Chapter 2

The title page of Chapter 2 of Twokinds was released on December the 14th 2003, two days after the final page of Chapter 1 was released. It's final page was then completed on February the 27th 2004. This chapter is also known by it's title, "I Love and I Hate".

The chapter begins Trace entering the Human village that he and Flora had happend upon during the end of the last chapter. Flora does not accompany Trace and instead remains hidden on the village outskirts for fear they Human inhabitants may try to kill her. Trace encounters some Humans at the village tavern that appearly know his very well, including his former best friend and even his apprent girlfriend. After meeting being begged by a strange creature, similar to that of a Keidran known as a "Basitin", to accompany him to a place called the Basidian Islands. Trace soon leaves town along with the Basitin, called Keith Keiser, and Flora to continue their travels. The rest of the chapter takes place for the rest of the trio's travels that day through Knight Grove, although Trace's sudden departure caused the aforementioned Human friends of Trace to follow them close behind.

Complete Plot
Trace enters the village which he and Flora discoverd at the end of the last chapter and begins his search at a local inn owned by the Taverndatter family. It is made clear by a sign reading "No Keidran!" on the door, that Keidran are not welcome in their or anywhere in the village or that matter, confirming to Trace Flora's reasons for not going with him.

Despite the warning on the door he is greeted by a strange Human girl with a pair of Keidran ears, Karen, who seems to know him well. Karen calls for her sister proudly exclaiming that Trace is back. Karen's sister, Maren Taverndatter, claims to be Trace's girlfriend and is very mad at Trace for allegedly disappearing on her for the last month. Before they can finish their conversation Karen drags Trace away to break up a potential bar fight between a red-haired man and a creature later referred to as a "Basitin" named Keith Keiser. After the red-haired man realised that his "best friend" had returned he turned his attention away from the creature and is very happy to see Trace again. Keith interrupts the pair's very one sided reunion and asks for Trace's help with a "Basitin political problem", requiring Trace to travel to the Basitin Islands with him.

Trace agrees and leaves to get supplies from elsewhere in the village before heading out, including a local jewelry store to get a present for Flora. The jeweler offers Trace a "SubtleSeed Crystal" when he mentions that the gift was for a girl. Before he could pay the jeweler gives the item to Trace for free, although it is revealed after Trace leaves that the actual jeweler is tied up in the back of the store and the one that gave Trace the necklace is an imposter, a member of the Templar Order and their Master Spy.

While waiting for Trace to come back from the town, Flora daydreams about getting married to her past fiancé, Sythe, although her thoughts drift to getting married to Trace instead. Trace returns from from the village with Keith, but before he can explain anything Keith begins attacking Flora.

A short flashback occurs many years ago back at the West Templar Academy featuring the Grand Templar at the time, Mary Silverlock, discussing a new Templar prodigy (Trace) with two fellow members. When asked of her option on Trace Mary says that he has great potential but his lack of heart and direction will mean he won't unlock his true power, unless he had something or someone to care about first.

Cutting back to the situation with Keith and Flora, Trace seems to remember some of his mysterious magical ability under the pressure of seeing her in danger. Trace's unconsciously pushes the charging Keith aside with magic, causing the latter to slam againced a nearby tree. After a brief argument between Trace and Keith over his intervention Keith explains that Keidran and Basitin are completely separate races despite their similarities in appearance. Keith believed the then unknown Tiger girl she was about to attack them, but soon realises she is not a threar in the slightest.

Meanwhile Maren, along Karen, are out searching for Trace due to his sudden departure. While searching the nearby woods a mysterious white haired girl named Raine crashes into Karen while running from something. In typical happy-go-lucky Karen fashion she offers Raine an opportunity to join them in their search after Raine explains that she is lost.

Back with Trace's trio, he finally gives Flora the SubtleSeed Crystal necklace, to which she accepts, assuming the magic associated with such items is just a false Human belief. Upon making contract during the passing of the necklace the two become magically bound, experiencing a sensation similar to "some strong static electricity." Around the campfire that night, Trace and Flora bond over Trace trying to learn parts of the Keidran tongue. Trace shares some ale he brought back in Pinewood with Flora but her intolerance of it causes her to become drunk and Trace puts her to bed.

Flora dreams of herself and Trace finally making it out of the forest. She tries to realize her fantasy, begging Trace to make love to her, with Dream-Trace returning her feelings of love, but says that they can't become physical. Dream-Trace thanks her, telling her that she is the only who had ever really helped him. As the two embrace Flora suddenly betrays Dream-Trace, dealing him a mortal wound, and stating that he should've never trusted a Keidran.

Flora wakes up confused, only be to met by Sythe, her previous arranged Keidran finance who tells her that she must kill Trace with him. He warns her of the slaughter of Keidran that Trace had committed as Grand Templar but also lies to Flora that Trace was directly responsible for killed her family and enslaved (despite the fact Trace would have not even been the Grand Templar at the time) but nevertheless he is able to goad her into action. Flora is unable to kill Trace, both due to her new feelings for him but also because she is spotted by Keith who had been standing on gaurd. Believing he had finally seen Flora's true colours he attacked, causing Flora to run away, but in doing so she triped on an exposed root and injured her foot. Unable to continue running and with Trace and Keith close behind, she tells Trace the truth, but Trace forgives her quite quickly.

Transcript
Underwork

Trivia
In chapter 2 page 22 their is a character sitting at a table bearing a strong resemblance to “Vash the stampede” from the 1990s anime and manga Trigun. The character can be seen wearing vash’s red coat, round glasses and similar style blonde hair. However it is unconfirmed if this is a reference or coincidence.