A/N: Hmm ***reads reviews*** hmmm… seems ya'all are disappointed that I said I am longer writing DJ into my story… all I have to say is HAHA FOOLED YOU! Since you all gave me great ideas as to why DJ should be placed in my story and why the Muse is wrong (always an upside ***grins***) I have decided to put in there! Oh but, here we run into another problem… you see I cannot find I way to change Jak into DJ. I know, I know, his emotions of overpowering anger and loathing (***giggles*** hehe I'm using the BIG words now) trigger him to become DJ but doesn't he also need Dark Eco? And in my story the Holy City doesn't use Dark Eco and the harpies certainly don't drop it (like those nice little creatures where if you slaughter them to oblivion they'll give that putrid stuff). Something I need to think off, but don't expect DJ so soon. My little brain can only work so fast!

            Freespirit26: Sorry I didn't thank you in chapter six, but I didn't get your review until after I had posted it. I was really depressed for about a minute about not giving you the proper 'thank you' but the Muse hit me over the head and told me not to be stupid. I had her in a headlock when she calmly explained I could thank you in this chapter. Then she told me that in order to give a proper headlock I need to be holding her head, not her leg. Who know?

            Master of Time: Hmm… warm and fuzzy inside? Do you have indigestion? ***remembers what is written in chapter*** Ooooh, I see. Never mind. Anyway, I had originally planned to kill Gareth off (the thought of anyone else moving in on JAK'S girl gets me angry ***grrr***) but then I fell in love with him ***girly sigh*** and decided to make Sala jump him… in the most clean way of course. But not the 'she-takes-him-and-they-go-jumping-on-the-trampoline' kind of jumping. The other not quite so wholesome jumping… er… you know?

            Lunatic Pandora1: I can sue you for liking Dark Jak? Seriously, I'll get money! Boo-ya! But… alas… I don't have a lawyer (I don't trust them ***glares***). I almost hate them as much as I do my mailwoman ***growls***. Almost but not quite. You're the one that made me stick it to the Muse. It was nice to pull her off her 'I'm-so-smart' throne. Yeah, that was until we compared our Math test grades. There she was again, sittin pretty on the smart throne.

            Krimzon-Yakkow026: Wow… you with the capital font. It makes me feel special. I'm glad you and all your font-ness like my story thus far. Seems being screamed at really helps me write better (but don't do it more often, I think I'll pop an ear drum, even reading it off of the computer). Tell the random lady I said hey and that my people will call her about the Adventures of Random Woman. We'll do lunch… mind if I borrow her?

            Wakka-steals-cloth: Okay, six easy steps to spell Gareth's name. 1) place finger on G in center row of keyboard 2) place finger on A on the very left of the middle row on keyboard 3) place finger on R in top letter row fourth from the left on keyboard 4) place finger on E on top row third from the left 5) place finger on T right next to R 6) and lastly place finger on H next to G. See, I made it easy. Now memorize it mortal! Ehh, sorry, sugar high. BOW MORTAL! MAWHAHAHAHA!

            Monkeypants: Gareth is not a bad guy. Would my OC be evil? No… unless I raised them to be evil. I consider Erisa and Erisen to be kinda like certain cows. You know, the ones you raise just to kill so you can have steak and such? Yep, I raise all my evil villains just so I can kill them! I water them with toxic everyday on a farm and then kill them when they're super evil!

            Cherie Duarte: I plan on putting more Torn/Ashlin moments into this fic. They're funny. I mean it's almost a love/hate relationship they have going… or they're really competitive about this hard-to-get game. Me thinks, they should just get down and dirty and… MUD WRESTLE! ***looks at open jaws*** What did you think I was going to say? ***eyes widen in realization*** EWWWW! You people got sick minds!

            Specter Von Baren: Now, now let's not be too harsh on the characters shall we? Sala, Gareth, and Marisa act like Keira's friends because they are becoming her friends and she is also they're High Priestess. Also, Keira has protested to Gareth's claim of marriage because she doesn't remember and the real reason she went to the Holy City was to find out about her mother, but she gets caught up in the fight against Erisen along the way. Did we go over that? Oh and with Sig's eyes, we never really know if it's gorged out or scared or he's trying to be a pirate so I went with the fact that there's still an eye there. I don't know if you've ever tried, but trying to move one eye while not moving the other HURTS! So I figure, Sig's still got his eye right? So then he gonna move both of them even though we can't see, it's gonna be implied. But you have a valid point and I will try to rectify the mistake.

            Chris: Hmmm? New Metal Head leader? Is that in the script? ***pages through the script then realizes she hasn't written one and says softly*** Oh boy ***to Chris*** We'll have to see? I don't want to spoil it! ***mutters*** Nice save.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Act Eight: Guard Her

"They were her guardians. Warriors of yore. They stood besides the Goddess and defended her. They didn't realize they were to defend her from love."

                        The heat in the room couldn't get much worse. Only the smell could make it worse and that it did. Anyone who stepped into the room and had half a brain would have started to run for the hills the minute the smell hit their nostrils.

            Unless of course you couldn't leave.

            Which was what he couldn't do. Pecker stuck his head out the window and drew in a deep breath of fresh Bazaar air. Okay so the air around the Bazaar wasn't that fresh, but it certainly was much better then the air inside his tent.

            He turned his head and glared at the soothsayer who's head was lowered into her bowl in front of her. Her lips moved wordlessly as the blue flame licked at her fingertips. She whispered the words—words of incantation—over and over again, but no one would have been able to tell what she was saying.

            Unless you were Pecker.

            Groaning, the monkey-bird pressed his wings to his head in an attempt block out Onin the Seer's words. He knew it was useless since he heard her in his head, but it made him feel better to know he was trying.

            Finally he could take it no more, "Stop it already! You know how that voodoo crap makes my lips tingle! You're giving me a headache. ARRRKKKK!" Pecker flapped around the tent to show his annoyance and landed on his perch on the side of the flap-door of the tent.

            Onin raised her head and if it was possible her eggshell-white eyes narrowed. She raised her glowing hands and clapped them together, sending the mystical charge scattering across the room. It was a sign that she was annoyed.

            "I know this important." Pecker protested after hearing her words in his head, "And I know we need Jak Mar, but he's off, okay lady? We can't do anything about that as along as that jackass Torn thinks he can handle everything without him."

            Biting her lip, the soothsayer lowered her head once more into the pot and moved her lips slowly. She placed a slim finger in the bowl and spun it in a circle. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to see what lie in the future of Haven City.

            She saw Jak Mar and the girl, Keira Hagai, standing on the threshold of the large black door defending the Krrez Lands. In Jak Mar's hands was a large, elegantly shaped sword and in the girl's was the glaive of the Goddess. In front of them, blocking the door, was Erisen the God of Chaos. He was crackling at them.

            Then she no longer got a picture but emotions. Terror, fear, grief, sadness, rage, pain, and death. So much death. Then her vision was splattered with blood and the sense someone had died. A girl's scream wailed in the old clairvoyant's ears. She couldn't tell what was happening, her vision was filled with darkness, but she had the sense of utter and complete death.

            And then it was done.

            The heat coming up from her bowl extinguished with a small 'poof' and Onin's head lolled back as she tried to balance herself. Her eyes were saucers in her head as she dragged in a ragged breath.

            A dangerous vision indeed.

            Pecker even looked pale as he landed wearily next to his handler. Onin's wrinkly hands reached out to pet his feathers in order to soothe them both. Pecker looked up at his blind owner and felt a tremble run down his back. They had shared the vision.

            "Oh my."

~~**~~

                        ~*~"Where were you?" Came the firm voice that had her cringing.

            She wheeled around and glared at her two defenders, "None of your business!" She snapped.

            "But it is our business, my Lady." Came the soft answer of the other warrior, "Your father asked us to protect you. How can we when you're always running off? You need to tell us where you go."

            "I can go where I want when I want." She said hotly.

            "You went to see him again, did you?" The firmer of the two guardians said, "You know the law. If your father knew that you snuck out every night to—"

            She shook her head, "He won't know! What right does he have to tell me not to see him? I love him! How can he tell him to never see him?"

            "You are a goddess!" The softer one whispered, "He will die while you live on. An affair between an immortal and a mortal can only end in heartbreak. Don't you see?"

            "I will change it!" The young goddess retorted, "I will make a city where god and mortal can live together in harmony! Where no one has to grow old."

            "It isn't possible." The Firm One said with a shake of her head, "I shall have to report your rendezvous with your father. He'll probably have you sent back to the Krrez Lands."

            "NO!" The thought of never seeing him again had panic pounding in her breast. She glared at the two warriors before her, "You will tell him nothing! You are my guardians and you must obey me. You will tell my father nothing."

            The Firm One's eyes narrowed and she said softly, "Very well, my Lady. You know we have to obey you as your father commands."

            "Oh but—" The Soft One began.

            "Come now," The Firm One told the Soft One, taking her hand, "let us leave our Lady alone. Good day, my lady."

            She sighed as she watched them leave, backs stiff. She knew she had hurt their feelings, ordering them around as if they were nothing more then servants. They were friends as well as her guardians. There had once been a time when she had been able to tell them everything.

            But then she met him.

            After that, they had grown apart. She couldn't tell them about her love affair because they would frown, like they did now. And they would tell her father, the king of the Gods, and her father would take her back to the Krrez Land and she'd never see her knight. She couldn't live with that. She couldn't wake up everyday and never see him.

            "I'm sorry." She said softly after they were gone, "But you can't understand. You guys have never been in love. You don't know what I'm feeling. Please forgive me."

            She looked towards the darkened sky of the night. She felt herself shiver with fear, knowledge, and love. Everything she was doing now would shape the world of her future. Her people, those who worshipped her, would be touched by her decision to take a mortal lover and creature the city. Was it the right one?~*~

            Keira mumbled in her sleep but didn't wake up. She fought the wakefulness. Right now she was warm and safe and happy. There was a warmth around her, she didn't realize it was Jak, and she tumbled into it. She wrapped her arms around the heat and sighed in pleasure as it stroked her check.

            Jak was also asleep, lost in the inky blackness of the unconscious, though he knew that the soft body beneath his own was Keira's. That made him want to stay asleep, pretend it was only them. That they were only ones that mattered.

            But then he felt a hand around his mouth and his eyes snapped open. One thought processed in his head: protect Keira. Guard her. But he wasn't looking into the beady eyes of a harpy, but the light blues of Gareth.

            Obviously Gareth didn't want to awaken the sleeping High Priestess because he motioned Jak to follow him away from her. Knowing Gareth was likely to explode and yell, Jak detached his limbs from Keira's and pushed himself to his feet.

            Keira gave a small shiver and coiled into a ball to regain the lost warmth. Jak wanted to knock Gareth's lights out and then lay back down with her. He'd never forget the feel of her small frame willingly curled against his own frame. He'd never forget the feel of her in his arms.

            Jak and Gareth moved away from Keira as quietly as possible, both men not wanting to wake her. Once they were far enough from the High Priestess, Gareth grabbed Jak's collar and hauled him up against the wall.

            "What the hell do you think you're doing?" Gareth hissed softly, making sure his voice did not reach the young woman sleeping there.

            "I was sleeping." Jak growled and pushed Gareth's arms away from his shirt.

            "What would've happened if it wasn't I who found you two like that? What would've happened if it was a servant who found you like that with her!?" Gareth growled deep in his through, "What would the Council say? What would happen to Lady Keira's reputation if word got around that she slept like that with… with you!?"

            "Why should Keira worry what the hell the Council would say? She doesn't have to worry about them! She's a goddamn High Priestess! She's risking her ass to save you guys. One would think you'd let her live her life in a sign of gratitude." Jak growled.

            "Duly noted." Gareth muttered, seeing Jak's point.

            The young blonde man's eyes scanned the windows of the Training Room and he noted that the red of the sun was only now peeking over the horizon, "Why the hell are you here so early anyway, Gareth!?" He demanded.

            Gareth shrugged and answered, "I left my scimitar here yesterday. I thought I'd come back and get it before the palace awoke." He didn't mention he didn't want to have to face Sala yet. He wasn't sure what he was going to do about that.

            She had kissed him; Gareth still hadn't gotten over that. He had never suspected that Sala would be that good at kissing someone. Sure, he heard about her kissing form from the palace guards whom she had the occasional fling with, but he had never thought much into it. And besides, he hadn't really been listening. He had been to busy punching the guard's lights out for kissing and telling, especially about Sala.

            But now the vixen had him wondering about his motives. He had really beaten all those guards because they disgraced his best friend by taking about her abilities as a lover? Or had he been jealous that she had never tried it with him? He didn't want to think about it but it was all that was on his mind. He had fallen asleep thinking about the kiss and then had had a very brazen dream involving the heir to the Holy City.

            I will not think about it. I will not think about it. Gareth chanted to himself, trying to make his body to obey the order.

            Jak waved a hand in front of his face and asked, "Are you zoning out?"

            "No!" Gareth snapped, even though he was, "I'm trying to convince myself not to kill you. Have you forgotten I am betrothed to Lady Keira?" Have I forgotten that I am as well? Has Sala pushed all thoughts about my duties from my mind with one kiss?

            The hero of Haven City frowned and said, "No, I haven't forgotten. Unfortunately. Look, Gareth, Keira and I were both tired and we are friends. So we fell asleep together. Don't look into it." He didn't mention the conversation they had.

            He nodded stiffly, "Fine. I'm going to get my scimitar and leave. I suggest you wake up Lady Keira and move her to her room. Do not join her there." He growled and strode away from Jak, not noticing his clenched hands.

            As Gareth picked up his discarded scimitar, which had been pushed against the bottom of the window, he heard a soft moaned and turned to watch Keira awaken. He thought she was pretty when she awoke, the way her eyes fluttered and her hands rose to brush away her hair. He horrified himself by comparing her to Sala, which Keira fell slightly short to. Then she sat and stretched. She looked around her as if confused as to way she was in this room.

            Then she must have remembered because her eyes sought out not Gareth but Jak. She stood and made her way over to him, her eyes soft. Jak's own eyes locked with hers'. Gareth felt an intimate air suddenly form in the room as Keira neared Jak.

            Gareth quickly stepped in front of her, cutting off her route, "Lady Keira, did I wake you? I'm sorry." Was it wrong of him to want to stop their meeting? Was it wrong of him to not want them to say the words that had been floating in their eyes just then?

            Keira smiled and the look in her eyes disappeared as she said, "No, Gareth, you didn't. I had a dream and that made me wake up."

            Gareth nodded but he didn't ask what she had dreamed of. He had a feeling it might involve a blush and Jak. He looked over at the young man and saw that Jak's eyes were narrowed, as if he knew what Gareth had done.

            Just then Sala, Crea, and Nyx walked in. Crea was singing yet again while Nyx was unhooking her spardone. Sala stopped short when she saw Gareth and eyed him for a moment. Then she shrugged and walked over to the armory to get her labrys, brushing past Gareth as if he wasn't even there.

            "Tess, Daxter and Sig are having an early breakfast." Nyx explained.

            "Yeah, they say they want to get a head start on training." Crea explained and Jak laughed.

            "A head start on training? That doesn't sound like Dax." Jak said with a shake of his head and Crea answered with a grin.

            "Well, you see it was more like Tess said Daxter wanted to get a head start on his training and Sig agreed. They'll be here soon. Marisa will be over soon to. Oh, Gareth you're here early!" Crea said, skipping over to Gareth.

            "I… ah… I had to get my scimitar." Gareth explained, motioning the saber he held in his arms.

            "Okie dokie! Are we gonna train or what? I wanna shot some rounds before I get it on with the magick!" Crea explained, pulling her .45's from their holsters.

            Keira laughed and picked up her glaive, "Alright, I feel energized today. Gareth, shall we?" She crouched down into a fighting stance.

~~**~~

                        "I don't want you going outside the city, Ashlin." Torn said as night settled over Haven City. He was once again in Ashlin's room, watching her undress.

            Ashlin, as she started to pull her vest off, stopped and looked at him over her shoulder, "Oh? And why not, tough guy?"

            "The Metal Heads."

            "So?" Ashlin asked, angling her chin in a stubborn manner, "I can take care of a few Metal Heads. Besides, you let Jak and his friends go."

            "There were a few Metals Head scouring the lands when Jak and his friends went. There aren't a few anymore. The Metals Heads are increasing their numbers and strength in an alarming rate. I think anyone traveling outside the city is in danger." Torn answered, pulling off his jacket.

            "I have things to do outside the city." Ashlin protested, "The Stripe Mines need to be inspected and as well as the Pumping Station and I want to clear Dead Town of all Metal Heads."

            "I'll handle it." Torn said casually, pulling his shirt over his head.

            Don't look, Ashlin ordered herself. Looking at Torn in all his male glory was sure to dim her anger and she still had to go over this with him, "Oh, no you will not, Torn! I'm governor of this city and it's my duty to make sure this city is working."

            "Then it can wait until I'm done making sure the areas around Haven City are safe." Torn snapped, his own anger raising. But it wasn't because Ashlin wasn't listening to him, it was because he didn't want her to get hurt.

            Ashlin, in rage, ripped off her shirt and threw it to the floor, "You can't tell me what to do, Torn! You're not my superior anymore. You can't tell me what to do. I'll go out if I want to. In fact, I can tell you shut up and deal with it and you would you would have to."

            Torn nodded, "That's true." He agreed, stepping towards her with her back still turned to him, "But you won't."

            Ashlin turned and tried to keep her voice high and mighty though with those eyes looking at her it was becoming difficult, "I won't?" She repeated.

            "No," Torn placed his hands on her shoulders and she shivered as his callous scrapped her soft skin, "you won't."

            "Maybe I won't tell you to deal with it, but… mmmmm…" She broke off as Torn pressed his lips to her own, "but… um… I'll still go because I… ohhhhh… have to…" Her voice broke off, breathless.

            They quickly removed their remaining cloths and tumbled onto the bed. Ashlin's rippling laughter and Torn's low chuckle filled the room. Torn bit her neck was pleased with the gasp he earned.

            "Promise me," he said softly, "that you won't go until I say it's okay."

            "Kiss me." Ashlin said and dragged his head down to hers', forcing all thoughts out of his mind. All that mattered right now was her.

            He hoped that was a yes.

~~**~~

                        "Jak?" Came the soft voice.

            "Hmmm?" Jak wasn't really paying any attention. His whole world centered on completing the sword rounds Sig had showed him. Jab left, jab right, uppercut, left again, right again, and so on and so forth.

            But the he recognized Keira's voice and stopped in mid-strike. He turned to her and she laughed, "I thought you were under a spell. You were so into the fighting. It was like you were the sword." It was also fun to watch him, though Keira didn't really want to admit that. The way his muscles had rippled with each cunning movement of the sword and the way his eyes burned with concentration.

            Jak laughed sheepishly as he dropped his sword to the ground. He rubbed his head and said, "Ah, sorry I zoned out like that. I was trying to get this sword practice thing done… Sig does it so well and he has all the armor on." Suddenly he blinked and looked around, "Hey, where is everyone?"

            "Oh, Sig went to do some hands-on training out in the gardens and Marisa decided to follow. Tess and Daxter are with Nyx and Crea in a special Mage Training room—I think it has better elemental connections or something—and Sala had to check something out in the city. Gareth, being her head commander, had to follow." Keira explained.

            So we're all alone? Why did they make him so uncomfortable? Why did he suddenly want to back away from Keira, like a rabbit would a lioness?

            Keira was standing a good five feet away from him, her body glowing from the exertion she had used to practice with her glaive. It was still in her hand, leaning against her shoulder. The silver of the metal glittered in the sunlight and bounced onto her mix of blue and green hair. He also noticed the fierce warrior light in her eyes and the way her lips parted to draw in a ragged breath.

            Because I want her, Jak realized, and I'm not supposed to. She's supposed to be with Gareth. They're betrothed for green eco's sake! I shouldn't be wanting her like this and she shouldn't be looking at me like that.

            "Keira…"

            "You," Keira said, stepping forward, "know, we're the only ones here? Everyone else is gone. You know what I wanna do?" She idly touched his chest and Jak prayed she didn't feel the rapid pitter-patter of his heart.

            Right now, what Jak wanted to do involve a big bed, heat, and sound-proof walls. He wasn't sure if Keira was thinking the same thing. No, wait. He was positive Keira wasn't thinking the same thing. Sure she was smiling at him like some vixen but Keira's eyes were also glittering with mischievousness.

            It had been almost a week since Gareth had found them lying together. They hadn't spoken of it. Keira avoided it at all costs in their conversations and Jak didn't want to bring it up if she didn't want to talk about it.

            "What?" Jak asked, surprised his voice sound much claimer then he felt. Thanks to those years in Baron Praxis's prison, he had learned to keep his emotions well hidden. He could be as cold as metal in winter if he wanted to. It was just that with Keira, he never wanted to. He always wanted to smile around her. But right now, being cold was the only way he knew to keep the nervousness from his voice.

            "I wanna see the Market Place!" Keira exclaimed giddily, spinning her glaive around in the air to show her excitement, "I remember it a little. The smells, the food, the people. My mother loved to take me there."
            No, definitely not what I'm thinking about, Jak thought with a twist of his lips, "Shouldn't you be training?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

            Keira laughed and answered, "How can I train when Gareth's not here? Sala's not even here. I wouldn't learn anything new. All I could do was those routines Gareth taught me. Besides, I'm really good at this. It's in my blood." To prove her point, she twirled the glaive around like a baton. She swiped at the air with excellent form and flipped the glaive in mid-air so her other hand could catch it. She grinned over at him, "See?"

            Jak chuckled as placed his sword in the sheath at his hip Sala had supplied him with. They had all gotten better. He had even beaten Sig in a sword-match and the older man hadn't gone easy on him. He had even seen Daxter light a plant on fire… though from his panicky reaction that wasn't what Daxter had planned. Crea had doused the fire with a water spell, but also succeeded in getting herself, Nyx, Daxter, and Tess soaking wet.

            "Hey!" She had shouted defensively, "What would you rather be? Burning a fiery death or just being soaking wet?"

            "My fur is never going to dry!" Daxter cried mournfully, "I shall never be a clean ottsel again! I would rather be burning then this!" He looked at Crea then, angrily and bared his teeth threateningly, "Grrrr."

            Ah, hehehe." Crea laughed nervously, scratching the tip of her small nose. She always laughed like that when she was nervous. She looked at the rage in Daxter's eyes and backed away, "BYE!" She turned and ran.

            "GET BACK HERE!" Daxter thundered, chasing Crea around the room. He summoned all his magick and lightening crashed in the room, but luckily—or unluckily if you were Daxter—it missed Crea and hit Sig.

            Crea and Daxter stopped abruptly and looked at Sig, who was whipping the dirt from his face. Crea looked at Sig sheepishly and pointed to Daxter, "He did it!"

            "Bad move, chili pepper!" Sig shouted and fired his gun. It glazed Daxter's head and the ottsel's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he fainted. Crea rushed over to him and waved her hand in front of his face.

            "Oh no, he's fainted!" She raised her hand above his head and said, "I'll wake him up!" And she prepared to call upon her water powers.

            "NO!" Nyx rushed forward and grabbed Crea's raised arm. She pulled her away from Daxter saying, "Let him wake up on his own."

            Marisa turned to Tess and said in mock-disgust, "And you like the little animal. Girl, you have problems."

            Tess shrugged and smiled at Daxter's still form, "Hey, can I help it if he's cute?"

            Jak chuckled at the memory. It was odd how they all fitted together. Crea and Daxter the clowns of the group, Marisa and Sig the sarcastic but strong fighters, Tess the healer and caring warrior, Sala, Nyx, and Gareth, warriors dutiful to a fault, and he and Keira… he wasn't sure what you'd classify them as. Keira the High Priestess and Jak the Guardian?

            Keira was looking at him with a pout on her lips, "Can we please go see the Market Place?"

            Jak sighed as if the thought made him weary when truly it pleased him to know he'd get to be alone with her. He answered in a casual voice, "I suppose. I'm your guardian, after all, and seeing that the others are ignoring their duty to watch over you I'll have to pull overtime." Keira giggled.

            "Thank you, Jak!" She said and spun her glaive around. She placed it into the black sheath she had strapped to her back. The sheath was slim and meant to hold only the pole of the glaive. The metal weapon part of the glaive stuck out over Keira's shoulder.

            They hurried from the Training Room, laughing like the innocent children they had once been. The servants of Sala's palace paid them no mind as they ran from the palace and into the heart of the Holy City.

            Jak was surprised how well Keira knew the city. The pathways were narrow and twisting, so easy to get lost. But Keira seemed to know her way around perfectly. She reached out and took his hands, so he didn't get lost as a rush of people passed them.

            "You know," Keira said as the moved into a small pathway, "no one stares at me anymore. You think the surprise at seeing a High Priestess has worn off? After all, High Priestess journey around the city all the time."

            "I think Sala had something to do with it." Jak suggested, "I heard her and Gareth talking about telling the city to treat you like a normal High Priestess. So maybe they're obeying their leader's commands."

            Keira laughed and said lightly, "I certainly wouldn't want to go against Sala's wishes. Especially when she has her labrys. How about you?"

            Jak shook his head. Sala was very handy with that double-headed axe and he certainly wouldn't be on the receiving end of it. Keira laughed harder at the look on his face.

            Finally they came to the market place. Jak thought it resembled the Bazaar back at Haven City. It was large square area—quite a detour from the normal oval shape of things in the city—with a dirt floor. Wagons and stands and carts were set up to act as a place for buying, selling, bartering and trading. The heavy smell of fruits and vegetables made the place seem homely. Voices swarmed around the area and the body heat of close ranged humans made the air thick.

            Keira tugged his hand and in they stepped in. The Market Place at the Holy City.

            They explored the Market Place like eager children. Pointing and laughing at the strange foods and animals that filled the trading place. People smiled at them and offered them gifts, happy to see another Kinover High Priestess in their midst.

            Jak and Keira then reached a deserted area outside of the Market Place. There was only one stand in this small, square area. The shop was a weapon filled with exotic clothing and fine jewelry. Jak saw a beautiful necklace there that reminded him of Keira. It was a thin silver chain with a small, silver medallion on the chain. In the middle of it was a small, emerald. He wanted to give it to her, as a sign of his affection. Luckily, Sala had given him some money—called coins—that they could use here as if she suspected he'd journey to the market place.

            "Wait here." Jak said, motioning Keira to stay. He moved to the wagon and the old woman sitting in the chair next to it stood up. She was hunched over and wore a black cloak over her body. Her face was wrinkly, but warm and she smiled at him with wise gray eyes.

            "Ah, youth. So rarely does it visit me." She said, "Hmmm, you seem familiar youth. Have I seen you before?"

            Jak suspected he had the look of his long, lost family the Mars, "No, mother, sorry." He said using the term 'mother' because Sala said that was what the Holy City residents called older people as a sign of respect, "I actually came here to buy that necklace."

            "That necklace." The old woman agreed and hobbled over to the silver chain and touched it with a thin hand, "That necklace has quite a history behind. Full of lovers and tragedy. Buying it for a lady friend?" Her crinkly cheeks worsened with her smile and she looked behind Jak. Then her eyes widened, "By the Goddess, is that… could it be? The lost child of Kikita Kinover? I heard rumors about her being her, but I couldn't believe them… my, is she really Keira Kinover?"

            "She goes by Keira Hagai." Jak corrected but smiled softly, "But yes, she is the daughter of the High Priestess Kikita. I'm one of her guardians."

            "The necklace shall be a gift then." The woman said sternly and shook her head when Jak opened his mouth to protest, "No, it is a sign of my thanks. That girl's mother saved my granddaughter from a harpy attack when my current Lady High Priestess was no more then two. I owe much to her. Please, Guardian, allow me to see her?"

            Jak nodded and offered the old crone his elbow, "I'm sure she'd like to see you, mother."

            The old woman placed a wrinkly hand through Jak outstretched elbow, "What is your last name, Guardian, so that I can give you the proper respect?"

            "Mar." Jak said tightly, hoping the old crone wouldn't figure out his lineage with Haven City.

            But she didn't, she was too concerned with the High Priestess, "Well, Guardian Mar, I shall be sure to remember your kindness… and your fine looks. If my granddaughter was only a little younger… ah, well… but oh wait! The necklace! Perhaps the lady friend I spoke of is the fine High Priestess?"

            Jak felt a red hue tint his cheeks. It wasn't a good sign that when an old woman could get him to blush. He must be getting soft, "Perhaps." He agreed.

            "She is a fine lass from what these old eyes can see… and you are a most fine lad." She frowned then, "But not many love affairs between a High Priestess and a guardian end well… but then not many High Priestesses have fine endings, do they?"

            Before Jak could question her further on what she meant they reached Keira. The old crone detached herself immediately and took Keira's hand in awe.

            "My Lady High Priestess, what an honor it is to see you." She said softly, "You have the look of your mother. I shall never forget her face."

            "Thank… thank you." Keira muttered in surprise.

            "I was having a rather nice conversation with your Guardian Mar. He was buying a rather unique necklace for you." Jak blushed at this and Keira smiled, "And I was telling him of its strange heritage. You see this necklace comes all the way from Sage-Harmona."

            Keira frowned. The name sounded familiar but she couldn't put her finger on it, "Sage-Harmona, mother?" she asked softly, trying to remember.

            The old crone nodded, "Sage-Harmona was a city in ancient times, before the gods were sealed away into the Krrez Lands and before even the Phoenix War. Perhaps you would like to hear the tale?"

            Keira smiled, though the thought of old people and their stories made her want to run, and nodded, "Sure, mother. I would love to hear about Sage-Harmona."

            "Come. Come, sit down." The old woman wobbled away and Jak and Keira looked at one another. They shrugged and followed.

            The woman sat down on her chair next to her chart and motioned for Jak and Keira to sit at her feet. They obeyed. Jak lounged casually, stretching his long legs out while Keira curled her knees to her chest.

            "My dears, I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have told anyone any stories." The old crone chuckled, "Even my granddaughter has grown out of my tales, you see. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, you see younglings in the time before the wars between the Goddess and Erisen there was a time of peace. A golden age if you will."

            "This world was filled with grand cities. The best known ancient city would be Sage-Harmona. The city was said to the hubbub of the ancient world. People came all over the world to barter and trade in the wondrous Market Place. There were hundreds of palaces—much grander then our own here—and there were parties and dances every night. The world was consumed in a great peace.

            "And the gods… ah, the gods. They watched over their people like silent, proud parents. They would sometimes make their selves known to the mortals, which was why they were so worshipped. They gave everyone the magick they needed to create their world of awe and beauty.

            "It was such an amazing time. Filled with knights and Mages and dragons. Yes, dragons. They were hunted or befriended. Knights and dragons often held tournaments to see who was the better fighter—dragon or human. But the dragons… they disappeared when the Goddess first started walk this earth. Perhaps they knew what she would bring to the world and cursed her?

            "But oh! I'm getting ahead of myself. There's just so much to tell, you see. Where was I? Oh yes, but as the years went on problems rose in our world. The first being a deadly war between the mortals and an evil entity known only as the Phoenix. The Phoenix was product of the excess energy of magick, you see, and thus it was driven by a powerful need to control it all.

            "So you see there was a group of six—I believe that was the number—people, soldiers in the army, who led a large attack against the Phoenix. Well, only four survived and as the Phoenix was about to consume Sage-Harmona in its fiery terror, one of the warriors reared up with a powerful sword and stabbed it in the heart. The Phoenix crashed to the ground, and the fire it would've used to destroy Sage-Harmona consumed its own body and it turned to ashes. The four survivors of the Phoenix collected its ashes and placed it in a sacred jar. Then they offered it up to the Father God who accepted it greatly.

            "It took one year for the cities of the ancient world to recuperate after the Phoenix's attack. During that time the gods themselves walked among as, as a sign of hope. And then something happened that helped the people even more. The Father God and Mother Goddess were gifted with a daughter, a Goddess. She was beautiful, wild, and powerful. It was said the minute she awoke she opened her mouth and the hope flowed out.

            "But it would not be as everyone expected. The Goddess grew up in Sage-Harmona. But you must know gods grow faster then us mortals… or they grow until they reach a certain age—usually in their teens. So the Goddess grew sixteen years in three months and then started growing like a normal mortal. By that time the young Goddess was enthralled with the stories of the Phoenix and the Phoenix Guard—as the destroyers of the Phoenix began to be called.

            "To appease her, her divine parents gave her two guardians. The females of the Phoenix Guard. One of them was, in fact, the one to plunge her sword into the Phoenix's breast. They were given the task to guard the Goddess from all things that would hurt her. They didn't realize that they would have to protect her from her own heart's desires.

            "So, even though the Goddess had all the information about the Phoenix Guard at her fingertips, she was still discontent. But that feeling disappeared on the eve of the one year celebration of the defeat of the Phoenix. They held a grand ball in the honor of the four warriors who defeated the Phoenix. Even the two males came down to be honored. It was there the goddess met the Grand Knight. He was the leader of the Phoenix Guard, even before it became known as that. He was tall, dashing, brave and gallant. He was only a few years older—in a physical sense of course—then the Goddess and it is written that she fell in love with him the moment she saw him walking down the hall in his knightly glory.

            "At first, the Grand Knight tried to resist the Goddess, knowing very well that the laws of gods and mortals kept them apart, but the Goddess was fair and kind and witty so soon the Grand Knight could not stay away from her. They agreed to meet in secret and it was there that the purest of loves was born. A love that knew no boundaries.

            "But a shadow fell upon the Goddess and her Knight. The Goddess had caught the ears of Eris, the goddess of Chaos. She was jealous of the love the younger goddess was receiving from her mortal, knight lover. She decided she'd use that to win the world over.

            "Slowly, and quietly, Eris raised an army of harpies to do her bidding. She suddenly—in full rage—lunched an attack on one of cities closest to her. It was destroyed in a wave of terror, only few survived. Soon the god was pitted against god and the war for the mortal world began.

            "The young Goddess, of course, became protector of our cities. She became a harden knight—much like her lover, who by now shared her bed—and she fought Eris hard. The Goddess appointed a mortal as her main commander. Her name was Atalanta and she was a fierce hunter from the wild lands in the north. She offered her services to the Goddess when she heard of Eris's attack on the mortal world. The Phoenix Guard by this time had been ordered to stand back and protect Sage-Harmona while the Goddess fought on the frontlines. You can imagine that the Phoenix Guard—especially the Goddess's two guardians on the guard—were not happy, but they could not go against the wishes of the Goddess.

            "Then it happened, the thing that would change the tides of war. The Father God and Mother Goddess had been watching their daughter fight and were ridden by grief. Finally they could not longer watcher the daughter fight another goddess, for immortals can kill each other. They summoned the Goddess up into their palace in the Heavens, leaving Atalanta to control the army on her own.

            "For some reason or another, the Grand Knight believed the Goddess—his one true love—had deserted him for safety. He was heartbroken and disappeared for the history books forever. Most historians say he committed suicide since it is implied that he met death in the end of his story.

            "Atalanta was then joined by the Phoenix Guard… or the remaining three members. She ordered them back to Sage-Harmona—believing it was the Goddess's wishes—but then the final battle struck. Eris and her harpies pushed back Atalanta's forces and fell upon Sage-Harmona, believed to be the capital of the ancient world. Everyone inside the city died, including the Phoenix Guard. Atalanta and her army were struck down near there.

            "Meanwhile the Goddess had watched this from her perch in heaven. She could no longer sit in the beauty of the clouds and watch her people be destroyed. She used all her powers and freed herself from her parents' entangling grasp. She dropped to Earth just in time to see the destruction of Sage-Harmona. It was said she ran from the sight of her beloved city's destruction. She collapsed to her knees miles away and shed silver tears. They dropped to the ground and the clear water stream was created.

            "Atalanta and her remaining army found the Goddess a few days after. Atalanta explained to the Goddess what had happened and the whereabouts of her lover. The Goddess was wrapped with grief, but she knew Eris must pay for her deeds. So, she and Atalanta conspired to create another fine city, which would act as a holy city for all those who sought refuge from Eris's wrath. Thus our Holy City was created.

            "It was side that in the grand halls of the palace that the Goddess gave birth to a child by her mortal, knight lover, a demigoddess and she was called Kendra. But the Goddess had no time for children. She gave her child to Atalanta for safe-keeping and rode out to meet Eris one last time.

            "It is written that the Goddess and Eris fought a battle so fierce, so powerful that the Mother Goddess and the Father God themselves trembled from the power. But then Eris managed to stab the Goddess in the side. Knowing that they were fighting a losing battle, the Goddess did one last ditch effort to destroy Eris. The Goddess used all her power, all her will, to create the Krrez Land. It was there she sealed herself, the other gods and Eris away. But this always included all that Eris had destroyed. The cities that had felt her wrath and Sage-Harmona were seal in the Krrez Lands, along with all the dead in it.

            "Atalanta, riding a stallion of pure white, is said to have rode up to a hill with baby Kendra tucked under arm.  There woman and child witnessed the creation of the Krrez Lands. Atalanta swore she'd protect Kendra, but it was Kendra destiny to fight. For the goddess Eris had left her own blood. Erisen, her god lover, had been safely tucked away with their only daughter Erisa. Kendra fought them both and their harpies. She fell in love and had a child and died. Then the child followed the cycle. And so was the line of the High Priestesses.

            "But there were those who didn't believe in the constant fighting of gods. They were known as Havenites. The Havenites decided to leave the Holy City and form their city where they would not be touched by the war with the gods. That was the Haven City's earliest roots. And the rest of the history is nothing more then the constant fight against Erisen and Erisa and the death of High Priestesses." After she had finished her tale, the old crone sighed deeply before looking over at Keira.

            "And now, you are here, Keira Hagai daughter of Kikita Kinover. You are to defeat Erisen and Erisa and stop the bloodshed." She smiled over at Jak, "And you Jak Mar are here to keep her safe, as a guardian.  But, I find it odd you would come here and chose this necklace for your High Priestess." The crone fingered the silver chain, "You see, many years ago another young man walked over to me and purchased this very same necklace for another High Priestess. It was a sign of love. But then the young woman the young man had given the necklace walked back to me only five years later and said she no longer could stand to have it."

            "My mother…" Keira said slowly and the old woman nodded.

            "Yes, your mother Kikita Kinover. Her lover had betrayed her in the worst way and you had just been born. She was saddened and depressed by this but loved you enough to not show it. That is why your mother is such a grand woman."

            The old crone stood and pressed the silver chain into Keira's palm, "Your father would want you to have this." She said not at all meanly.

            But Keira didn't take them as kind words. Her lips trembled as she stood and clutched the necklace. She turned on her heal and stormed away, crying softly.

            "Go after her." The woman advised Jak and he rose to obey. She watched him leave with wise eyes.

            Jak followed Keira as she weaved between the people in the market. People were starting to stare at the tear-filled eyes of the High Priestess. Before they could start to whisper and spread rumors, Jak grabbed her shoulders and pulled her into an ally way.

            He pushed her against the wall as gently as he could and said softly, "Keira… Keira, you can't cry here. I know it's sad and you're hurting but you can't let them see you cry. You need to be strong."

            "I hate him." Keira said viciously, "I hate what he did to her. I hate that he left us alone. My mother could be alive and happy and with me if it weren't for him. I hate that he's in me. That he's a part of me."

            Jak rubbed her shoulder-blades in soothing motion, "I'm sorry the necklace made you upset." He uncurled her fingers and saw that the necklace had left an imprint in her clenched palm from her anger, "I… ah goddamnit!... I wish I had never seen that stupid necklace. I'm sorry I made you think about him."

            Keira sighed softly and looked down at the necklace. The necklace Jak gave to her. How could she think to hate it?

            "No, Jak… I'm… I'm glad you gave it to me. It does mean a lot to me and… and I'll keep it, promise. Sometimes it's hard to remember." She brought the necklace to her breast.

            Jak smiled then and pulled the necklace from her hands. He spread out its chain and then placed it over her head and around her neck. It matched her eyes… that was why he had been drawn to it at first. The deep, emerald colour reminded him of Keira's beautiful eyes.

            Keira cast her eyes down at stared at the silver that now adored her neck. She felt a smile bloom across her lips as she raised her eyes to look back at Jak's. She had always thought she could drown in Jak's big, blue eyes and now she didn't see why she shouldn't.

            Her eyes fluttered closed and she was reminded of the time at the lake. No words could describe how much she wanted him then. Then Gareth had walked in on them and she had felt awkward. She hadn't been able to look at Jak, though she wasn't sure why. It was almost as if she was guilty.

            But now all those thoughts flooded from her mind as she felt Jak's warm breath brush her lips. This was it, he was finally going to kiss her. After all these years of waiting, of wanting, she was finally going to kiss Jak.

            But with a groan, Jak pulled a way from her, their lips inches from one another, "No, Keira, we can't. I… you… we can't."

            "Wha… why?" Keira said softly, her lips trembling from want.

            "Talk to Gareth." Jak said viciously and Keira blinked slowly. Gareth… why was Jak bringing him up now?

            "What does Gareth have to do with anything?" She asked in utter confusion. She truly didn't know why Gareth was suddenly so important to Jak.

            "Everything." Was Jak's shaky answer before he said, "Let's go back to the palace, Keira. You still need to train if you're going to fight Erisen."

            Keira frowned as Jak stalked away. Sighing, she saw she had no other choice but to follow.

~~**~~

                        "Keira and Jak have gone." Sala said to Gareth as they entered the training room to find it empty, "Sig is out with Marisa and Daxter and Tess are trying to survive Nyx and Crea's vigorous training session."

            "Ahem… um… yes, my lady." Gareth said awkwardly. He had been hoping not to be alone with her for as long as possible. He was still a little unsure about how to talk about their kiss. But Jak and Keira were gone…

            Gareth frowned, he better not try anything. He wasn't sure what his feelings for the High Priestess were but he knew that he knew that they were supposed to be engaged. He had accepted it as duty and he was… fond of Keira enough. He was sure it could grow into love given the chance. All he needed was to spend time with her and the fondness would grow.

            But how could he do that if Jak was constantly stealing her away?

            That had Gareth glowering. What did Jak think gave him the right to be… like that with the High Priestess? To hold her all night long as if they were a married couple? Sure, nowadays women of the Holy City could be freer with lovers, but High Priestess had always been considered innocent. All-in-all, they weren't seen in any one's arms expect their betrothed.

            Jak was not Keira's betrothed. Of that he was certain.

            "Gareth?" Sala questioned, breaking through his thoughts. He blinked as she took a step nearer to him, "Is something there something wrong? You're zoning out."

            "No." Gareth snapped quickly and backed away, guilt clogging his mind. Was it wrong of him to be thinking about Sala's kiss all the time when he said himself he planned on marrying Keira? Or had he only said that to annoy Jak?

            "Is this about the kiss?" Sala asked quietly, her face perfectly neutral.

            "Well… um… yes?"

            Suddenly she burst out laughing and Gareth found himself blinking several times. What was so funny?

            "Gareth." Sala said again and lightly touched him arm, "'Twas nothing but a question. See, Garth of Luxhine, we have been friends for many years and I have always wondered what would it feel like if I was to kiss you. I can't say I was attracted to you, but I was curious. What would it be like to kiss my best friend? I often wondered on it. Now that I have, well… it was nothing special. Just a simple kiss. Don't think too much into it, Gareth."

            "So it was… was nothing?" Gareth said, feeling numb.

            "Afraid not." She smiled at him and said, "Will you seek out Crea? I promised her to help her with the Gunner's Gauntlet. Thank you."

            She watched as Gareth nodded slowly before turning on his heel and striding away. She sighed and hoped that put him at ease with himself and her.

            Did he know how much it had hurt her to lie to him? All for his peace of mind? The things she did for the man… Sala shook her head and picked up her labrys, needing the blunt weapon for reassurance. She twirled it in her fingers for a moment before turning back and looking at the door which Gareth had exited from.

            She hoped he was happy.

~~**~~

                        Gareth punched the wall of the corridor leading away from the Training Room. He gritted his teeth as the wave of anger washed over him.

            Why was he so angered by Sala's words? Shouldn't he be relieved that she hadn't thought much of it? There was still nothing in his way to Keira. No mixed up emotions of love and duty… but for some reason Gareth felt anger like he had never before felt.

            Nothing special, she had said. Maybe his ego was bruised? After all, he had always considered himself a fairly good kisser. What did Sala mean by 'nothing special' anyway?

            But he could tell there was more to it then he wanted to believe. There was another reason why he was so angry. His mind however, wouldn't allow his heart to divulge the information to him.

            "Damnit." Gareth cursed softly before removing his hand from the wall. It was throbbing now, unbearably painful. He shook his head and pushed his thoughts away from the pain.

            He glanced at the door leading to the Training Room and sighed. Sala was in there, he knew, and the thought made him want to walk back into the room. But he had said he was going to get Crea.

            Gareth turned his back on the door and walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                        And I'm spent ***throws hands up*** How did ya like it? These chapters are mighty long. Seems I can't seem to stop writing a chapter once I start. ***grins*** I gave you a lot of info in this chapter. Are you a little confused? If you are and since the information I just told you is very important to the future story line I'll summarize it for you. Just tell me. Anyway, stayed tuned for act nine Summoned Sword where Keira finally confronts Gareth about their arrangement, Crea does a naughty, Erisen and Erisa are reintroduced, and Jak gets a new weapon!