Chapter 24

Far way across the world Desare suddenly stood erect and peered into the East. Her eyes were squinting as though trying to see across the distance separating her from Antonin. "What is it?" Called Rees from where he stood.

"Antonin." Replied Desare, only half aware of Rees's question. "He summons the dragons."

Rees looked at the others. Desare had only said Antonin's name at little above a whisper, but Mei'An was still rubbing her temples. No one had any idea what Desare meant.

Mei'An seemed to be able to contact Sarweio and could only think that as Antonin's powers became stronger he was shielding Sarweio. She wished Desare could be shielded from that infernal bell. An idea came to her.

"Desare." She waited. "Desare!" Mei'An's tone was a little sharper. Desare looked around and blinked. "Mei'An." She said with a questioning look. She was still a young girl, and the sharp authority of Mei'An's voice had her on the defensive instantly.

"Desare, can you contact the Keeper of the Blue Tower? Perhaps she can tell you what happens."

"I don't know how Mei'An." Wailed Desare. "It just ... happens. I think." Desare kept glancing Eastwards, a distracted look on her face.

"It won't work my Ant..." She gulped on Antonin's name, suddenly remembering the effect his name would have on the bell. Mei'An clicked her tongue. She really wished she knew what Desare was seeing.

"Quickly Rees, the Key to the Moon Gate. Give it to Desare." Rees didn't hesitate. Mei'An's urgency was almost palpable. He flung open the chest of treasures and lifted out the milky orb. Carrying it cupped in his hands he walked over to Desare and held it out to her.

Desare reached out and slid her fingers in a caress around the globe of crystal. Lifting it from Rees' hands she held it up to eye level, raised in her palms on outstretched arms. The surface swirled and began to clear. The light in the room where they all stood began to change. The air started to glitter as though on an icy night in the frozen wastes. Desare stood at the heart of a swirling, glittering mist. Time seemed to have stopped.

 

As Antonin stepped back from the vast stone carving of the dragon he began to turn. It was then he saw the air began to thicken. It was the only way he could think of it. Everyone else could see it too. The entire room as vast as it was seemed filled with air suddenly that almost had the texture of water. Any movement caused visible ripples, like stones in a pond. Yet still the candles burned. Still everyone breathed normally. In the centre of the room a glowing ball began to form. At least twice the height of a man, it shimmered with a beautiful silver sheen like a polished mirror. To everyone's surprise, Desare was standing in the centre of the sphere. She was clothed in garments that seemed to be only filmy streamers that floated about on shifting zephyrs of air. Her eyes were huge pools of darkness that seemed to draw Antonin forward a step at a time until he was almost touching the huge sphere. Another shape began to form next to the still silent Desare. In a moment Antonin could see the woman who had been just behind Desare when he had seen her in the inn common room some days back. Antonin was certain if he touched the glittering mirrored sphere he would be in serious trouble, but almost against his will his fingers went to the surface. In the blink of an eye he was inside the sphere.

"Ah, foolish boy." Admonished the woman with Desare. "How will you now return? You are inside the Moon Gate with Desare, and I. The Keeper of the Blue Tower."

For the first time Desare spoke. She seemed to be dreaming. Her voice little more than a blurred whisper.

"To summon the dragons this first time, you must return to the frozen valley. There they await your call, still locked in their frozen prison. They hear your summons even now, but cannot respond."

Desare's dark eyed gaze held fast on Antonin. He was sure he could hear his own heart thumping in his chest. Desare was ... beautiful.

"You have no time, Lord of the Dragons." Said the young woman with Desare. "You must go now." She turned to Desare.

"Desare," she placed a gentle hand on Desare's shoulder. "Call his name. You must do it now." Desare blinked slowly and opened her mouth to speak.

He heard his name being called at the same time as the sound of a bell being struck once reverberated through the space. He reeled from the shock and found himself standing back against the dragon wall. The centre of the room glittered as thousands of shards of mirror tumbled to the floor out of the air itself. Slowly the air cleared and the tinkle of glass stopped. Nothing stirred. The temple priests who had gone about their quiet business were now prostrate at Antonin's feet. They had seen what they had seen. Their God had appeared before them with magical display. The dragons would soon be loose. The temple they had guarded for aeons was alive again.

Sarweio was the first to stir.

"Antonin." She whispered. "What was that?"

"I think Desare is learning to use her key. The Moon Gate. The Keeper of the Blue Tower was with her." Antonin turned to Nareena.

"Nareena, I must return to the frozen wastes. The valley of ice hold the dragons fast in its depths. They cannot come to my summons while the ice yet holds them."

Nareena understood immediately. Her friend still lay out on the ice in that valley.

Back in the small village, in the room of the inn, Desare lowered her arms.

"It is done," she said with some finality in her voice. "My friend knows where to release the dragons now. The Keeper assisted me."

Everyone in the room looked at Desare in some surprise. they had seen nothing other than the change of state in the room. Except for Mei'An.

"Well I for one know you used his name at some point." She rubbed her temples.

"We have to ask the Keeper how to stop this happening. There won't be a Wind Reader left standing at this rate."

Antonin gathered his friends around him.

"My friends. It is time we took the contest to the forces of darkness. We must retrieve the keystone. To do this means tracking into the deep forests. If indeed I am able to control the dragons then we will prevail. The Wheel of Sara Sara can only be stopped if the Keystone is replaced. The Dark Lord will do all he can to stop us. Come, let us release the dragons."

Antonin stepped across the vast hall. Tong Hua waited near the great wooden doorway.

"Tong Hua, would you carry a message to the Houses, large and small. Tell them I will return with the dragons. At that time I shall be happy to accept all their invitations. Tell people to stay off the streets after dark, and keep their dwellings lit all night. The creatures of the Dark Lord cannot abide light. The strange beasts that have been seen are terrible to behold up close."

Tong Hua smacked his clenched fist to his mail encased chest in salute and was gone. Catharina, Edina and Nareena looked at Antonin expectantly. He didn't think they should come with him, but he knew it would be pointless trying to dissuade them. He shrugged, and Catharina's smile nearly split her face. Antonin knew he had surmised right.

The temple priests, much to Antonin's surprise when he noticed, were still prostrate upon the stone floor. He held up a hand to the others to wait a moment and strode back into the chamber.

"Arise priests. Your duties are now upon you with urgency. There is no time for showing piety. Quickly now, about your duties."

The priests sprang to their feet as one and set to cleaning the shattered glass from the floor. Antonin noticed that the priests were both men and women. Some little more than children. He would have to look into this, he had a feeling it was going to be important. He strode out of the temple.

Sarweio the Wind Reader and her Guard Companion did not follow. She had other matters to attend to. The storm was coming and she must help in the way of her own kind.

Nareena was dressed in her usual hunting clothes, her coat of thick fur and fur boots and heavy gloves in a rolled pack that she now slung across her back. Catharina and Edina had both made up similar packs. Quickly they retraced their steps to the inn and Antonin ran up the steps and retrieved his travelling gear from his room. The party set out for the Western Gate without further ado. They drew strange looks in the street. People moved out of their way in a hurry and as they passed the whispers were often loud enough to hear.

"The Dragon Lord."

"Lord of the Armies."

"The great battle..."

"What is to become of us?"

These and more besides. The party hurried on. They had a long way to go, and time seemed to be pressing. Antonin could feel it weighing on him, pushing him on. Soon the city was far behind them, just a speck on the plains as they climbed up into the high ranges. They had been riding steadily since leaving the city. Hours had passed, when Antonin looked back. 'Surely not!' He thought, pointing back the way they had come.

"It looks like a band of Dragon Warriors Antonin. See their banner there."

"The band of what?" He asked incredulously.

"There are many young men and women who would take up arms to help you my Lord." Replied Nareena proudly.

"Well, there is no time now to argue. They are far behind us anyway." Antonin turned and set off again at a steady mile eating pace. The others were in a group around him, sometimes strung out ahead or behind as terrain allowed. The air became colder and colder and patches of snow covered the landscape. They drew near the place where they had encountered the Dark Ones hounds. It would be a good place to make the night camp. Easily defended against marauding animals and humans alike.

The small rise stood clearly in the centre of a fairly wide area, not really flat, but sloping up gently toward the natural plateau. The top was covered in small stones and some large boulders. Most had already been moved to the edges to form a rough wall or rampart. A small clump of low scrub and spindly trees grew in the very centre. Good cover against the cold, and it would also help to disperse smoke from a small fire.

Together they left the old trail and made for the natural redoubt. Antonin wondered if the following 'warriors' would bypass them, or notice their trail veering off toward the rise.

Far off across the world, Rees stood in the middle of the dusty road that ran straight through the centre of the village. Elsa was off to one side a few paces talking to some of the village children. The girls of the village were in awe of Elsa. Her tall figure like a beacon to them. They had been timid at first. Warriors were warriors. Their mothers had told them bed time stories of the deeds of the Mare Altan. Indeed, they had all been admonished at some time with the threat of being 'sent to be trained by the Mare Altan.' It always worked, but in every girls heart there was always that secret thrill that maybe, just maybe they would be sent. Now here was one of those warrior girls in their midst. The girls followed her everywhere. The boys stood in a group away a little from the gathered men. They knew better that to go following a warrior of the Mare Altan. In any case, their eyes never left the Guard Companion of the Wind Reader. No one had ever seen such a man. His long dark travelling cape swirled about him as he moved. He reminded them of one of the big cats that lived up in the mountains near the border. When his eyes rested on a boy - or a man - they stood frozen to the spot. Such a cold unflinching gaze that seemed to be sizing the person up as a suitable meal - or opponent. His gaze would move on, and involuntarily the momentarily trapped youth would suddenly realize they had stopped breathing. No one had seen a man who looked like him before. He must come from far away. His eyes never rested. Always seeking.

Then there was this new girl who had come with the strangers out of their rooms at the inn. She had not arrived with them. She was little more than a girl herself. No one could even guess who she was or how she had arrived. While she stayed so close to Rees, the obvious leader of this strange group, no one was going to ask.

Rees scratched his chin. "Desare." He looked at the girl. Elsa's head came around and she fixed her gaze on Rees.

"Yes Lord Rees?" Replied Desare. Elsa smiled. 'Lord' indeed. Well, maybe he was.

Rees ignored them all.

"Desare, we would go with you now if we could. but we must stay and protect these people. The ... Dahar? Have visited once already. I fear they follow us in hopes that we will lead them to Antonin. We will stop them here. Only then can we proceed."

"Lord Rees. It is I who must go with you. I don't know if I can take people anywhere. I came here quite by chance it seems. The Moon Gate opens in a way I do not understand yet. If I were to try and travel through it as a portal, who knows where we might end up?"

"Where is this place where Antonin is?" Said Rees.

"That is Anto... arrr." Desare stamped her little foot. "... The Dragon Lord is there. He calls the dragons to him. There he will assist our coming to join him."

Desare thought to herself that something had to be done about this problem of saying Antonin's name aloud. There had to be a reason for it. It had of course allowed Antonin himself to escape the crystal sphere of the Moon Gate. The Keeper of the Blue Tower assured her that any man trapped in the Moon Gate quickly died. The jolt of his release had been something of a shock to them both, but apparently the tolling of the bell was something more than simply sound.

Dusk was settling slowly. Lamps were being lit. The whole village seemed to hold its breath. Somewhere a dog started to howl, cut off suddenly with a yelp. Would the Dahar come again out of the dark places where they lived? As if in answer to Rees's thoughts the sound of beating wings could be heard high over head. Dark shapes moved across a blood red moon. It was not far above the horizon and the dust in the air gave it a foreboding hue.

The nets were set. Every man in the village was ready. Anything that could be used as a weapon had been taken up. The girls had long since been sent indoors, along with the boys. Only the men of the village and the strangers remained out of doors. Everyone was deep in the moon shadows along the building walls. Everyone except Luan. He strode along the street, checking traps and nets with practised eyes. The Dahar were in for a surprise.

Desare stood in the shadows of the veranda of the inn, Mei'An and Elsa by her side. Nothing was seen of the Dahar after that first flight. What were they waiting for.

"I'm fed up with this!" Cried Elsa suddenly. She stepped out into the street. A well concealed pit on the roadway on either side of her.

"Elsa - no." Cried Rees. "It is too dangerous."

"We need to draw them down Rees. You know they attack females. Well here's one they will find a little tough to chew on."

Desare screamed.

"Elsa - behind you."

Unseen up to this point, unheard, a Dahar had settled to the ground not five paces behind Elsa. It rested forward on its wing tips as though about to spring. Instead it took a shuffling step forward, it blazing yellow eyes in the grotesque half human face were fixed in an unblinking gaze on Elsa. With the speed of a dragon fly Elsa whirled and threw her spear in one motion. It buried itself deep into the chest of the creature. She took a step backward in surprise. The creature hadn't even blinked. It simply plucked the spear out and cast it aside as one would with a biting insect. A low hiss came from the beast as it inched forward.

Another settled to the ground beside it, then another. All were between the pits concealed in the road. The nets could not be slung with Elsa out in the roadway.

"Elsa, get back here. Quickly girl. The nets." Yelled Rees.

Only a heartbeat had passed. Elsa turned to flee to the safety of the roadside. She ran straight into the folding arms of another Dahar that had settled out of the night right in her path. She screamed in pain and rage. Her free arm was plunging her hunting knife repeatedly into the thing trying to crush her. It seemed not to notice the wounds.

Suddenly it simply fell away in a leathery heap as its head rolled out in the street. It's jaws could be seen still gnashing as it tried to stay alive.

Luan wiped his sword on the leathery wing and helped Elsa to her feet. The three Dahar in the street had stopped. They seemed about to lift into the air. "The nets - now." Roared Rees.

With a twang the tensioned nets sprung from the roof tops and settled over the three Dahar. They tried to get airborne but the more they thrashed about, the more entangled they became. Their struggles took them ever closer to the pit. Elsa had stopped raining arrows into them. It had no effect. The screams of rage from the beasts were terrible to hear. The hair on Rees's arms was standing on end. Desare was cowering in the door frame whimpering like a little puppy. Mei'An stood calmly. She was inspecting these beasts from legend as closely as she could. With a roar one of the traps was sprung, and the three struggling Dahar tumbled into its depths.

In the cloud of dust rising into the night air, two more Dahar settled to the ground near the pit edge. They were looking directly at Desare. They could see her clearly it seemed. They ignored the rain of stones, arrows, spears and other objects that rained down on them and inched slowly toward where Desare cowered in the doorway. A blaze of white hot light shot from the outstretched hands of Mei'An. All her power was being channelled into the fire storm she unleashed. To her utter amazement it simply washed over the Dahar leaving them unscathed. Desare's eyes were as big as saucers, she shook from head to foot with fear. Luan stepped in front of the lead Dahar and was swept aside like a dust mote before he took another step. Their enormous wings put them at an easy advantage.

"Antonin." Screamed Desare, "Antonin." She fainted. Collapsing in a heap in the doorway.

Mei'An staggered backwards as the peeling of the bell erupted in her head. A low moan of pain escaped her lips, but still she focused on the Dahar.

They were on the ground. Writhing in obvious agony. Holding their heads they staggered to their spindly legs and with a few steps like those of drunken soldiers flapped their wings and rose unsteadily into the night. They could be seen as dwindling dots against the moon, as they sped away into the distance. Judging from that reaction, they would not be back to this village. Rees peered carefully into the pit where the Dahar trapped in the net had fallen. They were showing the same signs of pain and confusion as their now departed fellows had done. It was time to destroy them. The men of the village had gathered, their burning torches casting a flickering glow into the pit.

"Quickly," cried Rees. "Anything that burns. Into the pit." He tossed his oil soaked torch into the pit. The Dahar screamed now in pain and rage. Quickly the pit became a huge pyre. The Smithy emptied a barrel of his best quenching oil into the pit. The flames roared high into the night sky. Terrified screams came from houses as the fearful blaze flicked on the curtains of village homes and the sound of it came as a roar down chimneys and through cracks in doors. Still the men piled timber, straw, brush and even furniture into the pit. Nothing could survive such heat. The ground itself all around the pit started to smoke and steam. Only men with boots on could approach as even more fuel was added to the fire. Elsa sat against the door frame and cradled the young Desare in her arms. 'The girl is really too young to be dragged into this.' She thought. Why had the Dahar singled Desare out she wondered. What of the reaction when Desare called out to Antonin.

' If that was what it meant.' Thought Elsa grimly 'then Mei'An would just have to put up with the headaches it obviously caused her.'

Mei'An glared at Elsa as if she had heard the girls thoughts. Luan stood on the roadway, his hands resting atop his grounded long sword and looked into the distance where the two Dahar had disappeared. He was not happy to have been so easily knocked aside. The Dahar he had beheaded as it attacked Elsa was now ash in the fire pit. The villages had said six had arrived that first night. It seemed only two remained. He would not be so easily brushed aside again. Of one thing he was sure, they would meet the Dahar again.

The villagers were coming on now with wagon loads of kindling. They would keep the fire burning until day break. A barricade was built around the second pit.

Mei'An would have to find out why the call of Antonin's name by Desare set off the bells. More importantly why it made her head hurt. It obviously had an even more detrimental effect on the Dahar. That there were now only two left was good news though. Nothing could survive the roaring inferno that the men fed in the pit in the middle of the street.

Perhaps Desare could take her to the Keeper of the Blue Tower. The answer could be there. Perhaps she should go herself, and call the other Wind Readers with her. It was time to pass on what she knew anyway.

Desare was in safe hands now, and the Dahar would not return here, she was sure of that.

"Luan," called Mei'An. "I go to my room. Please stand guard on my door." Without a word Luan sheathed his sword and followed Mei'An into the inn. She was going to meet with the other Wind Readers, and while in her dream state, would need guarding. As Mei'An passed Elsa and Desare she said in an aside to them both.

"And keep that girl quiet."

Elsa knew what she meant. Desare just looked at Mei'An with big dark eyes. A few minutes later Desare turned to Elsa, her arm still around the girls waist.

"Elsa, Mei'An is in the Tower now. All the Wind readers are with her."

Elsa blinked. How could Desare know this? This young girl was very important. Elsa herself had some of the power of a Wind Reader. Well hidden, but still there. She could not say though where Mei'An was at this moment, even physically. Desare was somehow linked to Antonin, and the Blue Tower. Desare and Antonin. 'The Lord of the Dragon Armies and his young Queen.' Elsa gasped as the thought flickered in her mind. "What is it?" cried a startled Desare.

"Nothing child, nothing. Just a twinge. Perhaps we should be on our way I think." Together the girls got to their feet. Rees came up from the street dusting his clothes off.

"Rees." Said Elsa. "We should depart this place now. There is no danger to the village, and there is danger to us. I say we go now." Rees was a little taken aback at Elsa's rather forceful insistence. He had been going to suggest something similar himself. Oh well. He never understood how their minds worked anyway. Antonin was the one. Rees wished he was here now. The thought made him smile. Antonin would have his hands full with Catharina and Edina. Rees had seen how Catharina looked at Antonin when she thought no one was looking. How she would take to Desare he could not even guess at.

"Fine Elsa. That's fine. What about Mei'An and Luan?"

"If she is not back when we are ready she will just have to follow on after us."

"Back?"Questioned Rees.

"Yes - back. ok? Do I have to explain everything?" She snapped. Elsa turned and stamped into the inn, calling over her shoulder. "I'll be ready in just moments, even if I go alone."

A startled Desare fled into the inns' common room. She had arrived with nothing but the clothes on her back, but she wanted some bread to take on any journey. Bread and water. The master of the inn was quick to gather a leather satchel and water bags.

In only a short space of time Desare was back at the door. Elsa was already there with their horses, and an extra one for Desare. The chest was strapped to Rees's horse and provisions on the lead animals. Rees shook his head. It looked like they were leaving.

The leaders of the village came over and stood silently by the steps. One stepped forward. He addressed Rees.

"Warrior, we thank you for helping us to avenge our loved ones. Your guidance gave us the courage to face the Dark One himself. Our two friends will return from your village in good time. It is apparent that they got through with the message in time." He looked at Desare. "We bid you and your friends go in peace. You will always be welcome here." The man went back to the others, and his companions followed. With grim faces they continued to feed fuel on the fire in the pit. The light mist that spread through the village now glowed with a terrible red from the flames.

"Rees. What of Mei'An?"

"I will tell Luan now." Rees ran up the stairs to the upper rooms of the inn. Luan stood guard in the door to one of the rooms.

"Luan. We go now. You will have to follow with Mei'An. We mean to be far away along the road to the borderlands by sunup. Elsa and Desare will not stay another moment."

Luan simply nodded his head. He would inform Mei'An when she emerged. Rees looked steadily at Luan for a moment then with a nod to him, turned back down the stairs.

Swinging onto his saddle, he led the party out of town, heading east along the dusty road. Once clear of the pits and the fire, Rees nudged his horse into a canter, standing in the shortened stirrups to avoid the bone jarring movement of the horse. Once he had the other two and the string of spare horses gathered into the same pace he steadily increased speed until he was almost laying along the horses back at a near gallop. The wind streamed through his hair. The horses mane flicked his face and it breathed like the bellows of his father's forge. Would he ever see the forge again? He began to think it was part of another life. The countryside sped by in the twilight world of the moonlight. Rolling plain for the most part, low wooded hills dotted her and there. The wide road was well travelled, but there were no travellers out that night. Not this late.

Once they had raced past a train of merchant wagons drawn up by the road side. The wagon guards had shouted a challenge but the pounding hoofs of the horses had all but drowned out their words. Rees caught a fleeting glimpse of men leaping to their feet in alarm and shouting, but soon they had left the wagons far behind.

The moon was starting to sink toward the horizon again. Soon it would be pitch dark. The ribbon of road was still clearly visible though. A paler form in the darkness. The horses could see it well, and with foam streaming from their sides, and spittle from their mouths in long streams they never broke stride. Rees had in mind that the Dahar had disappeared in the same direction, but he was not worried about them.

The bands of warriors had to be caught up with in the borderlands. The delays in the village had to be made up. Desare had to be united with Antonin, and the Mare Altan were the only way through the forest of the Tharsians. Only with Desare in his presence could Antonin hope to retake the Key to the Wheel. Only then could he control the dragons. Rees gasped. Where was this coming from? He felt like there was another person in his head. His head whirled like a swirl in a fast flowing stream. He clung to his horse now to save his life. The horse sensed his riders change and began to slow. Finally it stopped in the road. The others nearby. Chests heaving, the horses gathered their strength again.

Elsa peered at Rees in the gloom. Her senses told her something was happening to Rees. Desare came up alongside Rees and touched his brow.

"Rees, it is only your ancestors. They guide you now. You must listen to them." She spoke calmly. "We are all drawn together slowly by the forces that hold the world itself in check. Our task is to reach Antonin and with him reassemble the Dragon Armies. Only then can we have any hope of retrieving the Key to the Wheel of Sara Sara, and then returning peace to the world."

Elsa kicked her horse up alongside.

"Perhaps this is a good place to rest for a while anyway. The horses need it, and so do we." She dismounted and began to tend her horse.

Rees soon had a small fire flickering to dispel the night chill, and as the horses munched a handful of oats and drank from the leather buckets, the trio rested by the fire against their saddles. Dried meat made a good light meal, and after a light sleep, they remounted and were soon flying across the landscape again like spectres in the night. The thrumming of the horses hooves seeming to rise and fall as changes in air pressure affected the sounds travel.

The moon was long gone now and the team travelled on across the plain until the sky started to show faint traces of a patchy grey, like a smudged pencil line in the blackness.

They were racing through low hills now as the sky lightened. It was time to camp and give the horses a good rest. They pounded across a bridge over a small stream and slid to a stop in a cleared area on the stream bank. The plain was desolate. There were no signs of other humans having passed this way in a long time.. Elsa took first guard. She squatted under some low bushes. Well out of sight, and waited until the sun had moved a shadow along the ground a good hand span. She shook Rees awake and dropped onto her blanket.

Rees sat under the same bush as Elsa had done, and waited out enough time to see the sun now well up and warming the land. Desare was left asleep until Rees roused her along with Elsa to the smell of cooking biscuits and herb leaves bubbling in a pot on the fire.

They ate in silence after tending the horses, then mounted up and were soon travelling east again at a steady mile burning pace. Every so often a spare horse was brought alongside, and Rees, Elsa or Desare would change horses while still keeping up the same fast pace. This rested the horses from the burden of their extra weight for a time. At this pace they would be in the borderlands in a few days. Hopefully they would have no difficulty in finding the Mare Altan. So many people should be noticeable.

By mid afternoon the horses had be walked for long spells The pace was gruelling, and they didn't want the horses dying on them or breaking down. All three were capable horse people, and knew their value. Indeed, their regular mounts were almost part of their family.

There had not been sign of another soul other than that first merchant wagon train. No farms, no camps, no travellers. This close to the border, the Tharsians left the countryside swept clean. The only exception was the fortified town at the end of this road. Right on the border. The local lord, who self styled himself king, thought to rule this land. In truth the Tharsians ruled it. They would have to be careful now. Riding full speed into a band of the green hide monsters would not help at all. All three kept a sharp lookout. There was no sign of the Mare Altan or the Asha Altan having passed this way. Rees wondered about this until Elsa pointed out the signs to him.

A small row of stones set out neatly. Yet almost hidden in the many stones of a small stream by the roadside.

Tufts of grass tied together in a certain way. A notch in tree bark, high in the tree. Rees relaxed. He should have known. If the warriors didn't want to be seen, they were as good as invisible. If there had been Tharsians in the area, the many warriors in the travelling band would have swept over them in a flood.

Rees hoped that eventually they could rid the land of the Tharsians. Opening trade between East and West would bring new life to the plains. The threat that was ever present would be gone. The warrior ranks could be reduced. It all hinged on the Lord of the Dragon Armies, the Malachite King returned. Rees's friend - Antonin.

Elsa rode alongside Rees, and leaning close to him said. ".. and his queen." She looked from Rees to Desare and back again. With a nod she rode ahead. Rees was so speechless he couldn't even wonder how Elsa had known his thoughts. Desare rode along oblivious to the exchange. She was watching a brightly coloured butterfly that had alighted for a moment on her hand as it rested on the saddle horn.

'Desare?' Thought Rees. Where had Elsa got that idea from? Rees smiled. Antonin was in for some interesting times.

The day was drawing to a close. Rees decided they would camp a full night. The horses needed a good rest, and so did they. Elsa followed another small stream some distance from the road and found a grassy area well sheltered by trees, with grass for the horses, yet within sight of the road. The horses were unsaddled and tethered to ropes so they could graze, and the three friends settled on their ground sheets to relax away the bone wearying stress of their hard riding. Darkness fell, the moon rising above the plains, climbing steadily above the tree tops. All three took turns standing guard during the night. Their only company the night insects and the small animals that moved about in the low undercover between the trees. The night passed without event, and by daybreak the party were back on the road. The horses were held to a fast walk. There was still a long way to go, and the mad dash of the last hours had put them well on their way. Getting closer to the borderlands, they wanted their horses fresh in case of trouble.

Rees didn't expect Mei'An would be able to catch up with them, and didn't think he would see her again until some days after they arrived at the warrior camp. They would be waiting on Mei'An's arrival before pushing into the Forest of Gloom.

Many days had now passed, and Rees was beginning to worry a little. He knew that there weren't many people this far east, but he didn't expect there to be none at all. They hadn't seen a single human. No farms, nothing. No livestock indicating distant farms. The road showed no signs of traffic.

Not a wheel mark or wagon track to be seen. Surely there was some traffic, even if only soldiers about their patrols. Elsa now kept close to Desare, and kept them in the centre of the road when travelling, and went to elaborate lengths to hide Desare in night camps. Desare made no complaint. She seemed to view Elsa now as an older sister, and followed her directions without question. Elsa now moved like a warrior expecting attack at any moment. Even the movements of the small creatures of the woodlands that grew in sparse patches over the low hills that the road wound around and over, alerted her.

Quietly, Rees hoped they would make the camps of the warriors soon. He didn't like this one little bit, yet he had no idea how far they still had to go. Another nights camp saw them out in an open valley, too far from the surrounding hills to find a safe and secluded camp. The valley floor it would have to be. In the small hours of the morning Elsa was jolted awake by a crash of thunder, as lightening flashed, and rain poured down as though a bucket was being emptied. Within seconds everyone and everything was drenched. The horses stamped and rolled their eyes at the flashing lightening and peels of thunder. Rees, Elsa and Desare hurriedly collected their gear onto a large flat rook near the horses, then moved from one horse to another calming them as best they could.

There wasn't even any low trees to stretch a blanket from so they could shelter from the rain. Rees changed his mind about trees anyway as he watched lightening blast a tree on a far hill top into flaming fragments.

Rees whirled about as a terrified scream rent the air. A flash of lightening revealed Desare held aloft by a Tharsian. Its huge left hand around her throat, she dangled in his grasp, her feet well clear of the ground. In that brief flash Rees had seen the terror on the girls face, and seen the huge blade in the Tharsians right hand. In the darkness Rees inched forward. He didn't want to risk hitting Desare by mistake. There was a guttural roar right in front of him. Desare screamed again, a high keening wail that made the hair on the back of Rees neck stand up. Another flash of lightening showed Elsa only paces away loosing arrows into the Tharsian. They were very hard to kill, but Rees now had the measure of it. He gauged the distance and time, waited for a flash of lightening, and before the thunder clap reached them yelled "Elsa, Hold!" At the same time swinging his sword in a sweeping arc that gave it a huge amount of force as the momentum whistled the broad heavy blade through the air. Rees knew in that split second that if the Tharsian had moved, the swords momentum would almost tear his arms out. With a crash the swing abruptly stopped. The Tharsian bellowed in pain and rage, and Rees heard it crash to the ground. Desare staggered free of its grasp and scrambled to Elsa's side. Rees had swung low, he did not want to hit Desare by mistake. As a result, he had cut the Tharsian off at the knees. The beast roared and thrashed on the ground, unable to stand, yet determined to do what damage it could. Elsa stepped in close and finished it off with her spear, and began retrieving her arrows. Rees was by now prowling the perimeter of the camp. If there was one Tharsian, where were the others. They never travelled alone. The roars and bellows of the one they had just killed would surely bring the others down on them. The storm still raged overhead, the rain pelting down unceasingly. The wind still whistled across the wastes driving the rain drops almost horizontal. There didn't seem to be any other Tharsians about. Perhaps this had been a lone scout out from a camp somewhere nearby. Rees put his arm around Desare's shoulder. She was crying and shaking, and rubbing her neck where the Tharsian had had her in its grasp.

"Rees, I think it best we ride on through this night." Said Elsa.

"Yes," replied Rees. "If there is a Tharsian camp nearby, they will doubtless come looking for this one."

The horses were made ready and within minutes all were mounted and back on the road. They continued eastwards in the dark. The rain still streamed down, and the storm showed no sign of easing as the trio plodded along at a steady walk three abreast, with Desare in the middle. Was it only coincidence that the Tharsian had reached for Desare? They couldn't know that Desare held as much importance as she did. They no longer served the Dark One, had not done so for a thousand years. Rees pondered the meaning of the attack.

Far behind them they heard roaring and howling erupt in the night. They had been wise to leave when they did. The main band of Tharsians had discovered their fallen scout. "Well," though Rees. "They'll never track us in this". He urged the small party into a canter. Even if the Tharsians came out onto the road, they could only guess at the direction the party had taken, or divide their group for a search in both directions. Either way, both Rees and Elsa agreed that if that was the only band of Tharsians in the area, they were out of reach for while at least.

The road started to rise sharply. They must be approaching the hills at the edge of the wide valley. The rain storm started to ease as they climbed. It was moving out across the plain, so they were actually parting company in the opposite direction.

The party reached the summit of the small range of hills at the same moment that the new dawn started to show in the east. Stretched out before them were endless rolling hills, like waves on an ocean. In the dimness of the early morning light they could not make out detail, but it looked like they had reached the borderlands. Somewhere out there were the Mare Altan and the Asha Altan septs that were to meet them.

Desare was nodding her head with tiredness. The marks on her throat showed as angry bruises in the pale morning light. Rees was concerned for her and couldn't help showing it. She was after all only a village girl, and not really old enough yet to have left her mother's side to go adventuring. It didn't enter Rees' head that he only had a couple of years on her. He was used to hardship and long hours in the saddle in any case. He was rapidly getting used to a warriors life as well.

Rees climbed down from his horse, and there in the middle of the road started to ready a camp. Everything came off the horses except their bridles. The road in fact was almost grassed over it was so long since it had seen traffic, and once a small smokeless fire was burning Desare was led stumbling to her ground sheet. Elsa smoothed some herb scented oil she carried into the bruises on Desare's throat, and by the time she was finished the girl was asleep.

"Rees," said Elsa gently. "This is not right. This young girl should not be on the road in this kind of danger. I fear the Dark Lord knows her importance. Yet if we are to get her to Antonin's side, the only way seems to be directly through the Forest of Gloom. I'm afraid that if she meets another Tharsian she may not be so fortunate."

Rees pondered her words for a moment.

"It was only a lucky stroke that allowed me to bring down the Tharsian. Yet, did you notice that it held Desare. It did not kill her outright. Even though it held a knife in its right hand. It could have easily broken her neck with its huge hands anyway. Also, the Tharsians are not the minions of the Dark Lord any more - have not been for a thousand years. You remember in the village, the Dahar also made directly for Desare. She is wanted by all, and I don't think anyone wants her dead. I am very worried Elsa. I will unpack the chest of Treasures, and see if we can find an answer there as to what we should do. How we should proceed."

Rees climbed to his feet and walked over to where he had placed the chest that contained the ancient treasures. He squatted on his heels and opened the lid. The large leather bound book rested in its place. Rees slowly turned the pages of the elaborately illustrated and lettered book. The script was ancient, and unreadable. A maze of lines and curves like a collection of sticks set down. The lines of text were written in columns, top to bottom. Suddenly it came to Rees that he was reading the pages backward. The lines of text, each an individual sentence it seemed, ran top to bottom, but also from the right to the left. He could see where a line finished, or a page finished. He lifted the book clear, and opened it again from the "back". He still could not read the script, but the layout began to make sense. and he could now see where text referred to illustrations. Suddenly, there in the page, gazing out at him was Desare. The illustration was of a Queen in her robes of state. A crown on her head, and an army behind her mounted on dragons. It was unmistakable. It was Desare.

"Elsa, look at this." He said. Elsa's eyebrows nearly climbed onto her forehead when she saw the page. "If only we were able to read it." She said aloud.

"Rees, mark the page, we will show it to Desare when she awakes."

Rees placed a blade of grass in the page and continued turning over pages. The image of Desare appeared many times. Always with the dragon army behind her. The book revealed little else. Most of the illustrations were of people and places that neither Rees nor Elsa recognised. One was of a huge castle, with a massive circular tower in its heart. The tower was a deep blue in colour, and showed a woman standing in a window high up in the tower. Was it The Blue Tower they had heard about. It seemed likely.

Rees placed the book on his blanket roll. There were the other objects. The cloudy sphere of The Moon Gate, its surface seeming to hold all the colours of the rainbow. As he picked it up, a low murmur escaped the lips of the still sleeping Desare, and the colours in the crystal sphere took on a deeper colour and swirled in an agitated state. Quickly Rees placed the orb beside the book. Its colours went back to their calm state. Rees's fingers tingled from the power of the thing. Next was the Sun Disk. This was linked to Antonin according to Mei'An. It was cold and hard and had a greenish colouration., as though ancient bronze, yet it was no metal that Rees had ever seen. Made in an age past, it could be anything.

It seemed inert. Lifeless. Its surface markings as unreadable as the pages of the book. Rees handed it to Elsa. She held its weight gingerly. As though it were alive and dangerous. She turned it over a few times, then placed it next to the crystal orb of The Moon Gate.. As she placed it down, its edge fell against the sphere. The result was instantaneous and spectacular. A loud crack, as though a whip had been cracked was followed immediately by a beam of light that shot up from the centre of the disk into the grey morning sky. The beam was only as thick as a man's thumb, yet it disappeared into the heavens as far as eyesight could follow it. The disk itself was glowing green. The crystal sphere of The Moon Gate was humming like a bee hive. Rees and Elsa both, were flat on their backs in surprise and haste to back away from the objects. In trying to move backwards from that position, Elsa's foot moved the disk away from contact with the sphere. The beam of light was instantly cut off. The humming stopped and Elsa was sure she could hear her heart pounding. She looked at Rees and blinked in silent embarrassment. He in turn was brushing grass off his coat, trying to feign nonchalance.

"That was interesting." Was Elsa's dry comment. She moved a little further away from the objects. Desare hadn't stirred. Rees scratched his growing beard, and reached into the chest. He carefully cradled the statue in both hands and lifted it out. He would not drop it in surprise this time, he told himself. With Elsa watching beside him, he inspected the statue closely. It was made of a fine ivory like substance. Rees didn't think it was ivory, it was warm and smooth, just like the skin of a real person. He gave a start, but held on. Elsa was watching, and he was not about to be the fool in front of her again. He looked closely. The figure was very thinly dressed. Indeed, if in real life, this person was dressed in very little. Why, every detail was carved into this statue, even the tiny smile lines at the corner of her eyes. Rees's heart thumped in his chest and he was breathing hard, but he was not going to put this down until he had discovered its secrets. Elsa too seemed spellbound. Whoever this person had been in life, she had been beautiful.

"Rees, do you know who this is?" Said Elsa in a whisper.

"Mei'An tells me she is, or was the Keeper of the Blue tower. She is ... an immortal. How that can be I don't know. Ask Mei'An." Rees shook his head. The lady, the statue was smiling at him. He could see her breasts rise and fall as she breathed. He could see every inch of her beautiful body. He tried to tear his eyes away, but could not. The base of the statue rested on the left knee of his crossed legs as he steadied it in his hands. One hand enclosing the base and the statues feet, the other holding around its hips. He gave a squeak in his throat as he realized where his hand was and quickly moved to grasp her around the waist. He could not think of it entirely as a statue, even though he knew it surely was. He knew it was only a carved object, but he could feel the life in it. Elsa smiled at him, but he could see the uncertainties in that smile.

"Rees, I can see her breathing," whispered Elsa. "Is she alive? Or is this a magic we don't know? Mei'An said that you were linked somehow to this object. To the Blue Tower. To Antonin."

At the mention of Antonin's name, the eyes of the statue shifted to look directly at Elsa. It was her turn to squeak like a mouse. The smile was gone from its face, replaced by concern. If the statue had been hot iron from the forge, Rees would not have found it harder to hold. He gasped as a voice in his head spoke to him. The accent was thick, almost unintelligible, but it was female and he had no doubt the voice of the Keeper.

"Retain your hold on my waist, but put me down next to the Gate of the Moon, and the Disk of the Sun. Quickly now my friend." Rees looked at Elsa, and it was obvious she had heard the voice too. She nodded to Rees.

Carefully she separated the two objects, and Rees placed the statue between the two. He kept his right hand around the statues waist.

It started to take on a hazy look. Small tendrils of light reached out to the disk and the orb. Rees thought they were light anyway. He wasn't sure. The statue rapidly increased in size until he had to stand, now his hand only rested on its - her waist. He couldn't look away, yet his face burned at what - who stood before him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and clad only in gossamer mist. Still he clung to her waist. His huge hand fitting the curves of her side just above her hips.

She was a little shorter than Rees, and she looked up into his eyes and smiled.

"Thank you my Lord Rees, of the Star Field Plain. So long have I languished in the Tower, that I had forgotten the feel of a man's hand on my waist."

Her eyes opened very wide as Rees made to remove his hand. She clasped her hand over his and held him there.

"You must not break the bond Rees. Not yet." The Keeper smiled at Rees' discomfit.

"Do not be concerned Lord Rees. I am here only because of your strength. If you take your hand away, I will be returned to the Blue Tower and you will have only a statue in your hands again. You and I can link through this object. As in an age past, so again are you come to me. My Commander of the Hosts of the Dragon Lord. The Right Hand of the King, the Master of the Tower. So are you titled." She paused. "My Lord, why have you summoned me hence?"

Rees had regained some composure by now, and Elsa was gazing wide eyed at the Keeper. She was the most beautiful woman Elsa had ever seen. Her accent was difficult to follow, but it only served to enhance her charm. For the first time in her life, Elsa felt unsure of herself. The Keeper reached out a slim arm to Elsa.

"Come child. Closer to me. I can feel the power of a Wind Reader in you, yet faint. I would touch your skin to pass on what I can. Be sure of yourself, be sure of your own beauty and skill. There are very few like you."

Elsa moved closer to the young woman. Indeterminate age, old - yet young. She felt a touch on her temple and a thousand lights sparkled in her eyes. Elsa felt a momentary dizziness and reached to Rees to steady herself. The lights cleared, her vision cleared, and she felt as though a fog had cleared from her mind. Elsa stepped back in wonder, her eyes blinking in surprise. Rees looked at her questioningly.

"Later Rees. I will tell you later. You must listen to Ellenaria for she is The Keeper of the Blue Tower. Ellenaria is her name. Danger is at hand."

Rees was instantly on guard, yet he dared not take his hand from the waist of The Keeper - Ellenaria.

Elsa was scanning the low scrub and trees about them, looking up and down the road. Nothing stirred. Even the crickets were silent.

"Rees," said Ellenaria. "You are all in danger here, most of all Desare." The Dark Lord would take her alive. The nearby band of Tharsians are his. Mordos has lost control of them to the Lord of Chaos. I will shift you all to the camp of the Warriors of the Plains. From there I will shift you all to surround and accompany the Lord of the Dragon Armies. Quickly, gather up your treasures, wake our sleeping child. Bring everything within a tight circle around us. Even the horses."

Elsa moved rapidly, leaving the treasures strictly alone. Somehow The Keeper was still linked to them. Desare was woken, and her surprise at seeing the Keeper standing there in Rees' grasp was great. Elsa gave her no time. Within minutes all was pulled in as close as possible around Rees and Ellenaria, Elsa and Desare.

"They come." Whispered Ellenaria. Rees looked around to see a band of Tharsians leaping out of the thickets at the edge of the road.

Everything seemed in a fog though. There was no sound. A sudden cry from Desare echoed as though in a vast cavern. There was darkness for a moment, then the light returned, and the fog cleared. Rees still held Ellenaria. Desare was hanging limp in his left arm.

Cloud swirled about them. Huge drifts rolling like waves across a vast flat valley. The Keeper looked at Desare. A cry escaped from her lips. Desare hung limp, a broad head bolt from a Tharsian crossbow had gone right though her shoulder. Blood stained the front of her dress, and dripped in a steady stream from the exit wound in her back. The arrow quivered as shudders began to wrack the body of the girl.

No sooner had Ellenaria seen Desare than the darkness descended again. A flurry of features, and the whole party, horses and all stood within the gardens of the Blue Tower.

"Quickly Elsa," cried Ellenaria. "Cut away the shaft of the arrow so it can be drawn though. I can heal the wound then. I cannot touch anything wrought by the hand of a Dark One. Rees, let go now. Here in the Tower, I am free to move."

Rees looked from her to the statue, now it's normal small size, resting with the other treasures.

Quickly Elsa removed the arrow. Her long training and many encounters with Tharsians had prepared her for this. Desare moaned pitifully as the arrow shaft was drawn out. Ellenaria as quickly poured a measure of water from the tinkling fountain in the garden over the wound. Within minutes, all trace of the torn flesh was gone.

"The healing properties of my little fountain will work well for this girl Desare. Almost as well for any female. Not at all for any male." Ellenaria looked at Rees and gave a little shrug. "I'm sorry my Lord. It has always been that way."

Rees didn't know what to say. He couldn't find his tongue at all. This girl. This goddess so ancient that she had existed even before this world had existed, and she called him Lord. Yet he knew he was only a Star Field Plains boy. Not even old enough yet to sit with the men in council.

"Oh, I think you are old enough now my Lord." Ellenaria smiled at Rees' startled look.

"Come Desare, how do you feel?"Desare looked at her bared shoulder in wonder. The blood still stained her cloths, but her skin was again as smooth and unblemished as always.

"I... feel fine. Thank you for saving me." She looked about her. "Why, I'm back in the Tower. This is where I first came seeking Antonin." The horses shied, Rees clapped his hands to his ears and Elsa staggered as the vast spaces of the tower vibrated from the toll of the huge bell. As everyone got their feet back and the sound faded Elsa muttered.

"Mei'An will at least now know that Desare is still alive. I can't imagine what the other Wind Readers make of it." Ellenaria just shook her head and smiled.

"We must return to the snow fields. Desare must be taken to Antonin's care, then you Rees, Elsa and I go to fetch the warriors who wait in the Borderlands. We bypass the forests. I cannot let the battle begin there. It is for the Lord of the Dragon Armies to decide."

"Ellenaria, why did the Tharsians try to kill Desare this time?" Asked Rees.

"Was it Desare the Tharsians aimed at?" She asked in return.

"Come, gather about. Rees, you must hold my waist again. Quickly now."

Within moments they were back in the icy wastes where momentarily only minutes before they had touched, the snow still swirling about them. The horses gave some protection, but not much. Ellenaria pointed to the towering escarpments nearby. "Elsa, take Desare there." She pointed to the base of a cliff that could be seen in the distance. "There you will find a cave already provisioned with furs and food and water. You must wait there for the arrival of Antonin. Go now. quickly. None will hunt you there. I have hidden you well. Protect the girl with your life however. Trust no one but Antonin to see her first. Go. Go." Ellenaria hurried the pair away from where they stood. The prospect of furs and food lent wings to their feet.

"Rees, we go now." It seemed to Rees that he had only blinked, but now they were in warm dry country. Low hills all around. Rees stood stock still, his arm around the waist of the Keeper. All around them, thousands of hard eyed warriors and a circle of those moving slowly back away from the pair who had appeared so mysteriously in their midst. Everyone of them with their eyes fixed firmly on the pair. It seemed as though not even the grass dared move. Carefully Rees looked around. It seemed their sudden arrival had actually forcefully dispersed some warriors who's camp now lay scattered around them.

"Oops.." Said Ellenaria in a small voice. Rees cleared his throat.

"Where is Jardine, of the Stone Lion clan? We have urgent need to speak with him."

Only one man moved. He sped away at a run, disappeared over a nearby round top hill, the brown grass hardly marking his passage. No one else moved. Only Rees was armed. He knew that was of no use though. If these hard eyed warriors decided to cut them down where they stood there would be nothing they could do about it. Their horses stamped and tossed with nervousness. Ellenaria looked up at Rees calmly.

"Do not worry Rees," she said. "These men will not harm us." Rees just looked at her and blinked. He was not sure he liked the idea of someone sharing his thoughts. Then smiled as he realized she must be sharing that one too.

A large band of Maidens of the Mare Altan came trotting around the base of a hill, directly toward them. In moments they were closely pressed on all sides by these new arrivals. One of them approached. She knelt at Ellenaria's feet, one knee on the ground, head bowed.

"Keeper of the Blue Tower. My Lady. Our friend and sister Elsa has told me of your coming and who you are. We are your guard. We are yours to command if you will accept our humble offer." She paused and looked up at Ellenaria. "These men," she swept her arm in an all encompassing arc, "are so busy standing around looking fierce they cannot protect themselves." A smile played on her lips. Some of her companions howled with delight. The men who had heard her clear voice glared and rattled their spears against hide bucklers.

"You see what I mean." Said the kneeling maiden. Some of the others were actually doubled over with laughter.

Ellenaria looked every inch a Queen. If a very scantily clad one. Rees hadn't moved, and he could not take his hand from her waist for more than a moment. The Maidens had noticed this of course, and hand talk was flickering around the party. Chuckles and knowing looks greeted Rees's look in their direction. Ellenaria added to his discomfort by twining her arm through his and snuggling close.

"Arise girl. I thank you for your offer. I would step into your circle if I could but I cannot leave this grip." She patted Rees's hand on her hip. A disconcerted muttering arose from some of the warrior maidens.

"No. You misunderstand." Said Ellenaria loudly.

"I am bound to The Blue Tower. Only Rees can bring me out, and only so long as he maintains contact with me. The process can only be started with the Moon Gate, and Disk of the Sun. Rees may not like it, but he must hold me close while my work is being done."

She said this last with a smile that set the Maidens laughing again, and turned Rees's face to flame. Into the general mirth strode Jardine, and Riadia matching stride for stride. Her bulky skirts swirled around her but didn't impede her one bit.

"I see you Rees Rukul of Xu Gui." Said Jardine

"I see you Jardine of the Asha Altan, Stone Lion." Replied Rees.

Riadia acknowledged Rees with a nod and a glance, and turned her attention full on Ellenaria. The two women studied each other intently for a moment. Suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Riadia swept a low, if awkward curtsy to Ellenaria.

"My lady. Forgive me my boldness." She spoke in hushed tones. Meekness from Riadia? The Maidens were wide eyed in dismay. Jardine couldn't believe it. This must be a dream. Riadia. A curtsy. Meekness. Ellenaria didn't move or speak. Jardine cleared his throat. He was a rock. Nothing in his life had ever unsettled him, until now.

Riadia looked at Ellenaria briefly.

"My lady. May I speak?" She said. Ellenaria nodded briefly.

Riadia turned to address Jardine and the others.

"This person you see before you is The Keeper of the Blue Tower. She is Ellenaria. She is the Light. She holds you in this dream. Only by her whim alone do you draw breath. When you awaken from this dream you call life, it is because Ellenaria has awoken you. Take heed of she who holds you in the palm of her hand." Riadia glanced at Rees. "And take heed of he who holds Ellenaria in his hand." The symbolism was not lost on them. Those on the outskirts of the crowd heard as clearly as those in the circle. The word spread to other camps in a flash. Men and women filled the valley and covered the surrounding hills. All came to see this goddess who had appeared in their midst, with a boy from a plains village. She was known to all of course, from story and legend. The stories they told and retold were tales of the wonders of the gods who held them firm on the earth. Now one was come. The one who most hoped to meet one day when their time in the dream was ended. More than a few were worried that that particular dream had ended while they slept.

Ellenaria's voice rose as clear as crystal and carried to the furthest warriors.

"The dream continues. You are called to my service, in turn to serve the Lord of the Dragon Armies. You will join with him to defeat the Lord of the Dark, who must be kept chained in the Wheel of Sara Sara. Bring everyone to this valley. I will take you now to Antonin, Lord of the Dragons. The time is not yet, but close at hand when the Tharsians are routed. Quickly now."

For a moment there was stillness. It took some time,, but by late afternoon, everyone and everything packed the small valley between the hills. No one knew what to expect. No one expected what happened next.