Liendo listens silently to Ceriss's words. His mouth opens to apologize but the word dies on his lips. Watching the man move away, his heart begins dancing lightly beneath a tight chest. 'I guess that is one less worry. I hope I don't start to become a bother. I have so many questions! I can think of ten just looking about his home. So much I want to know' He quickly finishes his meal and stands. Looking about he spots other dishes sitting nearby and decides to put his with them. Grabbing up the bowl he slowly shuffles over, still getting use to the feel of something between his feet and the ground. Setting the dish down he runs his fingers over it a few times before letting them fall to the counter like protuberance. Running his fingers along the surface he follows it along the wall admiring the feel. 'I've never had much to touch other then the floor walls and books. Mother and Father of coarse, but this is different' Running his fingers over the stone larder it reminds him of his hole. The sensation causes him to move quickly on to the next item.

So many things to touch he almost forgets the man's offer to go into town. Moving swiftly towards where the man had disappeared over the edge he doesn't spot the cushion in time. Tripping over the plush thing he falls hard on his knees. The sharp stinging sensation pulls a sharp cry from Liendo. Sitting back he rubs the new sore spots on his legs and sniffles slightly. The sound of his own sobs brings back a line from a book he once read. It was one of his favorites. -Crying does not solve anything. If you have time to cry, you have time to change what made you cry- Wiping away the few tears that had spilled in his pain, he gets to his feet. 'I can't just sit around crying over such little things. Ceriss may have taken me in, but I need to live my own life too. I don't need to be wasting it on useless things' With that new resolve in mind he makes his way carefully over the the railing.

Glancing over the edge he sees no movement. The boy lets out a small sigh and looks out over the forest. The sun now high in the sky gives the leaves a much brighter tint. Liendo can't hold back a smile as some small something goes running past a nearby branch carrying something in it's teeth. 'I think that is a Horuk.' His mind slowly flips through the pages of one of his books, pulling up what it said about the creature.-Small furry rodent that likes nuts and berries. Often times found with nests made of a mixture of both natural and human items do to their curious nature.- Looking carefully he realizes that the item seems to be some sort of clothing. Eyes widening slightly the boy sinks down to the floor. Lowing himself on to his stomach he scoots forward so that he can hang his head low enough to see the lower floor of the tree house. Watching the light haired man move about the room for several seconds, Liendo finally breaks the silence. “Ceriss. I think there is a Horuk out here with something of yours.” he says loud enough for the man to hear.

Ceriss moved along the railing, feeling no real need to hurry at that moment as the wind directed a piney, earthy scent up and through the air, leaving its faint traces in the cloth draped all along the rails. Lifting them one at a time, he shook out the wrinkles and folded the cloth over once, then again, making the shirts and pants and so on into crude squares and setting them in little piles on the floor. Halfway through, he heard Liendo moving about above, with slow scrapes, then careful, quiet thuds. Others would have called Ceriss a fool for trusting the boy alone, for being so blind to all the situations that could unfold for leaving him there. Why, he could steal from Ceriss, having already taken advantage of his trust! Or, perhaps he could have feigned the amount of pain his injuries had caused, and make off with a nice haul of anything Ceriss had not tied down. But he was not one to be so paranoid, not one to believe all the world’s people to have only greed in mind. Ceriss chuckled quietly, scoffing at how full of blame and hate others could be.

He started at the sudden thump from above, the quick cry. For a moment he paused, debating whether to see if he was all right, but the law of nature won in his mind. If he were there every moment for the boy, Liendo would not learn to take care of himself, or to withstand some lesser scrapes and bruises. At that, though, he worked a bit quieter, stepping lightly as he listened for anything else. Only that of Liendo’s movements picking up once again, obviously recovered from his fall. Taking up the clothes in the floor, he stowed them all away in one of the larger chests. When he started toward the ladder to retrieve his extra bowl of soup and his star map, Liendo’s voice came to him as clearly as a black bird’s call. That bothersome Horuk.

Sprinting to the railing below the second story, he looked up to where Liendo was and beyond, at that furry rodent hurrying along with one of his better-made belts. It took a moment, but with a lift of the hand, the tree branch seemed to sprout new, smaller branches, one of which caught the edge of the belt and snagged it. The Horuk halted, and tried to pull it back, but the branch twitched and snatched it loose from its teeth. A sudden breeze picked up the cloth and tore it from the tree, and leaning to where he almost fell out of the balcony, Ceriss caught it. “Many thanks, Liendo.” He said, tying it around his waist. “That bothersome rat keeps taking my best clothes!” He grabbed onto the lip of the balcony above him and hoisted himself up, under the rail and onto the solid floor. Picking up the makeshift handle on the covered bowl, he retrieved his star map and pushed the cushion under the table. “Come now, Liendo. The sun is rather high in the sky, and I heard the clock tower’s bell not long before.” Keeping the covered bowl from tipping too much, he slipped the scroll into his belt and jumped onto the first floor of the tree house once again.

Liendo pulls back slightly as the man runs forward. Frightened for a moment that he's disturbed him, the boy ducks back so that only his eyes are visible over the edge of the balcony. He relaxes slightly when Ceriss looks towards the small rodent rather then up at him. His eye grow unbelievably wide as the very branches before him seem to conspire against the little Horuk to retrieve the item of clothing. 'How? What is he?' His mind whirls as his gaze remains transfixed on the scene before him. He can feel his amazement and wonder begin running rampant through his system at the sight of the branches growing so quickly and with purpose, but most of all at the thought of the man being the one to do it all. A sudden breeze bursts from the boy causing the item to fall from the branches. Startled at the suddenness of it, Liendo remains still as he watches the thing fall. Seeing Ceriss leaning out so far, his heart skips a beat. 'No no, he can't fall!' The breeze returns for a split second and blows the item towards the man's outstretched hand.

With a deep sigh, Liendo shifts backwards and props himself up against the frame leading to the balcony. His body thrumming, he hardly hears the man thanking him. All he can muster is a nod in response. His eyes watch closely as Ceriss hauls himself up on to the second story. 'He is so strong. Maybe he can teach me how to get stronger! I mean, that had to be magic. I have heard of it, and from what he tells me I can use it. Maybe, he will teach me....If I ask...' Watching the man move around his home, the boy smiles as he spots the object rescued from the Horuk around Ceriss's waist. 'So it was a belt huh? It looks nothing like my Father's leather ones....' Nodding once again when Ceriss addresses him, he pulls himself up quickly. Cocking his head, he tries to recall whether or not he too had heard the bell. Shrugging away the though he follows the pale haired one swiftly to the balcony. Not ready to try the jumping off thing quite yet, he moves over to the ladder.

Going past the second floor he makes his way to the ground and looks about. Things on the forest floor don't seem to have changed, but then again, it had only been a day. Looking up to where Ceriss is, Liendo finally works up the courage to ask a few questions. “Um, you said I could ask some things, so um... well....” Taking a deep breath a string of questions tumble out of the small boy. "Was that magic just now? How did you do it? What is that soup you made? Why are you bringing a bowl with? We are going to town to sell that thing you drew right? What is the town called? What does that drawing cost?” Bringing a hand up to his mouth, Liendo physically restrains himself from asking any more questions. Shuffling his feet from side-to-side, he waits, ready to follow Ceriss to town.

Ceriss had scoffed at the indignant chatter of the Horuk at being robbed of his spoils, but he had lost too many clothes to that miniature beast. Now he turned his attention to the boy, and what Ceriss himself held in his hand. He would have to go halfway down the ladder with one hand, and jump the rest of the way. Many twisted ankles and painful limping spells had taught him not to keep his legs straight when he hit the ground. Checking the scroll in his belt to make sure it was secure, he glanced at Liendo as he studied the forest floor. Setting the bowl on the floor, he prepared to put himself halfway out and grasp onto the ladder, until Liendo’s curiosity almost flooded the place.

He could only laugh, a genuine laugh that was rather rare for him. “Liendo, I’m not opposed to answering your questions, but one at a time would be most helpful, no?” Crouching on the side of the door in the floor, he nodded to himself. “But for the time being, I’ll say yes, that was indeed magic. Power over wind, earth, light, and so on. Although it’s the ownership of all the elementals that made my early years into quiet, solitary ones. I can answer the rest once we start to town, which is named Mayao.” With that, he let his legs fall into open air, and grabbing the bowl, he swung to the ladder, grabbing it with his left hand and right foot. Clinging to it, he let his feet lead the way rather than his eyes, moving himself to the middle of the ladder and let go, bending his legs when he hit the ground to distribute his weight evenly. He looked around to see the boy, his silvery eyes notable as the first feature to be seen. He seemed too thin for a boy his age. Ceriss hoped to teach Liendo much of how he survived when he was left on his own, just like Liendo.

Watching the man climb down so graceful and coordinated, he hangs his head peeking at Ceriss through messy bangs. 'Mayao huh? I think I heard my parents talking about it before. I wonder what it's like....' His body jumps at the final fall to the ground and smiles at the man when he looks over. Shuffling over, careful of anything he could trip over, Liendo stops just short of the taller one. “So-, I mean, I did not mean to bombard you like that. The things just rushed into my head, and before I knew it, they just tumbled out of my mouth.” Still hanging his head, Liendo reaches out and latches a finger around Ceriss's belt. Fearful of asking yet another question, Liendo's voice is almost a low whisper when he speaks next. Head still down he mutters, “Is it alright if I hold on here? I don't want to fall down again....or fall behind and get lost....” His fingers tremble where they hang from the soft cloth.

Ceriss rearranged his shirt and grabbed onto the scroll, keeping a grasp on it with the bowl. “Do whatever you feel safest doing.” He said, “although there is a small dirt path just this way.” He moved to the left of the tree with Liendo, making sure to walk slower than usual for him to keep a grasp on where his feet landed. “This little road was made by me, going back and forth so much.” He added. “It leads right to the main road into town, and as long as you find it, you will never get lost.” He smiled a reassuring smile. “I’m patient, Lien. I will not get annoyed in any way if you want to ask those questions, one at a time this time.” It was surprising to Ceriss, in a way, that the boy was less of a bother and more of an interesting young man, someone to take his mind off always drawing the universe, the endless universe, trying to figure everything out. The questions, the presence of Liendo, was settling to his always-playing mind.

Liendo's finger curls more firmly around the smooth cloth in it's grasp at Ceriss's words. The comfort of being connected to him in this small way was all he really wanted, and the man was granting him that. The action pulls a small smile on to his lips. He listens closely about the path leading to the main road, and how he is still free to ask questions. His mind wanders over the questions he asked, and the ones answered, trying to figure out which he wants to ask first. 'I suppose I should start with the most important at the moment, but I also want to learn more about him. . . . . Maybe I can do both?' Working his mind over a few times he finally asks, “You said it was magic, and you named multiple elements. From what I have read, people are only suppose to be able to use one. How is it you can use more then one, and how do they work?” Biting his lip, Liendo waits patiently for an answer, plodding along silently at the larger one's side.

Ceriss opened his mouth, but paused before speaking. Certainly the question was easy, in a way, but difficult to answer in another. He glanced down, rearranging the bowl and scroll in his hand to a better position. “Hm. True, people have been given only one element in life, and it’s only when they are born. My family hid me away, like your parents did with you, but even with that caution, I started showing signs of elemental possession. It started simply, with the ability to both make a plant bloom, exist when nothing used to be before, or to kill it. And then came the incidents with water and ice. I made water freeze, or ice thaw to water, and sometimes when I was allowed out of the house, I made fire explode into massive columns with a wave of the hand in its direction. My parents got scared, and sold me off to a merchant. And in his company, I learned about the rest of my powers. I'm not sure how I came to own them all, but... I do.”

He lifted his empty hand and laid it flat, and a spark of pale golden light appeared. “The power of light is my favored ability, though I have no idea how I got the rest. This power lets me see in the dark, and since light itself is derived from the power of life, I have power over life as well. Although, I also have the dark elemental power.” He closed his hand on the spark of light, and a deep violet mist leaked from between his fingers. “With dark, comes power over death. I’ve not got absolute control, and I never use them for personal gain.” With that, he opened his hand, and the mist faded into the air. “You have control over wind and air, Lien. Surely, even without realizing, you have controlled the flow of air in the past, both inside and outside your haven. Air lets you control the air flow, while also forcing it to stop. Since sound flows on the air, you can stop the movement of sound as well. If you have influence over it, you can create cyclones of varying size and power.”

Liendo listens quietly to how his powers began manifesting. It truly fascinates him to think of all the things that can be done with magic, but when he reaches the part about making a columns of fire the boy finds himself shivering slightly. When Ceriss brings his hand off cupping what seems to be pure light, Liendo shies away slightly, it's brilliance stinging his eyes. Still not quite use to anything more then candle light, these new levels of light cause a stinging irritation to his eyes. Every time the sun peeks down through the trees and hits his face directly, Liendo finds himself flinching. When the light turns to the deep purple mist, the boy finds himself drawn in. 'It's so beautiful. And somehow, I feel so connected to it. . . .' He reaches a hand out to touch it, despite the fact that Ceriss associated it with death, but before he can touch it the mist vanishes. A feeling of loss and disappointment settles low in his stomach at it's disappearance. 'I just wish I could have touched it once. . .'

Turning his face up to listen to Ceriss describing his own abilities, Liendo's eye widen. 'Sound and cyclones? I never knew. . . . I always thought my power was meant to be small, maybe he's wrong. I bet I could never do anything like that. Not like him!' Shaking his head slowly, he mutters, “No way. I am not that strong. I could never do stuff as amazing as you can. . . .” Taking a deep breath, he presses on to his next question quickly. “Um, what can you tell me about the town we're going to? DO they like you there? Where do you sell your drawings?” With a start Liendo realizes he rambling again and snaps his mouth shut. “Sorry, I was asking too many at once again was I not?” Liendo scuffs his shoes against the hard packed ground, staring at them as he shuffles along beside the man.

Ceriss had not wanted to blind the boy. It was only to be expected he would not be used to bright light, even if it were a small spark. But he noted the small motions as he got rid of the mist, before Liendo could reach for it. He would have to bring it back sometime, perhaps let him feel the cold way the mist went by, like an icy shower that curled around one’s fingers. The presence of its power over death was notable, but it was not only the ability to take life that made the power of darkness its name. Its properties were much more, much more interesting. Not many people were level-headed enough to understand that much.

“I don’t expect you to be very strong at first.” He said, a reassuring smile turned toward Liendo as he apologized for the thousandth time. “You will get stronger, and if need be, I can help you master what power you have over the air. Even a small trace of the power lends great control over it.” He thought for a moment, of the town of Mayao. He could see it, to the right as the dirt path turned that way to breech into the main road leading through the front gate. “It’s not as large as a city, not as small as a simple town.” He said. “Over the years I’ve made quite a few friends there, with my coming and going. I sell my drawings at a mapmaker’s shop. He and I are good friends, and I find I love to see the brightening of people’s faces when they see what I can do with a simple brush and access to the undisturbed skies.” He nodded to him. “Lien, you can stop saying sorry. The questions were all related. Believe me, boy, you will not bother me with questions.” He nodded in an assured way.

Liendo smiles as Ceriss speaks of how happy people are to buy his drawings. 'I wish I had one too. They are so beautiful, but I can not afford one. . . But, if I am to stay for a while perhaps I can earn one? Until then I will be content to just look.' The boy casts his eyes down thinking of the drawing he saw this very morning and how it seemed so alive. So different from the bland dry drawing from the books his mother and father brought home for him. Suddenly an idea pops into Liendo's mind, and his head comes up slowly. He watches his hand sway back and forth as it hangs from Ceriss's belt. 'He said that some of those books I have are rare, perhaps they are worth something. . . Either way, I would like them. They were my favorites. Maybe Ceriss will bring me to retrieve them.' His mind wanders for a short time until his eyes come to rest on the slowly approaching town ahead. 'Mayao. . .Sounds peaceful. I hope none of those bad people are there.' Roofs of blue and gray clay stand upon rough looking brick buildings. Liendo can see people crowding the cobble stone streets around small wood structures with things dangling off of them. Some cloths, some with light glittering objects.

All things seem so new and wonderful Liendo doesn't notice the ever growing tension in the pit of his stomach. Evert time a person passes, the feeling grows stronger, but he takes no notice. A low stone wall runs around the edge of the town. The moss growing fresh and green between the cracks make interesting patterns upon the bumpy surface. A sudden noise behind him causes Liendo jump and move forward until he can grab hold of Ceriss's arm. Turning his head to try and find what made the noise, the boy spots a cart filled with some sort of greenery being pulled by a pair of four legged beasts with a man in the driver's seat. Clinging closely to Ceriss he watches the cart approach. When it comes even with the two boys the man pulls the cart to a stop. Raising a hand he greets Ceriss. Standing as close as he can to the pale haired one, Liendo barely hears their conversation. All the tension that had been building finally comes to his attention and he has to fight not to run. 'Ceriss is talking to him, so he can't be bad, right? I mean, they sound friendly. . .' Unable to quell his fears, Liendo just stands silently beside Ceriss, his body trembling, eyes squeezed shut.

Ceriss called a hello to the driver of the cart, reaching to pat the nearer of the shaggy beasts as they came to a halt. Their long faces turned toward him and, as he felt Liendo back toward him, he stooped to speak. “I know it’s new for you, and a lot to take in.” He said. “Just stay calm. No one around here wants to hurt you. Just stay close so you will not get swept away in the crowd, right?” He looked back up to the driver of the cart. “I might come around to buy some of these,” he noted, nodding to the haul being pulled. “Trade for a few medicinal remedies, pain-reducers?”

“Perfect!” The driver raised an arm. “See you soon, my boy!” He called to the shaggy creatures and snapped the reins, and they jolted off to the entrance of the town. Other called to him, yelling as he sped in front of them. Ceriss nodded to Liendo and moved him forward to join the ones on foot, walking to the entrance. Its entrance was tall, a part of the wall, and its gates were swung open permanently. Ceriss kept Liendo to the outside of the bulk of the group, moving through the gate and to the side of the road, onto the raised cobblestone sidewalk. “We’ll not be long if you don’t want to stay.” Ceriss told Liendo as they moved down the sidewalk and past various vendors and open markets. “We’ll get to traders, sell my map and get a few herbs, and get back out if you like. I know it’s not something you are used to, and it’s no problem for me.” He looked to Liendo and smiled warmly.

Liendo's eyes creek open slowly as the pair begin moving again. Attached firmly to Ceriss's arm, the words the man had said to him earlier slowly sink in. 'I trust him. I will be alright is I stay with Ceriss. I will be fine.' The assurances tumble over and over in his mind as he tries to go back to enjoying the sights around him. The press f people slowly coming together around them makes him shake slightly, but the feeling of Ceriss's warm arm beneath his fingers quells the urge to run. Liendo smiles slightly as they walk beneath the town gate. Unable to resist the rough looking metal that makes up the bars, his small hand darts out and runs across one of the cross bars. His fingertips tingle with the new sensation. 'So scratchy, and hard. I wonder if there is anything else like it in town?' Liendo clings closely to Ceriss, but from time to time, his hand flies out to touch something as they pass it. So many different sensations keep him amused and distracted as they walk.

Liendo feels warmth spreading through him at how considerate Ceriss is being. Smiling back, his eye wander longingly over the area at all the thing he has as of your to touch. Glancing back up at Ceriss his eyes swiftly fall to his feet. “I, um, I am doing alright. It is true that the people bring fear to my heart, but my body longs for more new things to experience.” He turns his eye back up to the man's face. “All these new things to touch, and hear, and smell! I-I would like to stay here as long as you need. I promise to stay by your side, and out of your way.” Keeping one hand firmly upon Ceriss's arm, the other snakes out to the wall of a nearby building. Liendo grins as his soft fingers find little imperfections in the surface. “I do not want to be a bother, but I would like to feel more things. . . .”

“You can feel all kinds of things, just keep your hand flat to dissuade people from thinking you are trying to steal.” Ceriss noted the wandering eyes of the merchants, keeping their gaze on the boy as he passed their booths. “Here, see? The shop is just ahead.” He nodded to the end of the road, and just across the one that crossed over the main road. On the corner was a small, gray-roofed shop with two wide windows flanking a heavy, arched door. Maps, pictures, and various metal house items sat or hung in the windows, lit by large, dark-toned candles. Ceriss hurried Liendo across the street as a break in the flow of people allowed crossing, and Ceriss opened the door, ushering Liendo through and into the darkly lit room.

The room had a tall, domed ceiling, the rafters crossing to form a twelve-spired star pattern that held the chandelier, a large, iron thing hanging from a thick chain. Shelves lined the walls, while barrels and tables were grouped around the center of the room. The barrels were overflowing with various trinkets, things from other parts of the world, curiosities and commons. On the shelves, silver and bronze pots, jugs, animal figurines, wooden flutes and lanterns, candles, scrolls. Many things, mostly scrolls that were collected by others or drawn by those in town, some that were drawn by Ceriss himself. He looked to Liendo. “Do not take anything without asking, right?” He said. “I generally gather quite a bit of money for the selling of my maps, so if you find something of interest, just bring it over.” He glanced up, catching sight of the shop owner behind his counter. A big man, but with a soft, kind face and graying short black hair. He stepped off and left Liendo to study the place.

Liendo nods at the cautionary warning from Ceriss. Running his fingers over some fine sheets of cloth hanging from a stall the urge to grab hold tugs slightly at the back of his mind, but then his eye find those of the shopkeeper. The keen eye and sharp look make the boy flinch back, holding Ceriss's arm tighter. He clings to the man as they rush through the crowd, but when his eye fall upon their destination his grip slackens. Staring at all the strange and wonderful looking things through the window, his movements slow. 'I wonder if it would be too much to ask Ceriss about all of these...I mean I recognize many of them from books, but the others. . . .' He jumps slightly, pulled from his musings when Ceriss ushers him inside the shop.

Liendo listens closely to Ceriss's words before wandering over to the nearest object. Running his hand over the smooth rounded surface of the ball shaped object, he smiles all the wider at the new feeling of well tempered metal. Moving over to a barrel he fondles item after item, identifying it when he can, and wondering about it when he can't. Glancing over towards where the pale haired man is he sees that he's still engaged in conversation. Moving towards a rack with tubed on it he picks one of them up. Looking it over for several seconds, he suddenly realizes what it is. 'It's a reed flute! The hero from Grims Gargoyle Tales used one to summon his fairy. I wonder. . . .' Bringing the instrument to his lips, Liendo blows gently. The low haunting note coming from it seems to rattle through the shop, causing several things nearby to shudder gently.

Liendo immediately drops his hands down, looking over to where the two men are standing. The older looking man is looking about as if something had flown past his ear. Ceriss however is looking in his direction. Putting the flute down, Liendo drops his head. Standing still for several seconds, he thinks hard. 'I wonder if he's angry. Was I not suppose to play with that? And why did things move? Maybe it's a magic flute. I hope he's not too upset. . . . .' With a shuddering breath, Liendo moves away from the instruments and towards a rack filled with things dangling on strings. Making sure to avoid looking towards Ceriss, he begins examining one thing after another. Suddenly his finger brush again something that feels almost icy cold. Instead of drawing away, his head moves to grasp the object. Pulling it's strap slowly off the rack, Liendo opens his hand to look at it. In his palm rests a shiny silver whistle. No longer then his middle finger, the polished surface seems to reflect the entire room. 'I. . .I want it. . .It's so beautiful and. . .Something feels so strange about it. . .So alluring'

Grasping the object tightly, Liendo wander over to the counter where Ceriss is standing. Waiting until the two are finished talking, Liendo catches Ceriss's eye and holds his hands up. Cupping one hand with the other, he slowly opens his fingers so that the man can see what he's holding. “Um, I, well, I w-would like this, if it isn't too much to ask. . . .” Liendo's voice fades in and out as he speaks, trying hard to be confident, even if only a little bit. 'I hope he's not too angry at what I did before. . . .' Looking up into Ceriss's eyes, Liendo tries his best to be brave and not look away.

Ceriss leaned on the counter with a friendly hello to the shopkeeper. Trosi, was his name, and his age was obvious in the way he leaned and spoke, a husky voice that carried deep. “Ceriss!” He held out a heavy, deeply-tanned hand and Ceriss grasped it in a swift greeting. He set the bowl and paper on the counter. “How goes your life, my boy?” Trosi asked. His bright green-yellow eyes were always so friendly, warmly sparkling in the thick glow of the candles and chandelier. “A good day, isn’t it? Clear nights, help you see that sky from the tree, eh?” He laughed, a loving, sincere laugh that always made Ceriss feel at ease. The man was like a father to him, and he could never hold back a smile when he was in Trosi’s presence.

“My days have fared well, Trosi.” Ceriss noted. “Rather interesting this past morning, might I say. A newcomer, a boy who escaped from the destruction of his village, the little settlement out past the forest wall. I found the boy lying under my tree. He was one who escaped the gift of the dark gods.”

“He escaped being granted powers?” Trosi’s bright eyes widened. “He must have spent his entire life in hiding. I’ve never known one to get through their entire lives without being caught in the end, or even killed!” He kept his voice low, a quick glance toward Liendo noting he had not startled the boy. “You had better know what you are doing, Ceriss.”

“I’m never certain.” Ceriss shook his head in admission. “But enough now, Trosi, I bought you two things!” He uncovered the bowl, letting the scent of steeped meats and several different herbs fill the air in a small cloud around them. Trosi sniffed gladly, but seemed more interested in the paper in Ceriss’ hand. “This I consider my best work.” Ceriss unrolled the map, and Trosi’s face lit up in a shocked gasp. He looked to Ceriss, resting his hands on the edges of the parchment. “Ceriss.” He noted. “This is the best… the best map I’ve ever seen from you!” He shook his head, as though trying to wake from a dream. “Really, you could do better with yourself.”

“I want to stay where I am. I prefer my quiet life.” Ceriss gave the map to Trosi. “Now, my large friend, I’ve given you dinner, and I’ve given you my best map. If…”

A shuddering breeze flitted past them as some loose items around the shelves rattled in place. Trosi and Ceriss glanced at Liendo, but Ceriss didn’t let his gaze become hard. Trosi chuckled and, with a wave of his hand, the candle that had blown out flared back to life. “He’s got an curiosity as deep as the sea.” Trosi noted with a grin. “Hope you can answer his questions!” He stretched, standing straight. “Anyway, Ceriss, I know what you want. Go ahead and get it.”

Ceriss smiled as Liendo started to approach. “I’m fine, for the time being.” He said. He glanced at Liendo and what he held. A silver whistle. So well made it shined even in the dark of the shop, as though it gave off its own light. It seemed so familiar, the very presence almost drew him in. It was small, though. Trosi, looking over the counter at what the boy held, nodded to Ceriss as he glanced up. “Sure, Lien. You can have that.” He said. He disregarded what had happened before, the note of the reed that had made Trosi startle and one of the candles go out. No use in badgering the boy. “Come now, Lien. A stop to that herb dealer and we can get out of the town, right?” He stepped forward, motioning for the boy to follow.

Liendo draws his clasped hands close to his chest. The cool metal of the whistle slowly warms to his touch. 'I am glad. For some reason, I really like this. . . .This is my first gift that isn't a book. I hope that I can do something for him in return' Following close behind Ceriss, his eyes take one last look about the room at all the different objects that glisten and gleam in the low light. Glancing back over his shoulder he watches the man behind the counter taking a deep whiff of the soup Ceriss brought him. The bell above the door jingles as the two exit back on to the street. Working up his courage, Liendo takes a few deep breaths. Still clutching the silver whistle, the boy glances up at the man beside him and asks, “I have read many books on herbs. From all over the world. Some even had pictures. What are we doing at the herb dealer? Have you some for them, or are you getting some for yourself? Perhaps I could gather some when we return as a way to help. . . .”

Trailing off, Liendo finally relaxes his grip on the whistle, gazing down upon it once again. Letting the strap slide through his fingers, the whistle drops down until it dangles at full length. Lifting the leather slowly over his head, he pulls it down until it rests upon the hair laying across the back of his neck. With a quick flip Liendo pulls his hair out so that it rest directly on his flesh. Fiddling with the whistle, the boy listens closely to Ceriss.

Ceriss kept to Liendo’s right, on the side of the cobblestone walkway that was present to most of the foot traffic. He glanced down as the boy spoke. “I’ve done quite a bit of research myself, on every aspect of the herb and how to mix and boil them, to extract their essence and make various healing assistances and protective coverings. Much I learned form the herb dealer you met before we got into town, who goes by the name of Zei. He has been quite a distance, finding even the most rare of creations. Zei cannot make anything from the herbs he collects, so he trades them for the elixirs and medicines that can be made from them. I tend to trade often, sometimes finding new, rare herbs that are rather difficult to find.”

They had to turn down a narrow, dirt-paved road, which was crowded with open-air market stalls. Some held fruits and vegetables, hanging in baskets and pouring out of barrels and boxes, while others held furs and glass beads, pots, fresh meats. They closed in on Zei and his little stall, laden with green and brown, red and blue and many more tones of herbs and berries used specifically for medicine and aroma-based cures. “You can take a look at some of the others,” Ceriss told Liendo. “But stay close. If you see anything you like, just let me know, right?”

Liendo looks around at the various herbs and berries for a time, naming off all the ones he recognizes in his head, and memorizing what the ones he doesn't so he can ask about them later. His eyes wander over nearby stalls, and his finger begin itch to go touch all the things on them. 'They all look so nice and beautiful. So many colors and textures. I wonder what each color is called. . . . All my books assumed that the colors were known to the reader.' Glancing at Ceriss, the boy wanders slowly and carefully to the closest stall the the herbalist's. The cloth hanging from racks and hooks sway with even the slightest breeze creating a shimmering rainbow of colors. His hands dart out of their own accord to feel them. The shiny ones seem smooth and soft, whole the thicker ones feel coarse to the touch, much like the clothes Liendo is use to wearing.

“Well hello there young lad. Do you like that one? I can sell you some for a decent price if you're interested.” The sound of the vendor talking shocks Liendo so much that he squeaks and runs back to Ceriss's side. Clinging to the man's arm, he looks back at the vendor, eyes wide. The man chuckles, his big round belly jiggling. Brushing back his short brown hair, the man slides over to a customer that seems to be admiring a shock of red fabric, the boy forgotten. Taking a few deep breaths, Liendo manages to relax enough to relax his strangle hold on Ceriss's arm. Muttering a low apology, the boy moves towards a different stall on the far side of the herb stall. Looking back, he can barely see Ceriss, but his curiosity overruns his caution as he turns back to the new stall.

The stall is covered in cages in which many animals are squawking and bleating and various other sounds. Checking to make sure the vendor is distracted, Liendo approaches a cage filled with large birds. Each one over half his height, their dark blue eyes gaze up at him in a cold manner. 'These are nelians. Mother use to cook them once a year for a special occasion. I could always hear her telling Father how they are getting more and more expensive. . .' Liendo smiles slightly as he recalls the time his mother let him see the bird before she slaughtered it. The bird's eyes had been wide and frightened, and the boy had begged his mother to let it live. It was then his father had sat down with him to explain how “that's just what animals are there for”. It had taken a long time for Liendo to be able to eat meat again after that.

Suddenly a wave of panic races through the boy's body. “I'll need four of those for my men.” The voice is cold as ice. Liendo begins shaking violently, his gaze traveling to the other side of the stall. He can just barely see the top of a helmet over the piles of cages, but there is no mistaking that voice. 'It him, it's the one, he will kill me, I have to run, I have to. . . .' His legs suddenly unfreeze and the boy stumbles backwards. Just barely avoiding running head first into the herbalist's stall, Liendo runs right past Ceriss and heads for a nearby alley. Tripping over a small crate, the boy tumbles over it and into a pile of trash just inside the alley. Too frightened to move to bring any more attention to himself, he stills. The smells asulting his nose fade as he slowly fades into darkness.

Ceriss made sure to keep one eye on the boy as he went tentatively off to the nearest cloth vendor. Zei bent over his stall’s wall to get closer to Ceriss. “So, boy. What you got for me today?” He watched Ceriss carefully as the young man recovered several bottles from his various pockets, one of a honey-colored liquid, one of pure colorlessness, and a third half-full with a watery red substance. “Oh, looks like a good pack.” Zei chuckled. “Never did see the red before. What does it?”

“It’s a healing assistance.” Ceriss noted. “But not of the general healer serums. This is extracted from the Bleeding Soul plants, which only bloom in bushes at the edge of a forest facing the sunset. In the bloody red glow of evening, the flowers begin leaking a deep red, very potent nectar, and when kept in a bottle for a month, it becomes very strong, and will heal a deep cut in less than a week.” He tilted the bottle, letting it catch the light. “Lovely color, isn’t it? But I’ve not much. You have to have something interesting to get this.”

Ceriss almost gasped as Liendo flew back to him, and looked around for an offender that may have struck out at the boy. Only the owner of the cloth stall was near, laughing a bit at Liendo’s sudden reaction, and Ceriss relaxed quickly. He let Liendo stay near as Zei rummaged through the pile of various herbs, flowers, and roots, even as his hand went numb in the boy’s surprisingly powerful grasp. “Ah, here is!” Zei seemed proud of himself as he pulled something yellow into view, and Liendo had gone off in a return of bravery. “Lookit this,” Zei held it up. “Only read ‘bout it in books. Called Sun’s Gaze.” Lying the flower and its stem on the bed of green and red and blue, it seemed to give off a light of its own. The petals were large and thick, rounded around what seemed to be the source of the light within, and the dark green leaves seemed to reach up to the flower as though to protect it. “I’ll give it to you for the essence of the Bleeding Souls.”

Ceriss nodded. “Of course.” He said, handing it over. “I’ll not hesitate! And for the rest, just give me the usual. A few Dragon Claws, some Deadroot, Angelwing, and Blue Ash.” As Zei went to gather a burlap bag, placing the requested items inside in trade for the bottles, Ceriss leapt as Liendo flailed back, shock and fear seeming to fuel his actions. “Liendo!” Ceriss grabbed for him, but he had already gone. Leaving Zei to continue his work, he followed through the maze of people and caught the boy vanishing into the nearest alley. Before he got there, he heard a crash of wood on stone and silence. His heart leapt, for fear that the boy had hurt himself, and heading halfway down the alley, found him lying among boxes and garbage, some insects flitting away in terror. Something, or someone, had obviously struck a blind fear into Liendo, and he had lost consciousness.

Feeling a tug at his heart, Ceriss scooped the boy up. He seemed lighter than Ceriss remembered, as he went back through the alley, into the throngs of people, and looked about. No one seemed interested in the boy, or Ceriss. No one even gave them a second look. With a nod to Zei, he took the bag and slung it around his shoulder, careful to maneuver Liendo as gently as possible. With his items all gathered, and a new discovery protected in his bag, Ceriss felt it best to leave the town. A part of him felt that Liendo had been exposed to more than enough for one day aboveground, and whatever had scared him so badly would not be present at his treetop refuge.

Liendo wakes with a start some time later. His mind rushes back to the voice he heard and he begins thrashing. The warm limbs holding him fall away as the squirming figure wriggles it's way out of their grip. Disoriented and frighted the boy looks about wildly for something familiar. Seeking out anything to calm his nerves and make him feel safe. The bright light of the sun above feels blinding as it comes out from behind a thick cloud. The shock causes Liendo to retreat to the nearest dark place. This just so happens to be a large bush. Darting under it's heavily leaf laden branches, the boy curls up tight and begins sobbing.

'That voice, I know it was the one. I know it, he hurt them. He k-killed them! He will kill me too! I can n- I can not breath. . . .' Liendo gasps loudly, gulping down air like a drowning victim. He raises his head, his tear blurred eye glancing around the area. Finally his eyes fall on Ceriss. The man's gaze is kind and Liendo settles quickly under it's caress. Hiccuping a few times, he manages to gasp out, “I heard him. The o-one who d-did it. Th-the one who hurt them. . . I. . . .I. . .” The boy falls silent, watching Ceriss. A feeling of deep guilt settles in his stomach as he spots a few scratches on the man that hadn’t been there before. Letting out another loud sob he begins stumbling over and over an apology. Finally he falls silent, curling into a ball and shaking.

Ceriss had startled for a moment, a protective instinct making him grasp onto Liendo before letting him jump away. He kept his hands up and away from him, rearranging the bag at his side and following the boy as he ran off to the nearest bush, right underneath a particularly old, dying tree. Whatever had scared him had not left his head when he fell out of consciousness. He moved forward and stooped, glancing at the several light scratches before Liendo spoke and left the shade of the bush.

“Stop worrying for a moment.” He said, crouching to Liendo’s level so he could speak easily. “The one who hurt your parents did not see you before. You were still underground, were you not? You identified him by his voice. He noticed nothing about you or how you know him, but it’s best not to react in such a violent manner. Not with so many people around. Stay as calm as possible, Lien, and react when the immediate danger is in the past.” He bent to look Liendo in the face. “We are close to my house now, Lien, can you walk the rest of the way?” He offered a hand to help the boy up.

It takes several long seconds for the man's words to register. When they finally get through Liendo slowly stops shaking. Uncurling slightly, he glances at Ceriss before dropping his eyes once more to the ground. Tugging at one of his tattered filthy sleeves, the boy feels a sort of numbness come over him. “You are right. Os coarse you are right. He did not see me. He knows nothing of me. Even if I was the one he was there for. Even though he never found me, he killed them anyways. Slaughtered them. He took their lives for hiding me, even though he left without doing what he came to do.” Liendo lets his arms fall, turning his eyes to the blinding skies. “They all died because of me, but he did not care to even seek me out to add me to their numbers. His voice, so cold. My parents' voices were always so warm, even when I did something wrong, but this man. . .It is so different.

Dropping his eyes down to stare at Ceriss, his eye remain blank. He continues speaking as if the man isn't there. “Ceriss's voice is warm too, and kind. He smiles at me and let6's me ask him silly things. He thinks I have potential, and helps me even though I must be such a bother. Like I was a bother to them, having to die to protect me.” Liendo's eyes finally come into focus but his gaze and voice remain blank. “Will that happen to you too Ceriss? Will you die because of me? Will that man come and burn you up like my parents because you are kind to me? Will I be left all alone again?” From emotionless eyes fall tears, unnoticed by the one shedding them. The boy's hand reaches out towards the one before him, looking for something, anything, to hold on to.

Ceriss shook his head. He shook his head as though to get rid of the questions, the ones he hated facing for their truthfulness, their ominous nature. Liendo seemed in a half dream-like state, speaking as though no one else heard him. The boy’s hopelessness seemed so like his, when he was that age, abandoned for what he could do and never loved, used then thrown out. He had never known the love of another, a parent or another human being, but he could not imagine losing that which meant so much to him, love or life or home. Liendo was alone in a world who didn’t even know he existed, but Ceriss did. Biting back a wave of sadness for the boy, he grasped his hand and pulled him forward, into a hug that he wished could get rid of the worry, the wonder, the mystery of the future.

“I will never leave you alone.” He said finally. “I’ll not let anyone try to kill you, or me, because then I would go back on my word. I can help you learn this world, your power, how to take care of yourself and not fear, rather, face what is unknown. That man, that foul, evil demon of a man, will not have the satisfaction of burning me up, or lying a hand on you.” He wished his words could speak the future itself, perhaps in some way, but words were all he had at that moment. He would put those words to action soon, he hoped, and help Liendo through a world that tried on a daily basis to kill its inhabitants. “You,” he said in finality, “are one of few. One who managed to escape the curse of being given power that should be reserved only for the gods. While this may be, you still have power over that which was given to your mother or father, namely the power over air. You have to use it wisely.” He pulled back and stood. “I hope you trust me.” He stepped to the nearby dirt path, which would lead back into the thicker forest trees with the boy.

Liendo falls limply into the man's embrace. His strong warm arms wrap securely around him as his own muscles seem to refuse to work. The soft tones and tight embrace races through the boys system like wildfire. The flames burn away the numbness that had spread to every corner of his mind and body, leaving behind a tingle that radiates through his veins. 'He is here with me now. Ceriss. He promises to keep himself safe so he can stay beside me. I can feel he strength, here, in his embrace. He will. . .He will stay with me. . . . Looking up into the man's eyes as he pulls away, Liendo feels something deep inside of him, fighting to break out. His mouth opens and closes repeatedly, like a landed fish gasping to take a breath. Finally his mouth snaps shut with an audible click as the thing in side breaks loose. Liendo rushes to his feet and moves forward to throw his arms around Ceriss's midsection. As he does, a strong gust of wind seems to mimic his actions, racing first up, the forward, and finally causing a strong whirlwind around the two beings.

With a few hiccuping sobs, Liendo speaks just loud enough to be heard over the sound of rushing wind. “I-I do trust you. I always will, no m-matter what!” The boy tightens his grip, a twinge of pain drawing his attention to the whistle still dangling against his chest. Now pressed firmly between them, the metal bites into his skin, but despite the heat of his skin, the metal maintains it's cool temperature. Afraid that the metal may also be digging into Ceriss's body, the boy pulls back. Wiping away the tears that had escaped his eyes, the whirlwind swiftly dies down. Sticks and leaves come raining down in a circle around them, leaving a clear area of forest floor about 10 feet across. Looking up at Ceriss, Liendo smiles best he can before grasping the man's hand and heading down the path. Looking back shyly, he tries his beast to remain steady as he heads back to his new home, with the man he trusts.