Allon had successfully ran from her old home. She had planned out almost everything. She had waited until night had fallen over the land, collected her few possessions that were her own into a homemade sack, ran into the town. It was a dark night, the moon being hidden behind the clouds, aiding in her escape. She made it to the town square about an hour after she had began her attempt. It was a quiet night, so she had to be extra careful as to not wake anyone up. It was still fairly late, and she needed her energy to continue the next phase of her plan.

She rested on a bench until the sun began to rise over the horizon. The light chased away the darkness of the night into nothing but mere shadows. Allons vision was no longer clouded or blurred by the lack of scenery. She hurried across the town, following the twisted path all the way to the forbidden Breden Forest.

Breden Forest was known for many dangers. Witches that could turn you into stone. Giants that could eat you in bite. Dragons that could burn you to a pile of cinders. It was most definitely no place for a normal child. It was a good thing Allon wasn't normal.

She showed no fear as she marched into the line of trees without hesitation. So what if she died? It wasn't like anybody would miss her. Certainly not her mother or twin. Besides, she would be alright.

Wouldn't she?

Allon underestimated the size of the forest. The trail had long ended a few miles back. She was lost, nowhere to turn. It didn't help that the sun was being blocked out by the towering trees. She had been fearless at first, but it soon began to consume her. This fear, however, was replaced with a fear much greater than any other she had ever experienced before. There were loud footfalls approaching her, vibrating the ground and shaking her being down to the very core. She knew what was coming, and the sight that soon covered her vision confirmed it.

It was a giant.

The giant was a large one, even for its kind, but was by no means friendly. A loud growl exited its throat, dark eyes glaring down at poor, frightened Allon with hunger. A hand much larger than her reached down to snatch her up, but something beats it to her. A man with dirty-blond hair quickly rode forwards on a brown horse, sword in hand as he raced in between Allon and the beast.

"Quickly, miss, get on my horse so we can get out of here!" the man called to her, his horse galloping towards her. He outstretched his hand, and as did she, taking hold and pulling herself upon the horse.

The giant tried to grab at them, before recoiling in pain as the man stabbed into the creatures finger.The horse ran quickly, making turns and jumping high over obstacles it couldn't weave about. Before long, they had far left the giants sight, and therefore its grip. The man slowed the horse till it was only in a steady stride.

Allon looked to the man, seeing he was no man at all, but was a mere boy about her age. He wore a sheath that now held his bloody sword. His eyes were a shimmering purple, and resembled those of a dragon. They were wise and fierce. They were riding past a river, the gleaming water reflecting them with the sky.

"Thank you for saving me, sir," Allon spoke, her voice soft and quiet, yet determined. She was falling for the boy. She wasn't meaning to, but she just couldn't help it. He had saved her, and hadn't yelled at or struck her. He was different than anyone else she had met so far.

He had cared for her life.

"You don't need to thank me, miss, I was only doing what any adventurer would have done," He replied, turning to Allon with a smile." My name is Ash, Knight of the Vercinian Forests."

"I'm Allon," She said, returning the friendly gesture. Each minute she was in his presence, she fell for him more and more. She wanted him, very badly.

Before long, they had arrived in a village on the other side of the forest. It was small, quaint even. The kind of place where everyone knew each other. Allon was uneasy, though. The villagers came from their homes to observe her. Not a sound was made, other than the clip-clop of the horse's hooves. They all stared at her as if she were an alien. She felt small, weak, and threatened. Would they accept her? Sacrifice her? What?

She broke away from her thoughts when the horse stopped, Ash climbing off and offering his hand to her. She took it, and too slid off the animal's back.

"I'm back, everyone! I'm not alone this time, though!" Ash called out, keeping Allons hand in his. The townspeople looked to her in awe. They had yet to see one such as her. No one before had such features as her ears and tail. She was new, different. Just different.

A sudden silence swept over the people, the only noise to be heard, a set of fragile footsteps. The crowd parted to reveal a short, old woman. She had her hair up in a bun and wore a grey robe. She carried a staff that held an ornament of the sun. She approached Allon and Ash and stopped before them. Ash bowed, and Allon did the same.

"Young lady, you have come to us in our time of need, why?" The old woman asked, taking Allons hands into her own as she stood.

"I was in danger, but Ash here saved me. The rest of the kingdom is full of many riches, so why is it that this town is plagued with poor wealth?" Allon replied. The old woman gave her a sad smile and looked Allon in the eyes.

"We are a poor town, hidden away from the bountiful region, yet we are closer to one another. The wealthy man sees other men as a way to earn greens for his pocket, while us common folk see other men as they are, people who live, breath, walk, and talk, just as we do," The woman said, her wisdom reaching as far as the mountains in the north.

Allon was given a nights stay with Ash. This pleased her greatly. He was very charming and was kind to her. She never wanted to leave. This was her perfect, ideal home. It was a calm and undisturbed night, but something felt off. Allon didn't know what it was, but did her best to fall asleep.

The next morning was quite relaxing. The sun rose over the land, slow and steadily. The green grass was lightly coated with a layer of dew that was left over from the night. Soft bird song could be heard all around, giving off the feeling that everything was alright.

Allon loved the mornings. It was when the light chased away the darkness back into the shadows until night fell again. It was when the cool air was the freshest. The stars could still be seen high above the land, but only for a few minutes. It was by far Allons favorite time. She was always awake for it. To her, missing the sunrise was like a child missing christmas.

She had climbed upon the roof of Ash's home to get a better view. The sight put an image into her head, one she desperately wanted to be real. She saw her and Ash, as well as a small child that resembled them both. They were standing outside, watching the sun rise as they held each other close.

Yet when she opened her eyes, it all disappeared. All but a lost dream among hundreds more, already dreamt and those still in waiting. The stars had left to hide behind a mask of blue. She stood up before leaping to the ground.

Ash was waiting for her, two cups of Jasmay in hand. He handed one to Allon, who took it with a smile. They talked and talked for many hours. Allon was very intrigued by Ash's life as he told her all about him.

He was orphaned by his parents, and taken into the care of the wise, old woman. Everyday, he would train and train until he dropped from exhaustion. He wished to protect the people of the small town, and it had come true. He had tamed a wild horse to be his noble steed. He lived alone, now, and did everything in his power to serve and protect the village and its people.

Allon told Ash her story of pain and neglect up until the point where he had rescued her. They had both suffered a great deal. They were hurt from it, but now they could suffer together.