Ok so this is my first authors note and I just wanted to say that I have taken allot of care in making this story as original as possible. If any of you find any material that relates to my story IT IS COMPLETELY COINCIDENTAL!

Oh and this chapter is character development so no action :D

Chapter 2: Girl troubles

James sat in a seat in the guild master's personal dorm.

The room had magnificent arches that intertwined in the middle. The room was filled with book cases and old looking artefacts. And because of the swarms of books, the room was built so it could act as a baby dragons' hunting ground. Thought that was how James saw it. It was lit up with a large lantern hanging in the middle of the room. He had been in there before, and the guild master told him that it contains a small piece of the eternity flame. James had not had the chance to learn about the eternity flame yet but his curiosity had not faded for a moment. James got off the chair and swung around after he heard a door open and closed behind him. The guild master walked slowly around the room looking at his collection of books. It seems he did not know James was there. James had known the man for some time and by now he knew what made the man tick. His personality, his history and his conciseness. But some of his past remains a mystery. The master wore a long blue robe with a leaf like pattern.

His name was Loric Kane. James liked to think of their friendship as another source of entertainment. Most of the time he saw the man reading from his mass collection of books. Before he said something Kane spoke

"Sit down James. I trust you can find a seat" James did as he was told and sat back down. "How does your study go James?" He said as he darted his hand out for one of his books. "I hope that you're in control of things unlike the other tests"

"Yes. I have been studying for the past week now"

"Do you think that's enough?"

"No. I don't think so"

"You should keep your head out of the clouds, James. You'd find things a lot more easy" Kane walked towards the chair opposite to James. "You've been here for two years but you've only started your courses"

"I know Loric. Then again, nothing is ever easy"

"Hpm. That is why I brought you here in the first place. You have that spark"

"Anyway master I have some news for you" Loric held his hand up.

"If you bring news it can wait, during the day I am your teacher and at night I am your friend" Loric reached for the tea pot of the desk next to him with two small cups. The master pored bright yellow liquid into the cups. The two cups lit up like a glow bug. "I think you might like this" He said as he handed the cup to him. James arched an eye brow.

"What is it?"

"Why don't you find out?" James smelt the yellow drink. The scent smelt like a thousand pine forests had been compacted into one cup. It was so strong that a dog could have died at just one sniff. James took a small sip of the drink. It was cold and icy. It tasted like sweet apple, freshly plucked from a youthful tree. James soon felt something alien to him. He felt his bones suddenly lift like he was gliding through air. Like a powerful burden was lifted off him

"I knew you would like it" Kane said "You see, the herb used to brew this mixture is like the smaller cousin of the herb used for rejuvenation potions"

"And what is this? What am I feeling?" Kane smiled at him

"This tea is named refine but people know it by its nick name. The tears of Unity. It removes the stress in the bones and muscles. I won't go into details but the general idea is that you won't get craps, broken bones and aching muscles for month or so. As long as you don't try and brake them deliberately" James finished the tea well the teacher just took his first sip.

"Thank you master"

"So any way, why are you here at this time of night?"

James took a moment to gather the words "I bring news of the from the docks of Sorrn"

"Oh? What is it? Does Kelin need another favour? Well tell him no"

"No Loric. It's from someone a lot more important"

"Well then out with it James"

"Master" James whispered "The king has come"

"The king?" James saw his tea cup shake as if he had seen a demon coming to collect a debt "Listen James you must not tell anyone about this! OK?" James was confused. He had never seen the guild master so stressed before save for the time when he try to teach him.

"Why is the king arrival so..."

"Answer the question James!"

"Sir...yes Loric"

"Good" The master allowed himself to relax and collapsed into a nearby chair "Sorry James. You don't know how much stress the kings' arrival had brought me"

"Isn't this a good thing? I mean a member of the royal family has not been here since the fall let alone the king"

"Again sorry but I can't tell you... "

"Please Loric, I am clueless right now"

"Curiosity? The first time you've displayed it. Still. I don't want you to get involved"

"Fine" James crossed his arms. There was silence. James and the master sat there staring at each other. Sounds of boots hammering on wood came by the door then. In a quiet voice the master said softly.

"It's time for you to go now" James just barely heard it when the metal door opened and James turned to see who the intruder is. There stood tall man in a hood stepped into view. He looked slowly around the room. Soon his gaze returned to James. The man removed his hood.

"It has been a long time, Kane" said the king. Behind him was a group of people who looked and had the shape of mighty gladiators. James watched as the last of the figures stepped into the room all had a hood. The most unusual sight. The last one, the last person who stepped in the room was a young woman which looked the James age. She-unlike the other visitors-did not have a hood. She was wearing a blue and white dress which was as long as her knee. She had a very beautiful face with pure white skin. James did not get to see much of her face but he did make out her rich blue eyes. She was only slightly shorter than him. She had long luscious hair, white as snow. James would have mistaken her for an elf if not for her round ears. He forced himself to drag his attention to the main figure in the room who was whispering to the master about something. James tried to force back a yawn but failed. Loric and the king turned to him as did the other people in the room. The only person who wasn't bothered was the girl. Out of panic he stood "Um... if you uh don't mind I'll um..."

"Don't make a fool of yourself boy" interrupted the master. On the edge of James hearing he heard the girl giggle. What do you know the girl laughed "Go to bed, James. This does not concern you"

James bowed "Wait" James stood up straight. He saw the king standing about a meter in front of him. "Your master has told me of some troubling news. But I think you may be useful"

"He's just a boy, Godfrey"

"I have need of information about the Magicians current status. For me I need someone in your ranks-"

"No, Godfrey" Loric yelled "He is just a novice"

"Then another?" James was clueless. Perhaps beyond clueless.

"No. I'm not letting you involve any more of my students" Then the king smiled

"That is why I brought some one of my own" He looked to the girl in the corner of the room then at James. "And you. I need you to...accompany my little friend here. To show her around the place" Kane stepped forward

"I don't think I will be wise" he said

"Oh Loric. I always get my way. Tomorrow I think you'll be able to find a room for my friend here. But for now I think his room will do just fine" The two men walked to the other side of the room. Kane looked at the group of men. "James you have permission to share what I have taught you"

"I trust you will keep this a secret?" The king said to James

"I'm not entirely sure what the secret is…sir"

"Good, now of you go"

James bowed once more and reached the door were the girl stood. He motioned for the girl to follow. The both left the main building and towards James' room. The moon was out and shinning as bright as ever. He sometimes wondered if the moon was just another magical creature out in the world. The walk was silent. James was egger to start a conversation. He looked at her hair. He wondered how a human can ever have white hair. He kept thinking and thinking of something to say but the only thing he could say was

"Is that your real hair colour? I never heard of a human having white hair" Did I just say that out loud? She said nothing. This is harder than I thought "So what's your name?" He tried a second time. The girl turned her head towards him as he looked away.

"Laura" She said. Her voice sounded like a blend soft and a mature voice "And yours?"

"James Fact" Laura remained silent "Yip, Fact. How about your last name?"

"I don't have one"

James was expecting an explanation but did not get one "And why is that?" Again she did not say a thing "So is that your real hair colour? Or are you elf in disguise?"

James could just see the dorms above the trees of the garden "By the way, my room is just one room" Laura looked at James with an arched eye brow. "We'll sort out who sleeps where"

James led Laura to his through the empty, dim lit halls of the dorms. He tried to hold on to the feeling the cups of refine gave to him. But before he knew it, the feeling was gone and he was at the door of his room.

"Home sweet home" James said as he opened the door. "After you" Laura was not impressed but she still went in first. James was still not comfortable about sharing his room with her. Once in the room Laura turned around. He looked in her deep blue eyes, lost in a light trance.

Slam! Before he could react the door was locked before his eyes. "Hey!" Suddenly his admiration for her plummeted steeply. After just minutes of banging on the door James gave up his efforts of a nice warm bed. "Fine!" James yelled. James placed his hands on the door and whispered "kahoge" Push. Then there was a sudden girlish yelp which came from the room. James grinned for a bit as he sat against the opposite wall waiting to for the door to open.

James groaned as forced his eyes to open. His muscles tensed, his bones refuse to stay intact and his brain felt like is has overgrown his skull. James remembered that Laura was in his bed but could not call for help. James did not dear to move. He wore nothing but trousers, a ragged under shirt and his pendent. His robe was on the ground and so James lunched his arms towards it bringing pain smashing back into his thoughts.

Must of slept in a wrong position

He slowly stood as if he just discovered his legs and limped to his door. What Just happened? James slumped on the door groaning. Didn't I have some cleansing last night? James kept replaying the memory until it became a fuzzy memory. The boy heard footsteps coming from inside the room. James barely had time to stand up before Laura opened the door. "You again" She said. He was wearing the same clothes from last night: a blue and white dress. "Move" James growled. Laura gave him a curious look as he walked by.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Do I look...O-K?" He grumbled. James stumbled down to the floor, landing hard on his face and Laura-to his surprise–rushed to his aid. And with her help he was able to get up once more

"What Happened to you?" She asked

"I… I think I didn't sleep in the right position" Laura carefully helped James lay down on his bed, face down. James sighed. "Thank you" He expected her to leave but she just sat by his side in silence. "Laura? Please explain why my bed smells like perfume" James was being serious and Laura knew it but she still laughed.

"Boys always have smelly beds" She said. There was a small pause. "Look I'm sorry for last night John"

"J-A-M-E-S" grunted the boy

"OK James. I'm sorry for kicking you out of your room"

"Yea yea, whatever"

"So are you ok now?"

"Don't worry I'm ok"

At that point James had enough energy to get up and so he did. He sat right beside his new 'frienemy'. Laura leaned over and looked at James. James moved his eyes to meet hers

"So why this sudden act of kindness?"

"So after one bad choice you think I'm the devil in human form?"

"That's one way of putting it. So why did you kick me out of my room?"

She laughed "Because I can"

"How did you know you can?" James knew the answer. He was just afraid she knew.

Thankfully her focus drifted to his pendent. "What is that necklace you have there?" She asked. James took it off and handed it to Laura. As she skimmed the rims of the pendent James spoke

"As you see it is a bronze and silver pendent. It was made by the best smith I knew" Laura's eyes moved to the chains

"This pendent, it has a twin"

"How did you know?"

"It bears the mark of a twin on the chain. All fine silver smith use this mark"

James smiled "Yea, I bought it from a Blurick trading camp. You should have seen their faces when I bought it"

"Blurick sell only pairs of these. Where is the twin?" His smile vanished. He never told anyone of his past other than Dante. Loric didn't count for he already knew. He looked down to his feet. "I see" she said "I know that look. I wore the same one a few years ago" She leaned in and pecked James on the cheek as she handed his necklace back. James looked at her with surprise as she got up and left. His cheeks grew cherry red

But he doesn't even notice me…" Scarlet whispered in her soft voice as Dante tried to build her confidence.

"Come on Scarlet" Dante pleaded "Almost everyone knows you like him-except James himself" Scarlet blushed at the mentioning of his name "See! The guy needs someone like you by his side" Scarlet brushed her short red hair back.

"He doesn't notice me though"

"Then get him to notice you" He grinned but the girl standing in front of him didn't seem anymore motivated than before "You're a beautiful girl Scarlet. Maybe if you flirted with him a bit…"

"Dante. You know what I'm like around him"

"Fine" He sighed. But before he could walk off Scarlet grabbed his shoulder. He didn't turn around

"Can you teach me…how to be brave?" She asked

"Do you like him?"

"I more than like him" Her cheeks were as red as her hair.

"Then you don't need me to teach you" She wanted to cry out in protest but it was agenised her nature to yell at people "So you'll talk to him?"

"I will" Dante smiled as he saw a perfect opportunity

"In that case…" He grinned at her "He's right behind you" Scarlet jumped into the air as James approached his two class mates

"What are you to up to?" He smiled. Then he saw Scarlet on the ground with her eyes trained on him "Are you ok Scarlet?"

He said my name She thought Oh my gosh, say something Scarlet! She mentally kicked herself. James knelt right beside her and waved his hand in front of her eyes

"Hello? Can you hear me?" He said. She didn't say a word. James looked up to his friend "What's wrong with her? Is it a spell?" Dante was both amused and frustrated with his friend's stupidity

"It wasn't me. But you should take her to the infirmary just in case" James shrugged and picked her up with his arms. The same way a husband carries his wife down the aisle.

Oh my! Is he really carrying me like this or is it a dream? She thought

I wonder what's wrong with her… James wondered

As James walked off to the infirmary with his not so secret admirer, Dante couldn't help but groan out his frustration. Scarlet wasn't always like that. It was a good thing. Before James arrived at the guild she was a complete wreak.

Eleven years ago

"Ha Ha! Look at that loser!"

"She's pathetic!"

"Go die in a hole!" They all yelled at her. Dante wasn't one of those jerks that picked on the new girl. He was disgusted. Disgusted that he didn't do anything. The five year old Dante wasn't brave enough to stand up to them. In fact no one was.

Two years ago

"Ok settle down" Master Neddia said to the assembly. The students were quick to shut their mouths to avoid the Master's wrath. "I am happy to announce that Master Loric has returned from his trip around the world"

Very few people clapped. That made a vein bulge out of her forehead as she stepped of the stage. Master Loric stepped on to the stage soon after. He looked out towards the crowd and raised his arms

"I am overjoyed to see you all again. I see your faces and wonder how much has changed. I thank Master Neddia for taking over during my leave and I am sorry for the delay. I know it was supposed be here a year ago but I swear that I have a good reason!"

I hate assemblies Dante thought

"Stop it" Dante looked over his shoulder and saw Scarlet trying to fight of the boy next to her

"Shut up, both of you" Dante growled "You want us to get into trouble?"

It wasn't much but it was the only way he could help her without becoming a social outcast

"-And!" The sound of Loric's voice drew everyone in the assembly to Loric "I am proud to introduce a new member to our community" Then a boy dressed in dark brown hunting clothes stepped up

Oh no. One more sheep for the slaughter

"I introduce James Fact!"

Later

"Ha! You're uglier than a troll!"

Why can't these guys just shut up!

Dante still didn't do anything. After years of watching this poor girl take in this much in, he still couldn't stick up for her. Everyone laughed at her face and more. And she just sat there. With her legs pulled up agenised her chest, crying.

If only someone could stan-

His thoughts were interrupted when someone punched the lead bully in the face. It was the first time anyone stood up for her.

Whoever this guy is…he got guts Dante was let down when he saw the new kid. What an idiot

"Back off" James boldly yelled as the bully got up with boiling rage

"You'll be sorry you ever said that" The bully ran at him with his fists raised. He was only a few meters away from James but he collapsed when Dante punched his already broken nose

"I always wanted to do that" Dante smirked. Dante walked to James and held his hand out "Good job. I'm Dante Warder" James shook his hand with mocking eyes

"I could have taken him you know" Then James jumped into the air when Scarlet touched his shoulder

"Th-Thank you. Both of you" She said with a nerves smile and dry tears

"Hey why are you still scared?" James yelled out loud "If that guy comes back I'll protect you. I swear!" Scarlet blushed.

This guy is an idiot. But he did do what I wanted to do for years. I mean Scarlet seems to like him

Present

"What is this stuff?" James asked

"Uh…I don't know" Scarlet brushed her hair nervously as James sniffed a cup of medicine a nurse left her

This is my chance! We're finally alone. Finally. James left the cup on the desk and faced Scarlet with his electric eyes

Oh my god! Why is he looking at me like that? Does he like me? Oh my god he likes me!

"Ok!" The door busted open and a nurse carrying a clipboard came over to them "We have searched the archives for any sickness but we can't find any that match" James looked confused

"Then why did she blank out just then? And come to think of it, she's usually like that when I see her" Scarlet blushed. The nurse saw this and immediately saw what was going on.

"Don't worry. Your girlfriend is going to be alright" Scarlet tried to hide her red cheeks with her hair. It would do little good since her hair was red

Girlfriend. I can get used to that

"What? She isn't my girlfriend"

Moment ruined

"Anyway she'll be fine" She said before winking at James

Why did she just wink at me? What's going on?

"Ah…James?" Scarlet whispered

"Yea?"

"Since we can go now…Do you want to…um…"

"What is it Scarlet?"

She sure is acting weird

"Do you…ah…Lunch?"

Oh my god! He doesn't understand you Scarlet!

"Lunch? Oh you want to go to lunch! Sure I'll come with!"

"You will!"

"Yea. I missed out on breakfast and now I'm starved" James stood and Scarlet jumped up from her bed with excitement

Guess she isn't sick after all

Oh my god. James and me alone! Like, like a date!

Later

Scarlet sat there staring at James. She watched his hair sway back and forth, his nose breathing in and out. The food on her plate was going cold but she was ever hungry when James was around. It was like he gave her the energy she needed. Just like the day they first met and the months following that day.

One year ago

"Go on. They won't bite…I think" James nudged Scarlet to the girls they were looking at

"But what if they don't like me?" Scarlet brushed her hair as James thought of more reasons why she should make more friends

"Tell you what. If they don't like you, then don't care. You'll still have me and Dante" He smiled his cute smile she loved so much.

No Scarlet. He's your best friend. You can't lose him

"I-I guess you're right"

"Of cause I am. Now go on" She took only one step before James literally picked her up by the waist and walked calmly to the group of girls

"Don't! I'm ticklish!" She laughed

"Stop struggling Scarlet! I'm trying to help!" Then he dropped her

"Hi guys!" James yelled at the girls

"Uh…Hi?" One of them said

"James?" Scarlet whispered "I don't think this is a good idea"

"Just let me do all the talking" He looked to the girls "Hi this is Scarlet! I…uh…Have some errands to run. Can you keep Scarlet busy until I get back?"

He's going to leave me with them!

"Ok! See ya!" James waved good bye as he took his leave. But the girls just cracked up laughing. Scarlet saw his fist clench and his kindness fade. The girls just left soon after. Everyone knew that his temper was uncontrollable when he gets angry.

Does he really care that much for me? Or is it something else?

"James?" Scarlet whispered "Are you ok?" Then she saw the real James come back. He turned around with his addicting eyes and yelled into the air

"At least you still have me!"

Present

"Scarlet?" James said, interrupting her thoughts

"Um…Yes?" She blushed as he smiled

"Oh nothing. I thought you blanked out again"

"Oh…"

"Hey Scarlet? Do you want to…uh…to do something after this?"

Is he asking me on a date? Oh my god! Say something!

"Ah…uh! Ye…" She couldn't make up a single word. The shock almost made her heart stop

"Forgetting something?"

Scarlet looked up and saw a white haired girl. She was human but Scarlet was confused about her hair

Who is this girl?

"Laura" James blushed. Scarlet couldn't believe her eyes. She felt her heart break in two "Oh crap that's right. I have to escort you"

"No. I like to think of it as a tour" She looked to Scarlet "Who's this?"

"Her name is Scarlet Nimbus" Scarlet couldn't speak.

"Whatever. Just tell what I need to know James"

This girl is a jerk. She isn't even his type…Hopefully

"Oh well" He looked at Scarlet "Forget what I said. I'll see you later ok?"

"Fine" She watched as James and little Mrs Perfect walked off.

Just when he asks me out. That girl comes along! What was her name again? Laura?

Scarlet slammed her head into her arms and screamed to herself.

Later

After hours of walking around the guild several times, James started thinking about what Laura was doing. She was looking oddly at his class mates and the landscape. The king said something about helping Loric out but helping out with what?

"Hey Laura?"

"Yes?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Am I supposed to be laughing right now? I'm not" James couldn't help smiling to such witty remark

"I mean…I want to know more about you"

"Me?" James had a curious look in his eyes "I'm not that interesting"

"What do you mean? You came here with the king so you must be royalty or something"

"Not exactly" Laura looked down at her feet "I can't tell you"

"You can't or you won't?" James didn't know how to use what he just said. He only hoped it was the right time to use it.

"I…I…I'm a servant. A servant of house Locke, they rule Port Branshire" James just listened "I was an orphan when the royal family found me. I don't know the specifics…but I owe them my life. It's not a glamorous life but it's mine"

"You're loyal to the royal family and yet you don't know why?" Laura smiled a bit

"It sounds stupid coming from someone other than me"

"It's not stupid" Laura looked up at him "When you spend time around people who take care of you as the royal family does to you, they become like family. For me, the guild gave me a home and a new life. Its students became my friends and my friends became my family. I can't begin to explain what that meant to me"

"We're not so different after all" James blushed as Laura made the most cutest smile.

Does this guy like me?

"So…We should be heading to Loric's study" He said, rubbing the back of his head

"Yea. Let's get going"

When the two reached Loric's office, they both sighed. It was an awkward walk because James couldn't help but blush all the way there. And Laura awestruck because she never had anyone like her before let alone a Magician. Before they could even think about knocking on door, it was opened and there stood Loric.

"About time" he said "Come, take a set" he moved aside allowing James and Laura to pass.

James had his eyes aimed at the nearest chair like an eagle swooping down on its unsuspecting prey. One inch at a time he lowered his body down.

"Did I miss something?" Loric asked. James looked up to face him on the opposite chair.

"Nothing" Laura answered "It's just that we've been walking around for hours"

"Well get used to it" James turned around and saw the king standing tall and proud

"Sir!" James bolted out of his chair

"Sit down James" Loric chuckled as he took a sip of what looked like a wine bottle

"Don't mind me boy" The king said "I'm just here for Laura's report"

"So I can go?" James asked

"Actually" Loric interrupted "I need to talk to you" James perked up

"Are you going to tell me the secret?"

"What? No! It's about your grades!" James crossed his arms. He could see where the conversation was leading to

"Yea. What about them" James sounded like a five year old.

"James" Loric grumbled. The king and Laura watched the two "James you are the only one in your age group who hasn't taken a single class"

"Well I don't like reading and writing"

"You don't get the point. Your magic classes begin soon and after them you get to roam the world…But before that you have to talk those classes"

"What! That's a stupid rule. My father couldn't read and yet he managed"

"He wasn't a magician" He said bluntly "As magician, you must up hold the standards of one"

"But-!"

"No buts James. You aren't getting out of this one" Loric lowered voice "Now, tomorrow you'll meet your tutor at-"

"A tutor!"

"-at the main hall. Be there at noon James. And don't be late" Loric continued, ignoring the boy

"But what about Laura!"

"I can find my way around" She spoke up at the mentioning of her name. She taped her head "I have photo graphic memory"

James looked to Loric who has a large grin on his face. James wanted to smack across the face

"Fine!" James stormed off, grumbling profanities to himself

So you like? I thought throwing two girls in would stir things up a bit. Oh and question. Did I over do the flash backs? I just wanted to show how close Scarlet and James are as well as reveal a bit of James