Amirix flicked her wrist, sending the blindingly bright ball of energy spinning at breakneck speed towards the final fire elemental. The ice energy struck the living fire square on the green jewel in the center of its head, and it dissapated instantly.

"Done," she muttered in satisfaction. She winced, though, turning to leave the magma cave, as a severe burn she had recieved twinged. The skin was hot and tough, as well as tender to the touch. Amirix let out a mixed stream of curses and mutterings, leaning against one of the rough walls of the cave, and called, "Khadijah!" Her little black dragon came running over, a growlish purr in his throat, and saw her calf. He bumped his nose against it immediately, and it healed over a bit. "Thank you," she breathed, examining it. It had healed a great deal, but if she twisted it wrong it would break open again. At this age, Khadijah could only do so much.

"Let's go," she breathed, walking out with her dragon.

As she exited the fire cave, her thoughts again returned to that night a few days before, with Tomix. Her face flooded with heat that had nothing to do with the fire cave as she remembered that night... her arms around his neck, stroking his silver hair, his metal gloves gently pressed into the small of her back, so lightly she could scarcely tell they were there. And then her, encircled by his muscled arms, pressing into his chest, resting her head against him. Him throwing her hood back, and her white hair shining slightly in the moonlight. A smile curved her perfect lips as she thought about that night.

She walked down the slightly worn path, heading South back down to Warlic's; she had managed to retrieve the Fire Yarn he'd wanted, although exactly why he wanted it was a mystery to her. She saw his red tent at the base of the hill, and walked a little bit faster.

"Here you go," Amirix said cheerfully, handing him the small bag. She avoided touching the bottom, as it was red hot.

"Thank you, Amirix," replied the Blue Mage, smiling slightly. He stowed the bag inside his robes as though it were not blisteringly hot, and Amirix remembered that she had wanted to ask him something.

"Hey, Warlic..."

"Yes, Amirix, is there something I can help you with?"

"Well... I was wondering, could you, maybe... um... could... Could you maybe tell me my... my future?"

Warlic looked surprised, then amused. "Of course." Flicking his wrist, he raised his large, glowing orb, and studied it for a second. Then he murmured something that Amirix couldn't hear, and it began to glow even brighter, throwing heavy shadows on his face. "Interesting," he said softly, his violet eyes going slightly wider. After another few minutes, he glanced up at Amirix, the orb's glow softening and settling into the crook of one of his arms. He smiled.

"I see you becoming the greatest adventurer and hero of Lore... and staying with and loving no-one." Warlic knew that Amirix wanted to know her... romantic future, and this was what he answered.

"Thanks," she said, making sure her hood was over her white braided bun, then murmured, "Come on, Khadijah." With her black-and-white dragon, she walked back towards the portal at the edge of the woods, and vanished into it. Warlic let out a soft sigh, glad that Amirix had believed him so readily. He had told the young Mage what she wanted to hear, no more. What he had seen was entirely different.

He had seen Amirix in a wildflower meadow, by a lake, loving and loved by a young man with black hair. He was very tall, and thin, and wore a black suit that came up to his jawline, embroidered with gold. His eyes were a clear, violent shade of purple...

"I found another bounty for you, wanted dead..."

"It'd better not be in Dragesvard, and you'd better not be going."

"Relax, Ranger, I'm going to be busy. You can handle this one by yourself."

"Hmph. How much?"

"100 grand. I know, not much, but the next highest was only 30 grand."

Zhoom shrugged, taking the scroll from Amirix's hand, and scanning it quickly. The black-robed Mage noticed his emerald eyes suddenly stop, and narrow.

"Yes, it's him," she said exasperatedly, forestalling his reply.

"But... really?" For almost the first time, Amirix heard uncertainty in Zhoom's voice. His emerald gaze returned to the scroll, and he sighed.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," he muttered under his breath, then raised his voice. "With this guy... grr... Amirix, I'm... I know you said you were going to be busy, but... I'm going to need some help on this. Will... will you come with me?"

Amirix was a little surprised, but the knowledge that if the day went bad, Tomix would still be at home waiting for her lifted her spirits. Then she realized that Zhoom was still waiting for an answer.

"Why not?" she replied, smiling. "When I said I was going to be 'busy', I was going to try and search for the Nature Orb, which seems to be missing. One or two more days can't hurt."

"Thanks," grumbled the Ranger, rolling up the scroll again and handing it back to her. "Still can't believe we've got to hunt down... I mean, really? What did he do wrong?"

"Zhoom, don't tell me you're starting to care for the bounties," said Amirix in mock severity and shock, grinning now.

"No!" exclaimed the black-haired man, glancing at her, annoyed. He didn't snap at her like he used to, though, Amirix noticed. He appeared to have softened up around her. But when it came to a bounty, he didn't hold back. Was it just her that he was a little softer around?

"Ah, well. It shouldn't be hard for you, killing Jack. You always did hate him, right?" she asked casually, heading off towards the other horse that was tethered next to Orion.

"Eh, yes, but he... ah, screw it. No, it won't be hard killing him. I hate him."

"Well, hit him harder than usual," advised Amirix, mounting easily. She sat sidesaddle, and she had to ride a horse because Zhoom wouldn't be able to keep pace with her otherwise.

Zhoom mounted Orion, and admitted, "True, I might. Let's go."