<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>
<P>"Hm. You're the first one who's ever been able to do that. I credit you. So, what are you going to do with me, now that you've caught me, if I may so grandly know?" she said, her voice holding a note of sarcasm. </P>
<P>I felt her fear melting away. Instead of being annoyed at this, I felt a strange relief. Like the relief tied to the intake of breath...natural and easy. Suddenly I was mad at myself. What was I thinking?!?!</P>
<P><EM>This is a ROGUE! She almost tried to kill you...to take the sword!</EM></P>
<P>"I was just thinking of taking you to Queen Kymaera. I'm sure she would enjoy a new slave," I said. My voice came out angry and dangerous-- but I was only mad at myself.</P>
<P>Fear cracked on the surface. Her eyes widened. "K-Kymaera...?" she whispered.</P>
<P>A look of realization mixed with confusion and fear washed over her face.</P>
<P>"Yes. You're in the Forgotten Kingdom." I said calmly.</P>
<P>A very hared, hysteric look overtook her face. </P>
<P>Quickly, I took a rope hanging from Fireweaver's saddle and bound the rogue's hands behind her back, and also her feet. I went to collect her horse, who I could hear in the undergrowth. </P>
<P>A thin, wailing voice reached my ears. "You...you're not going to leave here, are you? Leave me for dead?"</P>
<P>I ignored her and walked further, trying to find the horse. Finally I found it. It was creamy in colour, and it was quite fit, if not a bit skinny. </P>
<P>"Starwick!" gasped the bound rogue, her eyes lighting up with joy. It made me squirm, seeing the affection glowing from her face. </P>
<P>"Is that its name? Hm. You were trying to steal my sword, if I'm correct. Why not sell him?" </P>
<P>To my surprise, the girl's eyes bugged and her mouth opened slightly. "Why don't you go sell your most treasured friend?" she said, in a tone of voice that suggested she actually meant <EM>"Why don't you go jump in a lake?"</EM> "Because that's what he's worth to me."</P>
<P>Her sudden outburst annoyed me, and I frowned. "I do not have the time for friends." I said shortly.</P>
<P>I tried as hard as I could, but nothing could stop the images flooding my mind-- my only friend, my only true other half...Catryna...</P>
<P>I returned to the fire and started making a brew. I could see the rogue was weak and tired, and I didn't blame her for trying to steal the sword. </P>
<P>I stood and went back to the girl, and I raised the sword. With a swift blow I cut the cords that bound her, and gave her the brew.</P>
<P>Suspicious, but interested, the girl drank a tiny bit. I smiled inwardly as I saw her stand straighter, her eyes burning with a new fire. </P>
<P>"Who are you?" her voice was haughty. I grinned and prepared for her reaction.</P>
<P>"I am Wyvern." I stated simply, letting the sentence hang in the air. </P>
<P>The rogue tilted her head and blinked. "Not...not THE Wyvern...surely...as in..."</P>
<P>"We shall bring this conversation back to the castle," I said, looking around the forest carefully. </P>
<P>After binding her and helping her onto her horse, I led her on to the Fortress. </P>
<P>The sun was near to it's height when we reached the castle. "Here we are."</P>
<P>I saw her shudder delicately and close her eyes. </P>
<P>After both horses were tethered, I led my captured theif to the Queen's main room. </P>
<P>A silky, sure voice said "Enter." just as I raised my hand to knock. </P>
<P>The doors opened, and there was the Queen: as magnificent as ever, her light ginger hair cascading over her shoulders, contrasting with her never ending silver eyes. I bowed reverently, and was slightly unsettled as I saw the light of amusement playing her eyes-- too slightly for the rogue to see, I guessed.</P>
<P>"Your Higness," said quietly. Kymaera nodded, and turned to the rogue.</P>
<P>"I caught her trying to steal...trying to steal the sword. I figured you could use her for something."</P>
<P>I pushed her forward, towards the Queen, upset that she hadn't bowed down to the Queen.</P>
<P>Kymaera's silver eyes narrowed as she looked at the rogue with curiousity. "Tell me your name, child."</P>
<P>Her body shook slightly, and I sensed fear and revulsion, but her voice choked out quite clearly: "My name is Serafina."</P>
<P> "Celestyn," finished the Queen.</P>
<P>The rogue hadn't even bowed to the Queen! How dare she?! I saw the rogue's face twitch slightly, but she didn't say anything. </P>
<P>"You know her, my Queen?" I said quietly. I was sure that this rogue had never been in the castle before. </P>
<P>A strange kind of silence hung in the air, and I didn't expect the Queen to answer. I looked up as Serafina's voice broke the silence. </P>
<P>Her voice was strangely thin and shaky. "If I may ask, your Highness, what do you intend to do with me now?"</P>
<P>I could sense her fear, with an undertone of...arrogance? I look at her curiously.</P>
<P>"Hm," said the Queen. She turned to me. "Wyvern?"</P>
<P>"Yes, your Higness?" I replied, tearing my eyes away from Serafina. "I want you to have a one on one duel with Ms. Celestyn. Right here, right now."</P>
<P>My mind reeled. Why would I fight a rogue? </P>
<P>Surely Serafina Celestyn would know trade moves, but she was hardly trained, and I would have her pinned in no time-- it seemed useless. "What exactly will that prove, your Highness?"</P>
<P>The Queen just shook her head slightly, and the doors opened and a short servant came in with the swords. </P>
<P>Eager to get this done with so I could return to my business, I took up my position and held the sword en garde.</P>
<P>Confidently, Serafina stood before me, holding up her sword as well.</P>
<P>"Begin," whispered the Queen. </P>
<P>I stepped towards her quickly, using pure strength to bring her sword crashing down, but I soon identified her style-- unlike most untrained and outcast rogues, who used brute force, Serafina used her light and delicate body to dodge and duck away from me, occasionally swiping at me.</P>
<P>It became a wild whirlwind, with her searching for weak points, and me defending each blow effortlessly.</P>
<P>After a while, I saw her breathing get heavy, her face shining with sweat. The Queen sat quietly and looked on. </P>
<P>Serafina slowed and slowed, and so did I, knowing that she would think I was tiring too...then she would make a final offensive thrust and--</P>
<P>I had her pinned to the wall, my sword at her throat. </P>
<P>"Enough," Queen Kymaera's voice rang with clarity. </P>
<P>Slowly I lowered my sword, unable to take my eyes off Serafina. She stared at me in fear and wonder, and curiousity. </P>
<P>Kymaera watched quietly. "Well fought, I must say...Wyvern, you agree with me?"</P>
<P>I hesitated, but I had to admit...I nodded slightly. "Her swordsmanship is good. It could use a little work, but its not bad." </P>
<P>"Good..." muttered the Queen. "Wyvern, I have one more thing to ask of you."</P>
<P>"Yes, your Highness?" a strange feeling rose in my throat as I saw the Queen's eyes flicker to the rogue. </P>
<P>"Teach this rogue the way of the Forgotten Kingdom, as she once knew. Train her as your apprentince to become a noble warrior. That is all. You are dismissed."</P>
<P>No way. My mind reeled in shock and indignation. <EM>I, </EM>the Wyvern, was to <EM>teach </EM>a lowly rogue?? </P>
<P>I shook my head. Queen Kymaera told me to, I was faithful to the Forgotten Kingdom, I would obey. </P>
<P>"Come one..." I muttered, grabbing Serafina's arm witha bit too much force. </P>
<P>She resisted. "Queen Kymaera, surely you are making a mistake! I left this place when I was younger for my own reasons, and have no intention of coming back at all!" </P>
<P>I tried to shove her towards the door, but the Queen stopped me. "You were dismissed, Wyvern, were you not?"</P>
<P>I opened my mouth to fire a retort, but thought better of it, bowed quickly and left, fuming.</P>
<P>~</P>
<P>After a while the door opened, and the blonde rogue sank against the door. She gave a gasp of surprise when she opened her eyes and saw me. </P>
<P>"So, how'd it go?" I said offhand, turning to look at her. </P>
<P>"Well..." her voice was hesitant and slow. "I'm staying, if that's what you mean..."</P>
<P>A strange relief flooded me. Why was I happy about this? Why?!</P>
<P>I composed my face. "Good to hear it. We'll soon have another warrior amongst us. Training starts at dawn. I'll be at the stables."</P>
<P>I turned swiftly and walked down to the back exit of the fortress.</P>
<P>The Ghostwriter would have to be informed.</P>
<P>~~~~</P>
<P>THERE!</P>
<P>U O ME ANGEL!!!!</P>
<P>UUUUU OOOOOO MEEEEEE!!!!!!!</P>