I Came, I Saw, I Conquered
by Corycian Muse


(14-4-05) - This chapter has been edited
Disclaimer: I do not own Golden Sun, or Camelot, or anything else for that matter, apart from my imagination

"I Came, I Saw, I Conquered"
- Julius Caeser

Ok, now I look back at this chapter, I really don't think it starts off too brilliantly - in fact, it makes me cringe. I just can't be bothered to go back and edit it while I'm writing the chapters that are up to date. It's just too hot (starts fanning herself).
Another thing I've come to notice is how this story takes a while to get going! Don't expect any action straight away, folks! Sorry for the inconvenience, but it's always better when the author makes you wait - please trust me on this, because I've come to realise how planning future chapters really helps in the writing (amazing, isn't it?). In other words, once the adventures get going I'm pretty hopeful there's going to be some - ahem - action performances, perhaps even on the big scale. Of course, in my stories, angst and romance are compulsory, so do not fear.
The last point I want to make is, Please Review! I don't care if you've never reviewed this story, or not, and I don't take laziness as an excuse (ho ho). Whether it's constructive critiscm, or just one word of praise - as long as it helps the author in some way, I appreciate so much. If there are parts you don't think work, then tell me! I would like to get better and improve in my writing, and your reviews are the only way (as well as my evil english teacher) that this can be done.
Thanks again so much all you great people out there.

Please Read, Review, and Enjoy! ... ...

Chapter One: Sentimental Days

Across the freezing North Sea a silent ship flew, the chilling breeze filling the sails. A single dark figure stood on the shadowy rear deck. The wind ruffled his hair and clothes, coursing over his features. His hands laid upon the helm, as the ship drew closer to a land covered in darkness ahead. The land rose from the sea, black and foreboding.

His senses were alert, and his eyes searched over the rugged forested land ahead of him. He was getting close to his destination. Piers turned the wheel of the boat slightly, enough for him to stay on course. He had felt it in the wind, like it travelled across time itself, and he knew that he had to make changes. It called out to him like a voice echoing through caves, reverberating in the dark abysses, and he realised he was needed elsewhere. So he left. Everything and everyone he knew remained on the lost island, known only to the people that dwelled upon its shores. Piers had his duty, and he knew that he had to fulfil it.

Time could not be erased.

Among the thick trees there stood a collection of small houses, smoke billowing from the thatched roofs. A single wolf's howl was heard. Flickering lights made the enshrouding shadows waver.

Suddenly a door opened, and a man walked out, pulling his furs more tightly over himself to keep out the cold. Piers could just see the inside of the hut from where he was standing outside the wooden stockade surrounding the hamlet. The cold did not matter to him; he did not feel its bitterness in his strong Lemurian bones.

"Isaac, son, I'm going down to the coast," the man called into the hut. "Dora, look after him, won't you dear?" He was using the tongue of the Angelcynn, in which Piers was thankfully well-versed.

"Don't worry. We'll be fine," came a woman's voice. "You need to look after yourself, though."

"I'll be fine too. I only need to take a look at something – Ivan said he had a vision of a ship, unlike any we've seen before, crashed right onto the beach like some fool had been driving it."

Piers cringed, thinking that he was a better helmsman than that. He carefully moved himself back into the shadows as the man walked past, and onwards towards the sea with a flaring torch in his hand. Piers heard every movement he made, every blade of grass that was rustled in his wake. An owl hooted in the black forest that stood imposingly behind the sailor.

The man had soon disappeared into the encroaching woods, and Piers crept over the stockade and among the homesteads. Passing the man's abode, he heard 'Isaac' snoring and 'Dora' scolding him for being such a lout. Then, the creaking of the walls as the wind picked up. These houses were unstable, Piers thought. He turned slightly, and crouched to the ground, not moving and taking in his surroundings. Then suddenly a ray of light pierced through the foggy darkness, and Piers turned his head sharply to the right to see that someone was in another hut, awake and moving across the straw-strewn ground. The oaken door of the small household creaked with age, and opened.

To Piers' horror, the man who stepped out was huge and massively muscled. Then the behemoth opened his mouth, and Piers' dismay was ended.

"I'm so hungry!" bemoaned the brute to the night. "I can't get a wink of sleep! My appetite will be ruined!"

Piers decided that was as good a chance as he could get for making a friendly introduction to the villagers. He stepped forwards from his hiding place, and spoke.

"Ho there, my good fellow. I am a traveller from a distant land of which you will not have heard. Yet I know of a plight that faces your humble dwelling place, and I do not believe that, as of the moment, you have any hope of defeating the faceless enemy. That is why I am here, for I know both of your helplessness and of the means by which you may be defended."

The villager stood there, blinking in the half-light. Not a word had permeated his head. "Huh? Wha…" Piers wondered if maybe his sizeable hair was interfering with his brain.

Piers got to his feet and looked as kindly as he could at the inhabitant. "I'm a… mercenary. Your village needs one. May I stay at your house for the night?"

The man blinked a bit more, and then looked at Piers as if he'd only just noticed him. "Uhhh… yeah, of course. Come right on in."

The large person stepped back and allowed Piers to pass. Then he shut the door and put the glowering candle onto the old tabletop surface. The hut was warm enough, and it was clear to Piers that it was a larger home than many of the others in the area. This family was obviously better-off than the rest, and Piers didn't think it would have come from their intelligence. He turned to the red-haired man, and smiled weakly.

"What is your name, good fellow?" he said again, as he reached up and adjusted his bandana on his forehead. The man stood for a moment, as if working out what this stranger had just said, and then he raised his eyebrows and smiled widely, relieving Piers who was beginning to get worried.

"I'm Garet," he said proudly. "Grandson of the guy who sorts this place out!"

"You mean, like a kind of mayor?" Piers asked, referring to Garet's grandfather.

"Of course! Would you like me to show you to where you're going to sleep?" Garet asked loudly, as he picked up the candle once more. Piers, slightly confounded at it all, just gawped slightly. Garet took it for a 'yes', and he walked out of the larger area into a joining room. Piers followed, slightly put-off at the man's suddenness. He was hoping he would be able to talk to him, and inform this red-head of the danger that was quickly heading their way. Things had to be done at once – these people had to be told. Piers knew this, and it was his job to do so.

Garet hurried to the other side of the room, holding the candle up high. "Kay's not here at the moment," he said loudly over his shoulder, as he roughly kicked a stack of hay over, and spread it around with his foot. Piers was beginning to wish he had stayed on his ship, and waited till morning. "Don't know where she's gone," Garet carried on, "but she's always in a bad mood, so perhaps it's for the best." He suddenly turned around, grinning at Piers, then immediately noticed something to the left. "Oh. Aaron's gone sleepwalking again!" He laughed. "He normally goes off into the forest, but don't worry," he added, seeing Piers' horrified expression. "I'll go and search for him tomorrow morning. He'll be in the same place that he is every time he goes out into the woods." He stepped back, and nearly knocked the candle onto the straw. "Woops! Ah, caught it in time, good, good. Anyway, this is your bed, hope you like it. Don't worry about the old man in the corner – that's my grandfather. My parents normally sleep outside. I can't think why, but never mind. I'm going out to get a little midnight snack, so I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Garet almost bounced towards Piers who quickly jumped out of the way so he could pass. He pulled open the front door, and then quickly stopped, turning to Piers once more. "Oh, you're not good at cooking, are you?" Piers gulped, lost for words. "Well, I wouldn't say that we have the best meals in this place, especially as Kay now refuses to cook anything, it's normally left to Grandfather, and he's not the best I have to say!" Garet nearly giggled.

"…Ok," Piers answered weakly. A second passed, and Garet nodded his head.

"Well I'll see you later then! Bye!" he called and he slammed the oak door behind him. Piers heard him whistle as he walked away, through the Anglo-Saxon village.

Piers stood for a moment, thoughts running through his head. That man, Garet, he had made no sense at all… or at least with matters that were so important. He didn't have any idea what he was doing. "He was all over the place," Piers said out loud, shaking his head sadly. "Let's hope that first impressions don't go for everything." He scratched his head awkwardly, hoping that his voyage here hadn't been for nothing, hoping that some people living in this place were even slightly intelligent. They had to be, if they were to understand the position they were in – what the whole land was in.

Sighing, Piers moved quietly back into the smaller room, glancing warily at the 'mayor' of the village. He was dirty, his hair was straggly, with a beard starting to grow on his old and wrinkled face. Saliva dribbled smoothly down his cheek and onto the grimy straw beneath him as he snored slightly, and Piers shivered.

Of course he could go back to his Lemurian ship, which was, thankfully, a lot more advanced – and cleaner – than these filthy peasants seemed to be. But, Piers remembered, there was that man who he had seen earlier. He knew about Piers' ship and had gone to investigate, because of someone seeing it… in a vision. Piers grunted, and lay himself on the straw, thinking it would give him some comfort from the cold, hard ground. Instead it scratched his pale bare skin, and became entangled in his perfect aqua-marine hair. Again, he sighed. There was nothing he could do now, and he knew the best thing would be to wait until morning, and so that is what he did.

The mayor remained snoring in the corner, and Garet never came back that night. Piers, wide-awake, remained in his thoughts, sometimes drifting into forgotten memories of his long past, and he remained uncomfortable all through-out the night.

The morning arrived, and the day was quickly regaining its warmth that it had lost in the night. The clear sky was azure, and the Sun's rays were starting to fall upon village. The morning hoarfrost took little time to leave, and the steady drip of dew fell from the leaves of shrubs and plants onto the loamy ground. It was going to be a beautiful day.

It was better than any soak in the river (not that she'd had one in a while). The bitter air seemed to cleanse and awaken Mia, and she felt fresher than she had done in a while. Every breath she took washed out her body, and seemed to set her spirit free. Childish wants seemed to form, and Mia smiled widely as she felt like skipping over the bouncy grass. The call of seagulls overhead and nearer the sea lifted the atmosphere, to the highest it could go. Things hadn't felt this good for her in a long time.

"And not only that," she said out loud, liking to hear her own voice for once, instead of the troubles of others that she so put up with. "It's silent. No troubled people, no arguing warlords, or certain blond Jupiter adepts. No Garet, and that does make a difference… and no meddling monks. Early mornings are so relaxed – I'll think I'll come out for a walk this time, every day."

Wonderful contented emotions fluttered around Mia's body, and she took in a deep breath, exhilarated by the sheer calmness of it all. The singing of the birds and their flittering movements through the air; it was all so natural, so beautiful.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps arrived, and Mia turned, only to start in surprise. Alex? She paused, and peered at him.

"Good morning madam, my name is Piers," he said slightly tentatively. Mia smiled a smile of relief. The evil monk Alex was from her very own clan to the North-east. They both bore the ability to control Mercury's power, and they both had the appearances of people from the north. But this man also had blue hair… and golden eyes.

"May I ask who you are?" she asked as politely as she could, and he shrugged.

"I'm… not from these parts - I'm from a place called Lemuria," he explained. Then, feeling he should go the whole way, he carried on. "I arrived here last night, not by mistake. I came because of what I saw would come to this distant land, if something was not done to prevent it. You could call me a mercenary if it made more sense to you, but I'm here to help," he explained. Mia stared.

"Are you saying that something is going to happen?" she asked, slightly bemused.

"I'm afraid I am," Piers said sadly. "A great danger is headed towards your land; I felt it upon the wind, across the seas. It was, and is my duty to help in any way that I can. I hope you will accept me in your village."

"Accept you? I don't understand," Mia answered flatly. "If you mean you are staying here, then it is not doing anything against any rules that we have, and if you believe something dangerous is coming our way, perhaps we should tell it to someone with more power in their hands. I'm afraid I can't do anything for you myself."

Piers brightened, and he brushed his fringe out of his face, smiling. "That would help a lot," he said, and he joined Mia to walk down the path between the houses. The morning air was freshening to him; he was glad he had come out this early, away from the steady snores of the 'mayor' that had kept him up all night. "I don't know if it's polite to say this," he said, a little unsure, but Mia smiled at him kindly. "When I arrived late last night, I came across a man named Garet." Though Piers didn't notice it, Mia's smile widened. She didn't have much doubt about what might come next. "Well, he let me stay the night, but he lived with an old man, who he said was the mayor," Piers said. "That's not true, is it? And I do hope this isn't being offensive," he added.

"Oh don't worry!" Mia laughed, startling Piers. Her smile was so beautiful, so kind. "Garet's… well, I'm not sure how to describe Garet," she said to him, just as the great sea came into view ahead of them. The Sun glittered upon its calm, rippling waves, and they stopped in their tracks to look out at the view. "Let's just say that he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. I really wouldn't worry too much." Mia thought for a second, and then she turned to the foreigner. "He's one in a million," she ended. "And I really wouldn't get yourself too worried about anything that he may say. Best to stick to things that make sense," she said, winking, and Piers smiled warmly.

He had been tormenting himself all through the night, anxious as to what these villagers would be like. Whatever people said, first impressions did affect how you would think of things in the future… but maybe he had worried a little too much. After all, everyone was different, and just because these people were strange to him, he shouldn't have grouped them into one type of person.

"Thank you for your help," he said to the girl in front of him. She could have only been seventeen, and the very thought made Piers sigh. Seventeen was nothing to him. He had seen many times that amount of years, whatever his looks foretold. Then it occurred to him that he didn't even know her name.

"I'm Mia by the way," she suddenly said, as if she had read his mind. "Would you like to go and talk to someone about this matter then? I should think that people would be starting to get up by now."

"Yes, it's best that I tell someone as soon as possible, then the problem's off my back as well. That will be a large weight lifted from my heart," Piers answered, dropping his shoulders and relishing in the cold air, the Sun in his face. "The quicker I tell someone the quicker something can be done, right?"

"Right. I just hope it's nothing too serious," Mia answered, and at this Piers' face fell. Mia looked up at him questioningly.

"It depends, but an amount of uncertainty is healthy. The danger may not come, but something tells me that it will. It has a hunger for this land – I can feel it," he murmured, lowering his eyes. Mia turned away, slightly unnerved by his words.

"Well," she said, wanting to get off the matter. The morning had been too beautiful to be ruined by such bad news. She would leave it to people in higher stature than her to deal with such problems. "Let's go and meet the Warlord then, shall we?"

"Yes, that would be good," Piers answered, nodding his head and resuming a look of determination. He wanted this over and done with. After that, he would just go with the flow of things.

Things weren't going too well for Alex. He stood now, leaning against the trunk of a large oak, his arms folded in front of him. His long hair brushed about his face, but it didn't deter him from his thoughts. He had heard about last night; he always knew what was going on, and the news of a strange ship in the middle of the night was no exception.

It didn't take much for Alex to put two and two together.

He tucked his gloved hands further under his arms and looked up to the clear sky. As soon as that fool Kyle had been up, and doing the job that he rarely did – keeping watch upon the coast – Alex himself had moved to the sea in a matter of seconds.

"Well why walk, when you can become the air itself," Alex muttered with a smirk. He furrowed his eyebrows. The ship was… something else. A great prow with the head of some sort of beast at the front of the ship, it was carved magnificently, and to precise point. Alex had no doubt that its efficiency was just as perfect as well. Its smooth streamline sides, the curves of its shape, and the immense sails that aimed straight for heaven, as though they were about the pierce through the sky. This was not a ship that came from anywhere local.

It seemed that they had visitors. But the stranger had been no where in sight. Alex had looked, had sensed for any new auras, but the air was still and at rest, and no person was in sight upon the ship. It could only mean one thing. That person – whoever they were – had land beneath their feet, and they were probably close.

Suddenly the air stirred, and a wind picked up, strangely billowing from the depths of the surrounding forest out towards the sea. Alex's versatile eyebrows now rose upon his forehead.

"Well that's unnatural," he said mildly, standing up straight and unfolding his arms. He turned, narrowing his eyes as he stared into the dark shadows, but he didn't have long to wait before the answer came charging out of the woods.

"Sheba?"

The girl stopped in her tracks, and with a grin on her face she turned to see Alex watching her with an assessing gaze. "Hello there!" she said brightly, quickly hiding something behind her back. "Why are you up so early?"

Alex nearly snorted. "Don't you think asking something like that is only slightly hypocritical? I could ask why you are up so early, though I'm quite sure," he said, leaning slightly to the left as if he were trying to see what she was hiding, "you won't be telling me that."

Sheba laughed slightly nervously, and started edging away from the Mercury Adept. "It's nothing important!" she said in a higher voice than normal, but then she regained posture and shook her head dramatically. "Now you know that curiosity is a bad thing," she said, brimming with a confidence that amused and annoyed Alex at the same time. "This here that I'm hiding has nothing to do with you, and you're not going to find out either!"

"Oh really," Alex answered, resuming a bored voice. "It's that important, is it?"

"Well… it could be important – it depends. It's not for you anyway, and that's what counts," Sheba answered, scratching her head awkwardly, her other hand still behind her back.

When Alex didn't say anything she started to walk away again, quickening her pace. She grinned. "I'll go and take this to show to Felix then!" she yelled over her shoulder. "Bye!"

This time Alex did snort. "The blacksmith isn't even open yet," he called in a calm tone. "Please do get your facts correct little girl, before you go through the troubles of stealing other people's property."

Sheba stopped in her tracks. How did he know? He couldn't read her mind, could he? No! Of course he couldn't, he was one with Mercury; a weakling, Sheba thought sourly.

"Well I'll climb through the window then!" she shouted at him, forcing herself to smile. Alex only smirked at her, knowing he had touched a nerve, and for a moment they stared at each other, penetrating each other with their gaze.

Finally Sheba turned with the distinct noise of a 'humph', and walked away into the group of houses and out of sight.

Alex remained still, following her with his gaze until she disappeared from his view. Then he relaxed and turned to look at one of the larger buildings. Smoke poured out of its chimney, and the land about its walls was well kept; the thatched roof was newly laid.

"Too many strange things are happening," he said out loud. "And not enough is being done. If anyone has any power, it will be that brat who's in place as our warlord." And if he can't do anything, Alex thought, and again a smirk played across his lips, his cold, icy-blue eyes unblinking, I will have to take things into my own hands…

Mia breathed in deeply. "It certainly is a beautiful day!" she exclaimed happily.

"Isn't that obvious?" Piers answered, a wide smile upon his face. Mia grinned, enjoying his company and forgetting any worries she had.

They continued slowly towards the largest of the thatched houses. It was still fairly early, and no doubt people were having their breakfast. Chimneys started to smoke, and a couple of small children chased each other playfully across their path, oblivious to the foreigner who watched them with his golden eyes.

"Aah, so adorable," Mia said, as the youngsters giggled, and accidentally tumbled through the flowers that had been neatly planted under the window of Isaac's house. Dora certainly wouldn't be too happy when she found out.

"They're so small," Piers said sympathetically, and Mia looked sidelong at him quizzically.

"Yes Piers, they're children. They're meant to be small," she said teasingly. Piers smiled, and looked away.

"I know, but there aren't many children where I come from," he said quietly, and when seeing Mia's questioning look, he explained himself. "Lemurian people, we have much larger life spans than others. Because of this the old get older but children grow at the same rate as these two."

"I see," Mia answered, not sure if she understood him. "So how old are you?"

Piers looked slightly startled at the question, and his face seemed to redden. Mia pursed her lips to stop herself smiling. "I – I'm twenty-four," he stammered, looking away.

"Really? But you just said that Lemurians have large life spans. Surely you can't be that young, can you?"

"Yes, I am… I'm twenty-four years of age. I look it don't I?" piers said, tensing slightly, and going even redder. She was too clever, but then again, he shouldn't have even brought up the topic, seeing as he was so touchy about it. Mia, knowing full well that he was lying, tried to hide her wide grin.

"So who is this warlord then?" Piers asked, changing the subject.

"His name is Ivan, and so far he's thought up a successful plan for every problem that's come upon us," Mia answered warmly. "That's why he was chosen as our warlord. Be careful when you talk to him; he knows when you're lying, or when you're hiding something. Don't think you can outgo his intelligence," she said warningly. Piers nodded, his face returning back to its normal pale colour.

All of a sudden, the wind picked up, blowing straight into their faces from the inland. Piers, taking no chances, immediately placed his hand upon the hilt of the sword at his side, and Mia tensed next to him, alert.

A second later, and Sheba, upon noticing the two, stopped in front of them, a little exasperated.

"Hello," she said forcefully, her hands behind her back. "How are you this fine morning Mia? And hello good stranger," she said to Piers, who pulled a face. "I'm in a hurry so I'll talk to you later," she said quickly, and started to move away again.

"Bye Sheba! It's been nice talking to you," Mia called out as the short blond adept ran off with an amazing amount of speed and agility. She lifted her hand in answer, not looking back. The wind left with her, and the air became still once more.

"Well that was all very sudden," Piers wondered, his eyes wide.

"I don't have any doubts that Sheba's up to no good again," Mia answered, continuing to walk once more. "She's a lovely person really – not good on first impressions."

"I can see," Piers answered, walking with Mia. "I suppose I'm going to be meeting many new people now it seems I will be staying here to help you," he said, and Mia nodded.

Meanwhile Sheba made her way to the village's blacksmith. She slowed her step, breathing lightly despite all the running she had been doing, and pouted. Alex was right, as he always was. There wasn't even any smoke coming out of the chimney let alone the shop being open. Was anyone even at home? She thought dryly to herself.

Sheba stepped forwards. Making sure the long object was tucked securely in her belt and hidden by her tunic. Cupping her hands and peering into the small open window, she saw that no one was there.

"Damn," Sheba said aloud, and quickly glanced about for signs of any people before heading round to the back of the house. There, to her delight, was a window that she could fit through. If Felix was home, he'd be in for a surprise.

Quietly she lifted her leg up, and hoisted herself through.

"Hello?"

Something fluttered opaquely before his eyes, something smothered in darkness that interfered with his dreams. It slowly came to a standstill and the dark was starting to prevail once more. Then it started again.

"For crying out loud, wake up!"

"Wha's'it?" he asked sleepily, and slowly turned away from the voice. The sheets were so warm, he was so comfortable.

"Don't turn your back to me, I'm talking to you!" the person grabbed hold of his arm and tried to pull him back. Blearily, heavily, Felix opened his tired eyes. Not to his surprise, Sheba was there, and like normal, raring to get down to do what she did best – annoy him.

"Quickly get up!" she moaned, leaning back with her fingers still clung about his forearm. "I need to show you something!"

"Sheba," Felix muttered, closing his eyes and opening them once more. Sheba paused, looking at him questioningly.

"What?"

"Sheba… It's early in the morning! And how the hell did you get in here?"

Sheba merely grinned. "I climbed through the window," she said simply, and Felix sighed.

Then it suddenly dawned on him, and his eyes widened immeasurably.

"Sheba," he said again.

"Stop saying my nam -"

"Sheba could you GET OUT OF MY ROOM?" he yelled angrily at her, and she laughed, turning to walk out and wait for him there.

"Don't worry," she chuckled naughtily. "I didn't see anything."

Felix, fuming at the mouth and bright red in the face, got out of the bed, butt-naked, and hurriedly pulled his tunic over his head. Then, just as quick, he tugged up his trousers and pulled his messy long hair into a ponytail. Then he pushed open the door, a little forcefully to see what Sheba had to say and, hopefully, get it over and done with quick.

Sheba turned and looked at him, still grinning. Her eyes twinkled beneath her neatly cut fringe. "Hello," she said again. Felix frowned.

"What is it that you want Sheba?" he asked quietly but audibly. Sheba, in answer, carefully pulled the object she had been hiding out from under her tunic.

In her hand was a small dagger. Its blade was made from tinted black metal, along with the black handle, and it was genuinely crafted. Felix did not touch it, but he stared.

"And where did you get that from? I don't suppose you paid for it?" he asked, slightly scornful.

"But look at it," Sheba answered excitedly. "I found it – didn't steal it – and it's probably a clue, or it belonged to the person who -" Felix immediately clamped his hand over her mouth.

"You know my family is just next door," he hissed. "Think before you start yelling your head off…"

"I wasn't yelling!" Sheba yelled as she pulled his hand off her, and glared at him. "I'm trying to help!"

"And letting the whole world know what we're talking about isn't helping at all," Felix replied. "Now calm down, will you?"

Sheba seethed.

"Didn't bother keeping your voice down earlier, did you?" she muttered darkly, gaining a quick stare from Felix. "Fine," she said at last. "So what are we going to do about this dagger then?"

"Nothing," he answered simply.

"What!" What the hel -" Again Sheba found her mouth being covered, and again she pushed Felix away from her. For a moment they glared, just as furious as the other.

"I don't know what your problem is," Felix said at last. "I don't know why you can't just talk quietly; why you have to make such a fuss."

"One, I am not yelling," Sheba fumed. "Two, can you stop trying to suffocate me, or I'll do something drastic with this dagger."

"That dagger wouldn't be able to hurt me," Felix answered flatly.

"And why not?" Sheba asked, trying to sound very sombre, yet knowing she was getting close to the truth. Felix, however, was unaware.

"It's not from around these parts," he went on, "so it's not a weapon of you-know-who. However, the small jewel encrusted in the hilt, and the way it's almost like a black metal – which normally isn't possible – I would probably say that it's been disabled."

"Disabled? And what does that mean?" Sheba pressed on, leaning towards Felix, unnerving him. He paused.

"Perhaps you should take it back to where you found it," he said quietly. "I wouldn't mess with things I don't understand."

"But," Sheba said loudly, holding the dagger up in his face. "It might help." Alex seemed troubled about something and I saw a foreigner this morning with Mia!"

"You did?" Felix asked, suddenly interested.

"Yes! They were going towards the warlord's house. This dagger," she said, staring at it. "It may belong to him… we could find out! It may be the answer to…"

"The answer to what exactly, Sheba?"

"The answer to… something…" Sheba trailed off, and Felix inwardly smirked.

"Why don't you go and take the dagger back where you found it then?" he said, as if he was rapping this conversation up. "Seeing as we know it's got no use, and is not going to be of much help."

Sheba pursed her lips, unsure of what to do.

"I will work this out," she said finally. "With or without your help, but I will find the answer."

"That will be without m help then," Felix stated, turning to go back into his bedroom." Remember to lock the door behind you." And I must remember to make that window smaller, he thought inwardly.

"Uh, Felix?" Stop."

"Felix froze, and glared over his shoulder. "Yes?" he asked, his voice slightly cold.

"You have a shop to open. Work to do, people to see." Sheba narrowed her eyes, knowing she was touching a nerve, and very much enjoying it. "You can't go back to bed," she explained.

Felix only answered by tensing his shoulders.

"Well, I'll see you later on!" Sheba said cheerfully, and walked out, whistling a tune. Felix, however, ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. She was right, and this fact alone thoroughly annoyed him. But, there was nothing he could do.

You should know the roll - Constructive critiscm and thoughts needed, so Please Review!