Chapter Two

'And that Drake,' Shirley said, "is what happened." She looked sadly at the bandit before her. He had lived in a small village until he was thrown out for stealing what he needed to survive. Wandering, he found a beautiful shrine which he had made his home. Shirley had come here to seek sanctuary. After her death in the Dragon Campaign, she had turned herself into spirit to avoid forever being damned in Mayfil. Traveling across Endiness she had found this wonderful shrine, and had floated in to find Drake, who had been living here for several years.

'You expect me to believe that garbage? Get out of my shrine before I carve you up!' he said threateningly, drawing a small bandit's knife and holding it in front of her menacingly. He waved it tauntingly saying; 'So get out of here. Got it?'

'Oh I understand perfectly. I am graced with a sharp mind and keen intellect. Although I find it amusing that you think that little thing can harm me,' she said sweetly, giving him a smile.

'Oh yeah? We'll see!' He jumped forwards and slashed her. It went right through her. He jumped back startled. He slashed her again, and again it went through her.

'W-What the hell are you?"

'I have told you. I am a Dragoon from the Dragon Campaign. I was killed and have turned myself into pure spirit in order to preserve myself, and also because I do not wish to spend an eternity in sorrow and pain in Mayfil. You know of the Dragon Campaign I assume?'

'I-' he nodded flustered.

'Excellent. Well I had hoped you would as I just gave you a blow for blow account of the final battle, which decided the fate of us humans, which was to live.' She smiled again. 'Now that you know my story is true, and that I did indeed fight, and die in the Dragon Campaign, will you let me stay here?'

He faltered. Her story was still a load of crap. So what if his attacks went right through her? That didn't change a thing.

'Actually it changes everything,' Shirley said quietly.

'What?' he said alarmed. Surely she couldn't tell what he was thinking? But when she spoke his fears were realized.

'Actually yes, I can tell what you are thinking. A little gift of mine I picked up from a friend, who taught me her secret. Although, if you wish it, I will refrain from using it on you.'

'Please. And I guess you can stay here. It isn't really my shrine. Come in,' he said grudgingly. 'One thing though, no more mind reading.'

'Very well,' Shirley replied. He led her through the shrine. Explaining to her the different traps he had set up to keep bandits out. They walked up stairs (Or rather Drake walked, Shirley merely floated), until they reached a dead end. Shirley was puzzled until Drake walked over to something resembling a sun clock. Drake walked up to it and began turning the dials.

"Drake what-?" But he silenced her with a gesture. He spun the dials, which had numbers on them.

2, 3, 5.

The device clicked and a ladder came tumbling down. Drake climbed the ladder and Shirley ascended. They reached stairs with two statues on each side. Drake began to climb them with Shirley floating beside him. When Drake reached the top however, the stairs fell into themselves, becoming a ramp, and he slid down to the bottom. When he fell off them they went back to normal.

'Damn it! I thought I changed it back!' He grumbled to himself while Shirley watched him change the statues direction from the top of the stairs where she floated. He walked up the stairs and they did not collapse this time. He gestured for Shirley to follow him. They entered an area surrounded by water. Kind of like an island, but made of stone. There were ascending stairs in a circular formation and a center piece in the center of the circle. There was an opening across it which Shirley entered. She saw a cot tucked away in a corner. But the rest of the large room was absolutely filled with gold, weapons, and other such things.

'What is this place?' she asked Drake in shock.

'You're the psychic you tell me,' he replied coolly. She eyed him flatly and he said; 'I have dunno what this place is. It was filled when I got here. I'd guess it's some kind of treasure room.'

'Treasury,' Shirley corrected under her breath.

'Yeah whatever. The English ain't too good,' he said dryly.

'I noticed,' Shirley replied coolly. Silence fell among them while Shirley examined the room, looking through the treasure.

'So...'Drake said, 'you've told me about the final battle, but what about the others? And Vellweb you mentioned, and other wingly cities. And what is this Mayfil? What does it do? Where is it? And who were the other people you talked about?'
'Questions, questions, and more questions!' she said laughing, reminded of herself when she had first learned about all of those things. 'Very well, I'll tell you about Vellweb and the other battles we fought. But then I have to go for a bit. I'll be back in a few days.'

'Where are you going?' he asked slightly confused.

'You will know when you need to. If ever.' Shirley added. He stared at her defiantly, but she stared him down and he looked away. 'Do you want to hear what I've to say or not?'

'Yes,' he said stupidly.

'Good. I'll start with how I first came to Vellweb and my history and all that. Otherwise you'll not understand the rest of my tale. Well I lived in a small town. And I was twenty-five when the Dragoons came and recruited me. There were only 3 at the time, Zeig, Syuveil, and Bel'zac. I was-'

'Bel'zac your lover? Who you died with?' Drake interrupted.

'Yes,' Shirley said patiently. 'Anyways, I was slightly nervous…'