Ky watched as Luna went from table to table in the restaurant part of Niko’s Inn, a smile plastered on her face. He and Duncan, fellow guard and best friend, had walked into the inn dragging the girl behind them. At the sight of what was looking like trouble, everyone left the counter. Now he and his partner occupied the space for questioning. Ky turned and faced Niko, the owner of the inn. She was big for woman and not in a fat way either. All that underneath that food-stained apron was muscle. Whatever she did before she opened her inn didn’t leave her. And anyone who met those fierce blue eyes would know that if you screwed up, your next stop would the front steps at the entrance. Now he sat there as Duncan asked her questions. It had been true that she and the boy did work there, but it was a part-time job. They worked to pay the rent for them staying there; sometimes they would work full time. Today was their day off. Was. Ky laid his head done on the counter top and listened. “She really doesn’t look like the type to go around and stir up trouble. What’s her story,” Duncan asked, drinking the ale given to him. Ky’s remained untouched. Snorting she said, “What story?”

          “Come now. Everyone has a story.” Niko looked at the young girl and shook her head sadly, “Not Luna. She lost her story when she was five. She’s been an orphan most of her life.” Ky’s ear perked up. He felt some-thing important was about to be said and he didn’t want to miss a word of it. Duncan leaned forward. “What do you mean?”

          “I used to know her mother. Its sad, what happened to her. But I’ll admit it; she did have her bad streak. Some say she was part of Leeka’s special Demon Force. A bad bunch. They came in here often, so I tried to talk her out of it but she didn’t listen to me. Had real talent that one did.”

          “What do you mean she had real talent? Doesn’t everyone now-a-days.” Niko shook her head again, this time, as if remembering a far off dream. Finally, she opened her eyes, meeting Duncan’s own blue eyes. “She could sing. Not that yelling and screaming most do. It was almost enchanting. She came in here one night with a couple of her buddies and spent most of their earnings getting drunk. How she got up onto the stage is beyond me, I was just ready to kick them out when she sung her song, but...”