Like Oil and Water

Chapter 1

It was late and the crew was settling down for the night. Rain was pelting the ground and the men that were setting up the tents. Natasha, the young beautiful cleric, needed to clear her head during these times of weather so decided to take a walk through the woods. She didn't tell anyone what she was doing but no one really noticed that she was gone in the first place.

To keep herself from being soaked in water, Natasha wore only her hood which didn't really help much but she was dry enough to continue on her walk. The woods were still filled with life even in this kind of weather. Natasha wondered how they would keep warm having no beds and blankets like how you would at home.

Minutes passed by and Natasha had gotten into the center of the forest. The ground beneath her was getting slippery and everything grew silent. The animals disappeared and now she began believing she had gone farther than she had wanted to. She walked farther then she found that the ground turned into a hill that looked down upon a lower plain.

"It's time to go back…," she whispered to herself. Once she took her first step back, she slipped on the ground and slid down the hill. Natasha landed with a thud but she felt fine. As for her dress though, it wasn't as good. The cleric tried to wipe herself off until she heard a familiar voice call to her.

"Natasha, is that you?"

She turned around and found out that Knoll was here. "Knoll what do you think you're doing here?"

"I should ask you the same. Now before the rain worsens, I suggest you head back to the campsite."

Natasha wondered if he would return back too. "Aren't you coming back Knoll?"

He turned his back on her and replied, "You don't need to worry about me. Just go back now." Once he was finished talking, he headed back into where he was before.

What's he doing back there? Without following his orders she snuck behind a bush and watched him. Natasha saw him working on his dark energy. Is this what Knoll does all the time? A twig was beneath her foot and she stepped on it, causing Knoll to stop and turn his focus back on her.

"Natasha what are you still doing here?"

She stepped out of her hiding place and kindly asked, "Knoll, are you always doing this whenever we reach a resting spot?"

He looked down at the ground and replied, "I do, but are you always up on walks?"

"I guess I do…"

The two stood in silence for a while until Knoll spoke of something that was different from the point they last spoke of. "Natasha, are you from the temple in Grado?"

She was surprised with his sudden speech but she managed to reply. "Yes…I am…"

"I would speak to you more often but I hear that you clerics see mages like me as bad people because of our research. I even heard some people compare us like water and oil."

Natasha said, "I'd never think of you like that Knoll…Don't say things like that. I mean it's true that clerics like me think that your studies are bad but not all of us. My mentor was a great person who always told me I should never judge from rumor but by person. You're…I guess…" Words wouldn't come to her at that moment but just at that moment, lightning flashed.

The cleric jumped while Knoll didn't move a muscle. He turned to look at where the lightning came from then back at her, "Let's head back to the campsite. The princess might be worried."

"Alright." Knoll guided her back to the campsite where everything felt much warmer and comfortable.

Just as Natasha thought, nobody noticed she was gone until she told them. L'Arachel gasped and said, "How careless of a princess of my high standards not to notice a missing fellow ally."

"It's no problem…" Natasha ended up sharing a tent with the princess of Rausten and the self-proclaimed prodigy, Lute.

"Of course it's a problem. What would you like me to do to make it better?"

Lute who sat beside L'Arachel was reading a book and tugged at the princess's hair saying, "She said it wasn't a problem. Leave her be." Lute turned her vision towards Natasha and asked, "Isn't that right?"

"Y-yes…I just want a good-night's rest…"

"Okay. You heard her. Let's let her rest." Lute and the now grumpy L'Arachel left the tent leaving Natasha to her sleep.

The cleric got under her blanket and thought about Knoll and who he was sharing his tent with. What worried her was that he might be in a tent all by himself. But there was nothing to worry about for he was in a tent with his fellow friend.

"Where have you been," Duessel asked as the soaked Knoll came in.

"I've just been enjoying the rain. It seems to calm me." Knoll sat across from Duessel who was drinking tea made with rosehips.

The general placed down his cup and began leaving. "So tell me, where are you going?"

"I'm on night duty. This area is filled with monsters. I suggest you stay in the tent if you don't want to wake up in the hands of a monster." Duessel left into the rain.

Everyone soon fell asleep except for the night guards. Natasha was sound asleep with L'Arachel and Lute beside her. She had dreams all about Knoll and no one else. It was amazing how the raging storm and the harsh winds didn't wake her. But there was one thing that would wake her.

Outside a creeping doggish-like creature came upon her tent. It had no need to be quiet since the wind blowing was loud. It smelled L'Arachel's scent of soap and shampoo and ran in the tent.

Natasha heard growling and opened her eyes. What she saw was a monster hovering over her. She let out a scream that echoed throughout the entire area they were in.

All the night guards heard as well as Knoll. They ran to where the commotion was and entered.

"Natasha," Knoll pushed passed everyone and saw Natasha with a grotesque creature lying unconscious on top of her. He went to her and got the monster off of her, "Are you okay?"

All she could manage was a nod.

General Seth smiled and said, "Looks like everything's okay, huh?"

Duessel let out a little grunt and said, "Come on. There's probably more of these filthy vermin around." The general turned back to look at Knoll. "Knoll, stay with these women."

The men left leaving the mage with women. L'Arachel and Lute were still very sleepy even in that tragic event where they could've lost their friend. L'Arachel yawned and leaned her head on Lute's shoulder. Lute pushed her off and onto the floor. "Is that a way to treat a princess like me?"

"Quiet." Lute motioned towards Natasha and Knoll who were quietly talking to each other.

"Wonder what they're saying…"

Knoll asked, "How did you protect yourself?"

Natasha rubbed her upper arm and could only reply, "I guess I just released my magic without knowing… I really should be more careful."

"Why do you need to be more careful?"

"If I don't keep my eyes out for monsters more often I can't look forward to a new life." She looked at his face, hoping he hadn't thought what she had been thinking.

Knoll stood up and looked out the camp, "More are coming. Would you women prefer to come out with me or stay in?"

L'Arachel jumped up with her staff in hand. "Destroying these blasphemous creatures is one of my duties as princess of Rausten." She left out the tent without the need of anyone else.

"Moron…," Lute sighed. The "prodigy" took her book and left after the princess.

Knoll turned his vision now down to the cleric. "If you would like to stay here, I would be more than happy to stay with you."

Natasha was stunned at what he had just said. Never had she heard words such as those come from his lips. She was even sure she saw just a slight smile as he spoke his words. "N-no…I would prefer fighting Knoll." She looked down at the ground and continued, "My mentor said that I should never let others fight for me when I have the ability to fight on my own…"

"Then let's not waste anymore time. Let's go help." He extended his hand to her and with a little hesitation, she took it and without knowing it, she kept a hold of it until they confronted their first opponent.

Knoll summoned up all his energy and released it at the herd of monsters coming their way. The monsters went flying in all different directions.

Natasha was amazed at this energy he was using. She couldn't help to wonder where it all came from. But during her time of pondering, a half-man half-beast came swinging its axe at her.

Knoll carelessly shoved her back with his arm, but in return took the damage.

"Knoll…"

Next, the mage used his good arm and shoved it into the monster's stomach. This didn't take long to kill the beast and right when the body fell to the floor, Natasha went to Knoll's side.

"Knoll, I'm sorry."

"No need to burden yourself with my injuries yet. Let's just get rid of this next couple dozen then you can worry."

Before he could prepare another attack on the upcoming beast, Duessel came by on his horse and said, "I believe that's not very good of you to use that arm of yours Knoll. Head back and let us take these creatures out for you."

He sighed but retreated back from the battles. He didn't go alone though. A young cleric went with him and sat beside him. "Natasha…"

"I'll stay here with you just in case. Besides, I need to heal that wound of yours." She tenderly rolled up his sleeves and placed her middle and forefinger on the deep gash. Her hand then began glowing with a white, heavenly-like color. Before Knoll knew it, the cut was gone and the only thing left on his arm was the blood that had slipped out.

Knoll smiled as he looked at her gentle face, "The power of the divine presence…Something us mages can never receive no matter how hard we try."

Natasha could see a smile on his lips but he didn't really seem happy. Maybe he sounded more jealous or sad to her. "Knoll, are you…" She began thinking of what would happen if she said the next few words. She didn't really think he would like it so quit.

"Am I what Natasha?"

"It's nothing… I'll tell you when the time comes."

Knoll, who was now perturbed, nodded and got himself back on his feet. "I think the others have defeated those creatures."

"Yes and there's still lots of time before sunrise."

The two ladies that were accompanying Natasha came to her and L'Arachel said sleepily, "It's time for sleep. Ephraim said we have five hours." L'Arachel let out one big yawn and nearly stumbled herself back to sleep.

Lute sighed and asked, "What happened to all that energy she was using just then? Oh well… Good-night Natasha, sweet dreams."

When Lute went back in the tent, Knoll grabbed Natasha's hand and bade her good-night as well before leaving for his bed.

"Good-night to you as well Knoll…"