Shining so Bright

Chapter 2: Dragonborn Mage.

They entered the village, it was past eve and a unsettling darkness had began to surround them. The boy was alert, had his hand placed on the hilt of his sword while she was still hidden below her dark green cloak. Her name was Maretté, she had been a maid at the Eifreit estate, his name was Maian, he had been a squire but now they had been tasked with finding the Lords captured daughter. Neither knew where to start.

"There is a tavern over there." Maretté said and pointed into a dark alley where a worn sign was hanging. They began in that direction and side by side they entered the tavern. Behind a large desk stood a man that borderlined to fat and beside him a woman, his wife who wore a horrible blue dress and her hair was tied with a shrieking red ribbon.

Marette did the talking. Maian stood a few steps behind her as she introduced them as brother and sister. There was only one room available, it was on the second floor and had a view over the small garden on the back of the building. Maian only gave it a guick glance as he got comfortable with the room with its single bed and and chair.

She entered after him after and closed the door. "This will do." She said and made herself comfortable as she exhaled.

Maian turned and looked at her. "There is only one bed." He said and peered into her eyes where he saw the kindness that she regarded him with.

"Is it alright." She said and flashed a smile at him. "I thought we would share, it's cheaper that way." Without awaiting any reply she removed her dark green cloak and revealed what she wore below. A plain white blouse with a frilly collar cut so low it ended right below her breast. Below her navel a brown skirt began that continued the full lenght down to her feet and the shoes of grey leather was nearly visible. Also she wore a soft green jacket probably made from the same material as the cape.

Maian felt that he spent a moment to long regarding her and looked away, felt the hilt of his sword with nervous fingertips. He had never been with a woman like this before, it was rare that he even spoke to them. He removed his belt and scabbard and placed it on the chair, he was sleepy and she looked sleepy too as she removed her mantle and folded it into a second pillow that she placed on the bed. Maian began to unbutton his vest, removed it and hung it over the chairs wooden backrest. Looked at Maretté again and found that she was looking at him and her face was a pleaseant mix of care and mystery.

"Do you want to sleep farthest out?" She said and lazily gestured over the bed.

Maian glanced at his sword then at the door and nodded. "I think it's for the best." He looked at her and saw that she removed the soft green jacket. "How do you intend to sleep?" He blushed and tugged at his own shirt as a hint.

She smiled. "I did not bring any nighdress. I intend to sleep in just my underwear." Maretté continued and saw him get scarlet from his forehead and all the way down into his shirt.

"What if they attack, maybe we need to get going in a hurry." He stuttered, hastily removed his own shirt and handed it to her. "Sleep in this."

She took the shirt from his hand, held it while she regarded him. "But what are you supposed to sleep in?" She reached for his chin and touched it. "I was in such a hurry to leave that I didn't think about all the details." Her finger was warm against his skin. "I rearly travel with men."

That she called him a man made him feel dizzy, he moved away from her touch. "I'll sleep in my underwear." He said strongly as he blushed, she nodded and the discussion was over. Maian did some furher undressing avoiding to look at Maretté, then when she finally stood there in his green shirt and her black hair resting upon it she looked not only cute, but beautiful. He wanted to tell her so but it would make it all that much more awkward. While she slipped below the thick quilt in the bed and placed her head firmly on her folded cape Maian locked the door, placed his sword beside the bed then joined beside her.

It felt awkward; being there beside her, hearing her breath. They where both starring at the ceiling, their shoulders rubbed as they moved and he felt warm. Not a warmth that came from a burning fireplace, it was the heat that came from arousment. He felt it itch all over his body and he glanced at her, she glanced back and for a moment their gazes where entwined.

"I'm sorry." Maian said suprised that the words had leaped from his lips, found that she was looking at him with eyebrows raised and questioning. "I'm sorry that I find you attractive." He said and now instantly he was cold.

Maretté's eyebrows settled back above her eyes. "Think of me as a older sister." She began. "I have no interest in that way or any other way, it just happens that you're a boy and I'm a girl and we are on this adventure together." Her voice was not mean, just informative so Maian closed his eyes and nodded and this time he was sorry he ever said anything.

There was a explosion that echoed through the village then there was a bright light. Maian was awake, tumbled out of bed and grabbed his sword. "Stay here." He said to Maretté. "I'll take a look."

"I will come with you." She said and climbed out of bed. There was a second then a third explosion while they headed down the stairs to the entrace. They could see the owner and his wife quaking behind the couter as they headed for the front door. Maian opened it, saw that the night was lit by fire and all about where foul creatures and in the middle of them stood a human male dressed in remains of dragon bone and from his mouth came words ushering these beasts to find Addre.

"Addre?" Maretté uttered and her single word attracted the attention of the bone wearing mage.

"Kill the meddlers." The mage screamed and the creatures began walking towards them.

Instantly Maian realised that this was a battle they could not win and he pushed Maretté back into the tavern. "Get ready to leave." He said and hurried her along the stairs. "I will hold them off." He turned around and looked at the door while her steps faded down the corridor. From the outside there was nosies from the creatures and a moment later the door was destroyed and they came flooding in. Maian could see the bone clad mage smile from the far back in the row of oncoming enemies then battle began.

Maian did not have a chance, he realised it as the first blow snuck past his guard and hit him, with pain searing in his chest he fell backward. With a bang his head smashed against the stair then with his vision fading he saw the creatures come towards him ready to take his life.

Shining so Bright - Chapter 2 end.

Shining Force I, II and Shining in the Darkness is the property of Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning and Sega. Scenario is the property of Peder Andersson. Revision: 1. Responsible publisher: Peder Andersson. E-mail: .