So sorry it took so looong 2 update. Honestly, even i am ashamed of myself. But this was kinda hard to put into words and I wanted it to be really good (hmm...yes...) Ok, onto the main reason. I hav 3-4 more weeks of skool and u might be thinking that's a good thing and it is mostly, BUT the exams are killing me!!!

Author's Note- This is set in the Burning Times in the Medieval time frame, so if I make some mistakes, I deeply apologise. Hopefully, everything is generally right! :) (Ok, one question, do u ppl think dis Author's Note thing is annoyin? if so plz tell me)

Didn't steal characters (4 now...) but loosely based on Night World and Sweep.

Thank you and you rock to-

Incarnated-soul- Denise's mom is pretty weird hey? I made up the spell, it was a lotta fun 2. I just closed my eyez and jabbed at the keyboard keep readin!

JasmineIII- Yeah, fun 2 write! In dis story I'm going to switch from different character's points of views. 3rd person will be in normal font and 1st person in italics. So don't get em confused!

kelly285- Cobern and Siena, hmmm...maybe...just read and c ;) glad u r not dead... (he, he)

Katysays22- Thanx 4 another great review. Well Lost without you gotta wait coz I wanna focus on dis for the time being. But I promise I will finish it. Promise!!

Galahad Cat- yay! I love hearin from ya! Thanz so much.

Chapter 3

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Cobern sighed, feeling exhausted.

As soon as the sun rose in the morning, he had been hard at work carrying planks of wood for father, who was working even harder than he. Watching father work made him clamp his teeth together in dissatisfaction and pity.

Taylor Diable was a man of 65 years. His hair was the color of soiled snow and the rags that he wore made him look like a beggar. Cobern often heard people, especially gossiping old wretches remark on his father's appearance. Sometimes he would just lose his self-control and turn around, throwing an infuriated glare at them.

What did we ever do to those old bitches? Why couldn't they mind their own business? It was not father's fault that he had to wear worn-out clothes because it was the only ones that he could afford for himself.

"Place them right here my boy" Taylor croaked, pointing a gnarled finger to a spot on the ground. His father coughed loudly, and smiled wanly. He could see the sadness and weariness in his green eyes, which he had inherited.

Cobern obediently put the planks down, grateful to get rid of the heavy load, at least for the time being. Bending down next to Taylor, he shook his head in disapproval. "Father, you cannot possibly continue to do this to yourself. It may be harmful to your health."

"If I do not work, who will provide for your mother and your 5 brothers and sisters at home? Cobern, you must understand a husband and father is obligated to his family" Taylor explained, sounding more drained with each word.

"What about Jonathan? My brother? I know that he turns 23 next month. He surely can contribute to payments, after all he is an accomplished painter" Cobern demanded, making father's face go a shade of crimson.

"You know very well artists do not earn regular money, at times Jonathan sleeps in the streets!" Taylor's eyes filled with regret. "I should never have sent him away, much less ask him for money. He is my first-born, my eldest son.

Seeing that Taylor would never submit to the idea, he thought of other alternatives. Any. Just to get father back home and resting, where he belonged. There were blisters on Taylor's hands and bare feet, painful reminders of the sacrifices he made to his family.

He looked at father, who was smiling reassuringly at him. "Everything will turn out well, as long as I've got you to help me. Everything will b..."

Taylor Diable suddenly gasped loudly, bringing his hand up to clutch his heart. In a second, he had fallen to the ground, still gasping and trying to take in oxygen. His eyes were closed tightly, the terrible pain making him clench his teeth.

"Father! What is the matter?" Cobern shouted, afraid of what was happening. Father's face was deadly pale, sweat had broken out and he was drenched in it. Cobern couldn't see anything wrong with father, there was no blood and he doubted that any of his bones were broken.

Maybe he was dehydrated? No, it was far more serious than that. Struck for words and feeling entirely helpless, Cobern knelt down. He had never encountered a situation like this before. What to do?

Taylor Diable was his rock. The only stable person he could always rely on. Now here he was collapsed onto the ground, fallen away like everything else in his life. The world was crumpling to pieces and Cobern had nothing to hold onto to stop himself from stumbling.

Tears cascaded down his face, leaving watery trails on his dirt-smeared face. "Please father, what should I do?" he chocked, grasping Taylor's hand. Father didn't respond, he now seemed to have trouble breathing. His gasps were coming more rapidly now.

Panic flooded his mind. The reality of what was happening dawned on him. The possibility of father dying right here and now entered his thoughts. And it scared him more than anything else in his life. Not here. Not now.

With that, he reached for Taylor's limp body and using all the strength he could master, he heaved his father over his shoulder. Then he ran, pushing himself and going as fast as he could to Marilynn Hazelton's house.

All his thoughts disappeared, except the single motive that made him keep his pace. He just hoped he would make it in time.

Siena stared blankly. Temporarily confused at what she had just heard.

"Don't be silly Denise" she snapped, angry that her best friend would jest about what she had wanted to do since she set her eyes on the building. She started to organize the items to release her annoyance. There was no hope for that little dream. Or was there?

Denise grabbed her hand away from the jars. "Listen Siena, I am certainly not being silly nor do I ever intend to be. I am speaking the truth. Now do you want to hear me out?"

Turning her gaze to her friend, she was surprised to see the genuineness in Denise's clear gray eyes. Siena shrugged, "I apologize Denise, I...please won't you tell me?" she asked tentatively, trying to amend her negativity.

Denise was now smiling sheepishly and her eyes sparkled animatedly. Her best friend kept silent for a while, just to tease her and make her impatient. When she spoke though, the words greatly shocked her. "I will turn you into a boy"

Her shock was apparent, as her jaw dropped and she started gaping like a fish. Denise found this enormously amusing and started laughing. "You really should look at yourself, it is as if you had just found out that you have two heads instead of one," she giggled.

Siena shook her head to clear the confused clouds in her head. "What are you talking about? Turn me into a boy?" she asked, the thought alone making her head spin with bewilderment. She watched and waited for Denise's explanation.

"Well, it's the only way" she said, amplifying it like you would to a young child. Denise folded her arms; her expression was one of keenness. Suddenly, her best friend grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the store.

"Denise! What are you doing?" Siena exclaimed, trying to get her hand out of Denise's firm hold. Her best friend didn't let go but held on tighter and put a finger to her lips. "You'll see" she said and led her back to her house.

"Now will you tell me?" Sienna asked as she watched her friend rummage around in a large wooden chest for something. As she was waiting for Denise's head to appear from her search, she looked around the house.

And it was a house, not a hut like ma and her shared. An actual cottage, complete with a flower garden at the front. She really couldn't understand why Denise could be resentful of others when she had such a lovely place to call home.

"Here it is" Denise pulled out some grayish-type clothes and laid them delicately on the ground. It was nothing special, just something an ordinary man might wear. Siena gave her a disbelieving look.

"You must be joking?" she asked and was horrified when she saw Denise smile and shake her head. "Mr. Macgregor only employs boys, so you must become one, go and try this on" she said pushing the pile of clothes towards her.

Reluctantly, Siena obeyed. It actually didn't look terrible, the pants and shirt were not too loose on her small frame and because she was tall, it fit even better. But there was one problem. "Nobody is going to believe me to be a boy with my hair like this."

Siena's auburn-colored hair reached down past her shoulders and was thick and curly. Her hair was difficult to manage, so it was not as long as other girls wore theirs. She also never bothered to tie it up into a decent bun or ponytail, but hung it loose.

Denise frowned but immediately broke into a smile. Her eyes twinkled; she knew from experience that this was a sign that her best friend had just gotten an idea. Her friend had turned back to the wooden chest and quickly extracted a wide-brimmed straw hat.

"Problem solved, now you will be able to work at your Blacksmith store and you can leave me be at Uncle Sternlion's," she said haughtily. Siena put the hat on, and to her astonishment, it really did make her look less feminine and with the help of some more dirt on her face, nobody could distinguish her as a girl. Pulling Denise into a hug, she set out at a run to Mr. Macgregor's store.

This was the place she had been fantasying about since she first set her eyes upon it. Others might have found it rather odd that a girl would have a smile that wide and eyes that shone with rapture as she entered the gray shabby-looking building.

It was even better than she would have expected, there was a pit, alive with the hot coals that molded, shaped and sharpened the weapons. On the walls hung magnificent blades, with intricate writing and patterns etched on the shiny surface.

"Can I help you?"

Spinning around she found the owner of the voice. The cold and speculating eyes of the old man examined Siena. Holding in her breath, she prayed to the Goddess that her disguise were feasible.

"I would like to work at your store" she said as confidently as she could in her shaky lowered voice.

"Hmmm... and what might your name be?" Mr. Macgregor asked.

"Sie...Sean" she answered, mentally kicking herself for nearly making that crucial mistake.

"Sean who?"

"Um...Sean...McAdams" she said, the first name that came to her.

Then to her shock, she found that Mr. Macregor had lifted one of her limbs up and was squeezing her upper arm. Flinching, she yanked away, in turn to see the old man laugh.

"Boy, you need to get more food in yer, you're as skinny as some mangy dog! You barely have any muscles at all!"

She laughed at the bluntness and good humor of the Blacksmith owner, all the while waiting for his decision. Mr. Macgregor gave her another calculating glance, and then sighed. "I am not going to regret it if I hire you, you hear?" he said, more of a statement than a question.

Shaking her head dynamically she said. "I will do my best sir"

The old man's lip quirked into a smile "Let us hope so"

The following days were filled with the marvelous sounds of fire, spitting and crackling as she hammered with the blunt piece of stone she was given. Siena was gleeful for she had not yet burnt herself; something that she had been stressing about ever since she had shook hands with Mr. Macgregor. His hands had uncountable raw pink burn marks; these marks would stay as scars and never disappear.

On her third day of working, she was surprised and disappointed when she saw that the sun was glowing orange and it was nearly time for her to go home. She wished she could stay here until dark, but that was not possible.

She had to be home in time, so that ma would not grow wary and suspicious. Glancing at her black soot covered hands, she decided that she'd better go soon if she was to change back in her normal clothes and cleanse herself and also be in time for dinner.

Grabbing a piece of cloth, she wiped off as much filth as she could. Then standing up she was just about to go and bid Mr. Macgregor goodbye when she heard the sound of hooves outside the store. It is nearly sunset. Who could that be?

Her curiously ate at her and she sat herself back on the stool, picking up her stone and a random weapon, wanting to look inconspicuous. She didn't have to wait long before the door opened and someone stepped inside.

Slowly and unobtrusively she turned her gaze towards the figure and involuntarily widened her eyes and inwardly gasped.

There, merely a few feet away, stood the most striking boy she had ever seen. He was very tall and his muscles were outlined against the shiny silver armor he wore. His dark hair was slightly tousled and strands had fallen in front of his eyes.

Siena couldn't help but stare. He was so beautiful...then she noticed his eyes. The most stunning feature he had, they were a glacier-blue color. Eyes that held people mesmerized, but at that moment reflected nothing but boredom.

He stepped closer, making her heart beat faster. She couldn't explain it, for she had never reacted this way to another person before. Is it because I am incredibly attracted to him? Is he used to girls acting this way when they see him?

Obviously he was, for he didn't seem to notice the expression of awe that was apparent on her face. Then she realized why, he thinks I'm a boy. Grinning happily at how well the costume disguised her, she pushed her thoughts away. "How may I help you sir?" she asked, making sure that she lowered her voice so that she actually did sound male.

The boy looked startled when she spoke, as if finally realizing that there was someone else in the store besides himself. He looked at her and Siena bit the inside of her mouth to stop herself from getting dazed and lost looking at that face.

"Can you sharpen my sword boy?" he asked. His voice was deep and she could easily imagine girls being all over him just to hear him speak. But she was annoyed at the same time; it was ironic that this boy was talking to him so arrogantly and as if she were only 7 years old instead of 17.

She looked closer at the boy and came to the conclusion that he couldn't be too much older than her, even if he was extremely well built and looked very mature. There were no lines marring his face, so she guessed that he was 3 years older at the most.

"Well?" he asked, impatience evident in his tone and expression.

He might have been the most handsome guy she had ever seen, but she disliked his personality already and had to count to 3 in order to stop herself from snapping a nasty remark at him. As a 'boy', she still wasn't used to people that were not polite and courteous.

"May I have your weapon?" she asked as politely as she could. Just because this boy was being conceited, didn't mean she had to follow his example.

Lazily but gracefully he withdrew his sword in one quick languid movement, placing it on the table in front of her. From this simple action, she knew immediately that he was experienced with a sword and by the hardness in his eyes; he wouldn't hesitate to kill.

"Have that ready for me by tomorrow you hear? And take this" he said turning to leave, and dropping a small brown sack beside his sword.

"Wait... I..." but before she could finish her sentence, she found the door had slammed shut and the boy was gone. "have to get home" she said quietly, cringing with irritation.

Picking up her belongings and that stupid sword, she shouted to Mr. Macgregor that she was heading home and heard no response. This was ridiculous! Even the owner of the store had gone home before she did, all thanks to that pompous bastard.

Stomping out the door, she groaned as she saw that the sun had already set with only an orange hue on the horizon. Ma was not going to be happy and would demand why she was late for dinner.

Thinking of an excuse, she locked the wooden door and accidentally dropped something. Muttering a curse she had learnt from Mr. Macgregor who used it most often when he burnt himself, she bent down to pick it up.

It was the brown sack he had given, or rather tossed at her. Feeling perplexed, she untied the string, emptying the contents into her hand, and then her jaw dropped. Well, now she knew one of the reasons why he was so stuck-up.

He was a rich pompous bastard.

Not that good of a cliffie, but do u guyz like it? C'mon u know u want 2 review! :)