�� Then it��ll be to late!��

�� Its too late already�� said Garl in a desperate voice

��Come, come back to town! Think about this first��

Very reluctantly Lithar walked slowly back. Inside he found how selfish his own motives were. Many building were torched and on the floor lie the dead. Those that survived and had good housing were giving care to the wounded and dousing homes. When Lithar arrived home he saw Erkenak and 3 soldiers sitting on the floor resting

�� So lad, you thought better then to run off did you?��

�� I am still leaving tommorow Erkenak��

�� Aye I see now how stubborn you are. I see that I must come with you. Though I am sure your mother will disapprove��

�� I know traveling on the road will be hard�� Lithar said wearily.

�� Oh, do you lad? You have no idea how hard it is, food will not be readily available and few will even let you purchase food. Remember�K you��re a Certa, those that are good and holy despise you. I doubt even temples will aid you. Do you have a plan, do you even know where the orcs are headed? You have never passed anywhere further then the passageway. I am coming with you lad�K these old bones may yet be of some help.��

In the darkness of the room Lithar felt ashamed. Was he so tired that he had not even thought of such subjects. So he agreed to let Erkenak come. Not that he could stop him. For his mother had told Erkenak to follow him. She had even offered him gold. However, Erkenak would not accept for they had known each other as good friends for some time.

�� Well, do you think mother will come with me?��

�� She would if she could but I doubt it. You see now that Estheria has revealed herself she must turn west and see what she can do there. For Lovar the western plains ruler Is a certa!��

Lithar stared in wide-eyed amazement.

�� What? You mean the ruler of the race of humans in the west is in fact one of my own kin? How did he do it? I mean surely there must be some resistance��

�� You may have guessed that Lovar kept his disguise for many years. It is rumored that one found out of his heritage and killed him. This is understandable for do you remember that all your family has been afflicted with?��

�� Yes�K if strife obtains the relic then the children of Certnian heritage would be sacrificed to strife to bring death to Naura�� said Lithar

�� Exactly, which is why Lovar was murdered��

�� All the Certa must die to ensure the life of one god?��

�� It was your ancestors fault��

�� I guess��

�� Anyways, your mother must go see what she can do and at worse take control of the western plains��

With that Lithar got tired and when to his bed to get his rest. Today had been most eventful.

The next day Lithar got up bright and early. The sun had been masked behind clouds and it was now raining. Droplets hit his face waking him up. The first day of the journey�K However, he took this not as an omen. Nothing could keep him for searching for his sisters.

The riders of Western plains had made a more formal announcement.

��The great and wise king Lovar of Celfane in the west, has died. We have come from Celfane to seek help. We are building an army to fight against the great dark clouds amassing in the east.�� And with that many people signed up.

Erkenak managed to get 2 horses and a pony. �� Never did like horses much�� mumbled Erkenak who was a short stout dwarf.

��Do not despair. This pony will take you as fast as any horse that rides through the plains�� said the rider. Erkenaks face looked black at the thought.

After acquiring the necessary food stuffs Erkenak went home with the horses by his side to find Lithar and Garl standing there.

��Lithar must we go on this journey? Why not let the professionals do it eh?�� said Garl in a pleading voice

�� I must find my sister�K this is my duty��

�� Aye that��s the spirit said Erkenak��

The voice startled Lithar.

�� I got all the supplies and those infernal horses are waiting outside�� said Erkenak

��Thank ye kindly master Erkenak. So where do we head first?��

�� Well lad, first we��ll be traveling through the great Kilar mountains. From there we��ll pass the Dakkon bridge�K We��ll have a hard time disguising you there. If we make it past there we��ll have to take the path around the Hessar desert appropriately called Deaths crossing. From there we��ll arrive at Mares castle just before entering central HighGuaard. There we��ll restock and get the current information. Im guessing this will take about two to three months or traveling�� Erkenak grinned at the stunned look on Garl��s face.

Then the sun reached its perch high above signaling noon.

�� We��d best leave now�� said Erkenak.

So they set out there horses galloping thorught the decimated town. Many wished them good-bye but Estheria was nowhere in sight. Lithar sighed, he wished he could see his mother for possible, the last time.

When they reached the gate they found Estheria now clad in clothing. Her eyes were twinkling with pride.

�� So now my little boys truly all grown up��

�� I was grown up the previous winter mother��

��Of course Lithar�K so Erkenak do you have your route planned?�� said Estheria

��Yes I do m��lady we will be traveling through treacherous areas but I think we will be all right . Your son has patience�� said Erkenak.��

��Lithar�K I speak this to your seriously�K you are now on your own. You must fend for yourself�K I do not know when we will meet. I am heading west, you east.�� She took out a beautiful ivory marble.

�� Keep this for me and give it to me when I see you again ok Lithar?��

Lithar nodded his head.

��Don��t worry about me mother worry about your self. From what I��ve heard you��ve also got a long trip��

With that that embraced each other with a hug. Then Lithar , Garl , and Erkenak rode off leaving Estheria watching and wondering.

What perils awaited them??