In the year 710…

The Irarian Ranger

For Krista Farinton's 18th birthday her father, Randal Farinton let her take the finest horse in the kingdom and travel too wherever she wished. Seeing Krista loved travelling so much, the gift was something she had always dreamed of. Krista had travelled many times before, but never to where she wanted too and always with an arsenal of guards. This was her time to be herself.

Krista looked more like her grandparents than her own parents. She had long black hair like her grandfather that she usually wore in a tight braid, and her face was that of her grandmothers. Her eyes however seemed to be her own, a strange mix of green and brown speckled together. Her father sometimes found himself looking at her and seeing his 'cousin' Blake. Something that always made him a little uneasy around her, but he loved her dearly nonetheless.

Her father and mother Ashley were happy that their gift was so well received, but her brother Randal II wasn't as pleased as everyone else. She was his only sibling, and very dear to his heart.

"Let me go with you," he pleaded the night before as she left the dinner table. He looked more like his father, only his blond hair was almost down to his shoulders and he had his mother dark brown eyes. "It is not safe out there for a Princess to be alone."

Krista threw a charming smile at him. "I will not be dressed as a Princess. Besides, you have the rest of my life to protect me, why not give me a few months to myself?"

"What if you get hurt or-"

"Randal," she put her finger on his mouth. "I will be fine, I am twice the rider you are and almost half the fighter." She left and called back to him, "I will be fine," just once more to reassure him.

Once in her room she collapsed on the bed. She was exhausted from waiting for the trip and about thinking of the future. When she returned from her trip - and hopefully it would be a long trip - she was to be married to a Duke from Landing City. She didn't even know his name, and truthfully she didn't care.

Maybe, she thought, maybe I will not come back. Then I could spend the rest of my life travelling…

Sleep soon overtook her thoughts and for another few hours she was free of worry.

The next day Krista was on her Palomino horse named Damien, he had a creamy gold coat and a white mane and tail. He was truly a magnificent horse, the fastest in all the land. It was a comforting thought for Randal that his sister was so well prepared, but he still feared the worse.

Krista was wearing a brown tunic and skirt, and a brown hooded cloak. She looked like any other traveller, of course the wiser might recognize the royal air about her, or take notice that the horse was so fine and well kept.

To arm her she had a dagger and a short sword. The dagger wasn't much to look at, just a simple grey handle and a 14" blade, but it was made of silver. For defence she had a plain steel shield that was coated in copper. It was in the shape of a code of arms, but had none to speak of.

For a sword her brother gave her his own. The hilt was silver was carefully carved to show many dragons fighting, and on the pommel was a cylinder diamond the size of her thumbnail showing on both sides. The cross-guard was carved into a dragon, the head to one side and the tail to the other. Its body had an oval green gem. The blade was 30" long and made of the finest steel as well as the scabbard which had two diamonds on either side at the top and two on either side in the middle and it had a silver chain that bound it to her belt.

"How long will you be travelling for?" Randal asked as he helped his sister onto Damien.

Krista got onto her horse and looked at the castle and the Rising Mountains in the back as if saying goodbye to it. "A few months… I suppose." She looked back at him with a small smile. "When I have seen the beauties of our kingdom and can die happy, I will return,"Randal didn't look pleased with that reply. "Or when autumn comes."

And then Krista took off and Randal watch for longingly as she disappeared along the Coast of Moon Lake. Randal stayed watching after her even after the sun set. His mind was at ill rest, he felt like if ever he saw his sister again, she would not be the same. The thought sent shivers down his spine.

For ten days Krista rode along Moon Lake. The sight was breathtaking. The Rising Mountains to the East, the Moon Mountains to the North and the Sangaku Mountains to the Northwest. To the West and South were open fields, but she knew that if she kept going West she'd reach the Ocean and that South was the Travel Stop Mountains and the South Land, so many choices.

And also, it was the middle of April and all around her flowers were blooming and the grass was green as ever. There were young animals all around, truly the perfect time to set out on a journey. It all seemed like a fairy tale to her…

For the most part following the coast took her Southwest, but after about seven days she was going straight West and it began to slowly rise and become a cliff. The first place she really wanted to visit though was to the North, over Sail and under Irare.

Finally after ten days Krista reached the beginning of the 'forbidden land' where the Great River met up with Moon Lake. A month before she was born Sail lost its last war. Her father's cousin Blake Finlander was the General of the Sail army and went simply mad trying to kill every inhabitant in Irare.

After he died in a fire an Irarian messenger got down to South Land a brought up an army to push Sail back. The result of this was that now an army of Jugoslavik from South Land was wandering the South of the Great Forest to make sure Sail never tried to invade Irare again.

The whole business made Krista furious. They had so much land anyway, why try and take over another country? So now they had lost what little part of the forest they had and only small groups from Sail could enter Irare. She wouldn't bother going that far North; Irare wasn't someplace she particularly wanted to go. As far as she was concerned Irarians were ignorant hateful people, she couldn't really blame them, but she couldn't stand the fact that they all hated her.

Still… she wanted to go into the forest. She had seen it many times, but she had never been in it… or any forest for that matter.

Krista dismounted Damien and looked down into the chasm of the Great River. She was so high above the water that she was sure if she fell she'd die. Just North of where she was and across the river sat the ruins of the castle where Finlander had lived and died. She looked along the cliff and saw no bridges, and she was glad, because she didn't want to be any closer to that evil place than she had too. She would follow the Great River Northwest until she was in the Forest.

Getting back on her horse Krista continued on her way. It was getting dark and she'd have to camp out soon, but she wouldn't sleep if she could still see Finlander's castle. Tonight she would go into the forest and camp out among the trees. Conjuring up all her bravery she entered the forest.

The forest that Krista entered was a dark and horrid place, but the one she woke up in was green, lush and full of life. The sun peeked in through the trees and small animals roamed around looking for food. Birds sang and Damien was grazing nearby. Her fairy tale had come back to her.

It was a two to three day ride through the forest to get to the Great cliffs where Irare began, she decided to ride that far and visit the Her Waterfall, she had heard tales that Amazons lived nearby that waterfall, hence the name. She wasn't scared of meeting any; in fact, it'd be nice to live among amazons… She'd have a place to live and she'd never have to return to Sail and be married.

As she rode through the forest that day though, she realised that living among the Amazons wasn't what she wanted. She wanted to get married one day and have children… but she wanted to love that person. Maybe she was just wishing hopefully, but she did think better of the world. There had to be at least one person out there who she could be happy with.

"Maybe the Duke is not so bad," she muttered to Damien, and then she smiled. "And maybe he is also frightfully kind and will be considerate of me." She laughed and Damien neighed, she petted his head. "Right… hopeful thinking… much too naïve."

Krista suddenly stopped talking and brought the horse to a halt. She had heard something. A twig snapping was it? She looked around. Could be anything, a squirrel perhaps… or maybe a robber… maybe it was a Jugoslavik soldier… or maybe a Gommer, a horrible beast that could walk on all fours or on only two feet. It had slim long bodies covered in dark black fur and huge paws with enormous and sharp claws on them.

If there was any danger to her life, it was from the Gommers. She was fairly confident that she could take on a few robbers, and the soldiers wouldn't give her any trouble, but a group of Gommers? one Gommer even? She wouldn't stand a chance.

Slowly Damien started walking again and Krista kept her eyes sharp as an eagle, constantly looking about her to make sure nobody was waiting to attack her. Riding by the Great River helped her to keep a lookout because nobody would be able to jump over the cliffs to attack her but the cliffs were slowly getting shorter as she got towards the waterfall.

A sudden fear gripped Krista and she felt like kicking herself for not taking her brother along. There was no going back in time however, so instead Krista turned Damien around and the started heading back towards Moon Lake and out of the Forest. The Forest looked beautiful still, but felt evil.

The forest couldn't end fast enough, mostly because of the fear she felt, but also because she thought for sure she was being followed. They galloped when they could, and always went at a fast pace, it was getting dark and if Krista didn't get out of there soon she'd have to spend the night in the Forest. She couldn't do that; she had to get out of there.

They struck when the sun began to set and the forest darkened and became silent. She didn't even hear them coming. One moment she was furiously racing towards the exit, and the next she felt something… no… someone fall on her, knocking her off the horse and onto the ground where she fell dazed and confused. Damien reared up and kicked the attackers, but they soon had him tied to a tree.

Krista was quickly on her feet and reaching for her brother's sword. She pulled it out and took a look at her attackers; it was getting so dark so fast that she could barely make them out, she had no choice but to simply attack, and attack she did. Most of them couldn't get their weapons out before she was on them, taking fingers off and leaving gashes on the torsos. She didn't know how many she killed, or if she killed any, all she knew was that she couldn't stop fighting, or she'd be killed.

"Back thieves!" She yelled as she fought.

Then it happened, very quickly and so it didn't hurt as much at first. She felt the cold blade of another sword stab her, she couldn't see where the attackers were, and maybe he didn't see her, because the blade went in maybe an inch and was quickly pulled away. She slashed out wildly trying to kill all that she could find, but in her carelessness her blade was knocked to the ground and she felt another sword stab her in the shoulder.

To avoid the attacks Krista fell to the ground and tried to crawl away, but the robbers were running around trying to find her and kept kicking her.

They must have had a light, she thought, and I must have knocked it out. Either way, something is wrong…

A sharp kick was dealt to her head and she felt someone fall over her. The kick made her stop for a few seconds, she felt dizzy and confused. She looked up one last time and she saw a light coming towards them, and then…

… Blackness…

When Krista came to it was the morning and she was still in the forest, but her horrible feeling was gone. From the fact that she was alive she wondered if maybe the attack had all been a dream… until she tried to move and felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She fell back and waited until the pain resided.

Looking around she could see Damien grazing nearby, so he had gotten out of there alive… but how did she? Last thing she remembered the robbers were getting light, so they would have seen her and killed her easily. And yet… here she was, seemingly alive, and relatively unhurt.

Her right shoulder was had a steady throbbing pain, but other than that and her stomach she just had a few bruises. She looked around and saw that her cloak, sword, dagger and shield were laid down beside her. Someone must have rescued her then. That light that she had seen…

Krista put her hand to her forehead and felt a cloth tied around.

Okay, she thought, a few bruises and a cut on my forehead.

Suddenly there was a rustling in the trees to her left and as she looked she saw a gruff tall man step out into the clearing. He had long black unwashed wavy hair just past his chin and an unshaven face. He had brilliant kind light blue eyes and wore torn and worn out black clothing. Despite his rugged looks, Krista could not deny that he was absolutely… breathtaking.

"Ah, you're awake," he spoke, and Krista could not help but hear a familiar accent under his voice. It almost sounded like an Irarian accent… but… he definitely looked like he was from Sail. Maybe he was Jugoslavik, though she was sure their accent was much different. "Not that talkative," he said walking forward holding a dead animal to his side. "Fair enough. Hungry?"

Krista kept her mouth shut. The animal in his hand looked absolutely repulsive… but after ten days of dried out meat, bread, ale and water, she was hungry for a fresh meal. Of course, there was still another matter altogether. Who was this man? And where did he come from? Did he save her… or capture her? Well… she wasn't tied up…

"Nod yes, shake no?" He asked looking her over wondering if perhaps she was mute.

Slowly Krista nodded her head and the man, presumably a Ranger, gave a small smile and began preparing the animal by skinning it and tying it to a stick to roast it above their small fire. Krista looked away during this feeling a little queasy.

"I take it you don't make your own food," the Ranger said as he came up to her and started checking her bandages as the food cooked behind him.

"What makes you think that?" Krista asked before she could stop herself. She just didn't like people making assumptions of herself… even if they were correct.

"Well," the Ranger said, stopping what he was doing to stare at her. His gaze was intense and beautiful and Krista couldn't look away, it started to make her uneasy, "you can speak."

"Of course I can speak," Krista whispered out.

The Ranger smiled and nodded and went back to checking her wounds. Krista let go of the breath she was holding and watched as closely as she could as the Ranger checked her wounds. The bottom on her tunic had been torn off, as well as her left sleeve. This comforted her seeing it meant he probably didn't peak at anything.

"You took a bad stab in your stomach," he began speaking again. "It doesn't look too deep, but it hit a pretty big vein. You lost a lot of blood."

"How bad is it?"

"Not too bad," he said shaking his head and looking up at her. "It stopped bleeding, but you'll need to regain your strength."

"And my shoulder?"

"Just a scratch," he said with a charming smile, but it didn't reassure her that much. "The cut on your head," he said putting his fingers gently on her forehead, "isn't that bad either, it knocked you out because it was on your temple, that's all."

Krista nodded. "I see… and who are you."

The Ranger paused as if he didn't understand the question. He looked back at her nodding and smiling his charming smile. "Right, sorry. My name's Imidé… err… Emid really."

"Eh-mi-day…" she pronounced it fully. "That's a peculiar name."

"It's just Emid," he persisted. "Eh-mid."

"Yes," Krista mumbled. "Very well."

"And your name?"

"Krista Fa…"

"Fa…?

"Well…" she sighed, there was something about him that she trusted. "Farinton."

"Farinton… sounds familiar," he said tossing it back and forth in his head. Then he went back to cooking the animal. He sat at her feet, and so she could still see his face.

"You saved my life?" She asked.

Emid nodded but continued to look at their roast. "Yeah… I supposed so."

"You suppose? No need for modesty, you did or you did not."

"Well… yes. I saved your life."

"You came with a torch? I saw the light."

"I heard noises, so I went to look. I saw five badly wounded thieves and you lying unconscious. So I chased them away and took you back to my camp."

"Oh… I see," she smiled. So, basically I did all the dirty work.

"You did quite a number on those men, you're a remarkable fighter," he said and finally turned his head to look at her with a gentle smile.

Krista felt herself begin to blush and quickly changed the subject. "So Damien is not hurt?"

"Damien?" Emid looked puzzled.

"My horse," Krista said nodding towards the great animal behind her.

"Oh yes, he's fine, so fine that he almost killed me as I took him back to my camp," Emid didn't smile as he said this so Krista wondered if he was mad, but sure enough a smile began to spread over his face.

Krista smiled as well. "He has got quite the spirit."

"That I'll vouch for."

Twice a day, once in the morning - usually while Krista was still asleep - and again in the evening Emid would go out and hunt for something to eat. For the rest of the day Emid would take care of her by washing out her wound and trying to clean her bandages as best as he could while he went on, the two would talk.

"I'll give you two weeks before I'll let you walk around. I don't want that wound opening," Emid said on the first day. "After that you may want to stick around until the wound heals for sure."

Her last name never came up in a conversation after she told it to him, but he occasionally got a look in his eyes that told her he knew who she was. The look itself she couldn't quite explain, it was a mixture of feelings. There was a little hatred, a little fear… and maybe she imagined it, but a sort of longing, or wanting. He never asked about her past, another sign that he probably knew it, but she did ask about his,

"You have an accent," she said during a supper one night.

Emid nodded. "Yes…"

"But it is not from Sail… and it does not sound Jugoslavik…"

"It's not either," he said looking over at her with a calm expression.

"It is Irarian… is it not?"

Again he nodded. "It is."

"Well," Krista flustered a bit. "Why would you have an Irarian accent?"

"It's where I was raised."

"Where you were raised? But you are from Sail."

"Yes, I am from Sail," he said sternly and Krista suddenly realised that she should simply drop the matter altogether. There was something in his past that bothered him, and her as well. There was and probably always will be friction between Sail and Irare. The fact that he was raised there seemed a little odd for that very reason, but it also seemed odd that he spoke perfect Sail and lived here as well.

Two weeks went past very quickly during which time Krista healed and Damien began to tolerate Emid. Finally one day after Emid checked her wounds he said that if she wanted, she could get up and stretch her legs.

"Take it easy ok, don't run," he said as he helped her up.

Krista took notice that it was the first time they had ever held hands, the thought made her blush a bit, but it quickly faded. He had a firm grip, but it was so gentle as well. Everything about him was so gentle, and yet she knew that if she were his enemy, there would be nothing gentle about him.

At first Emid helped her walk around the camp, but by the end of the day Krista was walking around by herself, though she wasn't walking very fast, and it took her a few seconds to stand and sit down out of fear of her wound re-opening.

"It is almost like learning to walk again," she said in the evening as she sat down beside him - for the first time - as she ate.

"Almost, except you learn pretty fast," he said with a smile. "In another week you won't even have to worry about the wound."

"That is good to hear."

"You'll be able to leave if you want…"

Emid trailed off and Krista didn't answer. The two finished their meal in silence. The thought of her leaving troubled both of them. For Emid it troubled him because this was the first real company he had had in… well… for as long as he could remember. For her the thought of leaving brought back the fact that sooner or later she would have to return home and… and be married.

The two had a very troubled sleep that night.

The next day went the same as all the rest. Krista woke up alone and not too long after Emid came in with some food that he then began preparing. He then helped her to sit to eat and afterwards helped her to stand and let her walk around to get her muscles moving. Not much was said between the two. They had grown used to each other and the thought of Krista having to leave soon was hanging over their heads. They didn't have a real conversation until supper.

"Do you have any family where you're from?" Emid asked all the sudden.

"Do I have any family?" Krista asked, almost as if it was a joke. She was sure Emid knew who she was, but he simply stared and she soon realised he was serious. "Well yes, I have my mother, father and an older brother."

"They're probably worried about you."

"Oh I doubt it," she said with a small smile.

Emid looked a little confused.

"Well you see, I was not really expected back until the end of autumn. I was travelling Sail by myself before I had to…"

"Had to what?"

"… Go back…" Krista avoided his eyes.

"Yes… but go back to what?"

"A life that I do not want." Krista simply replied and took a sip of her ale, ale that Emid had made himself.

Emid thought it best not to push on that matter any further.

"Well, where will you go when you leave m-here?

"I guess I will head East to Paultown, I can get some supplies and move on…" Krista said almost systematically.

"Nice place Paultown."

"Go there a lot?"

"It's the nearest town, I stumble in every once in a while if I'm in bad need of supplies you can't get in the wild. I also tend to stop by when I leave the forest for the winter."

"Like your weapons?"

"My weapons?" Emid asked, almost shocked.

"You do have a sword, right?"

"Yes, over there," he said pointing to his blanket. "It's rolled up in there."

"So did you get it in Paultown?"

"No… I got it in Mizu Tokai."

"Mizu Tokai? Is that where you were raised?"

"Not there, no. I was raised in the Mizu Kyoudoushakai, but when I visited Mizu Tokai I bought a Katana, a true Samurai Katana." Emid got a somewhat dreamy far-off expression on his face, and Krista didn't even think to interrupt him. "You see, the first true Samurai came from there, so the best Samurai weapons come from there as well. That Katana cost a pretty penny…" he had a smile on his face, "but it was worth it."

Emid didn't speak for some time then and Krista knew that she could safely speak again. "I have never seen it."

"Mizu Tokai?"

"Well… that too, but I meant your Katana."

"Oh…"

"I do not suppose I could-"

"Oh course!" Emid said and quickly got up, he went to his blanket and unwrapped it to reveal a black scabbard and a white hilt peeking out, he then came back and handed the Katana to her.

Krista took the Katana gently in her hands and marvelled at the artistry. The hilt looked to be made of ivory and was carved to showed Samurai fighting either on foot or on horseback, in between the Samurai were leaves and flags. On the pummel was written very small:

Altogether it was simply a work of art.

"My name," Emid explained quickly seeing that she was looking at the inscription. Krista nodded.

The scabbard was something else completely. It was black and seemed to have a light red in it as well. The cross-guard was a simple enough design, but the middle was made of gold and the outside silver.

"It is beautiful," Krista muttered.

"Yeah," Emid said, sounding almost like he was bashful. "But you haven't seen the best part."

Emid then took the Katana from her and took the blade out. It was just plain steel, she was sure of it, but even in the moonlight it shone. Almost as if it was enchanted. It looked like it has never even been used…

"I have never seen such a weapon."

"The Irarians have a definite talent for making weapons," he said as he put the Katana away, then he came back and sat beside her again. "Something like that seems wondrous here, but up North there are many Katanas equal to this, and even more beautiful. Like the Blade of Jirale."

"Blade of Jirale?"

"A wives tale, probably, but it tells of a Katana made by the first Samurai Uruwashii, it was apparently passed down from generation to generation. They say that Ririshii Hana wielded the Katana when she struck down…" Emid lost the excited look in his eyes and smiled as if he was embarrassed. "I'm sorry, you're probably not too fond of tales of us winning the war."

"The only thing that bothers me about those tales is that we started a war."

"Do you hear many stories about it then?"

"Well… probably not as many as you. I know the facts about it. We started the war, the General in charge, Blake Finlander, died in a fire and then an army from South Land came and we lost."

"All those stories are intertwined… It was Ririshii Hana that set the fire that killed Finlander."

"Excuse me?"

"Ririshii Hana who weld the Blade of Jirale, who was a descendant of Jirale himself, who had a Tenshi sent by Jirale to help her on her quest to save Jirale. I was only 6 when it all happened-"

"Wives tales, all stupid wives tales."

Emid stopped talking and looked over at her. " Told you that you didn't like hearing about us winning."

"Why us? You are not one of them. They won, we lost, end of story."

"Why are you getting so angry?" Emid asked as he put a hand on her shoulder.

"I am not angry," she said as she brushed his hand off her shoulder. "It is just that… It is just that-"

"It is just that what?"

"You are from Sail! You are not from Irare! You are not an Irarian!"

Emid was quiet for a long time and Krista didn't dare look at him. She knew that such a thing shouldn't bother her, but it did. Irarians hated her and they hated anyone from Sail. So how could they have raised him? Why was he living here? It was like they brainwashed him and sent him out to spy. What if the whole attack had been a set up to trap her?

Krista, you are being paranoid… and cruel.

"I never knew my father, or my mother for that matter," Emid began talking slowly and quietly. "My mother travelled to Irare to travel the country before a war broke out… I suppose. While in Mizu Kyoudoushakai she drowned while out on a boat. Nobody knew who she or I was, so they put me in an orphanage and a year later I was adopted. I was always teased in school for who I was, someone from Sail. The enemy. Even after the war when I turned 8, I was still hated. All through my life that was all I got.

"When I was 16 I realised it would never go away, so I left home, bought a Katana and came to live here. I travelled about and picked up … my… language easily enough, and then one day I met you. So there you have it. I'm not liked in either country, but this is the only place I can really go. It's Sail and Irare… and yet it's neither as well..."

"I am the Princess of Sail," Krista blurted out. "My father and his cousin started this war," she continued and tears of guilt began to rim her eyes. "Everyone hates my family, our country hates us for losing the war, and your country hates us for starting it. Gemma hates us. South Land hates us…

"But I am sorry, I am so sorry. It was wrong and horrible and I am just so sorry… Just sometimes I feel all this hate and I think I should hate everyone else… I am so sorry…" Krista wiped her eyes and calmed down. "I am sorry that I did not tell you, if you want I will leave tomorrow, or now even."

Krista got up to leave when she felt Emid pull her gently but firmly back down. Suddenly he had her in a warm and tight embrace. She put her hands on his and simply savoured in the affection. Then she felt on the back of her neck warm tears.

"I am sorry," she repeated and he hugged harder to reassure her that it wasn't her fault, but that he just needed to get it all out.

Krista thought that after that night Emid would become a much more solemn man, she thought that he would not only want her to leave, but that he would hate her. She thought that she would hate him… but when she woke up the next morning she found Emid sitting by her head and staring down at her with a content smile plastered on his face.

"Ohayo," he greeted in Irarian.

"Good morning?"

He nodded.

"Um… about last night. I'm not angry at you… and I hope you're not angry at me."

Krista reached out and grabbed his hand while staring in his eyes.

"I would be an idiot to be mad at you for being who you are."

Emid's smile grew wider and he got up and left to go hunt.

When Emid got back he started preparing their meal as Krista stretched her legs and brushed Damien's golden coat. Although the two felt they had resolved all the issues surrounding them, they worked in an uncomfortable silence.

"So… what's your family like?" Emid asked while Krista was still thinking of a way to break the silence.

"Well… I am not that close with my parents… I do not think they are even close with each other, but my brother Randal and I are fairly close. We have done everything and gone everywhere together."

"Until this," Emid said looking over at her.

"Right, until this… Though, I am even very glad that he did not come with me on this trip."

"Why?" Emid asked looking confused.

Krista smiled sheepishly. "I would not have met you."

Emid looked away smiling. "So I'm a good thing after all?"

"Oh course you are, whoever thought you were not was a fool and an imbecile."

"Huh…" Emid paused for a bit, then he looked back at Krista with a look on his face that said he was uncertain about what he was about to say. "You're not expected home until the end of autumn?"

"At least…"

"I think you should stay until then."

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Emid got onto his feet thinking for a few seconds. "Your stomach wound seems to be healing slowly and maybe you should stay longer so it can heal properly."

"My wound?" Krista asked putting her hand over her stomach. It didn't feel so bad… What did he mean?

Then it hit her, a sudden realisation that would have come to anyone sooner. As she looked into his eyes then a sudden warmth crept into her heart and she smiled to herself, but she quickly wiped the smile away and replied to him.

"You know, now that you mention it my wound does feel a little sore. It may have been infected."

"In which case it will take some time to heal and I'll have to find some medicine…"

"Or… you could just… talk me through me it. There is no real rush to get home…"

Somewhere far off a bird was chirping.

Krista snuggled up in her blanket and felt the warmth of a nearby fire. It was cold out there, but underneath the blanket she was snug and warm. Months had passed. Summer turned into fall and soon fall would be turning into winter. It didn't get very cold in North Sail, but it would get cold enough that snow occasionally came. They'd have to leave and find some shelter soon, but for now she just wanted to sleep in for just a little longer.

Yet during all this the bird continued to chirp ever louder.

Groaning, Krista shifted under the covers. "Kill the bird, we can eat it…"

She heard a small laugh coming from her right, towards the fire. Emid.

"It's just singing you a song Krista," Emid then knelt down and Krista felt him kiss the back of her head. "A sure sign that it's time to get up."

"If I wake up, then I'll have to pack, if I pack we'll have to move. If we move-"

"Then we won't freeze to death," Emid interrupted her muffled voice.

Krista turned her head to glare at Emid. "I think I've fallen in love with this camp… this Forest…"

"Well, if you love me at all you'll not want me to freeze out here." Emid was tying things to the saddled Damien.

Krista smiled devishly. "I'll keep you warm."

Emid kneeled down again, his face centimetres from her own, his gaze intense. "You won't be able to keep me warm if you've frozen as well," then Emid's gaze filtered down her body and in a quick move Emid pulled of her blanket and began folding it up.

"AH! It's freezing!" Krista yelled and curled up into a ball.

"Well then," Emid tied the blanket to Damien and grabbed Krista's brown cloak. "Put some clothing on," he threw her cloak on her and all Krista could do was glare… and begin to help him pack.

By noon the two were on Damien and heading South towards Paultown, a two and a half day ride. Krista sat in the front and Emid held the rains in one hand and his beloved firmly in the other. The two went at a steady pace trying to travel quickly but also slowly enough to see the world about them.

It was a shock to enter the Forest when everything was blooming, only to leave it when everything was dying. Krista was comforted with the thought that next year the flowers and grass would bloom yet again and Emid and her could return to their camp in the 'forbidden forest'… though truthfully it felt more like home to her…

Home… She was running late, always putting off returning East to Farinton castle. Her brother was sure to be assembling the soldiers soon so that they could search the land for her. Well let them come. Emid and her would hide and be together for as long as they possibly could. There was nothing left back there for her. She'd miss Randal terribly… but that was really all she'd miss.

Travelling along the edge of the forest allowed Krista to see the valleys, and she wondered what it would be like to travel there and be in a world where all the land is flat, and the mountains are hard to see.

Two and a half days went by quickly enough with each other as company (too quickly in Krista's opinion who was constantly looking back East in fear of seeing a platoon a Sail soldiers waiting to take her home), and on the third day of travel as the sun set before them, they arrived in the small but thriving streets of Paultown.

"Well… It's not so bad here," Krista noted as she looked around. They were all wearing rather dirty clothing, and seeing they weren't living in the wilderness they didn't have an excuse to be wearing dirty clothing, and even though the night was just coming most of them seemed to be drunk.

"I guess you've never been here before."

"I was only taken to the… ah… larger cities." A drunken man stumbled by and gave her half a grin and then fell flat on his face. "I'm suddenly very glad I didn't come here by myself." Krista quickly added to which Emid gave a small laugh.

"We can spend the night here," Emid said and brought Damien towards an inn. There was a stable to the side and Emid left Damien with the stable boy.

"Are you sure Damien will be alright there?" Krista asked nervously as they walked towards the bar, Krista couldn't help but notice that Emid wore his Katana. She also wore her weapons and her shield was slung to her back.

"He'll be fine, there's not a more trustworthy stable in all of Paultown."

Krista looked back towards the stable and saw the stable boy sweeping and tripping over himself. "Oh good…" she mumbled sarcastically.

When the two entered the inn they came face to face with a counter, Emid went up to the innkeeper and the two talked and made arrangements for a room. Krista ignored them and stared to her right where there was a large room with a roaring fire, candle chandeliers and men in every seat, all of who had a pint of ale each.

As Emid and Krista entered the room everyone quieted down for a second and looked them over, then they all went back to their drinks and ignored them.

"I come here every year when winter comes, so most of these men know me… and probably all of them have heard of me. After all, how many Irarian Rangers are there?"

Krista shrugged meekly as they sat down. "We'll be alright here, won't we?"

"Sure, I don't think anyone here would dare attack us…"

"Ok… fair enough. But let's say the Sail army comes in here looking for me, will they tell them they saw us?"

Emid paused and looked her over. "Do you really want to spend the rest of your life with me? Always moving and always being an outcast?"

"Emid… the thing is… if I go back home-"

"So what will you 'ave sir… and ma'am of course," the bartender asked giving Krista a warm smile. "My name's Donald Paulson by the way, but don't get me confused with any other Paul or Paulson around here, we 'ave quiet a few," he added with a wink. Krista couldn't help but give him a small smile back. He seemed rather nice.

"We'll have my usual," Emid ordered politely.

"Right away," he said and scurried off.

"Being working here all his life and he's never forgotten an order," Emid said in admiration. "I've never met anyone with such a good memory."

"Great, then he'll remember my face."

"Oh don't worry, you're pretty dirty, I bet he won't be able to match your description with any of a Princess."

Krista paused staring at him in utter shock and he slowly began to smile.

"Why you-" Krista began but was cut off.

"You're such a silly girl," he mumbled. "And you're also the most beautiful… but don't worry, he's a man who can be trusted."

The two ate their meal and stayed a little while longer to join in on the songs, dance and jokes going on in the bar. Finally they retired and fell into a deep sleep, one that they both thought wouldn't be disturbed by any means.

A loud banging came to the door.

"EMID!!! EMID!!!"

The banging continued.

"HURRY EMID!!! THEY'RE COMING!!!"

Emid quickly opened the door, holding his unsheathed Katana to his side. He saw Donald standing out there and sighed.

"What is it Donald, I thought you were a-"

"No time for talk!" Donald yelled and pushed Emid into the room, locking the door behind him. "Jeremy has your horse ready outside, get all your things together. You must leave immediately!"

"Why?" Emid asked as Krista sat up in bed looking worried.

"Soldiers! They're looking for 'er!" Donald yelled pointing to Krista. Krista in turn felt her heart freeze. "Richard's taking them around the room's, I'm to get you out of 'ere."

"How?" Krista asked on her feet now, throwing on her cloak. Emid quickly threw on his tunic and cloak as well.

"Through the window, 'urry!" Then Donald was back out the door.

"I could just leave you here…" Emid said quietly.

"Out the window, now!" Krista yelled and quickly opened it and jumped out onto a ledge, and then she jumped down to the ground where Jeremy the stable boy was waiting with Damien and all their things on and ready to go.

Emid smiled and followed suit.

The two were quickly on the horse and riding like the wind behind the buildings and out of the sight of any soldiers or villagers who may have been there. They didn't slow down until the sun began to come up.

"Would you have really let me go back then?" Krista asked when it was almost noon; the two were still galloping along the Forest, heading West.

"If you had wanted me too… yes."

"Well I don't want to go back there."

"And I don't want you to live this life."

Krista was silent for a long time, thinking every word carefully through, and feeling the chill in her heart grow rather than fade.

"So you want to leave me…?"

"I don't want to leave you."

"But you will."

Emid brought Damien to a stop.

"I love you, and I always will…"

"But?"

"But I want you to live the life that I could never give you."

"Now you're the silly boy."

"I want you to go back."

"…Fine."

"Really?" Emid asked, almost sounding shocked as if he had wanted her to protest so that they'd have to stay together.

"Yes… just… take me to the Ocean first. I want to see it with you at least once."

"The Ocean's five days away!" Emid protested.

"And we're already half a day there."

"… Fine."

"Really?"

"Really, really," Emid said and hugged her tightly, as if it was for the last time.

Travelling this time around was much more perilous because they had to cover their tracks enough so that the soldiers wouldn't find them immediately. They both knew though that the soldiers were looking everywhere, probably the entire wilderness and all the inns and houses. Leave no stone unturned.

Emid knew from years of experience that the soldiers were always a few kilometres behind them, when they got to the Ocean he wouldn't have much time to say goodbye.

There was also a heavy depression that hung over them. They still talked and joked, but behind everything was this sadness because they knew that this was all they would have, that soon the end would be upon them.

And then suddenly one afternoon they were there.

Krista stood on the beach and looked out towards the Ocean wondering what was beyond. Her ancestors had once crossed that mighty Ocean to begin life here, but no one else was ever sent. Behind her Emid stood holding her in a tight embrace, but he wasn't looking out at the ocean, he was looking down at her.

"I don't want you to forget me…" Emid mumbled kissing her forehead, Krista turned around to stare at him.

"I could never."

"Take this," Emid took a necklace off. On it was a coin with a hole in the middle that the rope went through. It was currency, she realised, and it was from Irare. "My mother gave this to me when I left home, and now I want you to have it." He put the necklace over her head and kissed her forehead as she began to cry.

"I love you so much," she said and hugged him.

Emid could only stand there; he was beyond grief to cry or to hug her back. He just wanted to go back in time to the forest, back to when she didn't need to go back… back to when he didn't need to let her go.

"I have to leave now," Emid said avoiding her eyes and taking her hands off his neck.

"No," she protested, holding on as tight as she could.

"I have to go."

"NO! You can't leave me!"

"I have to go!"

"You can't!!! NO!!!" Krista sobbed and even though she fought to hold on he managed to free himself from her grasp.

Krista felt herself fall to her knees. He quickly kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodbye," he said quietly, she tried grabbing at him once more but he was already walking away, she watched him go and he didn't even turn to look back at her.

"NO!!!" Krista grasped the sand in her hands throwing it about. Her sobs were uncontrollable. "EMID!!!" She called and called, but soon he was gone and she was left alone with only Damien.

As she watched the sunset across the Ocean she felt strong hands lift her to her feet, she thought for a second that it was Emid returned to take her away, but it was the soldiers. She barely noticed as the tied Damien on a lead and put her in a carriage. She was barely conscious for the ride back that took just over two weeks. And then she was home, and alone once more.

"Were you lost?"

"No mother," Krista muttered sternly as she allowed her servants to dress her in an intricate pink gown.

"Well I do not understand, what was keeping you?"

"The Ocean was simply very beautiful… It was hard to leave."

"Must have been dreadfully cold out there by the Ocean."

Krista looked at her mother with cold eyes. "Not nearly as cold as it is here."

Ashley gave a little 'humph' to her daughter. "Well, if you are quite alright then I will go see that the preparations for the ball are going well. Good afternoon," she said and quickly walked out of the room.

She had only been back a week, she arrived exactly on December 22nd, when winter began. It seemed fitting that she returned to her old home when everything was dead and cold, that's how she felt inside, dead and cold. The bright side to her late return was that her marriage to the Duke was being delayed until the spring… on her 19th birthday. They - being her parents - wanted to have her wedding when life was once more beginning… How symbolic.

Tonight they were going to hold a ball for two reasons, the beginning of winter and her return. The only person who actually seemed to be pleased about her return was her brother Randal, and in all honesty she was happy to see him as well… but she felt like a part of her had been torn away, and even being reunited with her brother didn't cheer her up.

The ball went rather well, even though Krista spent it mostly as a wallflower. There were many Dukes, Lords and Ladies attending - not one of the Dukes was betrothed to her though, that Duke said it was simply too cold to travel (he sent a message with the letter saying that by the way).

"Come dance with me," Randal asked persistently.

"Randal, I would but-"

"No buts, come on, you keep making excuses."

"They are not excuses Randal," Krista said in her most royal tone.

"They are too. I am your bother and I know you best. You are perfectly fine, now come and dance."

Krista sighed and looked around. If she dance with him now then she wouldn't have to dance with him again for quite some time… maybe after she danced she could retire without really hurting anyone's feelings.

"Very well Randal Farinton II," Krista said and took his hand, where he then led her to the dance floor.

"You used my full name, you must be truly angry at me." Randal mussed as they danced alone on the ballroom floor, all the others standing by so that the royalty could share a dance to themselves.

"It is not you I am angry at…"

"Then what? Your marriage?"

Krista looked at her bother shocked.

"I know you best," he repeated.

"I guess it is a bit of that," she admitted.

"Only a bit?"

"Yes…"

"You are lying…" he muttered, but didn't push the notion anymore. The two finished their dance and then Krista retired to her room saying she was tired.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and winter was coming to an end. Ever since her return Krista became quiet and barely ever left the palace or spoke with anyone. Randal could see his sister slipping away and he knew that something horrible had happened out there, but every time he tried to talk to her about the travels she claimed to be tired and retired to bed.

Randal felt that he had to remind his sister that she was, in fact, his sister. That they had always been each others best friend and always would. That he loved her more than anything in the world and only wanted to help her. But Randal wasn't finding too many ways to prove this, so he felt he ought to just corner her.

"Play months with me," he said sitting down beside her in the library one day as she read.

Krista looked up startled. "What?"

"Months, we have not played it in such a long time," he said and began shuffling a deck of cards he had.

"I do not like card games," she said and went back to her book.

Without looking Randal grabbed her book and threw it across the game, then he went back to shuffling.

"Randal!"

Before Krista could get up to fetch the book Randal took her wrist and convinced her to sit back down by giving her puppy dog eyes.

"What is it that you want?"

"To talk really," Randal said and began to deal the cards. "However, I have not played this game in so long and I miss it."

"… Fine…" Krista said and picked up her nineteen cards, twelve of which she put face down in a line in front of her. Randal did the same.

"What happened in the wild?" Randal asked as he turned over one of his twelve cards and exchanged one of his seven with a card in the remaining cards pile.

"I travelled." Krista replied also turning a card over and exchanging one.

"Something happened, something else," he muttered and exchanged another card. "Damn."

"Nothing happened." Krista said and exchanged another card as well.

"Look, if you do not tell me, I will hound you until you do… or rather I will never visit you when you marry and leave." Randal said as he turned over the card to the immediate right of the one already turned over and exchanged another card.

"Randal, please," Krista begged as the exchanged another card.

"Tell me now!"

Krista looked up a little shocked, as Randal recovered and exchanged another card.

"I went to the Forest." Krista said turning over the card next to her first card's right and exchanging another card.

"What happened there?" He exchanged another card.

"I was attacked." Krista turned over the next card to the right and exchanged another card.

Randal paused for a moment, and then he exchanged another card. "You fought them off."

"I fought them yes…" Krista turned over yet another card and exchanged one as well. "But they knocked me unconscious."

Randal turned over another card and exchanged one. "Someone saved you…"

Krista placed two cards of the same suit over the last card she had turned over and exchanged one more. "Yes…"

Randal put four cards down on the last card he had overturned, they all had the same suit.

"I fell in love with him."

Randal stared down at the cards for a few minutes, and then he looked up at his sister with a face that showed no emotion.

"I win," he muttered and then got up from the table and walked away.

Krista walked through the hallways of the castle trying to find her brother. After he had left the library like that she had gone after him, and had been looking for him for the past hour, but she couldn't find him and so far all of the servants hadn't seen him lately either.

"Excuse me," Krista stopped a man heading towards the stable.

"Yes your majesty," the man bowed.

Krista wore a plastered smile. "Have you seen my brother?"

"Yes your majesty, he's in the stable preparing the horse."

"In the stable is he? Wait, what? Where is he going?

"He didn't tell me your majesty, but he seems to be in quite the hurry."

"Oh no…" Krista then picked up her skirt and began running towards the stable. She knew exactly what was on his mind. "Oh why did I tell him? Why did I tell him?" Krista muttered under her breath.

Finally after what seemed like ages she left the castle and entered the stable where she bumped into Randal as he was expecting it. He was wearing a travelling cloak lined with fur and a shield was strapped to his back.

"Ah Krista, I was looking for you." Randal asked with a smile that looked even more fake than the one she had just worn.

"Where are you going?"

"No time for questions, where is that sword of mine I lent you? You know the Dragon one?"

"Randal, where are you going?" Krista persisted with urgency.

"Look sister, I have not the time for silly questions, now where is my sword?" Randal practically yelled and began to sound angry.

"Listen to yourself, you're angry, you need to calm down-"

Randal suddenly grabbed her arm and began to squeeze. His eyes stared into her with fire on them. He was out for blood.

"Where, is, my, sword?" Randal asked pronouncing each word carefully.

"Randal you're hurting me…"

"Fine, then we must go search your chambers."

Randal dragged Krista back into the castle and up a flight of stairs. The entire time Krista tried desperately to get away or to get a servant to help her, but the halls were empty and Randal's grip tighter than death itself.

They reached her chambers and Randal quickly found his sword, which was in the corner of the room. Randal let her go and picked it up, he stared at the blade as if it was his love.

"Ah… there we are." Then Randal began to leave the room.

"Wait!" Krista called and went to grab his arm, but Randal quickly swerved and took hold of her shoulders

"Do you not understand? You can't be married if you love another. He must be taken care of," Randal said and pushed her onto the bed, he then took a key from a hook beside the door and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Krista was quickly on her feet and heading for the door when she heard a click, and as she tried the handle found the door was locked.

"Randal!!!" Krista yelled and banged on the door, but no reply came. "Think Krista, think," she muttered to herself as she looked around the room in a panic, then it came to her. "Dagger! My dagger!"

Rummaging through her room Krista found the dagger in one of her dresser drawers and was quickly back to the door and hammering away on the wood by the keyhole. The wood cracked and splintered, Krista almost grinned at how easy it was. Growing impatient with the dagger she put it aside and threw herself against the door, and with a final crack the door flew open, leaving the keyhole behind.

"Ha," she said and suddenly a servant was at her side.

"I heard noises," he explained.

"Get my horse ready for travel, I'll need enough supplies to last at least four weeks. Do you understand?"

"Yes your majesty," he said and began to hurry away, Krista grabbed his arm.

"Don't tell the king and queen."

"Yes your majesty," he said and again tried to get away, and again Krista grabbed his arm.

"Thank you."

The servant looked a little shocked, but soon composed himself and nodded. "Yes your majesty," and without further delay the servant was scuttling towards the stable.

Returning to her room Krista practically threw off her gown and redressed herself in the same outfit in which she had met him. Krista could remember exactly what her mother said when she saw her again.

"You smell awful," then she walked away with disgust. Her father barely smiled, and then walked away with his wife.

Like the wind Krista ran down the stairs towards the stable and she was soon on Damien yet again and riding back West. Her necklaces under her shirt and close to her heart, she felt as if it were burning her chest and calling her back.

He'll be in the forest… in our spot…She thought as she rode. It's spring, so he must have returned. We can be together again, one last time…

No matter how fast she drove Damien, how little they slept and ate, or how much they travelled; Krista never did come upon Randal. The thought often crossed her mind that maybe Randal was lost, or travelling towards the beach, she thought about turning back… but she couldn't.

The second she was on Damien's back once more. Nothing could change her mind. She was going to find Emid again and be with him, even if it was only for a few days, hours, minutes'… seconds. She had to see his face. She felt she'd die if she couldn't see him once more before she was sold off to a husband and thrown out of her home.

Because of how fast and determined she was, she reached the forest in only eight days and quickly went about looking for their spot… their camp… their home.

As soon as the forest once more surrounded Krista she could feel her heart beating, it was beating so fast and hard she thought it might just burst out of her chest. Her breathing was heavy, her mind a blur, she was following instincts alone… and then she camp upon the camp.

It was empty.

Her heart and mind froze. At first she thought that she had been wrong about him coming back so early, but as she looked around the camp she saw that there had recently been a fire. She dismounted Damien, her hope renewed and walked to the fire.

The ashes were warm and Krista smiled. He had to be here, and there was no way Randal could have been. Then Krista saw his blanket rolled up to the side. He was here and they were alone and they were safe and they could be together.

Suddenly the trees in front of her began to shudder a bit and Emid walked out from them. He stood there for a long time, taking in the sight before him, and without missing another beat Krista ran towards him and practically jumped on him and she embraced him and began showering him with kisses.

"You're alive, you're alive," she kept repeating, Emid was shocked, he could barely do anything except hug her back and just relish in her presence.

Emid began to return her kisses, to feel each other bodies making sure that they hadn't strayed into a dream and that they were truly together once more. Emid forgot that he had ever wanted her to leave and Krista forgot that she had ever left. There was simply happiness…

"Why are you here?" Emid finally whispered in her ear as the two lay side by side the next morning.

Krista didn't speak at first. She wanted to savour being with him, but the urgency of her mission suddenly rushed back to her. "Randal said he was going to kill you, I followed him and…"

"And where is he?" Emid asked looking intently into her eyes.

"He left before me… but I," Krista suddenly gasped. "Oh no…" she shook her head. "Oh no, no, no."

"What? What is it?"

"He must have followed me." Krista said and quickly got up and began dressing.

"What?" Emid asked shocked and sat up.

"I was in such a hurry that I didn't think about it, but why else would he have gone after you without knowing where to find you? He must have known I would have tried to stop him, so he followed me…" Krista looked up at Emid with urgency. "We have to leave, we have to hide."

As Emid put on his trousers Krista started to leave but Emid quickly reached over and stopped her.

"No."

"What do you mean no."

"I don't want to run from anything… that's why I had to let you go…"

"But he'll come! He'll kill you!"

"He can try."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll stop him… we can talk sense into him."

"And then what?"

"You should go home."

"If I go back I'll have to marry!"

Emid looked at Krista in total shocked.

"Ma… married. Married?"

"Yes…"

"But… but that can't be."

"It is! We should just run! We can go anywhere!"

"No you can't."

Both Emid and Krista looked towards where the voice was coming from and saw Randal standing beside Damien holding his sword and shield ready with a dark smile on his face.

"Hello Krista. It was hard keeping up with you… but I made it."

"Randal! Wait, you can't do this!" Krista yelled and started towards Randal. "You can leave him alone, you can leave us alone."

"I won't ever, ever leave you alone," Randal said in a cold voice.

Before Krista could stop him, Randal rushed past her and jumped at Emid.

"NO!!!"

Emid quickly jumped to the side and rolled towards his blanket and his Katana. As Randal came at him again Emid was on his feet and holding the Katana ready.

"What are you, some sort of spy!?!" Randal yelled as the two blades met. "You're scum!!! Nothing but scum!!!"

Emid ignored him and continued to parry and lunge. The two were going at it like animals and Krista knew that if one of them would win the fight, the other would die. Someone was going to die… going to die…

One would die.

"STOP!!!"

Emid struck at Randal's legs and in an attempt to block him Randal parried and fell over his own sword. He stumbled forward and tried to regain his balance, his sword out in front of him, he didn't see where he was going. Emid turned just in time to see it happen.

"KRISTA!!!"

Randal's sword disappeared in the folds of Krista's cloak and she screamed and fell.

"MURDERER!!!" Emid yelled and jumped at Randal.

"It was your fault." Randal said quietly as she parried and fell to the ground. "You tripped me!!!" Tears were running down his face as he got back to his feet and slashed wildly about trying to end the fight.

"I can't lose her again, I won't lose her again!" Emid yelled and amid the parries he made slashed out and felt his Katana stop short.

Emid looked up and through his tears saw his Katana lodged in Randal's stomach. Randal could only open his mouth in shock and fall to the ground.

Stepping back Emid regarded Randal for a few seconds longer and then turned towards where Krista's body lay… only she was standing.

"You're wound…" Emid choked out.

It didn't hit her, he thought. It went through her cloak. She's alive, and I killed her brother.

"No," Krista whispered and ran towards Randal, she crouched down and tears brimmed her eyes. "Randal don't die!"

Slowly Randal's eyes opened and he smiled up at his sister. His bloody hand slowly went to her cheek.

"So you choose and Irarian over me…?" His smile never faded. "You are not my sister…" He let his hand brush against her face and then it slowly fell against his body and with a last breath, Randal Farinton II died.

"No," Krista choked out. "No. No Randal don't die!" Krista wrapped her arms around him, the tears freely falling down her face. "Randal no!!! Come back Randal!! RANDAL!!!"

"Krista…" Emid muttered and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Suddenly Krista jumped up and began pounding her fists against Emid. He stumbled back a bit, but didn't fall.

"YOU KILLED HIM!!! YOU KILLED HIM!!!" Krista could barely stand, she began to fall to her knees and Emid helped her down whispering in her ear.

"Forgive me."

"HOW COULD YOU!?! YOU KILLED HIM!!!"

"Forgive me," over and over he whispered and he kissed her head.

Slowly Krista stopped yelling and just cried in his arms. They stayed like that until the sun went down and they could no longer see Randal's body.

"If I go back I'll get married and never see you again," Krista said in a hoarse voice the next morning as Emid cooked some breakfast. Randal's body was out of sight and mind.

"You have to go back." Emid said, not looking at her.

"Marry me then."

"What will your parents think?"

"They won't think. I'll marry you… and when I go back I'll knight you. Then our marriage will be acceptable… Because if I have to be married, then I'll only marry you. I can marry a Lord…"

Emid paused. "I think only the King or Queen could knight someone."

"Well then… I'll just have to become the Queen."

"You've lost your mind," he said kissing her head once more.

"I have…"

The next day Krista moved as if in a dream. She took Randal's sword and then the two left his body to travel to Paultown. The entire time Krista continued to talk about Randal and how she would kill her parents. Sometimes she cried, and sometimes, thought rarely, she would smile.

When they reached Paultown one morning they wasted no time, they went to the mayor and signed the marriage documents. The mayor's clerk sat them in front of his desk and took out some papers.

"Do you wish for a ceremony?" The mayor asked suspiciously.

"A ceremony? No… not now, we're in a rush…"

"Very well sir, please sign here." The mayor's clerk said placing the documents on the table.

With a copy of the documents in hand they went and bought more supplies from Richard's inn for their journey back to Farinton City. After assuring Richard and Donald that their troubles were behind them, they packed their thing and were on their way once more.

The weather was on their side as they rode, the sun didn't always shine, but it stayed warm and it never rained. Everything seemed to be going good. Emid almost felt like he was invincible.

"I know it's not much," Emid said as they began to leave the sight of the forest, "but I still wanted you to have a ring."

Emid placed a golden ring in her hand. "There aren't any diamonds in it, but it's real gold."

"Was it your surrogate mother's?"

"No… it was my real mother's…" Emid thought for a second, and then began to speak once more. "When everything's settled, I want to have a ceremony. We'll dress up and invite the kingdom and we'll have bands playing great music and chefs make up the finest meals and we can dance all night… We'll do anything and everything ever done at a wedding only it'll be so much more because I love you more than any man has ever loved another woman."

Krista was silent as she stared out at Moon Lake picturing the ceremony in her head as if it were already happening. The night was beginning to fall and the full moon over the lake seemed to illuminate it all and Krista knew then for certain that everything would work out.

"Wait here and I'll send for you when the time is right," Krista explained as she left Emid at an inn in Farinton City.

"Very well," Emid replied staring at his wife in awe. She was finally looking more lively again, and it was finally hitting him that Krista was risking everything to be with him. "I love you."

"I love you too," Krista said and they kissed.

Krista rode back slowly to the castle and when she arrived there she was met with an angry looking father.

"Where were you?" He asked, and looked as if his head were about to explode."

"Randal was upset so I went after him… but I never found him…" Krista trailed off and avoided his eyes.

"We had to delay the marriage even longer, the Duke is beginning to suspect that we do not want him to marry you."

"Do not fear the Duke so father," Krista said looking coldly into her father's eyes… they looked so much like Randal's. "You are the King, not him…"

Then Krista walked away and went up to her chambers. She didn't change her clothing; she didn't leave her chambers once, not even to eat. She simply sat in a corner and sharpened her dagger. Waiting, just waiting…

The time finally came when she looked outside and saw it was midnight. She hadn't even noticed the sun go down, but down it was and she could begin her work. Krista crept out of her room with her dagger held tightly in her right hand. She walked upstairs to where her parents were sleeping.

"For Emid…" she whispered to herself as she opened the door. "For me," she continued as she raised the dagger above her father's head. "For us…"

Emid awoke the next day to bells ringing non-stop and yelling in the street. He didn't have to ask anyone why things were so chaotic; he knew very well what was going on. He stayed in bed longer until he heard a knocking at the door.

"Who is it?"

"A messenger sir," came the voice from the other side of the door. "Her majesty the Princess of Sail has summoned you to her court this afternoon to be… to be knighted sir," the boy sounded uneasy at the sound of something like that going on when the King and Queen had just been murdered.

"Very well, now go away!"

Finally getting out of bed Emid dressed and gathered all his things. He brushed his hair almost in mockery.

"I have to look nice today," he mumbled to his reflection in the mirror. "I'm being knighted today," he added with a bit of a smirk.

Emid was quickly out the door and heading towards the castle as he noticed many people gossiping on the side of the street. He ignored them all and only had one thing on his mind.

Krista.

The main hall was mostly empty, but there were some Lords and Ladies at the front, most of them were whipping their eyes, some looked bored. It was like it didn't occur to them that their King and Queen had died… probably didn't matter to most of them.

At the front of the hall stood Krista wearing a flowing white gown and a crown. She was a Queen now, Queen Krista Imidé.

"Kneel before me Emid Imidé," she pronounced and Emid did so, then Krista took her brother's sword from a pillow a servant was holding and raised it above his head.

It was almost a cruel joke to use his sword, like a payback almost…

She tapped his shoulders gently and then held the sword to her side and gave her left hand to him.

"Arise Sir Emid Imidé…" he took her hand and stood by her side and then she turned her eyes towards those present. "Let you all be a witness to this and," Krista let go of Emid's hand and held her left hand up with her wedding ring in plain view. "Let you also be a witness to this and that Sir Emid Imidé is my husband and your King."

There were shocked murmurs throughout the crowed, but none rose to protest anything that had been said.

Emid felt a sly grin come to his face as he waved at the crowed.

I am your King, he thought, I am your ruler…

Krista could only look at Emid with a crazed happiness and this that she would be able to spend the rest of her life with the man whom she could forever love.