Chapter Three

        Light peeked through the dusty window of the single room that Dakota was sleeping in. She stretched across the bed, loosening muscles that had stiffened during the night. She thought about the events that occurred in the common room last night. Groaning, she climbed out of bed. How ever would she make it to the mountains if she couldn't fend off a drunk her first night.

        Dakota felt so foolish. She had totally forgotten about the knife in her belt last night. A stranger had to rescue her from one lousy drunk. She poured water into the bowl and briefly refreshed herself. She pulled on the same riding clothes that she wore yesterday before venturing downstairs.

        At the base of the stairs stood the man that stopped the drunk last night. He was dressed for rough travel. His clothes were a travel worn faded brown, fraying at the cuffs. His long dark hair was pulled backed at the nape of his neck. He glanced up when he heard Dakota coming down the stairs.

        "Would you like company for breakfast, Miss?" He gave her a welcoming smile.

        Dakota gave him a timid smile. "Only if I may know with whom I'm dining."

        "Dirk of Frost Mountain at your service." He sketched her a courtly bow while kissing the fingers of her right hand. Dakota blushed and slowly removed her hand from his lips. "And my Lady is...?"

        "Dakota of Fiera Manor and Latshore Keep."

        "Both fine houses if I do say so myself." Dakota murmured a faint thanks. "How about the breakfast, Milady?" Kota nodded her head, accepting his offer of breakfast.

        Once breakfast was served, Dakota turned to Dirk. "You said you were from Frost Mountain." He gave her an affirmative answer. "Are there any towns or villages there?"

        "Just one, Frontera." His rich baritone lowered to where she barely caught the words.

        "Frontera? Isn't that near the Mystic Forest?" Dirk looked up startled.

        "How do you know that?" he whispered harshly.

        "That's where I'm heading." She looked quizzically at him. "Why? Is that important?"

        "Its very dangerous to travel through that forest. What could you have to do with Frontera?" Dirk watched her closely.

        "I'm visiting my mother's people in Frontera." He looked relieved with her answer.

        "You must be Sierra's daughter than." Dakota sat up straight startled.

        "H-how?"

        "She's the only woman to ever leave Frontera with a stranger willingly. She's also the only one to never return."

        "Did you know my mother?"

        "Only of her. Sierra left when I was just a boy." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Tell you what. You know it's dangerous to travel through Mystic Forest and I'm traveling that way. How about I join you on your journey and I can tell you what I know. And maybe teach you how to handle that knife in your belt."

        "Really?" Kota looked skeptical. "How do I know I can trust you?" Dirk could see that she was thinking about the incident last night with the drunk.

        "You have my word of honor." He held out his hand. Dakota took his hand firmly in hers. "Meet me in the barn when you are ready to leave." Dirk released her hand and stood up. She stood, nodded and went over to the bar to collect the provisions she had requested last night.

        Once she was ready, Kota exited the tavern to find Dirk had both her horse and another horse already tacked up. She cocked an eyebrow and tilted her head towards her horse questioningly. He grinned.

        "They were the only two left in the stables. Figured she was yours."

        "Thank you, Dirk." She returned his grin. Kota threw her saddlebags over the back of her horse and secured them to the saddle. Once mounted, Kota turned her horse onto the road with Dirk following on her heels.

        They had been traveling just a few minutes when Dakota decided to speak up. "Dirk," she started, "what made you decide to help me last night?"

        "You reminded me of my sister. Marina has the same innocent look, but she knows how to fight." Kota flushed with embarrassment.

        "Could you teach me to defend myself?" She looked hopefully towards her new traveling companion.

        Dirk nodded slightly. "I'm not an expert, but I'll teach you what I can."

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        Dakota dodged to the left, wielding a long knife in her right hand. She couldn't see her opponent through the thick swirling smoke. A glint of light shone. Without a seconds thought, Kota threw a ball of fire from her left hand. The ball flew towards the light, blazing through the smoke.

        She heard a yelp of pain from the direction she threw the fire. Pain seared her arm causing to go limp. She quickly ducked back away from the attacker. Dakota watched as a smoky, shadowy figure approached through the smoke. Light glinted off the bloody edge of the blade it held.

        Dakota raised her left hand before her, trembling slightly. Gritting her teeth, she concentrated on trying to form another fireball. Sweat poured from her face as she watched her attacker come closer. The blade it held snapped forward going for Kota's throat.

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        Kota woke with a start, hand going to her neck. She had another one of those strange dreams. This time faced by an unknown assailant.

        She sat up and gazed at the camp fire. What was it with her dreams and fire? Every dream lately had her controlling fire somehow. Dakota shook her head in confusion. These dreams made no sense. How could she be commanding fire? She was no witch, only they and wizards could control any of the elements like that.

        She glanced across the fire at Dirk. He was sleeping soundly enough. Dakota wondered if she should talk to him about these dreams. She wasn't sure if he was trustworthy enough. How could she share something like this that she hadn't even shared with her family. Sure he was teaching her blade work, but how could she trust him with her personal thoughts and concerns.

        Laying back down, she pulled the blankets up to her chin. Gazing into the fire, she contemplated her dream and what it could mean. She fell asleep with the dying flames warming her face and no answers to her unusual dreams.