Chaos Quest

by Chikiko

RanmaEverquest CrossoverFusion. A spell is cast to help cure the Jusenkyo curses, but things don't go exactly as planned and it sends them all to Norrath. Everyone has been separated, their memories lost, and fleeting images and dreams are their only clues to who they really are. Now they will have to find each other, regain their memories, and find their way home.

15. Chaos Quest R14

Aeril sat on the grass looking off across the lake. According to Maji today they would get their teleport to Odus. From there they would walk north to Erudin and get the second rune she needed to get for her quest. Aeril wasn't sure if Maji was still upset about him making them late for the teleport. They arrived at the wizard pyramid a week ago and had since set up camp at a small lake that was about an hour east of it. She didn't seem to be all that upset with him about it, but he wasn't exactly sure. He noticed her eyes taking on an orange tint more often since having arrived, unfortunately he didn't know what that meant. Every time he'd noticed it and asked her what she was thinking or feeling, the orange would disappear. So it was kind of hard to determine if orange was a good color or a bad color.

With a sigh, he grabbed a nearby stone and skipped it across the lake. He was about to grab another stone when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him and grab him instead. "Why are you so glum? In a few hours we're gonna be thousands of miles away. You should be happy."

I was just thinking about some stuff. What have you been doing?"

Oh I was just reading through my spell book. You know, preparing spells and what not."

Actually I don't know. Why are you always looking at that book? I figured you'd have already memorized everything in it."

Maji started laughing. "If only magic was that easy. No true caster would leave their spell as you learn it, you have to work at it. It's like your martial arts. You train to get better. For you, that might be faster, smoother, harder, or whatever. For me I try to improve my spells by making them stronger, quicker, more efficient, or harder to resist."

So how does your book help you do that?"

"True magic, that is arcane magic, is extremely complex. I'm sure you noticed when I cast a spell, I say strange words and make odd gestures yes? Well those words and gestures along with some magical power called mana is how one produces a spell. The goal of every caster is to find a more efficient or effective way to cast their spells."

"So how does your book help you do that?"

"My spellbook has a copy of every spell I know. When I first learn a spell, I scribe it into the book. Later on as I modify the spell, I'll either rescribe the spell or I'll make notes on how the spell reacted to a particular modification."

"Huh? What do you mean by its reaction? Wouldn't the reaction be you cast the spell?"

"Usually, but not always. When you modify a spell, just about anything could happen. You could conserve mana expend more mana, improve the spell, weaken the spell or maybe not even affect it at all. The end effect can vary a great deal, if you succeed. However if you modify the spell incorrectly or lose control of it, you'll probably just end up fizzling."

What do you mean by fizzling?"

Fizzling is what will likely happen when you mess up while casting or modifying a spell and you end up consuming mana for no reason. Fizzling is like burning food so bad that it's no longer edible. Why don't I show? Otherwise I doubt you'll understand."

Nodding his head, Aeril watched as Maji began casting a spell. She didn't seem to be doing anything unusual. She began speaking a bunch of odd sounding words, and moving her hands and fingers in some kind of unusual pattern. Colored light began to spring up around her as usually happened when she normally cast magic, so that wasn't so surprising. Suddenly Maji stopped moving her hands for a few seconds. The moment she did, he heard a hissing sound followed by a loud pop which caused all of the magical lights to disappear.

That, unfortunately, was a fizzle. Nothing annoys a magic caster more than fizzling a spell. Thankfully fizzling doesn't happen very often, though the more tired or distracted you are the more likely you are to fizzle. It can also happen if someone bumps or hits you while your casting a spell. And of course you can fizzle when you're learning or trying to modify a spell. But anyway, now let me show you what would have happened if I hadn't purposely messed up that spell."

Maji did everything pretty much the same way she did last time, although this time she obviously made sure to add the hand motions she didn't last time. Not seeing any difference, he decided to pay attention to her hand movements. He was surprised though, when she suddenly said his name. As he shifted his eyes away from her hands to her face, he suddenly felt a bit light headed and he suddenly had a hard time hearing the words she was saying. As he was having trouble hearing her, he tried to read her lips.

However, it suddenly occurred to him that Maji's lips looked almost purple. While it wasn't the most amazing discovery, he somehow found it extremely fascinating. He could honestly say he had never seen lips quite like hers. He wondered if it was naturally that color or if she had painted it that color. He'd seen many women paint their lips many colors, though it was usually some kind of red. He wondered why none of them ever used purple? It looked really good on Maji, wouldn't it look just as good on them too? Then again he wasn't sure if it was make-up in Maji's case.

He supposed he could always find out if he kissed her. After all whenever someone with lipstick had kissed him in the past, it had always left a kiss-mark on cheek. So if he kissed her, then it should do the same thing right? Still, if he kissed her, he'd have to kiss her on the lips to find out. After all kissing her on the cheek wouldn't prove anything, since the lipstick would be on the lips. Would that turn his lips purple too? What would it taste like?

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as he felt himself being pushed into the water. As he swam back to the surface, he tried to figure out what in the world got into him to make him start thinking about kissing Maji? As he broke the surface of the water, he looked around disorientated. "Wait a minute, how on earth did I get into the lake?"

A pair of arms embraced him as he heard Maji say. "I pushed you in of course!"

Aeril quickly disentangled himself from her embrace and turned around to look at her. He eeped and quickly turned back around when he saw that she was quite naked. "Why'd you push me in and why are you naked!?"

So we could swim of course! I've been wanting to go for a swim all week but you kept saying no, so I cast a mesmerize spell and pushed you in. Anyway, you're hardly one to talk about being naked, since you're just as naked as I am."

Aeril's eyes widened as he realized that he was in fact naked. "Ack! How on earth did I get naked?"

Maji laughed. "I took our cloths off while you were off thinking about who knows what. Sheesh what's gotten into you? It's not like this is the first time we've taken a bath together."

Ya but . . . this is different." He told her as she swam around to face him.

How is it any different?" She asked, as she swam close enough for him to notice that her eyes were orange again.

Aeril found himself at a lack for words. They had taken several baths together since they began their trip, so why did he feel different? He hadn't reacted that way to her since their first night in Median. Sure he always felt a little funny when they did, but not like right now. As odd as it was, he felt as if he was on an adrenaline rush from just having looked at her.

He must have taken too long with his answer, because Maji's expression and eyes changed. Maji had what he would have considered her normal mischievous look if she had green eyes instead of orange. However, that look was quickly replaced with a yellow-eyed look of concern. "Are you ok? What's wrong?"

Maji noted his faced was somewhat flushed, and swam closer to feel his forehead to see if he was sick. She was concerned to note he felt a bit hotter to the touch than normal, until something caught her attention. She smiled at him and said, "Don't worry I think I know a couple of ways to help." Maji paused to frown for a moment. "Unfortunately, we don't have time for a better solution, so I'll have to cast a spell on you."

This one isn't gonna be like the last one you cast on me is it?"

Not really, this one will just help you calm down. Just give me a sec and you'll all better."

Aeril looked at her eyes. They were brown, but they seemed tinged with a bit of orange. He sighed and nodded his head. Her proximity to him was just making things worse. He noted her sigh briefly before she began to cast her spell. He noticed as she did, that her eyes quickly began shifting from color to color. Unfortunately, he was still too distracted by the strange sensations he was feeling to think about it. However that changed as Maji finished her spell.

Suddenly it felt like a burden was taken from him. Aeril looked at Maji and smiled. "It worked. I'm feeling normal again. Thank you."

Maji returned his smile and said, "I'm glad you're feeling better. Anyway now let's swim a little, before its time to go."

Smiling happily at her, he said. "Ok, sure, but how do we know when it's time to go?

"We'll know when …" She suddenly stopped talking when they heard a loud whistling noise from the west, followed by a loud explosion. Maji hung her head and said. "That's how. Let's go."

Aeril frowned somewhat and followed her. Maji had wanted to go swimming the entire week they had been there, but he always felt apprehensive about going into the cold water for some reason. Now that he was in the water though, he didn't really care all that much. He noted that while he felt mildly sorry for Maji, he didn't feel as bad as he normally would have felt. No doubt Maji was feeling angry or sad about not being able to swim, and that would usually cause him to feel sad as well. However, right now, he didn't really feel even the slightest bit sad about it.

By the time he reached the shore, he found Maji already changing. Looking around he noted he couldn't find his cloths. "Maji where are my cloths?"

I tore them while trying to take them off you."

Oh, ok." He said not really caring that he didn't seem to have any other set of clothing.

Maji growled irately, as she pulled a set of clothing from her adventurer's pouch and threw it at him. "Here, wear this."

You have a spare set of cloths?"

Ya something like that. I picked it up while I was investigating why those dervs ambushed the caravan we helped. I found this in their cargo and I thought it suited you, so I picked it up."

"Oh. Well you probably shouldn't have, especially since you did steal it. But since you already stole and cant exactly give it back, I guess it was nice of you to get something for me."

Maji gave him an odd look for a second, before hitting her forehead with her palm. Aeril looked at her for a moment and wondered why she did that. Then it occurred to him. She was probably surprised that he wasn't upset about the fact that she had stolen it. The fact was, he was also surprised about it as well. However he just shrugged the idea away as he admired the red silken shirt and black pants. It was pretty impressive. No doubt it would have probably cost her a lot of money if she had bought it from a merchant. Not dwelling on the matter any longer, he quickly changed into the cloths and followed Maji back toward the pyramid.

The walk back to the pyramid was rather boring. Neither really spoke as they walked, which was quite unusual for them by this point. Aeril thought it was funny how quickly people could get used to each other, when you spent the entire day with each other. Thankfully their walk only took them about an hour, and soon they had reached the ancient stone structure.

As they began climbing the many steps that led to the top, Aeril turned to Maji and asked. "Hey Maji, I was wondering, how come we gotta come here to get a teleport? Can't you just cast the spell from anywhere, or is there something special about this place?"

Yes and yes. The spell itself can in fact be cast from anywhere, so we didn't necessarily have to come to the pyramid for the spell to work. I however cannot cast the spell yet, so we're relaying on the League of Norrathian Teleporters to take us where we need to go. Luckily for you, I have connection in the league so we're getting a free trip. The reason we're coming here is because, yes the pyramid has magical properties that assist in teleportation. As such, all of the commonly used teleportation spell will take you to a pyramid or a set of wizard spires.

Well it seems you do actually pay attention during your classes. I'm impressed!" Said a new voice.

Aeril turned to look at the woman who had addressed Maji. She was without a doubt a very beautiful dark elf woman, dressed in a scandalously low cut shiny purple robe with a slit in the front that reached the waistline. Aeril was quite thankful that he was under the calming effects of Maji's lull spell, or who knows how he might have reacted. Maji turned to face her and said. "Hello Maufo."

Is this him?" She asked giving Aeril an appraising look. "I suppose you could have done much worse. What an interesting set of cloths he wears."

Isn't it now? Please thank Abaayo, for his generosity."

The dark skinned woman rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder about you."

Maji laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment. So are we going to leave soon?"

I suppose, since you seem so eager to go to that misbegotten forest. Gather round and I'll begin the spell."

Maji nodded and the woman began casting the spell. While she was casting the extraordinarily long spell, Maji reached out and took Aeril's hand. When Aeril looked at her curiously, she answered. "Insurance. Since group teleportation spells have been known to accidentally leave people behind now and then."

Aeril shrugged, but didn't say anything. Soon a shimmering portal opened before them and all three of them disappeared into it. Aeril felt a strange sense of déjà vu as the world suddenly became black. Seconds later they appeared in the middle of large clearing in a forest. Even before Aeril could get over the temporary vertigo caused by the teleportation, two things immediately came to Aeril's attention; it was very HOT and extremely HUMID.

Well seeing as how everyone is here, and this is far from the most dangerous place in the world. I'll leave the two of you to your trip."

Aeril turned to face the woman and said. "Thanks for bringing us here, Maufo."

The woman scowled dangerously at Aeril for a moment, before turning to Maji and saying. "I expect you to be here on time next time. I come here and you're not here, I'm not waiting for you. You'll either have to pay someone else to do it or wait until the next time I come here."

Maji put an arm around Aeril, and said. "Yes, Maufo, you needn't worry. We'll be here, won't we Aeril?"

The moment Maji placed her arm around him, Aeril immediately felt the odd warm and fuzzy haze that had been surrounding his mind go away. The temperature, which he had previously found very hot and humid, was now almost unbearably oppressive. Maji's sweaty arm around him didn't help things either, as it only seemed reinforced how muggy it was. As it was, Aeril was too busy feeling uncomfortable to answer Maji's question. Though that wasn't that big of a deal, since the dark elf woman hadn't bothered waiting for an answer. "Could ya take your arm off please?"

He was slightly surprised when Maji did so without any hesitation. Wiping the sweat from his face, he asked. "What the heck is going on here? How the heck did it suddenly get so hot? Look at this, I'm sweating like a pig and I've only been here a couple of minutes!"

With a derisive laugh, Maji said. "Welcome to Toxx. One of the hottest and most humid places in the freaking world!"

Agh! It's way too freaking hot! I can't stand this!" Complained a now feminine Aeril.

Ya well do you want to take a guess why she left in such a huff?"

My first guess would be either she doesn't like me, or she doesn't like the weather."

Well all of the above is correct, but far more of the later. Come let's get going. The sooner we're out of this freaking forest, the happier I'll be."

Aeril nodded and began following Maji. As she did, she looked around at her new surroundings in wonder. Having never been outside the Freeport area before, suddenly being transported into the middle of an equatorial forest like Toxxulia was major change. The trees, which were many times taller than her, blocked nearly all of the sun light, leaving them in near total darkness. After a few minutes of walking, Maji asked. "You're usually an elf when you have trouble seeing right?"

Aeril nodded his head and said. "Ya why?"

Maji winced and said. "Well It just occurred to me. We're going to be in thick forests for a long time, so you may be stuck in your elf form. I hope that doesn't bother you too much."

Aeril shrugged. "Well my emotions will still change me, I'll just probably ended up changing back faster than normal."

Maji shrugged. A little bit later she said. "Arg! I should have done this one last! What was I thinking!"

Aeril laughed. "Don't ask me, you're the one who did all the travel arraignments, I'm just along for the ride."

Ok this is too much! I'm taking this robe off!"

What?!" Aeril yelled.

I am so unbelievably hot. I feel like I'm melting in this thing. I'm a dark elf, I'm not used to this kind of smothering heat! Hell, it's one of the only things that all three types of modern elves agree on."

Aeril shook her head as Maji quickly stripped out of her brown robe, leaving her dressed only in her undergarments. Seeing that Maji began walking again, Aeril quickly began following her. As usual, Maji lead the way, and Aeril followed. However, unlike usual, Aeril's eyes seemed to be drawn to the gentle sway of Maji's hips. She tried to look away, but due to darkness of the forest and the lack of anything else to look at, her vision kept finding it's way back to Maji's shapely posterior.

She tried to tell herself that it wasn't a big deal, after all she'd seen her back many times. What should it matter if she just happened to be looking a bit lower that usual? Unfortunately her rationalizations weren't helping, because she kept finding herself guiltfully enjoying the view. She knew Maji would probably consider it more of a compliment than an insult, but for some reason she felt guilt and fear. It was almost as if she were scared someone was going to catch her doing so and hit her for it.

Thankfully his inner musings were interrupted when Maji suddenly spoke. "Are you ok? You've been pretty quiet back there."

Um, ya. I was just thinking about stuff."

Really, what about?" Maji said, as she paused to let Aeril catch up to her.

Just uh, stuff. Like um, like how come the weather wasn't bothering me until you put your arm around me earlier?"

Oh that. That was the spell I cast on you in the lake. It prevents you from feeling extremes in your emotional state.."

So why'd it stop when you put your arm around me?"

Maji smiled. "Let's just say it only prevents you from feeling those emotions if you're left alone. If you noticed, I kept my distance from you while were walking back to the pyramid. My getting too close canceled the effect. Anyway, here take some of these globes of water. You need to make sure you keep eating them, or you'll end up getting dehydrated. We'll pick up a few more crystals when we reach Erudin.

So are all the other forests we're going to this hot?"

Hell no! The Greater Faydark and Nektulos are actually livable. Only trolls, ogres, and foreheads are stupid enough to live in this kind of heat!"

So how long are we gonna be in this place?"

Maji hung her head and sighed deeply, momentarily distracting Aeril, before she finally she glumly saying. "About a week and a half." Lifting her head, Maji asked. "Hey you hungry?"

I guess."

Good cuz, I'm dying for some food." Maji pulled a picnic basket from her adventurer's pouch. "Thank goodness for adventurer's pouches. If it wasn't for this little baby, we wouldn't have been able to preserve this wonderful food this long! That halfling and her students sure know how to cook up a good meal! Unfortunately this is the last of food we got left, so we're going to have to ration it to last until we reach Erudin. That means we're going to have to eat even more of the summoned food, if we want to make the good stuff last till then."

Reaching into a different pouch pocket, she pulled out a small box. "Here grab one thing from the picnic basket, and one summoned loaf of burnt bread. Unfortunately we're not stopping to eat, we're going to have to eat on the way. Unlike before, we can't afford to waste time here. We only have a month, until the next time that Maufo comes back. If we miss her this time, we'll be stuck in this hell hole for another month! I'll be crabby enough next month, I don't need this forest adding to it."

Huh? Why are you gonna be crabby next month?"

Maji closed her eyes and she clenched her fists. Taking a deep calming breath, she said. I'll tell you all about the birds and the bees when we reach Erudin." Then as an after thought, she took a seductive pose and in a sultry voice said. "But if you want, I' think I could be persuaded to give you a first hand demonstration."

Aeril gulped. She hadn't missed the greenish-orange color to Maji's eyes, which he already knew was a bad thing. She also didn't miss the way her body reacted to Maji's pose and tone. "Um maybe some other time."

Maji shrugged. "Oh well I guess you're right. It's muggy enough as it is, no need to add to it. Anyway then let's get going. We'll never reach Erudin at this pace."

Half a world away in the continent of Faydwer, two women walked the streets of Felwithe. A normally common thing, until one realized that these two women were walking together. Now while this wouldn't come as a surprise to those who knew them, most foreigners to the elven capitol would be shocked. The reason for this was the tremendous contrast between the two was so great a normal person would immediately and quite naturally disassociate them in ones mind.

The first, a high elf named Solikaoielri, was tall regal and amazingly beautiful, even when using high elf standards. She had long curly white hair, grey eyes, and flawless alabaster skin. She wore a green silk dress that was both elegant yet still adhered to the conservative high elven standard of dress. It was quiet common for those seeing her for the first time, to believe her to be the near legendary high elf princess Firiona Vie.

Her companion, a half human wood elf named Riinkamaezen, appeared to be the elven equivalent of what humans in Freeport or Qeynos might call a country bumpkin. Her short hair was chaotic mess of blonde and brown hair that evoked a picture of a forest when combined with her green eyes and tan colored skin. Not only that, but her attire was visibly worn, and its androgynous look robbed her of any beauty. If that wasn't enough to perturb the average beauty conscious high elf, then the small nose stud she wore, usually worked quite well.

Although many would wonder why a virtual princess would associate herself with a plebeian, few would dare ask once they noticed the array of weapons Riinka wore. So it was generally accepted that Riinka was Soli's bodyguard, however one couldn't help but wonder why she simply didn't pick a high elf paladin like most elven clerics did. No one knew the answer to this however, as Soli would pointedly ignore any question on that subject.

Thanks to the wide berth most people would give them, the two were able to quickly reach their destination, a small shop in the arcane district of southern Felwithe. The shop, owned by a man named Biulye Frueryn, which specialized in the basic components needed for spell research such as: parchments, inks, blank spell books, runes, mystic words, and other reference materials. For a moderate fee, one could even rent out the small laboratory that he had built connect to the store.

Upon seeing Soli enter the store, the owner's face lite up. "Solikaoielri! Oh, Thank Tunare you've come!"

What seems to be the problem Biulye? I came as soon as I received my mother's message."

Aandare and Nanari are have gone missing! I fear they may have been captured by Orcs. I already lost their mother to those wretched beasts, I don't know what I'll do if I lose my daughters as well."

Soli looked horrified. Nanari had once been her playmate, and to hear that she may have been captured by Orcs pained her deeply. "Blessed Tunare! Are you sure of this? How long have they been missing?"

Biulye sighed. "I saw them last about four days ago during supper. They told me they were going to go out to play. I didn't think much of it when I closed shop that night and they hadn't returned, because they enjoy playing until about midnight. I did find it odd the next day when they I awoke and didn't find them. However, I ignored it. It wouldn't have been the first time they forget to tell me they plan on spending the night at another house. In fact, ever since Aandare set her eye on a boy named Qiladwen, it's been happening more and more. I simply thought they were with him or some other friend."

When they didn't show up for breakfast, lunch or dinner that day, I began to worry. I went searching for them. Qiladwen said that he and Aandare got into a fight last week and he hadn't seen either of them since. I asked everyone I could think of, and no one have seen them. Until this morning that is..."

Soli frowned. "What happened this morning?"

The man took a deep breath. "A Fier'dal merchant that I frequently trade with, named Kwein, said he saw a girl that resembled Nanari two days ago being held by a large group of Orcs and Tier'dal."

Soli's frowned deepened even more. She had met Kwein before, he was your typical wood elf. He would certainly know what Nanari looked like and he certainly wouldn't lie about something like this. That could only mean that Nanari really had been captured by a group of Orcs and dark elves. "I'm sorry to hear that, I wish there was something I could do to help you."

Actually there is something you can do. Your parents informed me that--your companion is an extraordinarily adept tracker."

Soli blinked in surprise, before tentatively nodding her head. "Yes ... that's true."

I beg of you, have her look for my daughters. I've already contacted the authorities, however they will no doubt need the assistance of Fier'dal trackers to find her. That means it'll be at least a week before they can begin searching, who knows what can happen in a week's time!"

As I said before, I will do all that is within my power to help you."

A look of relief passed over the man's face. "Thank Tunare! I knew I could count on you."

Soli smiled tentatively. "However, I'm afraid I simply can't order Riinka to search for them."

Biulye gave her a dumbfounded look. "What? I thought you said you were going to help me?"

Yes, I did. However, Riinka is neither my slave nor my servant. If you require her help, I would suggest you ask her yourself."

Biulye looked from Soli to Riinka, who was quietly standing besides Soli glancing about the shop. A frown crossed his face for the briefest of moments. The thought of asking a half elf for assistance was galling to him. However, now was not the time to be prideful. If he had to get on his hands and knees and beg a dwarf in order to get his daughters back, then that is what he would do. "Please I beg you, I need your assistance. You are the only one who can help me."

Riinka narrowed her eyes at him slightly, but finally just shrugged and said. "Fine."

You'll do it then?"

Sure--for five platinum."

Now it was Biulye's turn to blink in confusion. "You want five platinum pieces? Ok fine bring me my girls and you'll get your platinum."

I'm sorry I suppose I should have said that a bit clearer. I want five platinum per child for each us. Surely you don't expect Soli to work for free do you?"

Biulye began coughing. "But that's twenty platinum!" He turned to look at Soli for confirmation that she was being serious. Unfortunately, Soli just shrugged in a way that said that it was out of her hands.

Having noticed the unspoken conversation Riinka asked, "Is that too much to pay get your daughters back? I guess if it's too much, you can always wait until next week."

Fine," said that man trying to keep his anger in check. "I'll pay you your money, but not until you bring me my daughters."

Of course." She said in a matter-of-fact way. Then with a smile she said. "It was good doing business with you."

Soli, noticing the way that Biulye was looking at Riinka, decided to act now and save themselves problems. "Well I guess we should be going then." She said as she began walking toward the door. Reaching the door she turned to him for a moment as said. "Don't worry Biulye. I know that Nanari and I haven't spent as much time together as we used to when I was younger, but I promise you we'll do everything in our power find you your daughters."

From the shop Soli and Riinka walked quietly for a while. Finally Riinka spoke. "Are you ok?"

Yes, I'm fine. It's just that Nanari and I used to be best friends until ..."

Riinka placed her hand on Soli's shoulder. Soli reached out and took hold of the hand for a moment, and said. "Thank you." Riinka shrugged and let go of her shoulder.

Why did you do it?" She asked curiously.

Riinka shrugged. "A number of reasons I guess."

Oh? Such as?"

Would you believe it was a test?"

A test? What were you testing him on?"

I wanted to see if all high elves were as prideful as your king."

As the king?! What does king Thex have to do with Biulye and his daughters?"

Two years ago, during the time that princess Fironia Vie was being held prisoner in Kunark, I made a journey from Kelethin to Felwithe. I had just about reached the gates of Felwithe, when I noticed a big disturbance going on. Apparently the troops in Kunark had captured an iksar that was willing to give information on the where about of princess. However, your great king Thex, killed the lizard man before he even got to speak. He said he would rather have suffered the eternal torment of his own daughter, than see an abomination befoul the blessed earth of Tunare's city with its presence. Now how is that for a loving father?"

Soli frowned deeply. "Perhaps he thought it was a trap?"

Riinka gave her an incredulous look. "He didn't even hear what it had to say! How could he possibly know if it was a trap or not? Besides his reasons don't even make sense. He didn't have to take him inside the city, he could have questioned him outside. Plain and simple, he's a prick who's cares more about getting revenge on the iksars than he does for rescuing his own daughter."

Not wanting to argue with her friend, Soli asked "Is there any other reason?"

Riinka shrugged. "Ya, to get him angry."

Soli gave Riinka a surprised look. "Why?"

Cuz it'll serve as a small distraction for him. It'll hopefully give him a temporary place to channel his anger."

Well that does make sense..."

But why should I care?" Riinka asked, finishing what she knew Soli wanted to ask but wouldn't.

I wasn't going to ask, but since you mentioned it; yes, why do you care?"

Riinka shrugged. "I don't, but you do. I know you're worried about all of them. So if it's important to you than, its important to me."

So then would you have done it if he had refused your price?"

Riinka just shrugged indifferently. "I suppose."

Soli frowned. "Ok, but then why ask him to give me money? It's not like I have pressing need for it."

Why'd you tell him to ask me?" She countered. "You know I would have done it if you did."

Soli nodded in a way that told Riinka she had made her point. Not too long after that, they reached the palace gates. The guards gave Riinka a wary look, but didn't say anything otherwise as the two passed them with out so much as a glance. A few minutes later, they found themselves in Soli's residents. Soli was disappointed to not find either of her parents. With a sigh, Soli said. "Ok, how would you like to begin?"

Well, better than your average tracker or not, we don't exactly have all that many leads we can go on. It's been days since the incident, and we don't exactly know where they were when they were kidnapped. As far as I see it, right now the only thing we have going for us, is the wood elf merchant who spotted the Orcs."

So it seems we need to go to Kelethin then."

Fraid so." Riinka said, looking none to happy.

Oh stop it. You should be happy to see your sister." Soli said.

Whatever." She said in a dismissive manner. Changing the subject, Riinka said, "Anyway get what you'll need, It'll take us a few days to reach Kelethin."

Soli nodded and began gathering the things she would need. While she was doing that, Riinka quickly grabbed her sleeping mat, and tent. Once she finished, the two left the room. As they were walking down the halls of the palace they passed a guard. Soli stopped and said. "You there, guard."

The guard snapped to attention. "Yes ma'am."

I need you to deliver a message to my mother. Tell her that Riinka and I have decided to help Biulye, and that if she needs to contact me she may do so by way of the Kelethin bard's guild."

The guarded nodded and immediately left to deliver the message. Riinka turned to face Soli and said, "Take a good look around; I have the feeling we won't be back for quite a while."

Nearly fourteen days after Aeril and Maji arrived in Toxxulia forest, found the two of them still wandering through the tropical forest. Thankfully the temperature had lessened somewhat, so it wasn't quite as unbearable as it had been. Still, as the temperature was hotter than either were used to, it was still very uncomfortable. As such, Aeril followed Maji's example and began wearing fewer cloths than she normally would. Unfortunately that left them vulnerable to yet another unforseen annoyance that the forest presented them--insects. For nearly two weeks they had been plagued by all manner of insects! The fact that they had found and killed a giant fire beetle their first night in the forest was little comfort.

Worse still, Maji learned the hard way that the temperature and the animals weren't the only thing they had to be careful of in the forest. when she walked over a patch of prickly pink. Not knowing the danger, Maji brushed against one of the many poison laced spines hidden by the beautiful pink petals. The reaction was quick and painful. Within seconds, the poison caused an outbreak of hives that quickly spread from her leg to the rest of her body. While the poison was hardly deadly, it made an already bad trip worse.

So when Maji spotted the pavilion that covered the entrance of Erudin, she could scarcely remember a time she had felt quite as happy. "Finally! I never thought I'd ever be this happy to see the entrance of Erudin! For a while there I almost thought I'd never escape this accursed forest!"

Ya, too bad we can't stay there longer."

Hush! I don't know if I should hit you for actually tempting me to stay in Erudin for even a fraction of a second longer than I have to, or for reminding me that I'm only going to get a minor reprieve from this misery mire." Giving him a mock punch Maji said, "At least have the decency of waiting until after I start complaining about how much I hate Erudin."

Ok, sorry. So what are we gonna do when we get there?"

I'm going straight to the inn, and I'm going to sleep."

How exciting." Aeril said flatly.

You think? Well how about this? You go brush your leg against that pink abomination and tell me that you don't want to go sleep." Sighing Maji said. "But I guess I could check out the library, before heading to the inn."

The LIBRARY!?" Aeril asked incredulously.

What?" Maji asked somewhat put off. "Just about the only thing Erudin has going for it, is that it has one of the best libraries in the world."

What could you possibly find exciting about a library?"

Tomes of arcane lore, spells, wizard's experimentation journals, and all sorts of other similar things. What isn't there to be excited about?"

Aeril made a face and said, "If you say so."

If I told you about a place I knew in Erudin that could probably teach a few new martial arts moves, would you be excited?"

Well ya!"

Well then, you shouldn't complain about what I think is fun, now should you? After all, I would hardly consider learning some new way to beat the tar out of someone fun or exciting. But to each there own and all that stuff. I prefer to sharpen my mind by reading books, whilst you enjoy violence and beating people up."

Hey now! It ain't like that!" Aeril said indignantly.

Wrapping her arms around Aeril's waist, Maji leaned in and softly whispered in Aeril's ear. "What is it like then?"

Aeril felt a shiver run up and down her spine as she felt Maji's hot breath against her ear. "Um... Well... uh... You know..."

No, actually, I don't know. That's why I asked you." She said, interrupting Aeril and resting her head on the redhead's right shoulder so that her mouth was next to Aeril's ear. Raising her left hand to idly trace the left side of Aeril's face, Maji seductively whispered. "You know, I just thought of something that both of us could do that I'm sure would be considered very fun and exciting."

Aeril unconsciously bit her lower lip and rolled her head back a bit, as even more shivers pleasantly made their way up and down her spine. "What um, is it, uh that you um wanna do?"

Many things actually." Maji said, lightly brushing her lips against Aeril's ear before saying. "You'll just have to be patient until then. Ok?"

Maji smiled as Aeril nodded her head. Taking a step away from her, Maji began casting a quick spell. However before she had finished casting the spell, Aeril heard a loud hissing noise that was quickly followed by a pop. Aeril turned to find an orange-eyed Maji frowning deeply. "Fizzle?" She asked.

Maji nodded her head and said, "Ya stupid fizzle. Can't believe a fizzled on an illusion spell. Ok give me a second." Maji tried again, only to fizzle.

What the hell!" Maji said in a shocked tone which seemed to cause bright orange of her eyes to fade a little. Maji growled and tried to recast the spell, fizzling yet again.

What's wrong?"

I'm can't freaking cast a simple spell that's what."

Ya, but why?"

Maji sighed. "I'm too distracted to properly focus on casting the spell right."

Well how do you fix that?"

Maji smirked and her eyes turned a deep orange for a moment. "If this is any indication, nothing I can fix anytime soon; well I could but I'd rather do it on a bed." Maji suddenly shook her head, to clear her mind. Noticing the blank look on Aeril's face, she sighed and said. "Let's just get to Erudin."

But are you gonna be ok going in as a dark elf?"

Maji laughed. "I'll be fine. Forehead lesson number one. All foreheads think they're better than everyone else. Yes, I know most elves think the same thing, but at least we don't dismiss every non-elf as not being a threat; anyone can get lucky."

Anyway," Maji said grabbing Aeril's arm, "let's get going. The sooner we get out of this place, the happier we're going to be."

Half an hour later, they reached gates of Erudin. When they did however, the guards immediately blocked there path and looked at Maji dubiously. "Halt! What are your intentions here dark elf," One of the guards said.

Maji rolled her eyes and dryly said. "I'm here on a mission from Neriak to destroy the city and enslave it's people."

Aeril's eyes widened in shock, but before she could say anything the guard said. "If you expected me to laugh at that, you were sorely mistaken."

Oh, heavens no! I would never presume to be able to do what even the god of humor is incapable of. It is a well known and documented fact that the great erudite race is above petty things such as having a sense of humor."

We don't deal with your kind here, goto Paineel and do your foul necromantic business there."

Maji's eyes instantly took on a deep red hue. "Seeing as how you're too stupid to tell the difference between my wizard pin and a necromancer pin, I'm going to guess that you're really one of those half-human hybrid."

Seeing the look of anger on the man's face, Maji smiled smugly. "It seems the rumors I've heard are true then. The only thing you half-breeds are good for is manual labor. To think I'd ever get to see the day I saw an erudite willingly reduced to the position of an ogre slave."

The guard snarled and tried to launch himself at her, but his partner stopped him. "Stop it Eragin, it's not worth it."

Turning to address the other guard, Maji said. "Tell your underling to move aside and let me pass. I have business with the wizard merchant, I don't have time to deal this human half-breed who is too inept to cast a simple cantrip."

The guard glowered at Maji, but reluctantly stepped aside to let her pass. "Be about your business and be gone with you."

Maji arrogantly strode past the guards into the cavern that led to the city entrance, ignoring them the way one disregards the hired help. Aeril, who still partly shocked from the exchange, quickly dashed to catch up to Maji. When she did she asked. "Maji why'd you do that?"

Maji ignored her and kept walking. "Maji! Yo Maji! Will you stop ignorin me and hold up!?"

Maji stopped, but didn't turn around. "Yes?"

Aeril shivered as she heard the tone she used. It was that strange voice that she had used to address the guards, the same voice she had used on her before they had become friends. Cautiously, she reached out and touched the white haired girl's shoulder. "Are you ok? You're not usually like this?"

Maji stiffened slightly at touch, quickly relaxed. Sighing she said. "I'm not sure. My emotions are all over the place right now." Maji took three deep breaths and said. "Ok, I'm better now. Let's just go get a room in the inn. Once I get a decent night's rest, I'm sure this will be all over."

Ok." Aeril said, lowering her hand from Maji's shoulder.

As Maji lead them further into the cave, Aeril took advantage of the momentary silence to look around. Despite being in a cave, it was actually fairly well let for the lack of torches or other object to give off light. Maji stopped when they reached a large cavern with two circular objects that resembled gelatinous water. They were about a foot tall and about ten feet in diameter. One of the objects, stood in front of them with a platform built in front of it, so that one could step on top of it The other was off to the right side and was much darker than the first.

Maji walked up to the stairs and turned to face Aeril. "Well here we are. Step on the teleportation pod in front of us, and it'll teleport you up there." Maji said, pointing to a platform high above them. Maji took a deep breath and said. "Follow me."

Having said that, she climbed the stairs and stepped onto the gelatinous object, instantaneously disappearing in a flurry of magical lights.

Following Maji's example, Aeril stepped onto the gelatinous object and suddenly found herself somewhere else. Looking around she noticed Maji standing with her back turned to her several feet in front of her. She also noticed several humans standing at a guard rail looking down at the area she had just come from. Stepping off the teleporter pad, Aeril quickly glanced down past the guard rails.

Although the view of a large cavern from fifty feet up would hardly be considered spectacular, Aeril found it very exciting. "Maji you gotta see this!"

I've seen plenty of caverns in my life thank you very much."

Ah come on! It looks completely different from up here."

In case you forgot, I'm a dark elf not a wood elf."

Huh? I know you're a dark elf. What does that got to do with you seeing the view."

What it means, it that we dark elves are sensible enough to keep our feet firmly on solid ground."

But we're on solid ground."

Are you? You're standing on the platform, but what is the platform standing on?"

Aeril blinked. "Um..."

Exactly, now can we please go? I would really like to get a room in the inn and fall asleep."

Sheesh ok. Who woulda thought you were scared of heights."

Maji whirled about to face Aeril. "I am NOT..." Maji suddenly stopped as she noticed the way Aeril was leaning over the guard rail to get a better view.

Noting that Maji had stopped suddenly in mid rant, Aeril turned to face her. She was surprised to find her standing frozen like a statue, her eyes and mouth both wide open and with her left hand extended pointing at her. "Um Maji, you ok?" Aeril frowned when Maji didn't respond at all. "Maji? Yo Maji!? Hello!?" Sighing, she moved away from the ledge and approached the frozen dark elf girl.

Once Aeril had moved away from the ledge, Maji closed her yellow eyes and once again turned around. "Yes I'm fine, can we please leave now? I really need to rest."

Ya sure, I was just trying to get a better look."

Maji ignored him and kept walking. A minute later they turned the corner and were greeted by a large column of sunlight. Aeril turned her head away at the sudden bright light. Maji seemed unfazed and continued her walk toward a large marble staircase. Aeril took a few seconds to get used to the light, before following Maji up the stairs.

What he saw when he caught up to her, completely surprised him. Years of living in Freeport, the world's largest city-state, did nothing to prepare him for the splendor of Erudin. The city had marble-tiled streets, marble building, and large open lawns. Not only that, but they city had a natural fortified wall surrounding it in the form of the mountain that it was built into.

One thing that really caught his attention however was lack of people swarming through the streets. The street of Freeport were always busy with people doing any number of things, from shopping, visiting with friends, kids playing, or even just beggars asking for donations. Erudin however lacked that busyness to it. While there were people walking the streets, everyone was quietly moving about and seemingly ignoring everyone else. Greeting between people seemed restricted to curt nods, and even the children seemed to share in the formal air of the city.

Aeril noticed Maji roll her eyes when she looked at the people walking single file through the streets. Turning to Aeril she said. "Come on let's get out of here, before I'm tempted to do something I'll probably regret."

Aeril nodded his head, and followed after Maji. They cut across the grass and took a pair of stairs that lead them into an inn. Outside the door Maji put her hand out to stop Aeril. "Ok stay here for about a minute or so while I try to get us a room. If I don't haven't come get you by then, come inside. From what I've heard, the innkeeper here doesn't particularly like dark elves and will seriously overcharge us. So if she does, then you get to pay for the room."

But..." Aeril began to protest, however Maji quieted him when she threw a bag of coins at him. "What's this for?"

To pay for the room. Don't worry about it, just follow my lead." Not giving him a chance to say anything else, Maji opened the door to the inn and entered.

Thank you for choo ..." Began the erudite, until she noticed that a dark elf was standing in door way. The smile she had immediately turned in a frown and she gruffly asked. "What do you need?"

Considering that you run an inn and not a fruit stand, a room would be the only logical conclusion." Maji replied in an erudite like manner.

Maji watched as the woman's chocolate colored face contorted itself into a glower. "This is not an inn for peasants, your kind would be better served elsewhere. Unless of course you have five gold pieces for every night you plan on staying in the room.

Five gold for this dump?! You have got to be kidding me. I think I will look for that other inn, it certainly can't be worse than this place. The last time I stayed here, I momentarily thought that the inn was in grobb. Heaven knows you foreheads are way to lazy to clean the rooms yourselves, and I doubt your little half human mutts do a good job cleaning, so its no wonder the rooms smelled like a troll had lived there."

The innkeeper, who was glaringly angrily at Maji, was just about to say something, when the door opened and Aeril walked in. Giving Maji one last dirty look, the woman turned to Aeril and said, "Yes, may I help you?"

Aeril nervously looked at Maji, who snobbishly ignored him. The innkeeper noticed the exchange and said. "Don't worry about her, she isn't a guest here or anywhere else in Erudin. Just ignore her for now, I'll deal with her once we've gotten a room for you."

Go right ahead! Like I said, I don't even want to stay in this dump! Who in their right mind would? Five gold pieces for this place? I don't think so! Not even the most expensive rooms in Freeport, Qeynos, or Felwithe cost that much." Turning to Aeril she said. "If I were you, I'd look for someplace cheaper to stay.

Before Aeril had a chance to say anything, the innkeeper spoke up again. "I'm truly sorry about her, please don't give her any mind. As a human you'll only have to pay, three gold."

Aeril turned to look at Maji, but Maji sighed irritably. "Go ahead and pay for it, do whatever you want. Don't keep me from stopping you, I'm going to the library." Aeril winced at the anger in her tone. If not for her eyes, he would have really thought that she was angry. However, the greenish-blue hue of her eyes betrayed her true emotions; Maji was having fun being mischievous.

Once Maji had left, the innkeeper smiled. "Finally that horrible woman is gone." Aeril tore his eyes away from the door Maji had left from and turned to frown at the innkeeper for a moment. He sighed and placed three gold coins on the counter. "Thank you and here is your key. Just take the stairs and it'll be the fourth room on the right."

Thank you." Aeril said, as he took the keys and went to his room. He opened the room to actually be somewhat disappointed in the room. Considering this was the most expensive room they had bought on the trip thus far, he was expecting a bit more to it. That wasn't to say that the room wasn't nice. It was in fact much nicer than any room he had ever stayed in before going on this trip with Maji, however this room was just roughly on par with the room they had stayed in when they were in Farfield and not quite up to the standard of the room in Median.

The room was somewhat small and very sparsely furnished. In fact the only things in the room was a very comfortable looking bed, a desk that didn't come with a chair, and several candles. Aeril was about to lay down on the bed for a moment, when his stomach reminded him that he was hungry. He took a bag containing food out from adventurer's pouch that Kryn had given him, and began eating.

He idly wondered how Kryn was doing. It had been over a month and a half since they had last seen each other, and it oddly felt like an eternity ago. Back in Freeport the two of them had almost always been together. He would usually meet her after his training sessions with Braka and the two of them would usually spend the rest of the day together. Now he spent most of his days (and nights) with Maji.

He sighed as he remembered his roommate. Something was wrong with her, he was sure of it. Ever since her eyes started turning orange during that week they had stayed near the pyramid, she began acting weirder and weirder. One of the first things he learned about her, was that Maji tried to firmly control her emotions. As such, she hated it when she would lose control and display her emotions for anyone to witness. However in the last two weeks, her ability to keep them under control seemed to have dropped. A good example was her fight with those erudites at the city entrance, even he knew that wasn't the best way of going about things.

Not only that, but she was also becoming much more physical with him. She was far touchier than she used to be, and while that wasn't exactly a bad thing, it always left him feeling funny. While the effect was not as prominent when he was in his elven form, who would've thought that something as simple as a touch could affect him that much. It was then that he realized Kryn's kiss made him feel very much the same way.

Aeril didn't have too much time to reflect on that, as there was a knock on the door. "It's open." He said, getting up from the bed and heading for the door. It opened up to reveal an attractive white-haired human woman in a very alluring ruby red halter-dress with verti cal strips that just barely covered her breasts and two long slits on the side that reached the waist. Seeing her, Aeril took a step back in surprise and fell backwards onto the bed.

The woman smiled seductively at him, causing Aeril to gulp nervously. Aeril was so shocked all he could do was stare, as she sashayed toward him. It wasn't until she was on top of him, allowing him to look into her orange eyes, that he was finally able to speak. "You know Maji, you really do look much better as a dark elf."

Maji's eyes momentarily flashed yellow in surprise, before quickly turning back to orange. "Well if that's the case..." Instantly Maji's illusion washed away. In it's place stood Maji, in her voluptuous dark elf form, wearing a sheer belly dancer's outfit. "So, do you like?" She asked in a sultry tone.

Aeril numbly nodded his head, to which Maji rewarded by giving him an enticing smile and performing slow and erotic dance. Aeril couldn't help but stare, as he sat transfixed on the edge of the bed by the sight of Maji and the sensuous way she was dancing for him. Maji slowly closed the distance between them, until they were a mere inches away from each other.

Pushing him flat onto the bed, Maji climbed on top of him and slowly lowered her head toward his. As her lips approached his, Aeril closed his eyes. When the expected kiss never came, he opened his eyes to see her shaking her head. Slowly, she began to unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands across his chest. When she finished, she looked down at him making sure she had his undivided attention. Smiling at him, her top suddenly shimmered away, unveiling her luscious breasts.

As she looked into his eyes, she slowly pressed her body into his, accentuating her movement by grinded her hips into his. At the same time, she once again began lowering her lips to his, only to veer off at the last second and lightly nibbled on his earlobe.

An accomplished smile spread across her lips, as she heard Aeril inhale sharply and felt him quiver. Aeril attempted to sit up, only to be forcibly pushed back down by Maji. Looking directly into his eyes, she soothingly cradled the side of his face with her left hand. Then reaching up with her other hand, she undid her pony tale and shook her head. Lowering her face closer to his, her hair cascaded down, framing his face. Their lips were mere breaths away from each other when BANG, someone unceremoniously knocked loudly on the door.

Maji uttered a low growl, before yelling angrily in what Aeril assumed was dark elven. Not even bothering to change Maji stomped her way over to the door and all but ripped the door open with an angry "What?!"

Salvin blinked in surprise. "Judging from your attire, the foul language I just heard, and the smell of this room, I'm assuming now isn't a good time."

Aren't you perceptive! But since you already ruined the mood, you may as well come in." She said, turning away form the door and changed back into her normal drab traveler's robe with a wave of her hand. "So what brings you to knock on my door--For that matter, how did you even know I was here?"

Salvin chuckled at that. "I asked the innkeeper to alert me whenever a white-haired woman arrived with either a human man, or wood elf woman. As for why I'm here, you were the one that asked me to come here."

Yes, but why did you have to pick now of all the possible moments to knock? Couldn't you have waited a couple of hours?"

Oh, I'm sorry did I miss the having sex, please do don't disturb' sign?"

Maji clenched her fists and took a deep breath to calm herself. Running her fingers through her hair she said. "Ok, you're right. Sorry about that."

Salvin glanced toward Aeril, who looked like he was trying to goto sleep. Turning back to Maji he whispered. "Ok, so What happened? Did you accidentally eat some of your own tainted food?"

Maji blinked. "Huh? Tainted food? What are you talking about?"

Salvin rolled his eyes. "The aphrodisiacs that you added to the food you gave him." Seeing her eyes go wide, he said. "I have to say, I'm pretty disappointed in you. You should know better than that. Wood elves are very resistant against aphrodisiacs, I would have thought you would have come up with a better tactic than that."

Maji shook her head. "What are you talking about? What aphrodisiacs?"

Drop the innocent act, you gave me some of the food back in Farfield remember? Why do you think I only ate a little bit?"

Please tell me your joking." Maji said pleadingly.

Salvin shook his head. "No... you mean you didn't know they were there?" Maji shook her head and sighed. "Well then, if you didn't put them in who did?"

Maji sighed. "If it was in the food we gave you at Farfield, than it could only have been one person. The blasted halfling chef from Median! I knew she was up to something! I don't believe this!" Maji yelled.

Hearing Maji, Aeril sat up looking about to see what caused Maji to get so mad. "You ok?"

No I'm not ok, I just found out the food we've been eating for the last several weeks was laced with certain spices. No wonder its been getting harder to control myself! Arg! I'm so mad I could punch something right now." Maji began pacing angrily about the room.

You mean someone's poisoned us?" Aeril said feeling nervous.

No, but we might as well have been!" Maji said as she kicked the door.

Salvin backed away from highly agitated Maji. "You know, why don't I just leave and let the two of you to relieve your frustrations out."

Oh hell no! You can't leave me right now. I need your help."

What do you need my help for? You've got him right there."

No, that's not what I mean. I need an antidote."

You know it would be much easier, if I just left and you picked up where you were at before I came."

No! No! And No! Look at me! I'm so angry I can't even think straight." Taking several deep breaths, Maji said. "I will not give in. I'm stronger that this."

Salvin shook his head. "What's the big deal? I can only imagine how many times you've given in already, what's one more time?"

Taking several more deep breaths, Maji said. "I have not already given into it, and I won't give into it now. So will you help get an antidote or won't you?"

Salvin was taken a back by that. Although the amount of spices in the food he had sampled were very small, Maji and Aeril had been eating them now for weeks. From his small morsel of the spiced food he had tried, he could clearly identify three different spices that were used.

The first spice he was able to identify was known as "Cat's Heat," and caused the person who consumed it to give off pheromones. The second was "Nymphic Desire," which incites feelings of lust and desire. Finally the last spice he was able to notice was simply called passion spice, which increased the intensity of ones emotions. Together, the three were known to work wonders, making it a very popular Halfling blend. As such it was amazing that they would have been able to hold out that long.

Salvin glanced at Maji, and sighed. The look of helplessness and need were clearly written on her face. Her eyes were bright yellow in the center, with orange all around the edges. "Ok, if you want to go about it the hard way, I'll help you. But I still think it would have been better and easier if you had just done it the normal way. I'll be back in a few minutes, I should be able to get everything I need to cure halflings's trio in the market. Hey Aeril, why don't you come with me. You can help me get what I need."

Maji looked about ready to protest at that, but very slowly turned around and walked to the desk in the room. Not waiting for Maji to change her mind, Salvin lead Aeril away to the Erudin market place. Once there he immediately began looking for the ingredients he'd need to cure them of their affliction. Suddenly Salvin turned to Aeril and asked, "So what do you think of Maji?"

Aeril blinked at the sudden question. "Uh--I uh really like her, she's a pretty good friend. Even if she's kinda different."

Salvin frowned a bit. "So do you only like her as a friend or do you like her as more than just friends?"

More than just friends?" He asked uncertainly, before blushing as she sudden understood what Salvin was asking. "I uh never really thought much about it..."

Salvin sighed, at least he wasn't ignorant. "Look I don't usually like to meddle in other people's love life, but I figured I had better say something considering what would have happened if I hadn't knocked on the door when I did. I just thought there were a few things you should think about, especially since you seem to have more control over yourself than Maji does."

Like what?"

"Well besides the pregnancy factor, which I don't think you need to worry about right now thanks to dark elf physiology, there is also an emotional aspect to it as well. Most races look upon it quite differently, as such there are often cultural differences and taboo's to consider. For example wood elves see it as an expression of friendship between two people. Humans, while diverse in their views on what is acceptable, are far less open about it than most other races. In fact, no race has more rules about sex, than humans do. Not that they always follow those rules, but when someone is discovered breaking them it's usually a big deal. In Freeport, where the laws regarding sex are very casual, it is permitted between two people who are in a relationship. Qeynos on the other hand is far stricter, and it is only permitted in the confines of marriage. Barbarians, the race that humans came from, marriages become official when the couple consummates it regardless of when there marriage ceremony was or will take place. And erudites, a race that came from humans, go through so many formal rituals to have sex, that it's a wonder they even bother."

Rituals?" Aeril said sounding perplexed.

Salvin rolled his eyes. "Yes, rituals. A long time ago, I was once propositioned by an erudite and made the mistake of accepting. Erudites who wish to engage in sex, must first file a coital consent form, signed by all the participants who wish be involved. If one or more members are a non-erudite, they must of course file a heterogeneous intercourse form, along with the results of a medical examination that was performed by an erudite cleric. Then they must apply for must apply for either a progeny establishment licence or a recreational copulation licence, which indicates the time, place and a list actions to take place. Finally once the licence has been granted, a placard must be placed at location no less than one week prior to the date of congress."

Aeril blinked. "That sounds like an awful lot of work."

Salvin shook his head. "It is! Of course it was also quite intense, but anyway the point I wanted to make is to be careful. Maji's a very beautiful girl, and she can be very persuasive when she want to be. However, she has been known to ignore all implications and consequences of her actions in order to satisfy her immediate desires.

She doesn't't always consider all the implications and consequences of her actions."

Aeril looked at Salvin, trying to comprehend everything he had told him. "So ... are you saying ... I should stay away from Maji?"

No. What I am saying is that sex tends to mean more to humans than it does to elves. Humans, especially women, are notorious for becoming attached after their first encounter. I just don't want you to get too attached to Maji, especially if something does end up happening between the two of you. Maji can be really fickle sometimes, and I wouldn't want you to be hurt."

Aeril frowned deeply. He didn't like what Salvin seemed to be implying about Maji. Seeing the frown on Aeril's face, Salvin spoke up again. "Look kid, don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to break you and Maji apart, and I'm not trying to tarnish Maji's reputation. If anything Maji's actually somewhat prudish from a dark elf point of view. But I just want you to remember despite being very familiar with human customs Maji is still a dark elf and she thinks as such."

Aeril sighed and began looking at a nearby merchant stall. "So what are we looking for again?"

Salvin frowned at Aeril's attempt to change the subject, but let it go. "We're looking for is a potion called Nymph's Bane. It cancels the effect of Halfling trio."

"So uh, where do we find it?"

Salvin smiled at Aeril and turned toward the merchant nearest them, and nodded his head. The woman then handed him a pink elixir, and he handed her a few coins as payment. "Right here."

"You mean we were next to the merchant the whole time?"

Salvin nodded his head. "I figured we needed to talk. Besides, it's giving Maji the time she needs to get her emotions in control. Anyway we've probably been gone long enough. We may as well start heading back." As they headed back, Salvin gave Aeril the bottle and said. "Go ahead and drink about a quarter of it, and leave the rest for Maji. It seems that you haven't been affected by it as much as her, so you probably shouldn't need all that much."

Taking the bottle and removing the stopper, Aeril quickly smelled the elixir before taking a taking a few quick swigs from it. He didn't have to wait long before he felt the sweet pink drink beginning its work. By the time the two of them reached the inn, he was surprised to realize that his mind felt clearer than it had in weeks. "Wow, I didn't even realize how much that stuff was affecting me till just now."

"That, my friend, is the scary thing. Anyway I think I'm going to turn in. I'll see the two of you in the morning."

"You aren't going to see Maji?"

"Although you weren't affected as much as Maji was, you said you were able to feel a huge difference correct? Well now imagine what will happen to Maji when she takes it. In a matter of five minutes, the medicine will cause such a shock to Maji's system that she'll be knocked out for at least eight hours."

"Oh, well good night then."

Nodding his head to Aeril, Salvin left to his own room. Aeril continued toward his room yawning a few times on the way there. Once he reached the door he knocked once before opening the door. He saw Maji sitting on the middle of the bed with her legs crossed. "I'm back."

Maji continued to sit as she was. "Did you get it?"

"Ya here it is, Salvin says you should drink the rest of it."

Maji extended her hand out. Shrugging, Aeril gave her the medicine. Keeping her eyes shut, Maji removed the stopper and slowly drank from the bottle until all of the medicine was gone. She placed the stopper back in the bottle, and moved to the left side of the bed, where she placed the bottle on the nearby nightstand. For what seemed like a very long time, Maji just sat on the edge of the bed, seemingly staring at the wall. Not sure what else to do, Aeril just stood near the bed waiting for her to do or say something. He didn't fully understand everything Maji was going through, but he did understand that it was an extremely hard thing for her to deal with.

Suddenly Maji wrapped her arms around stomach and bent over. At first Aeril that she was in pain, but when he saw her shoulders beginning to shake, he froze in terror. Maji was crying, and he didn't have the slightest idea what to do! Seeing her cry, even if her back was turned to him, put him in a panic. What could he do to comfort her? What could he possibly say that would make her feel better? Maybe if he knew her better, he might know, but despite having spent all day together for over a month, he barely knew her.

Not knowing what else to do, Aeril reached out touch her shoulder. Before he reached her however, Maji flopped backwards onto the bed laughing uncontrollably. Aeril frowned at Maji. He had been concerned about her. If this was one of her little jokes, he was going to be very angry. "What's so funny?"

"Everything!" Maji said once her laughter had died down a good deal. "This whole crazy mess we got ourselves in! Do you realize everything we've gone through since starting this trip? We've been to a mysterious city, eaten food worthy of a king, later found that the same food was laced with not one but three aphrodisiacs, survived a week and a half of walking through the hellish forest that borders this abysmal city, gotten stung by a stupid pink flower, and on top of all that, I lost control and was told why, thus preventing us from having the most incredible night either of our entire lives! But you know what? Despite all that, I can't remember another time I've had more fun!"

Aeril looked at Maji as she laid there on the bed, and thought about all the people they met and all the things they'd done while they were together. He smiled when he realized that the last month and a half really was the most fun he'd had in a very long time. "Your right Maji, I honestly can't remember the last time I had this much fun either. You know, if it wasn't for you, none of this would've ever happened. I … um … wanted to … uh tell ya that I'm uh really glad we met when we did and that we become friends and uh decided to travel together."

Although Maji wasn't usually one to say something sentimental in return, Aeril did find it a bit odd that she didn't at least make some kind of comment. "Maji?"

"Hnm? Did you say something?" Maji asked yawning. "I'm sorry, I think I fell asleep there for a minute."

Aeril frowned. "Ya you did."

Maji yawned again. "Sorry, I'm feeling pretty tired, how about we talk about it in the morning?" Maji yawned yet again and stretched out across the middle of the bed. "Goodnight."

Aeril was about to say goodnight and prepare for bed, when he realized that the way Maji was laying in the bed, didn't leave him much room on a bed that small. "Um Maji?"

No answer. "Maji."

Still no answer. "Maji!"

"Huh? What?" Answered the sleepy dark elf girl.

"Um where do ya want me to sleep? You're taking up the whole bed."

Yawning again, Maji said, "Theirs plenty of room for the two of us right here in the middle. It's called spooning, you should know you do it every night. No matter how far apart we start off, you always manage to find a way. But since I'm too tired talk, much less move, you may as well save yourself the time and trouble. Goodnight."

Aeril blushed in embarrassment, why'd she always have to bring that up? It wasn't like he did it on purpose. It just kinda happened. Sighing Aeril changed, got into bed, and gingerly wrapped his left arm around Maji's waist. It took him a while to get used to the position, especially his right arm, but soon he too fell into a deep sleep.

Aeril woke up to find himself in a void. It was a strange experience for him. He had never been in such pitch darkness before. Usually whenever it got too dark, his body would switch forms and he'd be in his elven form. Now however, he was stuck in his human form, or at least he assumed he was. It was as if all of his senses suddenly stopped working. Thankfully a small pinprick of light suddenly filled the darkness.

Slowly the light began growing and with the light came the rest of his sense. As the light overwhelmed the darkness, he found himself standing in a valley full of springs. He also found, much to his displeasure, that he was standing in one of those springs, which explained why he suddenly felt cold and wet. His musing about his current surroundings was interrupted when he heard a very familiar voice.

How long you planin on staying in there?" Aeril looked up to find himself looking at his elven side. She was dressed in a white gi, and her long red hair was tied back into a ponytail with a white ribbon. When Aeril didn't respond to her question, she rolled her eyes and shook her head in annoyance. "Yo! You in there? Don't tell that fall was enough to take you out?"

What fall?" Aeril asked sounding very confused.

Well at least you ain't totally out it. Here let me help you get out of there." She said extending her hand to him to help him out of the spring.

Aeril took her hand and climbed out of the spring. Once out, the two sat on the grass in between several springs. Looking around the valley he saw many springs with bamboo poles extending out of them. Turning to face the girl, he asked, "Where are we?"

The girl shivered. "This is the place that we were changed forever, the valley of ju..."

Wait a minute!" Aeril said interrupting her. "You said we. Does that mean you really are me?"

Duh! Who'd you think I was Santa Clause? Sheesh and the call me stupid."

Well excuse me for not knowing who you were, its not as if I get to meet myself everyday you know."

Ya ya!" The girl said in a dismissive manner. "Anyway after this place, our life was basically shot to hell. Be thankful you don't remember, I sure wish I didn't."

Aeril shot up. "You know my past?"

Duh! It is my life. And no I can't tell you about it."

But why? You said we're the same person! Why can't I know, there so many question I have, and so many things I don't understand. If you know why can't you tell me."

Because you ain't ready yet." She answered.

What do you mean I ain't ready yet."

Look, my life's been a nightmare since way before coming to place. Let's just leave at you won't be able to handle it ok?"

I can handle it." He said with confidence.

The girl gave him a derisive snort. "Ya whatever. There's no way a wimp like you would ever understand what I went through."

Wimp!?" Aeril exclaimed.

Ya! you're a wimp. Even the tomboy could take you on, though I guess it ain't all your fault. You haven't gone through a fraction of the stuff I had to go through."

Hey now, I'm probably not the best martial artist out there, but I'm not a wimp."

Ya well, I AM the best; you're setting a lousy example about me. When I was your age I was still much better than you are now. So that means you're a wimp!"

Aeril bit down to try and keep from getting angry. Although he didn't like to boast about it much, he felt a great deal of pride in his martial abilities. Having someone telling him that it was inferior got him angry. Not only was it an insult on his skill, it was an insult on those that had instructed him: his teacher Braka and most importantly his father Varlon.

She saw the play of emotion wash over him and smiled. "You don't believe me? Why don't you try me on for yourself."

Aeril clenched his fists. Truth be told, he really wanted to take this girl up on her offer. He wanted to show her that he wasn't a wimp. But he knew that was exactly what she wanted. He knew she was trying to provoke him into a fight, and he wasn't about to give her that satisfaction. "No thanks."

You say you ain't a wimp, but when I challenge you to a fight you back off. How is that not being a wimp? Look to me like you're a wimp and a scaredy-cat."

I won't fight you just to show you I ain't a wimp or that I ain't scared of you. Martial arts ain't about fighting in the arena every few months to show everyone that you're the best, it's about self defense and for protecting the ones you care about. So there's no reason for me to fight you."

The girl opened her mouth to speak, but stopped. She turned her head as if to listen to someone speaking to her. After a few seconds she shrugged her shoulders. "Ok, I guess you just lucked out."

Huh?" Aeril said completely surprised by the sudden change in her demeanor.

Well since you don't want fight so you can see how bad you really are, I gonna use my memories to show you."

That immediately caught his attention. "My memories? How?"

The girl shrugged. "How the heck should I know? This is your dream."

The moment she said that, the world melted away behind them. Aeril look about and found himself near the gates of a building that he somehow knew was a school. Many human students where gathering about in groups awaiting some event to happen. All of their sights were centered on a group of about thirty strangely dressed boys. A sudden battle cry was heard and the boys prepared themselves for the upcoming battle.

Aeril turned toward the sound of the battle cry and found himself staring at a girl in a long green dress charging the group of boys. As soon as she crossed the gate into the school grounds the group of boys shot into action. The long haired girl didn't even pause as she waded into the group of simultaneously attacking boys. Aeril was impressed by the way she was able to defend herself so well against the mob. He knew it was partially due to the fact that her opponents were so uncoordinated they would often get in each others way, but he still found it impressive that the sheer number of them didn't simply overwhelm her.

He could tell by looking at the fight that should he ever have to fight her, it would be a tough fight. While she wasn't the fastest, she was skilled and extremely strong. Every punch or kick that connected with one of the attacking boys would send them flying back several feet. One particularly viscous kick sent a boy flying into a small group of boys. At one point, she even caught the leg of a heavy set boy who tried to kick her, and used him as a makeshift weapon for a bit, before sending him headlong into another cluster of boys.

In just a few minutes this girl had taken down the entire horde of boys with barely a hit scored on her. Aeril was clearly impressed with the girl's display, his dreamself on the other hand wasn't. "Try not to look too impressed now, that was just the tomboy. That ain't nothing, watch this."

The background began to change slightly. They were still at the same school, however now students were leaving school instead of entering it. In the crowd of students he spotted himself and the girl that his dreamself had termed as the tomboy. As they were walking, Aeril saw himself suddenly push the tomboy out of the way mere moments before the ground they had been standing on was destroyed.

As the dust cleared Aeril saw a boy roughly the same age as him. A quick glance told Aeril a lot about this new boy. He was dressed in yellow and black and carried a large red umbrella attached to an equally large traveling pack. Although the new comer was bit shorter, Aeril had no doubt that the strange boy was many times stronger than even the tomboy.

It wasn't long before the Aeril in the dream and this new boy began fighting. Several things quickly became fairly obvious. First this new comers fighting style was relied heavily on strength. His swings were slow but powerful. To make matters even worse, he also seemed to have a large array of weapons on hand. From the red umbrella he wielded one-handed, to deadly throwing bandannas and even a belt that he was somehow able to handle like a sword.

Aeril also noticed how reckless he was. He was attacking wildly instead of waiting to make a solid hit. He was angry and his anger was making him lose his focus. His only concern was taking his opponent down. Any fighter good enough to recognize this, would draw out the fight and let the attacker wear themselves out. Aeril was glad to see that was exactly what he doing. The Aeril that was fighting was weaving past blows at a faster rate than even his elven side could accomplish. As such he was doing a fairly good job of prolonging the fight, avoid being hit, and returning fire every once and a while.

The fact that new comer didn't seem to be slowing down slightly by the prolonged attacks or hits he was receiving told a lot about his stamina and endurance levels. Who ever this person was, Aeril knew he was very dangerous. This was proven when the wild boy threw his umbrella at him, nearly hit several spectators.

He was momentarily distracted from the fight, when his female dreamself spoke. "You may wanna look where that umbrella fell for a moment."

Turning he saw a boy try to pick up the umbrella and fail utterly. Then the tomboy tried to pick it up and she had to use two hands just to awkwardly lift it. "How heavy is that thing?" He asked.

His elven dreamself laughed. "I'd say it's just a bit lighter than your girl half."

And he holds that thing with one hand?" Aeril asked clearly flabbergasted.

Yep! Bacon breath may not be the brightest but he's probably one of the strongest guys I've ever met."

That guys as strong as an ogre!" Aeril said incredulously.

His dreamself shrugged. "I think he's probably a bit stronger."

To highlight this, the wild boy managed to hit the Aeril in the dream and sent him flying into a wall, resulting in a human shaped impact crater. To Aeril's even greater amazement, his copy in the dream recovered fairly quickly from the blow; he was fairly sure that he would not be able to recover from it as quickly as his counterpart did. The surprises didn't end there however. Not too long after that the two of them easily bound over the school's two story walls.

Aeril was about to chase after them to continue watching the fight when the scenery suddenly changed and he found facing off against a gnomish woman by the water. He didn't have too much time to observe that scene before it was replaced by a scene where a panda kicked a bee hive at him and he had to swat all of the bees before they stung him. The scene changed again and he was once more fighting the wild boy, who now seemed to be able to shatter large boulders with just his finger. He was shown scene after scene of other incredible fights, before finally finding himself inside his home in Freeport. His dreamself stood inside the door way of his simple house. She looked at him and asked, "Still don't believe me?"

Aeril sighed. As much as it hurt his pride, trying to deny the fact that the girl was right wouldn't help him. "Ok fine. I still got a lot to go. You're right."

The elf smiled. "I know. But hey I guess I shouldn't be too hard on you, seeing as how it ain't entirely your fault. I guess you did try your best for the few years you've been at it. Luckily for you, you've got me to whip you back into shape."

Aeril looked excited. "You're gonna teach me?"

It'd be too embarssin if I didn't. But seein as how your snuggle bunny's woken up, you had better wake up too. We'll pick up where we left off next time."

Huh?" Aeril asked totally confused by his elven side's sudden and odd change of topic. His only answer was the slow fading away of the world around him. Just as the world had nearly faded away completely, Aeril noticed a young girl dressed in brilliantly white robes suddenly appear and begin talking to his elven side. Unfortunately he wasn't able to hear anything that was being said. Aeril, who didn't want to leave the dream yet, reached out his hand and shouted. "Wait! Don't go away!"

Unfortunately the dream had faded and he was left looking at Maji who was in turn staring at him oddly. "Can't sleep without hugging me can you?" She teased.

Aeril suddenly felt his cheeks get really red, as what both his elven side had told him and what Maji just said sunk in. "I uh, sorry about that. I didn't mean to uh, you know... again."

Maji shook her head and smiled at him. "You know I wonder how you're gonna be able to goto sleep when we go our separate ways. You'd better appreciate it while still can, because we're half way done with our little quest. I'm about to acquire my second rune right now. Feel free to wander about town if you want. I don't plan on staying in this abysmal city much longer."

Ok. I'll see you later then. Good luck with getting your rune."

Maji waved and left their room. No sooner did the door close behind her, did Aeril sigh in relief. He was feeling extremely embarrassed about having yet again hugged Maji in his sleep. No doubt she would have teased him about it longer, as she normally did, if she hadn't been in such a hurry.

Of course, he was also glad for the opportunity to be by himself to think about things and clear his mind. One such thing he wanted to ponder was the effects of the halflings drugs. Now that it had been completely purged from his system, he was able to see how strongly they had affected him. Ironically even though he was cured, he still felt as if he was being somewhat affected by it.

The sensations he felt the night before were strongly burned into his mind. He couldn't forget the sight of Maji as she danced about the room, or the way her touch sent shivers throughout his body, or even the smell of her hair as it cascaded about his head when she nearly kissed him. Those sensations were like nothing he had ever experienced before. And while he knew they had been forced upon him this time, he didn't think he'd mind all that much if those sensation came back naturally.

He had to admit he was curious as to what would have happened if Salvin had not knocked on the door. He remembered his thoughts at the lake and wondered about the kiss and how it might have tasted. Would it have been sweet, like the rare moments that she would let her guard down around him and be happy? Or would it have been more sour, like her pointed barbs and aloof demeanor? Most likely, he thought, it would be a mixture of both; A kind of bittersweet taste that both invited you and yet pushed you away at the same time.

Aeril shook his head to clear his mind from that line of thought, if for no other reason that the fact he didn't what to think about it. Those emotions weren't his in that it was brought upon by the drugs. Yet they were his, because it was very possible that he could naturally feel that way again.

Sighing deeply, Aeril got off of the comfortable bed. All this deep thinking about this kind of stuff was beginning to give him a headache. For now, it was probably best to just forget about it. The best way to do that was to begin his daily practice forms. Aeril closed his eyes, and began his warm ups the way he'd done since he began learning martial arts. Slowly yesterday's distractions began fading away, until eventually he was completely focused on his training. As he did the forms he had been taught years ago, he began thinking about his dream.

He wasn't sure if it was just a strange dream he'd had due to Salvin's cure working to rid the effects of the spice from his body, or if he really had been communicating with his former self. Salvin did warn him that it might cause him to have odd dreams, but this seemed to realistic to be a dream. Watching those fights gave him a sick sense of deja vu.

But it wasn't just an emotional sense of having experienced it, his body also seemed to remember the abuse it had taken as well. His body seemed to itch slightly where it remembered having been stung by a myriad of bees the day he was training with the panda to protect himself from the wild boy's shattering touch. His head also slightly hurt in a particular location where the old gnome had often enjoyed hitting him with her staff. His neck even felt tight and strained from having been painfully jarred thanks to the tomboy girl he saw.

All of that couldn't just have been a conjured up dream, they were far too real to have been anything less than a memory. Unfortunately, if the dream was true than he was far behind in his martial abilities than he had once been. In his dream, his elven side told him that he was a wimp compared to even the lowliest of those he knew, and that she had been the best of them all.

Judging from the fights he had seen, her boasts were a far cry from being empty. He knew that if he were forced to fight any of them, his chances for victory would be slim. He didn't like that. From what he'd seen, he didn't think many of them would try to work things out peacefully; especially not the wild boy.

Of all the people he fought with in his dream, it was this wild boy that he seemed to fight with the most often. With the exception of his fight with the female gnome, none of the other fights had the same intensity of his fights with the wild boy. If Aeril had been the best of the bunch, then this wild boy was a close second. If he ever wanted to survive another fight with this wild boy, he was going to have to do some serious training to get back to the level he had been in the dream. Finishing his daily routine, Aeril sighed deeply. The work ahead of him would not be an easy one, but it was one he decided he needed to do.

Deciding to take a few minutes to rest before continuing again, he walked outside of his room. He was greeted by the warm breezy seaside weather of Erudin. Unlike the scorching temperatures they faced when they were in Toxxulia forest, the weather in the city was far more tolerable thanks to the gentle sea winds. It was a wonder to him how Maji, who loved the water, could hate a city in which even the very air smelled like water. In truth, it reminded him of home, as Freeport was also a port city. He didn't understand why Maji hated the city so much; he thought it was very beautiful.

Finding a grassy area, he decided it was a good place to continue his training. However instead of doing the many forms he had been taught, he decided to try something slightly different. Closing his eyes, he recalled the part of his dream where the tomboy fought the horde of boys. He placed himself in her position and prepared himself to fight off thirty crazed boys. Very few of the boys had any real skill, but their ability to swarm him posed a substantial threat. So in order to succeed, he had to be quick and alert. Taking a deep breath, he began acting out the motions of the imaginary battle.

Immediately the entire pack of imagined boys began bull rushing him at the same time. He started by trying to weave and dodge his way through all of their clumsy attacks. Unfortunately there were simply far too many of them for him to simply avoid them all and after the fifth supposed hit he stopped trying to imagine the fight. He didn't simply want to beat the crowd of attacking boys, he wanted to do so in similar fashion to the tomboy. Which meant that he couldn't get hit too many more times than her. She did it with only two hits, so he wouldn't allow more than five for himself.

Clearing his mind of this set back, he once again reset the mental scenario. Again the boys began by charging at him in a group, and as last time they quickly managed to score five hits. Aeril opened his eyes and frowned. Something just didn't seem right. Granted a mob of thirty people can be pretty hard to deal with, especially when they're out to get you, but he was sure he could have done better than he was doing. Unless he was making the mob harder to deal with than they actually were, but he didn't think that was what was wrong. He was pretty sure that he was mentally simulating them at the same skill level as the boys in his dreams, which meant something else must have been wrong.

After thinking about it for a little while, he quickly found the problem. Unfortunately it wasn't one he could easily fix if he wanted this training method to work. The root of the problem was the way he reacted in a fight. Over the years, he'd learned to rely on his human side for strength and his elven side for speed. And while he couldn't will the change, his body instinctively knew when it was necessary and would do so automatically. While most people might find it disconcerting to suddenly change shapes in the middle of a battle, Aeril found it completely natural. When he was completely focused on a fight he was virtually on autopilot, and could easily adapt to the sudden bodily changes. However in a completely made up scenario, like he was imagining, his body apparently didn't feel the need to change.

This unfortunately made things harder for him, since he couldn't count on his body to actually change forms. That limited him to his human form, which would in turn limit his agility and his ability to avoid being hit. It did however give him far more strength, as well as forcing him to being more adaptable and less dependent on his elven side.

Once again he closed his eyes. There in front of him he saw the group of boys waiting to charge at him. He once again began the scenario and just as before they came charging at him. This time though he knew he had to change his methods, and that he needed to find a way to split the mob. Remembering the tomboy's method he began by matching their charge with one of his own, plowing down a few of the boys in the process. This time instead of simply trying to doge all the incoming attacks, he dodged and counterattacked. Just as the tomboy had done, he would strike his opponents and find a way to use them to his advantage.

This time he managed to complete the exercise. But it wasn't enough, so he began doing it again. He still wasn't satisfied when he finished it yet again. He could practically hear his dreamself telling him how that wasn't exactly all that impressive since the tomboy managed to do it fairly easily. That grated on him. So he tried it again, but this time he made his opponents much more skilled.

That changed things. After several rounds of increasing the mob's skills, Aeril was now truly working up a sweat from mimicking his mental actions. He could feel the efforts of three hours of nonstop fighting beginning to wear on him. His movements where slowing down, and his breathing was now quite heavy. Thankfully for him, only three more imaginary fighters were left. But those three were extremely difficult, especially their leader, who wielded a wooden sword.

For the most part his fight was mostly with the leader. His two lieutenants would often come from either behind or his sides at the most inopportune times forcing him to break away and try again. Unfortunately for him this time when he tried to break away the leader followed. The leader pressed his now found advantage on him, and advanced on him with several rapid sword thrusts in his direction. Aeril was forced to try to back up and avoid all of the sword strikes coming his way. Unfortunately they were coming in too fast for him to avoid them all in his fatigued state, and sword strike after imagined sword strike broke through his defenses and managed to land on him. He was two strikes away from his raised limit of ten hits, when a voice pierced his thoughts saying, "Look out!"

Aeril opened his eyes and saw a young erudite, probably a couple of years younger than himself, looking at him. After a quick glance around he quickly found why the erudite had yelled to him. In his efforts to back away from the sword strikes he had begun moving toward a wall, and was just inches away from backing into a door that was left ajar. "Thank you that might have hurt."

The young erudite smiled at him and said. "So what exactly were you doing?"

I was just trying to do some trainin."

Why?"

Cuz I wanna get better."

Why?"

Well, cuz if I don't than I'm not gonna get any better. And you gotta train to get better."

Why are trying to get better in the first place? Did you want to study what you're learning, or did your parents force you?"

Well it's cuz I wanna. My father was the one who got me to do it and he taught me at first, but he never forced me."

Isn't there anything else you wanna do other than that?"

I like it, why would I want to do something else?"

Aeril was about to answer when he heard a woman say, "Scoeitt! There you are! Where have you been? Do you realize I have been searching for you for the last hour?"

I've been here mother."

What are you doing here when you should be in school?" Said the angry mother.

I don't want anything to do with school! I have no intentions of being a wizard or an enchanter, or even a magician."

Scoeitt this neither the time nor the place to be having this conversation."

Why can't I be like him? His parents didn't force him into doing something he didn't want to do, why can't you do the same!"

Do not speak to me in that tone of voice young man! You come from a long lineage of powerful wizards, and on top of that, your father and I are two of the most respected wizards in all of Erudin. I will not take much more of this insolence. You will drop this rebellious attitude this moment, return to school and never bring up the subject again. Do you understand me?"

No. I've made my decision. I chosen to be a monk like him!"

Aeril tried to in say something but was completely ignored. "A monk?! By Bristlebane! Where did you come up with such ludicrous idea? No self-respecting erudite would ever consider such a plebeian vocation, and especially not the son of Al'Kabor and Siland!"

It is not ridiculous mother! I have read our histories. Long before the great heretic Miragul ever began his study into necromancy, we erudites housed the greatest monastic orders in the world! Just as no other can match our ability in the arcane arts, neither could anyone match us in the martial arts as well. History even alludes to a sect of erudite monks that were even able to combine their martial and arcane arts together to form an extremely deadly combination that was feared all across Norrath."

Siland rubbed her temples and sighed deeply. "Of all the days for the nursemaid to have caught influenza!" Taking a deep breath she visibly calmed herself. "Why don't we look at this logically? Regardless of what may have been true in history, the fact remains there are no longer any monastic orders in Erudin. Just where would you intend to study? Qeynos? If you read your history as well as you claim, you'd know that no foreign monastic order has ever taken an erudite student since the close of our local schools."

Aeril again tried speaking was "I'm sure he'd be allowed in--"

Without even a moment of thought, Scoeitt answered. "I will find the elder monk."

The elder monk does not exist."

The church of Quellious claims he does. Therefore unless you wish to try and refute the claim or question the credibility of the church it stands to reason that the elder monk does indeed exist. Am I wrong mother?"

Siland looked at her son impassively. "Your reasoning is sound enough. Postulating a person's existence, and acquiring their assistance are two entirely different things. Tell me then, how do you plan on finding him? The church may affirm his existence, but they have not been forthcoming with his location."

I'm not sure yet, I'm still working on that."

Fine! We will compromise. I will give you three months. You have three months in which to secure your enrollment. If at that time you have managed to do so, then I drop the issue and you are free to do as you please. However if you have not secured your enrollment in exactly three months, you will abandon this nonsense and become a wizard. Do we have a deal?"

Yes mother."

Good. Then we will speak again in three months time." Satisfied that everything was in order with her son, she turned to face Aeril. She examined him meticulously, before addressing him. "You there, what is your name?"

Aeril who had felt extremely uncomfortable at the woman's scrutiny stuttered somewhat saying, "a--Aeril."

There is something . . . hauntingly familiar about you. I am not one to forget people whom I have made personal contact with, however I am unable to place you for the life of me. It is bad enough your face is familiar, but to forget someone who should be hard to forget like a human who's name is a variant of such a rare elvish name is just shameful. Tell me we have met have we not?"

Aeril who also felt as if he had met her before nodded his head. "Ya I think so."

When?" She said gruffly, not at all pleased with his uncertainty.

Aeril shrugged. "I don't know. You seem really familiar but--I don't know."

Siland stared intently at him, vainly trying to force the memory to surface. When it became apart that she wouldn't be able to remember him she turned her vision back to her son. "I have an experiment I need to conduct. Scoeitt, you have three months. For your sake I suggest you take full advantage of it."

Not awaiting a response she quickly cast a spell and disappeared when a portal appeared around her and swallowed her up. Seeing his mother was gone, Scoeitt turned to Aeril. "I'm impressed. My mother is not usually one to speak to those she doesn't have to. Your having caught her attention is rare and probably an unfortunate privilege. Unlike my father and myself, mother is even more reclusive than most of my people."

Aeril nodded. "I'm sorry I gottcha in trouble."

Scoeitt shook his head. "Don't apologize. You did absolutely nothing. In fact, it is I who should apologize to you for involving you into an intrafamily altercation. The fact is disputes like this are quite common in most erudite families, albeit much tamer than this. Usually the fight is between parents who want their child to study one field of magic and the child who wishes to study a different field. And If not magic itself, then over the researching of it. For example, my mother has a doctoral specialization in teleportation, with a focus on interplaner travel. My father on the other hand is dually specialized in both evocational modulation and, oddly enough, abjurational fortification. A normal erudite family feud would occur if, lets say, I wanted to become a magician or if I wanted to study an arcane method for sensory translocation. Instead I've chosen to be monk, which my parents find an anathema to everything they believe in."

Aeril blinked, only fully understanding the last bit about his desire to be a monk. Were Maji here, the two might go off talking about this or that, but all this magic talk was far above his head. Instead he decided to try and move the conversation into something he understood more than magic. "Why a monk?"

I feel the calling much as a cleric feels the calling from his chosen deity. It confounds me that my people look down upon the martial arts as a feasible career choice."

Why's that?"

Scoeitt sighed. "To put it plainly my people eschew physical labor. If it can't be done with magic, most of my people will try their utmost to avoid it."

So if you drop a book, you wont even bend over to pick it up?" Aeril asked incredulously.

Most will, others will just cast a spell of levitation. If it is that menial, like picking up a book that has fallen to the floor, most erudites will pick up a book, as it is more efficient to simply pick up the book than waist time and mana to cast a spell. What I'm talking about is continual or intensive physical work. For example farming is both a continual and intensive job that requires lots of physical effort. As such, there are very few erudites farmers."

WHAT?! How the heck do you eat then?"

Typically we summon it."

Aeril made a face at that. Since he and Maji began traveling the two of them had eaten a good share of summoned food. Thankfully it wasn't so bad, since they also had the food they got in Median, even though it was drugged. The summoned food they ate always felt strange and tasted extremely bland. "Yuck. How do you do it?"

Well we also import food from Qeynos, and those with discriminate tastes even hire other non-erudites too grow their food for them. But as you can image, that is usually far more expensive."

What does that have to do with why you guys don't like monks?"

Not only does martial arts involve intense physical combat, but it also does not involve magic in any form."

"But you have guards around here, isn't that physical combat and what not?"

Yes, that is correct. However our guards are not simple warriors as might be true where you are from. No, the sentinels that protect Erudin, are all paladins of Quellious or Prexus. It is actually a minor distinction when one thinks about it, since they magic they do cast is divine and not arcane. However, it is enough of a distinction for my people. I suppose as you humans say, it helps them sleep better at night. They are still looked down upon for that, just not nearly at the same level. Nevertheless those who do become paladins or clerics, do so because they feel the calling from their chosen deity."

Why are you guys like that? It's not like it's all that big a deal. It sounds kinda stupid to me."

Perhaps, but that is the way of my people. We are brought up to believe that we are above doing menial physical tasks."

"So why aren't you like that?"

I had a human nursemaid."

A what?"

A nursemaid. You humans call it a babysitter. At least I think that's the word. Once a baby is able to survive without direct care from their mother, erudite families often hire a nursemaid to take care of their children so that they can continue their magical studies. However I was born while my parents were on research expedition in Kunark. Since my parents were the only erudites there, my mother hired the daughter of her research assistant to raise me."

So who is this elder monk person?"

Scoeitt sighed. "The elder monk is last surviving member of the ancient erudite orders of martial arts. There are many legends that surround him. Some say that through intense discipline of both his body and mind he was able to attain a form of transcendence. Others say that Quellious saw his intense devotion to her tenants and that she blessed him with a form of longevity to continue his passion in his art."

Aeril was amazed. Unlike some of the other things they had talked before like magic and erudite customs, this he was able to understand. As both a martial artist and a follower of Quellious, he found himself intrigued by this elder monk. "So where do you find him then?"

The young erudite frowned. "You don't. If he finds you worthy of his teachings, he'll find you. Or at least that is how the legend goes. I do not even know of anyone who has claimed to have met him."

"So then how are you going to find him?"

Scoeitt shrugged. "In all I will never find him. In three months time I will more than likely return to school."

"So you're just gonna give up?" Aeril said incredulously.

"What other choice do I have? I either have to find a man whose very existence is debatable or find a way to enter one of either of the highly exclusive orders of Qeynos or Freeport."

"Then go to Freeport!"

"If only it were that simple. To the best of my knowledge, the Ashen Order of Freeport have only accepted human followers of Quellious into their ranks; while I may favor the teachings of Quellious over other teachings, I am neither a devote follower of hers nor am I a human. As such trying to gain admission into the ashen order would be an exercise in futility. What would be the point of seeking admission if I know I will be rejected?"

"Don't even worry about it! My father is one of the trainers, I'm sure he can put in a good word for you. He already has a half elf student, so why not have an erudite?"

"You would do that for me?"

"Ya sure. Why not?"

"You barely know me, why would you put yourself out for my sake?"

"Cuz you wanna learn the art. Isn't that what we've been talking about for the last who knows how long?"

Scoeitt peered at him suspiciously. "Then what is it you want in return? Obviously you can see that helping me in this, would not gain you favor with either of my parents. So if you hope gain some kind of profit from this, you will most likely be disappointed."

Aeril gave the erudite boy a perplexed look. "Huh? What are you talking about? Look if you want my help than I'll help you, but if you don't all you gotta do is tell me. It's not like I'll get mad or nothing."

Scoeitt was going to correct his grammar, but decided against it. "So let me see if I understand you correctly. You are saying that you will help me with my problem with no strings attached? That you do not expect any kind of payment, neither now or anytime in the future?"

Aeril nodded his head. "Ya, that's what I've been trying to say!"

"In that case, I will gladly accept your offer. Please, come to my house. You can write your letter there, and I can pay you back for all your doing for my by offering you some of the best food that Erudin has to offer."

Aeril looked at Scoeitt suspiciously. "It's not summoned is it?"

Scoeitt laughed. "No this food was imported from the Qeynos and cooked by some of the best chiefs Erudin has to offer."

Aeril's eyes, causing Aeril to switch forms and startle Scoeitt. "Sounds great, let's go!"

"Aeril?" Scoeitt asked confused.

"Ya?"

"Is that you?"

Aeril looked puzzled for a second but then looked down at herself and laughed. "Oops! Didn't even notice again. Ya it's me."

"What just happened to you?"

Aeril shrugged. "I'm an elf now."

Scoeitt rolled his eyes. "Yes, I can see that. Care to explain, how and why?"

The redhead shrugged again. "Not really sure how. I'm guessing it's cuz I got excited about the idea of eating some good food."

Scoeitt looked at elven girl in front of him. He hadn't felt any magic, so the change hadn't been magical. Yet for such a drastic change how else could have the change transpired? "Come let us go to my house and on the way you can explain your transformation to me."

The two were about to leave the hotel grounds when Aeril suddenly remembered she had forgotten the key to her room where she was practicing. Aeril asked Scoeitt to wait for a minute while she ran to go get the keys. Scoeitt thought excitedly about what his future would hold, if Aeril was able to get him admission into the Ashen Order. Not only that, he could only begin to imagine his mother's reaction when she found out of his acceptance.

Scoeitt's musings were suddenly interrupted when he felt an odd tingling run down his spine momentarily. Turning, he saw a half elf with short auburn hair wearing a well worn traveler's robe enter the inn. The erudite felt his heart stop, when the girl's emerald eyes met his and she smiled at him politely. Scoeitt was sorely disappointed when the girl turned away from him and headed up the stairs. While he would have preferred her to stay a bit longer, he did at least have one reason to be thankful for her departure; it reminded him of his body's need to breathe. To say the girl was beautiful was such a grotesque understatement that Scoeitt felt he would be doing the girl a great offence to even think it.

So dazzled was by the half elf was he, that he didn't noticed Aeril's return until Aeril shook him lightly to get his attention. "Scoeitt, you ok?"

The erudite nodded his head. "My apologies, I was momentarily distracted. Are you ready?"

"Yup, let's go."

Taking one last look at the stairway where the girl had gone, Scoeitt sighed and left the inn heading toward his house with Aeril. He now knew, after seeing that girl, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he would indeed become a member of the Ashen Order. After all if he hadn't destined to join its ranks, why else would the most amazingly beautiful woman he'd ever seen wear a wizard pin?!