the area where the history and legend; of the creation of the alliance
of the forming of the three; this has been deemed worthy to pass on..

[..Of Kaz and Ky..]

            Beads of perspiration trickled down his from his hair to his forehead. He drew his eyebrows together to redirect the sweat towards the center of his face away from his eyes. He kept his eyes on his opponent watching and hoping for an opening as they circled each other on the practice field. One lunged and the other quickly side stepped out of the way at the last moment and brought their sword up. The sound of metal on metal rang through the air and with an expert twist of the wrist a sword was sent flying, landing blade first into the ground.

            Ky grinned, picked up his scabbard and sheathed his sword with one quick motion. He walked to where his opponent's sword had thrust into the ground and with one swift pull set it free. Flashing a smile Ky handed it hilt first to his opponent.

"Here you go, Emilia. Well fought."

With his free hand he wiped the sweat of his forehead and ran it through his hair.

"I'll beat you next time, Ky. Blind luck can't win the battle for you every time."

She said as she snatched her blade back with a quick swipe.

Ky snorted then grinned.

"How 'bout we head to the river to clean off all this sweat and cool off?"

Emilia raised an eyebrow at the suggestion then laughed. "Sure thing. Lead the way" She sheathed her sword and followed into the cool shade and the foliage.

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

            Emilia squealed in surprise as the cold water touched her bare foot. Ky laughed at her withdrawing her foot and splashed water from the stream directly onto her.

"Hurry up and get in," he laughed, "You'll get used to it."

He continued to laugh and splash more water in her direction. Emilia slightly red in the face charged into the water and hurtled towards Ky and dived directly at him. Ky dodged quickly out of the way leaving Emilia to snatch at empty air where he had been. Laughing from the side Ky took a deep breath and dived under the waters as Emilia whirled around at the direction of the laughter.

            A squeal that matched the first erupted again through her mouth as Emilia felt hands wrap around her waist from behind. She spun around quickly to face a grinning face. Laughing at Ky she pushed him away into the water and began running in the opposite direction. Ky splashed into the water as he fell back, quickly got up and gave chase to the retreating figure splashing through the water away from him.

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


            She held the woolen blanket up just covering her chest. Ky turned around after he closed the door and stared at the woman on his bed and smiled. He unbuckled his sword and left it to rest on the nightstand next to his bed. He sat down on the bed and ran his fingers through her hair, she giggled and moved her hand up to catch his. With the movement of her hand the blanket she had been holding up fell to her waist. She gasped slightly but instead of pulling it back up she proceeded to unbutton Ky's shirt.

            Ky's shirt was just over his head and her hands were on his bare chest when the door creaked open behind him. Ky gasped and spun around quickly to see who entered.

"Emilia?!?" He stuttered, "Oh SHIT......."

Ky leapt from the bed, grabbed his sword and jumped through the window. He landed neatly outside and continued running.

Emilia look from the window to the woman on the bed. The woman on the bed looked from the window to the woman at the door.

"Emilia???"

"Laura??"

            "KY!!!!!!!" The scream echoed through the night as it emitted from the broken window, "You're a dead man!!!!"

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

            Kaz sat down at the table, his thoughts took a seat next to him taunting and goading him. He sat there brooding over his problem when a waitress walked up to his table.

"What'll you have, luv?"

Kaz looked up at the waitress without emotion, his face was blank even though his mood was a black as the space around the station.

"Give me something hard, anything will do"

The waitress shrugged and walked off back towards the bar to get his order. Kaz fiddled with his plas-steel armor while he waited. He removed his rank insignia from the shoulder plate and began to play with it.

            The waitress returned with his drink and placed it on the table. Kaz replaced the insignia onto his shoulder plate and thanked the waitress for bringing the drink. He looked at the beverage in front of him then shrugged and threw it down, he felt it burn down his throat. With a grin he turned to the waitress who was still standing there watching him with curiosity.

"You have no idea how much I needed that," he remarked casually.

The waitress took a quick look around and then decided to take a seat next to Kaz.

"So tell me about it. What's the problem lieutenant?"

Kaz tried to keep a straight face from her obvious advance and replied casually.

"To cut a long story short. I've just been re-assigned to a new unit with a hard-ass captain and a bunch of hopeless new recruits." He sighed helplessly for effect.

The waitress scanned Kaz quickly then her eyes landed back on the badge on his shoulder.

"That's too bad. You need anything else hard? I get off work in a few minutes."

Kaz grinned and passed an empty glass back to the waitress.

"Where do I sign up?"

"Wait here. I need to go get changed out of this outfit."

"Don't I like my women in uniform."

The waitress shrugged and got up leading Kaz away from the table and out of the bar.

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

"NO!! Never over-extend yourself like that. You leave yourself open to attack."

Kaz demonstrated his student's vulnerability by kneeing him swiftly in the groin and pointing his light saber at the student's throat as he crumpled over.

"Get up! Attack me again and do it properly this time!"

The student groaned and raised to his knee while Kaz waited for him a short distance away. The student readied his weapon after he recovered and charged Kaz with death in his eyes. Kaz sighed, parried and gave his rash underling yet another swift knee to the groin.

"Hopeless," He muttered under his breath as the other students winced in pain at the misfortune of the one that was again bent over in pain.

"Okay, you all saw what you're NOT supposed to do. Now square off with you sparring partner and continue the exercise. Remember I want proper dueling not brawling like I saw yesterday. I want refined, calculated attacks not wild swings. Wild swings will get you killed in a real life situation. And don't ask why we learn to use hand to hand weapons, you all KNOW why!"

Kaz muttered some more as the students squared off and began to charge at each other ineffectually. He was about to retire in disgust to his quarters when someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Errr. Lieutenant Kaz. The captain wants you in his office right now."

Kaz withheld a groan and motioned the messenger to lead the way.

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

"Come in"

            Kaz opened the door, stepped in front of the large wooden desk and did a quick salute.

"Lieutenant Kaz reporting as requested, Sir."

"At ease, soldier. I have called you here to inform you to get the men ready to investigate sector 46G tomorrow. An unusual energy signature of unknown origin has been detected there. I want our squad to be the first in and the area secured before the others can beat us to it."

"But 46G is near the Terran-Zhalkis border. The men aren't anywhere near trained enough. If a combat situation........"

"NO BUTS! Now go and inform the men of their duty and make the necessary preparations. I want no excuses lieutenant."

Kaz shot the captain a dangerous glare but he had already returned to rummaging through some paperwork. He saluted the captain's bald spot and stalked out of the office. Upon getting out of earshot of the captain's office the cursing began in earnest as he made his way to the barracks.

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

Sector 46F clear. No enemy sighted.

Roger. Continue the scan and proceed with caution towards the energy signature.

            Kaz sighed and motioned his men forward. He checked his scanner and looked down the narrow corridor. The scanner read all clear but Kaz's senses told him something was wrong but he continued as ordered. He grit his teeth and charged down the corridor following his men, his free hand clutching his light saber handle.

Corridor clear. Continue deployment.

            Kaz muttered under his breath. The energy signature was down the next corridor and around a blind corner. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end as he waited for the rest of his squad to catch up. As the final members got to his position, the captain motioned him on. Kaz shook his head, got up and belted down the final corridor. He turned and froze in his tracks.

            The energy signature was being emitted by an about man-sized glowing oval of energy. It lit up the small section of corridor as it gently pulsated with a fluorescent light. He made a quick scan of the surrounding corridor and stared out into the darkness before motioning the men it was safe to move. He began to analyze the oval as the rest of the group caught up to his position. Kaz's concentration was broken by an irritable question.

"Well? What the hell is it?"

Kaz looked from the scanner to his captain.

"It appears to be a portal of some kind. But I'm getting garbled readings on it. It doesn't appear to have an energy source linked to it and it doesn't resemble any matter transportation vortex I've even encountered...."

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

            "We have to know where it goes. It's imperative that someone go through to retrieve the necessary data."

The captain glanced towards Kaz.

"You're the only one I can trust to bring back the required info alive."

Kaz opened his mouth to speak but stopped when the captain raised a questioning eyebrow. Frowning he stepped towards the portal.

            He stood before the vortex admiring the swirling colours when he felt a firm push from behind. He stumbled forward and disappeared through the vortex. Everything went black as Kaz lost consciousness.

            Kaz disappeared through the opening and the troops watched as the portal winked out of existence.

"Oh Shit," muttered the captain, "Corporal, you will write a report on how our brave lieutenant sacrificed his life to close an enemy warp vortex in this sector."

Then in a louder voice he addressed the rest of his troops.

"The mission was successful. We have successfully stopped a Zhalkis invasion. Kaz will be surely missed but we will honor him for his sacrifice. Let's head home proud."

The troops muttered between themselves and turned back to base without looking back.

­­­­­

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

Ky ignored the heavy grunts, yells and the occasional screams of ecstasy that emitted from the long dark corridor adjoining the room in which he sat. He was more interested in the woman standing quietly in the corner trying to avoid notice. Ky grinned and decided his course of action.

            "Hi there, what would a blossom like yourself be called?"

The lithe woman looked at Ky, put a hand to her mouth and yawned to show her disinterest to the swordsman.

            "Did I mention my name is Ky?"

That statement acquired her interest. She removed her hand and politely smiled at Ky sweetly, a huge change in attitude just for the utterance of a few words. Ky Grinned at the reaction this got, even at this distance from his hometown some of the stories about his deeds and quests had spread this far already.

            "I see you have heard of me by at least reputation then. Surely we can work something out milady."

            "Well milord seems very certain of himself," she studied Ky intently through critical eyes and continued, "But I'm sure we can work something out between us."

Ky continued his grin but felt the hairs on the nape of his neck stand on end. The grin dropped from his face as he went into alert and glanced uneasily around the room.

            Blue lightning began to flash around the room, as an bright oval appeared from thin air, lit up the room and dumped a human figure onto the hard ground in the 'tavern'. The figure lay still on the ground as the circle of light disappeared and returned the small room to darkness. As the last of the light fled the room the slumped figure groaned in pain and struggled to get to its feet but failed and slumped back onto the floor where it remained unmoving.

            A few heads popped out from a few now open doors to see what had caused the disturbance in the foyer and selection area. When a slumped body was seen to be the cause the heads returned inside their rooms to continue their pleasure seeking. The only non-shrieking woman in the main room was the one Ky had been trying get interest from. She made her way towards the fallen person to check on it.

            Ky returned to a relaxed stance as he realised danger wasn't imminent, he tried to return his attentions to the woman when he realised she had moved away to check on the newcomer. Ky suppressed a growl and walked forward to find out what had come between him and his goal. When he reached the slumped form the woman had already turned the figure over and had him propped up, it turned out to be a man dressed in some strange armor. A weird crossbow hung on his belt on the left. However Ky noticed a long sword that hung on the opposite side of the man's belt, The handle was made fully of metal and there did not appear to be a crossguard. Ky knelt down beside the man to help support him.

            Kaz groaned and collapsed onto the ground. He felt as if all his muscles had been pulled beyond their bursting points and then let loose only to be ripped apart again. He tried to lift and support himself up on his arms and knees but his bones and muscles refused to support him and he fell back to the floor with a slight thud. He's mouth let out a low moan as his eyes tried to focus on the hard stone surface below him. Kaz felt a gentle hand turn him around and try to lift him into a sitting position. He stared up at the primitive wooden roof and tried not to wince as the hands tugged at his torso to try and pull him into a sitting position. While they were definitely not forceful, Kaz winced at the discomfort they caused when they placed pressure onto his sore muscles. A second pair of hands joined the first and managed more successfully to bring him up into a better position. Kaz looked at his two helpers, as he was half lifted half dragged to the wall to give him something to lean on.

            One was a young man with an impressive body build, while not overly big each movement the man took caused a rippling of muscles in his arms and legs as if they were trained for long periods of time. He noticed the long sword hanging on the man waist as well before shifting his attention to the woman. Kaz's throat constricted as he stared closer at her assets. He tried to grin at the woman when they next made eye contact but it came out as a wince, her expression moved to a concerned one when she noticed the pain he was in.

            "Someone call a cleric," she yelled after Kaz was comfortable against the wall, "We can't have him dying in here or all hell will break loose."

            Ky continued to study the newcomer as a healer came out cautiously from one of the rooms dressed only in a loincloth. The healer ignored the incredulous stares and placed his hands on Kaz. He began his prayer and after whispering a few words white light shone from his hands and Kaz's eye's widened at the sudden infusion of energy and the removal of pain from his body. The glow dead from the healers hands and he fled back to his room to avoid further stares and questions. The mumbles ceased eventually and shifted from the priest back onto Kaz.

            Kaz brought his arm up and studied his fingers. He flexed each one individually, following that with a rotation of the wrist and finally a flexing of his entire arm. "Holy Shit!" He whispered to himself in wonder. He took a quick rain check on his equipment. He felt his plas-steel armor he had been wearing before his transportation, his hand then went to his belt for his laser gun and came back with a metallic crossbow. He flicked the metal a few times and it came back a metallic ring. Kaz then gripped the handle and aimed the crossbow at the wall and pulled the trigger to test it. A bolt of light flashed from the weapon and created a small hole in the wall. Several patrons yelped at the flash but the woman who had helped him frowned.

            "I didn't save you so I'd need close this place down. Put your weapon away please."

            Kaz looked a little chagrinned and quickly linked the crossbow back onto his belt.

"Sorry Madame......." He trailed off.

"Esmerelda. I hope you can get around and walk cause you're going to need to be fairly healthy when people find out about an artifact of that power."

Kaz stood up and checked his light saber. The hilt remained the same but there was now a blade on the weapon. He looked towards esmerelda but linked gazed with Ky instead.

            "Keep away from her, wizard" Ky hissed maliciously.

            "What's the problem? Can't take the competition?"

Ky's eye's narrowed as Esmeraleda watched on with interest. Kaz stared straight into Ky's eyes refusing to back down.  The silence in the room grew as they stood staring at each other down. Sweat trickled down Kaz's forehead as he wondered if he could use the weapon now hanging on his side. His hand slowly inched towards the weapon while his eye's stayed on his opponent.

            "Stop it you two, no fighting in here!" Esmerelda whispered loud enough for them both to hear. Kaz and Ky both turned and looked at her and both flashed smiles. She smiled back and just pointed to their weapons and shook her head.

            "Perhaps you'd like to take this outside?" Ky hissed.

            "Lead the way," Kaz sneered back.

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

            A small group had gathered round the pair as they stood in a dark alleyway beside the tavern. The warriors stood a few metres apart, alert and ready to engage in combat.

            "Weapons?" Kaz asked.

            "Any melee weapon is allowed." Ky replied quietly.

Two distinct hissing noises were heard as two swords were drawn from their scabbards and put into a ready position. Esmerelda watched the alley intently from an elevated window, she had heard of Ky before but the confidence of this newcomer intrigued her.

            Kaz felt his weapon for balance as he kept his eyes on Ky, it felt no different from the blade of light he normally wielded. 'Good' he thought to himself as he turned his full attention back to Ky. He took one hand off the hilt and signaled Ky with a sneer and a luring index finger.

            "Come on, you wimp!" He said in his best military drawl.

            Ky's eye's narrowed with rage. This hopeless beginner was trying to kill himself. He watched Kaz's stance and the unorthodox method told him that the fight would be over quickly. Ky charged Kaz with his sword held in front of him intending to end the duel quickly so he could go back to wooing his prey. Ky reached his opponent and swung his blade, Kaz had parried, sidestepped rapidly and entered a proper fighting stance. Ky recovered quickly and stared into Kaz's eyes. 'Shit! He's not as green as I thought' He parried an incoming blow and quickly backed off to regain his balance.

            Kaz swung at his unbalanced opponent who had overstepped himself in his charge. A sword came out of nowhere and parried the blow. Ky had rolled away and brought himself back up into a ready stance. 'Shit! He's good' Kaz ground his teeth in frustration and settled his nerves to prepare for a longer fight.

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

            Sweat trickled down the faces of both combatants. Neither had gained an advantage over the other and the crowd had quieted down to hush as the deadly grace of the two fighters wove a dangerous dance of blades. Esmerelda watched and smiled as she realised she could use these two for her own purposes.

            Kaz gasped for breath, his muscles screamed out in pain but his sword lowered itself from guard position. 'This guy is GOOD'

            Ky flung his head quickly to rid himself of the sweat on his face. He kept his sword from shaking. 'I will not let this guy know he's keeping up with me'

            The two swordsmen circled each other but neither dared to attack lest exhaustion be the killing blow.

            "Why are we fighting again?" Kaz asked puzzled. Ky pointed up to the window, Esmerelda gasped in surprise and slunk backwards into the shadows but not before Kaz remembered the reason behind the duel.

            "O yeah........ This isn't getting us anywhere. Truce?" Kaz asked.

            "You giving up?" Ky asked puzzled.

            "No, but this isn't healthy for either of us. These guys will probably finish us both off if we continue." He pointed to the group of people watching on.

            "Fine. Truce... For now." Ky put up his sword while Kaz followed suit.

            Esmerelda stared at the two warriors as they sheathed their weapons. Someone in the darkness of the room hissed, " Recruit them. They could be useful to our cause" Esmerelda swallowed slowly and nodded as she began to formulate a plan.

            Kaz and Ky stared at the crowd around them, hands on their weapons ready in case any of the bystanders built up the courage to attack the exhausted pair. The crowd split into two as Esmerelda walked through.

            "Men..." She sighed, "Let's get you two cleaned up. Flattering though it is, we don't want people dying close to the establishment."

            Ky looked at Kaz and raised a questioning eyebrow but Kaz was already following Esmerelda into the building. Ky Sighed and followed behind not wanting to be left out.

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

            The pair stepped into a steaming room where two tubs awaited them. Ky unbuckled his sword and placed it carefully within arms reach of the one of the tubs and began to strip down. Kaz looked around in confusion at the basic facilities provided,

'Ah Heck I've done worse' he turned to thank his hostess to find she had disappeared. Shrugging he tossed his weapons next to the free tub and followed Ky's example. The two men sat in there respective tubs and began to wash off the sweat and grime they had accumulated through the fight when they heard Esmerelda's scream for help. The both jumped and hastily grabbed their weapons, rushing to the source of the scream.

            Outside, Kaz and Ky managed to spot a dark figure drop out the window while Esmerelda stood to one side clutching at her neck. Ky rushed to the window to scan for the assailant only to see a flitting shadow disappear around the corner of the alley into the busy street. "Damn!" Ky yelled.

            "What happened?" Kaz asked the shaken woman.

            "He stole my necklace!" Esmerelda sobbed, "My family legacy. He just ripped it from me......." She trailed off and stared at the two naked men, both dripping wet in the corridor, and assessed then with a watery but critical eye.

            "I'll track him down and......." Ky trailed off when he realised he wasn't clothed in front of this woman.

            "Excuse me, Milady," He whispered and hurried back into the bath house.

Kaz looked at the retreating Ky then realised he was in the same position. He turned a brilliant scarlet and sprinted back into room. Esmerelda watched the two men through wet eyes then grinned at the now closed door.

            Ten minutes later the men had re-emerged and she was back in a sobbing fit. Kaz and Ky managed to work out a brief description of the bandit and the time that had been stolen after a long period of questioning.

            "I swear I will return it to you personally," Ky swore.

            "I'll get it for ya, Ma'am," Kaz said at the same time.

Ky glanced at Kaz who only shrugged and grinned. Ky ignored the man and swung around to leave. Kaz followed him closely behind and the pair disappeared through the door. The sobbing stopped abruptly.

            "Well done," the shadows hissed, Esmerelda smiled.

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

            Ky began asking a few questions at his usual information tenderers in the city. The shady figure stayed in the shadows and Kaz struggled to recognise his features under the hood and shade. "I'll be needing some persuasion for that interesting piece of information," the figure whispered.

Ky tossed a coin into the air, which disappeared underneath the man's robes.

            "The man you seek is Tyro Braek. He's a thief, and a good one. We're not sure where his hideout is but some of us have spotted him leaving the southwestern sewer systems. We've never seen the item you describe though."

            Ky nodded briefly and began to move away,Kaz stopped leaning against the wall and prepared to follow.

            "Stop following me!" Ky yelled at Kaz

            "Can't help it, mate. You're the only person I know and my only source to this necklace she wants back so bad."

Ky ground his teeth together and refrained from further comment. There was no way to lose the man, he'd tried threats and stealth both had failed.

            "Just stay out of my way," He hissed angrily. Kaz shrugged and continued to follow the man, lost in thought.

            "Did she even have a necklace?" Kaz wondered out loud.

            "I don't care, why would she lie to us anyway? She doesn't seem the type"

Kaz eyed Ky and began to reply but decided against it.

            "True those types don't usually stock any brains" He whispered to no one in particular.

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

Kaz signaled for silence as he stared down the dark passageway. His nose had become accustomed to the stink of the offal and his immediate concerns of balance and detection were higher on his priority list. Ky waited for the signal to move forward, he had followed Kaz wishes when he realised that the man had greater experience in working in teams. Kaz gave the signal and Ky ran to the next intersection deftly and quietly.

"We're close," Kaz whispered and pointed to some relatively fresh prints in the offal. Ky nodded and looked further into the darkness in the direction the footprints lead. Kaz strained his ears trying to drown out the noise of trickling water and signaled Ky for complete silence. The two men heard whispers coming from a nearby alcove, they looked at each other then gave a quick nod and unbuckled their weapons and brought them to ready position.

Light flooded out from the alcove as the whispering got louder. Two men rounded the corner, one of them matched the description of Tyro. Kaz nodded to Ky then signaled that he would take out the nearer one leaving the thief for Ky. Kaz and Ky sprang into action whirring out of their hiding location with weapons drawn. They had the two men at the end of sword point before they knew what was happening.

"Don't move," Ky said unnecessarily.

Tyro swallowed and winced as he felt the tip of Ky's blade scratch the skin on his throat.

            "What do you want?" he asked calmly trying not to move his head.

            "Not much," Ky said simply, "Just some stolen property, a necklace to be exact."

The second man began to talk, "What is...." Kaz cut him off by pushing his blade slightly into his throat. Tyro gave the other man a quick glance, then reached into his cloak and threw a necklace into Ky's awaiting hands, Ky turned his sword around and knocked the thief out with the pommel of his sword while Kaz did the same. The two men dragged their knocked out victims to the side to ensure they would suffocate and left with their hard-earned possession.

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

            Esmerelda's eyes glittered as she took the necklace from Ky's offering hand. She let out a little giggle as she tried it on. Kaz stared at the necklace hanging round the neck of Esmerelda and wondered how her family could afford such a huge jewel dangling on the end of the chain. His thoughts were promptly shattered as after the necklace was in place, Esmerelda gave him a peck on the cheek to show her gratitude. Ky grumbled at the action but Esmerelda rewarded him with a kiss too straight after she left Kaz in amazement. Both men stood in silence wondering what had just transpired.

            "Come back any time you want, boys" Esmerelda whispered loud enough for both the hear, 'I'm sure I can accommodate both of you, but not today I'm too happy to work."

            Ky made to protest but she had already run down the corridor into a room and slammed it shut locking it. Kaz just put his hand on Ky's shoulder, and signalled for them to leave.

            "There's naught much more we can do," he said, "We'll get her soon." He winked. Ky's grinned and made to leave the building knowing he would be back.

            "You got a place to stay?" he asked Kaz.

            "Why?" Kaz queried, "You offering?"

            "Sure, why not. I need someone to watch my back and you're good"

Kaz looked into Ky's eyes to check for deception, he found nothing but good will even after their rivalry.

            "Y'know, you'll never get any women with me around," Kaz joked

            "No way. You're the one who'll become celibate."

Ky slapped Kaz on the back and they both laughed as they left the building to find something to do to kill some time till they came back for Esmerelda.

            "THERE THEY ARE! GET THEM!"

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

            Kaz recognised the man he had held at sword point yelling and screaming. Tyro stood by his side and motioned for a large group of heavily armed men to move forward.

            "Errr. Shit. What's going on?" Kaz whispered.

            "GIVE ME BACK MY NECKLACE!!!!" yelled the furious man.

            "Errr. His necklace?" Ky asked.

            "Um........" Kaz whispered back.

Tyro then yelled out, "First man to take down either of them gets promoted to squad leader in Lord Byron's guard." The men surged forward at the offer of a reward.

"Lord..... Byron?" Kaz and Ky both said to each other, "SHIT!!!!!"

A quick flash of insight hit them both and they proceeded to complete the action they both knew the other was thinking.

They turned and ran for their lives.

The pair ran with a huge group of armored goons following in their wake. Esmerelda watched out from a second storey window and and laughed heartily while handing the necklace to a figure in the shadows.

            "Now what?" Kaz asked as they ran.

            "We're stuffed?" Ky replied with a grin.

'BASTARD! He's enjoying this' Kaz thought to himself.

            "See those horses?" Ky asked suddenly.

Kaz noticed the horses he was mentioning, they were being handled by a single stable hand who had just taken the reins from a well dressed individual. Kaz groaned while Ky suppressed a laugh.

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

            "Great!" Kaz yelled at Ky's back, "I'm a fugitive. Just fucking great!"

Ky stuck a stick into the fire and shifted the logs around a little. The pair had tied the horses to a nearby tree and sat in a small clearing of a forest. Kaz paced up and down wondering what to do while Ky sat in silence staring in to the small fire they had made for the night.

            "Now what're we going to do? You were enjoying yourself just before we got away." Kaz asked.

            "Bloody women, I gotta stop trusting them" Ky whispered to no one in particular.

Kaz sighed, and replayed the events in his mind.

            They had taken the necklace of some highborn. Esmerelda had obviously tricked them into thinking it was hers. They had then given the necklace to Esmerelda and then were chased by the lord who didn't know they no longer had the necklace. The pair had then stolen horses and ridden hard to get out of town in front of an angry mob and taken refuge in the forest they sat in now.

            Kaz swore and kicked the sticks lying on the ground and planted his fist into a nearby tree. Ky had lain down and was staring through the canopy into the sky. Kaz felt like strangling the man but instead sat down opposite and stared into the fire.

            A brilliant flash had both men quickly on their feet with weapons out. The stared open mouthed at the woman who stood before them. She stood between two trees with a glowed with a powerful aura, the two men had never seen someone as beautiful but they felt her power even in their transfixed state.

"Well I see both of you managed to stumble here without too much trouble," She said. Kaz groped for words and his mouth opened as closed without emitting a noise. Ky gave up all attempts at shutting his mouth and let it hang open.

"Are either of you going to say anything?" She demanded irritably.

"Errrrrrr......" Kaz replied.

"......................" was all Ky managed to say.

She stepped forward from the trees and the light surrounding her left, she remained extremely beautiful but the sense of power faded.

            "Who. Who are you?" Kaz managed to stutter.

            "So you can talk after all. I am known to some as Amia. I serve the goddess and she tells me that you two may be salvaged, after some training, to serve our cause."

            "Cause?" Ky asked when he recovered enough for speech.

            "To defend this world and others like it from evil. I'm afraid I know of your reputation Ky but your skills as a swordsman outweighs your womanising ways. Same for you Kaz. The Alliance would benefit greatly with you two in their ranks"

            "Hah! Why should we?" Kaz asked echoing Ky's thoughts.

Amia sighed and waved her hand through the air. A ripple formed above the fire and an image appeared.

            "Because in the future SHE will need your aid and she will not betray you as others have."

Kaz and Ky stared speechless at the image. A slender silver haired elven woman stared innocently back at them.

            "You will meet up with a group of warriors who wait for you west of here."

Amia vanished after telling them this. But the illusion remained above the fire taunting the two men.

            "Well?" Kaz asked.

            "West?" Ky replied.

            "West." They both said then nodded and the illusion vanished.

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

            An arrow thudded into the ground in front of Ky making him jump back and put his hand to his sword hilt.

            "I wouldn't do that if I were you," A voice said from the trees, "My friend gets a little edgy when weapons are drawn in his presence. I see you have made it at last."

            "Show yourself," Kaz yelled while Ky kept his hand on his sword.

            "Of course, my valori."

There was a rustling of trees and a dark haired elf stepped out into the forest glade in front of them. He wore blue robes and carried only a staff he stood there assessing the two warriors. Ky began to draw his sword and yelled out in pain as another arrow grazed the back of his hand.

            "I told you not to draw your weapons," The elf sighed, "You are Kaz and Ky I suspect."

Ky grasped his now bleeding hand and only nodded while Kaz did the same. The elf smiled and whispered a few arcane words. The gem atop his staff glowed a brilliant blue and then died out. Another rustle came from the trees and a fully armored man stepped into view followed by a slender human in robes.

            "Ah I see you have found them," The armored one said.

            "Actually, the dark elf did," The elf grinned and pointed to the arrows embedded in the ground.

            "Trust the sneaky bastard to find these two" The slender one sniggered.

            Moments later a huge fully armored figure rode into view atop a huge horse.

            "THESE THE NEW RECRUITS?" He bellowed through his full helm. The elf nodded in agreement.

            "HEHEHE. THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE MUCH!"

Ky drew his sword at the comment, this time no arrow sped out. A fifth figure dropped from the trees above onto the ground. Ky gasped as he stared at the dark elf that had just landed deftly in front of them.

            "Don't hurt him too much, Alv. We still need him functional if he's to be assisting us in the future," the dark elf said with an amused look on his face.

Ky charged enraged that these people could act so high and mighty around him. The giant positioned himself between him and the rest of the group and waited as Ky closed the distance between them. The slender one sniggered again as after one quick movement Ky stared up into the sky, his sword a few metres away in the undergrowth.

            "What do you want?" Kaz asked after watching the ease the giant had disposed of Ky. The giant stood back and let the elf step forward.

            "I am Valdici and we are the Alliance of the War Angels. We've come to collect you for your training. Your showing up here shows that you've agreed to join us. Amia has already informed us of your coming"

            Ky groaned and got back to his feet.

            "Training?" Ky asked but the elf was already oblivious to all around him as Valdici's eyes glowed with power and his lips chanted words of power. The figures vanished from the glade.

            The seven rematerialised within a huge hall. Kaz and Ky looked around in awe and felt peace and tranquility seep through them.

Valdici stepped forward

            "Welcome to the Alliance"