"Yes! I saw them too! And the bees are hard..."
"Really? Their weak point is their stinger, but it's hard to get to that without stinging yourself."
The ferryman walked over. "Kids! We're here!"
Talia looked over, distracted. "Huh?"
"We're here! Didn't you hear me?" said the man, irritated.
Talia shook her head. She had been so immersed in her conversation with Devin..
Devins smiled and took her arm. "Here we are! In Devenshire! It seems so strange..I've never travelled away from home before...
They walked for a while, following the path. Soon they came to a pavilion with horses.
"Fifty gold pieces for a ride to Thais?" leered a grey-haired man at them. Talia jerked at the mention of Thais..but no way, they didn't have nearly enough.
"Come on, Talia! Devenshire this way!" said Devin reading the signpost.
~~"Wow...it's so big..." said Talia, stopping short. Devin bumped into her.
"Ow...watch it Talia!"
Talia looked at him. Devin cringed. "Sorry."
Talia began to walk into the town.
Devin smiled and began to follow her.

I have to stop liking her, he thought. I thought she might like me, but...no, it's obvious she doesn't...it might ruin this mission if I like her but she doesn't like me..so awkward. I'm just gonna have to act normal.

He hurried after Talia.

Talia lashed out at the racoon. With a small squeak it finally gave way.
Devin rushed forward to examine the corpse. "Ten gold pennies! Well done Talia, you must be getting stronger!""Thanks." said Talia cooly. She turned away so that Devin couldn't see her face and blushed.
When she recovered, she turned back and said "Check how much money we have, we must have loads. We've been saving for days."
Devin checked their money. "We have... 275 gold pieces! Enough to get you an oak staff, and myself an oak shield!"
Talia smiled. "Let's go!"
They began walking to the village. Talia felt so safe, beside Devin. He was so strong and cheerful. No to mention very good-looking. She blushed.
Devin noticed. "Are you all right, Talia? Your face looks rather flushed. "
Talia...she loved him when he said her name like that...
"Talia? Are you all right?"

"Talia!"

Talia fell to the ground.

Devin glanced at Talia anxiously. He wondered why she had suddenly collapsed. She kept muttering random words. Very weird words...
Her face was as red as her hair. Her eyes flickered open. He ran over.
"Talia?"
She whispered something... he didn't hear what she said.
"Talia? Are you okay?"
~ Talia opened her eyes. She felt like she was floating.. the room shifted into focus. She saw a blue-hairedboy looking anxiously at her.
"Devin." she muttered, raising a hand to touch his face. Her arms felt like lead..
~ "Talia!" He helped her sit up. "How do you feel?"
"Great.." she said dreamily.
Devin shook his head. Strange girl.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Talia started crying. Devin did a double take. What the hell?
"They...grandmother...they're dead... my fault...I killed them!"
Devin frowned. "You were dreaming, Talia. It's alright."

"Thank very much. Come again." the shopkeeper said, handing the oak staff to Talia.
Devin nodded and lead Talia out of the shop.
"Well...we've stocked up on enough bread to feed our entire village for a week.. we've got the best weapons and armour that you can get here.. well, we're ready to go!"
Talia nodded. "Wow... if this is Devenshire, how big will Thais be?"
Devin laughed. "Very big. Now come on."

Bat Cave, Devenshire

Talia hit the bat with her oak staff. It fell down, dead. Devin searched for money. Ugh...we may as well take this bat meat. Talia grimaced. This is so disgusting. Devin nodded. They kept on walking through the cave. Hey look! A chest... Talia opened it. 100 gold pennies! Wow! she said happily. I m not used to having so much money.

As they walked on, they heard strange creaks. Devin put it down to the bats flying around.
Devin, did you want be named a bladesmith? Devin sighed. No. I wanted to learn how to use them in defence, not make them. I see. What about yourself? Huh? Do you want to go to Thais, or would you rather have been named a herbalist? I suppose I... hey! How do you know that I want to be a herbalist? Devin looked away. Thank god it was dark, otherwise she could have seen him blushing.
Erm...I...well, it was kinda obvious. Talia raised an eyebrow, but remained silent. But I always thought you loved your work as a smith, Devin. Devin grabbed her oak staff, his hand brushing against hers in the process. Talia went slightly pinker.
En garde, monsieur! I mean, madame! he said jokingly.
Talia laughed. Devin! Give that back! She made a wild leap for it but he tripped her up.
Devin! she screamed, falling towards a small water pool.
Whoops! He caught her. I told you you were clumsy. Talia straightened up, if her face had been pink before, it was now so hot you could have cooked meat on it. Devin smiled. Come on. He handed her the oak staff and they began to walk again.
Foolish girl! Whatever happened to not liking Devin? Talia berated herself.
He was so funny. And... hehe. Talia found herself thinking inappropiate thoughts.
Maybe he likes me... she whispered to herself.
Devin looked at her. What did you say? Oh my god.
Nothing. She muttered.
Tell me, or I ll steal the staff again. No you won t. Devin reached out a hand, but Talia felt something crackle in her fingers. She pointed one at him to scare him.
Mini bolts of pink lightning zapped out.
OW! SORRY! How did you do that? I dunno...maybe it was static electricity? Talia felt something approaching. Devin, do you feel it? she said quietly. Devin looked at her in confusion. No. Feel what? Talia was silent. It s coming. What s coming? There was a strong gust of wind.
Too late... it is here. A howling noise approached.