Allie smoothed her hand across the blankets and quilts that had warmed her during the night, trying in vain to sweep the memories of her horrible experience just as quickly as she swept wrinkles from the cream colored comforter.

It had been hours ago when her sleep clouded mind had recalled all that happened to bring her to this happy sea-side settlement. Her last three days of horror and desperation had finally brought her here.

Allie sighed and smoothed her shirt, a gift from the locals; a rather plain button up white blouse with a distinct musty smell to it.

Her skirt she had managed to salvage from the ordeal, though slightly tattered, was all she had at the moment-that, and whatever was left in her backpack.

Legs still aching dully, Allie perched on the side of her bed and heaved the heavy pack up beside her.

Outside she could hear the gentle lapping of the ocean, and it's tangy scent crept easily through the wooden slat walls, while warm morning sun filtered in through the wide open windows.

Upon unzipping it, Allie found the reason she had been allowed to wear the backpack during her 'execution', and another grim reminder of just how close she had come to death.

Two heavy stones were buried under a single notebook and a few articles of clothes; insurance that she would've been pulled under the water and drowned quickly.

For once; thank goodness for Feug.

Handling the smooth, grey stones, Allie set them aside with a sigh and a shake of her head, golden ponytail blowing in the breeze. Maybe that's why Feug had insisted she drop it.

Just how safe would she be here? How safe would she be anywhere? Even home? Once the Majdi found out she and the warrior had survived-wouldn't they be just a little upset?

But maybe it was only *if* they found out.

Where would she go from here? Home, right away? Or would it be safer to stay with the fighter-as unappealing as it sounded; he was exactly that, a fighter, and staying with him did have a few advantages.

Trying to sort out her thoughts, Allie twisted her wrist to look at her watch. Amazingly, it had survived the entire ordeal, and as far as she could tell, still gave the right time. It was nearing eight thirty in the morning, and still the town was pleasantly quiet, save a sudden outburst of chatter from the overhead birds, or the passing mumble of talking citizens by her window.

"Hi there," a voice as equally pleasant as the ocean breeze spoke from the doorway, " mind if I come in?"

Allie looked up and immediately recognized the pretty face and clothing as one of the women who had aided her the first night she arrived; a resident doctor of Flandermann.

"Your house, not mine." Allie smiled politely to the golden haired doctor, who laughed in return and strode through the doorway.

"Actually, it isn't." the woman admitted, her neatly arranged, shoulder length hair flouncing in the wind , dressed casually in a white blouse and blue jeans, "I just kicked out the guy who stayed here when you came along."

"Really?" Allie looked deeply appalled, "I'm terribly sorry. There must be another place I can stay."

"Don't worry. He wanted to do it."

The doctor, who introduced herself as Leann Starhm, quickly went over Allie's current health, and gave her instructions on taking care of herself after this.

"So, Miss. Roberts." Leann jotted down information on her notepad.

"Oh, Allie-please." the journalist corrected with a quick smile.

"Allie. How are you feeling? Those Majdi are tough customers."

"Tired." Allie nodded in deep thought, then stopped and stared at the woman, "How'd you know it was the Majdi?"

"Huh. That's about the only patients I ever get around here." Leann shook her head as she crossed her legs. "most of them aren't nearly as fortunate as you and you're. . .um,. . . boyfriend?"

Without thinking, Allie made a face and mouthed 'ew' silently, "Feug is many things, but he isn't nor ever will be my boyfriend."

Leann giggled and apologized.

"How is he, by the way?" Allie asked curiously, "he wasn't quite up to snuff when I last saw him."

"Yeah, and he's got a lotta snuff to be up too." Leann rolled her eyes, but her voice and the laugh that followed belayed that she did find Allie's escort attractive.

Leaning back in the creaking chair, Leann folded her hands and recited what she could remember, "I believe he's suffering from some sort of poisoning. Looks like it was weapon induced-a common way to get it done-." she stopped and tapped her chin angrily with her pen, "I'll never really know because he wouldn't let me get a closer look."

Sounded like the Feug Allie knew so well.

"Apparently it was being treated before he arrived here," Leann finished, "because if it hadn't, he would've been dead by now."

Allie absorbed this information with a solemn frown. She easily recalled that night when Feug and the Beashan soldier had fought on the shores of their escape route. Hadn't the enemies sword glowed oddly that night? Perhaps it was manifesting it's handiwork here.

"He's got a real attitude, you know?" Leann sat up, "just who does your 'Feug' think he is, anyway?"

"'My' Feug? Well, if you knew him, you'd know he doesn't 'belong' to anyone." Allie shrugged," he's the most independent man I know." the journalist paused and decided she'd pay the graying old warrior a compliment instead, "But I think he knows exactly who he is-and so should you."

Open mouthed, Leann raised a hand, dead panning as she spoke, "Don't tell me. He's that 'only human trained by Majdi' guy right? No wonder he's such a pain."

Allie smirked and winced at a particularly sore spot on her arm, "I'm just starting to get used to him."

"Yeah. Don't talk if you wanna live." Leann squared her petite shoulders and stood up "Breakfast is on it's way; made fresh by the locals." she glanced at Allie, "Make sure you take it easy. You've been through a lot; no running around. It's a small village and I'll catch ya."

Allie saluted and Leann beamed as she reached the door, "Why can't all patients be this cooperative?"

Once the good doctor had left, Allie paused in the doorway, contemplating spending some time in the warm sun.

The gentle breeze tossed the tassels hanging on her armlets, and she thoughtfully took one of the red beads between her fingers, rubbing it's smooth surface slowly. Did the Majdi children also know? Had they all along been part of the ruse to make her feel welcome?

She let her hand drop and sighed as she moved past the threshold; whether they had or not meant nothing now.

Once fully outside, Allie closed her eyes and inhaled the fresh scent; not even Delta could claim to have such an intoxicating smell-and Delta had nearly everything Allie wanted, especially now.

The sun sent rushes of warmth up and down her pale arms while she turned a full circle on the wooden deck, finally getting an opportunity to see this establishment she’d been living in these past several days.

Every house looked the same, made out of the same wood material, with a deck connecting every house to it's neighbor, much like the Majdi settlement.

The two houses Feug and Allie had borrowed sat at the cities's entrance across from one another; a gate to the neat little village tucked away behind the exotic trees.

The sky was crisp, cloudless blue , vying with the ocean's mirror-like surface for Allie's attention as she slowly walked the length of the deck, it's wooden planks creaking under her feet.

She reached it's edge, facing the sea as the breeze continued to blow.

The ocean stretched on forever, a never ending sheet of blue; perhaps the path she would need to get home.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" a masculine, modulated voice said from behind.

Allie turned quick. She hadn't heard any footsteps.

The man who faced her looked to be middle-aged, with dark, swept back hair and suntanned skin, with brown eyes set under black brows. He wore a blue shirt that matched the sea.

"Yes." Allie answered hesitantly, holding back the hair that had escaped her ponytail with one hand.

"Kaleon Flandermann." he greeted, offering her his hand, "As you probably already guessed, I founded this place."

The journalist relaxed and flashed her professional smile, "Kaleon Flandermann, you have an impressive establishment here. I don't think I could ask to be any more comfortable."

"Ah, thank you, kind lady." he bowed his head, releasing her hand, "and you make it all the more beautiful."

Allie shifted, flushing as she returned her arm to her side, "Thank you very much. And thank you, as well, for all you've done."

"Most welcome." Kaleon nodded with a regal air that seemed to contrast with his casual appearance, "Anything to help those who have suffered from those insane Majdi."

"I wish I could repay your kindness." Allie said, "but I have no money with me-perhaps you could ask Feug?" she paused at the man's quick refusal.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Kaleon shook his head and waved off the suggestion with both hands, "You people are guests. Besides, I don't want to bother him with that sort of thing."

He probably didn't want to bother Feug with anything , similar to most people, but Allie said nothing and nodded.

"Just put in a good word for me in the paper, eh?" Kaleon smiled knowingly.

Allie returned the smile, "Anything you ask. Did Leann tell you?"

"Yes. From Delta? How upsetting; long way from home."

His words cut into her strangely, reminding her just how far she really was from being safe with her father and her friends at her home, where she could think and sleep and get away from everything that had happened to her in the last days.

She nodded wordlessly, and turned back to the ocean view.

"So, um," Kaleon joined her at her right and leaned against the railing, "Where do you think you'll be headed after this?"

Allie pursed her lips , staring at the peaceful tide, " I haven't thought about it. Too relieved to be able, I guess." she glanced at him as she spoke, and he smiled at her words.

"I believe you." he said, testing the strength of the railing with a push, "Straight home, to Delta you think?" he cocked his eyebrow at her while he continued to fiddle with the railing.

Allie thought it over quickly. Wasn't that what she wanted? Wasn't that the thought that plagued her every waking moment? Home. Then why did she have a sinking, unignorable feeling it wasn't going to be so easy?

"Maybe." she said after a pause, "do ships come here often?"

Kaleon stood up from inspecting the craftsmanship of the railing, apparently displeased with something.

He turned his gaze to her, concentrating now on her question.

"Well, mostly cargo ships. We usually head through the mountain pass to Bernam if we need anything else." he pointed behind them to the gray mountains that acted as a backdrop to the little city, "Besides, cargo ships don't allow extra passengers. They're small anyway. And they tend to have at least one Majdi on them every time."

Allie frowned dejectedly at this news, "Would one Majdi be a problem?"

"Any Majdi is a problem, in my book." Kaleon replied, "If one knows you're alive, they'll all know." he lowered his voice to indicate he was serious, "They'll be after both of you."

"Oh." Allie said under her breath. Things were already proving to be hard.

"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with us." Kaleon beamed and took her comfortingly around the shoulders, "We'll make sure you guys get out safe."

She smiled dimly, "Thank you, Kaleon."

The ocean breeze caressed her hair once more as he released her, as though the breeze too had felt her sadness deepen, and was gently trying to comfort her as well.

" I uh, hear your friend has some sort of poisoning. Not to eager to hang around and get it taken care of either." Kaleon voice broke the silence. Humor could be detected in his tone.

Allie looked down with a breathy laugh and shook her head, "We're barely friends. Traveling partners. And yes, I heard about his problem. Waiting to hear from Leann how he's doing."

"Ah, I see." Kaleon rubbed his chin, "Just another fellow executee, eh?"

Allie nodded absently, rubbing the back of one hand with another, appearing deep in thought.

"So, he's that captain from Majdi?" Kaleon said, seeming intent to keep the subject of Feug up and running, "Must've done something pretty intolerable."

"Sort of." Allie shrugged, "It's really hard for me to figure out. I don't even want to think about it anymore."

She decided it would be much wiser not to tell him the true account. He could make up his own theories.

"Not a guy I'd want to meet in a dark alley." Kaleon observed shortly.

"Feug is a guy I wouldn't want to meet anywhere, Mr. Flandermann." Allie replied sourly, causing Kaleon to laugh in spite of himself.

"He does have an aura about him, I notice."

"Oh, it's more than an aura." Allie rolled her eyes but decided to let it hang there for now.

"Uh oh." She heard Kaleon say and turned to her right, watching his face, "Looks like the doctor is. . .out?"

The journalist twisted her neck to follow his gaze, and spied Leann marching toward their positions.

A frown glowered on her features, and her fists were held stiff at her sides.

"I have had enough of that man!" the good doctor declared upon reaching them, "If he wants to kill himself, far be it from me to stop him."

Kaleon snickered while Allie backed away to let the doctor continue, "He's leaving. In an hour or something. You'd better get your bags packed, Allie. Something tells me he won't wait."

Allie nodded slowly, unsure of how she was supposed to react to this news. It was no surprise Feug was being as troublesome as he was. He had 'Independent to a fault' stamped all over him.

"Somehow I made him take some oral medication, but he refuses to stay and get his strength up." Leann went on, "If you're going with him, you'd better pack up."

"Maybe he knows himself better than you do, Leann." Kaleon reasoned softly from beside the doctor, "I'm sure a man like that knows what he can and can't handle easily."

"Who's side are you on, anyway?" Leann planted her hands on her hips in disgust.

Allie ignored the argument, "What exactly does this poison do?"

"Nothing. If treated correctly. If not, it causes slow death. Starvation, lack of coordination, fever, dizziness. The works, really."

The journalist grimaced, "How pleasant."

"I'll say" Leann huffed, crossing her arms, "This medication he's on should do the trick, but I'm not sure how long it will take for all the effects to wear off. I'd like him to stay until he's fully recuperated."

"And he doesn't want to?" Kaleon confirmed the known answer.

"No. He's shrugged me off two times about it already. One time I thought he was going to use that sword of his on me."

"He isn't the friendliest person in the world." Allie admitted quietly, inwardly appalled at his behavior. Did Feug have no respect for the ones who aided them in the first place?

"Are you going with him?" Leann asked suddenly.

"I-I wasn't sure." Allie shrugged truthfully.

"Can you convince him to hold back? Just for a little while? After all, you traveled with him."

"Now, now," Kaleon murmured thoughtfully, "It's really not in your position to stop the man, Leann."

The doctor groaned, "What are you? His accomplice?," she turned to look at Allie , her voice soft, "Look, I'm a doctor. It's my job to be concerned about my patients. I don't want him dying somewhere when I could've prevented it.

" Maybe you could talk to him. Ask him to stay."

Allie couldn't stifle a wide-eyed expression, "Me? You want me to go in there, and order Feug to stay here?"

Leann nodded, while Kaleon watched with interest.

"I hardly know him. Besides, your word is just as good as mine. Feug does what he wants, when he wants. I've never seen anyone tell him much otherwise."

"Well it's time for that to end!"Leann burst out, then begged, "Please? You're my last hope."

"I'm not his commander, doctor." Allie told her calmly, "He led me to this place, not the other way around. Wouldn't it be a little imposing to order him to stay here, after all he did for me?" That sounded a bit too liking towards the warrior, but Allie didn't feel like correcting herself. He had brought them here, and that was truth enough.

"Yes! If you want him to get you guys both out of here." Leann replied, "Just try. He might give in to two against one."

Allie shook her head. What kind of wimp did Leann think Feug was? Allie had been around him long enough to know he wasn't daunted by anyone, much less two begging women.

"Fine." Allie moved past her, breathing it out between her teeth in defeat. She owed the warrior thanks anyway, so she might as well get it done in one swoop.

"Good luck." Kaleon called after her as she walked across to the tidy looking hut.

Why was it, as she stepped up to the door of Feug's hut, with Kaleon's words echoing in her mind, that Allie felt as if she was staring at the entrance of a dark, foreboding cave, where an unpredictable dragon lay waiting inside.

She gave her head a swift shake, dashing the thoughts aside. She'd just choose her words carefully and get out. That simple.

Lifting her hand to the knot infested wood, she gave the door a quick rap with her knuckles

Feug looked up from his work with a sorely annoyed frown. What did that pesky little doctor want now?

"What is it?" Allie heard him snap from the other side of the door.

Inhaling, the journalist spoke calmly, "It's me. Allie,-Roberts." she added on afterthought, "Can I have a word with you?"

The door swung open and Allie made quick not to notice the fire in his glare. He was wearing his white shirt unbuttoned at the top, with his black pants; sword and gun already strapped in place. Leann hadn't been kidding; he really was getting ready to leave right away.

Feug was pulling on his fingerless gloves while he looked at her,making her uncomfortable.

Avoiding those eyes with a notorious reputation to rivet her to her spot, Allie, beckoned, "Well, can I come in, or. . ."

She trailed off as his feet shifted and he moved aside roughly, lowering his gaze, almost forcing her to look at him face to face while she moved past.

Those infuriatingly enthralling and frightening eyes; the blue one so cold and icy as death itself, seemed to pin her down, while the dark one interrogated her very presence in the room.

Allie cleared her throat hurriedly and put on her typical journalist front. She was not about to be intimidated by him yet.

Feug shut the door wordlessly with a sharp twist of his gloved wrist, his eyes releasing their hold on her.

Looking around, Allie noted that his hut looked very much like hers, except for the wooden dresser she stood shoulder to.

She noticed with incurable curiosity, that his coat, flung over his bed, no longer bore the Majdi badge over the left breast pocket. What was left now were mere threads. Another show of temper that she was completely relieved to miss. If this was his normal state, the very predators of the planet must flee in terror when Feug loses his temper.

Silently, she watched him stride across the room toward his bed, taking particular note of just how tall he was, how broad, and how the curves in his arms caught the shadowy light. Just what was she doing locked in here with this brute of man anyway? Was she insane?!

Swallowing, Allie lightly rubbed a scar on her arm and started talking to ease her nervousness, "I-I wanted to thank you, for -um, helping me out back there."

She paused and clasped her hands behind her back to formulate something else to say.

"Forget it." he said shortly, turning his head away once more.

Allie rolled her eyes. Typical response from a man with his reputation.

"So. How are you feeling?" the journalist began warily.

Feug turned around fully, holding his heavy coat over one arm. His expression clearly showed that question had been asked for too many times to his liking.

"Fine."

Allie gulped unchecked, shifting her foot, nodding. She now noticed the tight, white bandaging over his arm, fresh and clean.

Generally, he was acting as healthy and rude as ever. Why Leann insisted he stay longer was becoming needless.

But, doctor's orders were orders.

"Are you planning on leaving soon?" Allie asked innocently.

"Maybe." the warrior started walking toward her, and she became taught only until she realized he wanted something from the dresser draw.

Backing away, allowing him ample room, Allie watched him carefully, finding the courage to continue, "If you ask me, uh, I-I don't think you should go."

He said nothing, reaching down to pull his leather chest piece out from one of the drawers.

Allie felt her face grow hot. Was he purposely ignoring her to make her uncomfortable?

"You . . . shouldn't do it to yourself. It's-it's not safe." She started again with waning confidence. She was beginning to feel very out of place all of a sudden.

Feug didn't acknowledge nor turn to her, slipping the leather piece over his head and eventually across his chest.

"If you're not listening to me because you're upset about what happened, that's a dumb excuse." Allie suddenly emboldened with anger, spat out. This time, Feug turned his head slightly to hear her.

"We've both been through the same thing! We've both been lied to, been abused. If-if you think that destroying yourself, by constantly pushing yourself like this is the right thing to do . . . then, then. . .I don't know." She shrugged, "It's just wrong and you shouldn't go."

Her speech ended, Feug tipped his head toward the floor, still turned away from her. But even from where she stood, Allie could tell it was not a position of guilt or repentance.

He was suppressing something, she could tell by his breathing. Something she probably didn't want to see or hear.

What an idiot she was to burst out like that!

Allie started to move her foot back, retreating toward the closed door quietly.

It was then that she heard him mutter, "Is that it?"

"E-excuse me?" Allie stammered as Feug slowly turned around, looking at her from under slanted brows,

"I said is 'That it?" he repeated with hissing emphasis on the repeated words.

It was a threat. Plain as anything, and Allie wasn't about to hang around and let it be manifested. "W-yes, I-I guess so."

"Get out then."

"I-" Allie opened her mouth to apologize, cursing herself for caring too much about his feelings-like he had any-.

"You wanna run my life for me?" Feug stepped closer, talking barely without opening his mouth, his tone sending chills up Allie's spine.

"No-no, I just-"

"Shut-up." he cut her off with a snarling bark,

"You'd be dead without me, you hear me?"

Allie nodded slowly, "I know that." her voice was so pathetically weak she wished she'd never spoke in the first place.

"I don't owe you anything." Feug growled, eyes locked into hers.

She nodded quickly, shifting another foot toward the door.

The journalist had only seconds to react as she felt him lash out and twist his fingers in the fabric of her shirt.

He swung her easily in nearly a half circle, away from the doors beckoning safety, nearly lifting her off the floor.

A squeal of fear escaped her lips, nearly lost in the rush of movement.

Numb to fight back, and with tears welling in her eyes, Allie felt him draw her up to his chest, looking her in the eye.

Menacingly towering over her, the big warrior ground out, "Don't tell me you know what I've gone through. You don't know one thing."

His voice filled her hearing, and Allie nodded tearfully, letting him say anything so long as he would loosen his grip on her collar,

"And the next time you try an order me around will be your last." Feug spoke these last words venomously into her face, his right arm holding her to her spot.

He immediately let go, his grip already having loosened after her cry of fear.

Allie stumbled away, gasping back sobs of embarrassment and pure rage. He watched her coldly as she reached the door, wiping tears from her eyes with the back of her arm, her other hand fingering the fabric near her neck where his hold had been.

"Y-yes, w-well," she stammered between breaths, eyes darting nervously from the floor to his face then back again, "If-if you dare to treat me again like you just did, that will be your last as well." her voice wobbled, but was strong with indignation as she finished and yanked the door open, shaky fingers slipping over the door knob.

She looked toward his stoic, unmoving figure one last time and snapped huskily, "Die then. Kill yourself. It would be the greatest gift this planet ever received." With that, she rushed out, slamming the door shut behind her.

Feug glared at the door before roughly running his fingers through his gray streaked hair, lowering his gaze to the floor, severity leaving his eyes.

He spun in awakening anger and glanced the dresser with a clenched fist, cracking a corner and sending several thin slivers of wood sailing to the floor, then tore his coat from the bed and yanked it on.