"Hurry up, yeh maggot!" screamed a voice from the doorway of the tavern. The owner of the voice was Martha, a frail and humpbacked woman, in her late sixties. Brandishing a wooden cane with a sliver wolf's head on the handle, she stared harshly at 15 year old Alexis Field. Sighing, Alexis brushed back her long auburn hair and ran up the hill, trying not to spill the pail of water in her hands. "It'll be no food fer you until you finish them chores!" yelled Martha again. "I'm coming as fast as I can, ye old hag!" Alexis shouted back. Finally, after a long climb up the hill on which the tavern was set, Alexis reached her grandmother. Pausing for a moment to catch her breath, she set the pail down before the doorway. Martha, who had gone in for a moment, came out with a mop in her hand. Smiling, she held it out for Alexis to take. Groaning, Alexis grabbed the mop, picked up the pail, and headed indoors. From there, she began to mop the floors of the tavern. It was Sa'urday, the day before rest. Pausing for a moment, Alexis looked out the dirty window. The sun was setting on the ocean-a beautiful site. Suddenly, Alexis noticed a long shadow slowly crawling up the lane towards the tavern. Knowing it to be her friend, Lara, Alexis quickly finished mopping and headed outside to greet her."Knew you'd come," grinned Alexis as she briefly hugged her friend. Lara laughed. "Oh, I didn't come to see you," she teased, "I came to watch you finish your chores." "Already finished them," said Alexis proudly. "Oh," said Lara, pretending to look crestfallen. Then she smiled and laughed. "Let's take a walk," suggested Lara, holding out her hand. Grasping it firmly, Alexis walked down to the beach, enjoying the time she shared with her closest friend. When the reached the rocks, they were abruptly sprayed by the cool ocean mist. Sitting down, the girls paused, enjoying the moment. Then Lara turned towards her friend. "So, it's true," she whispered. "All the rumors I've heard, they're true?" Alexis sighed deeply, knowing what the rumors were about. Not answering her friend, she stared out towards the dying sun until her eyes hurt. "Yes," Alexis finally answered. "I'm leaving, I'm off to join the war." The war was a century long fight between their country and another. Many people joined each year, and even more perished. However, Alexis' country, Heven, has always had the upper hand. "Oh, please, don't go!" cried Lara, grasping her best friend's hand. "I must,"said Alexis sharply. "It's what I've always wanted to do," she added, more softly this time. "I've always felt so... confined here. I need to move on and seek the world of mystery that awaits me. I feel so useless here." At this, Lara's eyes began to mist. Unable to control her feelings, she stood up and turned away from Alexis. "J-just promise me one thing...promise me you'll come back for me when you've had your fill of the world out there!" cried Lara, turning around, tears running freely down her cheeks. "Oh, Lara, we grew up together. You know I'd never leave you," Alexis soothed, standing up to hug her friend. They stood, locked in an embrace for a moment. Then, looking at Lara, who was trying to smile, Alexis let her bear hug fade away, and earnestly grabbed her friend's hand. "Lets go back to the Red Lion (the name of the tavern) and see what Martha made for dinner tonight," Alexis suggested. Turning, the two girls raced up the hill, wanting to share Alexis' last few day there in happiness and celebration.