Chapter One

---Kalama---

The trumpets sounded, announcing the arrival of the Royal Army. Her heart beat faster and her stomach was thrown into turmoil. The curtain of her window was moved away to reveal the gentle face of her mother.

"Calm Child. All will be well." She said, reaching a hand towards Kalama.

She flinched and shrank away, her body shaking. Slowly, she looked into her mother's soft face. Kalama's emerald green eyes were filled with tears, a stark contrast to her long, messy, flame red hair.

"No..." Kalama said quietly, shaking her head slowly. "You're wrong. All will not be well."

Images of her dream, no, her premonition, swam through her head. Blood and fire. Pain and sorrow. Death and mourning. Dragons and warriors. Something big was about to happen, something out of her control. Out of anyone's control.

"Mama..." Kalama began, a shutter wracking her body. "Something terrible, something painful is about to happen." She swallowed the fear that began to rise in her throat. "Mama, War is coming."

For an instant, her mother's warm, comforting face shifted to one of terror, but only briefly. Then it was back to her original warmth.

"Oh my precious baby." She wrapped her arms around Kalama's small frame, holding her close. "What did you see, my baby? What did those cursed Dragons force you to see?"

"A war, Mama. A horrid war, between the Dragons and humans. It's coming. It's coming soon. And it can't be stopped." Kalama said, her shaking increasing.

'And I'm in the center of it. It starts and ends, with me.' She thought, very much fearing her future.

And once again cursing her life, and the curse of the Mark on her body, a cresent moon and a single star, that hovered over her heart.

'Because I don't belong, those I love will suffer.'

At the thought, Kalama began to cry, hugging her knees to her chest, making herself even smaller, and crying. Big, ugly sobs that hurt her heart. And they wouldn't stop.

Her mother held her tightly, stroking her hair.

"Hush Child, I'm right here."

"Mama....they're gonna find me...they're gonna see my Mark..." Kalama sobbed, struggling to stop the flow of tears.

"You'll be okay. We can spirit you away, like we did the last time. Off into the forest, where you'll be safe." She reassured.

"No. It won't work this time..Grayson will know." Kalama said, biting her lip.

Grayson, her best friend since they were babes. He was older than her, but not by much. They were very close, closer than the adults deemed appropriate for a young woman and young man, but neither of them cared. They made each other happy, and that's all that mattered to them. They knew everything about each other.

'Except the most important thing.'

The thought made her tears flow anew. They had often spoke about the future. He planned on becoming a Tracker, to hunt the DragonKin. Little did he know that she would be one of the ones he would hunt.

She knew all of his plans, he had trained to be the best candidate for a Tracker apprentice, after serving the Royal Army, he would come back to the town, his father would give him land, and he would settle with a wife. Although she didn't know who he would ask to wait for him, he would ask them today, after he was accepted as an apprentice. And he would be able to give her the world.

The thought was bitter sweet. Once upon a time, she had dreamed of being that girl, but the older she got, the more she understood just how impossible that dream could be. He had his entire future planned, she barely knew if she'd survive another day. Kalama lived in endless fear. She never went to worship, their weekly baptism would reveal her Mark; she never got really close to anyone, in fear they would discover her secret; and she never went to the lessons at the schoolhouse, afraid her temper would rage, letting loose in a turrent of flame or other element the DragonKin were so famous for controlling. She wasn't normal, she never would be, but Grayson accepted her. He always accepted her, always stood up for her, always protected her. She owed him her life, and she couldn't ever repay him.

It hurt, to know that. It hurt her to know that she would eventually hurt him. He meant everything to her, and it hurt to think of him loving someone else, but it hurt most to know she would betray him.

Slowly, her crying subsided and her body stopped shaking. With hiccuping gasps, she pulled away from her mother and looked her in the eyes. Certainty filled her as she took a breath. She knew what she needed to do to protect her parents.

"Mama... I'm leaving."

Her mother clung to her tighter, clutching at her clothes as if she would suddenly disappear.

"Oh my precious baby, no! You can't! We can hide you and protect you and..."

Kalama held her mother's cheek, staring into her now tear filled eyes. She gave a weak smile, and kissed her mother's brow.

"It will be better this way. You know, deep down, this is the best way. The only way."

Kalama's voice was calm, the opposite of what her heart felt.

"There has to be another way. I can't loose my baby, not yet." Her mother wept, all sense of calm gone.

"You won't loose me. I'll be safer, you'll be safer. When they question you, tell them I controlled your thoughts. Blame me. You and Papa will be safe, and I'll have a chance to make a life." Kalama was holding back more tears, but her voice never wavered.

"Promise me you'll be careful. Promise me you'll live." Her mother said, her voice shaking.

Kalama bit her lip, knowing fully well her future held death, whether or not it would be hers, she didn't know.

"Mama, you know... "

"Promise me!" Her mother nearly yelled, so grief stricken as she was.

Against her better judgment, Kalama nodded.

"Yes Mama. I promise. I promise I'll live. I'll live for you." Her words filled the small room, washing over the two.

Her mother's crying stopped, and she released her daughter. She was quiet now, and looking longingly at her only child.

"I will tell your father. You'll take the stallion, no arguing. We'll pack as much supplies as we can, and he'll be waiting at the eastern forest." Her mother said, not unkindly, but sadly.

"Thank you Mama." Kalama said, voice sincere.

"Sweetheart, please, do be careful today."

"Of course Mama. I will."

---Grayson---

Hearing the trumpets, Grayson jumped out of bed and rushed to his window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Army. Within those ranks were the beloved, amazing, brave Trackers. They risked their lives to hunt the aweful DragonKin, abominations to both the Dragon and Human races. They deserved to die, and that's what the Trackers did. They looked for the Marks of the DragonKin and had a public execution. Showing the people that they were safe, the dangers couldn't escape the Army.

Grayson had been looking forward to the day they visited his town, for when they did, he could offer himself as an apprentice. He'd been working hard for the day, sparring with the other boys, exercising and never letting food go to waste, turning it to muscle through hard work and training. He was ready, and his heart soared with the idea. Finally, his chance had come. His chance to do something for the kingdom, to bring honor to his father.

A warm smile took over his face as he thought.

'Before I leave, I'll ask Kala to wait for me, so when I return, with honor and medals, I can give her a life she deserves. She'd wait as long as she had to for me, I know she would.'

The thought sent pure warmth coursing through Grayson. He had loved Kalama since he had realized she wasn't just a kid, but a girl. And a beautiful one at that. Her fire red hair made her stand out, and her brilliant green eyes showed a hidden knowledge behind them. They only hinted at how amazing she was. She was strong, but more feminine than any of the other girls. She was fierce and had a temper as firey as her hair. But she was gentle and caring, much like her mother. She was absolutely perfect, and Grayson wanted to make her his. He didn't know what he'd do if someone took her from him.

He knew she wouldn't reject him either. They had been friends since early childhood, and the few times he had ever brought up marriage, she always looked at him sadly, but with longing as well. She would say she'd adore to get married, and he always assumed the sadness was caused by her knowledge that he had many girls who wanted him. She didn't know he only had eyes for her. Since the day the town girls began to swoon for him, he'd always been hers, even if she didn't know it.

He was yanked away from his day dreams by the creak of his door. He glanced over to see his father walking in.

"If you're awake, you should prepare. Today is very important." His father said.

"Yes Father." Grayson agreed, nodding his head solemnly.

He may have been excited, but his father's presence demanded seriousness. Lowering his eyes, he dressed in his church best. Today was a day worthy of the clothes, for today would set into action the rest of his life. He had everything planned out, including the look on Kala's face when he asked her to wait. He already had his Mother and Father's blessing, he even had his mother's promise ring on a chain in his pocket. Everything would be perfect.

He would offer himself to the Trackers, they'd hear only good things from everyone, and they'd tell him to pack his things and say his farewells. Kala would be with him, and she'd be so happy for him. After sharing an excited hug, he'd take her hand, look her in her gorgeous green eyes, and ask her, where everyone could hear. He'd ask her if she would wait, if she could await his return. Then he'd gently place the ring in her hand, and take a half step away. While everyone held their breath with him, Kala's eyes would begin to light up. She'd look at him, confused, as if he's teasing with her. She would say his name-gods he loved the sound of his name in her voice-and he'd nod gently. He would watch those eyes of hers clear and light up, that smile of hers that was slow to form but fast to fade, and it wouldn't instantly fade. It would stay as she nodded silently looking for her voice, then return to her as she said yes, only loud enough for him to hear, and step into his arms. Her body would fit perfectly into his as he buried his face in her hair, smiling like a fool.

It was all perfect, and he could nearly guarantee it would play like that, he knew Kala perfectly. He knew everything about her, every reaction and every secret. They would be perfect for each other, and after a few years, he would return to Kala, they'd have a small farm and a large family. Their sons would be strong and brave, and their daughters would be like their mother, beautiful and strong willed.

Again, Grayson was snapped out of his daydream as he walked out of his room, nearly being bowled over by his younger brother.

"Are you ready?" His father asked, already well aware of his plans.

"Yes." Grayson said, smiling.

His mother hugged him encouragingly, and his father placed his hand on his shoulder.

"They'll beg for you." His father said.

"And she'll be swept off her feet." His mother said.

Nodding, Grayson straightened his shirt and sat at the table, eating breakfast slowly, his mind still wandering and lingering on Kala's reaction.

'I can hardly wait.' He thought, the fool's smile back on his face.