Those Three Words

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish, I'll be your fantasy. I'll be your hope, I'll be your love be everything that you need. I love you more with every breath truly madly deeply do Savage Garden, Truly Madly Deeply

I snuggled closer into the covers letting the warmth surround me. I snuck a peek at the stilled figure next to me. Folken laid perfectly motionless, was he really asleep? I shifted over until we were shoulder to shoulder. I propped up on my elbow and studied him. He was looked completely relaxed. I slide my fingers through his hair and leaned forward to lightly brush my lips against his. I lifted my head and met his gray eyes.

"Good morning," he murmured placing his fingers under my chin.

"Morning," I replied back as we kissed again.

I nestled my head closer into Folken's left shoulder. Life was great. I couldn't ask for more. Keith was right. I shouldn't think too much into the future. When the dragon is born, then I will decide what to do then. I felt my head being lifted up so I could see Folken from my sleeping position.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked tracing my jaw with his fingers.

"Well, I was thinking we should go shopping, we are low on supplies," I thought wistfully.

"We?" Folken asked surprised.

"Yes, don't you think it's time to see the new world, you can't stay here forever," I teased sitting up so I was looking down on Folken.

"If you are sure…" he trailed. Uncertainty lay within his eyes. I took his metal hand in mine and replied, "I'm sure."

I tilted my head up towards the sky, watching the clouds dance among and the rays of the sun shining down on my face. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. It felt good to be out again. I heard shuffling behind and turned around; Folken was dressed in the same garments when I had found him in Dornkirk's palace. A green forest tunic and black trousers with a beige sheet covering his metal arm. My hand automatically crept to my throat where the pendant that Alden gave me hung. I don't remember how he actually gave it to me but Folken had told me that guymeleffs were powered by a dragon's heart and that Hitomi Kanzaki, a girl from the mystic moon also wore a pendant identical to mine, so it must be true. Alden had sacrificed his life for me and I have cherished it for as long as I can remember. I rarely ever take it off. I tucked the pendant inside the front of my dress.

"Ready to go?" I inquired.

"I think so," he replied looking around as if this was the last time he would see this place.

I took his hand in mine and we began to head into the city of Zaibach.

When we arrived, it was bustling with people. We walked from stall to stall looking at the different merchandise displayed. I brought some food and fabrics to make Folken some more clothing. We were relaxing, enjoying ourselves when Folken suddenly stiffened beside me. I looked in the direction of his gaze. Zaibach soldiers were headed in our direction. I drew Folken aside to the next stall available. The merchant upon seeing us started talking. Luckily, we had stumbled across a jeweller's stall.

"Young man how about this exquisite emerald necklace; it matches your lady's eyes,"

Folken having no choice but to take the necklace from the merchant's eager hands studied it closely. I snuck a peek and just saw the soldiers pass by. I turned the other way around and inwardly sighed in relief. Keith was strolling down the street.

"Darling there's Keith, go say hi to him, I'll take that necklace," I said nudging him away. He looked at me for a second and then over my shoulder. He nodded handing over the necklace and headed over to Keith. Keith saw him and then me. I saw him steer Folken away from the crowd.

"Are you going to buy that lady?" the merchant asked. I stared back at him and then the necklace. Emeralds were good for obtaining love not that I needed any of that. I had plenty of that.

"Not today sir but I was wondering if you had any tiger's eye?" I inquired.

The merchant's eyebrow rose in curiosity. "Tiger's eye, don't get many of those but I could check for you, if you wait a moment."

The merchant disappeared into his tent. I glanced over the rows of necklaces placed on velvet lining on the wooden stall.

"Where did you get that necklace lady?"

I jumped slightly retracting my fingers. I looked up to see the merchant back in front of my eyes. I noticed that his hands were empty. Why do I feel so uneasy? I unconsciously place my hand over my necklace. Somehow it had come out when I was leaning over.

"It was from a friend," I replied. I scanned the crowd. No sign of Folken or Keith. I was becoming nervous. I could feel the merchant's eyes drilling into my back.

"I never seen that stone before, what kind is it?" he persisted.

"I am not sure, like I said it was from a friend. Excuse me, have a good day sir." I said hurriedly and walked away. I scanned over people's head, but nothing. Where are Folken and Keith?

I look behind me again and panic arose. A couple of soldiers were headed towards me or at least that was the feeling I got in the bottom of my stomach. I quickly pretended to be interested in some clothing from a close- by stall. From the corner of my eyes, I saw the merchant conferring with a soldier. I saw the soldier nod his head at the merchant's comment. He then joined the other soldiers. Their footsteps became louder until I could feel the weight of them right behind me.

"Excuse me miss?"

I turned around slowly. "Yes, sir?" I held my breath waiting.

"You have to come with us for questioning," one of the soldier said reaching out for my arm.

I jerked my arm away. "What do you mean? I haven't done anything wrong!" I exclaimed.

"We just want to ask you a few questions, come we mean you no trouble," he assured. Yeah right.

I took notice that people were beginning to look at me with curiosity. I didn't want to attract anybody. There was only one solution.

"Alright, I'll come with you," I answered. The soldier nodded and ordered his other companions to give me room. I walked behind them except the soldier who confronted me. He reached out again to guide me. I saw my opportunity, ducking from his outstretched arm I sprinted in the opposite direction.

"Stop! Catch her!"

"Things are getting worse, the sorcerers are getting more suspicious Folken. You shouldn't come again, it's too dangerous." Keith said as we walked back to where I had left Shayla.

"What about you, Keith?" I asked.

"Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself, but you and Shayla make a deadly combination. You should consider leaving here for your sake and hers."

"It's not as easy as it seems, this has been her home for twenty years where will she go?"

"I don't know but…" Keith trailed off.

"What?" I asked.

"There's a crowd gathering, come on."

I followed Keith as he weaved between the crowds.

"Excuse me miss what is going on?"

"A woman just ran away for not cooperating with the sorcerers,"

I froze and began to push my way forward. Keith gripped my arm.

"You know this will blow your cover!" he hissed.

"Shayla can't go to the sorcerers, you don't know what they are capable of. I do." I twisted my arm away.

"I agree with you on that. All right you go get Shayla, I'll think of something to cover up but you have to leave with Shayla tonight. Meet me at the river when it is dark." He said.

I nodded and went into the swarm of people. Shayla

I was angry. She was dirty and scratched probably from struggling. Two soldiers were holding her arms. She squirmed in their grip and then all of a sudden she became still. That was her sign. She knew I was here. She always had the ability to sense me. I watched as the soldiers reluctantly let her go. She began to walk slowly with them. This was my chance. I sprinted towards her and grabbed her leading her away from the soldiers and into the thickness of the crowd. I remember the streets of Zaibach clearly and so I lead her through a maze of alleys. Eventually we found a demolished house near the outskirts of the city. Both of us, breathless from running sank to our knees.

"Are you alright?" I asked touching her shoulder gently.

Her hair shielded her face from me. She turned her head upwards and smiled at me. Those smiles that ran a chill down my spine.

"Fine," she answered shortly.

Silence came after and I finally broke it.

"Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea for me to come," I regretted.

"You had no idea that the soldiers would show up," she comforted gently.

We stared at each other for quite some time afterwards. I was struggling to say something but I was interrupted by the sound of footsteps. We both got up onto our feet.

"Folken, Shayla?"

"We're here," I announced stepping out to see Keith.

"Oh, good, search the whole place for you two!" He said sparing a second glance at Shayla who was standing slightly behind me.

"Is the coast clear?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yep, but hurry, soldiers are patrolling,"

"Thanks Keith, take care of yourself," Shayla said.

"Don't worry about me, go!"

As we walked past Keith I distinctly heard him say nightfall river.

I didn't talk on the way home. I had felt a sense of foreboding ever since Folken and I escaped. Perhaps the sign I had given Folken was misinterpreted. I meant for him to leave but instead he thought that he was to rescue me. When we arrived back home, I stalked into the house and locked myself in the bathroom. I sighed. I knew that Folken was trying to save me from the sorcerers' cruel methods. I walked over to the basin and washed my face and hands. I then unlocked the bathroom and went into my own room. I changed into my navy dress and applied herbal cream on my hands and face. It would help heal my cuts and bruises quicker. I made my way to the dining room. Folken's back was turned to me.

"Why did you do it?" I asked.

He turned around and looked me up and down.

"You all right?"

"Yes, just some bruises and cuts," Why was he avoiding my question?

"Listen Shayla it's too dangerous for us to be here, Keith said he can take us out we just have to meet him at the river." He said heading to the door.

"No." I said standing my ground.

"What!"

"Why don't you answer my question first?"

"Shayla we don't have time…"

"…I was trying to tell you to leave, I didn't intend for you to save me…"

"…I had to save you…"

"Why did you do it Folken?"

"Because I love you."

Amidst all the arguing and raising of our voices I seem to only hear that.

"What did you say?"

He blinked. "I had to save you."

"No, after that,"

He looked at me with compassion. He walked over and wrapped me in his embrace.

"I love you Shayla."

I drew a deep breath preparing for my next words.

"You have to go."

He took an arm's length back still holding my arms.

"What do you mean me? What about you?" he demanded.

I reached out and touched his cheek with the back of my fingertips.

"Someone has to look out for danger, you go get Keith at the river and I'll wait here for you."

"But…"

I silenced him with my finger.

"No buts, I don't want to leave without saying goodbye to my home."

He nodded.

"All right, I won't be long." He bent over and kissed me.

"Take care," I said as he went out the door.

I watched as he became smaller and smaller. When he was finally out of my sight, I collapsed onto a chair and cried.

"I love you too Folken"