I am so sorry for having this chapter out so late. I was catching up on some school work and my beta had trouble sending me the document. I hope it was worth the wait. Thanks again for all the feedback and reviews so far. Also, thanks to zealousfreak27 for reading over this chapter for me.

Now, onward to the story.

Chapter 8: Just Good Friends

"Dirk, could you make me another sword?" Lloyd asked during dinner. It was a simple meal of fish and rice with some ham from Lloyd's hunt yesterday.

Dirk looked up from his bowl in surprise. "Is there something wrong with your sword? It wasn't damaged in the village, wasn't it?"

Lloyd shook his head. "No, it's fine. I just thought it would be cool to have two swords."

"Two swords?" Dirk questioned.

"When I fought those wolves off the Cho... Colette, I used a nearby tree branch in my other hand to help me. It felt so natural, like this was the way I was always supposed to fight," Lloyd explained.

Dirk stroked his beard in thought. "Well, I do have enough left over material, so I could make another sword for you."

Lloyd beamed. "Please, Dirk."

"Okay, but you will have to take extra lessons for two months," Dirk said.

Lloyd cringed at the offer. Two months of extra work would totally suck, but he knew it was the only way to have his new blade. "Deal."

Dirk nodded before he paused in thought again. "But you still can't take them into the village. They won't budge on the law."

Lloyd deflated when he heard that. "But how I'm supposed to go to the village with no protection?"

"I could always take you there, but you still should have something to defend yourself. These are dangerous times," Dirk tapped his spoon against his bowl and didn't say a word for over ten minutes. He then snapped his fingers when an idea came to mind. "I could always make you a wooden pair."

"Wooden swords?" Lloyd asked.

Dirk nodded. "I could make you a pair of wooden swords to take with you when you want to go to town. The law just says you can't bring a deadly object."

Lloyd smiled, warming up to the idea. "That could work. Although I wonder how well wooden swords will hold up."

Dirk began to laugh. "Who do you think you're talking to, lad? Even if the swords are made of wood, I do fine work. They'll last you unless you do something crazy like setting them on fire."

Lloyd also laughed. "You're the best, Dirk."

"You won't be thanking me tomorrow when I put you to work," Dirk said as he picked up the dishes. "In fact, starting now you're washing the dishes."

Lloyd frowned. "Aw, man."

"A deal is a deal," Dirk said. "Or should I remind you of..."

"I'm going, I'm going," Lloyd said as he got up and took the dinners dishes away from Dirk. Yeah, these next two months were going to suck.

Dirk was true to his word and kept Lloyd busy all day. He woke him up early to help him heat the furnace and prepare the copper and iron ores. Lloyd wasn't too upset about that since he got to watch Dirk mix metals to create steel and bronze. It was one of the first steps necessary for forging.

He even watched Dirk meld together a metal that he had never seen before. It looked like bronze, but it was too light. It could have been mistaken for gold too, but lacked its shine and luster.

"Hey Dirk, what kind of metal is that?" Lloyd asked.

"Ay, you've never seen one before," Dirk noted as he lifted up the strange ore. "This is a special metal known as an inhibitor ore."

"An inhibitor ore?" Lloyd repeated.

"It is an old dwarven material that only we know how to process," Dirk explained. "It is a metal that controls and subdues certain energy."

Lloyd rubbed his head in confusion. "But why would you want to do that?"

Dirk paused for a moment before answering. "Lloyd, have you ever heard of an exsphere?"

"Exsphere?" Lloyd repeated, completely lost.

"No surprise. Most humans have never heard of it," Dirk said as he pulled away from his work. "Exspheres are special crystals that the dwarves learned to make a very long time ago. In time, however, certain people have stolen this technology. One of these people happens to be the Desians."

Lloyd's face twisted in disgust of that name. "Desians. Exspheres must be bad then."

Dirk shook his heads. "Exspheres are not bad by nature. Only the people who use them makes them good or bad."

"But, how does exspheres connect with this ore?" Lloyd asked.

"Exspheres grant special powers to those who manage to get one," Dirk explained. "It brings out a person's maximum strength."

Lloyd nodded in understanding. "So, it makes you stronger."

"Pretty much," Dirk said. "An exsphere only works when it's connected directly to a person's skin. However, putting an exsphere on can make you sick."

"But how can it make you stronger and sick all at the same time?" Lloyd questioned.

"That is where the inhibitor ore comes in," Dirk said with a slight smile. "An inhibitor ore controls an exsphere and keeps it from harming the user."

Lloyd rubbed his chin. "So, you make the ore into some kind of charm."

Dirk nodded. "The inhibitor ore is shaped into any item of choice and a special charm is carved into it to activate the metal. This item then becomes known as a key crest."

"This is complicated," Lloyd mourned.

Dirk chuckled. "You'll get it in time."

"Why are you making one anyway?" Lloyd asked.

"It's for an old client," Dirk said. "He ran into some trouble and got his key crest damaged. It's not too bad, but it's better to side with caution on such things."

Lloyd began to smile. "Can I help?"

Dirk shook his head. "Making a key crest is hard work that leaves little room for error. I could teach you to make the charm for one, but that will be part of your charm study. For now, go to the well and get some water for the furnace."

Lloyd frowned. "You never let me do the fun stuff."

"Off with ya." Dirk said as he scooted Lloyd along.

The days flew by and Lloyd was exhausted by the end of the week. Dirk had crammed more lessons in this one week than an entire month of their usual schedule. There was just so much to learn that he wondered how Dirk could take it all in.

There was once a time he believed Dirk to be the greatest crafter in the world, but Dirk told him that he does specialize in certain crafts, so there were many things he didn't know. He said that he was a wood builder/carver with an emphases in forging and iron weaving.

Dirk often told him that one-day he would have to choose a field of study in craft to focus on since it was impossible to learn everything. Right now, Dirk was just giving him the basics so he could have an idea of what was expected of him.

Lloyd already knew, however, that he wanted to focus on weapon and armor forging, with maybe an emphasizes in wood carving like Dirk. He knew Dirk was not a weapon or armor expect, therefore he was unqualified to teach him the finer points. Dirk said that if he really wanted to go into that side of crafting, he maybe had to go to the kingdom of the dwarves.

Dirk often maintained that human's steel and craftsmanship were inferior to the best the dwarves had to offer, so Lloyd would not get the same level of training if he went to a human blacksmith. He had to admit, he would love to see the dwarves kingdom, especially since it was extremely rare for humans to lay eyes on it. However, he would like to find his father before he went.

"Lloyd," Dirk's muffled voice came through the door.

"Come in," Lloyd said as he continued on his pet projects.

"I have something for ya," Dirk said with a huge smile on his face.

Lloyd turned around to see Dirk holding two wooden swords. They were shaped exactly like real steel blades. "Wow, that's so cool!" he exclaimed as he tried out his new swords. They weren't as cool as his steel one, but they were much lighter and greatly speeded up his normal attacks.

"That wood is strong, but don't overdo it," Dirk warned. "Also, it will take more hits to disable the wild beasts in the forest."

"I know, Dirk." Lloyd smiled. "I'll be extra careful going to Iselia tomorrow."

Dirk raised an eyebrow. "You're going to Iselia?"

"I want to visit Colette," Lloyd said. "If she isn't in too much trouble for sneaking off."

"I suppose that would be okay," Dirk said after some thought. "Just don't run off again and take Noishe with you."

Lloyd nodded. "No problem."

"Remember also to be home before dinner," Dirk said. "You still have to fulfill your end of the bargain if you want that other sword."

Lloyd gave a short sigh. "Yes, Dirk."

The night was thankfully dreamless and he woke up refreshed in the morning. Lloyd was not able to have meat since he didn't have time to go out hunting and that pig was eaten long ago. It kind of sucked and he had to remember to go hunting before he returned home later. He was not sure how Dirk could live without eating meat.

"I'm off," Lloyd said as he finished breakfast.

Dirk nodded. "See you later, lad."

Lloyd ran out the door and whistled for Noishe. He immediately ran towards Lloyd's side and licked his hand. "We're going to see Colette today."

Noishe whined excited as Lloyd climbed on his back. Hopefully, there were no monsters nearby or this would be a very short trip.

They were off and Lloyd held on tight to his best friend. The day was already fairly warm, so the cool breeze was welcomed.

With Noishe, it didn't take long before they reached the outside of the village. As always, the guards blocked their path. Really, didn't they have anything else to do?

"That thing is not allowed," a guard said.

"It's a dog," Lloyd almost growled. "Why's that so freaking hard to understand?"

"Don't give us any lip, boy!" the other guard exclaimed. "It's your fault that the Chosen put herself in such danger the other week."

"My fault?" Lloyd whispered. He so wanted to hammer this guard upside his head.

"You're not allowed in here if you still insist on carrying that sword," the first guard said. "It's the law."

Lloyd jumped down from Noishe and showed them his wooden swords. "Here is my sword, you skit."

The guard didn't caught the insult and instead examine his swords. "Now you have two of them?"

The other guard shook his head. "But they're wooden blades. We only prohibit steel swords."

The first guard grumbled under his breath. "Fine, but you better stay out of trouble or else I'll throw you out myself."

Lloyd really had to bite his tongue as he walked through the gate. He had a couple choice words he wanted to say, but thought it was wise to keep his mouth shut. Although they obviously didn't know dwarven, it would make him looked more like an outcast if he started to rattle out curses in another tongue. He also didn't want to give them any excuse to chase him out of town again.

As he moved through town, several people gave him dirty or disapproving looks. It seemed he didn't make many friends from his last visit. Being labeled both a heathen and a troublemaker was not a good combination. He actually wondered if Colette's influence was the only thing that kept him from being permanently ban.

Colette's house didn't come soon enough and he wasted no time knocking on the door. After a couple of seconds, Frank opened the door.

"Lloyd! We weren't expecting you back so soon," Frank said, more than a little surprised to see the boy.

Lloyd lowered his head. "I...I wanted to see Colette if I can. I mean...if you're mad about the other week."

Frank shook his head. "Nonsense, come right in." He pushed Lloyd through the door and had him sit on the sofa. "Colette is currently at the temple with her grandmother, but she should be back soon."

"Today isn't the day of rest," Lloyd noted.

Frank chuckled. "The Chosen goes to the temple everyday to train and prepare herself for the Journey of Regeneration. Once she leaves this village, she will be out of our protection and the priests can only do so much."

Lloyd paused in thought. "So, she trains to protect herself from the Desians, right?"

"Well, that's part of it," Frank said. "Another part of the training is so she can pass the trial of the angels and break the seals on the Tower of Salvation."

"Why is the Tower of Salvation sealed anyway once it appears?" Lloyd asked. "Why make the Chosen go through all these trials and put the world at further risk?"

"It is to see if the Chosen is strong enough to be an angel," Frank explained. "Martel cannot have a weak Chosen save the world and fight the Desians. Which is why the Chosen must prove their strength, loyalty, and faith towards the Goddess."

"Sounds long winded," Lloyd said in a bored tone.

Frank smiled. "You would understand better if you went to school. You've been old enough to go for three years."

"I have no need for school," Lloyd said. "I learn everything I need to know from Dirk."

"Dirk only knows so much," Frank stated. "Besides, he mostly knows about Dwarven's history and traditions. Wouldn't you want to learn more about your own history?"

Lloyd pressed his lips together. "I guess, but I never really cared."

Frank frowned. "If anything else, it would give you a chance to socialize with people your own age."

"And kind," Frank silently thought to himself. Dirk was a good man, but humans should teach human history. Lloyd also could not live his entire life in the woods. He was already socially awkward just by the way he interacted with the other kids and adults. Being a nonbeliever wasn't helping him either.

"I'll think about it," Lloyd muttered after a few minutes.

Frank sighed. He might be forced to confront Dirk directly about this.

It was nearly an hour later before Colette came crashing through the doors. "I'm home, daddy!"

Frank went over and kissed Colette on the cheek. "How was training?"

"Good," Colette said before she began to frown. "But I put a hole through the temple wall again."

"Again!" Lloyd thought as he stared at Colette. How strong was this girl to put a hole through solid rock or was this temple made out of paper?

Frank laughed. "Don't worry. I'm certain that Dirk can fix it. Just be more careful for now on."

Colette nodded. "I will."

"Speaking of which, you have a friend here to visit you," Frank said.

Colette's eyes lit up. "Who?" Frank looked towards the sofa and Colette's smile became even brighter. "Lloyd!"

She jumped down from her father's grip and ran towards him. Lloyd got up, but was taken off-guard when Colette tackled him to the ground. Lloyd laid on the floor in shock. How could such a small girl be so heavy?

"Lloyd, I'm sorry!" Colette exclaimed as she got off of him and pulled him to his feet. "I just got over excited. You're the first person my age that has ever come to visit me."

Lloyd dusted himself off. "It's no big...the first person?" He cut himself off. "What about all those other kids you were playing with the other day?"

Colette frowned. "We only play with each other when we see it each others. We're not friends, friends."

"Oh, I see," Lloyd said sadly. He was not sure what to say since he didn't really have any friends either, except for Dirk and Noishe. But Dirk was more of a teacher and Noishe couldn't talk to him like a normal person.

"Why did you come over?" Colette suddenly asked.

Lloyd began to rub his hair. "Well, I thought we could hang out. You know, the right way since I messed up."

Colette looked towards Frank. "Can we, daddy?"

Frank smiled. "Sure. Just stay out of trouble."

Colette nodded excitedly. "We will."

Lloyd also smiled. "Thanks, Frank."

They then walked outside together and began to wonder around the village.

It took Lloyd a few minutes to find his voice. "So, what do you do around here for fun?"

Colette thought about for a moment. "Normal stuff like play tag, hide and seek, desert bandits..."

"Huh, what are desert bandits?" Lloyd asked.

"Oh, that's when one child plays a bandit that steals gold and hides it somewhere," Colette explained. "It's the other kids' job to find it."

"Like a treasure hunt," Lloyd said.

"Well, something liked that," Colette said. "The bandit can put false clues or mislead the other kids. But the other kids can also trap the bandit and force them to tell them where they hid the treasure."

Lloyd began to smile. "Sounds like a fun game."

"Let's play that," Colette said as she looked around and saw the other kids playing in the distance.

"Hey, do anyone wants to play desert bandit!" Colette yelled.

The other kids stopped in mid play as they looked at them.

"Sure!" one yelled.

"But that kid is with her," another one whispered. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"The Chosen is with him, so he must be cool," the girl said as she ran over to join Colette. The other followed shortly behind her and they began the game.

After drawing sticks, Colette won to be the bandit. Since they needed a treasure to bury, one of Lloyd's wooden swords were chosen. He was not happy about it, especially since he just gotten them, but he went along with it. He trusted Colette and knew she would do no harm to them. Plus, he didn't want to ruin the game given his already low standing.

They then went into their waiting spot and gave Colette ten minutes to hide the treasure. When time was up, the hunt was on. Instead of dividing into teams, it was a free for all. The first one to find the sword was the winner and Lloyd had no intention of losing.

He stalked around the village, looking for a spot where Colette would most likely hide something. He was at a severe disadvantage compared to the other kids since he didn't know the village that well and he hadn't known Colette long enough to guess where her usual hiding spots were. The only thing he could figure was that Colette would hide his sword in a place where flowers grew. She just seemed to have a flowery personality.

Lloyd's big break came when he saw Colette hiding behind a tree, giggling as she watched the other kids stumble around town. He knew this was his chance since the rules stated that he could get the 'bandit' to talk. With a huge grin, he stalked around the tree and posed to attack, much like he did the prey he hunted in the forest.

She was completely unaware as he pounced behind her. He got the surprise of his life, however, when Colette suddenly ducked down. Unable to stop, he slammed face first into the tree. He was not sure how long he was out, but he felt someone franticly shaking him.

"Lloyd, Lloyd!" someone shouted. "Oh, I'm so sorry! Please, wake up!"

Lloyd moaned as he grabbed his face. He could tell that his nose and lips were swollen.

"Are you alright?" Colette asked in a near panic.

"Oh, I'm fine," Lloyd said. He actually wasn't sure, but something told him he didn't want to look into a mirror at that moment.

Colette frowned. "I'll make it better." She leaned down and gave a kiss to different spots on his face. She kissed his eye, his nose, the left side of his cheek, and eventually his lips. They were all short, but Lloyd felt himself blushing slightly.

Colette then pulled back and smile. "All better. My grandma does that all the time when I hurt myself."

He did feel better, but it was more because of the gesture than it healing the actually pain he was in.

"What, Colette is kissing that boy!" one of the kids yelled.

One of them began to giggle. "Looks like Colette found herself a boyfriend."

Colette looked up. "Boyfriend, of course he's my boyfriend."

Lloyd slowly began to sit up. "You consider me one of your friends?"

Colette smiled. "Of course, which is why you're my boyfriend."

Lloyd blushed. "Thank...thank you."

The kids looked at each other in confusing. "Uhmmm, you do know what boyfriend means, Colette?"

"Yes," Colette chirped. "He's a boy and he's my friend. Which makes him my boyfriend."

Lloyd nodded. "Is there really anymore to it?"

The other kids sighed in defeat. "Yeah, we get it. You're just good friends."

"Hard to believe they're both that clueless," one of them whispered.

Something told Lloyd that he was missing something. But he decided it was not that important.

I hope you've enjoyed the cute little scene with Lloyd and Colette. These two are just too cute at times.

Anyway, until next time.