They had arrived in Hermind at last. Kevin smiled as he watched Orphen sit quietly as Cleo was trying on various jewelry. Eversince he was told of the incident at the last store he had volunteered to go with Cleo wherever. Kevin was not sure however if it was because Orphen cared for Cleo or if he just wanted to be the hero once again. Orphen had looked at more rings and bracelets today than in his life. Why had he volunteered for this? He told himself it was either he wanted to play the hero again or he wanted to keep the money safe since it was the money he was being paid to escort her. It couldn't be that he had feelings for her. No way that brat could have stolen a piece of his cold heart. Could she? Majic wathced as a nervous Orphen helped Cleo to put on a golden bracelet. He could not help but smile for two reasons. The first was that Orphen looked so funny when nervous but it was rare that he was such. The second was that Majic had always dreamed of Orphen and Cleo as lovers and this might mean his dream will come true. Cleo could not believe what was happening. She blushed as Orphen touched her skin to help fasten the bracelet. His hands were so gentle unlike his actions. He was always the rough one. Always fighting. But what did he fight for? It used to be to save Azalie. But that had already happened and still he fought. He had killed Flamesoul and Rina, the child of the Air people. Yet still he ventured and still he fought. He really was an enigma, even after all this time.

Orphen: Cleo hold still! It is hard to get this thing on if you keep moving!

Cleo: (blushing) Sorry.

Orphen: There.

The golden band shined against her skin. Orphen would never say it but it looked very pretty on her.

Cleo: So how does it look?

Kevin: It's beautiful.

Majic: It really is very pretty.

Orphen: Oh come on! It is just a bracelet. It doesn't do that much for her.

Kevin: Shall we take that as you mean she is already beautiful or that you don't like the bracelet? (he laughs)

Orphen: Neither. The whole concept of Jewelry is stupid. It is a waste of money.

After saying that Orphen walked away with his hands in his pockets. He walked to a little corner where he could hide and no one could see him. Then he looked back at the group. Cleo seemed to be removing all the jewelry. "Probably to buy it just to get at me" he thought. But after removing it all Cleo and the others left the store. Kevin stayed behind a bit and kept calling out then pointing back to the jewelry. But Cleo just shook her head. Finally Kevin gave up and followed Cleo and Majic. After they were all gone Orphen walked up to the store.

Orphen: Excuse me, but when are you to deliver those items to Cleo?

Jeweler: Miss Cleo did not buy the pieces sir.

Orphen: (shocked) She didn't buy them!

Jeweler: No sir.

Orphen: (Thoughts: She must have put them back because....of me. Of what I said?)

Orphen: Could you show me all the ones she tried on? ______________________________

Kevin was dissapointed. Orphen had acted like a jerk and then unknowingly deprived Cleo of what she really liked. It could have been seen by anyone while she was trying them on. She loved those things. But because of Orphen's words she put them all back. This might not work as he had planned. A knock at the door interupted his thoughts.

Kevin: Come in.

Majic came in to the room.

Majic: Excuse me, sir. But it is three and Orphen is not here so I was hoping you could help me with my lesson today.

Kevin: Sure. What were you and Orphen working on?

Majic: Objective. I failed it. So I have to redo it.

Kevin: I see. Orphen gave you a situation right? Then asked you the objective and the spell?

Majic: Yes. Your master did that?

Kevin: Yes. Now let me think. You are attacked at that store on fourth street. They come at you from inside the store using the big door. What do you do?

Majic: Let me think now. I use Light's Blade and snap that big sign they have. It falls on them and they are knocked out.

Kevin: Good now what else did Orphen make you do?

Majic: I was supposed to make those candles over there light up. I only did two of them and then they went out easily.

Kevin: I see. Well I'll give you a tip. Imagine that the candles are monsters or enemies of yours. Anything you hate.

Majic: Ok. I'll try again.

Majic closed his eyes and his hand started to glow orange. Orphen stepped into the room, but Kevin gestured for him to keep quiet. Majic raised his four fingers to where one was straight with each candle.

Majic: Hand Of Pyro!

Flames arched from his fingertips on to the candles. He opened his eyes and the flames continued to stay perched on their respective candles. Orphen smiled.

Orphen: Way to go, Majic.

Majic turned to Orphen. The flames died.

Majic: (suprised) Master, I didn't know you were here. Kevin gave me a tip to do. He told me to visualize the candles as monsters.

Kevin: That will work for now. But eventually you need to be able to do it without closing your eyes and the monster thing.

Orphen: Childman told me that trick. Your master did the same?

Kevin: Not my master but a wandering sorcerer that stopped by.

Orphen: I see. Where is Cleo?

Kevin: After we came back from shopping she left again to do some shopping alone. She came back a while ago and went direcly to her room.

Orphen: Ok. Well I am heading to bed for the night.

Kevin: goodnight. ___________________________

Orphen walked up stairs and headed towards his room. On his way he heard the sound of glass shattering in Cleo's room. That didn't scare him but he felt waves of sorcery eminate from that room. She was being attacked by a sorcerer. He ran to her door and opened it. The sight before him was shocking. Cleo lay on the ground in front of a shattered mirror. Glass lay all around her. She mumbled something then stood up. Orphen's breath caught in his throat. The colorful dress was gone. She stood back to him in leather skirt with gold trimming, wearing one long combat boot and another boot. She also wore a dark purple long sleeve shirt with gold patterns, and some purple and gold armor that covered her shoulders and between her breasts. Her blonde hair was braided tightly and at the end of the braid was a short knife. She looked like a warrior mage, a sorcerer. She reached down and picked up the long sword from the ground. She sheathed the sword and then aimed her hands at the mirror again.

Cleo: As you were!

To Orphen's great shock the pieces of glass floated off the ground and back into the mirror, leaving the mirror as if nothing had happened.

Orphen: (suprised and confused.) You..uuseed sorcer..y?

A startled Cleo turned around and met his eyes. She looked embarassed.

Cleo: I have been watching Majic's lessons and I wondered if I could do them. So I tried. I can.

Orphen: You can use sorcery? Since when?

Cleo: I don't know. Sorcerers are born with the gift right so I guess since birth.

Orphen: But this is the first time you ever tried a spell?

Cleo: Yep. Did pretty good If I can say so myself.

Orphen: Pretty good! You were amazing! I have never seen anyone do that spell as their first.

Cleo: The "As You Were spell? That was my second spell. The first was "Shatter".

Orphen: You used shatter? I see. That is why the mirror was broke. But why did you fall down.

Cleo: I was not expecting it to work. I was just playing arround. I used the spell and the mirror shattered. I fainted from the suprise of it.

Orphen: Playing around? I don't understand this. If these were your first times you have quite a gift at sorcery.

Cleo: (happily) really?

Orphen: Yes. But what is up with this new get-up?

Cleo: (pouty) You don't like it?

Orphen: NO! I mean no I like it. I just did not expect this of you. Why?

Cleo: I want to help you and Kevin. I want to do more than just be the bait. I want to fight like you two.

Orphen: But fighting is dangerous. Are you sure about this?

Cleo: yes. I want to do more than run everytime something happens.

Orphen: Well I can't stop you. And the help would be nice.

Cleo: So can you teach me like you do Majic?

Orphen: Sure. Just not sure how Majic is going to take this. He has been working on his skills for a while and you just cast two spells by watching his lessons.

Cleo: You don't think he'll be mad do you?

Orphen: Nah. He'll probably welcome the company during his lessons.

Kevin: (Whistling) Whoah! Cleo, you look hot.

Orphen: Kevin, Didn't know you were here.

Kevin: I was coming up to bed when I saw the two of you. The door is open you know.

Orphen: (looking at the door he left open) So it is.

Cleo: You like it Kevin?

Kevin: Yeah. It looks good. Plus you look strong in it. I don't think many men will mess with you in it. I heard by the way. The part about the sorcery and I have a theory on it.

Orphen: Which is?

Kevin: The deep dragon child. I think that he has given a large amount of power to Cleo. Like a gift for letting him be with her.

Cleo: (looking at Leki whose on the bed wagging his tail.) Is that true Leki?

Leki: Bark!

Kevin: I think that is a yes.

Orphen: Wow. Leki gave Cleo a really nice gift. Her first spell was "Shatter".

Kevin: Nice. "Shatter" is hard because you have to visualize exactly where you want the crack to start. then visualize it shattering.

Orphen: Yes. Majic has tried for three years to do it.

Kevin: (laughing) And Cleo does it in one shot. He might not be happy about that.

Orphen: But I know Majic. He won't take it offensively.

Kevin: I don't think he will either. Well I am going to bed now. Goodnight you two.

Orphen: I am going to hit the sack as well. Good night Cleo.