The rest of the trio's trip to the town of Gepierreci was uneventful. Sojourn pestered Anaphora with questions to no avail. She was sullen and withdrawn, usually responding to none essential inquiries with a grunt or silence. Although she was gruff with Sojourn, he often caught her whispering to the squawl on her shoulder. Occasionally he would find the corners of her mouth turning up in a slight smile. She was decidedly beautiful. Piercing golden eyes, long flowing brown hair, a snub nose, all set onto a slightly gaunt face. The effect when her full lips twitched into that small grin almost took Sojourn's breath away. The jongleur found that when his mind began to wonder when he wasn't filling the silence, his eyes and thoughts struggled to leave Anaphora.

They were setting up camp about one day from Gepierreci. Sojourn was beginning to wonder if he would ever get any response from her when Anaphora broke the silence. "I have been wondering." She paused, uncertain how to continue, "Um, well, how did you know how to defeat that creature?" Almost inaudibly, she added, "I thought you could only run."

"Stories, my dear. There is so much to be learned from stories. My family has lots of stories about these shadows, about a great many things actually. Partially why I am after a story of my own to create. Growing up, I heard these fantastic stories following those chosen by the Goddess, and I have picked up a few things with my memory."

Anaphora shifted awkwardly, not wanting to ask more about his family, knowing that it can be a sensitive topic. Sojourn saved her from asking by supplying the answer he knew she wanted. The question of his lineage always came up when he talked about his family. His appearance clearly not human. "Yes, I am a Snow Elf. I chose to leave the Dollomar mountains the moment I was considered an adult by my people. From childhood, I desperately wanted to create a story of my own. Which is also why I am so intrigued by you."

"But why me? There is nothing special about me." The girl tried to deflect what she knew was next.

"Surely you cannot believe that, my dear. You may be able to hide those golden eyes from other humans, but my eyes are keener than any other race. Now that I have answered some of your questions, it is only fair if you answer some of mine. After all, if we are to be travelling together, I may need to know why you decided to be on your own."

Again Anaphora shifted and tried to sink into her cloak. She was silent for a while, obviously trying to decide what to do. They continued to set up camp, finishing just as the sun dipped beyond the horizon. The fire was blazing, casting a warm glow all the way to their small lean-to tents. Sojourn allowed the girl her thoughts while they set up, but by now, even his patience was wearing thin.

He was about to press once more about answering questions when Anaphora piped up, "I will answer only two of your questions. Still don't trust you, but I owe you at least that much."

"How delightful," Sojourn clapped his hands, grinning once again. "It is so courteous of you to oblige."

Anaphora glared at him, her upper lip sneering at him, "your question?"

"Oh, yes, yes. My question. But what to ask, my dear? I have so, so many questions for you. Let us see," he appeared to ponder for a moment, putting on an act even though he knew exactly what to ask. "Ah, my question for you, Anaphora, is: who exactly are you? And I must add, don't try to lie to me, I have a keen sense for it."

Another moment passed, the pair staring at each other, the firelight dancing across their faces, "I am Anaphora of Mirel."

"Yes, yes, and I am Sojourn of the Dollomar Mountains. I know this already, what I meant is where were you born? Who is your family? A farmer, a peasant family for the kingdom? I need details, my dear."

Anaphora took a breath, "fine. I am Anaphora of Miral, the only daughter of King Moritz and Queen Esther, the crown princess."

Sojourn whistled. He knew who she was, but he hadn't known her lineage, and that was not what he was expecting to hear.

Before he could comment on her statement, Anaphora said, "your next question?"

"So impatient, you're not even allowing for discussion, I see. Very well then. My next question is: what are you running from? Why are you in hiding?"

Anaphora's eyes widened, her lips tightened into a line. She shook her head, refusing to answer. Sojourn raised his eyebrows at her, silently pressing for more.

"Ask me another. I cannot answer that." Her golden eyes pleaded with Sojourn, who did not seem moved by the plea. "Please, I beg you, a different question." The desperation in Anaphora's voice broke his resolve.

Sighing, Sojourn sat back and thought for a while. Sensing her unease, Cetus glided gracefully from the tree he was napping onto Anaphora's shoulder. "It okay, Ana. I always here. I never leave." He nuzzled his beak into her neck, giving her the courage to speak.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she relented. "Okay, I will tell you. It's just… It's just not easy to talk about. I have never talked to a living soul about this. Ran away too soon to have much explained to me or do any explaining myself. So please, just be patient with me."

Sojourn nodded his agreement and waited. Without a word, Anaphora started making their evening meal. It seemed like he wouldn't be getting any more from her, so he got up to brush down Mona. While his back was turned, a soft, reminiscent voice marked the start of the girl's tail. Sensing her discomfort, Sojourn kept his back to the girl and continued to look after his horse.

"I have always known I was this chosen champion of the Goddess; the entire palace knew immediately. So it made things difficult growing up. Extra combat lessons, history lessons, training to be a leader and more. Never got a choice in any of it. In one of the many lessons, I started to realize the people with my… gift… didn't live long. I am afraid of death, and that seems inevitable with my destiny. However, I never ran. That was until my father showed me something horrible."

Anaphora stopped speaking suddenly. Risking a look, Sojourn peaked behind him only to see the champion staring disjointedly into the stew. She stirred, lost in thought for a while, then continued.

"I've come across these creatures continuously since I left. As long as I don't stay in a spot for more than a day or two, I seem to be able to keep ahead of them, with exceptions, of course. Most of them too terrifying to want to describe but the one my father had." Anaphora shuddered violently with the thought. "It is so much worse."

"The one your dad had," the words were popping out of Sojourn's mouth before he could stop himself?

Anaphora went silent for a moment. Sojourn turned from brushing Mona, concerned. She was looking at the ground, stroking the squawl sitting in her lap. Her long brown hair, usually pinned away from her face, now covered her expression, all but what looked like a small, sad smile.

The pair stood in silence for what felt like an eternity, when Anaphora suddenly shattered the void, "well, Sojourn, you know my story now. You got what you want, and now you know why you can't stay with me. Creatures like that spider will keep pursuing me, and although you're an elf and know about them, I won't put you in danger. Anyone else I have gotten close to has perished. So, I will tell you once again to leave. Take your story and leave before it's too late."

"No," Sojourn stated, for once not smiling when Anaphora looked at him. "I want the entire story, not just the origin. Besides, you really could use the help."

A growl escaped Anaphora's lips, her face changing into a mask of anger, "this is the last time I will ask you nicely. Leave. Now."

A shake of the head was the only reply. In the blink of an eye, Anaphora was charging, her dirk flying into her hand. Two steps and she was at Sojourn, his twin stiletto daggers appearing from within his sleeves to block her strike. They stared at each other for a moment, blades locked.

"I don't want to kill you, just hurt you enough so you can't follow," Anaphora stated before twirling away.

"Awe, come on," Sojourn grinned, spinning his daggers flamboyant within his hands. "Don't be like that. Did you forget already how I saved your life ?"

Once more, they collided, exchanging blows and parrying in sync, "I haven't forgotten, that's why I am not killing you. I'm returning the favour by not getting you killed while near me."

"Little Ana, my dear. Let me follow you on your journey, I really can help. Just trust me," not once throughout the fight did Sojourn stop grinning from ear to ear.

Anaphora growled, unleashing a flurry of attacks, none of which broke through the elf's guard. In the blink of an eye, Sojourn changed tactics, causing Anaphora to defend and forcing her to step backwards. That was all he needed. In the next instant, he had her in a bear hug, snaking a leg behind hers, tripping her. He jerked his leg, causing the pair to fall to the ground. As they fell, his arms tightened, immobilizing the girl's arms. Legs outstretched and arms pinned, Anaphora couldn't struggle and knew she had lost the fight. She had hardly seen him move before he pinned her. He had taken her completely by surprise.

"As you can see," Sojourn rumbled in her ear. "I can hold my own, and I can help you. You may have survived this long, but it's only a matter of time until an incident similar to where I saved your life happens again. That death that you fear so much, the fear that caused you to run away, will overcome you. And when, not if, that happens, you will have done nothing in your life but cower and run in fear. So, let me help you."

After his small speech, Sojourn released Anaphora from his grip and stood, his voice becoming cheerful once again, "well, I hope dinner is ready after all that."

Anaphora stayed where she was, too stunned to move. She knew he had a point, but she struggled to come to terms with it. Cetus, who had stayed out of the fight, understanding that the humanoids were dealing with something between themselves scampered over to the girl. He didn't say anything, just cuddled into the crook of her neck.

Sojourn went to the stew pot to find that it was indeed done cooking. In silence, he dished up two heaping bowls, bringing one to Anaphora. Without a word, he set the bowl in her hands and left her to her thoughts. He moved back to his horse on the far side of the camp to eat him. He knew he had gone too far, but in the heat of the moment, he just needed her to stop, now he wondered if he had utterly ruined his chances. "How can I convince her to let me join her permanently?" Sojourn asked Mona.

Suddenly an idea came to him. Tentatively Sojourn walked closer to the golden-eyed girl. Still a respectful distance, he asked, "Do you remember the story I told about the first champion?" Anaphora nodded slightly, still eating. "Well, there is some truth to that one. The gifts the Goddess had given the golem are real." Sojourn paused, letting that sink in. To his dismay Anaphora did not react; she just kept spooning the stew. Realizing that there wasn't going to be a reaction, he continued. "They allow you to channel the light better, as well as strike the shadow creatures anywhere and inflict damage. Any other blade is only effective on certain weak spots, such as the purple orbed joints of the spider creature. These ones can hurt them anywhere with minimal power of the light." Another pause, Anaphora had stopped eating and was just staring into the stew. "And I just so happen to know where they are."

"I'm not surprised," she said, putting aside her dinner. "But I can't accept them. To accept them would be to accept my destiny, and I don't want to be a legend."

"Well, that is where you are wrong. To accept them simply means survival. You cannot keep running. One thing that is the same in all the stories is how once the dark creatures have roots in the world, they only grow in power until curbed. Which means that these attacks will only become more prevalent. Without those weapons, you surely will die sooner rather than later and quite gruesomely at that." Sojourn leaned back, speaking in a casual tone as if the idea of being hunted down by these monstrosities was no bother to him. In truth, it did not concern him as much as it should. This opportunity for his epic had finally arrived, and he would not pass it up despite any mortal danger.

Anaphora met his ice-blue eyes and held his gaze. "I… I…" She sighed, breaking eye contact. "I don't know. You cannot expect me to be willing to go on some crazy adventure to who knows where based on some pretty words."

Sojourn held his hands in a placating gesture. "Okay, that is fair. I shall give you time to think about it. However, I am not going to leave, I know you still have a story for me. In a few days, though, we need to decide our course."

"I guess that arrangement will suffice for now, but I will not take responsibility if you get hurt or killed, and I will leave you if that's the case." Anaphora looked into his eyes, and Sojourn knew she was candid.

"Understandable."

"Now that that is settled, I am for sleep. Clean up if you are done with dinner. First watch is yours." She then turned towards her bedroll. "Cetus, let's get some sleep."

Sojourn watched her for a moment, then finished up with their meal, found a decent vantage point and kept watch.