I typed some of this up already, but I like this version better. And now it has the maybe final title.
Chapter One
"Let go!" A voice dried through the desert. Two teenagers, a boy and girl, were in front of a burning palace. More than half of it was engulfed by flames.
"Quawa, let me go!" The girl cried. The boy was holding her back. It seemed she was trying to get to the palace. "Mom and Dad are in there!"
"Imia, I can't! If you go... If you go, you'll die in there just like Mom and Dad!" He's grip tightened as he said this. "If you go in there, that fire will take everything I love!"
The girl stopped struggling. She turned to Quawa, tears slowly pouring down her face. She looked around them. Hundreds of people were running, screaming, shouting, dying. "But.... they're... still..."
"I know, but would you leave your brother to save the un-save able?" Quawa asked, looking into his sister's eyes.
Imia legs gave way and she fell to her knees. The tears continued to fall, only more came and faster. The boy knelt down beside her, wrapping his arms around her.
Hours later, Imia and Quawa were sitting on one of the many benches that had been placed in the sand. Everyone there had blankets wrapped around them. Imia moved closer to Quawa slightly.
Soon, a man clad in amour came running to them.
"Your Highnesses!"
The siblings looked up. They recognized him as the man as one of the palace guards. Quawa stood up to greet him. "Yes, what is it?"
"A report. The death toll is still unknown, but is at the moment slightly over one hundred. You parents, the king and queen, are among them." The guard bowed his head. Imia turned her attention away, having heard enough, to a bird that had just landed nearby.
"Also," The man continued, "the fire was intentional."
These words struck the two with horror. Imia turned back to the man.
"Intentional.... How? Aren't you men supposed to stop these things!" Quawa shouted as Imia placed a hand on his arm.
"We're sorry. We have know idea how someone got past us. We know the fire started in your mother's study. According to the palace mages, it was started with magic."
The girl woke up from her dream. She was the girl from the desert. She sat up in her bed, clothes drenched in sweat. She looked around the room, making sure she was still in the small inn room. She grimaced when she saw the outline of her in a mirror across the room.
It was night time. Imia glanced out the window. It was quiet. The only noises you could hear were her breathing and the window outside, gently blowing through the trees.
"A dream..... it was just a dream.... it didn't happen again. Only then." She whispered, laying down again. She closed her eyes, letting sleep take over her.
Waking in the late morning, Imia yawned and stretched. She walked over to the mirror to fix herself up. She ran a brush though long orange hair and tied it back, out of her face. She then moved to a chair where a light blue dress waited for her. She changed quickly, folding her sleepwear and pacing it on her bed. When she was satisfied with her look and the state of the room, she left it.
Imia walked down the stairs into a long hallway. Following it, she soon reached to the common room. It was a room with couches on one side then round table at the other. The room was crowed, since it was midday almost. Imia walked through the people to an empty table and sat down. A woman walked passed. "Anythin' for you, lass?"
"Some toast would be nice." She replied, smiling.
The woman nodded and walked off.
Moments later, she came back with a small plate toast and a glass of lemonade. "The juice is from that lovely man over there." She explained, pointing.
Imia looked over and saw a young man with dark brown hair and very pale skin. She could only see half his face, since his hair covered the left side of it. Imia smiled at him and picked the glass up. Great, now I have men noticing me. Just what I need. She thought as she sipped the lemonade.
After her meal, Imia got up and left the inn. She looked down the street and decided she'd like to have a walk around the city. The streets were wide. Stans for food, clothing an weapons were all along the sides, breaking occasionally for store of some sort. The streets were full of horses, carriages and people, bustling along by her. She watched them go by and sighed.
I hope I don't get lost on my way back. It's so crowed in this city! She thought, as she continued walking.
While she walked through an intersection, a trio of men started to follow her. Imia kept walking till she saw a small bakery. Stooped in front of it to look in it, when one of the men grabbed her. He dragged her into a nearby alley where the other two were waiting. He threw her against the wall and the other two closed in.
"Well, I think she's lost, wandering around the streets of Duffer." The man who grabbed her said.
Imia glared at them. She looked for a way out, which they noticed, for one placed a hand on her shoulder, pinning her to the wall. She was trapped.
"Oh, I think you scared her. You are the ugliest here." Another sneered. "Don't worry, sweetheart, we ain't gonna hurt you."
"Poor kitten."
"I'm not a kitten." She snapped.
"Now, now. How about you come get a drink with us so we can make this up to you." The third man said.
"No thank you. I need to go." Imia said, trying to pull away from the one man's grip. It didn't work, he just slammed her back to the wall.
"We said, why don't you get a drink with us?" He said, bring her closer to him. The girl started to struggle against the man's grip, but he was too strong.
"Imia, sister dear! There you are!" A male voice called from the start of the alley.
The men turned to see who it was. Imia glanced, then gasped. "You!" It was the man from the inn.
"Imia, who are these people? No matter, no matter. Imia, Darling, Mother is worried sick about you. Come with me now. Excuse us, gentlemen, but we must take our leave." He said, wrapping an arm around Imia's waist, pulling her away from the men. He steered her away from the three, one of which swore violently, and back to the streets.
As they walked, Imia decided to get a better look at her savior. He was much taller then her and seemed very well built. He wore a white shirt and tan pants. He had a tanner long vest to top it off. He seems like a peasant to me. But.... he sounds very educated. I don't I've ever met an educated peasant before. She thought and sighed.
"Come, let's sit." He said as they neared the main square of the city. Imia hadn't been paying attention to where they were going, so she decided to start now. The square was big and had bricks for the ground. There were a few trees around and benches around a fountain. It wasn't as crowed as the streets, but there were still many people.
The stranger led her towards the benches. They sat down and were silent for a few moments. Then the man broke the silence.
"So, how was your walk?"
Imia laughed. "I'm sure you know." She looked at him at shyly after speaking. "So, what's my savior's name?"
"Kazuto. I don't really have a last name." He said, face dark with memories. Before she could ask, his expression changed and he was smiling. "I'd ask you for yours, but it seems I already know it."
"You're funny, it seems." She replied dryly. "How did you find out my name, anyway?"
"Ah, it involved snooping and a fat, drunk, old innkeeper. Very tricky business. Someone will have to talk to him and set him straight. Doesn't he know it's wrong to give out information about the customers." Kazuto said, grinning. Imia smiled again. "Now it's time for my questions."
"Shoot."
"Why are you here in this most idiotic town city of Duffer?"
"I'm looking for someone or something." Imia said, hanging her head. She had been hoping no one would ask her this.
"Or? How odd. Why is it or?" He asked.
"Well, I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for."
"That could make things slightly more difficult. Why are you looking for this mysterious 'thing'?"
"It's a long story." Imia said, looking away from him. In the distance, a mother was running after her child, the two laughing. The teen watched this with a longing in her eyes.
"We have time." Kazuto said, leaning back. His face had a kind smile on it.
"But I barely know you. How do I know it' safe to tell you about it."
"You don't." He said, calmly. "But that's half the fun of it.
Imia looked at him and smiled. Being around Kazuto made her calm. She felt like she could really trust him.
"Okay."
"I lived in the Ouminan Desert, in Glassland. My family was the monarch there. I had a normal life, for a princess I guess. I had all my lessons, did the little chores I was allowed to down. I would spend time with my family and such.
"One day, my mother, the Queen, told me about these special amulets for certain gods, and that some of them were in the hands of humans. I didn't understand why my mother told me this at the time and honestly, I thought she was insane.
"A few years later afterwards, there was a great ball. There were so many people. It was amazing. Nobles from all over the country and world were there. Half way through it, my younger brother and I went to a nearby oasis, when a guard came to tell us the palace was on fire. When we got there, half of it was already in flames.
"Once the fired was out, we found out our parents had been killed in it. We also found out that the fire was intentional. We had no one idea who or what caused it.
"Two day afterwards, I was sitting at my parents graves and a found necklace there. It was very beautiful. It had a blue gem in a tear drop shape that fell in a sliver ring around it. It had belonged to my mother. I took it from the grave, knowing my mother would want me to have it. After I took it, I started to be able to heal and use water magic. Now that I think about it, my mother had those powers too. Anyway, I decided that I would leave to find my parents killers. My brother has stayed at home. He's king now.
"Well, that's it." Imia finished.
"That's worse than my story." Kazuto said, grimacing.
"What your's?" Imia said eager to know more about him.
"My parents kicked my out a couple years ago because I was being an ass." Kazuto said, then smirked slightly.
"An ass? You don't really seem like one to me, Kazuto." Imia said, somewhat disappointed.
"Well, you didn't know me then. In fact," He said, tweaking her nose, "You barely know me know."
"So you're not going to tell me what you did?" She asked.
"No." Was the only response.
"Will you if I see you again?"
"I may. But let's not worry about that now. I'll walk you back to the inn." Kazuto said, standing up. He offered his arm to her, saying 'Madam' and Imia took it smiling. They then walked back to the inn in silence.
Imia woke from her nap. After Kazuto and her returned to the inn, Kazuto had left it again, to Imia disappointed. She had wanted to spend more time with the man. She had gone back to her room and had fallen asleep. Now, she looked outside and saw it was night time.
Great, now I won't get any sleep tonight. Just wonderful. She thought bitterly.
Sighing, she got out of her bed. She quickly tried to get the wrinkles out of her dress, but only a few did. She took her her out and brushed, but didn't bother putting it back up. She then headed down to the common room.
Meanwhile, Kazuto was sitting outside the inn. He was in the back courtyard, which was deserted other than him. He had been sitting there and thinking about Imia after he brought her back to the inn.
"A necklace that grants one the power to heal and corrupt water.... It could be a god amulet.... But how did that woman..... Though, it would be rather hard to believe." Kazuto said, thinking aloud. It was a bad habit of his.
"Excuse me, but did you say god amulet?" A voice said, coming from behind the bench he sat on.
Kazuto jumped and turned quickly at the words.
"Who's there?" He demanded, straining his eyes to see off in the dark.
"Oh, just simple priestess, from the east." The voice said again. Out of the darkness, a young woman walked.
"Kind Lady, you shouldn't go around scaring a man, you could hurt his dignity." Kazuto said, relaxing slightly.
"I'm truly sorry, sir." She said, smiling. "Now, back to her. To the amulets. Why would you talk about such wive-tales?"
"Well, I think I know someone who may know someone who has one." He said. "I'm worried on how it may have effected their life already."
"That's a lot to be thinking about." The woman said slyly. "If you fear for her, then why don't you take it from her. That way she's be safer."
"I couldn't do that. It belonged to their mother."
"Listen, did you ever think she may not want this power?"
After the woman said that, she smiled at him and left the courtyard. Kazuto stayed there, thinking.
Maybe she's right. Maybe Imia would be better of with- Kazuto stopped. He remembered that the woman kept referring to Imia as 'she'. I never said that Imia was a girl. I didn't even give a gender at all.
Kazuto face was washed with horror and he ran back into the inn.
Imia was starring off in the distance when Kazuto barged into the common room.
"Kazuto! You almost gave me a heart attack." Imia said, laughing. "What's wrong?"
"Imia! Thank Clirota you're alright! Come with me." Kazuto said, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the chair.
"What? What's wrong? You're scaring me." Imia cried.
"Just come!"
Kazuto dragged her into the hallway then up the stairs. When he reached the top, he walked down a long hallway till he was in front of a room, his. After they were in, he closed the door and locked it.
Imia looked around the room. It was a bit smaller than hers and there were books everywhere. She was an empty chair and sat down in it. "Kazuto, tell me what's going on, now!" She demanded. He looked at her, fear in his eyes. "Please... tell me what's going on."
The man walked over to her and knelt down in front of her, looking straight into her eyes.
"Listen. I was outside think aloud, it's a bad habit of mine, about you're necklace. I then started talking to a woman who came by, a priestess or so she said. She started asking me about the god amulets and I told her I knew a friend who may have one."
Imia caught, and gasped. "You didn't give her my name, did you?"
"No. But that's the catch. I didn't even give a gender, but she seemed quite sure that my 'friend' was female." Kazuto explained. "Imia... someone's after that necklace."
She stared at him shocked. "You're lying. You have to be."
"I wish I were, but I'm not. First your mother gives you a lesson on the amulets, then she dies. You get it and you have the magical powers she had. That necklace is the amulet of the water goddess, Silona."
Imia leaned back in the chair.
"I know this is a lot for you to handle, but it's true. You're in a lot of danger now. You won't be able to stay in one spot for long and choosing your friends will be hard."
"How can I know if you're my friend." Imia asked quietly, voice shaking.
"You can't really. But I hope you're going to try." Kazuto said, with a weak smile.
"What should I do."
"Pack everything and leave tonight."
"Now?"
"Yes. While everyone's still asleep." Kazuto said, standing up. "I'll help you in anyway I can."
Imia nodded. They headed to her room.
After they finished packing and Imia put her hair back up, she stood in the middle of her room. She looked down.
"Why did this happen? All I wanted was to find my parents killer." She whispered.
"I can't tell you why, but I can tell you this. The one after your necklace is probably the one who killed your parents." Kazuto said.
Imia didn't say anything in reply. They stood there in silence for what seemed like forever. Then Imia looked up. Tears were flowing down her cheeks.
"Come with me. I don't want to go alone. I have no idea what to do. Please, come with me." She whispered.
Kazuto smiled. He walked over to her and wiped her tears.
"I'll come. Only an ass would say now."
There's the first chapter. I don't know if I'll ever put more up, but I may if a lot of you like this.