�Hi, are you the new people?�
�Huh?�
�You know, new people. My mom said new people arrived yesterday. I haven� seen ya befo�, so I think she meant you. I think tha�s what �new people� means.�
�Maybe, me an� my motha got here yessurday.�
�Oh, well, what�s yur name den?�
�Kitt. Wha� �bout you?�
�Jub�is�
It was the only kind of concern or attention Kitt had gotten from the community. It had been a few days after that that Kitt and Jublis had discovered the field. Now, it was not only the beginning of their relationship, but here it would possibly come to an end. Had anyone known the full extent of the countless hours that these two had spent together, how they had become closer than brothers, not even the most granite of men could help but be moved to tears by their predicament; their childish innocence, still intact at this tiny village; their friendship, a better part of their lives. Not one memory escaped either of them, and for a long while, it was very still, silent as the grave as they walked the perimeter of their field. It was so deafly quiet, that a chirping jay above seemed very loud to the boys. Each wanted to speak, but didn�t say anything. They seemed to adopt the attitude that if they didn�t acknowledge their separation, if they refused to believe it, that it wouldn�t happen.
Desperate to end the silence, Jublis asked the only question he could think of, even if he knew the answer, �How long �til you become a full sorcerer again?�
�Oh, not before you get back by any means,� replied Kitt, trying to remain optimistic.
�Well,� Jublis said, finally looking at Kitt for the first time since they had left Darcane�s home, �I feel sorry for you.�
�Why�s that?�
�Well, while you�re here, studying and slaving away, I�ll be slaying legendary monsters, becoming a famous warrior, and rescuing and successfully wooing at least three damsels a day, if not four.�
�Is that right?�
�Of course,� said Jublis, bringing on an air of self-importance, though Kitt knew that attitude was pure pretend coming from Jublis, �I�ll even put in a good word with one or two of the pretty ones for you.�
�OK, why not?� laughed Kitt.
The boys stayed all afternoon until sunset, and headed back home.
When the village came into sight, they saw Lieutenant Suulain, who seemed mildly irritated. �You there,� he barked out, �Kitt was it? You�d better suit up.�
�Huh? What d�ya mean?� asked Kitt.
�You�re comin� with us, you have no clemency.�