Watching over the sunrise through her bedroom window, Meliamne's worries seemed to have faded into nothingness. Sincerity could be seen in her gentle smile this fine morning. The birds sang their morning songs as she took in a deep breath.

"You will always be missed, mother."

A lonely teardrop rolled down her cheek as she brushed off the thought of isolation. She convinced herself that many out there were less fortunate than her. She had her two closest friends by her side and in these times of trouble, one could not ask for much more.

Meliamne stood up and readied herself for the day's chores. Footsteps could be heard next door. No doubt Taelian rushing out the door.

Calm, composed and gracefulness has always accompanied Meliamne. Even in the worst time, she dared not show weakness, too many worried for her as it is, she'll not add two more to that list.

"Breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes, Taelian. Don't rush yourself, you might get hurt." Meliamne said as she walked slowly down the stairs.

As she finished her sentence, a loud thud was heard from upstairs. She giggled at herself and proceeded to the kitchen.

She looked around the tidy kitchen, deciding what to cook for breakfast no doubt. She took the homemade loaf of bread she made yesterday and started to cut it into slices.

Loud footsteps ran down the stairs and seconds later, Taelian was in the kitchen jumping up and down, impatiently waiting for her meal.

"Fetch me some eggs, will you, Taelian?" Meliamne asked softly.

"But, but…you are I have enough time?"

"Timotheos won't be here for another half hour, you have plenty of time to get dirty in the fields." She giggled as she stared innocently at her anxious friend.

"Well, but hurry with, ok?" She said as she dashed out the door heading towards the chicken's den.

Meliamne cut herself as a deafening scream caught her off guard. She rushed outside to see what was the trouble and saw men clad in black armor encircling Taelian.

"Lord Thynir wishes to speak to the girl known as Meliamne. If you don't want problems in the near future, hand her over." One of the men said.

"You're no longer in Xyr'Thyr! You have no rights here!" Taelian yelled, though fear was obvious in her eyes.

[Darkrider]

"We have rights wherever we go, child," the black-armored speaker said with contempt. "Our Lord's command is all we need."

"We'll see what the city watch has to say about that," Taelian replied.

"I'm tired of talking with you, girl!" The man drew a sharp dagger from his belt. "You can either tell us where the girl named Meliamne is, or I can cut out your tongue and force you to eat it. Your choice."

Melianme could wait in silence no more. "Wait! I'm the one you're looking for!"

"Good." The verbose guard gestured towards Meliamne. "Escort our pretty little prize back to our camp."

"That's odd. Apparently the terms "escort" and "kidnapping" are interchangeable in Xyr'Thyr." All heads turned towards this new voice that spoke from behind the encircling guards. It was a man clothed in black pants and a voluminous white shirt. A black cloak lined in red velvet was wrapped around his lanky form. A longsword hung from his left hip. With a sardonic smirk on his face, the man added, "That's just one more reason for me to stay away from there."

The talkative guard drew his blade. "Stranger, I advise you to stay out of things that don't concern you."

"And I advise you not to overstep your authority." As the mystery man spoke, many strong looking men began to approach from all directions. These hard-eyed men had the look of experienced fighters and warriors. The nervousness of the black armored thugs was as plain as day.

The leader of the black armored men sheathed his sword. "I will remember your face, stranger."

"You're not the first person to say that to me, yet here I am. Forgive me if I don't cower in fear!"

The black armored men reluctantly withdrew. They left amidst the jeers and derisive comments of the stranger's lackeys. Meliamne and Taelian both gave this man their thanks.

"You don't have to thank me," the man said. "I just did what any man would for two beautiful damsels in distress." The man bowed to the two girls. "I am Kashim el Fadil, merchant extraordinaire. These strapping young lads are my caravan guards."

"My name is Meliamne. This is Taelian, my best friend."

Taelian gave a halting curtsey. "Again, thank you, Lord el Fadil."

Kashim shook his head slightly. "Don't call me 'Lord'. You'll get me thrown in jail for impersonating the nobility!" With another courtly bow he added, "Good day to you both!" Kashim and his men turned to leave. After taking a few steps away, Kashim stopped and looked back. "I don't know why those men were after you. If I were you, I'd lay low for a few days."

And then he was gone.

[Kiem]

The two stared mesmerized at the spot Kashim had just been.

"I've never seen a band of merchants who looked quite like that." Meliamne said to brake the silence.

"I've heard of his name from my uncle, but last I remember, he had a bounty on his head. Quite the sum too."

Meliamne blushed, as if the thought of such a man coming to her rescue happened once in her dreams. She shook her head, brushing away her bashful moment and walked towards the house. She paused right at the door, "Remember the eggs, Taelian." She said without turning her head and walked in.

Her finger still bleeding, she took the closest piece of cloth and wrapped it hastily. She proceeded to the kitchen and for a second, it seemed as though the incident had never occurred. Why would men from Xyr'Thyr come all this way to fetch her? Is her past catching up to her once more? Questions kept pouring in and eventually she was overwhelmed. She fell onto the floor and wept. These tears hadn't shed since her father's death…was it her fault?

"Look who I found sneaking around the chicken's den, trying to steal our eggs." Taelian cheered as she burst into the kitchen with Timotheos by the shirt.

All they could hear were tearful moans. They rushed towards the crying whispers only to find Meliamne brushing herself off.

"So, Timotheos, will you be joining us for breakfast, this morning?" She said with a big smile.

"Are you alright? I'm willing to cook if you're not feeling up to it. I heard what had happened earlier with…" Timotheos got a sharp jab in the side before he could finish his sentence.

"Oh, it was nothing." She continued to smile.

"Well, we're still heading into the market after breakfast right? Should be fun, its been quite some time since we all went together." Taelian added, trying to change the woeful atmosphere.

"Of course!" She grinned with her eyes still red.

[Blademaster Dezo]

As the trio were almost out the doorway, Timotheos halted. "Ladies, aren't we forgetting something?"

"What?!" retorted Taelian in an annoyed tone.

"Those men that attacked you and Meliamne...what's to stop them from trying again? Perhaps you should go incognito to market."

"Right," said Meliamne, "Kashim did say it was prudent to keep a low profile. I know you hate wearing shawls Taelian, but best to err on the side of caution."

Reluctantly and with much grumbling, Taelian wrapped one of Meliamne's shawls around her head.

As they walked to market, thoughts veered to the day's earlier events. Timotheos, having been absent, was quite curious as to why those men wanted Meliamne. Meliamne saw the curiosity in Timotheos' eyes and gave him a look that said, "I know what you want to ask, but I don't want to talk about it now." Timetheos acknowledged.

Taelian was curious as well, but instead of dwelling on that said, "Hey, you two are awfully quiet. Come on, we're still a ways off from town, so no need to go low profile just yet."

Meliamne and Timotheos laughed. Taelian then asked Timotheos what had been happening in his life, for it had been a week since his last visit. Timetheos told his tale...

[Darkrider]

"I wish I could say it's been an interesting week, but that would be a lie," Timotheos said glumly. "Studying and more studying. It's all I do." The young man's eyes changed hue, from a bright green to a midnight black. This could be very disconcerting to people who weren't used to it. All members of the Sage family had this minor affliction. Their eyes change color depending on their mood.

"I thought you would have read every book in the Sage library by now," said Taelian.

"I can only wish. Uncle Lathin always seems to have a new book for me." Timotheos let out a big sigh. "I hate books. I wish I were illiterate."

Meliamne and Taelian were used to Timotheos' ramblings on the negative aspects of book learning. Timotheos was the type of person who liked to learn things first-hand. The life of a scholar was not the life for him. Alas, people have to play with the cards that Fate has dealt them. Being born into one of the most respected families on the continent has left Timotheos with responsibilities and expectations that will shape his life…with or without his approval.

As always, Taelian disagreed with Timotheos' stance. "Reading books has to be better than working a plow or harvesting crops."

Meliamne turned to her friend. "It would depend on who you ask. You think that farming is a bore simply because you do it all the time. It's the same with Timotheos and his books."

Timotheos' eyes turned a bright green once more. "Precisely!"

Taelian snorted. "Please! Comparing farm work and reading is like…"

"…Comparing my intellect and yours," Timotheos said smoothly. "An unfathomable difference! Isn't that what you were going to say?"

"Shut up!"

Meliamne simply shook her head. "Don't you two ever get tired of your fake arguments?"

They replied as one. "No!"

Three sets of laughter echoed off the gates of Lo Sai as the three friends entered the city….

[Kiem]

Mornings in Lo Sai were as busy as ever with merchants setting-up shops along side the roads. Stores started to open their doors as guards went for their morning tea before the long day ahead of them. The sound of children could be heard from afar, surely they are getting ready to run through the streets in an effort to find new adventures.

"Where should we head to first?" Taelian asked walking backwards like a little girl. "Maybe visit the book store and find Timotheos a nice long encyclopaedia?" She giggled as she bumped into a guard.

"You should watch where you're going little boy." The guard retorted with a slight annoyed grunt. He gave Taelian a little shove and went about his patrol.

Taelian was about to tackle the guard for the insult when Timotheos pulled her back.

"We're not supposed to cause a scene, remember? It would be wise to just let it go." He said as his eyes turned a pale blue.

"Aww, don't worry yourself. I'm sure Taelian had no intention of getting into warms way. Right, Taelian?" Meliamne raised her eyebrows. "Besides, with that shawl around your head, anyone could have made that mistake."

Taelian gave a pouting face to Timotheos, "Do I look like a boy with this on?"

With his eyes' hue turning a passionate red, Timotheos held her hand, "You look beautiful covered in dirt, how could a shawl ever hide such beauty?"

Taelian blushed and hide behind Meliamne. "Can we go now?" She requested shyly.

The two started to walk towards the central market with Timotheos following closely behind with eyes now pale blue. He dared not look up for fear of making eye contact. He couldn't let her know he was worried and shy.

He knew where they were headed, and just kept walking towards that direction, not really paying attention to what was in front of him. With mind filled with scenarios of how things could get worse he was not himself.

Stopping in front of an inn, he tried to come to his senses. It's been long enough maybe it was time to tell her how he felt? Maybe she feels the same way?

"Boy, I suggest you move or I'll have that tongue of yours as a souvenir." A man in black armor bellowed with rage.

[Darkrider]

Timotheos' eyes shifted to a bright blue. "My apologies, sir. I was just -"

His apology was cut short as the black armored man grabbed a fistful of Timotheos' hair and pulled, tilting Timotheos' head upwards so he could look into his eyes. "Did you see his eyes?" he asked two other similarly attired men who had just appeared. "His eyes just changed colors!"

"Changed colors?" One of the other dark armored men shook his head. "This kid must be a Sage. There's no way a Sage would associate with those two scamps."

"I'm telling you, this kid was with them!" said the man who hadn't yet spoken. "He grabbed the smart-mouthed girl by the elbow!"

Timotheos decided it would be best to use his family's reputation to his advantage. He placed his hand on the arm of the man who had first confronted him. "I would advise you to let me go." As he said these words an unearthly orange aura surrounded his body. The black armored men backed away from Timotheos with restrained haste. The innate magical prowess of the Sage family was well documented. "If you don't leave my sight now, then one of two things will happen. You will either experience the tender ministrations of the city watch, or…." Timotheos' eyes turned an angry red as he added, "…you will die. Choose your path."

The men decided it would be in their best interest to leave.

As soon as the men were gone Timotheos let out a huge sigh of relief. Yet again he had been able to use a minor magical trick to get out of a bind. Unlike all the other Sages in recorded history, Timotheos had little aptitude for magic. He could only use minor spells such as that colored aura. It was an embarrassing situation for him. He had five year old cousins who could cast more spells than he could. His uncle Lathin said that he had much potential, but that he had some sort of mental block that inhibited his abilities.

After that sigh of relief came sudden worry. These men were hunting Meliamne and Taelian. Timotheos looked around in the crowded marketplace, but he could not find them. Timotheos dashed into the crowd, hoping he could find his friends before the Xyr'Thyrians did…

[Kiem]

He ran towards the marketplace as quickly as possible. Worries flooded his mind as his eyes shifted from a wide range of blues.

The marketplace centre was oddly crowded. It usually flows through, people knew better than to stand there idly. He rushed there sensing trouble was afoot.

"We finally got you little girl." The black armoured man snickered. "Do you realize how much trouble you've caused us?"

In a fighting pose, Taelian stood in front of Meliamne, "Don't worry, the city guards won't let this go by. They'll be here any minute now."

"I hope you're right." The Meliamne whispered shyly.

Timotheos rushed by their side as his eyes turned a raging red. "I don't think you want to do this." Again, the orange aura surrounded him.

One of the men in the back started to back off slowly. "I don't think we should mess with the Sage family, Commander Gaive."

Gaive gave a stern look at the fleeing officer, "We'll be worse off if we don't complete this mission, soldier. Or would you rather feel of Lord Thynir?"

The officer froze in his retreat contemplating the situation and took a step towards Gaive. He gulped and took his stand.

Acting as a shield for the girls, Timotheos did not foresee this turn of events. How will he fight these bullies off? His eyes turned a ghostly blue.

"I wonder what blue means." Gaive pondered. "Could it be that this Sage is nothing but an apprentice? With mere trickery at his disposal?" He laughed as his men quickly followed suit. "Maybe I'd be doing Lathin a favour killing off the family's weak link?"

"My uncle would hunt you down if you dared lay harm onto me."

"So would my uncle!" Taelian jumped out screaming.

Gaive gave a villainous frown as he prepared to strike. His men all waited to pounce. Gaive's sword came rushing towards Timotheos' heart. Timotheos had his eyes closed, as his life flashed by.

The young Sage felt someone hold his hand, "And I love you, Taelian." He whispered in his mind…A warm energy emitted from his hand, making its way up the arm and softly caressed his mind. For that moment, he opened his now bright green eyes as the world froze before him.

The energy now grew in his mind and with a sudden burst, a ripple swept the area passing through everyone but the armored man who were thrown nearly over the city walls…

[Darkrider]

The sight of men wearing the uniforms of an enemy country is enough to make people turn and run. The sight of these same men flying through the air at a high rate of speed is enough to cause instant chaos.

Men, women, and children bolted in every direction, their screams of fright echoing off of the walls that were supposed to protect their fair city from these sorts of men. In the midst of it all stood Timotheos, swaying from the force of the power that he had just expelled. Meliamne and Taelian braced the young Sage up, one on each side of his limp form.

"Timotheos, are you all right?" Meliamne asked, concern coloring her voice. Timotheos mumbled an incoherent response.

Taelian pried open one of Timotheos' eyes. To her dismay, his eye was totally white, the color of pain. "We have to get him to his house, now!"

"The only place you kids are going is Xyr'Thyr."

Meliamne and Taelian turned to see the man called Gaive stumbling towards them, sword in hand. "My orders don't say anything about this boy."

The two girls looked around for an avenue of escape. Their ebony-hued pursuers were all around them. And they were approaching.

"I guess my father was right," a man said, his voice booming in the now empty marketplace. "He told me, 'Some people learn from books, some people learn from teachers, and some people learn from experience.'" Meliamne and Taelian saw Kashim standing near a large merchant's wagon, his blade resting in his hand. "I have a feeling you're about to learn a very important lesson, indeed." Kashim made a gesture with his free hand. Suddenly, armed men began appearing from all directions, their blades gleaming in the sunlight.

Gaive raised his sword. "Kill these men!"

The battle began. Meliamne and Taelian were the eye of a storm of blood and steel. They stood, seemingly forgotten, in the midst of carnage. Black armored men died all around them, their blood spilling over the white stones of the market square. And then a firm hand grasped Meliamne by the arm. "You come with me!" said Gaive. He jerked Meliamne, causing her hold on Timotheos to falter. The unconscious Sage fell to the ground, Taelian falling right along side. She wasn't able to support Timotheos' weight alone.

"And where are you going?" said Kashim, who seemed to appear out of nowhere right in front of Gaive. Kashim's blade raised his blade level with Gaive's throat. "Surely you wouldn't be leaving without giving me the pleasure of a dance!"

Gaive stiffened. "You'll be a marked man for this."

Kashim nonchalantly shrugged. "I already am."

Gaive also shrugged. Then, in a blur of motion, he pushed Meliamne into Kashim, knocking the merchant off balance. The experienced soldier followed up quickly with a thrust to Kashim's chest.

Kashim parried it easily.

Meliamne looked on in awe at the flurry of sharpened steel that was unfolding before her. She could barely keep track of it all. The sheer speed of the attacks and counterattacks astounded her. Then, all of a sudden, it was over. Kashim's blade cut a smooth line across his opponent's throat. Gaive fell, never to rise again.

A winded Kashim turned to look at Meliamne with piercing grey eyes. His long brown hair was matted to the side of his head from sweat. Yet even in such a ragged state he found time for humor.

"Is that your idea of a low profile?"