corner. "Take it... now."

Mia jumped and stood up. She walked nervously over to the bed looking at Rodal. "What do you think I'm going to kill you or something? Stuped." Mia dropped her head a little. It was one thing to have your dad say it but to have some total stranger who claimed to be helping her was another.

Mia sat on the bed and pulled off her shoes and socks. She pulled the covers up and rolled on her side to stare at the wall. She could hear Rodal talking about her under his breath.

Mia felt horrible, she actually would rather her dad be calling her that. For some reason that did not feel right. Mia soon fell a sleep while the two men talked.

"Could you be more rude and mean to the girl?" Loorgon asked when he checked to make sure she was sleeping.

"Want to see?" Rodal asked and looked up from his seat on the floor.

"Why, your not this mean are you?" Loorgon asked and stared at the boy in the corner. He was a boy compared to him.

"Yes," The man pulled his hood over his head and closed his eyes.

Loorgon knew that the youth was not a sleep. "I'll take her shoes, or what ever they are, and go compare them with something in a store. Maybe I'll find boots that fit her," Loorgon said and sat down in a chair.

"Oh, that's sweet and while your at it by her a golden sword and a pink dress," Rodal said and looked up. "Why don't you go a head and tell her why were here. Scared she will run off because we can't protect her from what’s coming?"

Loorgon looked at him from a moment. "At least I protect the girl instead of hurting her."

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Six

Mia woke the next morning to the sound of splashing water. She did not get up right when she woke up she waited for a while. But, then curiosity took over and she rose up to find Rodal with out his shirt on. He was washing himself with a rag.

Mia flushed when he looked over at her and rolled his eyes. She fell back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "You should get cleaned up too." Mia heard his cold voice say.

Mia rose back up to find he was buttoning up his shirt. He turned to her and looked at her for a moment. He was examining her shirt. "I guess will have to buy you clothes too," Rodal said and sighed. "I'll be outside while you wash up."

Mia watched as he stormed across the room and slammed the door. She rolled out of bed and walked bare footed over to the table. When looking at the bowl Mia frowned and made a sound of disgusted because the water was brown and dirty...



Rodal stood outside the room leaning against the wall. He felt bored and began to look down the hall, watching the people walk by. Rodal soon decided that she probably locked the door any way and no one would disturb her so he could go and get a drink.

He began to walk down the hall and down the steps. When crossing the floor to the bar he spotted the man from last night. He recognized that man from some place... but could not remember. The man was staring him down, but Rodal was not at all affected.



Mia grabbed the rag and rung it out until it was damp then she began to wipe herself off. She wiped down her left leg then her neck and chest. She wasn't about to wipe down her face with a rag that two men probably had used on there body. Especially Rodal, he probably put some kind of itching powder or something on it.

Mia finished and turned to the bed for her shoes. They weren't there. So she walked forward and got on her knees to look under the bed. Her shoes weren't there either. Mia got up quickly and looked at the door.

"You take me from my life, now you take my shoes!" she yelled and walked across the room. She opened the door and stepped out into the hall. She half expected him to pounce and start chewing her out because she was out side her cell.

He probably would have... if he was there. So, Mia stormed down the hall and walked down the steps. She saw him sitting at the bar. But, then she ran into something that felt like a brick wall.

Mia stepped back and looked up at the huge figure. She gulped and thought to herself, I have a bed feeling about this. "Well, 'ello pretty." Then his hand reached for her...



Rodal took another swig of ale. He noticed that a man was staring at him from his right. So Rodal turned his head to look at the man. "May I help you?"

The man was about to speak when Rodal heard some one in a shaky voice call his name. Rodal rolled his eyes. What did the idiot girl want? Clean water? Some one to wash her?

When Rodal turned he didn't even see her. Then this large ogre turned around and Rodal got the full reason why she had spoken his name. The large man had her arm pulled painfully behind her back and his other hand was squeezing her neck.

The man smiled and winked at him, then he began to back up the steps. Rodal realized who this man was and pulled his knife. He looked round the room and found no one was paying any attention.

He stormed across the room and up the steps. When he reached the top he looked up calmly from the ground and found Mia's eyes. She looked at him with hope and fear.

"Ello Rodal, good ole' buddy." The man said and squeezed Mia's wrist, shoving her arm further until she let out air quickly and sucked it back in. "Now just give me m’money and I'll let the little one go."

"What makes you think I care about her?" Rodal asked and stood up straight putting his knife away. He saw the girl's eyes go wide with shock.

The man chuckled lightly and Mia let out a yelp as the man twisted her arm until she thought her arm wound break. "Just give me the money, now lad, I really wouldn't want to hurt her."

"You already are..." Mia said under her breath and heard the man chuckle again.

Mia looked at Rodal and saw him reach in his pocket. He pulled out a bag and stepped forward slowly. The large man pulled her back and squeezed her wrist. "Now, don't ya go a tryin’ anything now, Rodal buddy. I knows you elf types... even if yer half."

Rodal smiled. "Come now Growl, I'm a trust worthy person," Rodal said and stepped closer the Rodal waving the bag out to distract him while he reached for his knife.

Mia had to contain herself at the thought of Rodal being trust worthy. But, he was her only way out of the situation she had gotten herself in.

Rodal stopped and held the bag of money out in his hand. He stared at the man, thinking of a plan. "Here," Rodal said and held out the bag. The man reached for it and Rodal knew that was his chance. He threw the heavy bag of money at the man's head and hit him square in the middle.

Rodal reached out his hand and grabbed Mia's arm, jerking her away from him. Mia gasped as she felt the pull on her wrist and it felt as if her hand became unattached from her wrist. Rodal pulled her quick then let go sending her into the wall. Mia grabbed her wrist and turned to see what was happening.

Rodal put his knife to the man's throat and the man froze instantly. "Now, leave and never touch this girl again," He ordered and the man backed off. He stepped to the side and walked past Rodal then Mia.

Rodal bent and picked the bag of money up. He placed it back in his pocket then turned to the girl. She had her back turned away and was holding her arm. Rodal sighed. "Are you alright?"

Mia turned to him and her hands dropped to her side with a slight wince. "I'm fine." She said shortly and walked forward. She looked down at the ground and then back up. "Thank you."

"I had to do something, your grandmother would hang me," Rodal said and entered there room.

"My grandmother? You don't even know her." Mia said and walked through the door.

"You don't have a clue about what's going on here do you?" Rodal asked and sat on the bed.

"No... but I would love for some one to explain!" Mia said and sat in a chair. "Please, I want to know why I'm here and what is happening."

Rodal sighed. She disserved to know. He watched her for a moment and noticed her hand was squeezing her wrist and she was near tears. "Are you sure your alright?"

She nodded slowly and looked at the floor. "I'll be fine."

"Alright," Rodal said and began the long story. "The Bellor family is a family with powerful magic. There was a demon long ago and still lives, by the name of Lord Dorn. Lord Dorn wished to enter into the world of Earth. It had innocence that would fill is thirst for blood. He had a power as most people here do, except for humans... that power was to call open a gate from which you could pass into the world of Earth. Lord Bellor fought the beast and locked his power to enter into the world of Earth. Casting a curse that if the demon should try to enter into the world he would die a most painful death. Bellor used an amulet of great power. One that you where around your neck. Then he and his family moved into the world of Earth because he knew that Dorn would never stop hunting him or his family. The power for Dorn to enter into this world is not gone. He can transfer it to some one else. But, the curse is still there for him. The key to its end is on that gold chain."

Mia looked at him in shock. "My... my grandmothers mai... maiden name was... Bellor." Mia thought she was going to faint. Something that had never happened before.

"Yes, and your Lord Bellor's descendent. That is why your the only one who can unlock the spell. That is why those men were after you. That is why... you're here," Rodal said and looked at the girl. He actually for the first time felt a sting of pity for her. Lord Dorn was after her. That was the worst thing imaginable.

"I think I want to take a nap now." Mia said and looked at the floor. "My.. my mother. Why did she never tell me?"

"I have know idea and I don't know why you don't know either. This whole time I was expecting you to know something. I guess not," Rodal said and rose from his seat. "Come, you can't travel in those clothes."

"Are you actually going to be nice to me now?" Mia asked and rose from her seat.

"Don't count on it." He said and gave her a cold look. "Come."

"But... my shoes!" Mia said and chased after him.

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Seven

They met Loorgon on the steps and he agreed they needed to bay her a pair of traveling clothes. So he handed her new boots and explained why her shoes were gone. Then they took her looking for clothes.

Mia found there stile lovely. She always liked peasant looking clothes. She found her traveling clothes that were green and brown. She now wore a brown pair of pants and boots with a green shirt and dark green, almost black, cloak.

Mia had found changing into her clothes painful. Her arm was a mess. It hurt like hell, but she didn't tell Rodal or Loorgon yet. Rodal already thought she was stupid she did want to make him say useless too. However she planed on telling Loorgon that night when they stopped for camp.

The three went to the stables after eating lunch and the stable man gave them there horses for a fee. They packed there food and supplies and were off again. Loorgon noticed that the girl had trouble with her wrist. While she was changing Rodal explained what had happened.

It was dark by the time they stopped. Rodal built the fire and proclaimed that he was going to take a rest and have second watch. Loorgon didn't argue and Mia was thankful. She wanted to rip her hand off by now, but now was her chance to get help for it.

So Rodal laid down on his bed role and Mia waited until she thought he was a sleep before stepping over to Loorgon. Loorgon saw her walk over and she knelt down in front of him.

"You're hurt aren't you?" He asked and she nodded. "Why didn't you tell Rodal, he would have fixed it for you."

Mia felt a little embarrassed. "He already calls me idiot and stupid, why give him one more." Mia said and pulled her hand out from under her cloak. "Can you do anything for me?"

Loorgon took her arm in his hands and examined it. He shook his head and looked at her. Her wrist was swollen and blue. "This is out of place. I'll have to put it back together," he said and looked at her closely.

"Will it hurt?" Mia asked and looked down at her arm.

"Very much. But, if we wake Rodal up he can heal it and it won’t hurt one bit," Loorgon said and watched her as she looked at the sleeping form.

"I think I can handle it. I don't want to make him mad and I don't feel like being called anything right now. I got it enough back home," Mia said and took a deep breath. "Go on... do it."

"Are you sure?" Loorgon asked and placed his hands in the right places. She nodded and he did the job as quickly as possible. But, it didn't stop the screeching sound from escaping her lips.

Mia grabbed her arm back and tried to blink back her tears of pain. She rose and gave him a nod of thanks which he understood. Then she went to lay under a tree, having her back face them and glad that Rodal was not awake to see her be weak and shed tears over pain.

Too bad he was...



Rodal heard the girls words and they stung at him like nothing ever. She would rather go through pain than ask help from him. She was right, he probably would yell at her. Then, he heard her cry out from the pain and it hit him harder. But, what finally killed his icy mood was to lay there and watch her cry.

Everything she said about him was true. He probably would have called her names and yelled at her for not telling them sooner. But, now that he saw her and understood, he felt horrible for the way he was treating her. She had done nothing to him. He was the one doing it to her. She didn't make him take her. He took her freely. She didn't make him call her names, he did it by will.



The next morning Mia was shaken awake gently. She rolled over to find that it came from the most unlikely person.... Rodal. She was about to ask him who woke him up on the right side of the bed but didn't want to ruin his good mood. "Time to get going," He spoke as usual.

Rodal didn't know weather to smile at her expression or to pick on her with it. "What, you have a problem?"

Mia shook her head and rose up. She noticed it was a tad bit colder than the day before. "Why is it so cold?"

"We are getting closer to the mountains. It's always this cold," Rodal said and walked towards the horses. "How is you hand?"

Mia looked at him questionably. "Its fine."

"Loorgon told me he had to fix it," Rodal said and looked around. "Oh, he just went to do his business before we left."

Mia smiled and walked to the golden horse. She began to pet and talk to it. She looked at Rodal and for the first time noticed how... cute and nice looking he was. Why that had never dawned on her before she did not know.

"You could have told me you know," Rodal said and looked up at her.

She looked at him for a moment. "No... I couldn't." She watched him shake his head and hop on his horse. Then he took off. He left her alone.

* * *

[Emora Deen]

Chapter Eight

Larang cowered before his angered master. "It's been four days!" Dorn hissed and turned toward Larang quickly. "I should kill you for this failure you pitiful excuse for a man."

"My, my lord I tried my best, but the Wizard was to much. We had no idea that there would be one there and gaurding her."

"Of course there... her?" Lord Dorn stopped for a moment and looked at him. "Her, you say? The keeper of the amulet is a girl!"

"Ye-ye-yes my lord," Larang said and bowed his head.

"Then she shouldn't be that hard to retrieve," Dorn breathed and bent down picking the man up by his collar. "You find her, bring her to me... or I take my wrath out on all of your family and friends."

"I will sir, I will," Larange mumbled and bowed. "I promise sir."

"Good, now tell me of this girl...."

* * *

Mia and Loorgon caught up with Rodal in a clearing by a river. He was standing on a rock close to the center of the wide river. He had a pole in his hand and was stabbing into the water with it. He pulled the pole out and there was a fish on the end of the pole.

Mia climbed off the horse while Loorgon took the horse over to a tree and tide him up. It was a beautiful cool morning and the sun glowed off the crystal clear water as Mia made her way towards a large rock.

The clearing seemed like something out of a fairy tale to Mia. The trees were so many colors mixed together of reds, golds and browns that it made a strange a beautiful collage. The leaves covered a road just a head and some floated peacefully through the current. Mia turned her head to the left and watched the beautiful water fall and its mist was carried to her face. Mai closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the clean air, unlike where she lived.

She looked back towards the water and now both Loorgon and Rodal were fishing. She sat down on the rock to watch them try and catch fish. Loorgon tried to catch a fish, but when he stabbed at the fish his spear became stuck in a crevice.

Mia laughed when he fought to pull it out. Rodal turned to look at her. He had a fish on the end of his pole again. He pulled it off and slammed it on a rock. Mia looked at him strangely for a moment. "You can catch your own food, can't you, or is that to much for a girl to do?"

Now it was Mia's turn to throw a cold look. She took off her cloak and boots then climbed down off the rock and onto a smaller one. And their began the trek towards the beckoning Rodal. He was leaning on his pole and watching as she hopped from rock to rock, throwing her arms out to keep her balance. Strangely he had a smile.

When Mia finally made it to his fairly large rock he was almost on the ground, or in the water, rolling with laughter. "I thought women were supposed to be graceful?" He slammed the pole in her hand. "Fish, I'll go get another pole."

With that Mia watched in awe as the half-elf skipped across the rocks with out so much as a problem. "Close your mother girl, your trying to catch fish... not imitate them."

"But...."

"Elves have wonderful balance, even if your half," Loorgon said and smiled.

Mia nodded and looked back at the water. She saw a fish swimming by, but when she looked back to see Rodal coming and then looked back into the water, the fish was gone. She soon spotted one two rocks over. So she hopped the other rock and stabbed her spear into the ground.

"Get it?" She heard Loorgon ask and she shook her head.

"Why didn't you bring a fishing pole... or do you have those here?"

"We have them, there just to much of a hassle to bring along," she heard Rodal's ruff voice say as she tried to pull the pole free.

She pulled on the pole and pulled it free, but her balance was lost and Mia fell side ways into the water. When she came to the two foot surface she was gasping from the cold. Loorgon was laughing and so was Rodal... what person put him in a good mood?

Mia grabbed her pole before it floated down stream and stood. Thank god her hair was still in her ponytail. But, the little sprigs of hair that hung out were struck in front of her eyes and she wiped them away. Mia raised her pole and acted as if she would attack the two.

Rodal thought to be quicker than her and went to snatch it away. Mia rolled the pole with her wrist and brought it out of his reach and the other end down on his hand. Loorgon grew quiet and Mia expected Rodal to lung and try and kill her.

Rodal looked at his throbbing hand for a moment and then back at the girl. He should be quicker than her. She stood there looking at him as if he were a terrible beast. So Rodal surprised her with a smile.

He brought his pole up in an attack position. "Humans," he muttered and twirled it in his hands.

"She isn’t a human, Rodal. If I were you I would not mess with a half-sorceress," Loorgon said and took a seat on a large rock. "This should be interesting."

"Half-" But before Mia could finished the half-elf charged and Mia threw up her pole to block him. She felt a stab of pain from her wrist. But, she didn't show it.

"I'll make a deal with you. You win I'll catch your food... you lose... you cut your hair off," Rodal said and gave her a cold look. "You cannot back down since you started this fight."

Mia looked at him in shock. That's what I get, she thought. She knew she had to win... Mia wasn't about to cut her long hair, that went to her hips, off. So, Mia rolled to the side and brought her pole over to hit him in the side. He blocked.

"Rules?" she asked and looked into his eyes.

"Don't fall in the water." And with that the war began. Rodal lunged and Mia, backed up quickly almost losing her balance on a rock and she skipped to the side to a better one. As she did she twirled the pole in her hand and spun around to block his blow.

"Who taught you to spin one like that?" Loorgon asked as he watched the fight.

"TV!" Mia said and her voice rose as she ducked when Rodal swung his pole over her. She took the end of hers and slammed it on his foot. He jumped back and Mia came up and tried to get him in the stomach, but the dude just lifted one leg up and leaned backwards. When Mia pulled the pole back, he leaned back up.

He smiled for the first time since the battle began. "Your better than I thought," he complemented and smiled. "You taught yourself." He was talking to her to throw her off. It worked. She was paying close attention to his words and not him. He pretended to go from the top, but when he started at the top and she went to block, before his pole hit hers he reversed and hit her leg.

Mia hit a knee and used the pole to keep her balance. He stood there and watched as she looked up and Rodal smiled at the anger in her eyes. He had just awoken a beast. He also knew it would mean she would use all of herself to win.

Mia rose up quick and swung the pole harder than Rodal thought she could. He had no time to block the blow and the pole hit his side. That's when Loorgon stood up quickly, knowing Rodal's temper. "Alright, you're getting a little rough out there kiddies."

"Rough... do you see anything rough, Rodal?" Mia asked and smiled a dangerous smile.

"Nope," Rodal muttered and jumped across, so began a fight unlike Loorgon had ever witnessed from a girl so inexperienced.

The two hopped from rock to rock twirling, spinning, dodging, and attacking until they were at the base of the roaring water fall. But, Mia was not as balanced as Rodal on these slick rocks and soon was spun around to where her back was to her opponent. She slipped forward and Rodal held his pole with two hands and slipped it over her head.

Mia became pinned between Rodal and a pole. "I think I won." She heard him say. Mia smiled... not yet. She stomped his foot and he let go of the pole with his left hand. Mia grabbed the pole with one hand and spun around to where she was hanging off the rock, but not in the water. She grabbed her pole out of the water and pulled herself up. But, Rodal was half-elf, he was much quicker on that small rock. He kicked a foot out and caught her leg, she slipped with a cry and fell into the ice cold water in the deepest part of the river... under the waterfall.

Rodal went at ease and watched what felt like forever as she fell into the water. Nicely done, he thought. The only problem was that she was right under the water fall. The power of the falling water could hold her under the water. Rodal looked off the edge of the rock and into the deep end of the dark blue water. The mist was so thick he could barely see and he didn't see her.

The next thing he knew a hand was wrapped around his ankle and he was pulled into the water. When he came up he saw Mia her face was pale and her lips were blue. Her hand was around the stone on her necklace and the other holding a rock. "Does... this... mean... we tie?" she asked through chattering teeth.

Rodal gave her a cold look. "I'll think about it," he said and pulled himself out of the water. Mia did the same and she flopped on her back on a larger rock. She saw Rodal stand up and look down at her. He pulled his knife and grabbed a hand full of her hair. Mia screamed and grabbed his wrist to try and force the blade away from her hair.

"If you cut my hair... I'll skin you alive!" Mia yelled and dug her claws into his hand. She spun around on the rock to face him. He still had her hair and she put her leg up to almost kick him between the legs. "Now is this worth cutting my hair?"

Rodal smiled and let go of her. "I wasn't going to cut it any way. I just like scaring you," he said with utter confidence.

"Jackass," Mia whispered as he walked back across the river with the use of the rock trail.

She rose from the rock and began the hop back across the river towards the fishing Loorgon.. Rodal began to fish and by the time Mia made it towards them Rodal had caught three fish.

"Can I use your pole when your finished?" Mia asked and rubbed her arms from the cold breeze.

"Why? I've caught your fish." Rodal said and began to walk back across the river to the sand at the edge.

Mia looked at Loorgon. "Told you he took some getting used to," he said with a smile and began to walk back as well.

Rodal dropped the fish on the sand and turned to the two. "While I clean them go and get wood."

"Yes, sir," Mia and Loorgon said, Loorgon saluted and the two began to make there way into the woods

Before they entered Mia asked the question she intended to ask a while back. "Half-sorceress?"

Loorgon smiled and bent to pick a stick up before he began. "You’re some where down the long line of grandfathers was Lord Bellor, ruler of the Bellor Plains, about a four days ride from here. In the War of the Second World, the war to protect Earth, Bellor created an amulet to stop Dorn..."

"Rodal explained this something about my grandmother."

"Yes, yes.... um, Bellor was a sorcerer and so were your relatives that came before you. But, as your grandmother has told me, magic skipped a generation. By passed your mother and went to you. That is why your grandmother gave you the necklace... after a certain age it must be passed to some one with magical powers that is young, young enough to protect it."

"But, why was a never told?" Mia asked and picked another stick up.

"That you will have to ask when we reach Bellor," Loorgon said and smiled. "Although I feel it... I know that it might be more difficult for you."

"What?"

"I cannot tell you any more," Loorgon said and looked at her. "That you grandmother must break to you."

* * *

[Emora Deen]

A/N: I must remind you I wrote this story about two years ago... my writing was a bit... well jumbled then. Its gotten a little better...

* * *

Chapter Nine

Dorn sat on a thrown of steel, flesh, and bone. His red eyes were closed and a smile was on his lips. A smile so large that his demonic teeth shown clearly. The room was darker than night, save a single light that shown down on the thrown.

He wanted to see this girl, this girl who was keeping him from what he wanted. There was only one way for him to accomplish that with out traveling cross country in search of her. To seek her out with his magic. Something that would only require a few minutes.

* * *

Mia had been keeping watch for her turn for quite a while that night. The food had been great and everything, surprising to her since she didn’t have any seasoning or anything. Rodal proclaimed that she was a bad fighter and a fairly good cook, but that didn't bother her. The night air was cool and the stars were bright. But, as Mia watched the river and noticed that an eerie fog began to settle on it, she began to have a slight... frightening feeling.

She rose from her seat and walked bare footed towards the edge of the river. Something did not feel right to her, yet she couldn‘t bring herself to not investigate. Mia looked back at the fire and her two friends sleeping by it. What harm would it do to go for a walk. But, Mia knew that she shouldn't go for one... not while she was in her condition.

So with that failed thought Mia turned and began to walk back to the fire. But, as she did the hairs on the back of her neck stood up and she could have sworn she heard a whisper.

Mia turned her head slowly and looked at the fog. Nothing. She turned her head slowly back around, then began to walk back to the fire. Mia stopped once again when she heard something breath. She flew around, determined to see what was haunting her. She saw something move across the stones quickly. Mai, being the curious one she was, followed.

She hopped twice across the stones until she reached a large one. She climbed it to try and get a look out over the fog. It was useless, though, as the fog was too thick. Mia couldn't see anything at all. She held out her hand and she could barely see it in front of her. Then, through the fog just a head, she saw a light. Mia froze and fear seized her. Seven rocks over, where the light had been there was a hooded figure, it were on its knees facing the other direction and had there hand in the water.

Mia walked off the large rock and skipped two rocks slowly. "Help an old lady, dear," a kind and old voice said. Mia stood four rocks away. "Please, I tried to get across, but the fog came so quickly."

Mia stepped to the next rock and then the next. On each one she thought her knees would buckle from underneath her. She finally was two rocks away.

The hooded old lady, even though Mia could not see her face, began to shake and then an unearthly laugh erupted from it. Mia stopped and watched frightened as the figure rose and turned to her.

Her heart was beating fast now and her breath came quick. She could not move, not to save her life. By God, what was with her. She was never afraid of much of anything. Finally, Mia regained control of herself and took a step back onto a smaller rock.

"I do not think so," the voice had changed and the thing waved a hand. A blue mist swirled around Mia and she lost all the feeling in her body when it faded. The thing glided across the water and rock towards her. Mia's mind was telling her body to move, but her body would not obey her.

It frustrated her and made her angry. The hooded thing looked up from the ground. Mia could not see it's face but could only see two red eyes. "Do I frighten you girl."

The thing reached out a hand towards her and Mia wanted to scream. But, could not... She was to afraid. The beast's hand went through her chest. It was like she had been stabbed with ice. It cackled and pulled away.

"How about now!" The beast said, jerking off his hood. From the light of the moon Mia got her first look at the creature. And her fear this time was what drove her to scream, not to hold it in.

* * *

Rodal and Loorgon came awake to a scream. Then what shook them fully awake was hearing Mia's scream again followed by, "Get away from me!" That’s all it took. Rodal was up and running across the river. But, he couldn't see a thing. The fog was so thick and it was so dark. He couldn't see two feet in front of him.

"Mia!" Loorgon yelled and ran through the fog. He slipped into the water and did not stop or care. It was making him slow, but he had to get through this river to her. "Mia!"

Mia stepped back quickly and slipped. She fell into the water and the thing bent down quickly. "Boo!" it yelled and Mia crawled backwards and up a rock. As she stepped further back the roar of the waterfall grew louder in her ears, or she was just now noticing it. The beast cackled and Mia took another step back.

"I wouldn't step back, little one, you'll fall into the cold water..." The thing cackled and Mia looked behind her. It was the water fall. They were at it so soon? She had not noticed.

Rodal could hear a voice, he must be close. Then Rodal broke through a layer of fog to see a dark figure in front of Mia. Her head was turned away and the thing took a step forward just as Mia turned back to watch the frightening figure.

When Mia turned back around the ugly and frightful face of the demon was right in front of her. She took a step back quickly and she fell backwards into the icy water.

Rodal saw her fall and then the thing turned towards him and he saw just what it was. "Dorn!" Rodal yelled and ran after him. Dorn turned and ran from him, of course, because he wanted to lead Rodal away from Mia…

"What’s happening? Where's Mia?" Loorgon asked and Rodal looked at the water.

"I'm going after Dorn," Rodal said and was about to run off.

"No, I'll go after him. Make sure Mia is alright."

Then Loorgon was gone and Rodal jumped into the water. It was freezing cold and everything on his body went numb. Rodal looked around the water for Mia, she wasn't there. He swam further towards the waterfall and bumped into something floating in the water.

Rodal grabbed a hold to the tiny form and pulled it towards the shallow end. He climbed out of the water and sat on the edge, pulling the body into his lap. As he did he heard the sound of some one splashing back across the river. Rodal turned his head and Loorgon was right next to him.

Loorgon stooped and lifted the body from Rodal's lap, then he took off running towards land. Rodal followed close behind, still looking for any sign of Dorn. Loorgon ran towards the fire and sat the limp form down quickly. She was pale and her lips were blue. She wasn't breathing.

Rodal was beside him in seconds and looking down at the pale form. Loorgon immediately went to work. He closed her nose and breathed in through her mouth. Then, he pressed down on her chest three times while pleading, "Come on Mia, breathe!"

He repeated the process and looked at Rodal. "Do something!" He started again.

"I can't do anything for the dead," Rodal replied and watched hopelessly.

"She's not dead!" And with that the girl coughed and rolled over to spit up the water. She took in air in short gasps as Loorgon patted her back gently. "More wood," he ordered, taking off his cloak and throwing it over the shivering, gasping woman.

Rodal threw wood on the fire and it was soon a blaze, lighting up the little clearing. Loorgon lifted Mia and carried her closer to the fire. He noticed that Rodal began to look around wildly. "What is it my friend, she is fine... just sleeping."

"Do you hear that?" Rodal asked and listened very carefully to what he thought was someone singing... about ale.

"I do not have as good of ears as you, my young halfling," Loorgon mentioned and made sure that the girl was well bundled up.

"It sounds..." He trailed off when an arrow slammed into the ground between them. With in seconds both were on there feet, swords drown and ready for a fight.

But, the battle would never happen. As they turned in circles trying to find there enemy both were hit with a dart to the neck or shoulder in Loorgon's case. The two went to there knees and soon fell face first in the soft sand. While people came into the clearing they slowly faded into sleep...

* * *