They finally reached the gates to the city Bulgar. It had been several months since either Niana or Lyn had been to a city as big as the one in front of them.

"Niana, how much supplies do you think we need in order to get to the next town?"

"Well, we'll have to pick up some herbs both for food and healing. Some grow here naturally so we can pick them up along the way. We can also get some bandages while we're picking up the medicinal herbs."

"Haha, it sounds like you're packing for a combat group." Lyn smiled at her traveling companion.

"Well, on the road you do have to be prepared. You never know-" Niana was interrupted by some thing she had never heard before.
"Oh beauteous one! I have never seen anyone so fair as you."

"Is he talking to you?" Lyn looked sidelong at her companion.

"Can't be. I'm wearing a cloak."

In front of them stood a young knight clad in green armor. He had brown short cropped hair with a green band tied around his forehead. In his hand he carried a single red rose that he held out to Lyn. The two of them could only stare at young man in front of them as if he had lost his head.

"Would you grace me with your name? Or, even better, your company?"

"Is it not polite, Sir Knight, to give one's own name first?" The knight looked at Niana as if he had just seen her. He quickly recovered, though, and was back to his flattering.

"Why, yes it is. I am Sain, a noble knight to the kingdom of Lycia. I hail from the Caelin canton, home to men of passion and fire."

"And he fits in?" Niana mumbled to Lyn, who was trying not to smile.

"Shouldn't that be the land of "callow oafs with loose tongues?" Niana could tell that Lyn was a little offended by this knight and decided that if he wanted to live she had better take Lyn away.

"Oooh, you're even lovelier when you're cruel." He had the type of smile on his face that said he was totally clueless as to what was about to happen.

Lyn was absolutely furious and before she could say anything Niana interrupted.

"Lyn, I think I see a first aide shop. Let's go." She had a little trouble trying to drag the girl away, but finally Lyn came.

"Wait! Please." Sain stared at the backs of the young woman and her companion. "Aah, another failure." He then heard someone come up behind him. "Kent! My boon companion! Did you not see that lovely lady I had the pleasure of talking to?"

"Sain! Hold your tongue!" Sain flinched at his companion's voice. "Hey! Heh Why so severe an expression?" He could tell he was going to get another lecture.

"If you're manner weren't so severe, I wouldn't have to have such an expression. Sain, you represent the land of Lycia, and as such you are to be kind and courteous to all, especially women."

"But I was, my dear friend," Sain interrupted. Kent just glared at him.

"We, also, have a mission to complete, if you haven't forgotten while off making a fool of yourself and offending women."

"I did remember our mission, and did not offend the women. But how could I stay silent in the presence of such glorious beauty? That would have been discourteous, and, as you said, a knight of Lycia simply could not do that." Kent gave him a look that said: "You've got to be kidding me."

"Ugh, that stupid, fast-talking-"

"Lyn." Lyn looked over at Niana then calmed down a bit.

"Sorry, but he was such an idiot."

"Yes, but we'll never see him again so you don't have to worry about it."

"Haha. I guess you're right." They then heard two people yelling and were curious to see what was going on, but they had to keep going. They then came upon a young priest who was selling vulenaries and other healing items.

"Good-day madams are you interested in my merchandise?" Lyn and Niana were a little confused about the fact that a priest was selling some goods but decided that he would be the best one to buy it from, seeing that he would be honest. Lyn was the one that spoke up.

"Yes, please but may I ask why is a priest selling goods?"

"I'm trying to earn money for the temple due south it is in need of repair."

"The one that houses the Manni Katti?" Lyn wondered what could have happened to the temple. She remembered going there as a young girl with her father and mother to pray for the safety of their merchants who would leave to the cities to sell things to earn money for their tribe. She hoped that the sacred sword and the priests were all right. Before she could ask, the priest was asking her a question.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I've been to it before."

"If you are heading in that direction can you please give this to the elder at the temple" The priest gave them a bag a coins and a few first-aid items.

"Why would you give us these?"

"Please consider it a payment for doing this"

"Thank-you." After saying good-bye to the priest they left to get other necessities. Lyn was wondering what was going on with Niana, because she hadn't spoken much since they met the priest. Lyn looked at her companion out of the corner of her eye and saw that she seemed to be in deep thought and was troubled by what she was thinking about.

"Niana?" Niana didn't look up or answer.

"Niana, are you all right?" She was startled out of her revere and looked surprised and Lyn. She then smiled and said, "Yes, I'm fine Lyn. I was just thinking about the temple the priest referred to. I'm hoping the people there and the sword are safe." Lyn looked surprised and her.

"How do you know the temple?"

"Oh, well, …. You two were talking about it and I figured it's a temple, so there would be people there, and the way you looked when you mentioned the Manni Katti, I saw that it meant something so I'm just worried for you is all." Niana had said some of it a little quickly and Lyn wondered if that was really all, but decided to let it go for now and continue their shopping.

After they got all they needed, they left back to the entrance but they saw the 'love sick' Sain talking to another knight who flared the same crest but was clad in a maroon colored armor. He was a little taller than Sain and sprouted neat orange hair with a no-nonsense expression. They weren't too thrilled about encountering Sain and his flamboyant flattery, but the knights' horses were blocking the path and no one could get through. Lyn sighed and started over to the knights with Niana following behind.

"Excuse me, but your horses are blocking the way."

The two knights looked at Lyn and Niana surprised. The one in the maroon armor recovered his wits quicker.

"I'm sorry, m'lady. Please continue." Lyn looked shocked at the young man but pleased at the same time.

"Well, it's good to see at least one of you is well mannered." Niana smirked under her hood, but of course no one could see or even really knew that she was there. The polite one looked thoughtful as if he was trying to put a puzzle together.

"Excuse me, but have we met before?"

"Hey, no fair, Kent. I saw her first." It was all Niana could do not to hit her forehead at the stupidity of the situation.

"Hmph. I guess there are no noble knights in Lycia. Come on, Niana. I've lost my patience with these two. Let's go," and she stomped off towards the gate. Niana just shook her head at them and followed Lyn.

"Wait up, Lyn."

"Wait! It's not like that!" Kent yelled to them, but they ignored him and kept walking.

"Sain, you lout," Kent was so furious that he couldn't say anything else.

"But I thought…"

"I'm not like you." Kent was looking thoughtful after the two girls.

"I think we've found what we're looking for." Sain looked at him shocked.

"You mean she's our mission?" He then looked after the two girls as well.

"Is that her, Boss?" A shadow just smiled wickedly.

"Yup. This will be fun."