Chapter 6

Dagan returned to the hut and stopped short of the door, listening tentatively to the goings-on behind it. To his amazement, Japeth and Sheren were still awake, and very much so. He could hear their voices murmuring inside, no doubt they were both perched by the fireplace. Sheren's laughter floated in the air, and that all but shocked Dagan.

They must really enjoy each other's company, he thought. Who'd have thought? Sheren hates strangers! You could not get much stranger than Japeth that's for sure.

He cleared his throat, told himself not appear as strange as he felt, and entered. Sheren and Japeth's voices halted and he saw their heads turn to greet him. Dagan noticed that they had pulled their chairs closer together. The big cat was lounging lazily close to the fire, probably sleeping. Dumb animal, he thought. Any good watch animal would have woken instantly to investigate the intruder.

"Welcome home, Dagan!" Sheren said cheerily. Dagan almost took a step back, truly appalled at Sheren's attitude. It was too strange for Dagan to accept. Was Sheren actually�jolly? Then, to his relief, she pursed her lips and regained her usual, hard-faced self. "I do not understand why had to be such an imp and run off as you did, dear Dagan!" The word "dear" seemed insulting, and Dagan winced, almost treasuring her sharp words. "Next time you pull a stupid stunt like that, do not come back for a long while unless you plan to come home to a welcome of lashings!"

Dagan smiled, all too glad to see his old Sheren had returned.

"Shenk is due back in the morning, if all goes well." Interjected Dagan. "With or without him, we go to rescue the princess."

Japeth leapt up, clearly excited. "Would that it was tonight we could venture out to rescue
her�" He knew it was not possible, and that it would be too dangerous to leave on a journey this late at night, especially after the full day they had all had. But still�Cadence's life and well being were at stake. If he could, Japeth knew he would have left to search for her at that precise moment. But search for her where? It was not smart to rush into things such as this; if he left then and there he knew his attempts would be fruitless; he had been paired with Dagan for obvious reasons; he was not meant to do this task alone.

It was now that these reasons became clear to him. He would not be able to rescue Cadence alone, and neither would Dagan. They would have to combine their efforts to be effective, and Japeth could do just that.

Japeth's efforts, although lacking in the physical area, far exceeded Dagan's. There were many reasons, Japeth was now finding out, to the purpose of the pairing. Dagan and his companions would be the brute force; Japeth, the brains�and the spice. The spice, of course, would be his non-human abilities. Such abilities of which he had been conditioning himself since he was old enough to read and write.

He took Dagan aside into a dark room to talk to him. Dagan mumbled something about having to find a light. "Just wait a moment," Japeth commanded. Dagan heard some indecipherable incantation, and then a burst of pure white light illuminated the room. The flicker orb�.druid's-light, as it was called�floated, unmoving, in mid-air. It was far brighter than any candle Dagan could have lit, but did not scorch the eyes if looked upon. Dagan stood with his mouth agape.

"H-how did you do that?" Dagan stuttered, clearly awed. Japeth grinned.

"I have a few tricks, Dagan." He answered. "I believe there is much you do not know about me. I know you don't doubt that I have powers, so do not be so shocked over that little trick with the light. It is child's play, nothing more. But I've wanted to talk to you about this, Dagan. So sit here�yes, we shall both sit, because I am tired, and I would not doubt that you are as well." They were seated comfortably. "Now, we have not had too much time to talk and to plan. We should discuss what is going to happen tomorrow. I think that preparation is the least I owe Cadence." Dagan nodded in agreement, but kept his mouth closed. Japeth nodded back, noting Dagan's eagerness to listen to what Japeth had to say. Japeth grew more confident in knowing his audience was true and not hostile. He had had many a hostile company in his past, and Japeth truly appreciated the fact that Dagan was a kind-hearted listener.

"My background has a large account to my abilities," began Japeth, slowly. "The blood flowing within my veins is only half-accounted for. My father was unknown, and my mother has never spoken of him. But whoever he was, his genes gave me powers beyond a normal nymph. Anyway, I do not think that it was coincidence that it was my cousin who was abducted, and that Maj herself hooked you and I up to save her. I believe there are many fates intertwined in this conflict, and that it has been building up even before we were born. There is so much knowledge that is just beyond our grasp, but I believe that knowledge is supposed to be like that. If we already knew everything about everything, then we wouldn't need to live life now, would we?" He did not stop to see if Dagan would reply, or even if he understood. Japeth was speaking so fast that he could barely keep up with his racing brain. "What I mean is, we need to use our full abilities in our future, Dagan. I do not think that you will work up to half of your capabilities, but if you have more incentive I do believe you can exceed your former talents.

"That incentive is this: Maj did not hire you just because you were the closest warrior in the area. She hired you for your special abilities, that, when combined with mine, could be victorious. She also hired you for your fate. I am not a meddler with the future, I dare not look into it to see what is to come. But I do understand it somewhat; and everything happens for a reason. So you and I need to get things in order, and know what we are to accomplish and how we are to do so. And that order starts now�no�do not interrupt. I think you will understand in a moment."
Japeth squatted on the floor in front of Dagan and closed his eyes. Please let me be able to do this, he thought. Please let me achieve this. Please. His private pleas were brothered to the incantations he lamented softly. He rocked to and fro on the back of his heels as Dagan watched curiously.

Cadence. Cadence. Where is my Cadence?

Dagan felt his inner spirit shift. It was a feeling he had yet to get used to; as it felt like someone was reaching inside of his stomach and pulling it inside out. He saw himself leave his mortal body. He saw the room he was in, lit by the druid's-orb. He saw Dagan still watching his body intensely as it rocked back and forth. Japeth hovered around Dagan a bit, circling him slowly.

I wonder if he can feel me? He doubted it. Dagan was fully human; practically numb to the happenings around him. This is truly going to be harder than I believed.

Summoning all of his strength, he dove himself into Dagan and spoke to Dagan's inner self. Dagan's body shuddered and his spirit fought against Japeth's. While trying to catch hold of Dagan's spirit, he absorbed a lot of emotion from the man, most of it old wounds and secrets stored up in the deepest, darkest recess of his mind. Suddenly Japeth felt a kinship to Dagan, a pity for the sorry past he carried inside of him. Knowing that a man's mind was all he had that was private, Japeth cursed himself and would have asked forgiveness, only Dagan wouldn't have understood, oblivious to what Japeth had just done. He snatched Dagan's spirit and bolted out of Dagan's body before it exploded from harboring twice as many essences.

What the Hell is happening? Japeth felt Dagan's befuddled thoughts as he floated with Japeth, totally astounded and confused. He knew he should have warned Dagan, but the element of surprise was only more impressionable, was it not?

Fear not, Dagan. I am with you. Remain calm; I will escort you through the ride and no harm will come of you. We are going to find Cadence. Be still now, I must search for her.
Dagan obediently calmed his spirit and ceased fighting Japeth, now somewhat understanding what was happening. He concentrated on the new sensations he felt, sensations he could not even begin to describe as he weightlessly drifted through the air. He could feel the air currents flow through him, a sensation that vibrated every molecule of his being. If he could have, he would have moaned aloud with ecstasy. Japeth, no doubt, could sense Dagan's feelings, and let him do so without interruption.

The ground flew beneath them faster than Dagan had ever seen. It was as if he were riding a winged horse of some sort�he was flying. To where they were headed was anyone's guess, for Dagan had no conception of even how they were moving, much less their destination.

Somehow, through telepathic osmosis, Japeth absently answered his question. They were going to Cadence. Japeth knew where Cadence was. He knew where Cadence was because he felt her. He knew Cadence well enough that he knew the texture of her soul, and could sense it over a large distance. Japeth was magnetically drawn to her, and would soon know the way to where she was being kept captive.

Suddenly, they were there.

But where, exactly? Dagan did not know. It was unfamiliar to him. Hopefully Japeth had paid attention to the way there, because he had been held captive by the new experience.

Together, they floated around the fortress so hidden by the mountain and forest it was buried in that it was no wonder that it had never been discovered. He wondered just how long this place had been standing, and if anyone had owned it before the current menace.

Dagan found himself pulled through a dimly lit window and into a large bedroom. The door was large and heavy and surly bolted off. Dagan suspected it was the room Cadence was being kept in. His deduction was correct, for on the bed sat a young maiden, silent looking out the window from whence they had entered.

Dagan gazed upon her. She kept such an expression of pain and remorse that it ripped Dagan's heart out, even if he did not know her. All former knowledge had led him to know that most royal bloods were emotionless and not worth his time. Nonetheless, something in this girl attracted him, and he could not help but want to soothe her.

My dear cousin.-Japeth.

She is beautiful.-Dagan.

I must let her know I am here! I must let her know she will be saved�she will be safe!-Japeth. Dagan picked up waves of desperation emitting from Japeth. He would have tried to calm the boy if he knew how, but he had not yet mastered the ability to send for emotions and such like Japeth could do.

Suddenly, Cadence shifted her eyes and seemed to be staring strait at them. Dagan's heart skipped a beat as he stared strait back. Her eyes were the most beautiful he had ever seen-a vivid, sparkling green. Green eyes that had not been sparkling a moment before.

"Japeth?" her voice whispered frantically. To Dagan's ear-less ears, her voice sounded airy and it echoed back and forth inside of him, sending vibrations up and down his being. Again, he would have moaned. Her voice bewitched him. "Japeth! Oh I know it is you! I would know you from anywhere!" She leapt up, wishing she could hug him. Her heart sped up. "Have you come to rescue me?" she was frantically whispering, hoping that the sleeping girl in the room would not be awakened. Then her eyes downcast, realizing that Japeth could not save her-yet. "I understand," she whispered, even quieter. "But please," she said, moving closer to where she felt Japeth, "please hurry. I am so very frightened�"

And then she was gone. Dagan felt himself slipping away, as if he were falling. He saw the lands pass beneath him in the opposite direction, but this time it nauseated him. He could feel Japeth's sadness for not being able to save his cousin, for not being able to stay with her long enough. He had not been strong enough to keep strong with her spirit, and finally he was forced to return to his body.

Back in the room, Dagan's body leapt almost a foot off of the chair as his inner self re-entered it. He felt weakened as he opened his eyes; he could only imagine how worn Japeth felt. In fact, Japeth sighed loudly and Dagan watched as he toppled over, eyes closed and already sleeping. Dagan supposed his questions and comments would have to wait until the morning. He picked the light body of Japeth up and carried him to a cot, then sank back into his lounging chair by the fire. He let his racing thoughts lure him to sleep. It was not a very long amount of time before his breathing became shallow and he slept deeply.

Shenk turned around to face the small cluster of huts nestled cozily on the side of a grassy field. Raising his left arm high above his head, he jerked it back and forth as he grinned, looking upon his family once more before he departed. Three children no older than seven ran out to into the yard, shouting and waving their arms above their head, wishing him a safe journey. A younger, slimmer version of Shenk walked up behind them, plucking one the youngest girl off of the ground and placing her on his shoulders. He looked toward Shenk, smiled, and raised his hand in quiet salute. Shenk's older sister raced out of one of the huts, clutching a tiny infant to her breast, in hopes of catching one last glimpse of her brother.

"Take care now, you ox!" she shouted, near tears. It had been too long since his last visit, and this one had ended all too soon. "Stay out of trouble as well! I do not want to wake up one morning and find that you have been arrested and buried in a deep dungeon of some lord because you have been misbehaving again. I will not stand for it!" she dropped her voice and looked at her babe. Lifting her eyes once again to the man at the edge of the field, she whispered: "Return to me safely, my brother." And with that, he disappeared into the forest, heading to where he had come from.

Shenk exhaled as soon as he was out of view. Parting from his beloved family was the hardest of things for him to do; he saw them rarely and missed them often. When he had learned that his mother was sick he had dropped everything and raced homeward. Shenk's visit home had strengthened his mother some how, and she was well again. He had agreed to spend only a week home no matter what, but Shenk had known deep down inside of him he would have stayed forever if it had been necessary.

The forest was peaceful and the weather was inviting. The journey proved to be as peril-less as a joust in the gardens of the king. Lifting his head and raising his spirits, he headed back to his friends. The journey would take him a day and a half, as he would stop little and ear as he walked. He boasted to himself of his ease of travel, needing no sleep on the entirety of the short journey. To amuse himself he whistled and sang old tunes and story melodies.

The day slowly progressed as Shenk traveled through the forest. His spirits were exceptional on this day, despite having to part from his mother and the rest of his family. He predicted no future threat while journeying homeward, but one could never know. Instead of worrying about danger, he dreamed of it. What would he give to have an encounter of some sort to liven up his trek in the wood? He whistled, perhaps bandits nearby would hear him and come a-running, curiosity overcoming common sense. They would approach him in a crude manner, no doubt, practically begging for a fight! Shenk's step lightened and he nearly floated along the footpath, his eyes darting from side to side, looking for prospective battle partners.

His shadow grew longer, and the temperature slowly dropped. Shenk's skin prickled with goose flesh, perhaps not from the cold, but from excitement. Always he was yearning for the taste of battle on his lips, for the sound of sword on sword ringing within his ears. Soon Shenk's mind was busy envisioning past battles, the scenes playing perfectly behind his eyes as if he were watching them as they were actually happening. His heartbeat quickened and his breathing became erratic. His skin moistened with perspiration as he broke into a cold sweat.

Suddenly, from somewhere ahead of him came the snapping sound of a branch. Shenk perked into attention and brandished his sword, which followed him wherever he went. He noticed that he had stopped walking, and that he had taken his battle stance. Shenk stood with his feet shoulder-width apart and his chest somewhat lowered and forward, his sword pointed and ready, beckoning.

"Blast ye!" he shouted heartily. "Ye be pig-headed sons of whores, those who hide cowardly in the bush! Be like men and take your stance!" Shenk was answered by silence. Silence. Not even the birds were singing. Something great was amiss, something unknown lurked within these woods.

Cautiously Shenk regained his trail, wanting to return home as swift as possible. No man could call Shenk cowardly, but then again he had never been confronted by someone-something-that would not confront him! Shenk snorted, knowing that, perhaps, he did not want to be confronted.

I should run, he thought, for he was too afraid to speak aloud. The sooner I regain familiar ground, the happier I shall be. And with that, Shenk demanded of his body a grueling race of man against the unknown.

Behind him, Shenk imagined a great beast with dripping fangs as large as his forearms, jowls great enough to crush a mans scull between them, claws that belonged to massive paws that would shake the earth. This image within his mind caused Shenk to quicken his pace until he could run no faster. Sweat dripped off his temples in floods, his soft tunic drenched with moisture. His heart threatened to rip itself out of its cavity. But still, Shenk ran. He had never run from a thing in his life, until now.

The forest had never been so soundless, seeming to scream at him from every angle and direction with its silence. Shenk could feel the spirits of the forest racing with him, racing against him, pushing him back, forcing him to stay and be eaten by the thing chasing him. Shenk panicked as he felt hot breath upon the back of his neck. His heart skipped a beat, and then another, as he heard a menacing growl from behind him that ripped at his eardrums. Shenk felt blood trickling down the side of his face from his ears, but he did not notice.

Something from inside of him made him stop and turn around to face his pursuer. Like molasses, he veered around and stood face to face with-

What?!

It was unnatural.

Shenk's eyes were held, transfixed, with the monster's eyes. Where the monster should have had pupils, there was just orange. In fact, the entire eyeball was orange, a bright, evil orange that reminded Shenk of an angry sunset after a furious storm. The thing's breath was so foul that Shenk was nauseated, so much to the point where he could have collapsed where he stood. But that same thing inside of him that made him face this thing also prevented him from collapsing, senseless.

The beast was as massive as the dragons Dagan told of, with a head larger than a boulder of a man's height. It was mighty, standing three men tall to the shoulder. Its haunches and limbs were pure muscle, its ribs jutted from its leathery gray sides, rising violently and falling just as quick with each breath. Saliva slithered from between a jaw full of fangs longer than a man's hand, with canines as long as a man's forearm, just as Shenk had imagined. The beast's saliva splattered upon the earth floor and sizzled. Shenk made a note to himself to stay clear of the steamy fluid-it could possibly be venomous.

He had stared at the thing for what seemed an eternity, but was only two heartbeat's time. Shenk's blade reacted before he did, lusting for the taste of this demon's flesh. The beast growled-was it mocking him? Laughing?

The thought himself being the beast's amusement enraged Shenk, and he howled his disgust toward the creature and spit at it, slicing the air with his sword and striking the side of its head. The blade clanged against the thing's face. Sparks flew off in many directions as the thing's jowls lifted into a grimace. No, thought Shenk. The hellish thing is grinning at me!

"Go back to Hell where you came from!" Shenk roared and swung his blade again, this time at the shoulder. Again, nothing happened except a few minor sparks. The demon stood; frozen to his ground.

"I should eat you." Shenk's eyes widened. Had the thing spoken? Yes, there was nothing else in the vicinity to make noise. "I should claw your head off and lap up your blood with my tongue. I should piss on your dead carcass so that even the scavengers would not touch you."

Shenk grinned, knowing a bluff when he saw-heard-one. "Then do so, ugly pile of horse dung!" He spat at the demon's claws.

"I'll do so on a later joust, friend." The last word gurgled from the thing's throat with such a malicious undertone that Shenk had cause to tremble. "I will use your rib bone to pick my fangs!" With that, the hellish beast fell back to sit on his haunches and raised its shoulders to the height of almost eight men. Its underside was a dark, murky green. The dangerous claws rested upon its stomach, and the massive head peered down at him. "Courageous is the man who can look upon me and not piss his breeches." It laughed mirthlessly, looking at Shenk as if he were an insect begging to be crushed. It shook his head, and steamy slobber flew from its mouth and slapped the trees around it. Shenk smelled smoldering tinder, and glanced at the trees to see the bark smoking where saliva had targeted.

"If you are not out to kill me now, then what do you want of me?" Shenk asked, regaining his courage with the knowledge that he would not die on this night. Instead of fear, possible ways of slaughtering this creature raced through his mind. How could its hide be so tough?

"I will do as I please, human. And if you leave without dismissal I shall melt your flesh with my spit." Again, the thing grinned evilly. "I am a demon." It said simply, "a demon out to do another demon's bidding."

What?

"Yes, I see your confusion reflecting in your eyes. I am a messenger. I have been sent by your foe. Sent by my master. My message is this; my master knows of you. He knows of everything. He sees everything. He will destroy you and your comrades. Your skins will be tanned and dyed and he shall wear them as his victory cape. You are nothing. You are mucus to me. You are even less to him. He would squash you like the rotten fruit that you are, save for the fact that you amuse him. I send this message; surrender, join him, or die. Relay this to your friends and wait for your death, worm."

The demon was gone in a vanishing wisp of foul-smelling smoke. Shenk blinked, still confused. What the hell was that thing talking about? What foe?

What has Dagan done now?

The sun was setting. Darkness was descending upon the forest, and Shenk had no desire to be in it very long after dark. Not if things like that were lurking in the depths. Shenk moved onward, his head swarming with confusion. I'll straiten this out! He assured himself.

Dagan will have five earfuls when I am through with him!

An urgent rapping upon the heavy wooden door groggily awakened Dagan. He would have picked himself up off of the floor where he had passed out, but his body would not allow it. He ached from head to toe, his entire being screamed at him for what he had done last night.
What had he done last night to deserve such rebellion from his precious body? His memory was cloudy and unforgiving, but as he shook his head it slowly allotted him some access.
Ah, yes. Japeth and his wicked little out-of-body adventure. Just what, exactly, had that been? A dream?

Since when had a dream hurt this much? If dreaming were to hurt him like this from now forever onward, he simply would not sleep-ever again. There was no sense in waking up in this much pain in the morning. The rapping was echoing within his scull and Dagan felt the beginning of a migraine. It felt much too close to a hangover for Dagan's liking.

Sheren had quickly dressed herself and ran to the door to unlatch it. Dagan saw that it was early morning. The sun had yet to rise. In front of the door stood a bedraggled, breathless and extremely dirty Shenk. His eyes were as wild as his clothes, and if Shenk had had hair, Dagan imagined it would have been matted in hundreds of different directions with the help of sweat and mud.

"My god, Shenk!" Sheren bulked. "What on earth have you been through?" She took the man's shoulder and led him inside, closing the door securely behind them. Shenk shook her arm off and flopped over to his designated chair in front of the fireplace. He sank into it like a tired old dog would wearily fall into his freshly dug hole.

"Do not talk to me just yet-" he huffed. "Let me rest my tired body."
Dagan slowly climbed to his feet. He looked at Shenk, noting how aged he had become in this half a moon's time. Had his trip homeward been such an ordeal as all that? Dagan refused to accept that. Something must have happened. He waited patiently for Shenk to catch his breath and regain his bearings. The poor guy looked as if he were to pass out.

Shenk slowed his breathing, not allowing himself to focus on anything. When he felt his pulse slow to a healthy pace, he looked up and formally greeted Dagan.

"Ai, you old maggot bag! Has that broad been cleaning behind your ears while I've been
away?" he chuckled through his teeth and look over at Sheren teasingly, who in turn frowned menacingly.

"The morning has not yet birthed, Shenk," she sneered. "Do not corrupt me into a foul mood so early, or I might have a mind to taint your breakfast. If I chose to make your meal in the first, that is!"

Shenk winced, knowing how sorely he craved his cousin's cooking. He stood slowly, wobbly, and hobbled over to his cousin, his thick arms opened wide, and his lips parted in a grin equally as gaping. Before Sheren could react, Shenk scooped her up in a tight bear hug that lifted her feet from the floor. She squealed and squirmed until he set her back upon the earth, and when he did she punched him squarely in the gut. Shenk pretended to grimace and double over, which irritated Sheren further and she pursed her lips and stomped off before she made a scene in front of Japeth.

Japeth had been sitting quietly against the far wall, observing the encounter with an inward smile. This man-Shenk-seemed like a good man. Japeth liked him at first glance, despite his ragged and travel-worn appearance.

It was then that Shenk noticed him as well. The man's thick eyebrows arched and his mouth formed an O of surprise. He quickly hid it, though, and shook his massive body to rid himself of the travel dust. Japeth almost allowed himself to grin.

"And who might this young fellow be? Did we pick up another exile?" Shenk looked from Japeth to Dagan. Japeth rose from his seat, yawned, stretched, and made his way toward the bald man.

"My name is Japeth." He said, extending his hand toward Shenk. They clasped hands in greeting and Shenk nodded. Japeth could tell that this man was confused, and wanted to know what Japeth was doing there.

"Do not worry, Shenk. You will learn soon enough of his purpose for being here." Said Dagan. Shenk shifted his eyes off of Japeth and to Dagan again. Sheren did not pause to look up from her meal-making.

"I suppose it could wait," said Shenk. "I must tell you of what happened to me on the trail last night." He settled back in his chair, and as he did so his stomach growled. "Where is my food, woman?" he roared playfully, despite his condition. Sheren did not answer, nor did she offer him any look. Shenk did not expect one, and continued. "Yes, I know you expected me later today, but I did not think that was a good enough reason to stop me from running home at high speed. I am up for a week of sleep after last night!" They could all see the fatigue present on his face and his body. Japeth noted this man's strength; if he had been running all night he would surely not be up and talking and waiting for his meal. He would most likely be sound asleep, dead to the world until his body recovered.

"Tells us, Shenk." Sheren demanded over her cooking utensils. "Do not go off on a tangent like you always do!" Again, she did not bother to look up.

Shenk sighed, looked up to Dagan, and smiled weakly. "It seems to me, that there are things happening of a cosmic matter, and for some reason whoever is behind it has decided to involve us." He did not wait for Dagan to ask what he meant, but began telling of what had happened to him in the forest on his way home. When he was finished, all was silent. Even Sheren had stilled her cooking and was staring up at her cousin. Finally, Shenk wearily turned his head to Japeth. "For some reason, even though I know you not, something deep inside of me tells me that you are responsible. What have you gotten us into, young Japeth?" There was no malice in his voice, just the tone of someone wanting to know an answer to a question he barely knew himself.

"The foe this demon of yours has spoken of is probably a accomplice of the man aspiring to bring down the earth." Began Japeth. "This man is none I know, and I know not his capabilities. He has abducted my dear cousin, the princess Cadence-"

"A princess?" Shenk roared. Japeth could not tell if Shenk were laughing or enraged. "This is all over a mere princess?" Shenk almost spit out the word. "Dagan!" he growled, shifting his eyes to his companion. "I will not let you risk our lives for some princess who means nothing to us-"

"Hush." Dagan said quietly. The tone he used stopped Shenk dead in his tracks. He could almost see the rage fuming from Dagan's body. "Speak not of one you know not, dear friend. This princess that Japeth speaks of is the daughter of the High King, the king that preserves the balance of this world and makes possible the life we live. He guards these woods, in which the Portal resides. If he is overrun, all is lost and you know this. I can see it in your eyes, though I can not determine if the fear I see there is for the dispense of your kingdom or of your own life."

Dagan was quiet once more, and Shenk reflected his silence. Japeth decided to continue so that Shenk knew what was happening. "I have been sent to you, Shenk, to you and your friends. Maj herself-the GateKeeper-has decreed that we shall be the ones who prevent this kingdom from falling. Dare you go against the word of Maj?" His look pierced Shenk's skin, but he did not allow himself to succumb to the anger that he felt igniting inside of him. If he was to work with this man and save his kingdom and his cousin, then they must stay on good terms.

"This princess you scorn is my cousin; she is the successor of King Hambre, and the future of this world. For her life and future I would gladly lay down my own. I should not be so selfish and value my own life over the life of everyone who breathes on this earth. Do you understand why this mission is the gravest and of most importance?"

Shenk could only nod, fighting the feeling of being backed into a corner. Finally he said, "I will fight beside anyone who is for the cause then, Japeth. You have my word; if I must die to protect the princess, I will. My skills and my sword are at your bidding, sir."

Japeth felt gratitude welling up within him for this man. For reasons unknown, this one man was important to their victory. He tried to radiate his gratitude in Shenk's direction and hoped that he felt it. Then he said, "Shenk, we are friends. Call me not sir, but ally."

"Well then, friend!" exclaimed the large man. "Let us eat and then rescue your princess!" From the other side of the room, Dagan smiled.

Chapter Six