Chapter One Continues BR "I've found you!" a voice cried triumphantly from the edge of the pumpkin forest. She recognized it as Noren, the soldier with the thick accent who had interrupted her peaceful sleep. After her initial surprise at having been followed all this way, she took a closer look at him. He was handsome, simply put-wavy blonde hair cut short on the sides and left long on the top. He had the ruddy skin characteristic of a foreigner, very different from her country's pale, translucent tone. She suddenly felt self-conscious, and hopped from the tree, straightening her overalls. He walked directly up to her with a bit of a swagger and directly wiped a smudge of plum grass from her chin. She recoiled from this brash action, and spat a chewed grass husk dangerously close to his foot. "Oy!" he exclaimed. "You did that to ?" She leaned up against the green, lumpy trunk of the tree and crossed her arms. His looks meant much less to her than his obviously swollen ego. To touch her so forwardly! How dare he! Although the shocked, indignant look on his face was almost worth this encounter. BR "You are Level, are you not?" BR "What's it to you?" She asked, although she already knew the answer to that one. "It's just are so few of you in this great world of ours," he said, turning and motioning with a great sweep of his arm. As he turned, his long, coarse navy cape swirled, and she noticed a bit of downy feathers peeking out from the lining. He turned back to face her and gave a deep bow. "You are only the most famed and acclaimed carpentician, and I am honored to make your acquaintance." BR When he stood, Level took a closer look at his soldier's uniform. The cape was fully lined with gaudy griffon feathers. His buttons were just a tad too were his boots. And double-witching threaded in gold rather than standard yellow twine! She wondered why she hadn't noticed it before. "You're not a soldier at all!" She thrust an accusing finger in his direction. "You are an imposter!" BR He threw back his head and laughed long and hard. Level noticed that his teeth were incredibly white, reminding her that she probably had a thin purple film covering hers. He bowed again, although this time not so deep. "Noren of Tansli." BR Level stared blankly. "Yes, I caught your name back at the plum grass plain. Why are you dressed as a soldier? I could have caught you with my arrow." That was not true. Level wasn't even carrying arrows; and if she had, she would probably hit the ground six feet in front of him. But soldiers terrified her, and she was angry. BR Level was beginning to think a look of surprise was standard for him. "You do not know my name? Noren of Tansli?" BR "I heard you the first time, and no, I don't know who you are." Level took a tiny dagger from her belt and began to dig at her nails. A nervous habit, but Noren backed away. BR "I am an actor. I have been in more plays than you can imagine." BR Level shrugged. "I don't follow your crowd. So why are you following me, anyway?" BR Noren still appeared to be puzzling over the fact that Level didn't know who he was. "Well, I realize that I may not be as popular here on the mainland as I am on Tansli, of just only.I am on posters, and road signs, and certainly my reputation." Level was gathering her things. "Hey, wait!" BR "I haven't time for you." BR "No, but Level! MISS Level! I have so much to ask you!" BR "You mean you have so much to ask me to DO," she replied sarcastically. She swung her cape widely over her shoulders, the hem settling in the dust. "Look, I'm not interested in work right now. I don't feel like conjuring your house, or a table, or whatever else it is you need! I'm a carpentician by birth, not by choice. There's a town back there," she pointed back in the direction of the plum grass plain, "so go talk to the town carpentician and leave me the hell alone!" BR For a moment, Noren looked as if he might comply. " 't you make me a little something? Like maybe a shelf." Level shook her head no. "How about a birdhouse?" No. "A keychain?" BR Level's eyes, normally a pale gray color, suddenly turned a deep purple, nearly hiding her pupils. She made a quick snapping motion with her hand and a short, thick branch of the nearby pumpkin tree came to her. She said nothing, only stared unblinking at the branch hovering in front of her. She took a deep breath, so deep all the leaves in the pumpkin grove rustled around them. Noren was nearly taken off his feet, and stumbled toward Level. BR Her short hair swirled out around her head like a fan. The branch began to glow violet, then burst into blue flame. Noren squinted at the bright light, then Level blew out the flame with one tremendous breath. A pile of ashes lay at Level's feet, and one still-glowing piece of wood flew into Noren's hands as he sat on the ground, thrown backward by the force of Level's blow. BR " was not describable. What is it?" The piece of wood in his hands was a carving of a kami, strange and rugged, unlike any other. BR "It's a totem," she replied, hefting her pack onto her shoulder. "It will bring you incredible luck or horrible misfortune." BR " can I make it bring luck alone?" BR Level laughed bitterly. "If you figure it out, let me know, OK?" BR

She walked away, half expecting Noren to follow her. But when she glanced back, he was still sitting on the ground, mesmerized by his little totem. BRBR

Chapter notes! Wow, I am really avoiding my portfolio. This is what I do every spare on three stories at once, changing when I get bored with one or the Right now my focus is getting my entire plot and ideas down, then going back for some heavy-duty editing (yes that includes eliminating clichés and fixing all the vagueness) BR I'd love some constructive criticism! Really! So if you have anything to say about this, please send me a line.. jayyne