Gunner Charles had been using his weapons since his twentieth birthday. Now, over ten years later, Charles was relatively proficient with them. Of course, most gunners were much better shooters than he, but he rarely had any trouble in his small county of Moorhead. Travelling now to Damacas for a reunion with old friends, the gunner felt very much at ease, riding on his horse.

The setting sun at his back, Charles whistled a tune to which he had long forgotten its name, relishing the evening air. His head filled with the comforting thought of seeing old friends, of being carefree for a fortnight, of reliving old memories. He heard not a sound; only the sounds of his mount, Spik and the monotonous beat of his own respiration betrayed the perfect silence.

Suddenly, the sharp cries of a child made themselves heard, jostling Charles from his reverie. Although he had no idea exactly how far its source may be--sound travels far in the desert--he could detect the pain in them. Urging his horse forward at a gallop, he was determined to help.

It was a small girl of possibly twelve, tears streaming down her face. She wore ragged clothes, worn in patches and in desperate need of repair. Her fiery hair was matted and dirty, hanging in clumps. Seeing the gunner, the expression of pain disappeared from her face and was replaced with obvious relief. Her leg appeared to be caught in between a formation of rocks surrounded by highbrush. Although Charles could see her clearly enough, the wilderness had the potential to hide any number of wild animals. Reasoning, however, that if any animal had wanted to attack, the girl would already be dead, he thought the chances close to nil. Unless, of course, she were controlling the beasts. Shaking the thoughts of witchery from his head, he stopped by a signpost announcing Damacas to be 75 rings to the east--a day's travel by horse.

Dismounting and tying his horse to the very signpost, Charles approached the child, stating his name and formal title. The child grew silent and shouted her thanks as she realised she was saved. Taking care not to come in contact with the oft-poisonous foot creepers, the gunner approached the girl and told her he would help her. Circling around the rock formation, Charles squatted down by his damsel in distress and did his best to dislodge the stone holding her captive.

As Charles nearly succeeded, though, a terrible weight suddenly added itself to his back, making him stagger. His pistols were taken from his sides, and before he could react, a knife was pressed to his neck, slitting his throat.

Charles' body went limp and his killer, a boy of fifteen years, let it fall to the ground. The boy looked to his accomplice and a grimace crossed her face.

"What kept you," she demanded. Her foot passed cleanly through its rocky prison, an illusion stolen from a witch.

He shrugged, saying, "We have what we came for, do we not?" He tossed one of the two pistols to her. She caught it and checked the barrels, seeing it was indeed fully loaded.

"And I can shoot you where you stand, Tieu," she assured him. Tieu laughed.

"Even if it is what you wish to do, Angel, you cannot."

She pointed the pistol at him, hammer cocked. "Is that truly what you believe?" Tieu was unafraid.

"It is, Angel, and I am quite certain I am correct." She turned from him, unwilling to admit defeat, and headed for the dead gunner's horse. Tieu ran after her, pleased with himself. "I am right, am I not? You are unable to kill me, Angel?" She turned to face him and again raised her pistol.

"Utter that name again," she threatened, "and I will show you how able I am." Tieu shook his head.

"You may be able to lie to others, but you cannot lie to yourself, Angel." Angel untied the horse, mounted it with great difficulty and gave Tieu back the second pistol.

"It is not proper for you to be under-armed," she told him. "It will serve you better than I." Tieu took the weapon, joined his companion, and turned his head to face her.

"How does Damacas fair with you, Angel?"

"If it will help untangle me from this mess, Gunner, I will go anywhere." Tieu nodded and stored the rather broad statement in his memory, hoping to later use it to his advantage.

And so they went, running from the dying sun toward a city neither had ever seen, yet both were certain it would lead them to their salvation.