-Prologue-

  Kryt was startled at the sound of commotion. From the sounds of it a large party had arrived at the inn. An ice cold draft of air wafted around the room; everyone shuttered. Winter presently scared travelers into the inn. A storm appeared to have brewed; flakes of snow fell into the room with new commers. The owner Perseus hurried the people in and then shut the door. It was late. He'd ment to leave for home several hours ago when

   The room was dark, not that it mattered to its inhabitants. They could see just fine in the dark. They stood in a circle with seven spaces, but two spots remained empty. This was of no concern to the others, the one had always been empty, while the other was because of its owner's own fallacy.
   Smoke swirled around the room. A disgustingly large figure in a rolling chair puffed more of her pipe, and exhaled sending more smoke swirling into the air. The figure next to her was slightly hunched over and gave out a rather large yawn and leaned to and fro on her feet, trying to stay upright. She wore over sized dull looking clothes, and her hair was short and unkempt. A space away stood a tall man wearing dark leather pants, a white puffy shirt, and dark clean cut coat. He had dark curly hair and eyes that seemed to call to you with a strange desire. A space a way stood a man who seemed to be the definition of clean cut. Crisp white clothes, clean shaven face, his long black hair tied back with not a single fly away. He was handsome but there was a coldness about him, his blue eyes looked like deep bottomless pools. Standing next to him was a smirking man of average height with styled red hair, and gold chain earrings. He wore fancy clothes with gold trim and gold nick knacks. He had the air of someone pompous and fake and snobbish.
   None of them was looking at the other, at least not while the other person was noticing. It was not often they came together like this. Passing one another every ten years or so was normal, but a meeting of them all? It was absurd. But they had been called, and if they did not answer that call... Well no one was willing to find out.
   There was an unspoken tension in the room. It was not so much a burden as an unspoken hand waiting to strike them down if they so much as made a sound. The one with the dark curly hair, the newest of them all, dared a glace the figure that was the source of them tension. Master was what she was called and she ruled with an iron fist. She said 'jump,' and they jumped. She sat in her chair, leaning on her arm, legs crossed, her face obscured in shadow. She wore a silky black dress that hung too low and accentuated all the right places. She never said much, but her word was absolute to them.

The silence went on for a few more minutes before she raised her hand and replied, "Bring me the knife."

   None of the asked questions, they just jumped.

   Snow drifted from the sky and around the trees. It had been gloomy all day, and the temperature had been dropping since early morning. The trees were silent except for a dull thudding noise in the distant. The thudding was rhythmic and getting closer until out of the snowy distance came a dark shape. Steam puffed from the horse's nostrils as its hooves pounded the snowy ground. It almost seemed like a specter racing through the deathly silent woods.
   Its rider was in a hurry. Its not so much that she was cold, or even afraid of bandits waiting for her in the snow. No one would be out if they knew what was good for them. Its what snow storms brought with them. Demons of a sort, particularly nasty things. Of course they would never think of laying a hand on her, but she liked her horse and would prefer not having people smited on her account. She glanced into the trees, getting darker by the minute, and she could see them. Eyes shining blue, ice cold white bodies taking shape in the shadows. They were following her. She smacked the reins harder.
   She only had to get past the trees, or find the inn, whichever came first. The road was hard, and she was worried White Magic would trip and hurt herself. Though the demons wouldn't think of hurting her, that did not mean they would not try. And she did not exactly have much of a means to defend herself. So she just prayed the trees would--
   And they thinned out. It was just a small clearing, and nestled there was a cozy looking inn with a stable. She pulled the reins and White Magic slowed to a trot. She gave one last glance back at the dark trees, for a different reason this time, and trotted into the barn.
   She dismounted and brushed snow off her shoulders and hood. A young girl about ten or twelve came up to her, while a boy even younger took hold of her horse's reins and walked him further into the barn. The girl was dressed a maid's outfit, long skirts, with a shawl tied around her shoulders and bonnet. The boy wore a messenger's cap, long cotton leggings and a long sleeve shirt with suspenders.

"Thats five coins, Miss," said the girl in a small voice holding out her hand.
The woman smiled and handed her nine.
"B-But M-Miss, theres too many," the girl said following her with her still out stretched hand.
"Two for the both of you," she replied with another smile.

   The girl looked down at the four extra coins with glittering eyes and ran to give the boy his. The woman was still smiling as she looked out the barn doors and into the forest. She saw a movement of white and the smile faded. She knew what it was, it was most certainly not a demon, though in her eyes much worse.

"You can also have this," she said coming over to the children who were looking at their coins with wide eyes.

   She handed them both a necklace. They were identical, save for the color of the symbol. Simple rope for the chain, and from the rope hung a small medallion made of cheap metal. The symbols etched into the metal, and painted, one purple, one read. The girl took the purple one, and the boy the red.

"They're special, so hang on to them, an make sure you wear them, all the time, okay?" she said kneeling before them.
The children nodded vigorously.
"Good," she said smiling as she stood up and began to walk away.
She stopped at the barn doors and looked over her shoulder at them, "Also, I think I saw a wolf in the forest. White fur. He might be hard to spot, but keep some stones handy."
She then left back out into the snow. The children could not figure out why she had had a joking smile when she mentioned stoning the wolf.

-----

   The Medusa Inn was known even to the gods, just for the simple fact its owner was sort of a legend. Not many humans would know, but the inn was popular for humans and immortals alike.
   Her though remained with the children and the necklaces she had given them. It was all she could do for them. Cheap parlor tricks it what those symbols were compared to what she could really do. But at least it would keep them safe for a few years. The woman walked from the barn until she reached the snow covered porch of the inn. The wind blew rather harshly, sending what felt like icy shards into her cheek. She found the door handle and stepped inside and was greeted with warm air filled with the smell of pumpkin, spice, and alcohol. The inn's bar area was well lit and rowdy. From drunks singing and dancing together, to waitresses delivering pitchers and food, to girls showing a little too much breast to get lucky that night. Only a few glanced at her as she shut the door and maneuvered tables to get to the bar.
   She was almost there when she saw the plaque with the head mounted to the wall. At least she assumed it was a head, it was covered with a... bag. She nearly jumped out of as she recognized the large circular shield that reflected like a mirror mounted to the left of the head, and a golden short sword to the right, and a pair of what looked like winged sandals hung from the plaque. This was definitely the place, she thought, feeling a little sick that only fabric was keeping them all from being turned to stone.
   Se scurried to the bar, and recognized the inn keep immediately. He was old, and bald, but he looked fit for his age, as he cleaned a glass. This was Perseus, she thought with a thrill. He looked up and smiled at her This was it. It was really starting. Her journey, she thought as she smiled back.

"What can I do for you, missy?" he said putting the glass down.
"Can I get a room?" she said quickly. "I mean, if you are not full."
"Yes ma'am, we got some open ones," he said pulling out a book. "What be yer name?"
"Aurelia," she replied with a smile.[Wish_Alley]