Well, I don't know when this takes place. Probably during the Elenium, since I won't have any of the characters from the Tamuli in it. Just so you know, I don't own David Eddings or any of his characters or series or worlds(as if you couldn't figure that out just by reading the first word!). Noel belongs to me. The storyline belongs to me. Any characters that you don't recognize and know don't belong to David Eddings, belongs to me. Okay, I'm a bit possessive. But if you ask nicely, I'd be glad to let you use my characters-if you let me read the story too. :)



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All was at peace in the world. For the moment, anyways. She knew that it never lasted long. It was the way of mankind, to always be dabbling where they shouldn't be. That was the entire purpose of her creation-to fix the messes that humans caused.

Noel looked like any human, but the gods knew she wasn't at all like them! She stood at five feet seven inches in height. Her hair was the color of flame and her skin was golden. Her eyes were a crisp blue color, which seemed to swirl until they became emerald green, slowly switching back to blue. Her ears, the greatest indicator that she wasn't completely human, were ever so slightly pointed. She was dressed scandalously, according to present day humans. Her dress was plain white, belted by a golden belt with emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amber, and diamonds. The sides were slitted up to mid-thigh and her hair was held back from her face using the same gemstones and gold. A diamond dangled in the middle of her forehead on a golden chain. She was dressed for warfare using battlemagic.

Noel sighed slightly, turning into the breeze. She closed her eyes, listening closely, then began singing a wordless melody, slowly building until she was singing in multi-tones, blending and turning the wind and earth. All was at peace in the world. And she was bored.



"Whose turn is it to cook?" Kalten asked.

Everyone sighed. Ulath, with a perfectly straight face, answered, "It's your's, Kalten." Kalten looked surprised. "Didn't I make breakfast?"

"You must be getting confused." Kalten sighed.

"We're not stopping here, anyway,"Sparhawk said. We have to get as far as we can before dark.

Talen winced. "But my backside hurts!"

"Comes from being a lazy thief," Kurik responded to him. Talen made a face at his father, until he noticed Berit glowering at him. He sighed and ducked his head, grumbling.

Hours later, Sparhawk decided they could stop. Bevier was off his mount and setting up Sephrenia's tent before any of the rest of them had time to dismount. He continued to set up their campsite as Sparhawk helped Sephrenia from her mount. "Dear one, I could really hurt you for allowing Sir Bevier to be my knight protector," she said sourly.

Sparhawk grinned. "But little mother, I only allowed it because I love you." Sephrenia humphed and Flute blew an indignant note on her pipes.

Everyone was settling down for the evening, relaxing after a long ride. "Sparhawk," Kurik said, "when was the last time you oiled your armor?"

Sparhawk opened his mouth to answer, when Sephrenia came running out, Flute in tow. "Everyone, in the saddle now! We have to ride!" They stared at her dumbly for a moment. "Move, gentlemen!" she snapped. They jumped up and began saddling their mounts, packing up. Bevier went for Sephrenia's tent, to load it up, but she stopped him. "We don't have time for that. Just get the horses saddled so we can get out of here."

"What's the matter, little mother?" Sparhawk asked.

Gravely, she answered, "We're in great danger right now. We're being hunted."

"By what?"

"I don't know. But none of us can fight it."

"What good does running do, then?" Sparhawk asked. "Maybe we can do more than you think."

Sephrenia looked at him levelly. "Sparhawk, you knights can do amazing feats, but this is one that even the gods cannot battle. If they did, they would tear the entire world apart. Now, mount up and ride!"

When everyone was mounted, Sephrenia took the lead. Flute pointed the direction, much to everyone's consternation, but they followed Sephrenia without question. They had never seen her this urgent before. Her urgency made more sense when they heard the monstrous roar behind them. Sparhawk glanced back and shuddered, urging Faran faster. The monster he had seen defied description. "Sephrenia," he shouted into the wind, "what is it?"

"A demon!" she yelled back.

They crested a hill, where Flute indicated they should stop. They pulled their mounts to a stop. "Is this really a good idea?" Tynian asked nervously, loosening his broadsword. The knights automatically turned to face the threat, paling visibly at the horror rapidly gaining on their location. "I don't think that thing will have a problem getting up this hill!"



Noel was watching the sunset when she became aware of the change in the air. She turned to look down the hill, and saw the demon approaching. A sharp intake of air was the only reaction she allowed. That, and to change. She was suddenly sheathed in white light, as she moved herself from the plane she had been resting on, to the plane where the demon was charging. In the transition, she changed for battle without magic. Her skirt and belt remained the same, but her top changed into a jacket that left her midriff bare. Her hair was french braided, although the "jewelry" remained the same. She held her hands out and the earth shook. Two spears of light shot up from the ground and she grasped them. They changed into gleaming swords and she set her stance. "Fight me if you dare!" she roared at the demon. She was unaware of the knights staring at her in amazement.