"I cannot believe what that foolish innkeeper was thinking!" "Lara, it was an honest mistake! Now leave the poor man alone..." "Reeaally...?" Lara grumbled. "Yes, my dear. Now get some rest." Aren replied, as if he were speaking to a child. "Don't 'my dear' me! That'll just set off more rumors. I can't believe how anyone could think we're a, you know," Here Lara shuddered, "a couple." "Thaat's a thought. Well, at least we managed to convince the innkeeper for two beds." They looked at each other in a disdainful way. Slow smiles started spreading on their faces and they burst out laughing. *~*~*~*~*~* Later that same evening, the two went downstairs to the tavern for a light supper. As they were sitting and chatting like old buddies, Lara noticed a strange figure in the darkness of the corners. She was staring at it intently, as the shape shifted from shadow to shadow amongst the crowd... "Lara, Lara? Halo?" Aren waved his hands in front of her eyes. "Shh sshh...follow me." Lara said. And without a word, she grabbed Aren, and together they blended in with the crowd. As she watched intently, the stranger looked suspiciously around, and disappeared into the kitchen quarters. "What are you doing?" Aren hissed. "Following random people-" "No, you idiot, there's something about him, and I always trust my instincts." As they quietly entered the bustling kitchen, Aren cried out painfully. Lara spun around with dangerous eyes. "What the heck do you think your doing?" Aren was unable to reply. He slowly sank to the ground, intensely covering his ears, as the piercing noise invaded his thoughts and being. Now there was real concern in Lara's heart. "Somebody quick, get a doctor..." *~*~*~*~*~* He was in a misty world. A dark, misty world. Voices. "Have you gathered a team yet?" "Yes, master." "Soon, soon my friend, the world will again know the wrath of Drako..." "But, it is said in the Chronicles that One other Hand shall take part in the Race Against Time." "Then so be it. I love a challenge." "Master, this may be more than a mere challenge." "If this other Hand gets too much in my way, kill them all." "Yes, my Lord." "Oh, and one other thing." "What is that?" "This Aren..." "Yes?" "What happened?" "Well, I think it was some sort of loud noise, but all of the sudden he collapsed." "Hmm...there may be more to this than I specialize in." "Don't worry, you can ask him when he wakes up." "Yes, I shall. I will go research these strange symptoms now." "Ok...Aren...Aren...Aren, AREN!!" Aren woke up with a jolt. The first thing he saw was an owlish face staring down at him. He screamed and Lara yelped, surprised. When they had recovered their senses, the two started laughing nervously. "So, how are you feeling?" "Oh, boy, I feel juuuust greeeaat. After that nice welcome back, I can do ANYTHING." Lara smiled, and stroked his hair. Grinning, Aren leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. Lara, caught off-guard, touched her cheek, cleared her throat and asked curiously: "Now, what was that for?" Aren shrugged. "I guess, for saving my life." "What are you talking about? I just got a doctor-" "And for giving me a revelation." "Eh?" "I saw, a vision..." "Now, Aren, I'm sorry for waking you up, you seem to be a little unbalanced right now." "No, it's not that." Aren protested. Lara's look told him she didn't believe anything he said or did, not in this state. He sighed. "I'll tell you some other time." Lara just shrugged, and changing the subject, told him of how they had lost the mysterious stranger, and her plans of finding him again. "That's great, Lara. No offense or anything, but I think this is crazy-" Aren was cut off with the entering of the doctor. "Miss, there doesn't seem to be any threat at all. In fact, this should be a good thing, for his family and all." Aren whirled around. "What, what is it? What's happening to me? Why do I hear things?" "Because...you're starting to show the signs of a budding, powerful Sorcerer."