They gasped as they passed though the giant gate of trees covered on deep claw like gouges. The town was more like a city. Hundreds of houses sat on the ground in front of them and more were being made at that moment. Each was different. Some were tall, others were short and many were long or wide. They were crafted from every type of wood possible and roughly put together. Hundreds of Reyuke roamed freely, talking quietly amongst themselves" What's going on?" Jessica whispered. Kentara growled softly which brought Jessica to look at her. Kentara's eyes glistened with malice.

"Do not speak," She hissed. "It is VERY annoying when someone does not want to be bothered…" She looked away and continued into the crowd.

Jessica and Reigme found it hard to keep her in sight with all the creatures moving around and between them. But what bothered them the most was not only that the Reyuke went out of their way to keep distance between her and themselves but that she was the only Torek they had seen so far.

When they finally reached her house they were on the far side of the town and Kentara had seemed to settle down. Her house was one of the smaller one's that had been built to last.

"I am sorry about the way I acted back there, but we also have a place where we do not want to be which happens to be crowded places."

Jessica frowned. "That explains why you went off so easily…so what's with all the houses being built everywhere and in poor condition…" Kentara sighed.

"Though this is the ideal place to live, it is very sheltered and scarcely attacked by Kaarion. So all of the Torek and Reyuke have come from all parts of the land to ban together to decide on the chosen one. There were only 30 here to begin with, but more come everyday and soon we will be undefeatable, yet unsheltered…If we have to start sharing our homes, chaos will break out…We will fight for our privacy which can only end in our deaths. Selfishness is our only weakness…" She gasped and jammed her hand over her mouth. "I have said too much. But forget about that, you are to sleep here tonight, and I must warn you, there are only 4 rooms. There are 2 bedrooms, a kitchen and this one. To sleep her is suicidal, and the kitchen is well…no…the bedrooms are very small and I share the bigger one with Galier-"

"Who is Galier?" Reigme interrupted. Kentara blushed.

"Well, he's…he's my felrah…" She stammered. Jessica and Reigme cast each other a confused glance.

"Um…yeah, no I don't…well I mean I don't know what that means but…"

Kentara gasped. "I thought for sure you…from the moment I saw you two I thought for sure…well I mean it sort of just happens…I thought for sure you felt that way about each other…"

Jessica gasped. "What?" She hissed. "What would bring you to think that?"

Kentara looked away. "I don't know…you constantly look at each other, you look like you try to stay away from each other but you always seem to drift closer together, and right now, you're standing very close…what brings you to deny it?"

Jessica and Reigme side stepped away from each other.

"The truth will not be denied." Jessica whispered. Kentara smiled and shot her a glance.

"No, it won't…now about your room. "The room was barley big enough for the single bed that filled all four corners. "Please don't be mad, but there is no other place for you to sleep, and the streets are dangerous at night. The guards are twisted with lust and their love of torture. That is why everyone has a front room. When they change shifts at night, they enter, sleep for a few hours then leave. They are only crazed when they are out and alone with their thoughts.

Reigme sighed. "So you're saying they are the exact opposite of you?"

Kentara sighed. "More-so than you know. We Torek hate crowds which is why we are the warriors, battle fields are at first crowded beyond imagine- "

"And the extra legs give you more power."

Kentara nodded. "Umm…yeah, but as I was saying, The Reyuke can't stand to be alone and look for someone to be with which is why most of them are whores. They are usually the third wave in a battle when there are few enemies left and we Torek have calmed down."

Jessica smirked. "So in battle instead of fighting they try to talk?"

Kentara didn't smile. "Exactly."

The smile dropped off of Jessica's face. "Oh…" Kentara led them though the tiny house. When they left the first room they expected to find the other rooms bigger. They couldn't be more wrong. The kitchen was the first room. The counters were stained red and the large wooden icebox leaked water all over the dirt floor. The walls were scrap planks. There were 2 doors, one on each side of the kitchen. They went right and into a slightly bigger room with a large bed and several well kept spears and 2 hand crafted silver swords as long as Reigme was tall.

Jessica looked around. "You know, I haven't seen a single window in any of the houses…is there a reason?" Kentara rolled her eyes. "We don't like others in our business, and then there's the night guard problem." Jessica nodded.

Kentara shuddered. "Okay, and now to the last room."

Jessica caught herself glance at Reigme who was watching Kentara. She looked away. Kentara smiled and backtracked into the kitchen, then paused before the door. "And here is where you will sleep." She took a deep breath then opened the door.

"How did you get the bed in here?" Reigme stuttered. Jessica barley kept from asking at the same time. There were no weapons or anything else for that matter and for good reason. The walls hugged the bed with no room to spare. There was no walking into the room because the bed sat right in front of them, and barely big enough for one person to sleep comfortably or 2 people that slept on their side close together. Jessica stared at the ground.

"Well…th-thank you for giving us a place to stay for the night."

Kentara smiled and shook her head. "You know too little to be out on you own. Reigme glanced at Jessica who stared angrily at the floor.

"Thanks Kentara." Reigme whispered.

Kentara smiled you should probably rest. You've been up all night. "I'll come for you later when my shift is complete, but first, I want you to meet Galier. His shift is always at night, but he's not like the others. He should be up shortly. I leave at dawn and come home at noon. I think you three will get along well as long as you do what he asks of you."

Jessica and Reigme nodded. Kentara sighed. "I hate to have so many rules. Just try to make yourself at home." She smiled and turned and went to her room shutting the door behind her.

Jessica looked into the room and at the bed. She was tired but everything was so new and strange she kept awake. She slowly crawled across the bed to the far side. Reigme couldn't help but watch her. He felt his stomach lurch with excitement, but tried to force his thoughts away. He quickly turned around to face the other direction. Jessica paused to stare at the tiny crack between the bed and the wall then collapsed onto the uncomfortable bed. "It's gonna be a long night." She stared up at the ceiling boards.

Reigme blushed hard trying to focus his attention on anything else. Jessica sighed. "Guess what the day after tomorrow is." Reigme glanced at her. "I, I don't know…July…13th?" Jessica smiled. "You mean you don't know what day it is?" Reigme shook his head. "I can't really concentrate right now…"

Jessica sighed. "Then forget it…it doesn't matter anymore…"

Reigme sighed and slipped onto the bed shutting the door behind him. Jessica was staring at the wall and away from him…again. "Let me think…July 13th…don't worry it'll come to me…" Jessica shrugged. "No, just forget it…it doesn't matter…"She felt tears begin to well in her eyes.

("What is it that makes me feel this way? Why do I get so emotional over something so stupid?")She asked herself. ("There is no reason to feel this way.") She could feel his eyes on her.

"You know…" He started. "You used to be happy all the time. Why did you become so sad?" Jessica shrugged helplessly when nothing came to mind. "I-I don't know…I just…" she couldn't think of anything to say, and the room was becoming gloomy.

Reigme sighed. "If-if you need anything…anything at all...just…just tell me okay? No worries alright?" Jessica slowly sat up, her golden blond hair trailed over the bed, falling over her shoulders. "Why?" She couldn't bring herself to look him in the eyes. "I have ignored you, tried to push you away…Why are you so nice to me?" She could feel the tears welling behind her eyes. She tried to force them away and trade her sadness with anger, and even became furious with herself for crying in front of him. She was on the verge of a breakdown. She felt her anger begin to fade into sadness and more tears form. Reigme saw the pain in her eyes.

"I can't help it…I think that's just the way you are…" Jessica frowned

"What does that mean?"

Reigme shrugged. "I feel kina dumb saying this, but I can't help but think that you don't want to be close to anyone…every time I look into your eyes I see defiance…like you want a friend…but you don't want to give in…" Jessica grit her teeth but knew it was too late he was reading her like an open book, and there was nothing she could do about it. She buried her face in her lap and the tears fell hard. Reigme swallowed. "Jess…I-I'm sorry I-I didn't mean to make you-I…" The tears came harder still as she gripped the rough quilt above her head, squeezing hard as the sadness wracked her body.

"Jess? Are-are you okay?" She squeezed the quilt harder as she tried to fight back the tears. She could feel herself breaking down. After nearly 16 years of being strong, she was finally losing herself.

As she felt another wave of sadness come, she re-gripped the quilt along with a fistful of his pants leg and squeezed hard. Reigme smiled sadly and moved closer. "Please don't cry…this isn't you."

She squeezed harder as she tried to control the sobs. "I-I can't help it-"She choked out between sobs. "I-I'm falling apart." Reigme slid his fingers through her hair and over her shuddering back, pulling her into his lap. "Please…don't let me go." She whimpered." I don't mean to be this way…but-but this is how I am."

Reigme held her tightly. "It's okay, I won't let go no matter what."

Reigme heard Galier stir, and Kentara mumble something to him, but that was all. They both stayed away the rest of the morning. Jessica and Reigme laid together beneath the blankets, his forehead to hers. One arm held her close, the other hand in her long hair.

Jessica slowly woke and tried to stretch but found Reigme's strong arms holding her tightly. A sick feeling gripped her stomach as the nights events reoccurred in her mind.

She lay motionless, staring at his face. She liked the feeling of comfort he gave with just his arms around her, but it made her sick to have someone so close to her. She wanted to pull away, but didn't want him to let her go. She sighed and kissed his forehead as she pulled away. A smile flicked over Reigme's lips and disappeared before she saw it. Jessica slowly crawled over him.

"I'm sorry I'm like this…" She turned and stared at him from the hall way. He rolled onto his back and stretched then relaxed with one hand tucked behind his head and the other scratched at his stomach then stopped moving. Jessica smiled and blushed. She couldn't seem to pull herself away. She sat on the bed beside him and ran her fingers through his soft brown hair and the side of his face. She slowly leaned closer and kissed his cheek catching the corner of his lips. She blushed furiously but ran her hand through his hair then down the side of his face to his lips. Reigme fought to keep control of him-self. Jessica sighed then pulled her hand back. She stood and slipped out the door with her fingers to her lips. If she looked at him again she would go back again, and she knew he would be awake soon.

She found A Torek in the front room. The lion part was lying on its stomach but the human part was scrubbing the stain from his spear. He was tanned very dark and his dark brown hair was pulled up in a long, high ponytail with a thick loose braid over each shoulder. His eyes were just as wild as Kentara's but held as much kindness as harshness. His ears perked as she entered.

"Kentara has told me much of you and your…felrah."

Jessica blushed. "No, it-it's not like that, we're well…we're just friends…"

He smirked. "We must have much, much better hearing than your kind. I heard what you said last night, this morning after and also before you- oh please forgive me I forgot to tell you who I am-"

Jessica gasped. "You were eaves dropping!" Galier shook his head. "No, and I'm sure other Torek heard you next-door. It's not that you were loud; it's that we have a good sense of hearing, and I could smell your tears as well. But as I was saying, I am Galier, warrior of Leora, and you are?"

Jessica sighed. "My name is Jessica, and the other guy is Reigme."

Galier slowly looked up giving Jessica a good look at his face. He was unbelievably hot, and his fangs were twice as long as Kentara's. He smiled at her reaction. "Is there a problem?"

Jessica stuttered and looked away. "Well it's-I, well" She stuttered. Galier smiled. "I almost had the same reaction to you, but, I have learned to keep my feelings under control…If you want, I could teach you." Jessica blushed.

"I would love that more than anything."

Galier smirked. "From what I heard last night, that's not true."

Jessica blushed harder. "Please, I don't want him to know I feel so strongly for him…It makes me sick knowing someone is so close to me…its not that I don't want him, it's that I won't allow myself to give in to him, anything or anyone…"

Galier's ears flattened against his head, and he glanced at the door behind her then looked her dead in the eyes. Jessica stared back only a moment then quickly looked away. Galier sighed.

"You won't be so easy to teach…why won't you hold the stare? Do I make you uncomfortable? Come, sit in front of me."

Jessica slowly did as she was told, sitting with her legs at her side, with her hands tightly clasped in her lap, staring at the ground. Galier ran his hand down the side of her face then lifted her chin and looked her in the eye. "What brings you to be this way? You are without trust…you won't let anyone near you…you can't make it alone you know…"

Jessica clenched her teeth as defiance washed over her and she jerked her head away. "I'll make it no matter what." She growled.

Galier smiled mischievously. "And such a temper, you are definitely a piece of work…I bet you love working hard. You seem like the kind of person that gives either your all or nothing." Jessica frowned. Galier smirked. "I'm right aren't I?"

Jessica glared at the floor. "Don't act like you know me…" Galier sighed. "And easily offended too, you're an open flame aren't you?" Jessica smiled at his observation. "You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"

Galier chuckled. "How do you feel about learning to use that sword of yours?"

Jessica's eyes immediately lit up. "More than anything!"

Galier chuckled and shook his head. Jessica blushed again. "Would you stop that?" Galier only laughed harder.

"Okay, okay, but first, Reigme needs to come out so we can match him to a weapon. C'mon Reigme I know you're listening."

Jessica cast a dirty look to Galier who only shrugged. Reigme slowly pushed open the door.

"Fine…" He could only stare at Galier. Galier frowned.

"I think you would do well with a sword as well…"

Reigme shrugged and cast a glance at Jessica, then back to Galier. Jessica barley caught his glance and smiled sadly. Something was happening between them she couldn't help but hate. Disgust washed over her making her sick. Galier's ears perked and his eyes darted in her direction looking her over thoroughly.

"Jess? Are you…" Realization struck him hard and even caused him to flinch. "I see…" His attitude completely changed from all knowing to rough and annoyed like they had shrunk into 5 year olds.

"First we eat, then, your training will begin. Wait here."

He disappeared into the kitchen. Jessica and Reigme stood in awkward silence glancing at each other every now and then. After what seemed an eternity Galier returned with an exhausted look on his face. "Eat up." He grumbled as he passed out plates of roasted meat smothered in sauce, except for his which was almost completely raw. Galier immediately dug into what looked like a bird, tearing at its flesh. Reigme watched him with disgust but curiosity took over keeping his eyes glued to the wild feast. Jessica ripped a leg off of the bird and held it to her nose. It smelled of honey and roasted meat, laced with herbs. She slowly took a bite and smiled.

"Wow…" was all she could say as she began to tear at the meat. Reigme stared at her in confusion. She ate like she was starving…the same way Galier was. He shrugged and ripped off a leg his teeth sunk into the meat and he found himself tearing at the meat himself. It didn't take long for the food to disappear; Galier slowly got to his feet and went back to the kitchen returning with three wooden cups filled with purple liquid. Jessica glanced into the cup.

"So what is it?" Galier nearly choked.

"What, this wretched crap? Well its supposed to keep you healthy…I suppose it works, but its just Alican and Roke, which is an herb, and I suppose you don't know what you ate either."

They shook their heads in unison wondering whether or not they should ever eat again.

Galier sighed. "It's a Gimsfel. When they are still live they are light green beautiful birds that live in enormous flocks and eat the other creatures of the woods, they are fierce and formidable prey, and I will give them that. The female are dark green like pine needles in mid summer, with twice the temper of the male and much, much larger. What you just ate were about nine months, almost a year." Jessica frowned.

"No you're wrong they were just babies…and there are only 4 months, why do you say nine?"

Galier looked as if he might fall over.

"Four?! Are you serious? How many days are in your year?"

Reigme glanced at Jessica. "About sixty…"

Galier stammered. "You're going to tell me there are sixty days in your year when there are 600 in ours? Jessica nearly collapsed at the outrageous news.

"You can't be serious…" Galier shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be? It is you that are strange…what could be done in sixty days? What could you accomplish in such short seasons?" Jessica shook her head and chugged the vile drink. Galier, and Reigme did the same.