Aerostat and Bane went out of their way to help this young woman find her place ,in this majestic ,community. They helped her find what best suited her. Over the next few weeks, she became adjusted to a new life here, in Chambordia Isle 

              Over time she had  slowly found her footing, in this truly magical place. She didn't know why fate had led her to the door in the asylum ,or through the magic portal. This place was a different life, but a good one. She stayed with Aerostat for a few months until she found her way, and could get her own hut.

                                   She  had become the extra nurse of the medical hut. With her nurses' training, it seemed only logical for her to continue on helping people. She enjoyed working in the village helping these people and really feeling at home here. She had started forgetting a lot of her old life, little things. It didn't bother her as much as it used to.  Enjoying this strange place, getting used to it. Soon forgetting all about the mundane physical world that she had come from. She started to forget names ,faces, numbers that she's known by heart, streets she used to drive on.

Day by day she  began to forget most of her life in the real physical world. Her memory began fading more  until she had forgot her old life completely. She found a new sense of pride being the nurse in the village. She got to meet everyone from the village that way. She spent most of her off time in the company of Bane. He in turn was beginning to like having a woman around. He was really starting to care for her. He loved spending time with her whenever he possibly could.

He was starting to care again, he really didn't want to. When you care you put people in unnecessary danger. You tell secrets better left kept inside. Some secrets will make that person run like hell. He knew if he told her the truth she would just feel pity on him. He did not want pity from her. He cared for her too much and he knew better.

 He had a secret a horrible, twisted secret. If she knew the truth it would drive her away. Bane also knew he would only be able to keep this a secret from her for so long. Bane was not sure how long before he'd be forced to tell her, to watch her run from him and break his heart. It always happened that way they find out the truth, they left horrified in fear and never looked back.

Bane shook his head to rid himself of these thoughts. Then he thought to himself it is not as if I have to tell her tonight or even tomorrow. I will tell her when I have no other choice. That thought made his nerves a little calm. Bane started to relax over this current dilemma. He had planned to have a nice special evening with Annaleigh to celebrate just being together. 

He'd already returned after a long journey through two villages. He rode his horse Aster earlier that day to get a nice bottle of wine for the two of them. He hoped she would like that. Once he returned he gave the horse a fresh apple for his services. Once Bane went inside of his medium sized home and began straightening the place up. He thought about it and laughed a while. Bane Montgomery, cleaning for a woman. That was definitely something he wasn't used to. He didn't mind it but he was just not used to doing it. He was a guy, all around. He usually didn't clean. He usually didn't care one way or another but with her around he was starting to.

When it came to Annaleigh he would do anything, all she need do is ask. He was close to her, he adored her. He did not know if this close bond was love. It had been so long since he loved anyone that he didn't know what to think, didn't know what he was feeling. He knew he enjoyed her company. He had never known a woman quite like her. She was something special, and he couldn't wait to see her again. He didn't know what to do with himself when she was away from him. He hoped the rest of the afternoon went quickly so that he would see her. That was all he really needed.

That morning she was swamped with patients at the medical hut one of the local children Bobbie had fallen from a tree. He was a very good patient, really brave for only being an 8 year old little boy. A woman had fallen ill with a strange type of stomach flu. Annaleigh was so swamped at the medical hut with more patients today than normal she almost forgot about having plans afterwards. When the thought crossed her mind a smile spread across her sweet face. 

She could barely wait to see him. It was the middle of the afternoon, her day of being the nurse was over half way done. She couldn't wait to see him. She had noticed that she had been thinking of him more often than before. She really did not mind, and also noticed the day usually would drag on forever when it came to after work plans with Bane. She loved every moment she spent with him. Annaleigh felt as if she had not really lived until she met him. She had never felt like this with anyone.

She had settled into this new life within a few months. She had a job with the medical team in the village. Bane helped her make her own hut with Aerostat's help. She was really getting used to this place. She liked her small hut, it was perfect for her, and she didn't have much to put into a bigger hut. It was as if she belonged to it, as if she belonged here. She didn't question it anymore she was happy with her life here now and she wanted to keep it that way. Annaleigh had gotten so lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear someone sneak up behind her. He crept upon her in stealth mode, and hugged her tightly from behind. Annaleigh as well as her heart rate jumped from being startled. It frightened her so that she began to shake.

"Annaleigh sweetheart relax honey, it's me. A familiar voice told her in a sweet gentle tone. She turned around quickly to see Bane standing there with a huge grin spread across his face.

"Honey I didn't hear you."  

"Are you ready to go?" He asked her.

"Yes, I have already finished up with my last patient."

"Where are we going?" she asked curiously.

"I will tell you in good time dear." Bane replied to her question. Then he kissed her.

Not long after that conversation the two of them stopped under an enormous dark purple leather looking tree. Beyond the tree was a small creek. It was very peaceful, and a true sight to behold.

"This place is so gorgeous I can see why you like it." Annaleigh commented to him.

"I have been coming out here ever since I can remember. I love this spot and I wanted to show it to you." Bane explained to her.

"I like it out here it is very serene and calming."

"Good I'm so glad you like it out here too." Bane replied and gave her a wide smile.

"It would be a really nice for a picnic sometime "she told him.

"That is a wonderful idea, we should do that."

Bane loved the idea, he thought that would be something for them to enjoy together. The two of them sat under the enormous purple tree until the moon had risen for the night. Bane looked up; making sure it wasn't full yet. It was three quarters of the way full. He felt a pang of guilt for not telling her the truth, but he just couldn't bring himself to tell her, not yet. He knew it was going to end any feelings she may have for him. He knew he should tell her the truth about him. He didn't want to, but she deserved to know he wasn't human, not even half human. He was of supernatural bloodline. In the world she came from he would be a myth an urban legend, a monster. Here in this world, he was as real as the tree sprites, the trolls and gnomes of the forest.

He was ashamed of himself for not having the courage to tell her the truth about whom and what he truly was; he knew he would have to, but not now. Bane didn't want to ruin this perfect moment in time. The only thing he truly feared was losing her. Her leaving him is the only thing he couldn't handle, and would do anything to prevent it from happening. He had loved women before but not like this all of the others seemed like nothing in comparison to his Annaleigh.

                       His love for her ran deeper than love of her physically or  emotionally. His love for her was like a love that ran to the very soul, the essence of life. A love like that was one her refused to let go of, no matter what horrifying secrets he may have. He knew that eventually he would owe her the truth, even if it broke his heart. He would do anything to not have to tell her, maybe he could keep it a secret for a few more months. His thoughts kept running over this problem.

As the moon was there bright in the sky he held her a little tighter, a little longer than usual. He held her until he had to force himself to let go. It was getting late. The two of them headed back to the village; under the brightness of the moon Annaleigh resembled a goddess. She was perfect, in every sense he could imagine. He did not know what she saw in him, but he didn't care he was in love. The two made it back rather quickly, ending the night with a soft good night kiss before the end of the night.

"Dragon? "Aerostat spoke to Gideon with a look of seriousness Gideon had never quite seen in him.

"Yes mortal?" Gideon replied half way teasing his human.

"Do you think she's   okay being with Bane, I mean?" Aerostat asked the dragon with concern for the young woman's safety.

"He will not harm her even if the beast rises." Gideon told him as casually as if he were discussing the weather.

"How do you know that for sure? "Aerostat asked Gideon with a dead serious tone.

"Love "was all the dragon replied before drifting off to sleep.

Aerostat did not find sleep quite as easily as his dragon. Eventually his thoughts ran him into exhaustion. Sleep had claimed him for the night.

When Aerostat woke the next morning he thought of the situation with Annaleigh. Gideon was probably right. The massive black dragon was his elder by a long shot. Gideon was over three hundred years old, Aerostat figured the dragon probably knew better than he did, having more life experience. He  decided to head into the village. He enjoyed seeing the others in the village. It was a beautiful day after all. 

While he walked through the center square of the village community, Bane was starting to wake from a peaceful night of rest. Once he sat up and rubbed his eyes, he started to brew a cup of elven herb tea. It would remind you of mortal coffee but much stronger. Most magical creatures work around the clock, so they need something strong. Mortals are not supposed know of it, but bane had an elf associate he had known a long time, named Herbert. He got along quite well with the mortal bane as Herbert called him.

Herbert was a nice elf and  a fair businessman. He sold tea herbs and if you paid the right price, magical potions for almost anything. Once in a while Herbert would ask for a favor to be turned in later, bane usually didn't mind those favors. Bane sipped the elven tea until the cup was empty, he enjoyed Herbert's special teas.it always helped him stay wide awake.

That same morning Annaleigh was most likely the first person awake in the entire community. She had always gotten up early. It seemed to be just who she had always been. As a small child she loved to get up and watch the sun rising in the sky. It was unforgettable; each sunrise seemed a little different. She loved it here. She had been here around six months now and she had all but forgotten most of the details of her old life in what we call the physical normal reality. She couldn't remember being a little girl, growing up.

 She didn't remember who her parents were, or if she had them. She didn't even remember having friends, where she worked it all seemed to have vanished from her memory. All that remained were jumbled dreams and nightmares with bits and pieces of her old life. Whenever this happened it was easier for her to ignore it and put it in the back of her mind.

She'd let those thoughts go to the back of her mind, locked away where they belonged. She concentrated on getting ready to enjoy the beautiful day ahead of her. It was her day off from the medical hut. Annaleigh had plenty of free time to do as she wished. She got herself ready in no real hurry. She decided to head to the village community, see if there was anyone she knew out for the day, maybe she would do some light shopping. She left her small hut and began heading through the forest leading to the village. She enjoyed listening to the exotic birds chirping high above in the trees. She never got tired of their morning song. She loved it. Every walk through the forest she would watch and listen to them.

Annaleigh had not noticed that she was almost to the village by now. She saw that for an early morning the center square of the village, it was rather crowded. She didn't mind. It was a pleasant morning, who wouldn't be out on such a wonderful day. As she walked through the village, she saw that her good friend Aerostat was there as well. She smiled and waved at him until they were a little closer to each other through the crowd.

"Good morning, it's good to see you "He  greeted her.

"Good morning to you as well. How have you been doing? "Annaleigh replied sounding as if she had never been happier in her life. He could tell she was very good carefree mood.

"I am doing quite well thank you." then Aerostat added "how about you, how have you been doing lately?"

"I have been doing great, I wanted to enjoy such a magnificent day", she answered.

"Yes you're right it is a very fine day, indeed. I am glad I was able to see you, but I must go for now, I have a few things I need to take care of. Don't be a stranger, stop by sometime." He offered to her

"I sure will, it was good to see you too." She then smiled at him before he headed off in another direction.

She was glad to see him again; he'd always been very nice and went out of his way to help people. She walked around for several hours looking at the different trinkets, books and other goods for sale in the shopping area of the village. Annaleigh also ran into a few people she had met from work, as well as a few that she had gotten to know. Sometime later that morning she headed back through the woods to her little hut. 

The walk back took a little longer than she expected, but that was okay with her. Annaleigh felt at peace in the thick forest. She likes to go for walks, but now she was getting sore muscles. I must have over done it this time, she thought to herself as she walked on. She tried to get moving a little faster as she made her way back she was relieved. She wanted to rest but she was not far from her hut. She kept going until she got home and finally  was able to rest a while.

vCr'*~�