Chapter Two

He felt as if he was walking in a fog shrouded world. He could see little of what was around him. Everything seemed so unreal, as if it wasn't even happening. He thought he heard a voice calling out for someone, but couldn't distinguish whom it was calling for. It sounded like a name but couldn't tell for sure. He could feel a presence coming from the vicinity of the voice reaching out to his mind and heart. This gave him an uncomfortable feeling. It was as if it was trying to read his deepest thoughts and feelings. He closed his heart and mind to the presence forcing it away from him. After a while the presence and voice drifted away and vanished completely.

With the presence gone, he was all alone in the swirling fog. He continued wandering about aimlessly. The fog became increasingly thicker and harder to see through it. He was becoming confused and disturbed. He thought he was completely lost. He was just about to give up when the sun suddenly pierced through the fog temporarily robbing him of his senses. Then he became aware.

He could feel a coarse blanket wrapped around him and several rocks were beneath his back. He was able to hear the sound of muted voices nearby and the clanking of pots and pans. He smelled bacon and eggs frying in his vicinity. Off to the side he heard a low voice whispering, then some shuffling sounds.

He forced his heavy eyelids open and a tiny human-like being filled his view. The tiny figure was vaguely female and appeared to be floating just above his head. He widened his eyes in surprise. The small being opened her mouth and spoke in a voice that sounded like a gentle breeze, "Rya, he's awake." There was some more shuffling nearby.

The face of a young woman swam into his line of sight. She had high cheekbones below expressive light brown eyes framed by long, raven lashes. Her lips were full and filled with humor. Her hair was thick and flowing and the color of flame. It was a face that he thought he had seen once in a dream. The sword strapped to her back didn't fit the image of his dream.

"Morning, stranger," she spoke with a silvery voice. "I hope that you're feeling well. You collapsed after stepping out of that smoking monster." The young man sat up.

"Smoking monster?" he croaked. He shook his head, trying to clear it. "I think you mean my ship." He paused a moment, taking in his surroundings. "Where am I, who are you and what was that small being I saw a moment ago?"

"I'll answer your questions if you'll answer mine, okay?"

"That's fair. Will you answer mine first?"

"Fine, but first we eat." The young woman stood up and walked to a nearby cooking fire. She dished up two plates of eggs and bacon and poured coffee and returned to the young man. He ate the food ravenously but barely touched the coffee.

After finishing the meal, he held the cup between his hands and leaned against a nearby tree. The young woman got up and walked over to another fire where an old man sat. She whispered something in his ear and then he and the woman came over to the young stranger. They both sat near him and the young woman opened the conversation.

"I'm Rya," she started, "and this is my grandfather, Sinclaire. This land is called Aurora. You are in my outlaw camp. We're not really outlaws though; we're more like rebels. In this vale, I am in charge. Grandfather provides our magical protection. He created this vale. That is all I can tell you about this place; so let's answer your last question. The small being you saw was the fairy Natalie. She's a close, personal friend and quite remarkable." She paused a moment and then said, "I've answered your questions, now you can answer mine. Who are you and where did you come from? And what is a this ship you mentioned?"

"Well," he started, "The people where I'm from called me David. I'm from the land of Sirius. I'm the captain of the Star Dust. My ship is also known as a chariot of the stars." He looked at the puzzled faces before him. "Could you take me back to where you found me? I'll be able to show you what I mean."

Rya glanced at Sinclaire quickly. Sinclaire gave a slight nod, then Rya spoke to David. "I'll lead you back, but you must go blind folded." Rya stood up. "I'll saddle our mounts and then we will leave." She turned and walked over to the opposite side of the vale. David remained sitting near Sinclaire. He appeared to be at peace but his thoughts were in turmoil.

Somehow he had ended up in this backward land. Everyone knew there was no such thing as magic, yet here was this mere woman claiming her grandfather had magical capabilities. He knew Rya had told him the truth as known by her but she had left out many facts that would have helped him. He watched her silently saddle two horses.

Rya was aware of his eyes on her. Her mind was full of confusing thoughts. This man was quite an enigma. The name of his country was foreign to her. His definition of his ship was quite unusual: a chariot that flies. It didn't look like a chariot. He had a skeptical look when she mentioned magic, like he didn't believe. She silently vowed to prove that magic existed.

She finished saddling the horses and led them over to where David sat. "Mount up," she said, "I'll put on the blind fold on once you're settled." David stood up and grabbed a handful of mane. He put a foot in a stirrup and pulled himself up while swinging his other leg over the beast's hindquarters. Rya mounted her horse and then leaned over with a piece of linen in her hand. She wrapped it around David's head and tied in firmly. She gathered up her reins and took hold of a lead rope on the other horse, then she led the way out of the vale.