The academy would not miss her, but that is what she thought. It had been some very long years that she had spent at the academy and now she longed to be free from it's concealing walls and beckoning masters. She was not finished with her training there, but she thought she was. She was not prepared for what the evil world would throw at her, but she believed she was. The ignorance of this young woman would be her down fall if she did not return to her training soon. She was not ready to be released into the world of good and evil.

The fact that she was not ready was not an issue in her mind and she thought little of what would come of her. She had not graduated yet, she felt as if she was being held back. She was in dire need of a vacation. This was her chance to take one. Jocelyn didn't want to return home, because if she did her father, even in his poor health, would send her back to the school. It would also depress her to see him in his current state. Her mind swam with the thoughts of him. Images of the sickly man were written in her thoughts, almost burned into her mind. If only she could forget who she was for a little while and relax. Jocelyn believed that if she were to re-coop from everything she would return with vigor and her life would improve greatly.

On the outside Jocelyn looked happy, indeed, she was happy for the most part, but inside of this warrior she refused to come to reality with her life. It was as if she living in a world that did not exist.

The lake had caught her eye. Maybe the fact that is looked out of this world was the reason why it had appealed to her so. The woman crept from the willow trees and peered across the blue water. It seemed a family of deer had decided to stop for a drink. The woman smiled at the happy family and continued, silently, to the shore of the lake.

It was a warm day. The sun rose high above them in the sky measuring the time to be about noon. The trees provided shade from the sun's rays and it was very cool next to the water. It would be the most relaxing place for a person like Jocelyn to sit and think. Though, thinking would not ease her mind of her troubles. Over the past few months, her life seemed to dampen with depression. She tried to be the normal cheery Jocelyn who believed in the will of good, but she could not find the heart to be happy when her father was so ill.

The woman took a seat against a weeping willow tree and watched the family of dear. The little things in life always seemed to cheer her up, but not much anymore. The deer looked up to the woman who sat silent a few yards away, and then skipped off into the wooded shelter of the forest.

It was a beautiful day out by the lake, as was every day in the Norwood Forest. The birds flew from tree to tree, catching bugs to take home to their nest of chicks. Chipmunks scurried amongst the branches, collecting nuts and defending their territory. The water was crystal clear and quite chilly. The season of winter was starting to fade away as the warming spring rounded the corner. Eden stood in an open patch of grass, between the ancient and massive trees, right on the shore the lake. The air held a slight breeze, which carried the scent of the crisp water his way. He closed his eyes, hands on his hips, facing the lake and took in a deep and slow breathes.

Eden soaked in the noon sun as he stood out on the shore, enjoying the sights and smells of land. This was home to Eden, a perfectly beautiful and calm place. The perfect place to meditate, train Pegasus, and just live his normal life. The open patch of rich grass he stood consisted of him, Pegasus, and his small camp. He had been here many a time and has grown comfortable. So comfortable, in fact, he only wore his leather pants, and white cloth tunic. There was no real danger out here. Eden turned around and called for Pegasus. The horse trotted over, happy to be the center of attention.

Eden and Pegasus have grown quite fond of each other. Both have saved each other in dangerous situations, and through that, they have a special bond. Pegasus had the fish nets Eden made out of the tall grass by the river up north. He reached for them and cast them out into the lake. Pegasus snorted a huff of anger, seeing that Eden only wanted the nets, and his company. Eden laughed and patted the horse’s neck.

Don’t be angry at me, Pegasus. I wanted your company as well as the nets.” Pegasus then stood strong and stiff. He was focused on something off into the not far distance. Ears pointed forward and alert, Pegasus snorted louder and beckoned for Eden to follow. Eden, thinking it was an animal, a deer maybe, smiled and happily followed.

The other smaller animals that had been drinking from the lake jumped in alert and scurried away home as they heard the snort of the winged horse. The animals seemed to think that it meant them harm and they would not risk any kind of protection for their territory, because of the power that this Pegasus must have possessed.

Jocelyn had not much been paying attention to her surroundings and when the sounds of hooves and the scurrying of creatures filled the air, she did not move too much. She was in deep thought. If the horse and man were to come upon her, she would still be staring out onto the lake. Having not a care in the world, she would seem to the two strangers.

Her thoughts were filled with her father and her brother, who was still at the academy. It was true that she hadn't seen much of him either. Now, she was sure that they would be worried about her. Her brother would probably send a letter to father explaining her absence in the academy and then would look for her. This was the first time she ever had truly disappeared without a word to anybody.

This was not the normal Jocelyn. She was unaware of her surroundings. She was day dreaming and thinking extremely too much, and she was pushing people from her, such as her brother and father. She was avoiding them, though not for a reason she could think of, but for some reason she herself did not know.

A young and beautiful woman sat at the tree trunk of a large weeping willow. She did not seem to notice Eden and Pegasus walking toward her. The chipmunks and small rabbits were backing away, cautiously watching the new and potential threat. The weeping willow was grand and beautiful. The leaves had just grown ripe and were now at their full length. Eden pushed aside one of the willow branches, letting it drop behind him. The long branches sheltered the ground from the persistent sun, keeping the soft grass cool under Eden’s feet.

Her eyes were open but they did not seem to be looking into this world. She seemed to be somewhere else, her mind away from her body. Eden thought she may have been mentally ill. She was a young and attractive woman, with lightly tanned skin and defined muscles. Her brown eyes went well with her brownish red hair. She was sitting on the ground, staring off at nothing. Eden kept his distance; you never know when a crazy person would attack.

Pegasus, behind Eden, snorted a horse’s snort and lightly stomped the ground. Eden turned to look at the horse smiled. He was not at all worried. Eden could, most of the time, sense when there was danger about. Right now, he sensed only peace. Maybe that was because he has spent the last few days out here at the lake. His senses might off right now. That could prove to be a deadly foe. Eden kept his distance. He knelt down to the ground with one, resting his arm on the other. He leaned forward a little bit and softly said, “Well hello there, young one.” He then thought his words funny, considering that he looked not much older than she.

Having been in another world and then hearing a voice would scare somebody out of their wits, but not Jocelyn. She only blinked a few times and then shook her head. She too sensed that there was no danger and she put her hands over her eyes. She rubbed them wearily and then looked up to the man that spoke to her. His voice was soft and sincere, but he spoke as if he knew her. He obviously must have been comfortable around her and that she was no danger to him.

The funny idea was that, Jocelyn was only twenty years of age and this man did not look, but a few years older than she. So, why did he call her young one? Jocelyn had not been around a lot of angels; actually she was growing too fond of being around them all the time. She had met three within the last few weeks and it was amazing that she hadn't seen one till a few weeks ago. Looks were deceiving and Jocelyn had learned that very quickly out in the real world.

"Hello there...old one?" She questioned or jested as she looked up to the man now. She was clear from her day dreaming thoughts and she was quite aware of the situation. Her hand did sit on the hilt of her long sword, but the man should not take this as a threat, it was a mere habit to just keep it rested there.

Jocelyn's brown eyes roamed over to the winged horse and her eyes seemed to light up at just the sight of the gorgeous horse. Jocelyn thought back to when her mind was shut off to the world and she remembered hearing the snorting of the same horse. This creature must have led the man to her. Jocelyn almost wanted to touch the white coat of the animal. She had seen these creatures in books that she had read at the academy, but never in the wild. But did the animal belong to the man that was now curiously looking at her?

"Is there something the matter, Sir?" Jocelyn questioned the strange looks that she had been given. The man before her was staring at her as if she was crazy or mentally insane.

Eden watched as the young woman rubbed her eyes. She seemed to have come to her real world senses. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword. Though this could be taken as a threat to any unknowing person,, Eden was familiar with the comforting presence of your weapon. Through out his many years of life, he understood what people must have thought or felt. Reading facial expressions and studying body language comes in handy over the years. Though Eden felt that she was only holding the hilt of her sword for comfort, he kept his wits abut him and his alert high.

She seemed confused when she responded to his greeting. Eden could only laugh. He understood well what it must have been like. He did look only years older than she. He kept his gaze to her eyes, using his peripheral vision to study her body language. When he saw that she found Pegasus right behind, he only smiled. Most people reacted the same way: not saying anything, but still amazed at the presence of the beautiful horse. Pegasus looked her right in the eye and snorted. The horse could be rude sometimes.

“Is there something the matter, sir,” she asked. Eden then realized that he was most likely looking at her in funny ways, felling sorry for her mental illness. The way she responded, though, showed him that she was not. Eden could be wrong, though, events in the past have sometimes turned out the unexpected. It was always good to analyze things, he thought, and make your own assumptions and theories. The foolishness in that only came when the person acted on their new assumptions without testing it for the truth. Eden smiled down at the young woman and said, “I believe that is what I should be asking you, dear.”

He laughed. He clearly must have been older if he laughed, right? Jocelyn did not make an assumption, but kept an eye on the man beside her. Jocelyn noticed that his eyes strayed to the weapon on her hip, he must not have felt threatened by it, but he could have known that she was resting her hand upon the hilt.

Jocelyn titled her head at the man with the shaggy long hair. His skin was golden tanned and it looked smooth and soft to the touch. He was an attractive man, but this was the least of Jocelyn's concern at the moment. His eyes were big and full of life, just by looking into them she could clearly see that his years were beyond the age of his physical face.

His reply came as a shock to the woman. Why would somebody care so much about somebody they had just found by the shores of a lake? Was his question sincere? Did he truly care or was he somebody she could not trust? Jocelyn was now fully alert with the thought of this man being trouble. She would not let her guard down, because first impressions were not what they always seemed to be.

"Hmm. Sir, why would you want to know what is wrong with a woman whom you just found; let me emphasize the words just found?"

Eden stood and stared at the woman. His smile never left his face. It was always delightful to meet someone new. People acted differently and had many kinds of emotions and expressions. Young people were the most amusing. Eden always like the was they acted, so inquisitive and curious. He reminisced back to his young days, over three hundred years ago. Those were the times when things were peaceful. Those were the times when people liked to keep to themselves and make peace. Now, the world was corrupt and men could not wait to take their neighbor’s land.

As he stood under the branches of the willow tree, a light breeze picked up his hair and carried across his face. He wiped and the hairs away and retreated back a few steps. He surely did not want to make this new stranger uncomfortable. Had he already failed in that? Coming to see someone he did not know and talk to her. Maybe he made her uneasy. Eden slowly moved his hands and arms out to the sides, hold his palms up. He showed the girl that he had no weapon and squatted. “I have no weapon on me. I mean you no harm. Pegasus over here,” he gestured back to the winged horse, “heard you and lead this way.” Eden slowly stretched his arm out in a gesture of greeting. “My name is Eden. You looked to me that you wanted someone to talk to. At first I thought you might have been insane, but now I doubt that.” Eden laughed a gentle laugh. “I am friendly person… and one you can trust.”

This world had become corrupt within the last few hundred years. Jocelyn did not know of it besides, what they spoke of in the books that she read in the academy libraries. Most the books spoke of great kings who governed their lands with peaceful and democratic-like governments. Most people were peaceful and tended to keep to themselves, only communicating if the time called for it. Jocelyn would look out into the world now and she couldn't even fathom a world like the one she read in the huge texts.

The man that Jocelyn had come to known as Eden held out his palms, showing the woman that he had no weapon and meant her no harm. Jocelyn motioned to the sword on her hip and removed her hand from the hilt to not shake the peace that was between the three now. "I know you mean no harm, and I do not mean you any either. I guessed that Pegasus led you my way, and what a beautiful creature he is." Jocelyn complimented the white horse, perhaps he would not be too rude now.

Jocelyn sat up a bit, she had been leaning against the tree hunched. She extended her hand out to Eden's and shook it firmly, but still in a friendly way. "I am Jocelyn." She released his rather big hands and placed her hand on her thigh, contemplating his comment. "I may look like I want someone to talk to, Sir Eden, but I don't think I would be comfortable with talking about private matters with a man I just met." Jocelyn truthfully explained to him, though subconsciously Jocelyn longed somebody to hear her story and to advise her. She had talked to many others, but still the problem and matter did not shake from her mind.

Eden shook the girl’s hand. She said her name to be Jocelyn. She had a firm grip. When she complemented Pegasus on his beauty, the horse merely shook his head. Eden frowned at the horse. He really could be rude sometimes. Eden turned to his as she spoke againe. He listened with open eras. She was uncomfortable, he thought. Maybe it was too much to ask for someone to share their emotions. Was it too much to have someone listen? Was it hard to tell someone what troubled your heart? Yes. Eden remembered full well what it was like. He had his troubled waters in the past.

Eden patted Pegasus on the back, frowning at him. “I wish you wouldn’t be so rude, Pegasus.” Eden looked back over his shoulder and smiled at Jocelyn. “Please just call me Eden. Just so you know: I am here to listened if you want to speak. I will advise if you would like, but I am a good listener.” Pegasus snorted and turned around, heading back to their camp. Eden was hungry and his nets most likely had some fish in them. The thought of fish and vegetables made Eden’s stomach grumble. Eden laughed at his loud stomach and turned to face Jocelyn. He held out his hand to help her to her feet. “Come. Let’s go to my camp and I will make you something to eat. If you do not want to follow, then I will bring you food. It is up to you.”

This man was indeed not what Jocelyn had expected. He was kind, perhaps too kind for his own good. Jocelyn welcomed his warm smiles and when he turned back to the winged horse, she chuckled. "I am sure he has good reason to be rude. Maybe, he does not trust me." She explained and then shrugged. "I wouldn't trust me either." Jocelyn jested, her mood some what lightening from the depressing one she had only but a few moments ago.

As the man offered her a meal Jocelyn's eyes widened at the thought of his refusing her to not eat. What world was this man from? Jocelyn smirked at his comment and she took his hand in hers. She arched a brow as she was helped to her feet. "Well, I suppose since you will just drag the food to me, I'll save you the walk." Jocelyn explained, as if giving reason to why she was going. It was as if she didn’t want him to think that she wanted to go. Jocelyn looked up to the man as she was on her feet and she smiled warmly. "Thank you for caring Eden."

Eden laughed his at Jocelyn’s comment about Pegasus. This young woman was an interesting one. She would make good entertainment for now, as most young people did. Living in the Norwood Forest normally did not allow for you to see other people. Being at his camp for the past two weeks was starting to wear on Eden. It seems as though this encounter with Jocelyn happened on purpose. Almost as if it had meaning. Eden turned around and motioned for her to follow. He only smiled when she explained why she was going along with him. As he walked bare footed through the cool grass, he paused and turned to face Jocelyn, “Why Jocelyn it almost sounds as you do not want some food to eat. I am a rare person you know.” Eden smiled, “Sometimes my heart swells for people. I think they are called emotions.” Eden laughed at his sarcastic joke and continued walking to his camp.

The sunlight invaded the cool shaded ground and brought mellow warmth as Eden moved the willow branches out of the way. He made sure Jocelyn passed through before letting them swing down to their original positions. The grass, now, was warm to his naked feet and comforting. The sunlight washed his entire body with welcoming warmth. Eden stretched his arms and wings as he walked, yawning the whole of the duration. It was a beautiful day to waste under the shadows of a willow tree. Eden looked back to make sure Jocelyn was follow. The thought of food was exciting and only made his stomach grow louder. He had quite the hunger for vegetable stew. Turning back once more, he looked over to Jocelyn and said, “Hope you like vegetable stew.”

Pegasus was at water line of the lake, taking small sips as he kept his eye on Jocelyn. The horse would never let his suspicions down. That was just one of the ways of protecting his angel friend. Eden finally reached his camp and grabbed a medium sized metal pot. The fire he had left behind was still going with healthy flames. After filling up pot with water, he set it on a metal platform he crafted himself. Sitting down, he began to cut up his vegetables. Without looking up at her, Eden said, “So Jocelyn, what brings you to the lake?”

The long for human contact may have found itself buried in Eden, but frankly, for Jocelyn she was sick of seeing people. Those few moments that she had spent sitting under the Willow tree was heaven and she had wished it lasted longer. Though, now that she had found a more interesting fellow to converse with maybe people weren't all that bad to be around. Jocelyn had been watching his bare feet as they waltzed through the wooded area. When she noted that he had stopped her ears seemed to turn on and the woman chuckled. "Ohh, do not take me wrong Eden, I want food." She jested and a warm smile crossed her lips.


As Eden held back the willow branches for her to talk past she bowed her head to him and whispered a thank you, as she walked past the wispy leaves. "Your heart swells? Well, I do believe that is a problem waiting to happen, my friend." Jocelyn jested. She knew it was corny and she mentally slapped herself for it. As they entered his camp she finally got a good look at his wings and they filled her with some what of a relaxing feeling. For the past few weeks she had been surrounded by angels and it was dawning on her that this world was fortunate to have all these good beings around for the final battle of good versus evil. Jocelyn did not speak of this to Eden, just mentally made a note to herself.

"Vegetable stew sounds great. Anything sounds great when it's free of charge and it is offered by a man who is willing to listen to one's problems." Jocelyn explained as she watched the man begin to prepare the meal. She was also aware of the cautious eyes of a winged horse by the lake, who was watching the pair like a hawk.

“A man who is indeed willing to listen, young one. It is not good for the heart to lock up emotions inside. I do not know what or how deep the problem is, but it is still something one should share. If not to me, then go talk to a tree, just as long as you let it out. Please, trust me, I speak from experience.” The water was just beginning to boil as Eden dumped in the vegetables. He still had two carrots which he cut into thirds and tossed to Pegasus. The horse happily ate. Eden stuck his hand inside his pack and took out three small vials of different spices. He tapped the top of each very lightly, only sprinkling the soup.

Eden was on his knees, his rear resting on his feet. With a hand to shield the bright sunlight, Eden looked up to Jocelyn. “You may sit down if you wish. There are no bugs here to bite.” He placed his hands on his knees and looked up to her once more. “My offer still stands. I will not force you to speak. It is your wish. If you ask me what I think, then I will tell you. I you do not want me to speak, then so be it. You must let it out. Even if it to a tree.” Eden at that last part. He was always easily humored.

Jocelyn watched this man with curious eyes and as he spoke for her to sit, without another thought she took a seat in the warm grass. She crossed her legs and sat up straight with her hands stringing through the green grass as if it were hair. Jocelyn finally blinked and looked down to the boiling water. As the carrot was tossed to the horse Jocelyn bit her lip some what nervously.

"I do think I need to speak about my problems, but I have met so many people in the last few days who I have spoken to about them. I am afraid I am pushing too many people to listen to them." She announced and shifted in the grass as she rested her hands on either of her thighs. Jocelyn looked up to the man and smiled weakly. "I suppose talking to somebody rather than a tree is more prideful, so I may talk to you. Don't get me wrong I want to talk, but I feel as if a lot of people have been asking." Jocelyn put her hand over her face and laughed at herself.

"I am such a fool. I wear my emotions where everybody can see them." Jocelyn had whispered this, but she knew he could hear her. Jocelyn sat up straight and leaned against a trunk of a tree.

"My father and my brother is the only family I have. My mother died in child birth and that is how we got Devin, my brother. I have been training at the academy for several years now, but within the last few months my father has grown extremely ill. He does not have too long to live and I am afraid for both Devin and I that he will be lost to us soon. I was too young to loose my mother, and I don't want what happened to me to happen to Devin. He never knew our mother, so it didn't hurt him, but now he is loosing our father." Jocelyn paused and looked towards the white horse with eyes full of thought and memories.

"Sure, I feel pain at seeing my father ill, but it doesn't feel real to me. I haven't seen him in a month and I want to see him before he leaves us, but I feel if I go and see him, I will have to face it that he is dying. I will have to face reality, and I am not sure if I want to wake up yet...." Jocelyn looked up to Eden and smiled weakly.

"I am sure others have had harder troubles than I and I know mine may be small compared to theirs, but it doesn't make the pain smaller."