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[Arlin]

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Great. A book. Of all the things he hated in the world, he hated none more than books. The barely literate half-ogre mulled these thoughts over and over in his head as he stood before a light blue book that
Arcana regarded so greatly. He sighed inwardly.

"Arlin, I want you to gaze into the Book of Destiny. I want to see what, if anything, the book shows you" She had asked him the night before. In his mind, he had been skeptical, wary. Books and half-ogres never got along quite right. But he had displayed no such skepticism in front of the woman he so deeply adored. He had agreed almost before she had finished her sentence.

So, here he was. With the book. And the lady-knight. He rolled up his sleeves and took a single, massive step toward the lightly glowing book. He gazed back at Arcana briefly, before looking down into the luminous pages. At first, it just appeared as a bunch of gibberish on the pages. He chuckled, thinking he might have written the book himself, the writing was so atrocious. Then, the words began to spin and swirl, comming together into a quagmire of colors. Arlin checked his head, and then his hip flask. Both empty of any intoxicating influences.

The puddle slowly began to form an image, and much to Arlins chagrin, he saw himself (so Arcana wasnt lying when she said he was tall...) kneeling before Talon Skyfire. In his head, he could barely hear the sound of Talon, commending him on his accomplishments, and naming him Lord of Umbra, as he touched a sword on both of Arlins broad shoulders. As quickly as the image had come, it changed quickly, Talons sword slicing through Arlins neck. He gulped aloud, profoundly disturbed by both images. He had never bowed before any man. Then again, he had never turned down a free ale either...

Before Arlin could finish his thought, the spray of blood swirled and formed another image. This image brought a wry smile to his lips, and a glance back at Arcana. He looked back at the book, which had produced an image of Arcana, nestled in close to Arlins chest, the both of them clad only in a fur blanket. His smirk was quickly replaced by a scowl, as he was replaced by an image of Arieus and Arcana in the same situation.

Before Arlin could even mutter an obscenity, three images popped up, almost simultaniously. Each showed a different version of the same event. Each image showed Arlin and Arcana, standing alone in a location he could not name. The first image that stuck out was of Arcana standing on her tippy toes, placing his prized necklace around his neck. He could tell from the look in her eyes, that he had won her heart.

The next image showed the same sequence of events, but the love and adoration in her blue eyes was replaced by a warm smile. Around her delicate finger was a ring, and Arlin knew it was not his. The final image almost screamed to the surface, as Arcanas voice rang through his head. She was screaming at him, cursing him, spitting at him. She threw his necklace, and stormed off, her cape sweeping through the image, and the book snapping shut.

He felt a soft hand on his shoulder, and he wheeled around. It was her, for real this time. She was smiling, but he could tell she was a bit curious about what he saw. "Well...?" She questioned. Arlin just smiled, full of confidence. "I saw lotsa things Arcy. Good things, bad things...but ya said yerself, nuttin is fer sure, right?" She nodded, and sighed a bit.

"I just wish life wasn't so complicated. Can you imagine? What life would be like if it was simple? If life was simple, imagine what we could be like..." Arlin smiled and took her hand in his, closing it slowly around it. "Then it wouldna be any fun, would it. 'Sides, I knows how I feel is simple enough.." She arched an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh? And what is that?" With one swift motion, he pulled her against his chest, his arm wrapping around her slender waist. He leaned down and kissed her passionately. "Arlin..." she moaned against his lips, and returned his kiss with equal passion.

Later that night...

Arlin lay on the floor, Arcana nestled against his bare chest. A fur blanket was pulled up over them, although they were plenty warm. His arms wrapped around her protectively, as she purred in a gentle slumber. Arlin stroked her hair gently, and lay thinking. So, the book could predict the future. That much was sure. But nothing is set in stone, is what Arcy had said. He smiled to himself, stealing a glance down at the...his...lady-knight.

He didnt hate books, as much, anymore.
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As the fire fades to night, remember always the ember that started it all.