Fallen Love~ The Tale of a Shapeshifter

Chapter 1: The Finding of the Rogue

<P>I was on my way back from the village, guiding my horse through the dark forest.  </P>

<P>Over my shoulder hung a green hessian, with all my provisions and money. Around my waist, inside it's shilver sheath, was an ancient sword.</P>

<P>I stopped to check on it. It wasn't beautifully encrusted in rubies and diamonds as most magical swords were-- The hilt was made of plain silver, with a small clear crystal embedded on the top. The blade was folded black silver, and there was rumor that inside the actual blade were the fragments of Life itself.</P>

<P>Of course, only the insiders of the Forgotten Kingdom knew the truth: The sword was ordinary, like any other, except for the fact that if the weilder of the sword was true at heart, then the sword would never betray them. </P>

<P>It was getting late, and my young palomino was getting tired from walking.</P>

<P>I set up a fire and lay down on the cool grass, staring at the sky through the canopy of leaves. I could hear Fireweaver's slow breathing. The flames flickered and the wind blew strands of my snowy hair in my eyes.</P>

<P> I closed my eyes, and something in the sound of the trees, the breathing of my horse and the whole fact I was back in the realm of the Forgotten Kingdom must have put me to sleep, because the next thing I knew, I was drifting away into the darkness.</P>

<P>The first thing I was aware of was that the sun was rising. The sky was a very dark shade of blue, but it wasn't quite night anymore. </P>

<P>The fire was burning embers. Fireweaver was still dozing. I lay there, still, sensing something. </P>

<P>A twig snapped, and I heard someone breath a common-place oath. The accent was unfamiliar, and from what I could tell, whoever it was was female.</P>

<P>My body now rigid, I lay still and closed my eyes, relying on instinct and hearing. I was tensed and ready to attack. Suddenly a thought struck me.</P>

<P>Where was the sword? It was lying right behind my back, and I wouldn't be able to hide it-- surely whoever was watching me had seen it, and was planning to--</P>

<P>I heard the light, agile footsteps. I whipped around to take the sword, but my hand smacked onto a pale, thin wrist. Inside, I reeled in surprise. It was a young <EM>rogue!</EM></P>

<P>"Don't touch it," I snarled. I stared into her eyes and tried to read her, to penetrate her mind. I could sense she was hiding something dark. </P>

<P>I quickly stood and sheathed the sword, but I dared not let go of her wrist. Rogues, even young females, were known for their dirty fighting skills. </P>

<P>"What were you doing?" I asked quietly, still trying to pry into her mind (which annoyingly held itself shut).</P>

<P>I could hear her fluttering, her eyes wide with fear. "Please young sir..." she croaked. I saw her emerald green eyes dart frantically to the sword, her chest rising and falling rapidly.</P>

<P>I smirked, enjoying how scared she appeared; I only killed those who deserved it-- this soul was...well, not <EM>clean,</EM> but not completely dirtied with the filth of the souls of the-- I snapped myself out of it.</P>

<P>"Save me the hysterics. I don't take kindly to liars as well as thieves."</P>

<P>The white blonde rogue narrowed her strangely attractive eyes, and I felt myself slightly drawn in. </P>