Author's note; Well then, this here's my first GW fic, AND the first fic I post on ! Special moment for me!

First off, I want to thank two people for their help with this story;

Dyna Dee; My beta-reader! Thank you SO much for your help with correcting and ideas! I'd never come this far without ya! Thanks a bunch! Oh, and I recommend all of you to read her stories! They're awesome!

Rufo; My best friend and a big support! It's really great to have someone you can force to read your chapters during lunch-breaks :). Just kidding, Rufo!

Ok, here we go!

Thoughts are written in Italics.

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Prologue

A Village's Hospitality

The sky cried rivers. Dark clouds shrouded the ever-present moon and the silver stars, casting a menacing shadow over the valley. Bolts of lightning crossed the sky, accompanied by the roar of thunder. The land would brighten a mere instant, before being swallowed by darkness once again. A fox, driven to leave its safe and dry burrow to hunt, had found refuge under a spruce-fir by the roadside and was currently licking its red fur when the sound of hoofs brought its head up, giving in to its curiosity. Soon, a large horse appeared through the veil the rain created. A figure sat hunched on its back, holding the reins with gloved hands. For a brief moment the vale before the lone rider was bathing in light, followed closely by a loud crack of thunder. Houses, clustered together as if they sought safety in the presence of each other, covered the valley. They had disappeared along with the light, but the traveler's lips curved upwards in a smile at the sight. He absently removed a strand of white hair from his face, and gave his horse an encouraging pat on its neck.

"We're almost there, Shadow," he whispered in the black horse's ear. "With a little luck, we'll find a warm bed for me and a dry stable for you." Shadow neighed happily at the prospect of warmth, causing his owner to chuckle lightly.

"You're not becoming too old for these travels, are you?" He asked fondly, earning him a snort from the black horse. "Heh. Just joking." He gave Shadow another pat. "Let's go. It's just a little further."

The hollow sound of his knocking was soon followed by the sound of feet carefully making their way towards the door. It opened partly, revealing two eyes wide with fear. A small chain kept the door from opening further.

"Who are you?" The small man asked, eyeing the stranger suspiciously.

"Just a weary traveler, seeking a shelter from the storm." The cloaked rider replied.

"How do I know you're just not another brigand?" The man pressed.

"Is my word enough to convince you otherwise?"

"No. If you are a brigand, your word is as cheap as yesterday's milk."

"True." There was a moment of silence, disturbed only by the sound of raindrops drumming against the windows.

"Then can you at least tell me where I can find an inn?" The tall stranger asked. "Or perhaps a hayloft?"

"We have no inn in our village. And regarding the hayloft, there's..."

"Edwin? Who are you talking to?" A female voice asked, bringing a glint of irritation into the small man's eyes.

"A stranger." Was his curt reply.

"Have you invited him into the house?"

"Of course not! We know nothing about this man, Carina! He could be a thief or even a murderer for all we know!"

"You and your suspicions! No one should be forced to be without shelter during such a godforsaken night!" The owner of the voice came into view behind Edwin, fists on hips. She was a plump woman and nearly a head taller than the man in front of her, with grey hair that framed her round face. Her brown eyes seemed to twinkle in the dim light, contrasting against her wrinkled skin. A blue apron was tied around her waist and in her right hand she carried a large soup ladle. She smiled at the stranger, adding two more wrinkles to her leathery face.

"Don't mind Edwin, dear man. He's just suspicious of everyone out of nature. Please, do come in." She removed the chain and, ignoring Edwin's protests, opened the doorfully. "Come in, come in."

"Thank you, madam." The man removed the hood, exposing an oval shaped face with long, white hair spilling down his broad shoulders. Calm, sea-blue eyes that were partly covered by the white bangs gazed down on the old couple.

'How peculiar. He has white hair, yet he doesn't seem to be a day over twenty.' Carina mused, trying not to stare at the incredible handsome man that had appeared on her doorstep.

"Edwin?" She asked without taking her eyes off the young man. "Could you be so kind and see to our guest's horse?" Edwin opened his mouth in protest, but Carina silenced him with a frown. Muttering something under his breath, he grabbed a cloak and made his way past the white-haired man, giving him one last venomous glare.

"Be careful." The man called after him. "He bites." No response.

"Here, let me take those damp clothes." Carina helped him out of the worn coat and the boots, ignoring his reassurances that he was quite capable of doing it without any assistance. She snorted, stating that she knew few men that were able to take care of themselves.

"Show me a man that claims to be able to cook a decent meal, and I'll show you a walking disaster waiting to happen."

He smiled, and graciously allowed her to take his coat. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the long sword hidden under it. It certainly wasn't a rugged brigand sword. The hilt was beautiful crafted in gold, with the words Ial Numel engraved upon it.

A clearing of a throat brought her back to her senses. She blushed and immediately apologized for being so rude.

"It's nothing." The man dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand. She hesitated, biting her lower lip before she asked;

"What does it mean?"

"What?" He asked confused.

"'Ial Numel'."

He was quiet for a moment, affectingly stroking the hilt. "Young Flame," he said at last, looking deep into her brown eyes.

"Oh." She laughed nervously. "It's a...fitting name."

"That it is," he mumbled quietly, still not taking his eyes from her.

"Well..." she said, trying not to shift uncomfortable under the judging gaze. "We should place that coat of yours by the fireplace, or else it'll never dry." He nodded, and she just barely managed not to sigh with relief as his eyes left her.

When she had placed the dripping clothes in front of the fire that Edwin had lit to hold the autumn cold at bay, she hurried into the small kitchen where the soup she had prepared waited, unaware of the blue set of eyes that followed her every move.

"My compliments to you, madam, you're cooking skills are truly excellent," the man stated, giving Carina an appreciative look. She flushed at the praise, noting that Edwin, too, was red in the face, but of completely different causes.

"Let me show you to your room," she said, rising from her chair. "I'm afraid we don't have a bed available, but we do have a couch that I hope will suit your needs."

"That'll do perfectly," he assured her. He followed her out of the small kitchen, leaving Edwin to do the dishes. She led him to the room with the fireplace, and pointed at the broad couch that took up a large part of the wall.

"There. I'll leave you alone now. The couch's already been made."

"Thank you," the man said quietly.

"Not at all." She was about to leave when she remembered something. "Oh, that's right. I don't know your name yet."

"My name?" He chuckled. "My name is Zechs Merquise."

TBC...