Taking a deep breath of the evening air, Creyton put his hands on his hips and surveyed the way ahead. There was a bit of a chill in the air as the first hints of autumn were making their presence known. His shadow stretched out before him with the setting sun at his back. Beyond the rolling hills along the ancient road that stretched out before them, Bairn waited a few hours away. They’d probably get there in the morning. Letting out his breath, he turned to look back over his shoulder at the others.

Anastasia was only a few steps behind him. Her hair shown brightly where the sun gleamed off of the yellow strands. Her eyes were downcast as she walked along with the elvin backpack strapped to her. Her pouch, filled with her tools of the sight, swung in steady rhythm with her step. The somewhat tattered vest of the Imperial Guard of Threforfar was worn. Creyton made a mental note to remind her to take that off before they got into town.

With a sigh, Anastasia stopped a few steps shy of reaching Creyton. "How much further?" she sighed, blue eyes rising to look at their appointed guide.

Creyton hadn’t shaven in a couple of weeks and his beard was starting to fill out nicely. Limp brown hair fell to his shoulders. He was wearing his hunting leathers with a pack of his own strapped to his back. "We won’t make it tonight," he replied. "We should probably camp here."

Nodding, Anastasia turned around to look over the others as well. Celene and Aliana were next behind her by about thirty yards. The pair were engaged in conversation.

Celene walked along the road with immaculate posture, a sign of her breeding. She nodded, agreeing with some point. Auburn hair bobbed when she did so. A small hand of the smaller woman rested lightly on the hilt of Sword Shadowwren, which was worn at her side. Otherwise, she was dressed in simple clothing, a navy skirt that nearly reached her ankles and a peasant’s blouse. Her other hand grasped a leather sack that was carried over her shoulder with the rest of her possessions. A heavy, gray cloak hanged from her shoulders.

Hands moving to make their points, Aliana continued to explain her view. Long strands of black hair were caught in the breeze and she pulled some behind one ear, revealing the slightly longer ears which the perceptive might note hinted at her elvin heritage. Her backpack was a weight on her slender shoulders and waist, but she continued walking along without protest. A satchel of a few books dangled from the pack. She was wearing nice khaki pants and a elvin shirt of midnight blue. Her conversation took most of her attention, allowing her to take her mind off of her burden.

A few steps behind the chatting pair and keeping to herself, Kira walked along. She listened in on their conversation, while looking out over the sunset drenched plains that spread off to the north. Barely visible on the horizon were the looming purple Grey Mountains. An elvin dagger, hanging from her belt, was her only visible weapon. Her backpack, which looked more empty than full, rested on her shoulders. Red hair was pulled into an efficient pony tail.

Another forty yards or so behind Kira walked Sperin and Thurton. From the expressions on both men’s faces, they looked to be arguing some point. "I wonder if they’re still debating crop rotation," Creyton observed quietly with a nod to indicate the pair.

Squinting against the sun, Anastasia smiled. "I think they have been since lunch," she noted.

Walking gracefully along even though he was dressed as an arsenal, Sperin frowned and shook his head while Thurton talked. Sperin’s blonde hair could have used a trim, but he had let it go the past few weeks. He wore Cold Fury on one hip and a long, steel dagger on the other. Creyton’s hunting bow poked out of the top of Sperin’s backpack and a dwarven shield was on the outside of the pack. He wore simple clothing.

Using his Living Staff to help him as he limped along, Thurton was the one who set the pace for the rest. A cooking pot hanged from his pack, which was similar in design to everyone else’s. He wore elegant, though slightly wrinkled, elvin clothing. The sun behind him cast a long shadow for the large man. A burlap sack also hanged from his belt, occasionally bumping into his thigh as he moved along. Reaching up, he scratched his head, thick fingers delving into brown hair.

"We’ll camp here!" Creyton called out so everyone could hear. He stepped off of the ancient road into the tall grass that came up to his thighs as he moved through it. "We should reach Bairn by midday tomorrow."

Anastasia watched Creyton move to set up camp, then turned back to face the sun and the rest of the group. Running fingers back through her hair, Anastasia smiled tiredly at the other women; Aliana, Celene, and Kira; as they passed. All three smiled back as they turned off the trail. Anastasia caught a bit of the conversation.

"But, how do you know it is the Highlord?" Celene wondered. She gave Anastasia a friendly nod as she passed.

"I just... know," Aliana emphasized. "How do you know that you breath? You just do."

When Kira passed, the short woman shared a knowing look with Anastasia, then moved off the ancient stone road herself after the other two.

Anastasia turned to look at the two men bringing up the rear, wondering at the content of their conversation. Were they truly debating crop rotation?

Sperin shook his head to Thurton's comment. He peered ahead as Creyton shouted. "He say it was time for camp?" The sunlight at their back illuminated everything brightly.

"Yeah," Thurton responded, grinding his teeth against the pain of walking on his leg.

"Good. I could use it." Sperin resumed their conversation. "Anyway, I'm not saying Anna isn't attractive. She is. Heck, in that dress she wore in Flagaton Pol..." Sperin didn't finish the sentence. "I just think she's too tall. You want a woman who isn't as tall as you are. You know?"

Taking his turn to shake his head, Thurton looked off to the north over the rolling plains. "You think she's too tall?" He grinned so Sperin couldn't see it.

"A little, yeah." Sperin tilted his head to the side, looking ahead at Anastasia.

"She only comes up to my shoulder," Thurton rumbled, looking up the rise at the woman as well. He couldn't quite keep the amusement from his features. He then looked at his shoulder and Sperin. "But, I suppose that is the same place you come up to." The amusement bubbled up into a deep chuckle. "Perhaps we should find you a shorter woman. Perhaps you and Kira?."

Sperin's cheeks flushed, though Thurton wasn't sure if the cause was embarrassment at a truth or not. "Anna will hear us soon." They were coming up the rise, closing the distance.

"So she will," Thurton muttered. He raised his voice a bit so Anastasia could hear and asked, "So, you believe it makes sense to follow corn with wheat?"

It took Sperin a moment, but he nodded. "Yeah. Then, beans, or whatever. Just not in the same season. Wait until the next year."

Hearing this last bit of conversation, Anastasia muttered something under her breath in Isoc. She grinned at the pair of men, then turned, heading into the grass herself.

About twenty yards from the road, in the shade of a single elm tree, Creyton took off his pack. He rested it against the tree, then started walking around, gathering up a few pieces of dried wood. "This is as good a spot as any."

"It'd be better if it had a bed," Aliana observed. She smiled fondly at Creyton, then wiggled out from under the weight of her own pack.

"We'll make do," Creyton replied, bending down to pick up another piece of dead wood. He used it as a pointer. "Why don't you head down to those trees there and find some more firewood? It'll help make this as homey as possible."

Turning, Aliana looked at a stand of three smaller trees about fifty yards down the hill. With a tired nod, she started toward them. "I'm not sure if a fire replaces a bed, but okay."

"It'll help," Creyton promised. "There will be a bit of chill in the air tonight. We'll be glad for the fire."

Setting down her own load next to Aliana's, Celene volunteered, "I'll help you."

"Thanks," Aliana smiled over her shoulder. She slowed her step so Celene could join her and the pair walked toward the trees together.

"Think I should follow them?" Kira wondered, watching the pair move away.

Creyton dumped his first load of wood into a pile. He looked thoughtfully after Aliana and Celene, then shook his head. "They'll be fine. Our noblewoman is as good with a sword, if not better, than any of us. And, after all, Aliana is personally protected by the Highlord."

Kira chuckled and moved over to the tree. "Very true."

The hints of a knowing grin touched the corners of Creyton's mouth. Lips pursed thoughtfully as he gazed after the pair of girls heading off for firewood. He gave a shrug to some thought and resumed preparations for camp, heading over to gather up more wood to get the fire started.

"How long are we going to do this?" Kira asked, most of her attention on setting up for camp. It made her tone absent, casual even. "Follow along behind visions, I mean." She slanted a glance at Creyton, proof she wasn't entirely wrapped up in the placement of deadwood.

Creyton stopped what he was doing for a moment to send a confused look at her. "Follow along behind?"

She nodded. "We're reacting again. Letting ourselves get led around, like we did with bringing Him back." There wasn't much doubt which 'Him' she meant. Kira hadn't actually said Morin's name in quite a while. Too much of that religious fervor colored the words. "Following prophecy... or what we think is prophecy... blindly. Are we sure we know what we're doing?"

"Maybe not," Creyton admitted. "But it's worked so far. Why ruin a good thing?"

Kira made a disgruntled hmph, deep in her throat. "I just think we should take charge more, that's all. Instead of waiting, expecting it to fall into our laps."

Wood clattered as Creyton dropped it into the pit that would hold their fire later. "So go talk to Anastasia about it, if you're that worried."

"Well... maybe I will." Kira hmphed again, less annoyed this time, and went back to getting things ready.

Kneeling down next to the pile of wood, Creyton began arranging kindling to get things going. "I thought I was the nonbeliever," he muttered as dirty fingers worked. "Don't you follow the Dragon, after all?"

Kira looked up at Creyton, about to reply, but quieted instead when Anastasia, Thurton and Sperin neared.

Creyton didn't look up, giving his small pile of wood his attention. However, he did say, "Ana, Kira has something she wants to chat with you about."

Anastasia and Kira looked at each other, but before either could speak, Thurton announced, "Sperin has something he'd like to chat with Kira about." He set his staff down with finality and leaned against it.

The gazes of Kira, Anastasia and Creyton all turned curiously to Sperin.

Blinking, Sperin looked at Thurton, then to his audience, then back to Thurton. "No, I don't."

Shrugging, Thurton lurched himself in motion, toward Creyton and the fire to help prepare dinner. "If you say so."

"I say so," Sperin replied, shaking his head. He moved over toward the base of the tree. Was that a bit of red coloring his cheeks? Setting down his backpack, he stretched from side to side, back turned to everyone else.

Kira finished rolling out her bedroll before digging through her backpack for her latest whittling project and a small knife. Sitting down cross-legged, she turned the small piece of wood over in her hands, carefully examining where she left off. A short finger ran over the surface, feeling the grain for imperfections. She lifted it up to her eyes, looking down the length of it, then, lowering it back down, she carefully put the knife to the surface and began shaving off more wood to work it into form. Between the strokes of the knife, she stole a curious glance or two at Sperin, but soon her work had all of her attention.

With a heavy sigh, Thurton kneeled down next to Creyton. "Need any help?"

"Nah. I got it." Creyton's fingers were packing some dried grass underneath his pile of sticks. Once satisfied with that, he walked over to his pack, pulling out some flint and steel. "You can cook, though," he mentioned. "I'm not much better than Scout."

With a big smile, Thurton reached over to his pack. "Give yourself more credit than that." He began pulling out some potatoes he had gathered and a soft pouch that held a half dozen eggs, which he had carefully protected inside his cooking pot. He frowned as he discovered one had cracked during the day's walk. "My specialty today. Spicy eggs and potatoes."

"I knew there was a reason we brought you along," Creyton teased, kneeling down next to his pile. He bent down close and began striking flint against steel, casting the sparks onto the dried grass.

Instead of replying, Thurton shifted himself around so he could prepare dinner. He set the five good eggs carefully off to the side, set down his pot, and began cutting the potatoes with a knife. Once the cuts began, a small head popped out of Thurton's pack. Whiskers twitched as a little nose smelled the air. "Hungry, Fuzz?" Thurton asked. Pinching the next slice of potato between the knife and his thick finger, he offered it to the mouse. "How about some of this?"

Tentatively, Fuzz sniffed at the offered bite. He contemplated a moment, then decided that it would do just fine. He took the slice in his jaws, then vanished back into the pack.

"You give new meaning to the term pack rat," Creyton muttered. Sparks had caught on the grass which began to smolder. Leaning even closer, the retired Ranger gently blew to encourage the burning to spread.

"I'm going for a run," Sperin announced suddenly. Without waiting for anyone to reply, he starting jogging off. Graceful strides carried him down the hill, roughly in the direction of the road.

Thurton sighed and went back to slicing.

A smile came over Anastasia's features as she observed Fuzz and the food. Putting her things down not far from Kira's, Anastasia sat down next to Kira on the spread bedroll. She tucked her peasant skirt under her knees, facing the fire. "What did you want to talk about?"

Kira thought for a moment before responding, whittling while she did so. "I'm not comfortable with our path," she said softly. "It seems we're going into things blindly, without a plan. We hear the prophecy and we head off. We're not controlling our destiny. We're letting it control us."

Looking down at Kira's work, Anastasia nodded slowly, not disagreeing with the statement. "I know what you mean. I'm just not sure what other path to follow."

"Either am I," Kira replied after another pause, words still quiet. "I just don't feel comfortable, is all."

"What do you suggest we do differently?" Anastasia wondered, raising her gaze to study the slight woman's features.

Sitting up now that the fire was going, Creyton sat back on his haunches and looked curiously toward Anastasia and Kira. Beyond them, he caught a glimpse of movement on the road. The sun had already set and twilight had settled upon Threforfar. He rose to his feet to get a better look.

"I would like us to have a more concrete idea of what we're getting into if possible and be as proactive about things as we can," Kira said.

"There are travelers on the road," Creyton observed. He squinted back toward the west. The sky was illuminated in oranges, pinks, and teals. "Looks like four people and a cart."

Kira set her piece of wood and knife off to the side and stood up. She could see Sperin jogging away toward the east. Looking over her shoulder toward the west, she could see Aliana and Celene, not at all far from the road, gathering wood and talking. They seemed unaware of the approaching cart. "Should I warn them?"

Anastasia stood up as well. She put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.

Looking over his shoulder, Thurton commented, "Probably just farmers heading toward Bairn."

"Looks like it," Creyton agreed.

"No need to overreact," Anastasia said. "Thurton, you might as well stay here and finish dinner since you've already started. Probably wouldn't hurt to have them see a man instead of a bunch of women by themselves. Not that they can't handle themselves, but it will help avoid trouble and questions. Creyton, why don't you head down there and help the girls carry back their firewood."

"Okay," Creyton grunted. He checked that his knife was in his belt and started off in that direction, walking down the hill away from camp.

Relatively keeping quiet, Celene and Aliana walked away from the camp in the fading light of day toward the patch of trees. A mosquito buzzed Aliana's ear and she swatted lazily at it. "How about you, Celene?" she asked, breaking the quiet when they were about halfway to the trees. "I've done most of the talking today. How about you tell me a story?"

"A story?" Celene wondered, squinting against the light. She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "What sort do you want to hear?"

Aliana shrugged, walking around a shrub, before falling back into place beside Celene. "How about a story from your childhood? You've certainly heard enough about me." She smiled easily as she looked curiously at the other girl.

"A story about my childhood," Celene mused for a thoughtful moment, then she nodded and smiled as well. "Okay." As she walked, she rested a dainty hand on the hilt of Sword Shadowwren. "A lot of people always thought me a bit... off." The smile faded some and her brow furrowed. "I mean, look at me. I am here because I paint things and then I need to find them. After all, that is how I can across all of you."

Aliana nodded. "It is a gift," she murmured, resting a reassuring hand on Celene's arm. "You have visions.... dreams. And, perhaps all of us here are a bit off."

"I guess so," Celene agreed, looking back over her shoulder at the group setting up camp on top of the hill. She turned back around to watch where she was going. "I couldn't have been more than four or five," she began, smiling at the memory. "I was in Flagaton Pol with my father. In hindsight, I suppose he was there to attend to Senate business. We were staying with my uncle. It was all so big and grand. Just so much different than Keep Shadow Wren."

Reaching the trees, Aliana bent down to pick up a piece of dead wood, but most of her attention was on Celene and the story. "It was amazing to see it for the first time."

"It was. I remember riding with my father in the wagon when we first got to town and asking him how tall it was." Celene leaned against one of the trees. "As tall as a dragon can fly." A short chuckle came from the girl. "It was like he knew what we would see when we were there last." She moved to pick up a nearby twig, more intent on her talking than working. "Anyway, I was staying with my uncle. They were both off on business and I snuck out of the compound. A little girl alone on the streets of the big city. Anyway, I saw some of the little people. Having never seen them before, I thought they were other children who just happen to walk around with big, hairy feet. They were well dressed, so I just assumed they were other noble's children."

"Halflings?" Aliana wondered.

"Yes. I kept trying to get them to play with me and was getting very angry with them when my uncle and father returned. It turned out that they were members of Senator Estola's contingent and were a bit offended." With another quiet laugh, Celene picked up another branch. "My father set everything to right, but you can imagine an indignant young girl angry that the other children will not play with her. It was quite the scene."

Laughing, Aliana let the conversation fall quiet for a bit as she picked up a few more fallen branches, cradling her load in her arms. "That must have been quite the scene."

Celene nodded, her hair brown hair bobbing as she did so. She fell quiet, swimming wistfully in other fond memories of her childhood.

The pair worked quietly for a few minutes, when a voice suddenly called out, "Hello, there!"

Aliana straightened up, peering toward the approaching figure, silhouetted against the post-sunset sky.

Looking over her shoulder, Celene pondered the cart and three other figures that lingering there. She turned to face them all with her bundle of sticks in hand.

With deep, steady breaths, Sperin felt the evening air fill and exit his lungs as he hit his stride. He had found a new way of looking at life in Elvinhome; some distant enlightenment in the pursuit of which he found solace. "Be the run," he murmured to himself and a smile touched the corners of his mouth as if it were just that simple.

It was something deeper than words. The human language, he felt, didn't have the right way to express the thoughts of the elvin philosophers. He focused as he ran, reaching outward, reaching inward, trying to just turn off thought in this moment. He tried to stop being himself as an individual and become part of the whole that surrounded him. Reaching the road, he turned left and started jogging west in the grass along side the ancient grey stones.

Of course, it is hard to be free flowing part of nature when one's boot is rubbing one's heel in such a way so as to cause a blister. With a frown, Sperin decelerated to a halt and bent down to fix his boot. He undid the laces and adjusted the tongue. After retying the shoe, he rose to his feet and tested it. It was better.

With a satisfied nod, he scanned around to determine which way he should let his run take him. He spotted the cart on the trail and shadows in the trees off to the west. He squinted, trying to make out what was going on. He hrmed as he noticed Creyton already heading that way, so he decided to head back to the main camp where he left his things in case there was trouble. He started back that way at a jog, though he curiously watched Creyton's progress toward the trees.

Shifting, Kira checked a few things, patting herself down. She seemed satisfied that everything was in order just in case it was needed.

Anastasia walked over to her backpack and pulled off her waterskin. As she took a drink, she watched Creyton's progress down toward the trees, the girls, and the strangers.

Thurton continued slicing potatoes for dinner. Finishing one, he offered the last slice to Fuzz, before looking back over his shoulder again. With a groan, he pushed to his feet and moved the cooking pot over to the fire to start the potatoes. Once he was satisfied with the position of the pot in relation to the heat, he looked back again. "Hopefully, they will just move on their own way," he muttered.

"Hopefully," Anastasia repeated. She resealed her water and placed it back in her back.

The fire cast a glow over the three of them as they watched things at the base of the hill. The branches of the elm tree spread over them. The trunk of the tree was as thick around as two or three Thurtons.

As Creyton reached the girls, Kira sat back down on the bedroll and picked up her whittling again. The hobby only got a fraction of her attention, however.

Thurton moved over to his pack and pulled out some of his spices. With care, he spread these over the potatoes. Soon, the scent of their cooking mingled with the smell of burning wood. Replacing the spices, Thurton gathered up the eggs and settled down near the fire again. "Here comes Sperin," he observed.

Anastasia and Kira looked over as the fair-haired man slowed to a walk when he came under the branches of the tree.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"Company." Kira answered, jutting her chin down in the direction of Aliana, Celene and Creyton.

"Trouble?" Sperin wondered. He walked around the fire toward his pack and he began opening it up.

"Probably just farmers on their way to Bairn," Thurton answered. With thick fingers, he cracked an egg and let it spill into his pot with a hiss. He reached for the next one.

Sperin pulled his cloak out of his pack. It shimmered in the light of the fire as he tossed it over his shoulders and fastened it. He bent down to pick up Cold Fury and began strapping it to his waist.

"Dressing for battle?" Thurton asked as he reached for the third egg, about to send its contents into the heat of his cooking.

"Just being cautious," Sperin answered. He tightened the belt.

"Let's make sure there is trouble before we make trouble," Anastasia cautioned. She walked back from her pack and sat down next to Kira again.

With a frown, Sperin turned toward her. "What do you want me to do?"

"Sit down," Anastasia encouraged. "Relax. But, be wary. Creyton, Celene and Aliana can take care of themselves. If they needs us, we'll be ready."

Sperin looked down toward the conversation going on at the base of the hill for a moment, then back to Anastasia. "You're the leader," he consented, clearly not liking the decision. He sat down at the base of the tree where he had a good vantage point. "We probably should have kept a lower profile."

Anastasia gave Sperin a long look, before turning back to watch events from the distance as well.

"Hello," Aliana replied after an awkward beat. She took a few steps toward the strangers.

Celene moved up to stand next to Aliana, her bundle of sticks shifted to be held in one hand. Her sword hand was now free for action.

The man took another step forward. He looked to be in his forties.. His skin was tanned and wrinkled. The clothes were well-worn, but neat. Grey hair was cut short. "I don't mean to startle," he said. "We were on our way to Bairn with news and it was growing dark. We were going to camp, when you saw you and your companions. We thought you might want to share the camp with us."

"We always welcome company," Aliana announced. She smiled at the man.

Celene gave Aliana a stern look, then intervened. "We would have to check with the rest of our companions first, however."

"Of course," he replied and he smiled. "If not, we can move a little further on. It has just been a hectic day."

The sky was a deep blue-green, slowing fading to the darker shades of night. The few wisps of clouds were tinted a deeper grey and stars were already preparing to show their brilliance, warming up for the evening's symphony of night. Crickets were provided an accompaniment nearby.

"Well, I don't see why not," Aliana replied. "But, my friend is right. We should check with the rest of our group first."

Another figure came away from the wagon toward the conversation. She was a woman, also middle-aged. She was dressed in simple farming clothes. Her face looked haggard. Her hair was out of order.

Celene leaned in close to Aliana and whispered, "The woman from the farm."

The recognition was mutual. Stopping in her tracks, the woman stared at Aliana and Celene. "Jared," she whispered, loudly enough for Aliana and Celene to overhear, "it's Her."

The man looked at his companion, then turned back around. His brow furrowed. Eyes went to Celene's sword. "You're certain?"

The woman nodded. "She is the one."

Celene moved her hand to the hilt of her sword and looked back and forth before sharing a look with Aliana.

Aliana stood before them with her arms wrapped around her gathered firewood. Dark hair surrounded with her face, mingling with the shadows of the night as she turned back to the strangers. "Is everything okay?"

The man, apparently known as Jared, frowned and said, "My sister's farm was attacked today by soldiers from Isoc. She said a group of travelers saved her daughter from..." He didn't finish that thought, instead saying, "She also said that her husband was wounded horribly and that... well... she says an angel saved his life."

There was a pause and a bit of an uncomfortable silence. "We did come across a farm house earlier this evening," Aliana admitted, looking at the woman. "We were lucky to be able to help. My friends are quite capable and our timing was fortunate."

"You saved his life," the woman murmured to Aliana, her tone filled with awe. "I saw it."

Nervously, Celene looked over her shoulder. She saw that Creyton was coming up on them. She beckoned him over, then turned back around to the conversation.

"I..." Aliana fumbled for the right words. "We're glad that everyone is okay and that the soldiers were taken care of. The Highlord was watching all of us."

"Yes, we were lucky you came along," the woman echoed. "Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't. We would have lost so much more than just the hen house." She looked back to the wagon. "My husband is still light-headed, but I have no doubt he would thank you, my lady."

"Hey," Creyton intervened, stepping up next to Celene. He rested a callused hand on her shoulder. "Who're your friends?" he asked.

"We haven't been formally introduced," Celene explained, "but, these are the people from the farmhouse we were at earlier today."

"Ah." Creyton stepped forward, extending a hand to the other man. "I'm Creyton Grey."

"Master Grey, forgive our manners." The man stepped forward, shaking the hand eagerly. "I am Jared Fisher. This is my sister, Cari."

Finishing the shake, Creyton stepped back. "No need for a title. Creyton will work." He nodded to Cari then looked over Jared's shoulder toward the wagon, continuing his assessment of what was going on. "Who else is with you?"

"Oh." Jared turned around to look at the wagon himself. "My brother-in-law, Amit, and my niece, Sweta."

"They were asking if we minded if they joined us for camp," Aliana offered.

Creyton nodded, considering that with pursed lips. "Just the four of you?"

Jared replied, "Yes."

"We were heading to Bairn," Cari explained. "We wanted to warn the town that there were bandits in the area and also tell them about the miracle."

Celene and Aliana exchanged looks.

"Ah." Creyton looked up at the hill thoughtfully where the others were gathered around the fire under the wide branches of the large elm tree. "Well, first, those weren't bandits that attacked your home. They were soldiers from Isoc."

"Soldiers?" Jared suddenly looked very concerned.

"There was a battle near the town of Akia a month or two ago that we are aware of," Creyton explained. "We're not sure if they were survivors of that battle or scouts for another group. Either way, those red uniforms they were wearing were those of Isoc soldiers. The weapons were pretty standard for Isoc troops as well."

"We heard about a border skirmish," Jared said, sharing a concerned look with Cari. "I guess we didn't think we were in danger this far into the Empire."

"These aren't safe times," Aliana added.

Jared agreed. "The Senate needs to make a decision, soon."

"The Senate?" Aliana started, but she quieted her initial instinct. "The near future will be a very important time for the Empire to see what happens."

"Why don't you gather your things and join our camp for the night?" Creyton offered. "There is safety in numbers."

Cari nodded. "We would like that. We would feel safer in your company."

"We will see you up at our camp, then. We'll put on some extra food for you and share introductions and stories tonight." Creyton gestured for Celene and Aliana to start heading back.

"Thank you," Jared said, bowing his head.

"We'll see you at camp," Creyton repeated and he started walking off with the girls.

Jared and Cari headed back to the cart.

Aliana looked after the other pair for a moment before turning to fall into step next to Creyton, carrying her bundle of sticks.

Celene started walking backwards a few steps before turning around to join them as well. "Do you think it is wise?"

Creyton shrugged. "They seem harmless enough. If we turned them away, they'd probably only camp a hundred yards up the road anyway. I thought it better to keep them close and maybe learn a little bit about what they saw so we can decide how best to react."

"I'm glad the Highlord let me save the husband," Aliana whispered.. She walked with her head down, watching the tall grass pass beneath her in the dark. It was already slightly damp with dew.

Creyton sighed a long, slow sigh. Then, he nodded. "I am, too. We just need to be careful is all."

"I couldn't just let him die," Aliana said quietly. Raising her head, she gazed up at the fire in front of them.

"I know, Aliana." Creyton ran his fingers back through his hair and looked up at the stars. They were twinkling overhead. He studied the Highlord's constellation; four stars, three in a triangle surrounding the brightest one in the center. "Maybe this is why you have this gift."

"It seems many of us have gifts," Celene observed to no one in particular as she walked along next to the other two.

Creyton smiled, teeth shining slightly. "I suppose that's why we're here." He chuckled. "I'm just saying we need to be careful."

Swatting at a mosquito, Kira set down her whittling and continued watching the conversation near the now dark trees at the bottom of the hill. "Perhaps there is something we can do about our guidance. About going in blind." she said quietly to Anastasia.

"Hm?" Anastasia stretched her legs out before her and leaned back on her hands. She turned her blue eyes curiously to Kira. "I know I am ignorant of your talents, but maybe there is something you can do," Kira suggested. "I know you have these Visions and, as I've observed, they are trusted by almost everyone. Is there some way for you to focus this on our task? Perhaps gain some insight?"

Firelight cast shadows over Anastasia's features. She pondered the question for awhile. "It isn't a precise science," she noted. "My talents are different than the old man's. He is more refined and exact."

"It is a good idea," Thurton added from where he was kneeling next to the fire and stirring the potatoes. "It wouldn't hurt to try and see."

Kira's chin dipped in agreement. "If we can confirm or clarify what we saw at the old man's island, it might help us in this. It seems like all we know is we're looking for some old building in the desert. None of us know anything about it save that Lady Shadowwren knows what it looks like. Even Creyton only knows where the desert is and nothing more." Gazing thoughtfully into the flames, Kira added, "Maybe there is a way we can induce another dream to Celene to give us a better idea of where this is. Or, use her drawing as a focal point for you." Shrugging, Kira turned back to Anastasia. "These are only suggestions." She smiled. The expression seemed a bit odd on her face. Though it has been seen of late, it wasn't an expression she often shared with these others. "We are following visions and prophecies. But, all my training that was beat into me says to go into a situation with as much knowledge as possible. We have pretty smiles, sharp wits and Destiny on our side, but I'd still rather know what we were getting into."

Anastasia was quiet again for a long moment. It was her turn to gaze thoughtfully into the flames as the flickered, licking the edges of Thurton's cooking pot. "Let me think on what I can do that might help."

"Thank you," Kira murmured. She rested a hand fondly on Anastasia's thigh before reaching again to pick up her whittling.

Suited up with cloak and sword, Sperin tossed a twig toward the fire. "I wonder what they're talking about."

"If Aliana is talking, they probably know our entire history together by now," Thurton grumbled as he cooked. "It can't be a good thing."

Kira chuckled, putting knife to wood. "Maybe she will remember our agreements made in Akia."

"I hope so," Sperin muttered, tossing another twig into the fire.

Thurton frowned as it landed in dinner, giving Sperin a dark look.

Sperin didn't notice it, instead watching the bottom of the hill. "They're coming back."

Shaking his head and muttering under his breath, Thurton fished the twig out of the pot and dropped it in the fire.

"The others are going back to their cart," Kira observed.

Rising to her feet, Anastasia took a few steps away from the fire to greet Creyton, Aliana and Celene when they arrived.

"We're going to have company," Celene announced as the trio made it to the shelter of the elm tree. As the firelight struck her hair, it glowed bronze. She glanced toward Aliana and Creyton, then moved around the fire toward her things.

"I invited them to camp with us. I figured we could figure out exactly how much they know." Creyton stopped near Anastasia.

"How much do they know?" Anastasia looked a bit confused.

"The woman," Aliana explained quietly. "She witnessed that, through the Highlord, I healed her husband." She folded her hands behind her back.

"You what?" Sperin asked. He glared across the camp at Aliana.

"I healed him," she repeated. She looked back at the farmer. "I couldn't just let him die."

"You healed him?" Throwing his arms up in the air, Sperin frowned and shook his head. "Do you remember what the heck we all talked about in Akia a few days ago?"

"What would you have me do?" Aliana snapped back. "Just let him die?"

"What would I have you do?" Sperin pushed up to his feet and pointed at Aliana. "I would have you consult Anastasia before doing something like that. I would have you follow the same plan that all of us agreed to follow."

"If I waited, he would be dead," Aliana asserted.

"Enough," Anastasia interjected, stepping between the fire and Aliana.

"Maybe we'll all be dead when word of this gets out," Sperin hissed back.

"Enough!" Anastasia repeated more forcefully. She shot first Sperin, then Aliana, hard looks.

A heated paused, filled by the crackling of the fire, the sizzling of dinner, and the hum of crickets filled the gap in conversation. In a carefully calm voice, Kira asked, "Was anything else said?"

Aliana shook her head. "No. They just recognized us from the farmhouse. She saw the wound on her husband's head close."

"There are four of them," Creyton explained. "The family from the house as well as the wife's brother. They are heading to Bairn." He looked toward Thurton. "I invited them to dinner."

"I'll slice a few more potatoes." With a grunt, the large man pushed to his feet and moved over toward his backpack. As he bent over to dig for some more food, he looked to Aliana and asked, "Did you tell them anything else?"

"No." Aliana's voice was soft as she answered the question again.

"We only said that we would have to consult our friends to see if they could camp with us," Celene confirmed. "Creyton then came over and said that they could."

Thurton mulled over an idea. "This could be simple to cover. They are peasants. We can trick them. We tell them that we are travelling performers. Aliana knows some first aid and tricks with herbs. The glowing was a bit of stage magic and being young, she couldn't resist showing off. Each one of us has a skill as a performer.... I work with horses, Anna tells futures." He paused, lips going back and forth as he thought. "It might work."

"We're peasants," Sperin pointed out.

"True," Thurton rumbled. "Though this isn't a flawless idea, it has other merits. Kira throws knives; Creyton is a trick shot with the bow; Celene is an artist; and Sperin is our guard and muscle." He looked around at the others. "We stick to the act. Anna does her performance... and makes it long so no one else has to perform, or we claim that our props are travelling with the other half of our group and so we can't perform right now, as much as we would like too. That sort of thing. In the morning they move on and so do we. No harm."

"Not a bad idea," Creyton conceded, nodding slowly. "One to keep in mind beyond today, too."

With a potato in each big hand, Thurton lumbered back over toward the fire. "How did you explain the healing?" His tone had hints of accusation in it.

"They labeled Aliana an angel," Celene noted. She stood off to the side, near her things, watching everyone.

Sperin snorted, but no words followed.

"They asked about it. I said we were happy that people were okay and that the Highlord must have been watching over us." Aliana shifted her weight. "We avoided the topic as best we could."

Nodding, Celene concurred. "I don't think we said much else."

"That'll make the herbs explanation difficult," Thurton said. He paused in his cooking to think on his idea.

"They'll be here soon," Kira observed as the wagon reached the top of the hill.

Glancing over her shoulder, Anastasia watched them work the wagon off the road and into the tall weeds. "What is our story?"

"Why not just have Aliana work miracles for them all night long?" Sperin suggested sarcastically. He sat back down against the trunk of the tree. His cloak fluttered to the side as it settled down.

"The healing is done. The debate of whether or not saving someone's life for our safety is one for later," Anastasia said. She looked around, then asked, "Do we share anything more with them? Do we go with Thurton's idea?"

"Sorry," Sperin murmured.

"I don't think so," Thurton replied to Anastasia's question. "It sounds like we've already brought the Highlord into this. One strange story at a time. I think we should act as normal as possible." He was cutting potatoes near the fire, letting them fall into the pot. Each one sizzled when it hit the hot metal. He shook his head as he did so.

"I agree with Thurton," Celene piped in.

Anastasia nodded. "That is it then. No mention of anything else. No plants or flying ships or visions. Just that Aliana has been blessed to heal by the Highlord." Looking over her shoulder again, she noted them gathering things off the wagon to bring into the camp. "If hard pressed, though, we incorporate Thurton's idea, but only if we need a story. We don't know what they're going to ask. We work with the Zakharov clan if that story is needed."

"If we are going to try to pass as normal," Creyton said, "let me suggest a few things. Anastasia, you are wearing armor with the Imperial signia. Our weapons are going to generate questions. So will Sperin's cloak."

Anastasia moved across to her back, lifting the worn leather over her head. Once it was off, she pulled her shirt back down where it inched up to expose her mid-drift and began to stuff the armor into her back.

Reaching for his cloak, Sperin just let the material slide through his fingers. "I can tell them it is from Elvinhome."

"As long as you are prepared to answer the questions that follow," Creyton said.

Shirt back in order, Anastasia said, "Let's all try to stick close so our story is the same. We'll try to feel out what they know first before we tell them more. If they are going to Bairn, anything we tell them will likely get through the entire town in a day. We all know how gossip works. Let's keep that in mind." She took a deep breath and smoothed out her hair. "We'll keep watches, too. In pairs, just to be cautious. Kira and I will go first. Sperin and Aliana will have the second watch. Thurton and Celene will go third. Creyton, get a good night sleep." She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Anything else?" When no one said anything, Anastasia smiled. "Good." She turned to greet the oncoming quintet.

As Anastasia stepped forward to greet the arrival, Creyton moved around the fire toward the back. Large public interaction was never his strong suit. Once satisfied that he gained a good vantage point where he could keep his eye on everyone he turned around and offered beard enshrouded smile toward the others. He waited to be introduced.

With a sigh, Sperin reached up to his neck. His fingers worked the brooch of his cloak loose as he rose to his feet. As he removed it, the cloak caught the light of the fire and shifted colors to shadows and orange-drenched bark in the light of the fire. The strange shimmering would indubitably capture attention as the strange fabric seemed to work to blend in with its surroundings. He quickly folded it over his arm and moved toward his pack, working to keep it out of sight from the oncoming guests to camp. "I don't think admitting to anything is a good idea," he muttered under his breath. "I think the lady got hit in the head. We could say she was hallucinating or something."

"You really think that would work?" Celene murmured.

"Why not?" Sperin said, barely above a whisper as he tucked the cloak away, crouching in front of his pack with his back to the newcomers. "We all have bumps and bruises. I just don't think spreading the word of the Highlord is wise right now."

Celene looked at Sperin with raised eyebrows, though she didn't speak.

"What?" he asked. "I just think we should say nothing. Let her think her eyes are playing tricks on her. Aliana was just praying because she's religious. Not that she did it." He shrugged.

"And when a similar experience happened to you and I...?." Creyton mentioned pointedly to Sperin. "We knew what happened."

"I guess," Sperin said, but he shut up as they were near.

"Hello," Anastasia greeted with a warm smile. She moved toward the group of four as they stepped into range of the fire. "You will join us by our fire tonight?" She took another step forward.

Jared paused awkwardly as a woman addressed him instead of one of the men, but he nodded. "Yes, we would like that." He gestured toward Creyton. "Your friend, Maste.... Creyton said it would be fine." He just looked like a farmer. While his things were certainly well kept, he had that air that those from Akia recognized all too well. His demeanor was very similar to Sperin's neighbors'; simple, hard-working, and honest. He exuded these traits. He likely never lived in an environment where one didn't trust their neighbors. As grey eyes took in the motley crew around the fire, it became clear to many who once were considered people like him, that they weren't viewed this way any longer. There was a certain deference to his stance. Nothing that really could have a finger put on it, but it was clear that the group was considered important.

"It is," Anastasia said. She gestured them in. "Come. Join us for a meal and a story."

Jared took a step in front of the others toward the fire. Anastasia got another once over. After all, it seemed she was speaking for all of these men and other women, some of who even carried swords. "Thank you, my lady."

"Please, the name is Anastasia. Anna for short." She lightly touched Jared's arm in a relaxed gesture, then shifted away to open up the ring of conversation to everyone. "Let me go around the fire and introduce my friends, though I understand there are some you've already met. Then, perhaps, you will do the same with yours." She smiled easily, wearing the demeanor she had worn for many patrons over the years. The faux friendly charm of the gypsies was not easily forgotten. "First, our chef for the evening is Thurton Gromst."

Wiping off his hands, Thurton rose to his feet and inclined his head in greeting. "It is a pleasure."

"Gromst," Jared repeated, looking up at the tall man respectfully. "I know the name. You are from Akia?"

Thurton nodded.

"I've heard it recently," Jared went on. He stepped forward, extending a hand to shake. "You were the founder of that movement for open elections in the northwest, yes? You own the stables there?"

A little surprised, Thurton nodded again. "Yes, that's me." His large hand completely engulfed Jared's as the pair shook. "I wouldn't say I was the founder, but I played a role."

"I have nothing but the greatest respect for what you tried to accomplish," Jared said, shaking enthusiastically before taking his hand away. "It was a brave thing and much needed with politics being what they are." He paused and let his voice take on a softer, respectful tone. "I was just sorry to hear about the other gentleman... Barton Jones."

Sighing, Thurton stepped back near the fire. He looked Jared over thoughtfully, before saying, "He will be missed," in somber tones.

Aliana gazed down at her hands.

Anastasia shared a look with Thurton before directing Jared's attention elsewhere. "This is Kira Achado."

Rising, the diminutive women smiled. "Hello."

"Hello, miss," Jared replied, looking her over curiously. Her clothing didn't appear to be from the country.

"This is Celene..." Anastasia paused, her lips pursed in thought, but she decided to come out with the truth, "Shadowwren."

Rising regally to her feet, Celene inclined her head to the stranger.

Jared looked questioningly to Anastasia to ensure he heard her correctly. When it seemed he had, he turned back to Celene, looking a bit flushed over his recent praise of Thurton. He bowed deeply, though not with any great grace or practice. "My Lady Shadowwren. It is an honor."

"Likewise," Celene responded aloofly.

Anastasia continued the introductions once Jared righted himself. "Next, we have Sperin Tramil."

Sperin waved from his spot near the trunk of the tree. "Hi."

Jared returned the gesture. "Hello."

"Standing near the tree is Creyton," Anastasia explained.

Jared nodded. "We've already met, briefly." He smiled at Creyton.

Creyton only responded with a dipping of his chin.

"Finally, we have..." Anastasia considered Aliana before smiling gently at her. "... Aliana Moonsong."

The small group accompanying Jared whispered amongst themselves when Aliana was introduced.

"My Lady Moonsong, it is a great honor to meet you." Again, Jared bowed deeply, giving Aliana the same treatment he gave Celene.

"I am glad to meet you as well," Aliana responded, favoring all the guests with a warm smile, though she seemed a bit awkward at the bow.

Righting himself, Jared gave Aliana a long, thoughtful look that was pregnant with a question. However, it never came. Instead, he stepped back. "Forgive my manners. The introductions are in my court. First, I am Jared Fisher. I own a farm a short ways west and south of here."

Jared stepped to the side and gestured to another man, perhaps in his mid-thirties, with disheveled black hair and dark eyes. Some of the hair was missing, as if shaved to the skull in a patch. But, this was the place he was wounded. There was no sign of the wound. His bangs were cut straight across, not in a flattering way. "This is my brother in law, Amit Joshi."

Amit inclined his head deeply to everyone, but then bowed more deeply toward Aliana. "My lady, my thanks," he murmured, as if nervous to speak further to her.

"Some of you have already met my sister, Cari."

The pale-skinned woman with black hair bowed her ahead as well, also giving Aliana a great deal of respect.

"And their daughter, Sweta."

A cute girl, probably in her mid-teens, smiled shyly at the assembly. Her skin was dark, like her father's, and the black hair was pulled into a pony tail. She was dressed in a simple brown shirt with similar pants that just didn't quite match. The shirt was loose on her narrow frame.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality tonight and the kindness you've shown us today," Jared said.

"Travelers should be hospitable to one another," Thurton said, beckoning them toward the fire. "Come. Dinner is almost ready. Sit by the fire." He limped back over himself, lowering his form down next to his cooking.

With a look at all the eyes looking at him, Jared smiled a bit nervously, and moved over to the fire next to Thurton.

Aliana offered a kind smile. "Please, his potatoes are amazing. You'll enjoy them."

"We have some of our own food," Amit offered, moving forward next to Jared and looking timidly around.

"There should be plenty of potatoes for everyone," Thurton said as he stirred them. The scent of the meal mingled enticingly with the smell of campfire.

"Sweta," Cari instructed as she moved next to her husband. "Go back to the cart and fetch the pie we brought."

"Yes, mother." The girl turned and moved off into the night on her errand.

"So, are you all from Akia?" Jared asked, then corrected himself toward Celene. "Or, most of you?"

"Most of us, yes," Anastasia answered, sitting down next to Jared.

"I lived there most of my life," Sperin said, staying back near his pack. "On the farms west of town, not far off the road from Akia to the ancient road."

"Is that near the mill?" Amit wondered, tilting his head to the side as he looked through the heat of the fire at Sperin.

"Not far from there," Sperin said with a nod. "That's a little bit south of my farm."

"I've been to the mill before," Amit said, "but we never went as far as Akia. We sold our grain and then came back." Even as he spoke, he kept glancing over at Aliana.

Aliana kept smiling back at him.

"I have, too," Sperin said with an oddly quiet tone. He looked down the hill, off into the night.

Thurton glanced between Amit and Aliana thoughtfully. "Does your horse need tending?" he asked, gesturing over toward their cart. Sweta's shadow could be seen near the back of it, looking for the pie.

Nodding, Amit turned and looked as well. "Yes, sir." He almost looked ashamed that he hadn't taken care of it. "I should go unhitch her."

"There was a good patch of grass just on the other side of the tree over there," Thurton noted. "I've little doubt she'll enjoy it if you hobbled her there tonight. Of course, she could probably use some fresh water. Maybe we could scout out the area for some." He looked over at Creyton.

"We have some in our cart," Jared volunteered. "Enough to easily get us to Bairn in the morning. Do you need some?"

"We should have enough to last until tomorrow, but it never hurts to have more," Thurton noted. "Creyton, maybe you and Aliana could look for some?" he asked with a pointed look directed toward Creyton.

Creyton looked back at Thurton quietly for a few moments. The hints of a frown touched the corner of his mouth. However, he nodded. "We can scout the immediate area. I’m not sure how successful the search will be, but we can check."

"Or maybe, we should all stay together for the stories," Sperin said, pointedly referencing the plan.

Creyton rested a hand on Sperin’s shoulder. "It’s all right." He smiled over at Aliana. "Aliana and I could use a short walk, if nothing else."

Rising to her feet, Aliana nodded. Her dark hair gleamed in the light of the fire as she did so. "It is a beautiful night for a walk," she said softly.

Jared looked at Thurton oddly, but the stranger didn’t say anything.

Creyton turned and started away, walking out of the light and warmth of the fire.

Aliana smiled to the strangers, then turned to go after him, fading into the night.

There was a lull in the conversation. The orange glow of the fire washed over everyone’s features. The night was growing cooler. The scent of burning wood lingered.

"Dinner should be ready soon," Thurton noted, stirring the contents of his pot.

"We have pie for dessert," Cari offered. A few streaks of grey were more pronounced in her black hair due to the firelight.

On queue, Sweta returned, carrying the pie dish. Her thin form came up next to her mother and she knelt down there, setting the pie on the ground in front of her.

"What kind of pie is it?" Celene wondered, looking over curiously.

"Blueberry," Cari answered after giving her daughter a smile of thanks.

"I enjoy blueberries," Kira volunteered to the conversation.

"Blueberry?" Sperin tilted his head so he could inspect the pie across the fire. "Do you preserve them?"

"The blueberries?" Cari asked. "Yes."

Nodding his approval, Sperin said, "I often preserve things myself."

"We find it necessary on the farm," Amit said with a slight smile. "We enjoy many things long into winter. We spoil ourselves."

"How is your farm doing?" Anastasia wondered.

"We will soon harvest this year," Amit explained. "But, our crop these last few years has not been so strong."

Sperin nodded, as if he understood all too well Amit’s dilemma. "Have you ever heard of crop rotation?"

Amit peered across at Sperin curiously. "Crop rotation?"

Getting enthused, Sperin leaned forward. "I really believe this will work for you. Let me explain it. You see…"

Away from the fire, the air grew chillier. Aliana wrapped her arms around herself as she moved down the hill. The cuffs of her pants grew damp from some of the dew in the tall grass. She walked in the wake of Creyton’s passing, some of the grass being pressed down. The sounds of conversation grew more distant behind her. Autumn was in the air.

Coming out from under the shade of the broad elm tree, she looked off to her left and watched the moon. The orb was full, sitting just above the hills in the distance. It cast enough light to cause shadows. Her pace slowed as she stared off at it. It reminded her of the First Fort. Was that only a month ago? It was the last time the moon had been full.

Creyton came to a halt up ahead and Aliana gave him her attention. The moonlight spilled over him, reflecting in his brown eyes. He looked lean, almost too lean. The events of this last summer had certainly taken their toll on him. He had always been quiet and polite when he came into Kiltin’s Rest for news and a drink; the mysterious woodsman from the edge of town. No one knew much about him. He’d talk to Jolly for an hour or so and then vanish off into the Verde Woods for a week or two before appearing again. He had a certain peace about him. Now, that peace was gone. He stood on the balls of his feet almost all the time, as if on edge. His clothes could have used mending. There were some darker patches here and there from where blood had dried on them, though he did his best to wash out the stains. He looked tired and worn, comparatively. His habits were efficient and precise. Aliana theorized that his old Ranger training had come back to the surface.

"You are okay?" he asked quietly.

It took Aliana a moment to realize he had spoken at all. "I am just reflecting on our summer."

Nodding, Creyton waited until she caught up with him. "A lot has happened."

"A lot has changed," Aliana murmured. She looked him over again, noting details. His boots were new. He must have gotten them in Akia. They were soft leather that came up over his calves, lacing up nearly to his knees. He had gained a scar on his cheek, just above the line of his beard. He had shaved regularly when he lived in Akia.

Self conscious about the inspection, Creyton looked at himself, then back at Aliana. "You look different," he observed.

Blinking, Aliana looked down at herself. "I do?"

Creyton nodded. "You have come a long way from that cute, little waitress at the Rest.

Blushing, Aliana turned toward the moon. Maybe that would hide the expression. "You are right. A lot has happened."

"Many things and very quickly. Some things very personal for each of us. Some things larger than any of us." Turning, Creyton started walking again. The grass whispered with his passing.

Aliana fell into step along side of him. She felt safe with Creyton. Probably all of them did.

"Just look at your life now," Creyton said. He looked ahead, off into the night. He seemed comfortable as a cool breeze set the grass waving around them. "You lived in the town of Akia, on the edge of an empire that had been stable your entire life. We had our drama there, but things were small. A big event was the fact that a ship arrived at the docks carrying sugar. It was a sleepy town. A quiet life. Safe. Relaxing. Then, everything changed. The Senate came to our town. Assassins. Border skirmishes. There is a political struggle here that is so much bigger than Akia. It will change the future of Threforfar and the countries around us. We left our town. We saw…. I don’t know what to call it… the cold. We saw evil. We saw hell. We moved further and saw the siege of Elvinhome. We saw civil war engulf an empire that has been stable for almost two hundred years. We saw magic. We saw the Dragon." Creyton shook his head, as if trying to absorb all of that. "This is all so much bigger than any of us. Yet, the whole thing is all right here." He patted his chest. "Look at your life beyond the global events. You discovered the Highlord in yourself and your ability to share it with others. You lost your father before you ever discovered him. You found faith so strong that the rest of us are concerned you’ll lead us over a cliff without a thought. You brought back the Dragon." Looking at Aliana out of the corner of his eye, he murmured, "And, yet, you are somehow still the waitress at the Rest."

Aliana looked down, watching her feet part the grass. She was quiet, absorbing everything Creyton said. "What have you discovered about yourself?"

Creyton was thoughtful before responding. "I can’t hide. I came to Akia to hide. I turned to my vices to hide. I go off into the forest to hide." He sighed a deeply heavy sigh. "There is no escape for me from all of this." He waved his hand in the air to indicate everything. "I’m caught up in something I don’t understand. I always seem to be."

"What don’t you understand?" she wondered softly.

"Almost all of it," Creyton answered. He turned as they walked so they were facing the moon, forming a circle that didn’t venture too far from camp. "I don’t understand the political game. I don’t know who’s side we should be on, if any. I don’t know how the events I’ve witnessed will change Threforfar. I don’t know what will come of this civil war and how it will change things for those people tonight at our camp, or Akia, or us. I don’t know why Isoc has troops within our borders or why someone is hiring assassins from Tiscot to sabotage our bid for a Senate seat or why an army of nirgyl surround Elvinhome. And, these are the simpler mysteries that spin around in my head."

Walking quietly along with her face downcast, Aliana listened to Creyton list off his concerns. "What are the more complex ones?"

With a wry chuckle, Creyton said, "Where to even begin?"

Aliana shrugged her shoulder, then raised her gaze to study her companion some more. She pulled her arms tighter about herself to find more warmth.

"I don’t know who we are," Creyton said, quietly. "Look at us."

"What about us?" Aliana asked, very curious as to his opinion.

"We’ll start with our most recent addition. Lady Shadowwren." Turning his head to the left, Creyton gazed away from Aliana and back toward the camp. The leaves of the elm tree shimmered in the moonlight as they were stirred by the breeze. Under the tree, the light of the fire flickered, surrounded by the shadows of their companions and their guests. "She is young. Her parents are dead. She claims they were slain by the same assassins who haunt us now; men who we think are trying to kill you, men who we think are members of the Guild. She sees things, places, and then paints or draws them. Then, she goes to these places. Here we are, following a drawing of hers to the desert, hoping we can find this shrine. She has a Senate seat open to her should she ever step up and claim it. Her uncle is also one of the most influential men in all the Empire. Yet, here she is camping with us on the plains of western Threforfar near the town of Bairn. Why is she here?" He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "She strikes me as odd. At times she is quiet, kind and likable. Others, she seems to speak without thought for the words or their effect on others. Of course, this is a habit of many of us."

"I am fond of her," Aliana mentioned.

Creyton grinned a bit, turning back to look at Aliana. "She listens to you. You have something inside you need to share and we keep trying to stop you. She hears you and, maybe, understands you better than the rest of us." He turned back to gazing at the distant camp. "Of all of us, she is the most useful should we need political leverage."

"What about Thurton?" Aliana asked.

"He has leverage, but of a different kind. He did fine in the Senate. He is well respected in Akia. But, he doesn’t have the background that Lady Shadowwren has. He likely will never have that kind of clout. He comes from a different background." The breeze pushed some of Creyton’s hair into his face and he turned into the wind, shaking out his head, to clear it.

Alone with Creyton, Aliana tucked her own hair behind her elongated ears to keep it from disturbing her. "What are your thoughts on him? How does he add to your confusion?"

"Thurton Gromst." Creyton spoke the name and let it hang in the air for a moment. "You say that name in Akia or Beantown and people will smile and nod. He is well respected for his hard work, for the things he has accomplished. Of course, sometimes, this stubborness that makes him successful can be trying to deal with. He thinks he is right and has a hard time seeing other opinions. Also, it is frustrating at times that he is one of the most vocal about people going against the group’s decisions, yet he one of the biggest offenders." At this, Creyton looked pointedly at Aliana.

She sighed guiltily, but didn’t comment, knowing full and well she was likely the biggest offender in his opinion.

"Hopefully he will remember our talks in Akia this last time and stick to his word to go along with the group, even if what he is doing is for the betterment of all of us." Creyton nodded. "He needs to learn this lesson."

"He has for the most part so far," Aliana observed. Bending down, she plucked a strand of grass and began absently wrapping it around her finger.

"Not entirely," Creyton said. "We are on a walk, right?"

Aliana nodded, peering curiously at Creyton before giving her attention to her grass ring.

"The plan was for all of us to stay together so we know the story. You and I will get back and, potentially, a story will have been laid out," Creyton said.

"And we won’t know what it is," Aliana finished, voice distant.

"Exactly." He sighed and shook his head. "Listen to me. I am starting to sound like Sperin."

One corner of Aliana’s mouth curled upward in amusement. "Thurton means well."

"He does." Creyton nodded again, peering toward the horizon. "Our large friend has a gift, though, that I think is more than he understands. These things he does with the animals, I have seen similar gifts before. But, his work with the plants… with the Land… whatever it is, is amazing. I feel guilty about rushing him away from the Circle of Pines. He could have learned so much, but then nothing else would be getting done that needs doing. Hopefully, after all this done and we find this shrine, he will have time to go back there and learn more. Hopefully, he will come to understand the Dragon Staff."

Creyton’s last statement brought Aliana’s attention away from the grass ring she was crafting for herself. She felt strange for a moment and looked around. As far as she could tell, they were alone. She just felt like they weren’t. The moon was a bit higher in the sky now.

"Everything all right?" Creyton wondered. Noting she was looking around, he scanned as well. He could see the grass swaying in the breeze and little else.

"I think so."

Slowing his pace, Creyton continued his analyzation of the companions. "Then there is Kira. A member of an organization who’s very members are working against and for us. She has done nothing but give us reasons to trust her, but I still have a hard time, knowing she is in the Guild."

"I don’t really understand the Guild," Aliana admitted. "I mean, I know they work for the Empire, but they seem to be broken up. No one seems to know what is going on."

"I don’t think Kira knows any more than what she told us," Creyton said. "They are an agent of the Empire. They swear dark oaths to protect us all by any means needed. They shroud themselves in mystery and, it seems, they do this even from themselves. From what I understand, different groups within the Guild have different ideas on what we should do to save the Empire. Some, it seems, think that killing you will do this. Kira seems to think that protecting you will accomplish this. I’m sure there are other schools of thought we aren’t aware of. Heck, Kira probably isn’t aware of all of them. They all follow the Dragon, though. That much I know. "

"The Dragon," Aliana repeated like a mantra needed for a religious service.

Peering toward the camp again, Creyton mused, "I wonder what she really thinks of Morinskar’s return." He pondered that for a moment, then shrugged. "Her skills will help keep all of us alive. If we need something done that is…" He searched for the correct word. "Well, something that if the end justifies the means, she is the one to do it." He turned and looked pointedly at Aliana. "And, if the fight gets dirty, Kira will be the one who keeps you alive."

That impacted Aliana. She looked at Creyton, absorbing the words. She nodded.

"That leave us with Sperin and Anastasia," Creyton went on after a minute. He stopped walking and crouched down, peering back at the camp. A smile came to his features. "Sperin, I think, doesn’t know what to make of all this. Between his situation with his wife and farm and the religious aspect you bring to things, I think he’s confused."

"Sometimes I think he hates me," Aliana murmured. She stopped next to the crouching man, turning to look at the camp as well.

"He doesn’t hate you," Creyton assured. "He worries about you, about all of us. He takes our safety very seriously. That’s why we lay down the rules. When you talk about things we’ve agreed not to speak of, he gets angry because those rules are for our protection. It seems you care little for safety sometimes."

"You know that’s not true," Aliana mentioned.

"I’m only talking about our perception, Aliana." He looked up at her as she stood at his shoulder gazing back toward the camp.

"Creyton, we have something amazing here. In His name, we are performing miracles. The Highlord has chosen us." The cool breeze stirred wisps of her dark hair.

"While you embrace this, it isn’t easy for the rest of us to accept. Sperin especially." He leaned slightly, nudging his shoulder into her thigh. "Think about how he feels. He is sworn to protect you. Please, work to make his task as easy as possible."

"I try." Aliana’s voice was a whisper, lost quickly in the wind.

"I know."

"And you, Creyton? You will protect me as well?"

"Of course I will," he murmured, gazing up at Aliana. "I do my best to keep all of us safe."

"We wouldn’t have made it without you," Aliana replied.

"We wouldn’t have made it without any of us," Creyton said. "I have a skill to share. While all of you learn to your potential, I will keep you safe. Though I see you growing, all of you. We already do not rely on me so much in conflict."

"We rely on you for more than your skill with the bow, Creyton." Aliana looked down at him, her face shrouded from view in the night. "You are the rock that keeps us anchored." She placed a hand on the man’s shoulder.

Creyton shook his head. "That is Anastasia. With our support of her decisions, her confidence grows. She is truly becoming our leader. She sees things more clearly than all of us, both because of her level head and her insight." Reaching up, he grabbed Aliana’s hand in his own. "She is the one who can see us through all of this. She is the least driven by a personal agenda. And, she has the Sight. I was skeptical at first, but so many things I have once been skeptical about have been proven true. If we help her lead, she will help all of us succeed."

"You think highly of her," Aliana observed with a soft smile.

"Yes, I do, though I think well of all of us. She is everything we should look for in a leader. I know the traits. I’ve seen them often enough. She just needs to see that as well. All of us are capable of mistakes, even if in the lead. I will follow her judgement."

Nodding, Aliana watched her thumb trace a circle on the back of Creyton’s hand. "I believe you’re right."

Creyton was quiet for a few moments. "I believe in you, too, Aliana. I don’t understand what happened in Akia, back when all of this started. I would be dead if it weren’t for you."

"Do you believe in the Highlord?" Her words were barely audible above the whispering of the grass around them.

"I didn’t at first, but I do now." He looked down for a moment at the small hand he held, before venturing to look up at Aliana’s face. "I believe in what you’ve shown me, Aliana. You are blessed. Perhaps, as they say, an angel."

Aliana slipped her hand out of Creyton’s grasp. "I am the Highlord’s follower, Creyton. I will bring him back."

He nodded. A comment like that a few months ago would have had him scoffing. Instead, he pushed to his feet. "We should head back."

Agreeing, Aliana started walking toward the distant elm tree, leaving Creyton to watch her go for a few moments before he rose to follow.

Amit nodded deeply as it started to make sense to him. "So the soil will replenish itself." Idly, he reached up, touching his head where the hair had been removed.

"Exactly." Sperin nodded as well. "I have a few friends in Akia who are testing this out. If it works, we should have some great results. It’ll take a few years to really test, but I’m confident on the theory." The farmer was pacing near the fire, excited about the topic. "It could help all of us be more productive. A bigger, healthier crop is more money in the fall."

"Next spring," Amit promised, "we will try this on one of our fields and see over time as well."

Cari looked a bit skeptical at her husband, but didn’t comment. She slouched as she sat on a wooden bench they had taken out of their wagon. She was thin with freckles over her nose and cheeks. They only seemed highlighted in the light of the fire.

"Dinner is ready," Thurton announced. With a cloth around the handle, he pulled his cooking pot out of the fire. The spices he put on filled the air. Steam came off of the meal. He set it down a few feet from the fire.

Amit leaned back, curling his hand into a fist and placing it in front of his mouth. He pondered crop rotation thoughtfully.

"We don’t have much in the way of dinner ware," Celene said apologetically. She walked around to fire to stand near Thurton, looking at the meal. "I don’t suppose you have a way for us to eat this?"

Thurton looked up at Celene from where he crouched near his recently prepared meal. He didn’t say anything.

Cari rose to her feet. "We have some tin plates. We can share them." She turned and started back to the cart.

Anastasia leaned back, reaching her arms behind her and propping her torso up with her hands. She had fallen quiet during the last bit of the conversation, observing things around her. Shadows from the light cast by the fire obscured her eyes from you as she considered the farmers who shared their camp. The cool breeze stirred a few locks of her yellow hair. She found herself gazing curiously at the daughter, Sweta.

The girl was perhaps older than she looked, judging by body language. She was narrow, almost as thin as an elf. She had dark, rich skin and her black hair, which had a few lighter streaks, was pulled back into a pony tail. She caught Anastasia looking and smiled a bashful smile back.

Meeting the smile, Anastasia continued her study. There was something about the girl that Anastasia couldn’t quite put a finger on. Her gift was trying to tell her something, but she was unsure what.

Turning away from the scrutiny, Sweta looked toward the steaming pot. "It smells delicious," she noted.

"Hopefully, it will taste as good, eh?" With a grunt, Thurton pushed up to his feet and moved back across to his backpack. He, at least, had packed some dinnerware.

Suddenly, Sweta screamed.

Instantly, Kira’s feet kicked out and she was up on her feet in a flash in a ready posture. She looked around for the reason, eyes carefully noting the surroundings.

"What is it?" Sperin demanded as he moved quickly toward his backpack.

Celene’s hand darted to the hilt of her sword and she spun around.

Sweta pointed toward Thurton’s pack. "A rat!"

Everyone turned and looked toward Thurton.

The big man laughed. "You mean Fuzz?" Reaching down, he captured the mouse in his hand. "He isn’t a rat. He’s a field mouse." He showed Fuzz off to everyone. "He’s a pet."

Fuzz’s whiskers twitched at the gathering.

Suddenly, Creyton burst into camp, dagger drawn. He skidded to a stop, looking around.

Aliana came running up after him, wearing a curious and concerned expression.

"It was just Fuzz," Celene explained to the pair who came storming back into camp. "He can be a bit startling."

Jared looked curiously toward Kira, then Sperin, then Celene and, finally Creyton. His brow furrowed.

Sweta looked scared.

"Everything is all right," Anastasia assured the camp.

Thurton came around the fire, lowering the mouse before Sweta. "You see? Just a mouse."

She nodded, but it likely wasn’t the mouse she was afraid of as much as the reaction.

Sheathing his dagger, Creyton moved casually over toward his pack. "Dinner smells good," he noted, forcing as much calm into his voice as he could, a drastic contrast from charging into camp, weapon drawn, at the sound of the scream.

"Who are you people?" Jared asked, looking at them all one at a time.

"Most of us are townspeople from Akia," Thurton answered as he bent down before Sweta. He encouraged, "Go ahead, you can pet him."

The girl looked up at Thurton nervously, then reached out to pet fuzz with a dainty hand.

Fuzz sniffed and squeaked, but otherwise subjected himself to the additional petting.

"Forgive us," Anastasia said. "We are a bit on edge since our friend, Barton Jones, was killed."

Jared seemed to accept this and he leaned back, starting to relax.

Amit, however, was not so ready to take that explanation. "She is a holy woman," he nodded toward Aliana. He rose to his feet and moved toward her. "I owe you my life."

Looking uncomfortable, Aliana warily watched his approach. "You don’t owe me anything."

Shaking his head, Amit disagreed. "I saw you… dressed as an angel, hovering above me. I felt the touch. I felt…. I was more alive in that moment. Then, I awoke, healed. Saved."

With his utensils in hand, Creyton interposed himself between Aliana and Amit.

Amit stopped his progress and leaned to the side to gaze around Creyton at Aliana. "Your touch brought me life."

"You were hit in the head, sir," Sperin offered. He was standing near his pack. "Are you sure you didn’t imagine anything?"

Turning to Sperin, Amit shook his head. "I know what I saw," he murmured, as confident in it as he was in anything.

"Amit," Jared said, "perhaps he is right."

"You refuse to believe me." Shaking his head, Amit turned around completely to his brother in law and pointed to his scalp. "I felt the blow. I remember falling. The wound is gone… like that. It should have killed me."

"I saw it, too," Cari offered. She had returned from the wagon carrying four tin plated and some tin utensils. "We prayed together, she touched him, and he healed. Blessed by the Highlord."

Amit nodded with conviction and turned back around. Creyton was still between him and Aliana. He dropped to his knees. "My lady, you are my savior."

"Oh, boy," Thurton muttered under his breath as he watched the exchange.

Sweta was frozen, hand poised above Fuzz’s head, watching events unfold.

"Not me," Aliana protested.

"You don’t know what you saw," Jared argued. "Either of you." He sighed, obviously not accepting their word on how things happened. "And, even if you did, it is clear for some reason they do not wish to talk about it."

An awkward pause fell onto the conversation.

Biting her tongue, Aliana stared at the man kneeling before her. She wanted badly to share things with him, but kept herself silent. Dark hair fell to either side of her face, partially concealing her expression in shadow. She reached her small hand up to her chest, pressing it against herself. She took slow, deep breaths.

Creyton also watched the kneeling Amit. One hand carried his dish and fork while the other rested on the hilt of his dagger. He stood near the edge of the firelight with Aliana.

Near the cooking pot, Celene crouched down. The hem of her cloak spilled over the ground around her, draping over Sword ShadowWren, which was sheathed at her side. The flames used her pale skin as canvas, painting her shades of orange and shadow, causing her apparent skin tone to almost match the auburn of her hair. She steepled her hands before her face.

Reaching out, Thurton absently began petting Fuzz himself. His thick finger scratched the mouse between the ears. His mouth was set into a hard line as he looked across the fire at Amit as well.

Kira relaxed. She set herself back down on the bedroll. One hand lingered near her boot for some reason, but it wasn’t something readily noticed. She carefully watched those around her, as if just expecting something to happen.

Sperin opened his back and started fishing through it. He pulled out a beat up old book, which he set down to the side, before digging through some more. Eventually, he found his beat up fork. Carefully, he put his book back into the pack.

"Perhaps we should eat," Anastasia said, pushing to her feet. "Then, after dinner, we will share a story." She wiped her hands clean of clinging dirt and elm leaves on her skirt. She moved around the fire toward the cooking pot.

"A good idea," Thurton agreed and, with Fuzz in tow, he moved back over to his cooking pot, preparing to serve.

For the most part, dinner was quiet. The talk about messiahs was non-existent, though Amit kept watching Aliana while he ate. Idle chatter filled the air, commenting on anything from the fact that it was a good year for wheat to the pleasures of ale to the fact that the breeze was chilly. The potatoes got may compliments. The air grew chilly, but the fire was warm.

Eventually, everyone was finished eating and things were cleaned and put away. The wind died down and the smoke from the fire rose effortlessly up into the branches of the elm many feet overhead. Bedrolls, blankets, and pillows were laid out around the fire, just close enough to stay warm.

"There is little doubt everyone has a lot of questions about things," Anastasia said during a lull in the conversation, once everyone had settled in. She sat cross-legged and close to the fire, which illuminated her for everyone to see. "Not all the questions will be asked tonight. Not all the questions will be answered. But, I will tell a story, likely with the help of my friends, that will shed some light onto things."

With a cup of warm tea, Jared sat near the fire. He watched Anastasia thoughtfully. Over dinner he had become more curious about this strange group who had saved his sister’s family.

Giving Anastasia a wary look at what she might tell, Sperin slid into his bedroll. He was a bit back from the fire. He kept his open backpack near at hand.

"Perhaps the best place to start this story," Anastasia explai