A ring of black filled with small particles of wood, chard but not fully consumed and the smells of ash are all that remains of the previous night’s fire. The tall figure steps on the ring, scattering the ashes, launching some into the air. He works to get his armor fitting correctly, cumbersome as it may be; it has saved his life on numerous occasions. He struggles to readjust the leather straps that were stretched out from sleeping in the armor the night before.

He rises with a stretch, and proceeds to wrap his cloak around him and placing the hood over his head, allowing only a couple of stray locks of his dark hair to be seen.

“Traveling through these accursed woods is not my idea of a good time,” He thinks “But it is it shortest distance to the lands of my enemy. Thankfully it has been quite, save for the bandits last night.” He smiles at the thought of the bandits running in fear from him “I warned them, but they insisted. But now is not the time to think of the past.”

He travels for another day finally leaving the woods. The day’s sun beats down on him, since it is the winter months the sun helps to keep warm. In the distance he sees a small village. Upon arrival he finds that it is peaceful there, but he is in his lands, so he will remain cautious.

She has been on my mind all day. Her dark curls that sometimes covers her eyes, the way she smiles when he moves her hair to look into her eyes. The way her eyes sparkle when he enters the room. Her name is Jaina, she is his heart, and she has been taken from him.

He drifts off to sleep, with the image of her smiling face in his head.
" I will save you my love."

The daily life of the marketplace has been in full swing for some time before he enters. Hunger has set in, and he knows the inns food will be lacking. In the marketplace he is now standing before a small stand looking over the various fruits. The woman on the other side looks as though she has seen better days. Her graying hair pulled back and covered with a small piece of red cloth. The leathery skin on her face shows she has worked most of her life under the blazing sun, and tanned from the dirt that appears to have made a home in the pores in her face. Her eyes are void of any signs of a soul, as if taken from her body.
He picks up a couple apples, placing them in a small sack at his side. Looking over the other choices, wondering what else to get.
"I haven’t had any apples or oranges in a while." He thinks picking up a couple of the brightest oranges in the pile. He hands the woman a couple gold pieces and smiles gently at her. He knows he has overpaid her, but doesn’t care.
"I hope you are not trying to rob that woman of her livelihood." A familiar voice comes from behind. Remembering the last time he heard the voice his smile gets even bigger.
He turns to see a man in well polished armor. He looks over the dark-haired individual.
"Terinos, my old friend, where did you come from?" he says to the man as they begin to embrace. "Do not tell me you work for the king in this land now?" smacking the emblem on the mans chest plate, jokingly checking his reflection in the armor.

"Yes well, the money is good, the beds are comfortable, and the women . . . well look around." He lets loose a deep belly laugh that shakes his whole body.
"Well I have never known you to pass up money or women."
"Ah, it is good to see you again Arturis.” Terinos smiles “What brings you this way?"
"Just passing through, work has been kind of slow lately."
"Well if that is a problem, I can always talk to the king and get you a position here, maybe even work you in as one of my captains."
"As good as that idea sounds at the moment, I don’t think so." Arturis replies
"Well if you change your mind, let me know."
"Terinos, I am ready to return to the castle now." Comes a voice from behind Terinos. A woman steps from behind him. Arturis eyes shift from his friend to this woman. She is of average height, long dark hair that seems to snake down her back. She is wearing a long flowing purple gown, with gold trim. A gold belt around her waist shows off her well-placed curves. He gazes into her eyes, watching the green sparkle and shimmer like newly found emeralds.
"Arturis, May I present Princess Jaina." Terinos speaks up
Arturis bows, keeping his eyes trained on hers. He feels his heart drop into his stomach when she smiles at him.
"Princess, Arturis is an old traveling partner; I would trust this man with my life." Terinos says while ribbing Arturis
"Well. Any friend of Terinos is a friend of mine." She replies and smiles again at Arturis.
"Well thank you milady, but he has saved my life more times than I can count."
"Don’t worry about that. You have saved my life enough times to make it even."
"True" Arturis quickly replies not taking his eyes off the princess.
"Well I hope to see you again Arturis." Jaina quietly says as she starts to shuffle her feet. "Well we should be getting back to the castle." looking over at Terinos
"Yes princess” he nods “Arturis hang around in the town I will be back later and we can have some ale and grace the townsfolk with our tales.” He laughs
"I will be around, don’t think I will be leaving soon." Arturis says seeing Jaina Smile at him again.

Terinos and Jaina turn and begin to walk thru the crowd toward the castle. Arturis stands watching them go. Halfway up the street Jaina turns and looks back at him with one last smile.

Arturis wakes up suddenly in a cold sweat with the image of her face still in front of his eyes.

Arturis awakens to the sounds of children playing. He turns and sits on the edge of the bed, feeling the cold floor beneath his bare feet. He thinks for a moment about the dream he had the night before. He can still see her eyes looking back at him. His heart sinks in this moment of thought.
He rises from the bed, and moves toward his cloths. The cold morning air seeming to kiss his skin, sending the sensation of ice crystals thru his veins. He picks up his sword, and begins to look it over. Beginning with the handle, looks over the craft work, the two dragons back to back at the pommel with there tails wrapping down around the handle. Various protection runes lay along the handle beneath the tails. They were created by the Arch Magus Seronius. He sometimes wonders what other little spells and surprises Seronius put in the sword. At the joining of the blade and handle is a dragon’s skull molded from silver. This skull begins on the handle, horns protruding upward, allowing a bit of a guard for his fingers when he holds his weapon. The head stretches downward onto the blade itself. The size of a grown mans fist, the skull is on both sides of the sword. It appears as if the blade comes directly out of the dragon’s mouth. The blade starts off wide, with one sides edge carved to appear as if a flame were dancing on it.
He moves the sword placing it point down to the floor. It stands tall, up to his chest. He looks above him, to be certain there is clearance. The sword rises in his hands, and moves to his side. With this he begins his morning exercises, his movements graceful and precise. He has worked a long time to get his technique correct. He has seen too many warriors beaten because they did not know how to handle there weapon to its full potential. He was determined not to allow that happen to him. He continues his movements, fluid and smooth, seemingly dancing with his sword.
He finishes his training and goes about the rest of his morning routine. Finally Arturis emerges from this room, and begins to walk thru the village. He stops off at the small makeshift market in the middle of the village. Picks up some food for his journey, along with a few supplies, rope, wicks for his lantern, a new sharpening stone, and continues out of the village.

Arturis approaches the foot hills of the SkyClaw Mountains. Looking up at its high snowy peaks, he knows there is no way he would ever be able to get over it. Thankfully he had found a passage thru the mountain years ago. He slowly makes his way to the cave entrance, careful of his footsteps. The cave entrance is not anywhere near the top of the mountain, but it is high enough on the mountain face that to slip would mean a certain death. Each of his steps is made carefully; making sure his foot is well placed before his next step, weary of the ice beneath the snow covered rocks.
After some time and work, Arturis approaches the cave opening. He recalls the first time finding the cave, trying to get out of the snow storm that appeared out of no where. The storm lasted what seemed forever, and he was in a hurry, so he took the chance that the cave will lead to the other side. He thanked the gods that day when he emerged on the other side, and now he prays to the gods to keep his love safe till he can get to her.

Standing inside the caves mouth, the protrusions from the cave floor and ceiling remind him of standing in the mouth of a dragon. The wind howls outside the entrance of the cave. For a moment his heart sinks with he thought he may have stepped into the mouth of some creature, but quickly rids himself of the thought. He pulls a lantern from his pack, and lights it. The light casts shadows on the walls, a scary site to most children, not much better for Arturis. He makes his trek thru the rock passage, only the rhythmic sounds of the water drops cross his ears.
He reaches a point in the cave where the floor has gone, and his only way across is to jump. Arturis takes a couple steps back, and starts his run toward the edge. With one good push with his legs his into the air. He watches as the other side gets closer to him, and starts to realize he may not make it. He falls just short of the ledge, managing to catch the edge. He struggles to pull himself up, fingers slipping under the slippery rock. Unable to get his feet onto anything for leverage, he can only rely on his arms and upper body to save him from this predicament. Slowly he hoists himself back up onto the ledge. Arturis lays there on the cave floor for a moment exhausted from his day’s journey and his previous actions.
"This looks like a good place to stop and rest." he thinks as he slips out of consciousness

Arturis stands next to a door way watching as people come and go through the passage way. Patience was never his strong suit, but at the moment he has no choice but be patient. His only conciliation is knowing his patience will soon be rewarded. He stands, shuffling his feet, anxiety growing in the pit of his stomach.
Just as he reaches the point of meltdown, a finger comes across the side of his neck. All anxiety rushes from him, replaced with happiness. Arturis turns to see his lady love standing before him. She is smiling at him, with the same happiness he feels.

"Quite a lovely dress." He stammers, admiring her
"Thank you, I just received it from the Taylor." She replies
"Ah Jaina, you are beautiful as ever." Arturis sighs as she blushes, followed with another smile.
"Does your father know you are with me?" He asks
"Yes dear, do not worry, he trusts you." She smiles "He also likes you."
"I have seen how kings can be when it comes to there daughter not being with another of royal blood." Arturis states
"Well father has always allowed me to follow my heart, and you have proven your valor many times over for this kingdom." Jaina retorts
"True" He smiles "Well let’s get going."
"Were are we going today my love?"
"It’s a surprise." Arturis states with a coy smile

She smiles, takes his hand, as they walk down the corridor and out into the castle grounds. The spring air gently caresses there face. Birds sing there ballads, filling the air with an orchestra of sound. The two approach the giant fountain in the middle of the courtyard. She sits on the edge of the fountain watching him.
"What are we doing here?" she asks

Arturis stands before her and drops to one knee. Taking her hand in his, he sighs as he quickly collects his thoughts.

"Jaina." He pauses "From the moment I gazed into your eyes, I knew you were for me. This last year and a half together has been wonderful, the greatest time in my life. Never has anyone touched my heart in such a way as you have. Every day I find something new to love about you. I find my love for you grows with each passing day. The times apart I have done nothing but think of you, the times together have been absolute magic, and I do not want any of this to end."

He stops and takes a breath. She is looking on, knowing what is next, feeling the anticipation growing inside her, the sheer excitement of this moment. Jaina, you are the greatest thing in my life, without you I wouldn't know happiness, wouldn't be able to get thru a day. You are my light, my heart, my soul."
Jaina feels tears starting to well up in her eyes, slightly blurring her vision. Arturis sees this, and gently wipes them from her eyes, and smiles.

"Jaina" He looks directly into her eyes "Will you do me the honor being my wife? Will you marry me?"

"YES!" She bursts into tears of happiness. Jaina pulls him up to her, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his lips in such a lovingly way.

Jaina awakes, stops for a moment to remember where she is. As she looks around and suddenly remembers the peril she is in.

"Hurry my love" she whispers to herself