Enchanted Flames The radiance of the sun bounced off the crystal water. Small game swam around aimlessly. Wind danced between the thickness of the forest. The sweet aroma of wild flowers filled the air. I dipped my toes into the glistening water, letting out a small gasp as the water rose up my calves nearly touching my knee caps. My fingers weaved their ways through the soft grass. I tilted my head upwards feeling the warmth of the sun on my cheeks. A waterfall of flaming red hair draped off my fair shoulders, and veiled the ground. My tunic laid loosely on my frail body. A sliver necklace sat around my neck. A small golden encrusted amulet was connected to the chain. Karmena was engraved into the ruby that sat in the middle of the amulet, tiny emeralds surrounding it. My fingers fondled with it as I stared out into the sky. My pointy ears poked out from under my copper tendrils. "Why must I be different..." I thought to myself. I pulled my feet out of the water, leaning my head against my knees. My arms wrapped around my legs as I sighed. Being different. You can never get use to it. Someone will always point it out. People will still judge. How do you live with it? The thing is... You don't. You just deal. You live on. You ignore. A snort interrupted my thoughts. I slightly turned my head and caught a glimpse of that cinnamon coat that I am used to brushing. Dewon trotted over to me somewhat butting me with his head. "Ole' boy. I'll be fine I promise." I pulled myself to my feet, rubbing his forehead. My bare feet sunk into the fresh soil. "Karmena! Ye' out der?" A familiar voice rang through my ears. "Aye. I'll will be comin' soon." I pulled Dewon towards me as in telling him to follow me. I walked over to the old stable that stood slightly leaning towards the right do to unstableness. I led Dewon inside, and brought him to his "room". He trotted around in circles as I cleaned up his room, and placed fresh hay out of him. I patted his butt. "Ye a good ole' boy." A small smile tugged against my full lips. I walked out of the stable, closing the door behind me. The grass tickled my toes as I stood on my tippy toes running through it. The jade tunic reach just a little above my knee cap. A thin belt ran around my small waist, and fell down in front of my tunic. My shimmering locks fluttered behind me as I jogged through the field on meadows. My piercing turquoise eyes scanned the timberland that stood tall and strong across the lake. The sun was slowly started to lower behind the trees, retiring for the night. Moonlight lit up the night sky. The crickets came out, and started chirping in union. An owl hooted a few times in the distance. "Karmena ye' get in der." Oh Krea... My walked quickly through the beautiful arrangement of wildflowers towards the old cosh. I pushed through the tattered blanket that hung in the doorway. The scent of porridge filled my nostrils. Krea stood over the pot mixing some grain and salted ham into it. The fire lit up the room. In the far corner as pile of straw sat with a worn out blanket tossed over it. I walked around Krea, and reached for the beans. I added a little bit to it, then set it back down. "Does tis' smell good?" She rose a single eyebrow looking as me. "Aye tis' smell splendid." A smile crept across my soft lips. I grabbed two wooden bowls and placed them on the feeble table. Then I grabbed the old goblets, for then I started to make the table. Krea handed me the ale so I could fill the goblets. I bent down and pulled out the dagger that was hidden under the table. The warm rye bread caused my mouth to water. I pressed my dagger into the soft bread, cutting it into slices. Krea set the two bowls on the table. Her wrinkled hands shook as she reached for a slice of bread, do to her old age. "Krea I donna understand. Ye can make ye'self young. Why ye donna?" "Aye I could, but I donna wish to be young. I donna wanna use magic on myself like that." A small crease appeared between her eyes as she pushed her eyebrows together. I pressed my bread to my lips taking in a whiff. I bit into it slowly savoring it. "How I missed ye yummy bread." I groaned as I took another bite. After it finished my supper I cleaned up and slid into my linen nightgown. I ran my fingers through my hair as I climbed onto the pile of straw. I cuddled against the blanket. The fire flickered a few feet away. My eyes slowly started to become heavier and heavier. My body went limp as I fell asleep. - "Karmena!" Krea leaned over me with wide eyes. I sat up quickly as I starred at her. "I donna have much time to explain. Ye must leave. Pack Dewon and flee to the forest. Now!" Her voice held panic, and worry. "What?" A bewildered look spread across my face like a wildfire. "Go!" She shrieked in my face. I jumped out of the bed of straw, and grabbed my satchel. I shoved two tunics in it then gathered some food and ale. I sprinted across the meadows in the darkness of the night. In the distance a carriage and horses were coming towards the cosh. I kicked the stable door open. "Come on Dewon, wake up ole' buddy!" I start packing my things on him. He neighed softly as if he were yawning. I brought him out of the stable, and started to mount on him. He galloped towards the safety on the forest. I glance over my shoulder only to witness an arrow flying through the sky- no a dozen fire arrows flying through the night sky. They plunged straight into the cosh, some landed in the meadow causing a fire. Krea... •Seven Full Moons Later• The dirt stained tunic pooled at my feet, as I starred at my reflection in the pond. My eyes were wide and dark bags sat under them due to me not sleeping... Since that night. I stepped into the cool water. My finger skimmed across the top of the water, watching the droplets fall off my finger tips into the water making small rings. The flaming waves of curls cascaded into the water veiling across the the top of the water. A canopy of leaves blocked out the sunlight from touching the forest floor. I sank into the refreshing water. The coolness of the water numb my body as I let out a sigh of relief. My cheeks turned a tinted cherry shade. My head turned slightly looking over my shoulder. The forest was still, but it felt as if someone was watching me from afar. I dipped my head under the water, then shot up emerging from the pond. Water droplets splashed against the water as I climbed out. I wrapped a cotton towel around my feeble figure. I walked over where Dewon stood nibbling away at the grass. I leaned my body against the tree, slowly sliding into the green dirt stained tunic. My dagger was tucked away in my belt. My fingers weaved through my hair untangling my tendrils. "Ye real..." My body froze where is was. My eyes slowly looked up to see a man starred down at me. I sucked in a deep breath between my teeth. His ashen-blonde left in front of his eyes. His hair reached the nap of his neck. His hazel-green eyes reminded me as a lizards eyes. So rare but usually enchanting. His tan skin glowed as the sun rays hit his muscular. He stood there in a linen shirt with the first couple buttons undone, so his chest was half covered. A few scars were visible, causing me to flinch. He took a step towards me, so I took a step back which ended up with me hitting my head against the tree. "I won't hurt ye, Miss." His voice was low and deep. I gulped a little, before I glanced around looking for a great escape exit. "I'm Zander.. Zander Carbera. Tis' yer name, Miss?" I stood there silently. Not knowing if I should tell him my name. I hesitated as I saw him take another step. I reached for my dagger and quickly whipped it out. "Stay back!" My voice shook with uncertainty. My palms started to feel sweaty. He let out a little chuckle. "Tis' just a name, Miss." I paused a few seconds before saying. "Karmena... My name is Karmena." "Karmena..." His hand combed through his thick hair, as his eyes starred me down. _________________________________ •Zander's Point of View• The sun poured in through the window, the deep red velvet curtains were pulled open exposing the exquisite view of the forest. I sat up in my bed. I pressed my hand against the silk sheets. My hair fell in front of my eyes disallowing me to see. A small knock interrupted my train of thought. "Come in." Alys appeared in front of me, a mischief smile spread across her thin lips. A thick coat of red lipstick stained her lips. She was pretty I had to admit, but she was a whôre. She had warmed many men's beds at night, sadly one of those many men were me. She acts as if she is so innocent, but really... She's anything but that. "What tis it you want Alys.." I shook my head, combing my through my hair once more. "My- My lord.." She bowed her head. "I was just wondering if you had any plans today?" "Alys I always have plans." My lips stay in a straight line, as I look at her as if she were boring me. "Very well.." She straighten up herself, and walked back to the door. She glanced at me once more before slipping between the doors. I climbed out of my bed, and walked over to the window. The sky was bright and a beautiful ultramarine shade. Small cotton balls of clouds drifted past. My trousers hung loosely off my waist line, a linen shirt hugged my muscles. I slid into a pair of boots, then walked out of my room. "My lord, ye have a meeting..." Wally, one of my many servants, called out as I walked down the hall. "Not today... Cancel them. I'm going hunting..." With a quick nod her ran off down the halls. - I held my cross-bow tightly I my grip as I walk quietly through the woodlands. Birds chirped high in the canopies. I climbed over a fallen tree trying to be as silence as possible. I pushed a few vines away from my view. That's when I froze. A girl stood in the middle of my pond. Her back was to me, her hair was like a waterfall of fire flowing into the pond. Her pale skin glowed slightly. I could feel my member grow as I just wanted to touch her. Her head slowly turned towards me, that's when I saw her face. Her teeth sunk into her full baby pink lips, her nose was lightly freckled. Her cheeks slowly started to turn red, almost as red as her hair. She quickly climbed out of the water, covering her maidenhood with a towel. She was so diminutive compare to me- hell she was diminutive compare to most girls. She couldn't be more then eighteen. She was so perfect. Was my eyes playing tricks on me? Maybe she was a nymph. I had to see her again. I set my cross-bow near Payah, my sliver coat horse, and hopped over a tree trunk. I stepped over a few twigs. Her back was facing me when I finally caught up with her. "Ye real..." I noticed how she stiffened at the sound sound of me voice. She turned her head, starring at me with wide eyes. Her red tendrils were still dripping from her wash in the pond. She big turquoise eyes filled with nothing but fear. I noticed her pointy ears poking out from her hair. She was so slim, and frail looking standing there. I took a step towards her wanting nothing much then to comfort her. She instinctively took a step back which earned her to hit her head. "I wont hurt ye, Miss." She bit her lip, as she looked around. She legs were shaking. Quick think! "I'm Zander.. Zander Carbera. Tis' yer name, Miss?" She stood there still and silent. Her hand was slowly moving up her thigh. My eyes locked on her. Suddenly she pulled out a dagger, pointing it at me. "Stay back!" I looked at her then the dagger. I could easily unarm her, she wasn't holding it properly, but then again she's a woman. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Tis' just a name, Miss." She hesitated a little before saying. "Karmena... My name is Karmena." Karmena... A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. "Karmena..." ________________________________ ?Kayla is back yet again!! I hope you like it.