" MMh." Athena yawned then grinned at Simon " hey you." " Hey." Simon greeted her taking her hand.

Mordecai was sharpening his sword, holding it up to the light. "Bloody, I wish I could enchant like a mage...."

" Being a mage isn't all its made up to be." Simon laughed.

"It's better then being a warder. You guys can move shit with your mind. We have to live off the earth. Trust me, the earth isn't that kind. "he said.

" WE can't move stuff with our minds." All three mages said at the same time. They laughed " It's hard you have to make spells and stuff mostly we get our food from the market or the forest." Athena shrugged.

"We must preserve a balance between what we take, and what we leave behind. We only take what we need, no room for stockpiling. That makes winters terrible. "he said. "All of our crafts are hand-made. Plus, we're one of the few people that can warp wood into artifacts of power, making our staffs highly sought by a certain group of magic users. "he said, raising an eyebrow at them. "I was wondering......would you like one?" he asked Lori.

Athena shook her head " Demon magic doesn't like staffs." Lori thought a moment " Well it would if yours wasn't so powerful." Athena snorted in agreement. " I'm a healing mage so I use my hands and not weapons." " I have a staff." Simon shrugged " It's not on me but it comes when called."

"The only reason she wouldn't use it, is because she doesn't have an Artifact that matches it. "mordecai said. "To match your staff with your magic, you need an Artifact to create a Harmony, a bond between you and your staff. My staffs also don't change your power, they Amplify it. "he said. "Say a Novice healer could only heal small cuts. With a staff like mine, they could mend broken spines......here, I'll show you. "

Mordecai walked up to one of the tree's. "Xhast!" he yelled out

Xhast appeared. "You called?"

Mordecai handed him a Volcanic Glass Orb. "I need your blood. "He said.

Xhast took the orb, and sighed. He then cut his hand, and pressed it to the orb. It changed from clear, to a Dark Red Tint. "Here. "he said.

Mordecai nodded, and carved a hole in the tree, fitting the staff into it. He then pressed his hands to it. "Natura posco tuum. Da mihi virtutem tuam, et crea mihi ex hac arbore, qui artificium montes transferam discidio maris: Occide Dracones."he said, in Latin. The tree band to bend, and wind around the orb. When all was said and done, a Single, Power Emitting Staff stuck from the ground. Mordecai yanked it out, and gave it to Athena. "Here. This should help You Control your Demon Magic, when it grows unstable. "he said. It would feel right in her hands.

" Oh can I have something pink?" Lori begged Athena took the staff and frowned at it " I feel more like a wizard then a mage." Simon chuckled " they come in handy at least." " I guess." Athena sighed.

(( Give Lori the one from her picture.))

(Never saw it)

Mordecai got to work, and looked at Simon. "Hey Si, I need you to go the Apothecary. Tell them to give you whats on this paper. "he said, handing a sealed note, and a bag of coins. "this will buy it. "he said.

(( go back a look silly.))

" What am I errand boy?" Simon frowned looking at Athena " it's alright Simon he is king." Athena glared at Mordecai as Lori drew a picture of the staff she wanted " I want the rod to be hot pink and the gem to be light pink." she explained happily.

Once Simon got back, Mordecai went to work. He poured a bottle of Pink Essence of the Staff, giving it a hot-pink glow. He then gave it to Lori. "here. In the Core is a Doves Feather, and a broken arrow. Both will augment your healing. "he said.

" Thank you." Lori hugged him then pulled away blushing sorry. Athena took Simon's hand it was habit when she was standing next to him.

"No prob. "he said, rubbing her head.

Lori frowned softly he had rubbed her head like she was a child. " I'm going to take a nap." Athena said walking away yawning softly.

Mordecai knelt. "Sorry, probably didn't like that." he said.

Lori watched Athena go then grinned at Simon " You miss me?" Simon chuckled " Of course I did your the light around the darkness that always surrounds Athena." Lori chuckled " Simon has been are friend forever." she told Mordecai " But he's been to busy with the elders to see us much." " Now you get me all the time." Simon grinned.

Mordecai grinned at Simon, and handed him something. It was a simple wooden amulet, with hardened Tree-sap in the Center. "This was taken from the Tree of Ancients. It holds powers of a race now all but unknown to us. I have no use for it, but you might. "he said, tossing it to him.

Suddenly they heard a yelp from the house. " Athena." Lori went to run towards the house put Simon bet her to it racing in " What?" Simon asked blinking at the house which was on fire Athena was staring into the flames her hand reaching out. Simon pulled her away and into his arms. " Go away." he snarled at the fire. " She is mine." the flames hissed reaching out to them.

Suddenly, a Blast of Wind went out, along with a number of Magic Icey Shards. When they looked to see who was Casting them, they saw Mordecai.......wait, he's a mage!?!?!

(: P)

" A wind mage." Lori gasped hurrying to Athena who was shaking " You're alright." Simon said " He's getting bolder though." Barthy scowled.

Mordecai looked at people, and waved his hands. "Uh.....I can explain."

" Then explain." Lori said hands on her hips she scowled at him.

"I'm no wind Mage......I'm a Nature Mage. "He said. Nature Mage's were rare. Only a handful existed at a time. They could literately bend Nature at it's whim. Nature Mages are hunted by both the Mages Guild, and the Warders. Obviously, this one had thrown his lot in with the Warders. Obviously, they were also sought for breeding rights. Two Nature mages was an Army. A Family was a World power.

" Really?" Lori asked looking excited " Well thanks for the help." Athena said shivering " I don't know what made him appear. I'm in control and I don't feel weak just tired." she pulled away from Simon to study Mordecai " Should have figured you would be a mage."