Kel fought against the harsh wind and rain as it whipped around him making it nearly impossible to see five feet in front of him. He could feel Kya holding his tail but could not turn to see her for fear of losing Shasta who was leading the way.

"I can see a cave up ahead. " Shasta shouted. The wind seemed to take her words and fling them back toward the two Tsabhuas.

Kel just ducked his head down lower. He had given up talking to Shasta but every time he did the words would be snatched by the wind and carried away.

Soon even Kel could see the dark shape of the cave and it didn't take long before they were all inside. All three of them were surprised to find the cave already had someone inside. A fire was burning bright in the center and they could make out the silhouette of a Belemoid.

"Welcome friends. " Belleron said as she sat next to the fire. A small pile of wood lay against the cave wall.

" Come and sit by the fire, looks like you need it more than I. " Belleron placed another small log on the fire, it cracked and spat sparks. "

Kel, Kya, and Shasta all moved forward and arranged themselves around the fire but made sure that the water from their coats would not trail into it and cause it to go out.

"Thank you. " Kya said as she lay down. She could feel the warmth even from where she lay. After the storm they had just walked through it felt good to be warm.

There was a long silence as the three of them got dry and warm. Belleron occasionally placing another log on the fire.

"I see you are well prepared. Do you live around here?" Kel asked, breaking the silence.

"You could say that. " Belleron answered.

Shasta moved closer to the fire, the flames light dancing and cast strange shadows on all those close to it. " You know this would be a great time to tell a ghost story. " She joked.

"Ha ha ha. " Kya said. She too moved closer now that she was no longer dripping water.

She turned toward Belleron. "Have you been here long? This part of Rekes is not the safest, especially this time of year. The only reason why we were in that storm was we had heard that a village was in desperate need of help. There was no wind and certainly no rain when we left and we were still caught in it. But judging by the fire and the amount of wood you have you are very experienced. Does it ever get lonely living on your own?

Kel and Shasta sat there basking in the warmth. They too had noticed how prepared Belleron seemed to be.

Belleron seemed to think for a second. Then she answered. "You know it's been a while since I have lived in a village. I like it out here. I can do what I want when I want. " Belleron answered Kya.

She took a long stick and started to play with it in the embers of the fire. Making the sparks fly like they were the fire bugs that lived down in the cove.

Kya moved over so that she was next to Belleron. "If you ever decide that you are getting tired of the quiet and want somewhere to call home you are more than welcome to our village. It's still small but steadily growing. We could use someone like you. "

Belleron sat poking at the embers for a long time and an uneasy silence filled the air.

"You know, the quiet is the only thing that gets to me. It would be nice to have a home. Somewhere to be able to rest. " Belleron finally answered.

" We would love it if you made your home with us." Kel spoke up. Shasta was a little surprised. She had thought Kel had fallen asleep.

"I will think about it. " Belleron said.

"Ah good now that the serious talk is over. And as much as I want to sleep, the noise of the rain and wind is going to keep me up. How about a spooky story. " Shasta said with excitement.

Kel, Kya, and Belleron started laughing.