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Many nights passed as Arnath continued traveling through the towns and hills of the mainland. One man complained of a thief who stole his coin pouch.

"Sifl," Arnath simply said.

"You know the man?" the man asked in a firm voice.

"No," Arnath said, "but I'm sure the man will return your money."

The man looked at him with disbelief. "I'm sure."



Arnath was approaching the town of Forago, where he would seek out information on the world from the local gossip. A large body of water lay before the town, which Arnath sat down to in order to replenish his strength. A man, about the same age as Arnath, ran through the water.

"What are you doing?" Arnath said.

The man dived into the water, splashing and grabbing at the fish swimming beneath him. Once he thought he had a grip on it, he pulled his hands out, holding nothing. "Trying to catch some lunch," he said.

Arnath reached into his backpack, pulling out some meat wrapped in cloth. "I have some food. Would you care for some?"

"Aye," the man replied. He stepped out of the water, walking toward the grass. "My names Sephfireka."

"No kidding!" Arnath exclaimed. "You dont know me, but your father did."

Sephfirekas eyes widened. "You knew my father?"

"Yes, I traveled with him from Cynna to Witwood."

"Quite a distance," Sephfireka said, smiling.

"You know, Im glad your father told me about you," Arnath said. "I needed a new drinking buddy."

Sephfireka smiled at the comment. "Yes, yes. So where are you headed?"

"Oh, Im traveling to Forago," Arnath said.

An idea suddenly sparked in Sephfirekas mind. "Oh, would you join a group I heard is located at Forago? The Ravens theyre called. They will supply us with both the ale and movement if you care to go. Durango has guaranteed the freedom to do as we please, but he said thered be major traveling."

"Durango, huh?" Arnaths brow raised a bit. "Sounds awfully familiar."



Arnath and Sephfireka arrived at Forago, stopping at one of the marketstands. Arnath picked up a peculiar piece of fruit as he suddenly recalled that Durango was a previous member of the Dragons of Earth.

"I remember now," Arnath said, handing the merchant a coin from his pouch.

"Remember what?" Seph asked.

"Durango was in the Dragons of Earth, an old clan I was in. I left after he had gone power hungry and took over leadership. No one dared to oppose him and I know I couldnt, so I left."

"Oh, Im sure hes changed by now," Seph suggested. "How long ago was that?" He turned around abruptly and began to walk away. "Listen, Ill talk to you later. Im going to find the weapons shop."

Seph walked off as Arnath stood, trying to believe that maybe Sephfireka was correct in his assumption. A small drop of rain fell upon the fruit, which Arnath still held. It was forced to roll off quickly by the fruits natural oils. Arnath looked at his hand as the drop touched him, then looked to the sky. A weak storm would most likely hit, so the ports to the west would be closed. Still, arriving to the ports on time was a goal to be accomplished. "The ships, I heard, travel once a year," Arnath stated to himself. "The one we're looking to get on departs in about 10 months, which is about how long it should take 'til we get there."

His eyes reverting to the streets as he walked, Arnath stepped right into somebody. They both fell over, Arnath quickly jumping up once hed hit the ground. "Whats the big id-" he said. He looked at the beautiful woman who was before him. Quickly, he outstretched his arm to help her up.

"Thank you," she said. The hood of a white cloak was covering her face, yet her eyes told of unforeseen brilliance. "I am Dancing."

"Thats an unusual name," Arnath said, not realizing how rude he was being. "Oh, my names Arnath."

She looked down for a second, before her eyes fixed upon him again. "My mother gave it to me."

Arnath bowed his head in realization. "Im sorryI lost my mother too." She turned and began to weep, her hands raising to cover her face. Arnath walked to her side and put his arm around her. "I know its hardbut you need to be strong, as I was."

She abruptly turned, pushing the mans arm off of her. Tears were streaming down her face. "What do you know about it?!" Her expression was so angry. Arnath didnt know what to say even though he had been there before. "My mother was everything to me!" Arnath now grew angry himself, having dealt with the same. "She was everything"

Arnath tried not to upset her more by retaliating with his own feelings. "IIm sorry," he said. To suck up his emotions like that and not tell her was very difficult for him. "Listen, a storm is coming. We should best get to the nearest Inn."

The girl wiped her eyes and tried calming herself down. "Indeed," she said. "The nearest is only a few streets away." They walked together, as the rain began to fall, neither one of them saying a word.

Once they reached the Inn, Arnath greeted the innkeeper. "She with you?" the man asked, pointing to the young woman.

"Yes, I suppose," Arnath said. "How much will it be?"

A solemn look fell upon his face. "Sorry lad, but weve only one room, n one bed."

Arnath looked to Dancing to see her hair, which was wet from the rain, laid over her face. "You can have itIll find someplace else. Ill pay for you, dont worry about it."

She wiped a strand of hair from her eye and gazed at his eyes. "Its alright, I dont mind sharing a room. Besides, there arent many other taverns around here."

After paying, they walked upstairs and opened the door to their room. Once they had entered, Arnath closed the door and unhooked his belt to put off the weight of his sword. Dancing took her shirt off to change into something dry and Arnath looked away. She walked over to him, placing her hand on his cheek in order to redirect his attention to her. "Are you afraid of me?" she asked. Arnath said nothing, looking over her beautiful body. "Then why look away?"