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"Get up Ariphex or you'll miss all of the fun." His mothers voice sounded through out the small house. He got up groggily and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He gasped as he soon realized what day it was. The caravan came into town earlier that morning. The market place would be filled with exotic goods from far off places. He threw on his cloths and grabbed his pack. "I'm leaving mother." He shouted as he ran out the door. He hurried down the worn path to the market place. On his way he bumped into his friend. Her name was Xyla. The wind blew her long black hair and it seemed almost magical. "Hi Ariphex." Her voice was soft and lovely. "Hi Xyla. I'm on my way to the market place. Care to join me?" "No thanks, I just came back from there. I'll talk to you later." She smiled and went on her way. Ariphex had a crush on her for a while, but was always to shy to say anything about it. He shook his head clear of the thoughts of her and continued to the market place. The area was loaded with tents and stands set up with massive crowds around them. He browsed through the extensive libraries of merchindise. One particular stand housed various precious jewels. He examined a ring with a beautiful saphire in the center. He placed it down realizing how much it must cost and moved on. As he walked away he looked back to see a boy a little younger than him pick up the ring and place a bag of gold on the table. He wished that he had that kind of gold, but his purse had barely any. Just enough for some small trinket, but it didn't bother him that much. He loved to just look at the strange and fascinating objects. The next tent he visited was one of his favorites. While it had very little to sell, he knew the owner. He had been a traveler for many years and had seen so many things. Ariphex loved to just sit and listen to his stories. His favorite ones were about the dragons. From an early age he had loved dragons. He pulled aside the flap and entered the tent. A small fire had been lit in the center and a relativly old man sat before it. "Ariphex, it's been a while." His voice was aged, but kind. A smile lit up his wrinkled face. He loved seeing Ariphex. Not too many people would listen to an old mans tales. "What brings you here?" "Your stories. What else, Levi? You don't have much to sell." Levi laughed. It had been a while since he had laughed like that. Probably not since he was last in this village a year ago. "Well then boy, shall we begin?" Ariphex took a seat next to the fire and awaited his story. "Well, legend tells that a long time ago there was a clan that worshipped the dragons. They were known as the dragon speakers, for they knew the language of the dragons. They wore a sign of their bond with the dragons. A guantlet of a fine make. They became allies with the dragons and co-existed peacefully. Soon other people grew jealous of them. The dragons were beautiful and granted powers to those who could control them. The dragon speakers also had unusualy long lifespands. People began to band againts the dragon speakers. After their numbers grew high enough they seeked out and destroyed the dragon speakers. With the death of the dragon speakers came the death of their dragons. You see, their lives became intertwined. That was part of their bond with eachother. If one was to die, the other would fall with it. It says that all of the dragon speakers and their dragons were killed, but some believe that there were some survivors. That is, if the story is true. The story had been around for years, who knows how much of it may be true. It would be great if it was though, wouldn't it? Men making pacts with dragons, the kind of story I'd want to be a part of." Ariphex nodded in reply. "I also have this." Levi reached into a trunk and pulled out a object wrapped in a tattered red cloth. He slowly removed the cloth to reveal a golden guantlet with the image of two dragons entwined on the sides. Ariphex's eyes grew wide with amazment at the item. "Wow." Was all he could say. "That's right. This is the guantlet of the dragons. This is what the story says the dragon speakers wore to show their bond with the dragons. It is no doubt a replica, but still it's rather beautiful, no?" Ariphex pulled out his purse, but Levi waved it away. "This item is not for sale. I'm sorry, but use your gold for something else." "Alright." Ariphex couldn't help but be sad at this. The guantlet was marvilous and he really wanted it, but he knew Levi would't part with such a treasure. He sighed and walked through the market place. After a while, the sun began to set on the eventful day. He left the market place with a pair of new leather gloves and some well made arrows. As he went home he noticed a man he had never seen before. He was tall and had long raven hair. His body was covered in baggy black robes. His face had a grave expression, as if he didn't want to be in the village. He looked at Ariphex and walked passed him, as if he wasn't there. Ariphex ignored him and went to his home. He entered his comfortable house and dropped his pack on the floor. The day had taken a lot out of him so he decided to go straight to bed. He took off his shirt and layed down on his bed. He stared at the cieling for a while before finaly he was taken by sleeps sweet embrace.

((Damn that's a long entry. I guess I was really in a writing mood. And to think I almost didn't want to write tonight. I had been putting it off, but it seems like I had a lot to write. Also, no one would understand the refreance, but I felt like throwing it in anyways. It's a refreance to a story I wrote in my journal that no one has ever read. The story is The Saphire Ring and the boy who bought the ring after Ariphex moved on was the main character of that story, Sorn. I actualy put it in by accident, me being quite partial to saphires, I just made that the ring Ariphex would look at. After I wrote that, I realized that the two stories were taking place at the same time, so I decided to make them take place in the exact same village. Well, at least the beginings will. Just thought I'd inform everyone of this. Not that anyone would really care. I just wanted others to get the refreance. No point of putting it in if no one else gets it. Oh well. Hope you guys enjoy this story so far. mrgreen ))