Author's Note: Runescape belongs to Jagex. I know Cade is a name of another character on here...I just can't remember where, but I did not steal the name Cade, I made it up (derived it from playing around with the name Darth Caedus, aka Jacen Solo, who belongs to LucasArts) and by the time I saw it on here this chapter was already finished and another one in progress as well and I couldn't come up with another name so yeah. Anyhow, this is a deeply psychological, friendship genre, rags-to-riches story. Both characters have complex pasts so they tend to ramble about their past occasionally. That's about it for now...enjoy!

Aurora's POV

I glanced around almost nonchalantly at the brown slate walls surrounding me from all sides and the ways the shadows from the rudimentary torches made little shadows dance along the edges of the cavern. Shifting the short-bow in my hands, I smirked in the low light as my own shadow joined the reverie and proceeded to entertain myself with my thoughts and my shadows.

Such was the simple pleasures of an explorer in the sewers of Varrock, at least for the inexperienced ones. Those of us who knew their way around the area, even just roughly, had already struck out for some town of all trades like Lumbridge or Port Sarim or even the faraway shores of Al Kharid.

But me – no, I hadn't even been out of the crowded city since I first made the mad dash through the woods that led me here, save for a few excursions outside the wall to gather materials for leather and blacksmithing. A person had to make a living while they trained and learned, right? Even if it involved selling cheap wares to even more inexperienced travelers as they passed through the city center.

But someday I'd join them and see what was out there, I just needed the time and skills – something I was hard put to find amongst a life of alternating between hawking leather gloves and bronze helmets, and exploring every little alleyway and sewer in the whole city just out of the need to know more of my environment. It was a hard life, to be sure, but it would be no better than what I left, and at least I had a chance to make it...

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I almost missed the stray hill giant as it lumbered up behind me and brought its warhammer down without a second's hesitation. Silently cursing myself for wandering this far into the depths underground, I reached into my pack and withdrew an iron scimitar just in time to rescue myself.

I knew all too well that my set of iron armor and weapons, all scavenged from near the iron-producing stalactites that grew in this area of the cave, would not last long against the gigantic creature's blows. As I locked my opponent's weapon in a parry, I desperately glanced around the cavern for other explorers.

There were a few that were gallantly decked out in shining armor sets of purple and green – I think I read that those materials were called mithril and adamant...no, focus on getting HELP!- and others in garishly loud and ridiculous costumes skilled expertly enough to fight without armor, but they were preoccupied with their own battles.

Returning my gaze to my own battle, I looked up at my arms, clad in my own dingy grey armor, the curved blade of my sword so uncommon to many adventurers looking as if it was about to fall apart, and resigned myself. This is it. Distantly I felt my grip give way and I stumbled out of the way of the attack rather clumsily.

I waited for the final lunge but none came; I forced myself to open my eyes and an adamant-clad knight with a black sword stood where I had once been, parrying the giant's attack. Though I should have been grateful that I had survived to take another breath, my old determination and tenacity welled up within me again and I resolved to finish this battle and not be made into yet another damsel in distress.

I gripped a salvaged steel arrow, the strongest one in my quiver and the only steel arrow I had ever owned, and charged toward the battle. Ducking under the massive warhammer I grabbed my dropped shortbow off the cave floor, lined up the most accurate and strongest shot I had ever attempted in all my years...months, really... of combat, and felled the creature in one shot.

Survival and pride then took over my psyche, and without a word to my rescuer I snatched up my treasured arrow and the creature's helmet off the cave floor and ran as fast as I could to the nearest ladder, my tattered and patched black skirt flying behind me as I made my escape.

Sweet, comforting light, was all I could think as I shimmied up through the hole into the little shed concealing the dungeon entrance. I splayed myself out on the wooden floor and just enjoyed life, and light, and breathing for a few moments before propping myself up and eating a boiled potato and a small dried fish from my pack. It seemed almost nonsensical to be eating at a time like this, but consuming something was all I knew about recuperation, really. When one was sick, it was only logical that they would become stronger after receiving nutrition...I supposed that was correct enough.

Even after my "meal" I still felt unbelievably weak, but then again I had almost died in that battle. Regardless, I still had to go sell my trophy at the nearby Exchange if I wanted to buy enough crafting supplies to occupy the evening. My latest train of thought was interrupted by the wood of the ladder next to me squeaking. Someone was coming up, and I had very little desire to be caught lounging around like a weakling, especially amongst the seasoned explorers scouring the underground chamber I had just been in. The last thing I saw as I flew out the door was a green-gloved arm and a black sword resting on the top rung of the ladder.

Cade's POV

Peculiar young girl. I suppose I can't rightly criticize her for a lack of wisdom on account of her youth, as she was probably not much younger than I. But still, it was impossible to miss the sight of a novice explorer facing down a hill giant, of all things, with flimsy armor and weapons and with such pure determination and inner strength that she was actually holding her own against the creature twice her size.

Blows met parries and the battle, now looking more like a routine or a dance between the two adversaries, wore on. I watched curiously as the determination flickered for a moment – she seemed to lose hope as her strength gave out and I might even have presumed her eyes met mine for a moment as she silently pleaded with everyone, anyone, in the cavern to help – and she expertly rolled out of the way as the giant swung it's warhammer down quite fearsomely.

Not being able to stand by and let a helpless individual be killed, I dove in and locked weapons with the giant just as she was bracing herself. I had just steeled myself to finish the arduous battle that had become more of a commonplace routine for the likes of me when a flash of brown and black just under my sight distracted me. Before I knew it, the giant had fallen over and the mysterious stranger stood gripping a simple, roughly hewn bow with a look of absolute pallor on her face.

And just as quickly, she had snatched up what little of her belongings lay on the floor, as well as the giant's ornate helmet, and fled up the ladder. As I cautiously made my way up into the shack that constituted the protection of the sewer entrance, where I presumed she needed either medical treatment or further rescue from her own shenanigans, the last glimpse I saw of her was a blur of tattered clothes and flying hair as she disappeared in the direction of the Exchange. And what else could I do but follow my newfound charge?

Aurora's POV

Another day, another handful of gold coins. But today I had been lucky – the payload threatening to burst my worn leather pouch at the seams was good enough to at least get me a full set of decent arrows, maybe even a new bow, and definitely a surplus of food that, for once, would not consist of raw cabbages and potatoes and the occasional piece of fish, but real, good food not coming from random travelers' spare supplies.

I'd have to see about learning how to make archer's armor out of my leftover craft supplies but other than that...I could really get out of here at last! That last happy though was enough to give me the small burst of energy I needed to push myself away from the Exchange counter and jostling crowds, and settle down on the worn steps before the walk across town to my second-story shack.

As they were often wont to do, my thoughts were driven towards the days of old until it was like I was seeing my own past as pictures before my eyes. Slipping out the door of our cottage to make a momentary escape from the dull orderliness that was Draynor village. Feeling the rush of independence as I glanced around the village center for a brief moment before darting through the alleyways and into the woods leading to Port Sarim, ignoring the pointed glares from my close friend Elisabeth Schism, who no doubt was already on her way to alert my family. Hearing the far-off cry of "RORA!" before disappearing into the vast crowd lining the gleaming stone walls of the seaside city. I loved Port Sarim, everything about it just shone with life and diversity- so many people from different places, shops vending all sorts of wares from far-off shores, the ships coming and going to the very ends of the earth and bringing back a treasure trove of culture and adventure- what was not to love? A person could just exist here, be free and pursue their dreams, and the limit was as endless as the blue sea stretching beyond the horizon. But what was at Draynor, especially for an otherwise unremarkable girl with her head in the clouds constantly? Life in Draynor was strict, structured- marry young, be content with an unvarying daily routine and an oh-too-ordinary job like grocer or launderer if one was a male, and if one was female, live out their lives in an endless cycle of raising children and completing chores. I wanted knowledge, awareness, exploration, adventure! And now it's all coming true at last, so close I can almost...

Darn sun, getting in my eyes all the time! I waved the glare out of my line of sight only to see a familiar figure leaning lackadaisically against a nearby pillar. He had removed his helmet and his medium-length black hair hung over his face slightly as he turned to meet my gaze. Pursing my lips in frustration, I tried to discern whether he was following me or we simply had the same destination.

My attempts were thwarted as he teased, "Miss, I believe one says 'hello' when they wish to speak with someone, as opposed to simply staring in their direction and pouting." I raised my eyebrows briefly, deciding to be tactful as I would need to get home soon and had no time for arguments, and settled for ambling up to him, leaning against the nearest pillar in the exact same aloof fashion, and drawling, "Aurora. Good to meet you...and I don't pout, I glare", fixing him with a false dangerous stare for good measure.

He actually laughed heartily, crossed his arms, and replied, "Call me Cade. Not to be rude, but aren't you a bit... "green"... to be taking on hill giants?" All other preoccupying thoughts slipped my mind as my face fixed itself into an indignant expression and I stormed, "I reckon I have just as much of a right to be down there as you, and I'm plenty grateful for your...assistance", i spat the word out as if I had just taken a bite of tree bark, "but I'm fully capable of defending myself in any situation. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some preparations to make for a very important journey."

I tried to make my situation sound a lot more magnanimous than neophyte plans for taking a first tentative foray outside my current hometown. I had hoped my tone and demeanor would be enough to drive this Cade away, but it only seemed to pique his curiosity. As I turned on my heel and quickly strode to the gates of the Exchange, he jogged up to me and interjected, "Wait! Where are you planning on going?"

Dang! He caught me off guard...I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to go. Quick- I needed to say a name of a place, any place...the more exotic and far-off the better it would sound, right? What was that tropical island I heard some sailors talking about at Port Sarim so many years ago? "Karamja!" The words popped out of my mouth before I could stifle them.

"Karamja?" I looked over to him tentatively. He was looking at me with a funny expression on his face and one eyebrow raised. His face returned to normal and he smirked, "Why a beginning adventurer would want to go there, I'll never know, but you're definitely the first. I have to admit, you've got style and definitely quite a bit of bravery, miss Aurora."

I openly beamed at the compliment. Not many people in this big city paid very much attention to an ordinary, impoverished street explorer like myself. My joy was quickly cut off when he turned back to me and quipped, "But you're going to need better garments than that if you want to last more than five minutes way out there." I glanced down at my worn armor-shirt, torn boots, and crudely sown leather wristguards – I had gotten these clothes the day I first came to Varrock and they were my pride and joy. Second-hand and salvaged, yes, but I had always maintained them the best I could, just as well as my bow and arrows and all the other things I needed to keep myself alive on a daily basis.

As far as the matter at hand went, I could not retort, seeing as his garments were far superior to mine, so I settled for sticking out my chin stubbornly and stating icily, "Well for your information, I was planning on making new ones just this evening..." He interrupted, "Ah, so you craft for a living. Leather archery armor then, I presume?" I nodded in reply. His expression softened and he got a faraway, almost nostalgic look as he said, "My sister used to love crafting- she could make practically anything into a work of art." Cade spared me a sidelong glance. "You can craft pottery, jewelry, garments, and the like?"

"Yep, the whole deal."

"You wouldn't mind teaching me, would you?"

I stopped and stared at him incredulously. The strange, cultured, no doubt highly educated knight was asking me to teach him how to craft things...for sentimental purposes? But wait...

"Hang on a minute, I'm probably not even going to see you again. Varrock's a big place, you know?"

He grinned sheepishly and said, "Well, you did say you wanted to go to Karamja..."

"Aye, that I did."

"Do you know how to get to Karamja?"

I opened my mouth to deliver a witty retort that of course I knew how to get where I was going, when I suddenly realized I had no idea about the processes of seaward travel, not to mention the direction in which I should travel to get to Port Sarim from here. I closed my mouth again in defeat as his expression became more serious and he spoke again.

"Well, I could show you the way to the port and help you buy tickets, that is, if you'd prefer."

We walked along in silence as I contemplated his offer. Now that I think of it, I would love very much to go to Karamja; all that foreign wildlife and unexplored jungles. Not to mention the fact that the cities, people, and culture would probably be so much more exotic and different than anything she had ever known. It was the perfect place for a first, daring, oh-so-exciting first adventure. Maybe I'd even be so lucky as to find hidden treasure, and then I could finance even more adventures!

Given my current financial situation, or rather, lack of a decent financial situation to begin with, perhaps it would be more practical for an inexperienced lone female archer like myself to go to the small town of Lumbridge and work my way up to a small fortune in something stable like mining or fishing. Let's be realistic here – I was currently smithing and crafting to keep myself barely fed and housed in a shack in the middle of west Varrock, and I could just barely afford to push away from this city and take a tentative start to what I hoped would be a life of exploration, knowledge, and adventure.

But mining and fishing were so ordinary and I knew all too well that would-be adventurers often took years, if not decades, to raise that kind of money, if they didn't go bankrupt first or give up waiting and just start families and live like normal adults. No, I would go look for my "big break" in the form of adventure-obtained treasure. It was not unheard of for people to find valuables in or around the dense jungle. Karamja it was, then!

"You're on, Cade."

"Good. Meet me in city center at dawn tomorrow and we set out."

"Dawn? You mean I have to drop everything I have going on in my life, make myself an entirely new set of armor, stock up on weapons, and secure the entirety of my worldly possessions all within the space of twelve hours?"

"That is correct."

Upon seeing my disapproving and scathing glare, he hastened to explain, "Sorry miss Aurora, but I'm moving out tomorrow. I had no definite plans for going anywhere until you showed up, but I did plan on leaving at dawn and if you want to tag along regardless, please meet me at the city center at sunrise. Good evening to you, miss." And with that, he nodded amiably and turned to disappear into the crowd heading toward the higher-class shopping and lodging district.

I, on the other hand, raced toward the west. Dodging through the alleys and past the familiar, bewildered neighbors, I finally reached the crumbling wooden building I lived in, ran around to the back, climbed a flight of shaky stairs, and burst in through the doorway of my home. I had so much to do to prepare for tomorrow! Sparing five seconds to catch my breath, I glanced derisively at my abode. A simple wooden cot in one corner, a rudimentary fireplace that I never had the wood for, a roughly-hewn table and chair, and a salvaged trunk that contained my crafting supply and savings. That was it. And I was finally leaving. Sad, to be sure, because it was home, probably even more so than the tidy, modest brick townhouse I had grown up in at Draynor.

But there was no way I was going to forfeit my one ticket out of here for the sake of reason and sentimentality. I would take the chance and go through with my rather primitive and uncoordinated plans. I threw open the trunk and gathered up my money supply and a stack of hides that I had been saving to take to the tanner. Slinging my purse and bow over one shoulder, I then proceeded back to the east side of town.

The trip to the tanner's shop was long, and I got more than my fair share of stares from passerby gawking at the disheveled young lady carrying the stack of hides. It didn't matter though because I was leaving at long last. I paid the fee of 60 gold pieces, received my leather, and made my way down a side street to the bank. I was all business – the enormity of what I was going to embark on the next morning left me feeling empowered and confident and much, much more mature than I had ever felt in my short eighteen years.

I deposited most of my money, my scimitar, and all of the leather pieces but the few I would need for my new clothing. Pausing for a moment, I decided to remove the familiar iron armor that I had become so fond of, and handed it to the clerk as well. My business completed, I walked back out into the streets, where cooking fires built to aid in the preparation of the poorer residents or passing travelers' dinners were crackling at the roadside. The night chill was already beginning to creep in, and with my torso now clad in only the sleeveless burgundy top I had escaped Draynor in to shield me, I headed toward the Exchange to purchase a cape.

I managed to get to the desk amongst the mid-evening rush and ordered a simple dark blue cloak that could be fastened up to be a cape as well. Blue was my favorite color, though I had often been made to wear the color red in Draynor, because apparently the color "suited me" and was more feminine and fit in with the current fashions at the time. Fingering the soft yet dark material, I then sprinted toward my next destination: the shopping district.

Time was of the essence, so I chose not to revel in the elation that I would have had at the opportunity to actually be buying relatively frivolous and extraordinary items in the higher-class areas of Varrock. I ducked into the nearest clothing store, determined to buy the essentials. A few rolls of thread to craft my new armor, a new pair of boots, a simple long black skirt for special occasions, and I even splurged on a new outfit consisting of a long-sleeved cotton blouse of the same blue as my cape and fitted black trousers with a short light brown skirt worn over them and a simple sash to top off the ensemble. Modest yet comfortable and, to my appreciative young eyes, the most beautiful adventurer's outfit I had ever laid eyes upon.

I ran home as the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, making a quick stop to retrieve my long-term savings for such an occasion from the bank on my street and purchasing many bronze arrows and a few precious iron ones from the archery shop near my home. The rest of my night was spent carefully crafting the leather pants, armor, wristguards, and cowl that would become my lifeline.

My old armor, built for melee combat, had only hampered my progress as an archer, but it was all I had known as far as defense went, and the leather was unreassuringly thin. Still, I continued to pour my hopes and dreams into every stitch until, at long last, the garments were complete and hung proudly on the back of my one chair, glistening in the dim lantern light as I finally closed my eyes.