"I'm Gabriel. Gabriel Indalecio." Gabriel studied Rena closely. "You're Nedian, aren't you?"

"Nedian?" Rena worked her mouth for a moment, and then shook her head. "I don't understand. What's a Nedian?"

Gabriel blinked at Rena, and then shook his head as well. "Never mind. What planet is this?"

Rena stared at Gabriel. "What?" She frowned. "Are you okay?"

"I suppose not. I may have hit my head harder than I thought." He made a show of rubbing his head.

Rena started to reach out for him, but then pulled away. "Well, I can't just leave you in the forest. Come with me. I'll take you to my village."

Gabriel nodded and motioned for Rena to lead the way. He followed her in silence until they reached Arlia. "This is amazing. What's the name of this place?"

Rena looked back at Gabriel with no small amount of pride. "This is my home village of Arlia." She led him across the bridge and around to the other side of the village. "I live just across the river, but I'm staying at my mother's while Dias is out of town."

"Dias? Is he your husband?" Gabriel looked at the houses she pointed out.

Rena shook her head. "Oh, no. I've been trying to get him to settle down for two years now, but he keeps refusing to." She smiled sadly and motioned for him to follow her to her mother's house.

"I see." Gabriel walked behind her. He almost ran into her when she stopped and turned around. They stood there just watching each other, several inches apart, before Rena backed away.

"Sorry." Rena's voice was small as she looked away. "I didn't mean to stop so suddenly."

Gabriel shook his head. "I should have been watching where I was going." He looked away when Rena did. "Is this Dias your boyfriend?"

Rena shrugged noncommittally. "I guess you could call it that. We are pretty close." She turned to her door. "I'll be right back. Stay here." She ran into the house.

Gabriel watched after her, and then turned to the river. He sat down on the bank and stared at his reflection. //Something isn't right about this. I can't put my finger on it, but something bothers me about this place.// He rested his chin on his palm as he just watched himself.

Rena stepped out of the house. "Gabriel?" She came up behind him, almost about to touch him when she pulled back.

Gabriel looked up at her. "Am I allowed to come in now?" A small smile found its way to his lips.

Rena nodded. "I just had to talk to my mother first." She walked to the door and waited for him to get up and follow.

Gabriel stepped into the house after Rena and looked around. He half smiled at the simplicity of things. He watched Rena walk toward her mother and followed.

"Are you him?" Westa stared at Gabriel in near awe.

Gabriel raised a brow. "Pardon? Him? Him, who?" He looked at Rena as she giggled.

Westa shook her head. "The Warrior of legend, of course." She looked at Rena, then back to Gabriel. "My daughter said you saved her with a sword of light."

Gabriel frowned as he looked between the two of them. "I'm no warrior. I'm certainly no warrior of any legend." He shook his head. "I used a spell, yes, but that was all. As you can see, I carry no weapons, so how could I have a sword of light?"

Westa looked him over and nodded. "Perhaps you are right." Rena began arguing with her mother. "Rena, if he says he's not, then he's not. Now, help me with supper or get out of my way."

Rena frowned and nodded. "Gabriel, would you like to see more of Arlia?" She turned toward the red head.

"Uhh, sure." Gabriel shrugged noncommittally as the two walked out of Rena's house.

"I'm sorry about my mother. She's lost hope." Rena led him across the path to another house. "I'd like you to meet someone." She knocked on the door.

"Okay." Gabriel scratched his head. "What is this warrior of legend anyway?" He didn't bother to notice the door had opened.

"When this land Expel is threatened with a menace and the people are suffering, a Warrior wearing alien raiments shall appear. He shall carry a Sword of Light and save the people," came a voice from the doorway. "That is the warrior of legend. Why do you ask?"

Gabriel narrowed his eyes at the owner of the voice. He immediately seemed surprised to see the pointed ears on the elderly man. He looked at Rena. "I'm sorry. Perhaps you aren't Nedian after all. It seems that other people share the trait of pointed ears." His eyes drop to the pendant she wears. "Or maybe not." He shook his head and turned to the elderly man. "It seems as though I have been called the warrior of legend. I don't understand why."

The man looked between Rena and Gabriel, and then stepped away from the door. "Please, come in." He waited until the two entered, and then closed the door. "I am Regis. Mayor of Arlia." He moved across the room. "Tea?"

"Yes, please." Rena looked at Gabriel. "For both of us." She smiled a little at the annoyed look Gabriel gave her.

Regis set down three cups and a pot of tea. "I'll tell you about the Warrior and why his coming would mean so much to us."

Gabriel allowed Rena to pour him a cup of tea. He took the cup and leaned back to listen to the story.