candle in the window

*Spot light on announcer chick* "Everyone thank you for your support! We hope to bring you more

chapters of candle in the window and Charms. Due to circumstances out of our control (She means

the death threats) the author will not be available for comment until she comes out of hiding. We

have been able to sneak these chapters through a secure line so hopefully she'll be safe and

we'll continue bringing you your favorites. So without further ado, the next chapter of 'candle

in the window!'"

Chapter 31

The port town of Luwa:

Blond hair reflected the suns rays, blue eyes shown like sapphire jewels as the water dragon

knight turned around. His gallant fist broke through the air. His mighty kick, perfectly

controlled, spun his body around completely, letting his hair fall like waves of spun gold over

his shoulders. He paused, frowned, drew his blade and fiercely faced...the mirror. After a moment

Rune sighed, sheathing his sword.

"Maybe I do look like a girl." He pinched his blue tunic. The fabric had an exquisite sheen and

although the design drew attention to his shoulders the rolling wave pattern, made up of lighter

shades of blue. It flowed into the shoulder and snaked down one arm, did give his appearance a

certain femininity. His perfect skin and sharp features weren't helping either. "I wonder if that

Corca person mistook me for a girl because I'm not muscular but..." Rune tried imagining his body

built like one of those sailors he saw at the docks, but quickly banished the image. "How can

someone move freely like that?"

"I beg your pardon, sir." A knock came to Rune's hotel room door. The man's voice was that of the

innkeeper.

"Y-Yes." the water dragon knight quickly shut the closet door, hiding the mirror.

"Your carriage is here, sir." the bearded man didn't have to shout. The blue eyed dragon opened

the door.

"Oh, thank you." The water dragon knight invited the heavy set man in. "My bags are right there."

The blond motioned to the foot of the bed. It was very early in the morning and it seemed that

here the sun rose sooner than in Draqueen. Not surprising, taking into account that Luwa is

farther east.

"So you'll be returning to Draqueen, sir?" the large man inquired, tucking the bags under each

arm, leaving nothing for Rune to carry.

"No actually." the dragon knight gathered up his golden hair and covered it with a wide brim hat,

plumed with a white feather and some silver accessories. "I have a little detour to the north. I

hope to return to the capital in a few days though."

"I see." The large man led the way down the hall. "Perhaps you'll be needin' somethin' for the

road." he offered, looking over his shoulder. "We've got some fine dried fish that you can take

anywhere." The man shrugged, "Can't guarantee it won't attract bears though." presumably unsure

of such things.

"I'm sure I'll be fine." Rune absolutely refused to consume anything from this establishment ever

again. Gratefully, they were down the stairs and at the carriage without any interruptions.

Although this was precisely the path Rune had been pursuing these past days, the blue eyed dragon

found himself hesitating. He looked up at the cliff side that he had visited the other day.

"Those boys. I'm sure they'll be fine." he said under his breath.

"Somethin' wrong?" the innkeeper asked.

"Uh, nothing. Nothing at all." The former elf waved his hands to dismiss his concerns. "I heard

there was a shrine up there on that cliff side and I didn't see it."

"Hmm." he rubbed his bearded chin. "I can't say if it's still up there, I suppose. I haven't been

up there myself since I was your age." the man pointed at the dragon knight. Rune blinked, sure

the man didn't know his true age. "Some folks want to see the old statues, but I haven't heard if

there's anything up there any more. Every time I tell some young man like you, I don't see 'em

again, bad for business, you understand." he rubbed the bristle on his head. "I wonder if that

isn't the reason."

"And what's that?" the water dragon knight asked slipping on some gloves, long trips can

dehydrate the skin.

"I figure they've got to be so disappointed at not seein' somethin' they feel cheated and so

cheat me. It's not right if you ask me, but...I think I'll stop sendin' anyone up there or any of

the shrines."

"Perhaps that's best." Rune nodded. If that strange occurrence, coupled with the disappearances,

was any indication, no one should be going near there until further investigation can be

conducted. That's precisely what he told those kids and he hoped they would have the good sense

to listen to his warning.

"Well," the large man patted the dragon on the back so hard, he had to catch himself from

stumbling, "if that's everything..." the bearded gentlemen opened the passenger door for him.

"Yes." the blue eyed dragon readjusted his hat. "Thank you for everything." Rune tipped the man

for his service and climbed into the carriage.

"Shall we be off, sir?" the cloaked carriage driver asked, barely looking back at his passenger.

"Yes. I have to go north." Rune raised his voice to be sure the driver heard him.

"Yes, sir." the carriage man flicked his reins and the beasts of burden trotted down the street.

Draqueen...

Brown eyes looked out the pane-glass windows of the infirmary. The morning mist was heavy in the

courtyard but there was finally a break in the clouds. Ruwalk watched the clouds roll about their

merry way, he felt like he hadn't seen the sun in months. Even though it had only been a few

weeks since the storms started, they were out of season. Construction or remodeling on the green

houses had to be delayed and the general attitude of the entire palace seems to have grown

steadily melancholy. There was another reason of-course.

The brown and red haired brunet turned away from the blocks of light that started heating those

square spaces. Alfeegi slept soundly now between fresh, clean sheets. The secretary of state

made sure that every consideration was observed. Fresh cut flowers at his bed side, cool water

ready for him when he wakes and all of the amenities necessary for grooming. This was

particularly important so that Alfeegi wouldn't be tempted to pass out again after looking in the

mirror.

The yellow dragon officer sat down in a small chair and took that warm hand in his. He knew this

wasn't an accident and he felt responsible. Brown eyes closed, still being haunted by those last

moments in the vault before he left the chief secretary. He was upset, anyone would be after

being assaulted. The secretary of state kicked himself for his reckless decision. I should never

have left him alone, I should have been there.

"I'm sorry, Alfeegi."

Kai-Stern's room...

"Kai-Stern," Doctor Arvis gauged his temperature, pulse and general appearance. "You are over

doing it again. Have you been resting per my instructions?"

"I was here all of yesterday." Those light yellow eyes didn't make contact.

"I see." The physician listened to his patient's breathing with a horn-like device. "I might have

to start prescribing sedatives if this keeps up."

"Great, why don't you just strap me to a bed and call it therapy?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"Well the best thing you can do for yourself is to take it easy. You're under a lot of stress it

seems and I'm afraid a vacation isn't possible for a while so you need to find some others ways

to relieve it. Do you like to paint or sing perhaps?"

"Not really." He shook his frosty locks.

"How about some light reading, or perhaps I can persuade the security officer to let you take a

walk within the castle grounds?" Arvis's suggestion seemed to make the albino take notice. "It

looks like it's going to be a sunny day, its already dried a lot of the mud away. The weather

seems to want to support your recuperation."

"You make it sound like I was the one in the accident." there was a strange tone in the dragon's

voice.

"You mean the chief secretary? He's actually doing very well. His fever's gone down and I

believe he'll be waking soon." The doctor noticed the albino seemed surprised, but he turned away

to hide his expression. "But you should really be focusing on your own health. Please take a

swallow of your medicine and I'll be going."

"Thanks." Kai-Stern took a swallow and nearly gaged, but he forced it down. The secretary of

foreign affairs coughed from the taste alone. He reached for a glass of water and the doctor

stopped him.

"If you drink that so quickly after taking your medicine, it will dilute the mixture and you'll

have to take more." The physician nodded when the frosty haired dragon put the glass down. "If

that's all, I have some more patients to look after."

"Doctor," The albino stopped him at the door, "You'll talk to Tetheus?"

"Talk to me about what?" The black dragon officer came from down the hall. It seemed like he was

on his way to the secretary's room.

"Ah, Security officer Tetheus." The doctor glanced at his patient who seemed to be put off by the

brunet's presence. "Excellent timing sir. I was suggesting some stress relief for the secretary

and he seemed to fancy the idea of a walk about the castle grounds. I believe that is a request

to be cleared through you is it not?"

"A walk?" The security officer asked.

"Yes sir. I think some fresh air would be good for him. And he could a use a little low impact

exercise."

"I see." Black eyes turned to light yellow. "A walk sounds like a good idea, if he wouldn't mind

some company."

"That's fine." the secretary of foreign affairs seemed very excited and would agree to almost

anything to get out of the castle. "I don't care how many dragon fighters you assign me, two,

five, whatever."

"Excellent." The brunet nodded.

The air was so much better outside. The sun was shining and the ground was dry by the

mid-afternoon heat. A gentle breeze carried the sent of the many grasses the garden had to offer.

The day was perfect for a walk even a few dragon fighter watch dogs couldn't spoil this beautiful

weather, but why did Tetheus have to come?! That's right, instead of dragon fighters Tetheus

himself came for an afternoon stroll. How can the blue dragon officer possibly relax around a

dragon who was so stiff his natural stride looked like a march. And his expression was like a

mask, unchanging, unfeeling perhaps.

The grass crunched under their footsteps as the secretary of foreign affairs walked without any

real direction and the black dragon officer seemed to just follow. The frosty haired dragon wore

a lose, sleeveless shirt, slacks and his favorite leather necklace with a red, transparent lump

of stone attached to it. His companion, however, was buttoned up to his chin in that uniform he's

always wearing when on duty. After almost a half hour of walking with not even a word uttered

between them, Kai-Stern couldn't take it anymore.

"Aren't you hot?"

"The temperature is moderate. Perhaps it is the sun directly touching your skin that makes these

conditions uncomfortable." Tetheus explained.

"Maybe."

"Would you like to return to your room?" The security officer didn't want the albino to strain

himself.

"No!" Kai-Stern walked faster.

"Very well." the brunet kept pace easily. After a short distance the frosty haired dragon slowed

down to a moderate speed before glancing back.

"Okay, what is it?" Yellow eyes looked over his shoulder.

"Pardon?" the brunet fained ignorance.

"Why would you be walking with me when you have plenty of others to do it?"

"Perhaps I enjoy walking leisurely from time to time." There was an unfamiliar tone in the black

dragon's voice.

"This is leisurely?" the frosty haired dragon walked side by side with the brunet.

"I carry myself in a manner of maximum energy efficiency. It's wasteful to slouch and lazily take

random steps without considering form and function of the body." He always looked so stuck up but

it's really just his natural honesty that seemed to set him apart from others.

"And the doctor says I need to relax," the blue dragon officer scoffed, "we should get some

sedatives for you."

"I appreciate your concern, but I assure you that a recent evaluation has deemed my mental and

physical health as above average."

"I wonder if you know what it means to be below average?" light yellow eyes turned away as he

mumbled this under his breath.

"Did you say something?"

"Not really." He tilted his frosty head back and closed his eyes. "Just wondering how I could be

more like you."

"I doubt that." the black dragon officer admitted.

"Yeah." The albino shrugged. Light yellow eyes scanned around before he nodded and stopped.

Turning to the black dragon officer he said, "So, can you tell me now?"

"What?" the brunet was being confronted by his companion.

"We're alone so spill it." the secretary of foreign affairs wasn't letting his fellow officer get

away with dancing around the issue.

"If you insist, I wanted to ask you if you know anything about Alfeegi's accident." Those black

eyes bored holes into the secretary of foreign affairs. It was obviously multilayered, Kai-Stern

would have to carefully consider his response.

"To be honest, I was considering getting drunk that night and I was scavenging for alcohol. I saw

Ruwalk in the hall on his way to the kitchen and he said they had a lead. I felt uneasy but a

little relieved."

"Why were you uneasy?"

"I think it's because I'm scared to know what happened."

"No one, not even the fortuneteller can tell us what happened to you. Don't you want to know?"

"Of course I do! I don't want to be controlled or under some kind of demon's influence, I guess I

just don't like knowing how helpless I am to defend myself against that type of thing."

"I see."

"No you don't. Your eyes, they tell me you don't know what to think except that I could be a

suspect. Why not? It makes sense doesn't it? The dragon fighter told me what happened and I've

heard enough rumors that the whole castle thinks I did something to Alfeegi. Who knows maybe I

did."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know!" He shouted and grabbed the sides of his head. "I can't remember. How am I

supposed to know anything if I can't remember?"

"Did you have another episode that night?"

"How should I know? Tell me! How am I supposed to remember a time when I might not remember? It

could have been a few seconds, it may have been a few minutes and I'd never know because I can't

remember!"

"Please calm down, no one is accusing you..."

"Yes you do! All of you! The dragon fighters, the servants, and you too!" His pallor hand pointed

at the brunet. After a moment of staring into those cool dark eyes, his hand fell to his side.

"I...I was relieved, that night...when Ruwalk told me they had a lead...I was skeptical sure

but...I was so glad that someone still believed in me." A leaf from one of the trees fell between

the dragons.

"Let's go back." Tetheus suggested. He let his frosty head drop and he nodded, accepting that

there was nothing he could do.

Port town of Luwa at the 'Dancing Krill'...

"Rune's gone?!" Wren exclaimed with surprise and alarm.

"No way." Pipin the smallest of the boys seemed to shrink a little, especially disappointed.

"When did she leave?" Quinn asked. The brunet put an arm up to stop him.

"Shut up, Quinnie let me handle this. When did she leave?"

"He left early in the morning." the innkeeper jabbed his thumb in the general direction.

"Geez, just great." Quinn pursed his lips, balled his fist and shoved them in his pockets.

"Yeah." Pipin saw what his elder had done and copied him.

"There's no way we can catch up to..." the tallest boy noticed Wren first.

"Wait," his bangs covered his eyes, but his little mouth was in a snarl, "he?"

"Yeah. Rune." the bearded man cocked an eyebrow, trying to figure out what this kid's problem

was.

"No, you said him." Wren corrected.

"Hey, boss, why don't we..." the eyed boy tired to calm him before he got out of control.

"Shut up." his small fist slammed on the bar top, not even shaking a glass, but the message was

there. "Let him say it again." the boy's eyes glared.

"Are you deaf?" the old innkeeper growled back. "Aye, I'm talkin' about him, Rune. The young

gentlemen who stayed here two n' three nights together, him."

"Well, if I'm deaf then you're blind you stupid old man!" the boy stepped onto the bar and kicked

a the closest thing, a cleaning rag that slopped onto the man's face. Pipin and Quinn's mouths

dropped open, knowing the likely consequences of that small act. The innkeeper pealed the wet rag

from his frowning face slowly.

"Why you little scalawag!" the bearded giant slammed his open hands on the bar. Wren along with

the glasses on the bar suffered a mini earthquake. The boy grabbed onto the man's collar to

steady himself. Wren felt a sweat drop for a half a second then realized it was a good

opportunity. He pulled tighter and pressed his forehead against the one in front of him. He

poured all of his intimidation and anger into these next words.

"Now who's deaf? You blind old fart!"

"Grrrr." The man's face was turning red. He pinched the front of the child's shirt with two

fingers of the fist that scooped the boy into the air. The other boy's made a break for the door

as the big man stepped around the counter. "Get yer scurvy behinds out of my inn!" Next thing you

know, the trio went sailing into the street.

"Ow, Damn it!" Wren rubbed his butt.

"And don't come back until you learn some manners!" the innkeepers's door slammed hard.

"You went too far this time." Quinnie cringed, still not sure how far an angry man can toss three

kids and hoping to the gods he wouldn't have to find out because Wren shots his mouth off.

"Are you joking?" the brunet was on his feet and dusting himself off. "I was defending

Rune-chan!"

"How so?" Quinnie helped pipin up and started dusting the little one off.

"How would you like it if somebody called you the wrong thing." Wren justified his behavior. "How

about I call you a girl for a while?"

"But I'm not a girl." purple eyes blinked.

"How about you, Pipin? Girl, girly, girl." he teased. The little one's face soured in a heavy

frown before he kicked the other in the shin.

"Whaaaaa!" the boy cried, running to Quinnie for support.

"Ah, geez." Wren hopped around with a tear in his eye, trying not to shout or cry himself.

"You shouldn't do that." purple eyes scolded.

"Don't you see? That's what I'm sayin'" he tested his leg before standing proud for his

decisions.

"Oh, I get it." Quinnie touched his fist in his palm. "See pippin he doesn't think you're a

girl."

"Really?" the little one asked and the tallest nodded.

"Come on guys," he waved, "she'll be back." he started walking.

"How do you know?" Quinn held pippin's hand so he wouldn't fall behind.

"Cause we haven't found Corca yet. Rune will have to come back to find Corca, she loves him

right? Well, when she's done doin' what she has to, she'll be back for him."

"Wow." The boy wearing the headband to cover his bald head had so much respect for the blond

beauty.

"And maybe if we find Corca ourselves, she might give me a kiss." he started humming, heading for

the cliffs.

"A k-k-k-kiss?" Quinnie stopped for a second as Pipin watched his head turn the shade of a cherry

tomato.

"That's right." The brunet put his arms up over his shoulders and tucked his hands behind his

head. "And I'd deserve it." he smiled smugly.

"Why just you?" the tall boy caught up, the smallest following behind.

"What you wanna kiss her?" Wren confronted him.

"I wanna..." The little one held his hand up with an excited expression. Both stopped and stared

at the child. Pippin put his hand down and quietly continued. "Well I just thought..."

"No!" they cut his dreams short.

"Ooooh," he frowned, "shoot," and scuffed the dirt at his feet.

"Don't get your hopes up, Quinnie." the brunet warned.

"W-why do you say that?" the plum purple eyed boy challenged, swallowing hard.

"Because you suck and I'll find him first." he folded his arms across his chest with confidence

in his reasoning.

"I what?" the tallest boy growled. "I dare you to say it again!"

"Suck, suck, suck! You suck!" the second tallest boy turned around and patted his rear-end at the

other child.

"Why you!" Quinnie ran after the fleeing child.

"Guys, come on. Stop it." Pipin watched them chase each other around till finally Quinnie tackled

Wren and they started punching each other. "Please?"