Part 2

Calidor was huge. This was Keagan's first thought as he, with Flit flying beside him, walked through the enormous city gates. The gates were a pearly grey set into a slate grey wall that ran around the perimeter of the city. Houses lined the streets, packed together like crayons in a box and they were just as colorful. His second thought was that Calidor was loud. There were children playing in the streets, women calling out their windows to passing women, and merchants trying to sell their wares to everyone.

It was particularly hectic that day, as Keagan had arrived a day earlier than he thought he would, and the next day was Midwinter. Everyone was rushing about to complete all their tasks, so that they could all relax come morning.

Keagan meandered through the city streets looking for an inn. He stared at everything he passed in curiosity. Never had he seen so many different people. There were even humans and elves mingling together in plain site. This was an odd site for Keagan as he had never seen a real elf, but he had seen pictures of them in the books that Zenford had kept in his bedroom.

After about a ten-minute walk, he wandered into the center of the city and spotted an inn, The Fairies Glen. Keagan had to laugh at the name since there hadn't been any sightings of fairies in all the time that the gateways had been open.

At the thought of the gateways, he fingered the pulsating ocean blue orb that sat in his pocket. It was his most prized possession as it had been with him since before Zenford had taken him in. He knew what it was though, and he knew why the pirates had attacked him and his mother that fateful day that had changed his life.

He was the possessor of the water stone. Somehow, his mother had gone to the water plane and retrieved it, the heart of the water plane. Her last dying wish was for him to keep it safe. Being from a little hole in the wall town, he didn't know the use of the stone. All he knew was that it protected him from the water elementals as they could do him no harm while the heart was in his possession.

He walked up to the inn's door and strode inside. Unlike some inns he had been into, this one was bright and well lit. There were people everywhere and a bard sang in the corner. He strode to the bar and signaled for the barkeep.

A portly human in his fifties with little hair on his head came over to help him. "What can I do for ya son?" He asked.

"I'd like a room please," Keagan answered smiling at the man. "Also I'd like dinner too."

"Come for the Midwinter festival have ya?"

"Yes, from Mykelia."

The man frowned and looked at him as if just noticing his looks. "Ya one of those Kitsith from Augalia?"

Keagan looked at the innkeeper warily. "Yes I am. Is that a problem?"

The innkeeper shook his head. "Nah, just don't see many of ya kind this side of the Great Forest."

"Yes I know. I'm making my way towards Augalia to look for my family." Keagan explained.

"Good luck son. Not many cross the Great Forest alone. Ya might want ta find a guard ta see ya safely through."

Keagan nodded. "I'll take that into consideration." He smiled hesitantly, "My room?"

"Ah yes, up the stairs, third door on the right. See you at five for dinner?"

Keagan nodded, accepted the key, and went up the stairs to his room. He unlocked the door and went in. Flit came out of his hiding spot in Keagan's shirt, zipped over to the bed and settled down on the pillow. Keagan laughed at the little salamander and followed his example by dropping down onto the bed and falling asleep, not to wake up until morning.

For Keagan, waking up was a slow process. He always spent several minutes adjusting to his surroundings and then came awake. After doing that the next morning, he grabbed some clothes and went into the bathroom.

After taking a bath, he got dressed and headed down the stairs to start his day. As he came into the bar room the innkeeper spotted him. The man waved him over and Keagan slid into a seat in front of him.

"Where were ya last night? Thought ya was gonna eat dinner?"

Keagan smiled at the older man. "I was so tired from the trip that I slipped right off to sleep."

"Ah ya looked it; name's Valen by the way." The innkeeper introduced himself. "Didn't get ta introduce meself to ya last evening."

Keagan grinned at Valen and reached to shake the man's hand. "It's nice to meet you Valen. I'm Keagan Zade."

The man looked astonished. "Zade… as in Zenford Zade?"

Keagan nodded. "Yes. He was my mentor."

"Was? He's dead?" Valen asked saddened.

"Yes. He died two years ago. I think he died in his sleep, but I'm not sure." Keagan nodded trying not to fall into his memories.

"Dead? That's too bad. He was a good friend of mine."

"He was?" Keagan asked as a bar wench placed the day's breakfast in front of him. Keagan thanked her and started to eat as he listened to Valen talk about the man he called father. When he finished all of the food, he thanked Valen and headed out the inn door.

As he was walking through the portal, he stumbled and fell to the ground as a body ran into him. He looked up and stared stunned into a gorgeous pair of light green eyes.

Jovi looked at the young half Kitsith on the ground before him. There wasn't anything special about him that he could see. Not bothering to help the younger man up, the elf walked over to the bar.

He sat down and seemingly forgot about the boy he ran into as he called Valen over. "Valen, I have a few questions," he announced in a deep voice.

The innkeeper scuttled over to where the elf was sitting. "What can I do for ya Ranger?"

"I was wondering if anyone asked about needing to go through the Great Forest. I need to go to Auroxen's to pick up an item and I thought it might be nice of me to escort some noble through the dangerous woods," Jovi answered, grinning lightly.

Valen sent a quick glance at Keagan who was just getting up off the floor. "As a matter of fact Jovi, the young man ya ran over needs to get through the forest so he can get to Vansha."

"The Kitsith city? Why does he need to go there? He's obviously here for a reason. Maybe he was exiled. The only Kitsiths I've ever met here were exiled." Jovi said with a smirk.

"No I wasn't exiled," The half-Kitsith in question, answered for the older man. At least I don't think so, he thought. Jovi looked up at the young man who stood with his hands on his hips glaring at him. "I don't like being talked about," he continued.

A wicked grin slowly twisted Jovi's lips. He decided to have some fun with the kid. "How did you know I was talking about you my sweet?"

Keagan looked at him, his jaw dropped open in shock. "What did you call me?"

"You have a problem with something my sweet?" the elf asked, continuing to grin.

Keagan threw up his hands in defeat. "Yes I have a problem. Not only were you talking about me - which I knew because I'm the only Kitsith in this building - but also you're making fun of me. I'm not your sweet nor will I ever be."

"Are you sure you won't? I bet I could get you into bed."

Valen decided it was time to break up the argument, as Keagan looked ready to curse the elf. "Now, now, you two, behave. Keagan I want you to meet Jovi Misak, a Ranger and your guide through the Great Forest. Jovi I want you to meet Keagan Zade, the son of a friend of mine"

Keagan looked at Jovi with mistrust. "You're going to guide me through the forest?"

"Yes if you wish it. I need to go to Auroxen's School for Mages to pick up an important item and I might as well protect you from the beasties of the forests." Jovi said smiling winningly up at Keagan.

"All right then. I appreciate it. How about we meet back here tomorrow with supplies and we can head off?" Keagan replied amenably.

Jovi looked at the Kitsith teasingly. "Or you can let me stay here with you and we can get an early start?" He looked up and down Keagan's body appreciatively. "What do you say?"

Keagan looked outraged. "No! Absolutely not!"

Jovi grinned impishly. "Come on, I don't bite." His grin turned wolfish. "Unless you want me to that is."

Keagan's jaw dropped. Never in his life had he been treated with such disrespect. Knowing that the fool wouldn't like it if his little joke were spoiled, Keagan smiled as he came up with a plan. "Alright, Ranger," he said grinning softly and started to walk towards the stairs. He looked over his shoulder, "Coming?" he asked seductively.

Jovi sat there stunned. Was the vixen actually giving in to him? This would be fun. He smiled and rose from his chair languidly. He walked over to the Kitsith and crowded up against him. He leaned into Keagan's personal space and whispered into his ear. "Not yet beautiful but I will be in a little while." He smacked the boy on the ass and gestured for Keagan to proceed. He was definitely going to like this one. He might even keep him when his business was over.