Destyn groaned as his headache continued. The sun had begun to glint on the lake with the reflection waking Destyn as the tide came in.

‘Just no luck at all’ Destyn was referring to yesterday as he wearily rose. He hadn’t thought about how strong the demoil would be if he had encountered him, just like last night. Stepping out into the open he looked down into the fire pit that had saved him from the forest the night before. Stones from the shore had been neatly placed around the embers. Destyn shivered and picked up the stone, still warm.

After he had used up all the stones warmth to wake himself up, he then approached the lake and looked into the waters reflection. He yawned and dipped his glasses into the water to clean them. He also dipped his head in and shook he head rapidly to shake the water from his hair. Destyn stuck his tongue out with distaste, his mouth was bitter and it needed something to take it out. He had the pack of food, but he couldn’t decide whether or not he should eat. Grumbling he grabbed the pack and begun to walk, it looked like it was going to be a long walk around.

______

Ternlei turned in the trunk and large cracks began to shake the tree. Waking up with a snort he barely pulled himself out before the tree collapsed. Rising slightly he fell back into a hunch, he had cramps up and down his back from being stuck in that tree all night. He stretched his back and arms and then looked up into the sky and noticed the clouds had moved far to the east, but not without doing its damage. Trees had lost almost all color; everything was grey and almost lifeless. The rain had choked all life to death.

‘Looks like this place could use some life’ Ternlei thought grimly. He had hoped his brother had made it out alright but quickly shrugged the thought off. He had just as many problems at the moment. No food or drink, and the forest didn’t offer much relief anymore. He began the morning with a jog until he reached the lake. He knew this part of the lake very well, his father had taken him here when he had been considered an adult and was beginning trials to join the knight’s task force. In a blue haze the mountains gave a nice back drop as the sun mastered the peak of the main mountain. Ternlei’s eye’s shimmered a purple as he approached the coast. He looked around along the coast until he found a particular rocky spot. He chuckled and began to dig through it until he found some oddly shaped gems.

‘Still here’ he thought as he smiled. He had buried two purple rupees amounting to about a hundred when he was last here. It was more for the memory of the place, never to be taken, at least not by him. But he was in need of some money, just in case he couldn’t find someone come with him willingly. It was his first payment he had received when becoming a knight and they had passed through on one of their missions. Looking back on that moment he thought how foolish it was to do something with such money. He snickered as he rose. It might have been foolish, but good fortune for this moment.

Ternlei quickly passed the small corner of the lake he had run into and was now edging the forest. Trees thinned and grass was finally becoming healthy again, the storm hadn’t hit the farther west of the forest, and life began to show once again. Caravan’s followed the path that headed south west as well as lone travelers looking for business and better times. This was quite surprising to see so many people; Ternlei had never traveled this far west before. Normally he was forbidden to without a good reason. But if what he was doing wasn’t a good reason, he didn’t know what was.

______

Three days past and the path Destyn had followed, though darkened and tainted, had led him to the mountains with the lake only just falling out of sight. His food supply was now on its last meals and he had no clue where he was heading, or what he was to do. He had been on the path too long to even hope to turn back, and even less hope in finding help, or his brother in time. The sky hadn’t been blue since he had began to travel the path around the lake. It had been overcast with the sun barely pushing through each day.

Things began to look up though, the forest began to look healthy again, but the trees were much darker green then the trees around the lake. More pines then anything they prevented very much from growing on the forest floor. A thick layer of needles lay across the ground with a muddy path that grew quite thin after awhile. Destyn sighed and decided it was time to rest. He found a dry log to sit and ponder about which way he was to head, or if he would just drop dead right there. He had to think of something, he was low on food and quite lost. Destyn was also becoming quite lonely and felt abandoned. No home left and no one there to point him in the right direction.

Without realizing he began to shuffle through his brothers back pack, he found some money, and a matted down parchment in a front pouch that he thought had some of the last remains of food in it. Opening it up slowly he raised an eyebrow and got excited, so much so the log rolled and he fell backwards. His hair was now full of needles. Not to mention all down his back, but that couldn’t ruffle the joy he had. Destyn slapped his hand on his cheek

‘I can’t believe I hadn’t of thought about looking earlier’ he couldn’t help but laugh at how stupid he was for not looking. And he now had money that could get him somewhere if he could find a town. He examined the map it was only Rollin’ Hills and area, but showed a small town out in the middle of the plains west of Destyn’s home town. That was where the path that his brother had taken led. He nodded slightly as he now had a hunch as to where his brother was going. Destyn was surprised at how far he had actually walked this was easily the furthest he had been from home. It looked as though Ternlei had marked something on the map, just by the Seplini border.

‘Was this where we were heading?’ Destyn thought for a moment and looked down the thinning path. His eyes narrowed and ears bobbed as he looked down to the map.

‘I guess I’ll give it a shot then, after all, I’ll be an adult tomorrow.’ He had just recalled his birthday, it was indeed tomorrow. So he began to walk, pulling needles out along the way. He had decided this to be a test, to see if he really could be a knight, to test his bravery and strengths.

Coming to a fork in a path there was a sign. One pointed to the border, and the other to an odd name ‘Braverst’ it read. ‘Must be the town’ Destyn thought as he headed to the left. He began to play with a bronze clip on his ear out of boredom as a jade stone glinted on the clip he continued to wander down the path. He had become calm once again since finding some money and a map, all he needed now was a bath. He had wondered though, why had his brother put the mark on the map, and not the map maker. Had the village just been made, or had it not been discovered before the knights had traveled there. Either way it was a relief, civilization finally, it had been almost a week. Destyn began to hum as he could see the gates. Happiness swelled up inside, he had lived outside with nothing more then a backpack and a cross bow, and the travels had been pretty smooth, minus the few details he’d rather ignore. Destyn stopped and flicked his ears back. He quickly turned around only to get the wind knocked out of him as a large bird careened out of control right into him. It was a blue blur before Destyn could realize he was on the ground. He grumbled as he sat up, trying to shake off the dizziness he looked to see what hit him.

‘I was just starting to have a good day’ Destyn thought to himself as he put on his glasses to bring the figure into view. Destyn was surprised, he thought he had been hit by a bird, but it wasn’t, at least… it wasn’t anymore anymore. A girl lay on the path beside him she appeared several years younger then Destyn. Standing up he looked at himself, he was now all muddy.

“Thanks a lot,” Destyn mumbled as he stood dumbly for a moment “What do you think you’re doing?” Destyn ground his foot into the mud as he started to act as if though it was intentional. She wasn’t moving. In fact it almost looked like she wasn’t even breathing.

“Hey, you ok?” Destyn asked beginning to approach the girl. Her hair appeared almost brown, with hints of red. Large dark blue feathers were placed behind her ears, and they also lined along the back of her arms, which were covered by a thin material which was vaguely see through. The sleeves were tinted with a dark green color and the main part of her shirt was black. She was barefoot, but had a black skirt which was lined with silver. Destyn peered over her as he crouched down. He put his hand on her shoulder and shook. She budged slightly, but showed no consciousness. He rolled her over on her back and Destyn’s knees slipped in the mud making him almost fall on top of her. Catching himself he only stared at the girl for a moment. Though her face was muddy her it was fair and unblemished. She frowned as if in pain and opened her eyes slightly.

“Crow?” as all she murmured before losing realities grip again. Destyn sat back and shook his head.

‘Crow?’ what was she talking about. Destyn glanced at the girl again and noticed something. He grabbed her right arm and looked closer. It had an arrow through it. Destyn felt his heart beginning to pound. It was the same iron shafted arrows Ternlei used. He pulled her up by her waist and through her over his shoulders and quickly headed for the town. As he approached the gates he noticed two odd looking forms. Fish like forms they glanced at Destyn and halted him.

“What is your business here?” They both had cold voices, almost as if they were sleepwalking. Destyn was taken back by this but shrugged.

“She needs help, and I’ve been lost, I would like a place to stay for the night and clean up.” Crow spoke the visible truth. The guards looked at each other with their solid black eyes and nodded.

“You may enter, mind your weapon though, some people might not fancy it being visible.” The guard on Destyn’s right chuckled slightly as they opened the large wooden gates. They looked as if a beaver had chopped them down as the tops were pointed like spears. They creaked to a stop and revealed a small town. Destyn entered and then looked over his right shoulder.

“Where can I get some help for this girl?” He called to one of the guards. They just laughed and pointed to a small hut down the street. Fog was beginning to set in and Destyn had to squint.

Cold, dirty, tired, hungry, everything imaginable Destyn was somewhere that felt at least a little welcome, all he had to do now was find the place the guards had pointed to. He looked around slowly as he came to a large door. Before he had a chance to knock the door opened and a female leaving almost ran into him.

“Why don’t you watch where-” she cut herself off before finishing.

“Oh, I bet those damn guards sent you here, didn’t they?” She turned around and went back in the house. Destyn only nodded slightly as she gestured for him to enter.

“Please, I could use some help.” Destyn came in and looked around for a place to lay the girl he had recently picked up.

“Aye, I can tell you really do need someone’s help.” She giggled slightly as she pointed to a bed across the main room.

“Lay her there, let me see her wound.” Destyn walked over and lay the girl down and looked down upon her with grief. He was more worried about where that arrow had come from, and who had shot it. The lady seemed kind though, lucky for Destyn, it seemed he would finally be able to rest, and maybe enjoy his Birthday any way that he could. Destyn took the time to look around while she tended to the arrow. It was small it seemed to only have one other room, and a wash room. The main room was also connected to a small kitchen. A rug lay across the main room, and the bed that the girl lay on was also in the main room, meaning she probably had people sent here often if they had nowhere to go. This thought made Destyn feel bad, but he really had nowhere to go.

“You two sure are an odd couple.” She looked over her shoulder to glance at Destyn, who probably would look like someone else entirely if he was clean. Her comment made Destyn feel uncomfortable.

“W-Who… you mean me… and her?” Destyn blushed under the mud on his face.

“Ah, no, I just found her on the path, just before I got here actually. If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to tidy up some, it’s been a long while since I’ve been clean.” The lady looked at the trail of mud leading up to Destyn. And then glanced at the girl.

“Go ahead, but before you do, what’s your name? You mustn’t have seen civilization for a long while if you’re forgetting your manners.” She prodded. Destyn jumped slightly and stood up straight. He hadn’t talked to anyone in so long he hadn’t even thought of it.

“I’m Destyn, Destyn Kross. I’m from the town…” Destyn stopped and veered off entirely from his introduction. The lady cocked her head to the side. Destyn only just noticed the bright green eyes and the dark blue hair, and her finlike ears.

“You ok?” She paused and was left with no real response. She didn’t really want to pry at the moment so she continued on with her introduction.

“Err, my name is Zandra, nice to meet you. Your friend should be fine by the way, she’s just exhausted, and I should be able to pull the arrow out, I just need some things to patch up her arm.” Destyn pulled himself back into reality and narrowed his eyes towards Zandra.

“Thanks, where can I clean up?” Destyn struggled to stay focused as he replayed thoughts. Zandra smiled and pointed down the hall that led to the only other room in the house.

“Turn right when you get to the room.” Destyn nodded and crouched down to examine the girl once again. She was breathing normally again and covering her arm as if trying to protect it. Destyn rubbed some mud from her face and went to the wash room.

It was a fairly large room, and a nice big tub in the corner of the room. Clapping his hands together with joy he jumped in clothes and all. Finally some warm water, and soon to be clean clothes. Zandra brought in a robe for him to wear while his other clothes hung to dry, and the water in the tub had become so dirty Destyn drained it through a fancy lever that drained it to the outside. While he was cleaning up Zandra had pulled the arrow from the girl and cleaned her up, putting her into a robe as well and putting all of Destyn’s belongings into a cupboard at the foot of the main room bed.

“Feel better,” Zandra laughed as she sat at the table drinking what looked to be tea.

“Want some?” She lifted her cup to show him.

“I feel much better thank you, and I don’t mind if I do.” Destyn smiled and went to the counter to poor some for himself. Destyn joined her at the table and noticed the arrow sitting at the table. He grabbed it and examined an inscription on the arrow. It was Ecchial.

“Looks like Ecchial,” She noted as she hunched over the table to grab a glance

“You know the craftsman I assume?” She also noticed the pain in his eyes as he looked down upon the arrow.

“I think so, sadly. But it doesn’t make sense.” Destyn shook his head as she took a sip from her tea.

“It’s ok, I can’t read Ecchial either.” She pulled her long blue hair into a pony tail and pulled a string out of her pocket.

“No, not that. Anyone who would own this arrow now, would be dead. Except for one person, and I don’t think he’s around here anymore. And she could have only recently been shot, she couldn’t have flown too far from where she and I collided.” Destyn sounded wise, as if he knew more about the things around him then he was letting on. Zandra raised an eyebrow and her green eyes glinted.

“Perhaps they have been stolen then?” She gave a good point, but Destyn only shook his head

“I don’t know, and I don’t want to find out, it hurts enough.” Zandra place her hands on the table and drummed them slightly. She appeared to almost have webbed hands. Destyn began to realize how odd she actually looked, and how she seemed out of place.

“I don’t want to use this saying really, but you kind of seem like a fish out of the water.” Destyn almost began to mumble off, but finished his sentence. Zandra only laughed and nodded.

“Yes our true home lies west of here, down the river, we’ve recently been relocated. No one knew of us before then though, but it’s been horrible ever since we’ve moved, strange things started happening.” She looked grim as if to remember something that wasn’t obvious, but Destyn understood fully.

“You’re in a bad spot, Seplini have been traveling through here causing trouble no doubt.” Destyn shuddered at the thought of them.

“So you know about them then do you. Yes, they’ve been through here, but our leader has had a talk with them, we came to an agreement and they are supposed to leave us alone, but ever since then they’ve been up to no good, and I think our leader is in on it to,” Zandra stood and walked around the counter “I’ll have to buy dinner, that’s where I was off to before you came. So if you’ll excuse me.” She grabbed a few rupees and headed out.

“Wait. Here, I’ll help pay for our meal.” Destyn gave the money he had in the backpack to Zandra. She thanked him and departed. It looked like he would eat well tonight.