"No, you're doing it all wrong! You have to loosen up your wrist, and shoulders are much too stiff."

I focused on my target. I listened to his instructions and loosened up my grip. I sipped the cool air, and readied myself.

"The sword is an extension of your arm. Keep it loose and try again."

I made a swift slash on the trunk of the tree, and then another, creating an "X" across the bark.

Kai walked over and inspected the mark, "Much better. Your becoming more fluent with it. Now that you got the basics, we will start sparring here tomorrow."

"Kai, what do you mean. We need to keep moving, unless you want the guards to catch up with us."

Kai rubbed his jaw and closed his eyes. The realization stressed him. I think we both know eventually I will be caught; however, when the time comes, I need to be ready to defend myself for as long as I can, and not give in.

"We leave at dawn tomorrow morning. We head for Viviana, we can rest up there and try to figure out some kind of plan."

I nodded and agreed with his plan, but something inside me urged to not go. But, sometimes my instinct was wrong, and Kai's was always right. After all, he is my guard and will do everything in his power to protect me.

Her voice was as smooth as silk, gentle as a feather. Her skin as pale as the clouds, hair as white as Lily of the Valley. Her eyes shone and eerie black.

She looked like goddess. Truly the purest form of beauty.

"My child," she whispered," I've been trying to communicate with you for a time now, my little flower."

I drawn to her lulling voice. I listened patiently, waiting for her to fill my ears with the beautiful ring of her voice.

"You must go to The Daine of Rube. That is where you will face your destiny. Follow the story that has been written for you. Follow the guiding light that will lead you to your calling. Go my little flower, you have much to do."

I awoke sitting on the edge of my bed, tears streaming down my face. I ignored it and kept tying to see the face from my dream.

"Is something wrong?"

Kai was sitting up in his bed. His bare chest was illuminated in the moonshine coming in through the window. The tips of his platinum blonde hair sparkled in the light. Purple eyes were stunning. This was the first time I really looked at Kai in a very long time.

I used to have a little crush on him when we were young. I mean this was all before... Julian. I thought he was gorgeous with his uniqueness. All those memories flooded back for this one moment.

"Fine," I slammed back on the mattress and closed my eyes, pretending to ignore the confused looks from Kai I knew he was making at me.

I tried going back to sleep to no avail, but I did a lot of thinking. I honestly don't remember too much, I thought about a bunch of things. Kai, Madden, Julian, demons, the dream. So many things were happening all at once, it was kind if overwhelming.

At the crack of dawn, I trudged over to my bag and changed into fresh clothing.

"Kai? You up?"

"Yeah," he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Then, he scooted off the bed and threw on a shirt.

"Let's go," Kai said as he picked up his pack.

"Kai, I hate the woods."

"Aw come on, it's nice fresh air out here."

I've never seen Kai so comfortable like this. He seems so...free out here in the woods.

It's been a day since we left the inn. I still haven't told Kai about changing directions. I don't think he will want me to go by some dream I saw.

"Are you hungry?"

"No, I'm fine. Thank you."

"Scarlett, you haven't eaten since yesterday. Come on and eat something, keep your energy up."

Kai handed me some dried fruit. I ate it away piece by piece. Wasn't quite sure what type of fruit it was, but it sure was good.

"Kai have you ever had a dream before?"

"You really think I'm that inhuman to never dream..."

"That's not what I meant," I interrupted. "What I mean is... Have you ever had a dream, where it told you something important, do you follow it?"

Kai considered the idea, "depends what it is. If it's a stupid idea, then no. What is it the it told you to do?"

I paused and stopped walking. "She said that we should go to The Daine of Rube. Told me my fate was there."

"And what do you think Scarlett? If I wasn't here, would you go?"

I stared at the emerald green grass next to my feet. It refracted small beams of light, maneuvering around the trees to reach the ground. The shadows of branches shrouded the scene.

If I go, I could be making a big mistake. Even if it is true that my fate lies there, it's no guarantee it is a good fate. Maybe I should just follow Kai's idea. I mean it was a silly dream after all, who knows if it even means anything. But, something is intoxicating me to follow fate. I want to follow the purpose the world has for me...

"Yes, I would."

"Then we will go."