Evia sat on the log in the edge of the woods and complained.

¨ I don't want to keep walking.¨ Alexa rolled her eyes, while she moved around packing up their attempt at a camp. Which included a few blankets, buddles of food, a small pouch with there money and their makeshift fire. Alexa was also packing up the wooden stakes she set around their blankets. She had put the traps their to alert them if an animal was trying to eat them.

¨ What else can we do, we have to get to Lyon.¨ Alexa replied.

¨ No we don't, we can stay here and live with the squires. Evia raised her eyebrows and Alexa laughed. Over there the past few days of traveling, the two had fought, made up and had established something of a partnership.

It took another hour before the could see the city. Evia became more and more shocked the closer they got. There were buildings as tall as the sky, and everything was so shiny. It looked like a crystal lake. She had seen the hight of beauty in Olympus, however, this city was so new to her, she couldn't help but be impressed. She was in awe. And then the noise hit her. She covered her ears, as a thousand different voices filled her head. It had been too long since she'd been around so many humans. Alexa laughed at her gesture and they began to walk toward the front.

There were, in fact, a pair of guards listing the people who entered the city. There were a wagon and a couple others already there and The two went into the back of the line. The two girls couldn't help but be a little self-conscious. They had been traveling for days, too scared to stop for longer than a night in a secluded part of the forest. They were smelly, tried, and their clothes were worn out. Or at least Alexa was. Evia, couldn't bring herself to be such things. So she changed her appearance just enough to look travel-worn, but not like a vagrant.

They reached the front of the line and the guards looked them up and down.

¨ Please, state your names, what business you have here and your place of origins.¨

Alexa pointed to herself and then pointed toward Evia and said, ¨ My name is Emily and my friend here's name is Abigail. Were looking for work and we've traveled a long distance from our village.

The guard nodded and wrote down the information on a clipboard. Then the other guard stood aside and let them passes. They walked in and Evia curiously looked around them. From what Alexa had told her and from what she read. Evia thought she might have been prepared. But, up close the city was even more dazzling. People walked to and frow, in perfect alinement, wearing strange clothes and talking into strange devices, which she knew were called phones.

Alexa stared at the large city. For she had never seen any place other than her village and forest. The illusion was broken when a man bumped into Evia. He looked down at her and scowled. Then he continued moving. Anger flared in Evias eyes, she was about to capture the man and punish him for his insolence. But Alexa held her arm and dragged her away.

They wandered around the city, looking for a place to stay. Evia didn't understand the need for a hotel. In ancient times, If she wanted to stay in the human world. She would just stay at one of her temples or visit the King and Queen. There was never a need to actually find a place to stay, or for God's sake pay!!

As they wandered into a smaller part of the city, It became quieter and tamer. The smell had also improved. Alexa had stopped a woman on the streets and asked if there was a hotel or inn, nearby. The woman had directed them to a small inn, a few blocks away.

There was an old man, behind the counter when they entered. He eyed them curiously as they entered, but had politely given them a small room, for 10 copiers, per night. which had cost a fair sum of there savings. After settling down, Alexa had shown her how to use the bathroom.

The contraptions were mindboggling, the first thing Alexa showed her was how to use the toilet. It seemed to be a strictly human thing. Because such things just didn't happen to gods. The more useful one was the shower and bathtub. She had loved to immerse herself in the hot springs, on Olympus. This seemed much the same, only now candles or rose petals or Nyths at your back and call.

Alexa changed into a cleaner pair of pants and a Shirt. Evia found these clothes to be mildly uncomfortable, however, she did see the usefulness in wearing the strange outfit. Alexa had planned to look for a Job, so they could earn money and then possibly travel elsewhere. But for now, they needed money.

¨ The real question is how.¨ Alexa explained.

¨ Our options are limited. All we can really do is look around and see if anyone needs any short-term help. ¨ Alexa took charge. Evia didn't mind if fact she liked Alexas on top of things attitude. They wandered around the docks and asked around. Finally, they found a fisherman willing to negotiate.

¨ Please sir, theirs got to be something.¨ Alexa pleased

¨ Well, I do need those crates unloaded and the mast and sail needs a bit of patching up. And I could always use another hand before my next voyage.¨ The captain pondered, scratching his full beard.

¨ Very well, if you girls can prove that you can work diligently. Then I'll give you 2 silvers each, per day.¨

Alexa looked at Evia for confirmation. Who nodded in return and Alexa agreed.

¨ Alright then, you can get to work immediately. In those crates, there are the fish I caught a day ago. Sort and ice them. When you're done with that I'll check your work.¨

The captain led them to the crates and opened one slightly, and pulled out a Cray-Fish. He took a scoop of ice and throw both into a crate labeled C.R.A.Y. There were several other iceboxes that were labeled various kinds of fish. Evia had enjoyed her sea monster stage. Though Posidan had taken full custody of her children. Claiming that as long as they lived in the Sea they were his to control. They hadn't been on the best of terms ever since. Evia and Alexa set to work.

¨ I never asked, where you came from.¨ Alexa said as they sorted.

¨ Far.¨ Evia answered. Not looking up.

¨ Fine. Don't tell me, I already know.¨ She said smugly. Evia looked up, how could she possibly know. Seeing her reaction Alexa laughed.

¨ You come from a far-off palace in the middle of the sky. Bt one day you noticed, a floating piece of chocolate, just outside you floating kingdom. And you were very hungry. So you reached out for the delicious treat and fell down into the water!¨ at the end Alexa took a hand full of water and splashed it at Evia. Who was so shocked she couldn't move. Then she narrowed her eyes and threw an even bigger hand full of water onto Alexa. The two were laughing heartily and they were smiling more then they had in a long time.

¨ You girls alright.¨ The captain called over the side of the boat.

¨ YES.¨ They sang in chorus and then started to giggle again.

Evia hadn't realized how much she had missed having a friend. Even the Misstress of Darkness didn't want to be lonely.

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~ Four Days Later ~

Evia and Alexa were finishing work. The captain had been pleased with their hard work and had set them to the task of mending a new sail. It was a claim and cloudless day and there were plenty of other boats, lined up next to each other. With busy crewmen fussing around the ship. It had been an uneventful cheerful morning until the fire started.

¨ FIRE!!¨ someone shouted and the two girls looked up from where they were repairing the sail. And saw that at one of the boats had caught on fire. Smoke billowed from the ship and screams could be heard from inside. The captain and a few other men rushed over to the burning ship. Evia and Alexa hurridly followed after.

When they arrived, the fire had eclipsed the entire ship. But still, Evia could sense someone inside. This might not have bothered her if it weren't for the power inside of the human soul. She didn't think about what she did next. One minute she was standing next to Alexa watching the burning ship. The next she was running towards the thing and had jumped on top and down to where she could sense the human was located. Shouts followed by the shocked crowd. She walked through the flames. Unharmed. Evia found him curled up in a Conor, passed out. Sighing, she pulled his limp body onto her shoulder and exited the room.

---------

Alexa watched as her friend ran for the ship. She screamed as Evia leaped down into the hull and disappeared into the flames. While only a few minutes later emerged completely fine. Expected for her burned and tattered clothes. Caring a male body in her arms. By that time, a water and earth mage had appeared at the scene and the two other trapped inside the burning ship were being rescued. Both a healer and Alexa rushed over to the pair. Alexa hugged Evia tightly, knowing that she had to be crying.

The healer checked onto the boy and called over a couple of assistants to put him on a bed and took him to an ambulance. The healer then looked over Evia. And sent her after the boy and the assistance.

¨ All those two your friends, Deary?¨ The healer woman asked.

Alexa took a deep breath. And just nodded not able to open her mouth.

¨ Then you best go with them. Having a Friend there helps to settle the minds. And best to get a nice hot chocolate to help you calm down.¨

Alexa nodded and ran after her friend and the boy.

--------------

Reta watched as the young girl ran after her friends. A dark hair courageous girl that was covered in ash but no burns. And a boy, that had summoned the demons that had caused this mess. She was not a fool, she knew exactly what had happened and she recognized the boys firey red hair, the same as his mothers.