“Have you taken leave of your senses?” Blye asked disbelievingly. “No, my lord. I do not think those men will act unreasonably. They are bound to honor the flag of peace in any event. I in turn must make my way to the castle. I think we had best confront Maica before she escapes the castle as well. I must do it but I will need the support of your men if you will.” Dukes Blye and Morme looked hesitant but then nodded. Duke Blye spoke. “I will cross and meet Algwad’s army. Prepare some men. We will send men with you to go to the castle. How do you propose to gain entry?” “There is a tunnel I used to escape. Fiere used a tunnel to escape as well. I do not believe it will be heavily guarded. We should be able to enter through there. As many men as possible but I suggest a small contingent initially.” The dukes nodded. “Very well. Let’s prepare,” Morme said.   Fiere moved down the hill with the soldiers he had chosen, to the ex

Shay made her way through the castle hiding from servants on occasion and having to fight two soldiers along the way until at last, they reached the doors to Maica’s chamber. Maica’s chambers were guarded by two sentries. Shay made a noise where she was and the guards looked at each other before leaving their posts together to investigate the noise. They were nervous from the sounds of battle which could be heard from outside as the armies of the outer realms attacked the keep walls. When the guards were nearly at the corner, Shay and the two soldiers charged without making a sound. The sentries were surprised and stepped back briefly as they tried to take in the scenario they were suddenly faced with. Shay took advantage of their hesitation and dived between them head over heels. She did not look back but made her way for the entrance to Maica’s chambers as sounds of fighting began behind her. Shay opened the door to Maica’s chambers. She paused long enough

When Shay arrived back at her cabin after spending time at her mother’s grave, Fiere was waiting for her. His horse was tethered nearby. He had about twenty soldiers with him. Shay ran to greet Fiere and they embraced for a long time. Then finally she held him at arm’s length. “Is it over? I had no idea you came back.” “Part of it is over. Algwad’s army has surrendered. But Algwad is still free. We believe he is headed into the Ischlo Mountains seeking the jewel that will grant him almost unlimited power. He must be stopped.” “If he has the jewel he may not need an army,” Shay commented feeling unease in her stomach at the thought. “Tell me first, how is your mother? I heard all about the fact that your mother was in the dungeon. I can only imagine how relieved you are that your mother was not Maica after all. I hope you can forgive me for the judgment I made of you believing that your mother was Maica.” Shay looked away trying unsuccessfully

Shay was troubled by the fact that they might be outnumbered. Try as she could, she could not shake the feeling that she would be the one who would face Algwad in the end. She believed that she would be the one to face Algwad alone. While the team’s objective was to catch Algwad and his men and stop them, Shay suspected that Algwad would leave his men as a rearguard while he went on alone to get the jewel. Shay had to try to get close enough to Algwad and his men so that she could catch Algwad when he was alone. She also had no idea what it was that Algwad was looking for. What it looked like. She wished she did. It could make the difference between her getting the jewel before Algwad as she doubted that he even knew what it looked like. She had heard of statues and so was keeping an eye out for statues. Shay and her men thus needed to follow Algwad’s group undetected if possible until they arrived at the point where whatever he sought was. The trail became rockier and harde

Shay had a sense of drifting or being carried. Savar was with her and spoke to her. She did not have enough time to reach the point of the Jewelling in time and so Savar would deliver her there ahead of Algwad. Beyond that, he could do no more. She would have time to study the jewel, the statues, their crossed weapons known as “The Crossing” and all that she possibly could before Algwad arrived. Savar reiterated that she needed to believe in herself and believe that the impossible was possible. When Shay awoke, she was alone. The effects of her sleep dissipated quickly but her dream remained crystal clear in her mind and she remembered everything that Savar had said to her. She drew her sword and held it ready at her side as she moved around and explored. She wondered briefly how Savar had taken her from the soldiers who were with her but then she suspected he had used the power which none of them were aware of. She was on the top of a mountain which was circled by r