Draconian Chronicles 2:

Prologue Future Directions

Van, Hitomi and Merle sat around a campfire trying to decide what to do next.

"Well, Folken doesn't have the Rhinestone of Death anymore, we destroyed that, but he'll still be after the Rhinestone of Life, which means he'll be after us." Hitomi said.

Van nodded. "I agree. We have to pick a direction and keep traveling. But which way?"

That was a problem. They couldn't go back the way they came, so South was out of the question. That still left North, West and East.

Merle piped up. "How about to the North. Petite Beau is over I that direction."

Hitomi frowned. "Petite Beau? Isn't that French for 'Little Beauty'?"

Van nodded. "It's a merchant town. Many travelers pass through there to get supplies. It's a very wealthy town. They se their wealth to make the town looked splendid for tourists. They've done a very good job."

"Oh! I've heard they have a little section of town called 'Amour Rue' too! It's where all the lovers go to say their love vows." Merle said.

Hitomi smiled. " 'Love Street' sounds interesting." She turned to Van. "How about it? Want to go."

He looked seriously at her. "We can't go to a town that Ziaboch could be in control of." Hitomi gave him puppy eyes. "Look, I want to go there too, believe me, but I can't risk us getting hurt. If Folken gets the Rhinestone of Life…"

Hitomi nodded. "I understand."

"Why don't you use the Pendant?" Van suggested.

Hitomi nodded and lifted her pendant from her shirt. She concentrated as it began to swing back and forth. Where do we need to go? She asked it in her mind. Suddenly she saw her and Van under a bridge. Then a guymelif cam out of nowhere and began chasing them. They were about to get crushed when a shadow a shadow came out of nowhere and grabbed them out of the way.

Hitomi shut her eyes against the vision and felt Van's warm hands comforting her. She opened her eyes and saw the pendant was facing north, towards Petite Beau.

Van looked worriedly at her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, but felt a small bead of sweat trickle from her brow. "North it is."

"What did you see?" Merle asked.

Hitomi looked at Merle and the shadow that had saved them, came back into mind. "Merle? Could there be others like you?"

Merle seemed surprised at the answer. "Sure. I'm not the only one. Why?"

Hitomi brushed the question away. "Never mind. Let's get to sleep. It's a good five to ten miles till we get to the town." She laid down and pretended to sleep.

Merle shrugged off her actions and curled up into a ball. Van looked skeptically down at Hitomi. She's hiding something. But if she doesn't want to say anything there's a reason.

There is nothing to worry about Van. Hitomi told him.

Van smiled. Ever since they had the stone inside of them, they could hear each other's thoughts. What ever you say love. He bent down and kissed Hitomi on the forehead, making her smile. Then he laid behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She moved back a little, enjoying the warmth of the embrace.

For some reason, Merle was jealous. She longed to have someone she could keep warm with. She had long ago giving up Van, but now she felt more alone than ever. Maybe she'd meet someone in the next town. Then she could know what it felt to love another and be loved back.