Chapter Two

---Kalama---

Kalama dressed slowly, mulling over her thoughts. How would she get away without causing a scene? She couldn't. Every single plan she came up with ended in disaster. She was stuck. If she just snuck off, it would hurt Gray, but if she stayed, she'd be discovered and killed. But if she told Gray she was leaving, he'd question her and she'd tell him, and he'd be hurt that she kept a secret.

She sighed as she went to the table to eat. She still hadn't found a way around her problems, and she didn't think she would. Her most thourough plan was to be discovered, access the Dragon Power she didn't even know if she had, and get away. Of course, that plan relied on the huge chance she might have a power other than premonitions.

She sighed again as she ate. Her mother and father were busy packing supplies for her escape, but her father always had time for her.

"Do you have a plan?" He asked.

"Yes?" She said hesitantly.

He gave her a hard look, and she sighed once more.

"No Papa, I don't. Gray will notice I'm not there if I just sneak away, I don't know if I have any real DragonKin powers, and I can't just escape the guards without elemental powers!"

Her father walked over to her and kneeled in front of her, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Kalama. You are strong, and the Dragon's wouldn't have Marked you if you didn't have a future, believe in yourself, and you will be safe."

His words calmed her, and she nodded her head. She'd get through this, she had to.

"It's time." Her mother said solumnly, standing by the door.

Kalama nodded and hugged her father, tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.

"No crying, Kala. You must be strong." Her father said.

Although his voice was steady, his hand shook as he petted her hair back. She took his hand gently and smiled warmly, hiding the terror inside of her.

"I will be fine, Papa. Be strong, for me." She said, kissing his hand.

"Yes, be careful." He told her, standing up.

"I will." She replied, standing as well and walking to her mother.

She wrapped her arms around her mother, and she felt her mother's hand resting on her head.

"I love you Kalama. You are my precious daughter. Don't forget you can come home when you need too."

Kala nodded, pressing her face into her mother's body.

"I know Mama."

She heard her mother sniffle, and she stepped away.

"You best be going. Grayson will be waiting for you."

Kala knew she was right, but she wanted the world to freeze, so she could stay in her mother's arms forever.

She knew she couldn't though, so she put her hand on the door handle and stopped, mentally saying goodbye to the only home she had ever known.

'Winds of the Sky, clear this place of my touch; ground of the Earth, help my family prosper; Rains of the heavens, clean away my memory; Fire of this blasted curse, guard my family jealously; Moon above, protect my home and the ones I love; and if you damned Dragon's can hear me, show me how to leave here with my life.'

Steeling herself, Kala walked out the door and was welcomed by the warm sun.

Gray wasn't waiting for her on her porch, like she expected, but she was glad. It gave her more time to think of a plan. One that didn't end in her completely betraying Gray or getting killed.

She looked up to the sky, watching the big, white, fluffy clouds, hoping they would give her some inspiration.

'Please. Give me some idea.'

There was no answer, only silence. Looking back to the street, the families of the town were making their way to the large stone church. From what she could see, there were many guards, a few Trackers scattered throughout, their crimson red a beacon in the sea of greens. Sharp looking swords hung at their hips, daggers strapped to the other side. Keen eyes searched the group, seeking out any suspicious activity. Kala put head head down, careful not to draw more attention than she could help.

"Kala!" Someone yelled ahead.

She looked up quickly, meeting the hazel eyes of Gray. They were a couple yards away, yet she could see his eye color, the speck of blue gray in his right eye, and the old scar right under his left eye. She thought nothing of it, instead hurrying to his side.

"Hi Gray!" She said, forcing a smile.

"Ready for today?" He asked, smiling brightly. "I can hardly wait!"

Kala nodded, remembering this was going to be a huge day for him. She could nearly guarentee the Trakers would take him as an apprentice, he was strong, brave, and one of the most quick witted people she knew. She was barely able to surpress a scoff.

'It figures, I'm in love with my soon to be sworn enemy.'

Cursing Fate and its horrid irony, Kala tried to focus on Gray's excited rambling.

"So, once I get my apprenticeship, I plan on asking the girl I love to wait for me, what do you think?" He asked.

Kala's heart twinged with pain, but she continued to force her smile.

"Sounds like a great idea. With you as an apprentice, she'd be a complete fool to reject you. You could give her the world." Kala said honestly, supressing more tears.

'Gods I'm too emotional today.'

"Yeah, although I think she'll say yes for more than just my new status." Gray said, his eyes gaining that sparkle whenever he was excited.

"Like what? Your personality?" Kala joked, shoving his shoulder gently.

If she was being honest with herself, Gray's personality was better than the other boys in their town. He was honorable and brave, protective and caring. He didn't let his jealousy take over, but he wasn't so relaxed that you felt insubstantial. He was, in essence, the perfect husband material.

He was someone who caused every girl to fall for him, including herself, and listening to him talk about asking someone to wait for him, left a sour taste in her mouth.

"Hey? Kala? Are you listening?" Gray asked.

Apparently, she had zoned out.

"Yeah, sorry Gray...." She trailed off as she realized they had made it to the crowd of people. She had caught sight of a Tracker mingling in the crowd. He seemed like danger, and he made her very uneasy.

---Grayson---

When Gray finished his breakfast, he got up to leave, but was stopped by his father.

"Make us proud." He said.

"Yes father, I will." Gray said, certain.

"Here, take this." His father held out his hand, and Gray took the item cautiously.

His father hardly ever gave him anything, so to receive something on such an important day both intrigued and worried him. The item was heavy, and with a nod from his father, Gray opened his hand. On his palm sat an old, sapphire stone on a black chord. When Gray looked at his father curiously, be began to explain.

"It was my grandfather's. A story was passed down in the family. If a DragonKin touches the stone, it will glow, and anytime that DragonKin is near, it will glow again"

Gray nodded, smiling. Even his father was confident in him.

"Thank you, Father." Gray said, bowing his head.

"It belongs to a Tracker, I've just given it back to the line it belongs." His father replied, although hiding a smile.

Gray nodded again, put the Tracker amulet over his head, so it rested around his neck, then went to the door.

"I'll be back! Betrothed and as an apprentice Tracker!" Gray called out, leaving the house.

Stepping onto the porch, he took a deep breath of the warm air. The sun shone down, smiling upon the town.

'It's a good omen.'

Gray thought as a warm breeze blew by.

'Today is the day. Everything will be as planned.'

With that thought, Gray headed down the steps. He was about to wait for Kala at her house, when some town boys called him over.

"Grayson! C'mon! Over here!"

Smiling, Gray headed over, expecting Kala to be a while still, she had a habit of sleeping late.

"What's going on?" He asked the boys.

"Did you hear? A Tracker recruiter is here!" One of them said.

"I'm going to offer myself!" Another said proudly.

"Are you going to?" A third asked Gray.

"Yes, I am." Gray replied.

The group had been walking with the crowd and they were now at the edge of the mass of people.

"I think I see him over there!" A boy said.

"Let's go introduce ourselves!" One of them said excitedly.

As the group headed through the crowd, Gray held back.

"Grayson! Aren't you coming?" Someone yelled.

"Later! I have to wait for Kalama!" He yelled in reply, not exactly sure who he was answering.

If there was a reply, it was lost to the wind.

Gray was standing by the edge of the crowd when he caught red out of the corner of his eye. He smiled and called out to the only person it could be.

"Kala!" He yelled.

She looked up, met his eyes, and smiled. Gods he loved that smile.

"Hi Gray!" She greeted as she made it to his side.

"Ready for today?" He asked her, returning her smile in kind.

His heart beat was fast as he looked at her and thought of his plans for later.

"I can hardly wait!"

Kala nodded, and that was all the encouragement he needed. Barely able to hold it in, Gray had to say something.

"So, once I get my apprenticeship, I plan on asking the girl I love to wait for me, what do you think?" He asked her.

He eagerly waited for her response, every second feeling like an eternity. Would she guess it's her? Or would she think it was someone else?

"Sounds like a great idea. With you as an apprentice, she'd be a complete fool to reject you. You could give her the world." Kala said, sounding almost wishful.

"Yeah, although I think she'll say yes for more than just my new status." Gray replied.

He thought he heard a saddness in her voice, but he assumed he imagined it.

"Like what? Your personality?" Kala joked with him.

He smiled, bumping her shoulder. He loved it when she joked, being serious and proper all the time was tiring.

"Nah. Its my looks. My scar totally adds to it, don't you think? Girls just love scars, don't they?" He asked, giving Kala a quick pose.

He then realized she wasn't paying any attention. She had a distant look to her, and was nibbling on her lip. Something was bothering her.

"Hey Kala, are you listening?" He asked, getting slightly worried.

"Yeah, sorry Gray..." She began, but she stopped in the middle of her sentence.

Something was definitely bothering her, and Gray didn't like it. Normally when something bothered Kala, it meant something was wrong. Seriously wrong.

"Hey, Kala? What's the matter?" He asked her, getting ready to stop her.

He didn't have to though, because Kala stopped herself. A shudder went through her body, and she tugged at the hem of her dress. Gray was getting really worried, she was acting scared. She has never been safer though. She was in the presence of Trackers. But then Gray had an idea. Maybe she was afraid they would find a DragonKin.

Smiling at her gently, Gray set his hand on her shoulder, like his father did to him often.

"Hey, relax Kala. If they find a DragonKin, they'll protect us. And I'll protect you." Gray said gently.

Kala seemed to snap out of whatever had her spooked. She smiled up at him weakly, and gave him a quick hug.

The amulet shone blue, it was missed by the two children, but not by the man mingled with the town folk. He had seen it, very, very clearly.

"Thanks, Gray. You'll make a great Tracker, and you'll make a girl very happy." Kala said.

He could practically hear how hard it was for Kala to say those words. As if they pained her.

"Yeah." Gray said, smiling at her. "I hope I do make her happy."

Before Kala could reply, a trumpet sounded, drawing their attention to the group of Trackers.

"Single file line! Enter the church! Walk calmly! Any DragonKin will be dealt with immediately, so do not fear!" A man said.

His eyes seemed to fall on Kala and Gray, and linger for a few moments, before he turned to the others and the townspeople lined up.