Chapter 3- Blue

Belgemine stirred slowly from the ground. She slowly tried to stand, only to be halted by a tall cloaked figure.

"Summoner rest. I keep watch."

She looked up bewilderedly. She was in the forest, but now it was dusk. Touka and Averus were nowhere to be seen. "Where… where are my guardians?" she asked groggily, propping herself up against a tree trunk. "Guardians go to Guadosalam." the figure replied in a thick accent. "Go to Farplane. See if you are alive."

"Who… who are you?"

"I cannot tell. I get you to Guadosalam. Then we say goodbye."

Belle looked up at the cloaked figure The voice was feminine undoubtedly. Curiously she prodded "Why did you save me?"

The figure laughed. "Why not?" was all she said, turning to look out over the woods. "We travel soon. Be ready."

"Please, let me know your name? I want to thank you."

The figure stopped in her tracks and turned. Smiling slightly from the shadowy cover of the trees, she uttered. "Then call me Behelkhia."

"Behelkhia? That's… a beautiful name. I'm-"

"Belgemine." the figure finished for her, shifting further into the shadows. "I know. You from Bevelle. Lord Kelk speak highly of your skills."

"Then you are a Ronso?"

The figure inhaled sharply, pausing before muttering. "We leave. Be ready, Summoner Belgemine."

"I… I am always ready!"

Behelkhia laughed. "Then why you fall?"

She had no reply.

"So, what do you do?" Belgemine asked the stoic cloaked figure, desperately trying to strike up conversation. She failed. The woman was obviously not a conversationalist.

Belle studied her carefully. Her face was completely hidden by her cloak, but sometimes she could see a glimmer of a beady eye shining through the darkness. Blue eyes. Being around Behelkhia was so refreshing for her. After spending her life in a male-dominated world, here was a woman, maybe one she could talk to…

"We at Guadosalam. I go."

Belle looked at her in horror. "No! I mean… you cant leave now! At least let me introduce my guardians to you!"

Behelkhia looked at her from beneath her cloak. "It not good idea."

"Why?"

"I… not good with strangers."

"Behelkhia…"

"I cannot."

"But you have done me such kindness! Please!"

There was an uncomfortable pause. Belgemine could hear the woman laughing slightly. Finally she spoke. "I not like others."

Belle frowned. "What do you mean?"

Rather than answer, the woman slowly started to peel back her cloak. Belle watched as long strands of blue hair fell forward, swishing over two small furred ears. Behelkhia looked up, eyes slightly teary. Belle looked at every feature; the deep blue eyes, the small black mouth, the dainty pert nose, and the slightly blue tinge to her skin.

"I Behelkhia Yudesca Ronso." she explained, dropping her cloak to reveal a short blue dress. "half-human, half-ronso."

"So I see."

The Ronsa looked at her puzzled. "You… not think it strange?"

Belle laughed slightly. "You are a person, Behelkhia. And a person who helped me greatly. Nothing else matters. And I'm sure my guardians will think the same! Please, give them a chance."

Behelkhia smiled slightly at the summoner. "You wish me to come?"

"More than anything! So, what do you say?"

"I accept."