Chapter 2
Alissa stared ahead; they had finally come to the first village since they had set off. They had been traveling on foot for days. Without Balteor, Alissa would have starved to death. The young girl ran into the village with Balteor at her feet, eager to find someone charitable enough to take in a ten year old girl and a cat. This was just a dream and Balteor knew it, even if Alissa didn't. In a sad world, full of pain and suffering, there is no charity. But, Alissa has an effect on people, and in this particular village, there is an old woman who is searching for a little ray of sun to grasp to. "Hello!" Alissa yelled to the villagers as she ran down the path "We are looking for somewhere to sleep tonight, and provisions to hold us to the next town. We have no money, but I'm sure there is a way to work this out." It was a sight to see, that little girl in a nightdress with leaves and twigs all in her hair. It was probably her appearance that made the villagers back away, but one old woman stepped forward and said to Alissa " Well then, child, lets get the two of you cleaned up! I'm surprised you haven't caught your death in that dress." Alissa followed the old woman, despite the muttering of the villagers about an old hag they should have driven out years ago. At the edge of the village there was a tiny little cottage with an herb garden in the front and a goat in the back. The woman opened the front gate for them and led them inside. She spoke to them as she prepared tea "Don't mind them; you can never be too careful in times like these. My name is Mabel of olives; I'm the town outcast as you can see." Mabel poured some warmed milk in a saucer and put it on the floor in front of Balteor. Alissa smiled. "Well, I'm Alissa of starlight, and my companion is Balteor of shadows. We are traveling to Chronos to find work." As Mabel served the tea she gave her a confused look. "Why would a young girl like yourself be looking for work?" Alissa looked at the cup in front of her and sighed "My parents just died and I need to support myself now." It was the first time she had said it out loud and it felt wrong to her ears. It was just her and Balteor now, and for the first time, she was scared.