A.N. - Okay, this bit is a bit longer, thanks again Grant365 for reading. This chapter is my favorite so far, just because I like the characters and I'm getting a little more into the mystery of Nelia's past. This is all I have right now, other than about a page of the next 'chapter' that I'm working on at the moment. I hope you enjoy!

The journey took less time than Nelia had imagined and, as Lian told her, they were into the city in less than an hour. The term city however, wasn't quite accurate. It was a small, active port town filled with brown-skinned island people hurrying about through the streets and speaking a language that Nelia didn't understand. Near the docks there were rows of stalls and carts selling everything Nelia could imagine.

"I know you don't have any money," Lian said as Nelia inspected some jewelry at one of the carts, "but we need to get you some clothes and supplies."

Nelia dropped the pendant she'd been looking at and bit her lip. She had been wondering when the subject of money would come up. Before she could say anything about it, Lian spoke again. "I don't expect you to sell your earrings because they could be vital clue to your past." Nelia's hands shot up to her ears and she felt two small, cut stones protruding from each ear. Lian continued, smiling at her surprise. "But I am willing to lend you their worth and if you're unable to pay me back by other means by the time we part, you'll give them to me, agreed?"

Nelia nodded. "More than fair," she said and then quietly asked, "Why are you helping me?"

Lian blushed and this time Nelia could see the hint of red climb into his cheeks. "I…" he stuttered and then laughed and threw up his hands. "I don't really know," he admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "You needed help, I was there…" he trailed off.

Nelia smiled and looked down at her hands. "Well, thank you," she said quietly. "You're a rare person."

Lian grinned. "How do you know," he said. "You've never met anyone else."

Nelia laughed. "That's true," she said and then turned back to look at the carts beside them. "Now, how much do you think these earrings are worth?"

Lian grinned again. "Come on," he said. "I'll show you where we can get a good bargain on some clothes and supplies." He grabbed her hand and dragged her through the crowd, pulling her past countless carts and weaving in and out between the shoppers. Nelia noticed the smell of the sea wafting in through the crowds and the wind seemed to make everything seem fresh and clean.

Lian stopped them in front of crowded, dusty shop and dropped her hand. "This," he said, "is the best place to buy supplies in all of the western sea." He smiled. "Come on, lets go in."

Nelia followed him through the open door stood for a moment letting her eyes adjust to the dark interior. Like the street outside it was filled with shoppers, perusing through piles of used clothes and worn gadgets. Lian led her over to the counter and stopped. "Benna!" he yelled, leaning over the counter.

The curtain to the back room slid back to expose an older woman in a bright red tunic and pants. Her grey hair was cut short and pushed back out of her face. When she saw Lian she grinned. "I didn't think I'd see you for another six months," she said loudly. She slammed her palm down on the counter, raising a small cloud of dust. "You're not going to complain about that gear I sold you, because I know for a fact that it was fine when you bought it. If you broke it that's no problem of mine."

Lian laughed. "No, no, Benna, the gear is fine." He pulled at the straps of his large backpack. "Sturdy as an old ship."

Benna nodded knowingly. "That's what I'm tellin' you. It'll never break. So why are you here, then?"

Lian pushed Nelia forward. "We need to get some traveling clothes and gear for my friend Nelia."

Nelia smiled at his calling her a friend. "Just the essentials," she added as Benna got a look in her eye as if she were ready to sell the whole store.

Benna grinned. "Alright, girl, come on." She moved around the counter and disappeared between some tall shelves toward the back. Nelia and Lian followed quickly, weaving through the shelves toward the back. "This is where I keep the good stuff," Benna said and pointed to a rack along the back wall, "for special customers." She stopped abruptly and Nelia, who had been following closely almost ran into her.

Lian, obviously not paying attention, crashed into Nelia and nearly knocked her over. "Sorry," he said, obviously embarrassed.

Nelia smiled at him. "It's okay," she said.

Benna was now digging through a pile of slightly worn leather clothing. "It's a little hot for leather, isn't it?" Lian asked.

Benna frowned at him. "Ohh you won't be here long," she said as if she knew this to be true.

"Ohh, okay then," Lian responded as if her assertion were fact. "Then we'll take leather."

Benna nodded, starting to make a pile of vests and pants. "Of course, I'll get you some cotton stuff too. I just got some really good stuff cheap, so I'll give you a good deal. Here," she said, handing Nelia a pile of three pairs of brown leather pants and two matching vests. "This ought to do it."

Nelia took the clothes gratefully and followed as Benna disappeared again, this time heading toward the front of the store. Nelia followed, with the pile of leather in her arms. Benna stopped and pointed to the front counter. "Wait here," she said. "I'll be right back." She hurried off, leaving Nelia and Lian to rest against the counter.

"She's very… helpful," Nelia said. "What did she mean, we won't be here long?"

Lian shrugged. "Benna knows stuff like that. Sometimes I think she forgets it's abnormal to be able to see the future. She talks about what's going to happen just as we'd talk about what happened yesterday. It takes a while to get used to."

Nelia raised her eyebrows. "Then maybe I could ask her…"

Lian cut her off. "It won't do any good. She won't tell you anything you want to know."

She frowned. "Well, what if…"

He shook his head and she fell silent. "She might give you a clue," he said. "But not if you ask her anything. Just listen to what she says. It probably won't make sense now, but it's usually good advice."

Nelia nodded and looked down at the clothes in her arms. After a moment Benna returned, with a pile of cotton shirts and skirts as well as a backpack, blanket and a sword. "You're left-handed, aren't you, dear?" she asked, dropping everything onto the counter.

Nelia dropped the leather clothes next to the pile. "Well, I don't…"

"Of course, you are. Remember that when you're choosing the right path over the left side. Here, try this on."

She handed the sword to Nelia, who reached out with her left hand and took it. It was meant to be strapped to her back. "I don't know how to.."

"Here, let me help you," Lian said, helping her to hook the leather strap on over her jacket and slide it into position. "There you go."

Nelia felt strange wearing the sword on her back, but some-how she felt safer with the steel ready to be drawn out and placed between her and any threat they might come across. "Thanks," she said at length. "It feels like it fits."

Benna reached over and fiddled with the straps. "You don't want to wear it too tightly or it'll get stuck," she said, loosening one of the buckles. She then tightened another. "But we can't have it falling off either." She finished messing with the straps and looked Nelia up and down. Now let's get you into some of these clothes and out of that – are those Lian's clothes?"

Nelia nodded. "I didn't have anything but a nightgown."

Benna raised an eyebrow. "I don't want to know," she said, handing Nelia a blue flowing skirt and a white, shirt with wooden togs running up the front.

Nelia blushed, "No, we didn't…"

Benna cut her off, acting as if she hadn't evens spoken. "Go into the back room and put them on. You can put the pants on later when you run into the fog. It'll be too cold for a skirt then."

Nelia nodded, took the clothes and hurried into the back room. It was only a small, dusty room with a single chair and a bookshelf. On one wall there was another curtain and Nelia could see stairs through the slit in the material. She slowly took off the sword and lay it on the chair before stripping off Lian's clothes and putting on the skirt and shirt. It felt nice to wear something clean and new. The shirt had elbow-length sleeves and in the muggy air it felt good to have her forearms exposed. She picked up the sword and padded out into the store, still barefoot. "Do you have any…"

She was cut off as Benna handed her a pair of sandals. "I gave you a pair of boots for the snow too," Benna said. "I put them in the pack."

While Nelia had been changing Benna had filled her pack with the clothes and gear from the counter. "Thank you," she said, gratefully. "Thank you for helping me so much."

Benna smiled. "It's no trouble, dear. It's what I do."

Lian looked expectantly at Nelia. "Are you ready to leave, I already paid Benna for your things."

Nelia blushed. "Thank you, I'll pay you back just as soon as I can."

Lian started to lead her away, carrying her bag under his arm, but Benna stopped them. "Wait," she said. She disappeared behind her curtain again and reappeared a moment later with a brush and some ribbon in her hand. "Turn around."

Nelia silently obeyed and allowed the woman to carefully but swiftly brush the tangles from her hair and then braid it, tying the end with a bit of ribbon. "Here," Benna said, handing her the brush and a couple more pieces of ribbon. "A gift for you."

Nelia smiled gratefully. "Thank you so much," she said. "That's so nice of you."

"Not a problem," Benna said. "Have a safe journey and hide your food from the birds." With those words she turned and left the room, the curtain swinging behind her.

Nelia turned to Lian who was holding the pack open for her to drop the brush and ribbons in. "Such a strange woman," she said, depositing the items. "So kind."

Lian smiled. "She liked you," he said and then added, "Come on. Let's go outside."

Nelia followed him through the shop and out into the blinding sunlight. She paused for a moment, squinting. Lian led her over to a set of steps in front of an old, abandoned building and they sat down. "What now?" she said, quietly, almost afraid to ask.

"Well," Lian said. "I was thinking we could find passage on one of the cargo ships that's going in to the mainland. They'll usually let people ride along as long as they bring their own food and stay out of the way."

Nelia nodded. "How long," she asked, "until we reach the other side?" She didn't know why, but the thought of traveling on a boat made her nervous.

He thought for a moment. "Only a few days," he said, depending on the route that particular ship takes, from three days up to a week or so."

"All right," she said and then bit her lip.

"Here," he said, helping to strap the sword onto her again. "You'll want to wear this. We can find out later if you know how to use it."

"I think I do," she replied, reaching up and running her fingers along the handle. "It just feels right to be wearing one."

"That's good," he said, smiling.

After he'd helped her put on the backpack as well they stood up and hurried through the market toward the docks. The sun was high in the sky and the crowd seemed to be growing with every minute that passed. As they were crossing one of the streets they were stopped by yelling ahead of them. A fight had broken out and people were stumbling to get away from the two thrashing men. As Nelia and Lian moved closer to the two men they could see that neither of them was armed, but their fists were doing enough damage. The smaller of the two men, a fair-haired wiry man, looked dazed as he flailed his arms wildly. The larger man was thicker and slightly taller. He had short, dark hair, cropped about his ears. He was bleeding from the mouth, but it didn't seem to bother him.

"Bastard!" the smaller man screamed. "You'll regret this!" He pulled out a knife, hurled it at his opponent and then turned and fled, shoving his way through the crowd and disappearing in a sea of people.

Nelia turned her gaze back to the larger man who was now on the ground, the knife protruding from the upper part of his leg. He gripped the flesh about the wound and cursed. Without thinking, Nelia dashed forward against the cries of Lian for her to stay put. She dropped to her knees next to the wounded man and placed her hands over his. "Hold still," she said softly. "I can help you."

"Get off," the man said gruffly. "I don't need help from you."

She looked up into his eyes. His face was contorted with the pain. "Please," she said.

He looked back, studying her face and finally nodded, closing his eyes and leaning back.

Still on autopilot Nelia slid her fingers around the knife and swiftly pulled it from the man's flesh. He yelled and swore again. It startled Nelia and she looked up, realizing for the first time what she was doing. Blood was pouring from the wound and pooling on the stones beneath them. 'What am I doing?' Nelia thought, panicking. But there was something there, some instinct that she had started to work with. She knew how to do this. She just had to try. 'Don't think', Nelia told herself. 'Just don't think.'

She closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to the wound. She could feel the tear in his flesh and she began to chant under her breath, repeating the same words over and over. Energy slowly built in her fingers and she could hear the man's breathing slow down. The blood-flow became less and then disappeared. She opened her eyes and looked down just in time to see the tear in his flesh disappear, leaving only his bloody and torn pants above the pristine flesh.

Nelia clasped her hands to her face and tried to calm her frantic breathing. Lian dashed forward and knelt beside her. "Are you alright?" he asked as she began to sob.

"I did that," she said. "I did that. I… He taught me that. He did it!" she cried, dropping her hands. "He did that to me," she told Lian, her eyes burning into him.

"Who," he whispered, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Who did what?"

Nelia just stared at him as if he were insane. "What?" she finally asked, with a confused expression on her face. "What did I just say to you?"

Lian attempted a smile. "You said 'he did that to me'," Lian told her. "He did what to you?"

Nelia shook her head. "I don't know."