Worlds Apart: A Model of Self Control

Lore looked down at Erena, who looked pleased with herself. Lore smiled to herself slightly and dropped out of the tree, behind Erena. Erena spun around in time to see Lore swing her staff around with her right arm, the arrow still sticking out of her left shoulder, blood covered the left side of her body. Erena screamed in pain as the staff struck her and a tornado of flames engulfed her. It was LoreÕs turn to looked please with herself and she did, before her knees buckled and she passed out in the rotting leaves, next to the ashes formerly known as Erena.

Korath ducked into the trees, off to the side of the path he was following. Selena thundered down the path and she skidded to a stop in front of Korath. She spun around and said something in another language, one Korath couldnÕt understand. He figured she was swearing. Selena looked around, and Korath ducked lower into the shrubs as SelenaÕs eyes swept the area. She stomped one foot on the ground and shrieked in pain as KorathÕs aura attacked her with a jolt of electricity. With this as an indication that he was still around, she pulled an arrow from her quiver and nocked it into her bow. She looked around, smiled to herself and drew the string back. With a mighty roar of rage she released the string and watched as the arrow split into many and spread out to form a semi circle. The arrows mowed down any and everything that stood in their way and Korath ducked his head as an arrow bounced off his armour. SelenaÕs ears almost visually picked up as she heard the ping of metal on metal. She cocked her head and looked at the bushes where Korath was hiding. She nocked another arrow and launched it into the shrubs. It exploded into a tree a few metres to KorathÕs left and a patch of fire roared up and around the tree. KorathÕs eyes widened as he realised the Amazon was willing to destroy the entire jungle to get to him. He stood up so Selena could see him and he looked at her. Selena looked at Korath, hate in her eyes. She reached back over her shoulder to get another arrow and Korath put his hand out, palm facing her. He yelled stop and Selena took no notice of his warning. She grabbed an arrow and withdrew it from the quiver. Korath looked to the sky and a bolt of lightning raced from the Heavens. It struck Selena before she could blink and her lifeless body dropped to the ground before she knew what happened. The Holy Bolts from KorathÕs Fist of the Heavens attack spread out and harmlessly dissolved a few metres away. Korath ducked back into the trees and returned to where he thought Lore had fallen.

Korath looked around and saw blood everywhere. He noticed the trail and cautiously followed it over to the clearing. He saw Lore on the ground and raced over to her, careful to avoid the ashes that littered the ground and were beginning to blow away in the breeze. Korath knelt next to Lore and checked her breathing and pulse. She was barely breathing and her pulse was weak. Korath looked around for anything he could use to stop the bleeding from LoreÕs shoulder. He could see nothing and suddenly he remembered something that may work. He started chanting softly and a soft blue aura spread out beneath LoreÕs inert form. He reached into a pocket in his belt and withdrew a blue book. He opened the book, still chanting and carefully pulled out a page. He threw it into the air and a portal opened. A light blue glow emanated from the portal and Korath replaced the book. He was careful in gathering up the staff and he looked down at LoreÕs face.

ÔShe looks so peaceful, or she would if there wasnÕt blood everywhere.Õ Korath thought to himself as he gently picked Lore up, careful that his sword didnÕt twist and stick into her or that the arrow sticking out of her shoulder didnÕt get caught on his armour. With her staff strapped to his shoulder with the aid of a vine and an unconscious Lore in his arms, Korath walked through the portal, which closed behind him.

Riata opened her eyes slowly and groaned. Her head was throbbing, and the pain was emanating from the base of her skull, where KorathÕs sword had made contact. She dizzily climbed to her feet and used her spear to lean on. She looked at the body of Mya, with ErenaÕs spear sticking out of the torso. Riata shivered at the thought of dying at her sisterÕs hand. She felt sorry for Mya and she removed MyaÕs amulet for her parents. Riata then walked to where Selena fell. The corpse still crackled with electricity and Riata went about grounding it so she could remove SelenaÕs amulet. With the two amulets safely strapped to her belt, Riata returned to where her arrow struck Lore. She expected to find Lore dead and Erena standing triumphantly over the carcass, she found neither of these things. She did however spot the trail of blood Lore had made to trick anyone who followed. Riata ducked into the bushes and followed the trail from there, not knowing what may lay in ambush. She walked into the clearing, having established that all living beings were long gone. She turned and noticed the pool of blood and the ashes that were floating in the still fresh blood. She looked down at the very charred amulet and ring, which belonged to Erena. Riata slipped the ring onto the leather strap, she tied the amulet that now had the ring with it onto her belt, and she started the long journey home, towards the Amazon City.

Vixen woke with a start, thinking she had had a bad dream with the whole Amazons/Sorceress/AriÕel/training thing, when an arm circled her waist and a prickly face nuzzled her neck. She giggled a little and swatted at Matt.

"Ah, Matt, you need to shave." She stopped giggling however when the man in her bed started talking.

"WhoÕs Matt?" VixenÕs eyes widened and she turned around, glad she had the bed covers pulled up to her shoulders. Vixen screamed and Mongrelle, Tygra, Korie and any other Amazons who were within a hundred-metre radius came running. Mongrelle raced into the little hut and looked at her friend, who was freaking out at the sight of the strange man in her bed. Mongrelle stood in the doorway, blocking everyoneÕs access into the little room so her friend could have a little privacy. Tye ducked into the room underneath MongrelleÕs arm and she screamed, nearly as loud as Vixen had. Mongrelle swung her arm at Tye, who ducked, but also stopped screaming, which was the main purpose of swinging at her. Mongrelle remained in the door so no one else could get into the room.

"Ok, I get why sheÕs screaming, but why are you screaming?" Mongrelle indicated to Tygra and asked Vixen. VixenÕs eyes were still very wide and she had stumbled out of the bed, dragging the blanket, which was wrapped around her body with her, leaving the guy in the bed very uncovered. He went a deep shade of red and Tye couldnÕt stop staring.

"ItsÉI meanÉHeÕs notÉ MattÉ" Vixen finally managed to blurt. Mongrelle nodded. "And why was she screaming?" Vixen managed to compose herself slightly as she enquired of Mongrelle.

"Cuz he looks like Adam." Vixen was starting to calm down, that is, until Mongrelle voiced this little piece of news that was not what she wanted to hear.

"ThatÕs it. Get OUT!" Vixen pointed to the door and Mongrelle and Tygra sulked out the door. The man in VixenÕs bed didnÕt move, although his face went from a vibrant red to a dark pink colour. Vixen looked at him.

"WhatÕs your name again?" She threw his robes at him so he could talk with some dignity.

"Dorian." Vixen nodded and tried not to look at the bulge under his robes.

"Ok Dorian. Leave." Dorian looked ashamed. He looked up at Vixen with puppy dog eyes, hoping she would change her mind.

"GO!" She didnÕt. Dorian slipped his robes on over his head and tied the cord around his waist so the robes were loose. He stood up, walked over to Vixen and embraced her.

"You didnÕt complain last night." He whispered in her ear. A look of shock came over VixenÕs face. Then she kneed him in the groin and the shock was replaced with a purely evil grin.

"Well, IÕm complaining now. So get OUT!" Dorian was clutching his groin and rolling around on the ground, in too much pain to move.

Vixen stood in the middle of the room, the sheet wrapped around her body, which she was holding up with her right hand. Dorian finally managed to compose himself and he slowly stood up. He looked Vixen straight in the eyes, then he looked away for a moment. His eyes wondered through the hut and he spotted VixenÕs armour, her clothing and her crossbow and bolts. He scooped them up and walked to the door, where Vixen shouted at him. Dorian looked at the clothes in his arms, at Vixen, at the door and back to Vixen. He then disappeared out the door carrying VixenÕs clothing, etc. Vixen ran to the door, the sheet still wrapped around her body, in time to see Dorian throw the armour and her weapons over the rail. Vixen screamed. Dorian walked back to the door of the hut and Vixen. He walked into the hut and tugged the sheet Vixen was holding onto.

"This is my home, you get out. Oh, and by the way, the sheet is mine also." He took another handful of the sheet and yanked harder. Vixen was not about to let go of the sheet and she was tugged into the hut with Dorian again. He grinned.

"I can be just as evil as you." He stated softly, so that neither Tygra nor even Mongrelle could hear. Tye stalked back into the hut, followed by Mongrelle whose skin was white as marble and eyes red as blood itself.

"WhatÕs the problem? You screamed again." Tye looked at Vixen.

"Yeah, and it was loud enough to wake the dead." Mongrelle laughed. Tye jabbed her thumb at Mongrelle over her shoulder and looked at Dorian. DorianÕs face had changed from evil back to his puppy-dog face, much like MattÕs.

"And sheÕd know. She is dead." Tye winked at Dorian, who looked somewhat shocked. Vixen was standing near the bed and Dorian was sitting on the bed behind her. He stood up, wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her. Vixen locked eyes with Mongrelle and thought of what had just happened, of her kneeing him, then him throwing her stuff over the rail onto the ground and finally of him trying to pull the sheet away from her. MongrelleÕs eyes glazed over for a couple of seconds whilst she received these images from Vixen.

"Hey! Earth to Elle! Are you awake there or what?" Tye was looking at Mongrelle like she was crazy. Mongrelle nodded slightly and turned to leave.

"Or What. And donÕt call me ÔElleÕ." She threw over her shoulder before she stalked out. Tye looked somewhat exasperated as she shook her head and rolled her eyes.

Mongrelle stalked back into the room to find Dorian on the ground. She tossed VixenÕs stuff at her, grabbed Dorian by the scruff of his neck and dragged him out the door and over the rail. She lifted him up and held him there, until he realised he was over 100 metres in the air with nothing under his feet. He, as any sane person would, started screaming. Mongrelle leaned further out over the rail and said loud enough for him to hear.

"The next time you throw anything over this rail, I will throw you after it." She finished her threat as Dorian stopped screaming. MongrelleÕs little stunt was generating a lot of unwanted attention.

"Ok, ok. I wont ever touch that whore again." Dorian looked somewhat worried.

"Yes, Dorian. You did just say that out loud." Mongrelle answered the question that was on his mind.

"And if you ever say anything like that again, I will drink your blood, then throw you out of the City. And that is not a threat. ItÕs a promise, and one I will delight in keeping." Mongrelle ran her tongue over her fangs to emphasise her point. Dorian watched this in horror and he started screaming again. Mongrelle brought him back onto the safe side of the rail and dumped him on his ass.

"Remember. ItÕs a promise." Mongrelle winked at Dorian before she turned and walked away.

Later that evening Mongrelle was in the room she shared with Vixen and Tygra. They were discussing the morningÕs events, namely the little episode with Dorian and last night of which none of the three could remember anything.

"Can either of you remember what happened last night?" Vixen looked a little worried. She mostly asked Mongrelle, seeing as she remembered Tye getting pretty wracked off her basket (very, very, very drunk). "And what was that stuff we were drinking?"

Mongrelle looked up at Vixen, then down at her hands in her lap.

"I donÕt really know. I do know that whatever it was it was pretty good." She was remembering the hangover from the morning, especially the ringing in her head and ears when Vixen screamed.

"You bet it was, did you see that guy Vee ended up in bed with!" Tye was still a little hung over, but enthusiastic none the less.

"It certainly gave me one hell of a hangover and considering that: one I donÕt drink anything but blood and two I donÕt get hangoversÉ" She trailed off and tried to remember what it was that was so alluring about the drink that she had to try it even though her vampiric body would not be able to handle it. She couldnÕt think of anything but the fact that she was the only one not drinking and everyone else was having such a great time. She put the drinking down to that fact.

Vixen groaned. She had a reasonable alcohol tolerance but the drink the Amazons provided last night was something else. Or it was spiked because Vixen was sure that she only had one and that she wouldnÕt get into bed with anyone but Matt. She looked up at Mongrelle.

"Thanks for rescuing me this morning. That guy was creepy, although I want to know why you didnÕt drop him and watch as he compressed into something small as he hit the ground." Mongrelle looked ashamed of herself for not letting go.

"Yeah, I should have dropped him, but I was trying to demonstrate how much self control I had." She finished saying this as she walked to the closest wall, which she proceeded to punch and her hand made a very large hole in the wall.

Tye sat up and leaned forward, she had been lying across her bed, with Vixen sitting in a corner of the room (trying to banish the memory of that morning and Dorian) and Mongrelle pacing the floor in front of both girls.

"You were going to snap his neck werenÕt you? How could you? HeÕs so gorgeous!" Tye was a little miffed that her friend was going to kill the guy she wanted to pick up. She smiled evilly to herself as she figured sheÕd find the man later, but she changed the topic to try and make Mongrelle forget about Dorian.

"What was the celebration for anyways?" Tye enquired of anyone who was listening.

"I think it was because we said weÕd stay and teach AriÕel, or something trivial like that." Mongrelle answered because she didnÕt want to hear Tye whine that no one was listening. Tye nodded and flopped backwards on the bed again.

"Actually, it was because Riata returned." Korie walked into the room, the evening sun glinting off her shoulder protector as she pushed through the curtain and it fell back into place behind her. Tye barely acknowledged KorieÕs presence in the room and Vixen squinted through bloodshot eyes. Mongrelle stopped pacing long enough to glare at Korie for entering without permission.

"So, if the party was for her, then why wasnÕt she there?" Tye slid around on the bed so she could see Korie, if she could have been bothered to open her eyes. Korie looked somewhat uncomfortable for a moment before she answered.

"Well, she was suffering from a severe headache and she fell asleep before the celebration began." Korie looked around the room, her eyes finally resting on MongrelleÕs marble white skin. Mongrelle locked eyes with Korie and she shifted uncomfortably.

"Um, I came to tell you that, uh, diner is prepared." She looked at the three girls. Mongrelle frowned and stared deeper into KorieÕs eyes. Vixen looked on, wondering what Mongrelle was learning from reading KorieÕs mind. Korie was standing rigid on the spot, unable to move because Mongrelle commanded it. Mongrelle finally broke eye contact and Korie looked around, somewhat confused. She quickly walked out of the room, ducking around the curtain.

"What did you learn?" Vixen slowly stood up and walked over to her bed, where she sat down and placed her crossbow and bolts into the chest.

"Riata returned alone, after encountering Lore and a Paladin, a strong one. Apparently Lore is allied with him and they absolutely slaughtered three of the four Amazons sent after her. After Riata shot and arrow through LoreÕs shoulder. She doesnÕt know what happened to Lore and the Paladin, but Riata thinks Lore passed out after vaporising Erena and the Paladin took her through a portal to a town where she can be healed." Mongrelle told a very shocked Vixen.

Mongrelle knew the news would upset her friend, but she had made a promise to Vixen when she first found out Mongrelle was a vampire and could read and partially control weaker minds. Mongrelle promised to keep nothing she discovered from Vixen and Tye if they demanded to know and to not attempt to read or control either of them, unless first given permission or circumstances called for it, like what had happened in DorianÕs room. She later made these same promises to Lore when she joined the circle.

"But wouldnÕt that mean Lore attacked first?" VixenÕs eyes were very wide.

"Well, thatÕs what Riata told AriÕel and Korie, but from knowing Lore, IÕd say she was only retaliating and defending herself. Also, Korie seems to know that the four who ÔencounteredÕ Lore and the Paladin were actually sent to kill her." Mongrelle looked down. She didnÕt want to say it, but Lore was lucky that she had found and allied with someone because Riata and the others were strong and very capable. ÔThis Paladin must be something, he managed to fight off thoseÕ Mongrelle was deep in thought when Tye interrupted.

"Elle! For the second time, whatÕs a paladin?" Tye was becoming persistent and her voice was causing MongrelleÕs headache to return.

"A Paladin would be a warrior of God, or Light as Sanctuary refers to its higher being of a certain religion. The warriors are blessed and they fight to protect the innocent, etc. I really couldnÕt be bothered at the moment. Look at it this way, Paladins are the good guys and these Amazons are good unless there are Sorceresses around. Unfortunately for Lore, her destiny here is not the same as ours, but as long as she has allies like the Paladin, she will be fine until we can find her. Oh, and one more thing, that drink was made from a combination of fermented nectar and animal blood." Mongrelle finished and walked out of the room.

Vixen followed and thought to herself ÔWell, that explains why Mongrelle could drink it."

Tye slowly opened her eyes when she realised no one was listening to her complain about her headache. She quickly established that there was no one around and she ran out to the gathering place, or the City centre to where everyone was celebrating RiataÕs recovery.

Lore slowly opened one eye and looked around. She was in a tent, lying on several animal pelts. There was one pelt covering her and other than that, her staff was lying on the ground on the other side of the tent. There was very little else in the tent, however there was a small wooden chest. Lore opened her other eye and looked around again. Seeing nothing else of interest, she slowly sat up. Her shoulder ached and she looked down at where the arrow pierced her skin. There was a small mark there although there was no blood and no bandage. She started to worry, ÔI must have been out for ages if the wound has healed.Õ Lore ran her finger over the mark on her shoulder, it was star shaped and had 6 points to it. She reached over her back and ran her hand over the back of her shoulder. There was the same star shaped scar there also. Lore sat forward and the pelt covering her fell down, Lore realised that she wore no shirt. She almost panicked and then decided that it wasnÕt worth the stress. She pulled the pelt back up and slowly stood, noticing the ache in her shoulder as it became more painful. Lore walked over to her staff and the chest. She bent down and picking up her staff she decided to try opening the chest. She tried to lift the lid however it was stuck fast. She blinked a couple of times and had a closer look. The chest was wooden, it looked reinforced with some sort of steel or something and the little golden lock was well worn. She thought about breaking it with her staff and figured she couldnÕt be bothered. She stood up and walked back over to the bed where she proceeded to straighten up the pelts and she sat down. She held her staff and had a closer look at the engravings at the top. They were written in another language, one that Lore couldnÕt understand. She noticed some of the engravings were fresh and that the staff felt different in her hands, its red glow had lessened and there were no longer any cracks in the wood.

Lore stood up again and she walked over to the entrance of the tent. She ducked out and closed her eyes against the bright sun. She had done the pelt up so that she neednÕt hold it and she raised her hands to shield her eyes from the light. Lore opened her eyes and yelped in shock as a middle aged women stood in front of her. She jumped back a little and as she did she looked closer at the woman standing on front of her. The woman was wearing a long flowing purple robe, her midnight black hair tucked into the hood. The long sleeves of the robe hid her hands, although Lore could tell her hands were clasped.

"Good afternoon, child. I am glad to see you are awake and well. I apologise, I should have introduced myself earlier. I am Akara, one of the Sisters of the Sightless Eye." Lore wasnÕt listening as the woman continued, she was too busy looking over AkaraÕs shoulder, looking for Korath. Lore nodded and continued to ignore Akara as she fell silent, watching Lore as she looked around the camp.

Lore was looking at another tent that was set up behind some wagons. The difference between this tent and the others was this tent was open, more like a shelter than a tent. There was a lady in there, bent over what looked like KorathÕs sword. She was hammering at it with what Lore couldnÕt see. Lore looked around, scanning the little camp with her eyes, looking for a large lump off armour that would probably contain Korath. She couldnÕt see him, but there were many other people walking around, going about their business. There was a man who looked like he was getting ready to travel and there were people standing by their tents, weapons and other goods spread out on tables, obviously trying to make a living. Finally LoreÕs eyes came to rest on a woman who was standing in the middle of town, dressed much like some of the Amazonian women were. LoreÕs eyes grew wide and she started backing away when the woman looked at her and started walking towards Lore and Akara. Akara noticed the look of horror on LoreÕs face and she turned to see what Lore was looking at. She smiled to herself and turned back to face Lore who had brought her staff up, ready to fight if the woman was going to attack.

"Put your staff down, she is not an Amazon and neither will she attack you." Akara turned again to greet the woman as Lore lowered her staff slightly.

"Kashya, this is Lore, she was injured because some Amazons were sent to assassinate her." Akara turned to face Lore. "Lore, this is Kashya. She leads the rogue scouts around these parts of Sanctuary." Kashya looked Lore up and down. She laughed and Lore frowned at her fiercely.

"Another sorceress? Well, this should be interesting. Akara, where do you find these would-be heroes?" Kashya was still smiling to herself as she assessed Lore. "There are many would-be heroes in these parts. You must kill more than some wild beasts if you want to gain my trust. Oh, and put some clothing on, you cant fight dressed like that!" Kashya started laughing again and the look on LoreÕs face darkened.

"I donÕt recall asking for your trust." Lore snarled. She looked like she was going to snap and attack Kashya. Instead she walked around her, sizing her up. Kashya didnÕt flinch, nor did she pay Lore much attention. Lore finished her circle and stood next to Akara, her left hand was loosely holding her staff with it resting on the ground. Kashya stepped forward and reached behind LoreÕs neck. Lore was the model of self-control and she didnÕt move as Kashya pulled out a small amount of LoreÕs raven black hair. Kashya stepped back, holding the lock of LoreÕs hair and twirling it around her fingers. Kashya smiled.

"Every time a new ÔheroÕ shows up I take a lock of their hair and put it in a book. I keep tabs on how many are killed. Your name shall be added to the tome shortly." Kashya finished and smiled again.

Lore lost it, her anger flaring and she dropped her staff, stepped forward and followed up with a palm-heel strike that sent Kashya flying backwards and landing heavily on her ass in the mud. Lore stepped back and held her left shoulder with her right hand because a sharp stabbing pain raced through it. She looked down at Kashya and smiled, the smile contradicting her true feelings. Kashya leaned forward and a torrent of blood raced out of her nose, where Lore struck her. The blood ran down her lips and her chin and onto the ground.

"Do not underestimate me. Oh, and by the way, next time I hit you, you wont walk away afterwards." The smile faded from LoreÕs face and she bent down to pick up her staff. Akara looked down at Kashya, who hadnÕt moved.

"You deserved it that time. I am actually surprised no one has hit you earlier. Perhaps if you were a little more polite to the new children, you would not be treated with hostility." Akara motioned Lore to follow her back into the tent, where she bent down and unlocked the chest. The key slid into the lock and turned easily and Lore looked over AkaraÕs shoulder as the lid was lifted and Akara reached into the little chest. She withdrew some clothes and handed them to Lore. Lore looked down at the green and black material sitting in her arms. She raised her eyebrows and Akara explained.

"Mages rely mostly on elemental magic to aid them in battle. Most mage clans find melee combat vulgar, that includes sorceresses also. Most battling is done using magic, which means that armour is not always needed because magic can be called upon to replace the physical elements." Lore nodded. Akara walked out of the tent, allowing Lore privacy to get dressed.

Lore walked out of the tent, carrying her staff. She noted Korath was talking to Akara. She ran over and hugged him.

"Where have you been?" Lore asked Korath. He held her back and looked her up and down.

"I was talking with Charsi, the blacksmith, and Gheed. I see Akara has healed your shoulder well." He ran his finger over the star shaped scar on her shoulder and looked at Akara. Akara smiled and blushed a little.

"I am afraid I could not heal it completely because of the enchantment the arrow was imbued with. As it was, it was hard enough to stop the bleeding. The Amazons are clever, they are developing new skills that take a lot of energy to heal." Akara looked deep onto Korath's eyes and he nodded. Korath looked at Lore, she was wearing a black skirt that came half way down her thighs, the skirt had a gold belt that prevented it from falling any lower than her hips and her boots nearly reached her knees. She wore a dark green shirt that barely covered her breasts, the right sleeve continued down to her wrist and it sat off her left shoulder, showing off her recently procured scar. Her raven black hair was loose about her shoulders and atop her head sat a diadem with a yellow stone set into it. The stone looked like it could have been and imperial topaz or a yellow sapphire. It complemented her green eyes.

Korath released his gentle grip on LoreÕs shoulders and said farewell to Akara. He motioned Lore to follow him and they stood in the centre of town, next to the unlit campfire.

"Lore, I must leave you. I have to go to Mt Arreat and aid the Barbarians in defending their homeland. I have spoken to Akara and she has agreed to teach you how to control the elemental magics. You will be safe here and when you have finished your apprenticeship with Akara, you may join me at Mt Arreat and we will defeat Baal together." Korath finished his somewhat romantic speech and Lore nodded, not really sure what to say. He looked at her staff.

"Did you notice I had Charsi repair your staff? I also had her upgrade it." Lore nodded again and smiled.

"Yes, thank you. Its great." Lore looked at the ground and then up into Korath's eyes again. "When are you leaving?"

"Tonight. Sometimes it is safer to journey at night, most of the monsters are asleep and I must get to Mt Arreat as soon as possible to help stop the siege." Korath looked over LoreÕs shoulder at Warriv, who nodded his greeting and continued preparing the caravan. Lore turned around and looked as Warriv disappeared around the side of his caravan. She turned back to ask Korath how he had managed to get her back to town but he had disappeared. She spun on her heels and completed a full circle, looking for Korath, but he was nowhere to be seen. Lore got this feeling in the pit of her stomach that she probably would not see Korath again and she looked at the ground, a little disappointed that she would not get the chance to wish him luck. She walked back to Akara.

"When do we begin?" Akara looked at her and smiled slightly.

"Soon, child, soon."

<- more stories

<- prev | next ->

discuss this story ->