The forest was pitch black. Aerylae was still huddled against the tree, next to her horse. Artix and Robina were curled in thin sleep-sacks next to their dying fire.

Tentaivly, Aerylae stretched a leg. After the incident with Artix she had not dared to move, and every muscle in her body was screaming.

Gazing into the darkness, she fingered the sword at her belt nervously. Aldon had pressed it into her hands just before she had left.

"Aldon…where did you get this?"

"The blacksmith," he said, ruffling her hair. "Where else would I get one?"

"Aldon…" Aerylae began again. She touched the sword longingly, but she knew she couldn't accept it.

"It's a gift, Aery. A parting gift." Aldon hugged her tight. "Come back," he whispered into her hair. "Come back on a war stallion in the finest suit of armor ever made so I can say 'Look! That is my sister!'"

A rustle in the darkness ahead of her made her jump up and unsheathe the sword. She crouched carefully behind the same tree, praying that it was only a BURP.

Minutes passed without another sound and Aerylae was just about to re-sheath her sword when something stepped into the clearing. Its scales gleamed in the dying firelight. Lifting its long snout, it sniffed the air and grunted.

Two more Drakels appeared behind the first and Aerylae sucked in her breath. She weighed her options carefully.

She could sneak around and surprise them, but the ensuing commotion would wake Artix and Robina.

No, she didn't particularly want them to wake up. There would be too many questions to answer and the village elders were within their rights if they captured her now and brought her back to the village to be wed. Aerylae shuddered. She wasn't safe until she reached Battleon and earned guardian status.

She could hide and let the Drakels do as they pleased.

No! Aerylae was ashamed for even considering the option. It was completely dishonorable.

She sighed, stepped from behind the tree, and spoke in a clear, firm, voice.

"Get. Out."

The Drakel and its two other Drakel companions turned to face her, surprised evident in their reptilian features.

The first Drakel regained his composure quickly and sneered at her. "Who are you to tell me this, human? My warriors and I could easily defeat you and your companions. Just step aside and then perhaps we will let you live."

"Do you jest, Drakel? If it is a fight you want, then I am ready." Aerylae's voice was firm but she gripped her sword tighly for comfort.

What was she thinking? The only fighting she had ever done was stick fighting in the yard with the village boys. The footwork and arm swings of the two weapons were practically identical, but they were still different weapons.

Oh yes, that was it. She wasn't thinking.

The Drakel glanced at his companions lazily. "Awake your lekth, human. I have little time."

"Lekth?"

"Kin. Mates. Companions. Why do you not wake them?"

Aerylae ignored the question. "I will fight you on my own."

The Drakel laughed. "Fool." He flicked his head towards his companions and suddenly they were grouped together before Aerylae, twirling their staffs in their hands.

Aerylae crouched low in fighting position, holding her sword in front of her.

With a sudden, bird-like cry, the lead Drakel lunged at her and she twisted, spinning on her angle and bringing the sword across her body in an arc.

It caught him in the arm and he let out another cry, and staggered backwards, purplish blood glistening eerily in the moonlight.

Aerylae could hear rustling behind her and she knew, with certainty, that Robina and Artix were up, but the thought did not register fully in her mind. She was too caught up in the fight.

Whirling again she knocked the staff out of the second Drakel's hand, catching him in the neck with her blade. He fell backwards, blood spurting from his neck.

She ducked and lunged, catching the Drakel leader's staff with the flat of her blade. It flew far out of his reach. Aerylae advanced on him, holding her blade high.

To her surprise, there was no fear in his eyes. "So, red-haired one, you are better than we thought." He laughed. "You should be Drakel, from the joy you take in the killing."

A wave of anger washed over Aerylae. "It is dishonorable to find joy in the taking of another life."

The Drakel looked at her patiently from the ground, ignoring the fact that the tip of her sword was at his neck. "Those that do not acknowledge their own darkness are doomed to fall prey to it."

With one swift movement, Aerylae cut his throat. She turned, breathing heavily not from exhaustion, but from the turmoil of emotions that rose in her chest as her battle-joy faded away.

She kneeled on the ground, her long, unbound hair falling to hide her face. Gathering herself together and wiping her blade on the grass she stood, and turned to face the two dumbfounded people behind her.

"Who are you?" Artix's forehead furrowed. He was frowning.

"Aerylae." She met his clear, brown-eyed gaze with her own strong green one.

"Aerylae…" Robina said. She was looking at Aerylae with a mixture of curiosity and calm.

"It is custom in my village to have no surname." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Aerylae regretted them. Fire lord! Now they would know what village she belonged to.

She scanned the siblings' faces, but saw no flicker of recognition. They're obviously important, Aerylae, she thought, scolding herself mentally. Their only business with the villages is protecting them.

"What is your business in these woods?" Artix was still frowning at her.

Aerylae felt a rush of annoyance. She had just saved his life. This treatment was inexcusable.

Drawing herself up to her full height, Aerylae glared at the tall, muscular warrior. "You have no right to question my purpose here, warrior."

"Paladin, actually," Robina corrected. She looked at her brother reproachfully but he did not notice.

"I have every right to question your purpose here, pinrec," he said haughtily, using the most offensive word for peasant. "I am Artix Von Krieger, leader of the paladin order."

"I still see no reason to answer your question, moreso as you have just insulted me." Aerylae snapped, secretly startled. Paladin leader? He was so young!

Robina was now glaring at her brother as well. "Artix! Control yourself! By the earth lord, she just saved our lives!"

At the mention of this, Artix looked mortified. Aerylae grinned smugly. By insulting her after she had saved the life of him and his kin, Artix had just broken a Paladin code.

"Forgive me," he said, inclining his head towards the girl in front of him.

"Of course," Aerylae answered coolly. From her tone it was obvious Artix was not forgiven.

Robina strode toward her, hand palm up in traditional salute. "I am Robina Hood. Welcome, Aerylae. I would be honored if you shared our fire and journeyed with us to Battleon."

Aerylae paced her hand flat on top of Robina's, completing the salute. "I would be honored to share with you," she said shyly.