***

The night was calm. The wind had stopped hours before and the trees rest silent. It was still hours before sunrise as the three moved silently through the forest. Their commander raised his hand.

The first barrier had been breached; Jailin's eyes opened with a start. He reached down and placed his finger on the ground; a symbol bloomed at his touch. "Nei" he wispered, barely audible. She was already awake.

The commander signaled to his companions to take the two sleeping figures. They rushed forward on silent feet. One for each; the commander stayed back.

It had been no more than a breath's length and Neilara's blades were at her assailant's throat. Mine had stopped in his tracks, tree roots twined about his legs and back. The commander entered the clearing.

"Who are you?" He asked.


"Travelers." I looked him over. His golden plate flashed in dim light of the stars. His pants dissapeared in the darkness of the ground. His hair was short cropped and dark; his eyes a pierceing blue. "Do you have need of us?" I responded.

"Perhaps. Are you friend? Or undead?"

"When last I checked I was alive. That however a few days ago." I answered.

He chuckled. "I take it from the nature of the barrier we seem to have disturbed and way you trapped my oponent you are Valorth. It is rare to see one beyond the gate these days. We could use your help."

"We must be on our way." Neilara responded. Her eyes flashed as she turned to him.

"Where to? You'd be doing us a tremendous favor."

"The desert." I responded. "What use could a Paladin have of Valorth travelers?"

He looked at Neilara and smiled again.

"The undead. They are moving in their graves and it would be safer in a group." He answered. "We are going in that direction as well, you might as well acompany us to the citadel."

I looked at Neilara. This was her journey. It would take us a few days out of our way and a few more still since the human Paladin must sleep each night. If she wanted...

"Fine." She said, lowering her blades. She turned to me. "I would like to see for myself of what they speak."

"Your wish." I responded and waved off the bonds on assailent.

"Good, good." And this time he laughed. "Shall we set out then?"

And with that he and his men walked back into the forest. We followed and I removed the barrier as we left.