CHAPTER 1

Star Crossed

Winter had just struck Fallow Mire and the land had become blanketed under a pillar of white snow. The guards were patrolling along the frozen walls with eagle eyes for intruders. One guard in particular had been drawing as much heat as he could muster from rubbing his hands and shielding himself from the winds blowing direction.

Derek had been put on Guard duty on the coldest day in the year, December 25th. He didn't really mind that he had to work on Christmas, it wasn't like he had any family. Being the kind of person he was he usually would keep to himself, nothing really good came out helping the civilians he was destined to protect. Destined being a word his commander would tell the troops when they needed a morale boost. Most of the men here after all had wives and children waiting for them.

He sighed and grumbled as he watched the citizens of the fortress pass him by, both old and young.

"Damn I'm starving," he groaned beneath his breath.

They were under strict orders to never leave their post, such a thing could result a long lecture he didn't care to have any time soon. Getting into anymore trouble wouldn't be in his best interest at any rate. He scanned his surroundings before thinking about the taste of whatever the booths were selling around right now. Meats, bread maybe?

A guard behind him tapped on his shoulder and shoved a piece of pork into his chest.

"Your portion, eat it and get back to post, no funny business," remarked the Guard.

He paid little mind to the guards comment as his mind was only on the food, sure it could of been a little more hot but anything would do to keep him from passing out. As he raised the pork to his mouth he caught a glimpse of a child a few feet away from him and paused. He looked like he hasn't eaten and days and with this kind of weather, death wasn't out of the question.

"Ah hell, I think I can go a little longer," he thought to himself.

He walked to the little scrawny kid who clearly hasn't seen a bath in weeks, smelt of it too.

"Take it, I think you might need this a little more than I do."

The boy gracefully took it and tried to thank him but Derek was already turned and walking back to his post to not think about the food he just gave away. It wasn't exactly something he normally would do but being where the kid was once he felt a little sorry for him.

"Excuse me," he heard from behind him, a soft voice.

"Can I he-," and a quick kiss to the cheek.

She was a girl that met just met him a few inches shorter, and soft eyes and petique figure.

He stood there dazed, "What?"

"Here, you should take this, I wouldn't want someone like you going hungry on the job after all."

She handed him a piece of jerky, she had food aplenty in her basket along with other things. She was probably working at one of the stalls.

"I'm not quite sure what to do," he said shyly, since when was some stranger nice to him anyways.

"You can thank me later, so how about tomorrow, when you're off duty of course!"

"Sure, I don't have any problem with that."

"Wonderful, I look forward to it!" she exclaimed as she retreated back into the crowd.

"She quite the forward type lad, I think you got your work cut out for you," said the other guard he was stationed with.

"I don't know what just happened," he said with a confused smile.

The rest of that night Derek was feeling brand new and warmed to his hearts content.