Chapter 2
A fox scrambled through and around the legs of a weary traveler. The fair-haired traveler either did not acknowledge the presence of the fox or continually ignored it. Finally the fox yelped at the young man, eliciting his interest.
"Yes, my small friend? How may I help you?" asked the traveler.
The fox ran around him again and again, trying to tell him something. Then it dashed off into what appeared to be an abandoned shed. The bricks fell clumsily off the north face, while the roof seemed to be held up only with straw and a bit of good faith. The traveler sighed in relief.
'A place to rest,' he thought.
Soon the fair-haired traveler settled himself outside of the shed door, peering inside. It looked promising, dried hay lay to the left and a forgotten pump to the right. Luck seemed to be on the young man's side. Bone weary he fell asleep on the hay, while the fox watched from a small ledge near the door.
"Now Quatre, it is your duty to protect the princess and her companions. You have the ability of a healer, so it is in your hands to keep them well and safe," counseled the aged druid.
"Yes, sir. I will make sure no harm comes upon them," answered the fair-haired youth.
Turning away, Quatre held worry in his face. His job was to heal, not to protect. He had not been taught the ways of the sword, nor the ways of the diabolist. Fighting was something he could never do and this worried him to great measures. Princess Sumara was counting on him and he was backing down.
'No!' he thought, 'I will do my duty to my land and princess. I must, to save this place I now call home.'
Quatre woke to soft sunlight hitting his pale face. His throat was parched and he was famished. Carefully he got up and went to the pump praying to Yu that it worked. Slowly he moved the lever up and down, hoping in the back of his mind that water would come. To his astonishment a small stream of water started to flow from the nozzle. He slowly stuck his head under the flowing water, first to drink, then to cleanse his face. A whimper was heard behind him and he quickly turned around to see the friendly fox.
"Hello my friend. Would you care for some water?"
The fox came close to Quatre who cupped his hands to gather water. Greedily the fox lapped at the water in Quatre's hands. Three handfuls later the fox was filled and seemed relieved of a burden.
"This land is unfamiliar to me," recited Quatre to the fox, "It seems I am lost."
Quatre noticed the fox was whining. It seemed in pain. Then a flash of light engulfed them both.