Chapter 1:

"Uh, master, I think we're lost again."

"We're not lost Majik – we're just taking a different path."

"Ugh! Just save us the trouble and admit that you don't know where you're going, Orphen! I knew we shouldn't have listened to you!"

"Will you just shut up, Clio?! At least I know we're on a trail."

"Yeah, one that doesn't lead anywhere, just like the last time!"

"Hey, I think there's someone up ahead!" the blonde assistant exclaimed.

"Yeah, well, they better not get in my way," mumbled Orphen.

"Why can't you just get past your manly ego and actually stop to ask directions for once?! It's not going to kill you, you know."

"Then why don't YOU go ask if you want to get away from here so badly? You don't see Majik complaining about my sense of direction."

"Actually, master . . ."

"See?! Not even Majik wants to go this way! By majority rule, I think we should stop and ask where the next city is, and I won't take another step until we do!"

The blonde girl stomped her foot and crossed her arms defiantly. The taller brunette rounded on his apprentice.

"Majik! I thought you were supposed to be on my side!"

"It's not about that, Master. The person on the road is gone."

All three looked at the rising hill up ahead that lay bare except for the dirt path and the tall, summer grass surrounding a few sparse trees. Clio grew exasperated.

"I don't believe this! The one chance we get to ask for directions and they disappear without a trace! This is just great!"

"Oh well; let's just keep going."

Orphen began ascending the hill, purposely ignoring Clio's ranting and raving.

"Keep going?! What's the point, Orphen, if you're just going to keep getting us lost! Come on, Lucky, we'll go find our own way to Catermain."

Just as she stomped past the teen sorcerer with her little blue cub, a monster's corpse dropped from a tree inches away from her, and hung by the neck on a thick branch like an ominous warning. Clio screamed with a petrified look, and instantly backed several feet away from the disgusting pig-bear like creature matted with blood and dirt. That's when I decided to make my presence known.

"Catermain? What does an odd trio like you want with a dump like that?"

Eyes darted in all directions trying to find the source.

"Who are you?! Show yourself! Your ugly doll isn't going to scare us away!" shouted Orphen.

"It seemed to work on your girlfriend there."

"She's not my girlfriend! Now come on out!"

The leaves rustled and shook, revealing a dark shadow that dropped to the ground on one knee and rose to look upon the startled group. They were very interesting to say the least.

"W-who are you?" Clio managed to stammer.

My dark eyes flashed. "The name's Alayna. I'm a wandering traveler, same as you."

"So how did you kill that thing? Gantors don't just roll over and die for anyone."

"Let's just say I used my trump card, from one sorcerer to another," I winked.

"You have powers too?!" Majik exclaimed. "Wow!"

The one called Orphen looked me over critically with his arms crossed. A slight breeze stirred his red headband and brown locks of hair.

"You don't look like a magic user, and I know every single person who went into the Tower with me, especially if you're as old as I think you are."

"Well, if I may say so, you don't exactly fit your reputation either."

"So what do you want with us?" Clio asked.

"I merely came to see if the rumors were true, and also to warn you about a pair of trolls lying in wait for the great sorcerer Orphen."

"Not those guys again . . ." he grumbled. "I'll kill them both if it's the last thing I do!"

He clenched his fists as everyone looked out toward the road, but when Majik turned back, I had vanished.

"Hey, master! She's gone!"

"What?! How could she just disappear? We only had our heads turned for a second!"

"And that's all I needed. Until we meet again, new friends, which I am sure will be very soon," my voice echoed, finally leaving them to stand alone.

"That girl was weird. What do you think she wants with you, Orphen?"

"I don't know, Clio, but I know some trolls who are looking for a good butt kicking."