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((Hehehe, she's so evil, its probably best to stay as far from her as possible. ^_^))

If it was possible, Carmen's steed was galloping faster than before, feeding off its master's anger. The two were almost linked, being very similar in their emotions and personalities. Atop the great black horse sat the young and beautiful Carmen. She was a thing of beauty, but looks could only hide so much of this woman's evil. For deep below the surface was her true nature. She was like a poisonous flower, wonderful to look at, but deadly nonetheless.

She urged her mount faster, though it was hardly possible, for he was already running as fast as his four legs would carry him. The trace of the star was fading fast, and soon the trail would be lost entirely. She had waited too long to come after her prize, and now it would be a great deal harder to find. No matter, she would simply have to be more wary than before. Her eyes narrowed with determination, her jaw set in a stern line.

Something white flashed through the edge of her vision and she was forced to look up. She looked up just in time to veer off to the right, avoiding the beast that plummeted towards the earth straight for her and her steed. With a flutter of wings and the unmistakeable thump of hooves, a Pegasus landed not far off, now chasing the woman. She had been forced from her coarse, and now brought her mount back around, trying to catch the trail of magic left by the star. It was so faint that it had been hard to trace in the first place, but now it was even more difficult.

Filled with anger, and knowing it was impossible to find the trace without slowing, Carmen wheeled her mount around to face the beast that chased her. Both animals stopped, staring fiercely at the other, neither one backing down. They were both stubborn creatures, but Carmen's mount had the advantage, as Carmen had great powers at her disposal.

Carmen grinned wickedly as she reached back into one of the saddle bags, pulling out a vial of some thick liquid. The liquid was purple, and it seemed to have the consitency of oil. She kicked her heels into her mount's sides and they took off, speeding towards the Pegasus. As if anticipating the move, the Pegasus charged as well. It looked as though they were going to collide, neither horse was willing to back down. However, Carmen was filled with excitement not fear, and she threw the vial forwards to smash on the ground a few feet in front of the Pegasus. As the liquid poured over the ground it began to evaporate into the air, making a purple cloud appear. It happened so fast that the Pegasus could not avoid it, and he ran right through.

At first, everything seemed fine, but then the creature began to falter. Eventually he was forced to slow, and he reared up, flapping his wings in a threatening manner and neighing angrily. When he came back down it was all he could do to avoid collapsing to the ground. Sleep had taken him, and he was no longer a threat to the woman, who had slowed her own mount to stop only a few feet from the proud creature. "How pathetic. This is what those foolish humans wish to save?" Carmen scoffed, glaring down at the creature who slept before her. "You are lucky that I have more important things to attend to, otherwise you would have been slain." And with that, she turned her mount and moved about, trying to pick up the trace of the star once more.

Serena had been lost in her own thoughts from the minute that Kia started to move once more. It wasn't that she was trying to ignore this kind man before her, but there was simply so much for her to think about. First on her mind was the fact that everyone she met, man and beast alike, seemed bent on saving her. Now, the man was in severe pain, and she had no clue how her former mount had stood up against that approaching darkness. She could still feel that evil presence, but it seemed to have slowed.

She tried to take solice in knowing that the Pegasus had done what it set out to do, but it was no use. She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt, which twisted into anger. Her brow furrowed as she sat atop Kia, fuming at the indignity of it all. She only wished she had more strength with which to fight this evil, for it was wrong for someone to try and control another's life.

More thoughts ran through Serena's mind, though none as persistant as that one. She worried about how she would get home, and how much longer it would be before she could be off the horse. Not that she didn't enjoy riding, but she hated having to ride in her current position. All of the niceties of a lady were wasted on her, for she found it much more comfortable to ride with one's legs to either side, as well as more practical.

Serena was forced out of her thoughts by Ziren's voice, though she simply stared at him with a rather blank expression for a few seconds. She then shook her head lightly, her blonde hair swinging about her face as she did. Her bright eyes moved from the man before her, to the forest around her. She felt so helpless to save anyone, yet it seemed that people on the earth had a rather strange idea about what a star could do. She couldn't but worry that maybe others would think like Ziren did, and that they would expect her to use her powers to help them. She had seen just how greedy some humans could be, she had also seen how humans had driven magic from the lands. It was no coincidence that she had fallen in that forest.

Perhaps they wanted to use her powers to help them, in one way or another, but she wasn't sure she could do that. Her powers were strongest when she was happiest, and she did not feel particularily happy at that moment. She was injured, on the back of a horse with a man who was injured becasue of her, far from her home, and being chased by something wicked. It was quite obvious that she was not having a good day.

Carmen had wasted no time in leaving the sleeping Pegasus in order to try and hunt down the trail of the star. She had been searching for mere minutes, yet it seemed the trail had disappeared. Anger welled inside her once more, and she cursed under her breath. Her black mount snorted angrily, feeding of this woman's own emotions and reflecting them in himself.

Carmen forced her mount to turn and they headed back to the crater at breakneck speed. They slowed as they reached the lip of the giant hole, but even here the trace of her magic was dwindling. With a yell of anger and frustration Carmen was forced to retreat from the forest. She would have to head back to the road, then down the road to the inn where she had ordered her servant to await her. This was not defeat, no, it was merely a set back. She would find that star, it would just take longer than planned.

She pulled on the reins and turned her steed in the direction she had originally come from, a road that was on the border of Dresnia. She would be in a foul mood when she reached that inn, there was no doubting that. It would be hard to keep herself from harming any humans there, but she would have to try. Though few of the humans of the other kingdoms truly knew what she looked like, especially in this young body, she would still have to keep a low profile. If she wanted to move freely through the lands, she would need to ensure that she was not stopped by the rulers. If she caused very little harm, then they would not even know she was there.

She urged her mount forward at a faster pace, as if this would make up for the time she was loosing at having to backtrack. The horse snorted, but that was as far as his protests went. They would be at the road soon, and at the inn not long after that.

Good, now that you're seated we can continue onward. He rolled his eyes as Evion once more tired to get him on a horse. "No, I'm not going to ride a horse, I don't need a horse, therefore I won't be using a horse." He turned his back to the heir. That'll show her, heh heh heh. He watched the horizon, remembering what his father had once told him.

He continued to stand there, waiting for the group to do something, then Fox mentioned that they were heading south. He drew his sword, for what appeared to be no reason, looked once more at Matari as she was sitting there, placidly looking at the others. He stood up on his tiptoes to whispers something to her. "I'm outta here, these others are completely cramping my style, I know you get me, but they just don't quite yet. I'll see ya later." With that message now with the girl he was to protect, he sped off in the opposite direction the group was facing.

Fox could have drawn his sword at Majxn's words to Evion. Forget could have - he probably would have if Angel hadn't wrapped his arms around the heir's waist as soon as Majxn began talking. It looked as though it easily could have been accidental, but both Fox and Angel knew it wasn't. For the love of God, Fox, don't attack him! the redhead thought, keeping his face carefully impassive. It wasn't that the servant had any doubts in his Master's ability to use a sword, but to attack what seemed to be a trained guard when you were the heir was, quite simply, foolhardy. Furthermore, he was the guard to another one of the heirs! It would be very rude.

Hate it as he might, Fox knew Angel was right. He may have been glaring daggers at the dog, but at least he hadn't -

And then Majxn drew his sword. Angel released Fox's arms immediately and Fox's hand flew to his hilt. Anyone as socially inept as Majxn seemed to be could well be foolish enough to try to attack any one of them. What on earth were you thinking, Lady Matari? Fox thought angrily as he watched Majxn go up on his tip-toes to whisper something to her, then speed off headed North. Both Fox and Angel were shocked. Angel knew he couldn't imagine leaving his charge in the company of strangers for no good reason.

"...I apologise for the forwardness, Lady Matari, but I do believe I agree with Lady Evion with regards to your man-at-arms," Fox said, looking at Majxn's retreating back. "But I also agree with her in that it is time to be on our way. All ready?" the heir asked politely. Really, he had surprisingly good manners when anger had him stiff. It was something few could boast, that they became politer the angrier they got.

With one last look at all assembled to be sure that they were all ready to go, Fox tapped Jupiter's sides, urging him into a good traveling walk. Fox was looking forward to being off the road tonight, though he couldn't pinpoint just why...

Serena tried to stiffle a yawn as the landscape seemed never to change. It was all the same, and she found herself getting quite bored with it all. Finally a yawn slipped past her lips and through her fingers, and she blushed slightly. As far as she knew, it was rude to yawn like that, but she simply couldn't help it. When Ziren said nothing, she simply smiled to herself. She liked being around him, for he seemed so unlike the rulers she knew of. It was not that he was rude or uncouth in anyway, no, it was simply that she felt comfortable around him, as though she could simply be herself.

The scenary changed slightly and Serena looked forward, noticing the signs of civilization. She smiled at Ziren's words, giving herself a silent congratulations on her correct presumptions. She had guess that he had been as clueless as she, and her guess had been right. In truth, it didn't matter, for the town loomed ahead, and the danger seemed long since gone. It looked as though things were about to lighten up for them, and they may even get the chance to rest.

At this thought, Serena looked at the man before her, who seemed to be showing no more signs of the injuries he had sustained. Nevertheless, Serena would have to insist that he rest up and let his body heal. Her ankle was already beginning to feel better, and she would soon have to walk on it to make sure that it still worked properly. It was good to rest injuries, but also to build endurance by moving through them, once the worst was over.

Serena placed her hands gently on Ziren's shoulders and leaned in slightly. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I do hope this town has a market." She wasn't sure how big the town would be, so she wasn't sure what they would have. However, she had always loved the idea of a market, where people would sell their wares from all over the land. She figured that her companion was likely also hungry, which was the reason she had chosen to speak up. As she had already witnessed, he could be quite stubborn and set in his ways, so she wasn't sure if he would allow himself to eat right away. However, she had been with him for almost the entire day, for now the sun was setting on the land, and neither of them had eaten anything. She was sure he was hungry, and figured that if she mentioned she was hungry, then he would take the opportunity to eat as well. It was a sneaky little plan, but clever nonetheless.

Serena loved the sound of laughter, and hearing this man's laughter brought a bright smile to her face. She seemed almost radiant, though that could have been from the slowly sinking sun, as she sat atop the horse in her shimmering blue gown. She laughed along with him when she heard his stomach rumbling. "Not starving, hm? It would seem that though your words can trick me, your actions cannot." She let her laughter die down, and if he had looked back at her at that moment, he would have noticed that playful glint in her eye.

As he mentioned money or items to trade, Serena frowned slightly. She hated to admit it, but she had no money. What use did a star have for money? Before that moment, she hadn't thought she would ever need it, now she wished she had some. She hated to rely on others, but it seemed she would have no choice. She had but one thing of true value on her, and she was not particularily willing to part with it. At the thought, she reached up to touch the placed where her sapphire necklace rested against her chest, hidden beneath her dress, save for the silver chain which could be clearly seen. Though it was that small and seemingly simple trinket that had brought her down to the earth in the first place, she thought it of too much importance to part with. Such gems held powers within them, though few actually knew that. No, she could not part with such an important gift, even if it had been sent to tear her from the sky and to mark her as a target for the witches.

Serena was completely caught off guard when Ziren took himself from the saddle, choosing to walk instead. At first, Serena sat there in silence, simply staring down at him. However, that could not last long, for she soon remembered her voice. "Are you sure that is wide? Besides, you are a lord of the land, and you should not walk while I ride. It seems....improper to me." She said, speaking honestly. Though she was a star, and many would respect her for her heavenly power, she held no earthly power. That had been left for the humans, to create their own system to govern over their lands. She felt odd sitting on his horse while he walked beside. Since she was more elevated, she would be considered the higher station, and that was something she simply did not agree with.

Though she didn't much like the idea, there was no use wasting time arguing. The pain in her ankle had subsided, but she was still unsure of whether she could walk on it or not. She battled with herself over what she should do, placing her hand just in front of the saddle to rub Kia's neck while she mulled it over.

Serena watched him with interest. As a star, she was used to observing from afar. Observing from up close was no different, save that small details were easier to notice, at least for her. Though she appeared innocent and naive, she was still quite intelligent, and her ever watchful eyes could not be decieved. There was something wrong, she knew that much, but she could not tell what. Something she had said had made him show small signs of being uneasy. They weren't really showing well, but she could see the small changes. She was, for the most part, a rather good judge of character, and thus she could see when someone was acting out of character.

She kept her mouth shut on her own thoughts, simply playing along, smiling sweetly. She even blushed slightly at his comment about her, which wasn't really an act, but flattery would not disuade her from wanting to know what was going on, nor would it still her ever curious mind into forcing her to figure it out. She would, one way or another, find out what was going on.

"I suppose you are right. I guess that leaves me with no choice but stay where I am." She bowed her head graciously and patted Kia gently. She then looked back to Ziren. "Shall we?" She asked, motioning her hand before her. She would let him decide the pace, for it was not she that would tire. She looked at him for a moment, though making herself seem as harmless and naive as possible, batting her long eyelashes so that she seemed completely innoncent. However, she was watching him closely, to pick up the little signs.

From what she saw, she guessed that he was still in pain, but being stubborn enough not to take his seat upon his horse once more. If she hadn't been faking innocence, she would have rolled her eyes. How typical for a man to not want to seem weak. She thought to herself, though she quickly brushed it off. Her gaze seemed to soften slightly, just as she turned it away from him and to the path before her. Her own stomach rumbled slightly at the thought of food, and her mind seemed to ease at the thought of rest.

She was exhausted, but who could blame her? After all she had been through, it was a wonder she was so calm. She had been torn from her home in the sky and thrown to the earth. Then she had aquired the aid of a mythical creature only to end up being a part of injuring the man who had come to protect her. On top of that, some evil being was chasing her, for the purpose of harming her, and she didn't even know what the person looked like. It seemed that terror after terror had met her today, and now she was finally looking forward to what she hoped to be a peaceful night.

As she looked up into the sky she could see a few stars just beginning to show. Her heart seemed to fill with grief and her eyes grew sad. She missed her home, and even from here she could pinpoint the exactly spot where once she had sat. She let out a soft sigh as she tried to keep herself up. Though night was falling, and she would have normally been wide awake, she found herself completely drained. She had been awake all day, and now she found it hard to stay awake. She was a star, and so night was when she came out, but she had been thrown to the earth and her entire life had been turned upside down. She needed rest, that much was certain.