Ermine City
It was summer, the first day of summer to be exact. The small town had but one old woman who taught all the children reading, writing, and math. Kara walked down the old dirt road that led to the family’s simple farm. Her brother Bryan, his shoulder length auburn locks swaying gently in the breeze. “Kara, wanna go to the woods today?” Bryan asked turning his blue eyes in her direction. Kara was one of the few girls in the village that didn’t mind climbing trees, catching fish, or getting dirty. “Sure.” Kara replied being rewarded by the smiles that he only saved for her. Bryan meant the world to her he was special. Not special in the way family members think about each other but truly special. Bryan had The Gift. It was the main reason they lived in this small village. Children with The Gift were wanted by everyone and no one ever saw them again. They looked up in unison as a horse and rider came speeding at an alarming rate around the bend and towards the siblings. Bryan being the older of the two pushed Kara behind him and onto the pasture to the side of the road. The rider not slowing continued to barrel down the road. As he approached something fell or was thrown from the horse. Kara stared at it trying to make out what it was it looked like…paper. “Kara!” she heard her brother scream. “Kara help, get help!” “Bryan!” Kara screamed at the top of her lungs seeing her brother being held by the rider speeding away from her. Tears began to fill her eyes and fear gripped her heart. She had no idea what to do. She began to run after the horse but it was going too fast and her short legs though muscular were no match. “Bryan!!” She screamed as the horse took off down a green pasture and disappeared into the woods beyond. ** Kara woke with a jolt, the campfire crackling on this unusually cold summer night. It was a dream she thought as she lay back down, the only problem was it had happened. Bryan had been taken. Kara looked up at the fog filled sky and remembered her brother’s face full of fear as he was speeding further and further away. He had always been there for her as long as she could remember. They told each other everything and told no one else. It was going to be impossible to get to sleep again after that dream, the dream that plagued her every night only helping her keep focused on her task. She was almost there almost to where Bryan had been taken. She pulled the small crumpled piece of paper out of her pocket and opened it. It had only a few words written on it Bryan…Calmine Village…The Gift That was all it needed to say really. Name, location, and of course gifted. She had heard rumors of where the children were taken and the many cruel things done to them when they got there. Kara had decided to follow the lead she had received the most about where the kids were taken. She knew she didn’t have a lot of time and so she must take a chance. She had traveled for days asking the citizens and other families that had lost their children and the name that kept popping up was Ermine City. It was here that Kara was camped just one hours walk outside the city walls. Kara had arrived after night fall and decided to rest outside the city walls incase she didn’t have a chance to rest once she got in. Despite the fog Kara could tell that soon the sun would be rising and the fog would be lifted from the valley that now hid Ermine City from her view. Packing up her sleeping blankets and banking the fire she set off in the direction of Ermine City with her knapsack on her back. And in fact by the time the sun began to grace the hills that protected the city she could see it somewhat clearly. It’s tall buildings taller than anywhere else in the world so they claimed were all emerald colored. Emerald and silver were the colors of Ermine City and the people did not like travelers. But Kara had come prepared she had bought her emerald clothes and silver bangles in the shops from the last city and hoped she would fit in. Kara walked on over the plain heading towards the city and the closer she got the bigger it looked. The city gate was made of bright silver metal that shone in the bright morning sun and small green emeralds spelled out the name of the city in fluid script. “Your business miss!” The guard dressed in black and green demanded as she reached the shinning gates. “I am returning home from visiting my relatives is Runesburrow.” Kara replied putting on an innocent face and smiling as sweetly as she could at the gruff man. “I see. I don’t recall ever seeing you before. Red hair is uncommon among our people.” He replied skeptically as he eyed her own auburn hair twisted into a fancy style with some silver clips to hold it in place. “Yes, that is true. It is rare everywhere these days.” Kara said exasperatedly. The man just grunted and looked her over once more. “All right proceed.” He said. Kara held her breath until she got through the gate before she let out her sigh of relief. Damn red hair she thought almost got her caught. But that thought didn’t stay long in her mind as she looked at the beauty that was Ermine City. Not only were silver, white, emerald, and black the colors. But any shade of green was an option as well. Most might think it gaudy to have so much of the same colors together but Ermine City had done so with such grace that one could not look down and call this anything but beauty. Beautiful white washed stone and wooden building and homes were positioned in straight flowing lines along the streets. Shops and markets had flags the colors of green and black while governmental offices were white and green. In the center of the city stood a massive building made of the white stone. It looked more like a castle than a large building. It had four towers one at each corner and upon the top of each a flag of pure silver fabric swayed in the wind like a snake. Men wearing armor of silver and green marched along the walls of the castle above and below. A feeling inside Kara said this was the place she would find her brother. ____________________________________________________________ Let me know if you guys like this and I'll continue it. I've got good ideas so just let me know if you think it's worth continuing.

Part Two: ------------------------------ Marcas walked through the streets of Ermine City. He watched as the afluent went about their shoping and thier lives of comfort and luxury. Marcas snorted in disgust. Their velvet robes and emerald jewelry seemed a bit extravagant. Marcas looked down at his own clothes they were shabby and worn through in many places. They didn't even look green any longer they were old...so old they had faded into a ugly gray. He was not rich..heck he had nothing. Leaning against the whitewashed stone of the school just off the main street. He watched the children coming to the school and some crowding in groups around the low stairs. It was chill in the early morning hours of this day. Scanning the bustling crowd he noticed a girl that seemed very out of place. Her bright red hair seemed to glow among the blondes that made up most of Ermine City. She was dressed in Emerald as was code but he could tell the dress was brand new and her silver accessories were brightly shinning in the sun where the current fashion called for brushed silver accessories. He could see the look of awe cross over her face, she didn't belong here. And there was something about the girl that seemed familiar somehow, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He pushed himself off the building fluidly and in one motion began walking through the crowd following the girl. It wasn't hard to follow her, she stood out and it seemed that everyone turned to look in her direction as she passed. He almost laughed to himself to see how hard she tried to fit in but stood out so blatantly. He followed her taking the main streets and it seemed her direction was set on the middle of the city. Marcas increased his pace and come up even with the girl. She looked over at him and smiled lightly her blue eyes astonishingly vivid. "A fine morning." Marcas said looking at the young girl. She seemed shocked and a little frightened he had talked to her. "Yes, it is." She said and tried to speed up past him. But Marcas walked these streets every dya he was in much better condition he easily increased his speed to match hers. "I don't believe I've seen you around this city before." He said smiling at the look on her face. "And you know everyone in this city?" She asked her eyes shinning at her clever remark. He smirked, he liked her spark people in Ermine were so polite. "No, but I'd imagine I would have remembered you though." He said in reply. When she gave him the look of death he realized his mistake. "The hair, it's not usual around these parts." For a while they walked side by side down the dirty side street still heading for the center. "Why are you following me?" She stopped suddenly whirling around to face him her face fierce. He couldn't help but smile she was so far from intimidating it was almost endearing. "I think your mistaken, I'm not following mearly heading in the same direction." He replied his smile growing broader as he watched her fustration rise. "Hmph." She said spinning on her heal and walking faster her red hair swaying with the force of each step. Chuckling he walked on behind her only slightly farther behind. Of course he had been right she had headed straight for the center of the city to The Complex. The great castle like stone building stood tall casting the surrounding building and streets in shadow. The girl stopped just inside the shadow and ooked up at the large building. Marcas stood back a little to see what her plans were, surely she didn't not think she was going to walk right in. But the girl didn't stay in place long soon she began walking more slowly than before but it was clear she was walking to the large wooden double doors that were shut tight against the hustle in the street. Here in the center of the city it was older and far busier than outer portions. But he couldn't let the girl make a huge mistake he wasn't sure why she was here but this was not a good idea. Walking up behind her he took her shoulders in his hands and whispered... "Not the best idea." She started slightly and shrugged her shoulders from his grasp. "You have no business with me." She said that fighting spirit coming back into her eyes and determination filled her stance. "You are correct but if you are to live freely that is not the way to do so." Quickly before she realized what was happening he grabbed her wrist and pulled her down a side alley out of the eyes of prying guards and villagers. He pushed her up against the rough wall of a shop and blocked her way out with his arms on either sides of her and his body positioned directly in front. "What are you doing?" She said loudly. "Let me go!" Quickly he covered her mouth with his hand. "Listen to me I am only trying to help you." He said in a whisper slowly he let the pressure off of her mouth and placed his hand back on the wall. "You must know that to enter those gates is certain death. Do you not realize this? I know you are not from here what is your business?" "I'm not telling you. How do I know where your alliance lies, let go of me or I will scream." She retorted. Smiling he leaned closer til his face was right in front of hers so he could feel her breath on his face. "Do you not think I could have called the guards on you long before this? I saw you and your new clothes and out of date accessories a long way off. Anyone could have noticed you are lucky it was me. Now do you want my help or not?" he asked pulling back so he could see her whole face. -------------------------------------------- Please continue to vote if you would like me to continue. I hope you guys like this. :) Oh and I do believe that's 200..woo hoo!

Part Three: Kara was cornered, her back pressed against the cool stone of the alleyway. She looked into the deep blue eyes of the boy who stood blocking her way. He had been a constant burr in her side since he had intercepted her this morning. She wasn't sure who he was nor what he was all about and it was about time to find out. "Who are you?" She whispered. He was so close she could feel his hot breath against her face. "Only fair. Marcas, is my name." He told her and smiled. "Yours?" "Kara." she replied. Marcas moved in closer so that his face touched hers as he whispered. "And Kara would you like my help?" Kara blushed and her heart began to race. She did not understand these feelings and they made her uneasy. "I still do not know you." Kara whispered as she quickly ducked under Marcas's arm freeing herself of his gaze. She heard Marcas sigh behind her. "What are you afraid of?" Marcas asked his voice back to normal volume now that they were apart. "Ha! You think that if you rephrase the question I'll be more prone to answering?" Kara turned on her heal to face Marcas. "You are mistaken." "Do you always give the third degree?" Marcas asked the smile returning to his face. "Can you trust no one, my it must be a tiring life." "You know nothing of me." She shot back. "Do you trust everyone so easily, it must be a horridly dissappointing life!" Marcas didn't seem to know what to say to this comment, but by the look of his face it must have rung true. "If you never trust, you will never find true friends." Marcas said in a low voice, it seemed to be full of truth and emotion. "Only an idiot trusts everyone." Kara said vehemently. Marcas looked up his eyes looking straight into hers and smirked. It caught Kara off guard. "Idiots go around in cities dressed out of style and don't accept help when it's offered." He returned his smile turning into more of a sneer. "I know you aren't from here it's entirely too obvious. Your country face all awestruck and your brand new clothing, who's an idiot? It seems you've named the wrong person." That was it! Kara refused to stand in some dark alley way arguing with a poor orphan who couldn't afford to buy new clothing. He had a sharp tongue and Kara had better things to be doing with her time than entertaining this imbecile. She said nothing, she just turned and ran. She ran into the crowd that was circling the run down shops in the shaded market place. She pushed her way through until she found another alley way and she ducked down it and ran even more. She ran and ran until her legs would no longer carry her hopeing that she had been able to loose that horrid boy. But now Kara had another problem, she was lost. She had run and was now back in the outer rungs of the city. And she could just barely see the enormous building in the center. It had taken her a while to reach there and now she had gone and undone any progress made. Silently she cursed herself. She also knew that the sun was beginning to set as it did early in these parts of the country. The orange light spread across the high towered city and cast long and exceedingly dark shadows over everything. Kara had thought she could be in and out by nightfall how stupid she had been. And now she had no place to sleep and she was tired. All that needless argueing and having gotten no progress done then running away as fast as possible. She was tired and at a loss of what to do about it. Maybe she had been too quick to run away from Marcas, maybe she could have used his help not to find her brother but to find her way around this huge city. Maybe she could trust him, maybe he would lead her in the right direction, maybe she was wrong not to trust him. All these thoughts and more ran through her mind as she walked the city. Wandering the streets she saw a ramshakle inn at the dead end of an alley and decided to see if she had enough to stay there for the night. *** Marcas walked through the city streets alone once more. The girl, Kara, had run away from him after he had called her an idiot. But she had deserved it and he wasn't going to take it back. That girl had gotten on his very last nerve, something most couldn't do. He had offered to help and all she did was question and call him names. Well he had seen enough. He didn't care if the girl got caught for it was sure to happen. He didn't care if she died or if she completed whatever task it was that brought her here. He was going to get some dinner from the local inn and then head back to his hut for a good night of troubled sleep. Stepping into the inn Rosey came over and smiled sweetly at him. She couldn't speak having been mute her entire life but they were I guess what you would call friends. She silently led him away to his favorite spot in the corner where he could easily watch the door and the entire room without being obvious about it. He sat down and didn't even have to order for since this was his stop for dinner every night, Rosey already knew what to bring him. When she left to retrieve his meal, Marcas sat and took in the evenings environment. A warm fire roared in the great fireplace in the wall opposite him. Many of tonights patrons were crowded all around some were already rowdy with drink while others were just beginning their evening festivities. Wooden tables at least eight feet in length were set lengthwise down the great room with long wooden benches to accomodate the visitors. Of course the table closest to the fire was completely full. It wasn't long and Rosey came back with his meal. One cup of mead, one bowl of beef and potatoe stew, and one roll of bread. It was a feast considering it was his one meal a day. "Thank you." he said to Rosey slipping a copper coin into her hand. His meal was free because he knew and was nice to Rosey when other's weren't and this inn was owned by her father. Rosey took the copper and smiled, she knew how rare it was to get tips in these times but to get one from Marcas seemed to mean a lot. Rosey left and Marcas waisted no time diving into the think and warm stew. It warmed his bones and made his nose begin to run despite the chill of the room. Using his bread as a utensil and his mead to wash it down he was finished in no time. With a full belly he leaned against the wooden wall of the inn and surveyed the room. It was then that the door swung open the hinges creaking. It was her. Marcas swore under his breath, a curse he learned from the caravan travelers that would bring news from port cities. Why did fate always have a way of kicking you in the gut when you had just eaten. Marcas sat in the corner not moving hopeing maybe by some chance she wouldn't see him and go about her business. Her blue eyes scanned the room and they landed with shock on Marcas. He cursed again. Her face blanched and she stood still in her spot right next to the door as if waiting to see if he was going to do something. But what was he going to do? Nothing that's what he was tired of this girl. She finally broke her gaze and walked over to his table. Damnit what did she want now? If she was only here to insult him more he would leave he had other hang outs ones she wouldn't dare walk into. She walked up and stood in front of Marcas. "I'm afraid I might need your help after all." she said looking him straight in the eyes. "Sit." was all he said.