Chapter 10: Reunions, Discussions, and Telling Offs

The Outcastes, The Valiants and Trotes rode into the small hame village where Seliah was from. They had seen smoke from afar and wondered what was happening, and when they saw it, they hastened to get there. The smoke was from burning houses and such. The men from the forest had made their way back to the village and where searching for the girl, as well as other things of ill repute.
As they rode in Simon, Salte, and Price looked around to see what was happening.
"What in the world?" Price said hearing screams and yells in every direction. Trotes rode by.
"Someone made someone else mad," he said nonchelantly. They followed Trotes untill they saw a man beating a woman. She screamed for him to stop, and he threw her on the ground. Salte rode quickly to the two and lunged his spear into the back of the man. The man screamed in pain and fell down wounded, and Salte left him there to see what else was going on. The woman was too scared to even look to see what had just happened, while Faith quickly went to the woman to tend her wounds. Simon let Delos down near a large stone.
"I'll be back," Simon said to Delos. "Watch him," he told Hope and Charity, "Call us if anything happens. We'll hear you." Then Price and Simon rode off after Salte. As Faith tended the woman Trotes rode casually by, and Faith looked up at him.
"Trotes, can't you do something?" Faith asked. Trotes looked at her for a moment with very slight conviction in his eyes and then looked straight ahead and continued his slow progress into town.
"Tradgety is something we all must leave room for," he called back to her. After the initial stun, Faith scoffed and continued to calm and comfort the woman.
Simon came upon two men who were busy burning a house. They had wounded a man, and his wife and little girl stood by the man helpless. Simon wasted no time riding up to the two men and cutting both in the back. He then got down to see what he could do for the man. The mother and girl looked with fear at Simon because of his eyes. The mother threw herself on her husband.
She screamed, "Please don't hurt us." Simon stopped after staring and quickly turned away and got on his horse. He looked back at the woman and her girl as they watched him. And he rode off.
Salte was quickly surrounded by five men as he rounded a a hut, but as Price passed by, they were cut down to three. Simon rode up and helped Salte take care of the three that surrouned him, and Price found the core that had regrouped after the devistation in the town.
"What have we here?" he said. The men all looked at him. Price smiled and jumped off his horse. A group of three went to take care of Price, but when Price ceased to be visible the three attackers were baffled. Only for a second though because they did not live long enough to ponder the phenomenon. The other men reared back in fear at the sight and looked at each other. Price did not waste time. He found the best dressed man of the bunch and slit his throat with everyone watching.
They watched the man bleed to death and die. They looked around in panic while backing to get ready to run. Price released the light around him and he startled them. When they saw him they all ran in different directions. Salte and Simon came up just as they ran off.
"Are you alright?" Salte asked him.
"They won't be coming to this town anymore," Price said.
"Did you.."Simon asked him.
"Yea," Price said, "Who are they going to tell besides their thieving friends."
Salte smiled. "We might should catch one and get some information," he said.
"Why?" Price asked.
"Because it's just good to know," Salte replied.
"Are you going to help any?" Simon said to Salte.
Salte sighed deeply. "Only as much as a normal person can," he said, "Let's go. We're not done." The three went into town to see what needed to be done. They went through the town, which was not too big and did a thorough job of cleaning the place of any theives still lingering and causing havoc to people's homes. Faith and her daughters helped put out some fires and carry people away from the heat.
Trotes rode to the pub which was surrounded by Elestor's men. He looked at them intentely, and as he did, his anger rushed to his face. Some of the men recognized him and looked at each other somewhat fearfully. Even with one arm, Trotes was able to do damage to the group, and he had a fearsome look about his solid scared face anyway. They quickly dispatched and left, least they have to pay for their deceased leader's crime against the former gerneral of Calton. Trotes had no desire to follow. He simply sat and surveyed the situation waiting for those who traveled with him to complete their good deeds. He did want to grab one for questioning to see what the man who murdered his family was doing in that village. He figured the three boys with him would not kill everybody. He moved around town observing the situation. People were hurt around him groaning and delerious. Houses were burned or torn down or badly damaged. A few houses were left standing and intact, and some villagers were hurrying about trying to help those who had been seriously wounded. At last Trotes saw a man running from Price. Trotes quickly galloped his horse and got in front of the man. If Trotes's arm had not been injured, then he would have done something like jump off. Price came up.
"Stop," Trotes told Price. Price stopped suprised and somewhat annoyed that Trotes would bark an order to him. Trotes looked at the man.
"Don't try to run and your life will be spared," he said to the pillager.
"What?"Price responded. Trotes only glanced up at Price and then back at the man.
"Why did Elestor send you to pillage this little travel-through town?" he asked, "Or is it his trade now to murder innocent people in back-water villages." Price listened curiously. The man trembled and did not speak.
"Conquor your fear and speak if you want to live, coward," Trotes said.
"W-we're searching for...a girl," the man replied. Price glared. Salte and Simon came up to the situation. Trotes tilted his head slightly in curiosity.
"A girl?" Trotes said.
"Why in this land would he be searching for a little girl?" Price asked Simon.
"What makes you think I would know?" Simon replied.
"S,She's worth quite a bit of money by Elestor's account," the man replied.
"It that all?" Trotes said, "I thought it would be something as trifiling as that. Where is Elestor?"
"...Elestor is dead, sir," the man said finally getting himself under controll. Trotes started somewhat at this news.
"Dead?" Trotes said, "What do you mean dead?"
"We don't know," the man said, "He's no where to be found, and we saw blood in his room."
"Who ordered this raid then?" Trotes asked.
"Kall did," the man answered, "Alastor had sent word and Kall fears both Alastor and Elestor."
"Nothing to fear from Elestor if he's dead," Trotes said.
"Kall's not going to take that chance," the man said. Trotes looked away in deep thought.
"Where is the girl then?" Trotes asked.
"We don't know," the theif said, "We took her away from here and then she dissappeared when Elestor died."
Trotes narrowed his eyes and looked at the theif.
"What, may I ask, is so special about this little girl?" he asked.
"She fits the discription the blind child omen in the Cratle Scriptures," he says, "and I have to say, it seems to be true."
"Ahhhh," Trotes said now understanding, "That's how much she's worth."
"That's all I know," the man said.
"You're free to go," he told him.
"Getting some information?" Salte asked.
"So what's going on?" Price asked.
Trotes looked at Salte and then began to ride away.
"You might want to see to the wounded that you saved," Trotes said. Just then Faith called, "Salte, Simon, Price!" The three sped toward where she was now at the pub. She needed help moving the wounded to that one area.
Close to all day they worked bringing the wounded to the pub where they could be cared for. A few villagers, all women, were left to give the other villagers water and other nessecary aid. After much work, Salte, Simon and Faith walked over to the tree that Claude had rested under to get rest themselves.
"Not many are going to make it," Faith told Salte, "Isn't there something you can do?"
Salte shook his head.
"What do you mean? Yes, you can." she said shocked.
"No," Salte replied, "I can, but I'm not going to give that help."
Faith looked at him appaled. "How could you?" she said.
"Whether I'm right or wrong, I'm not going to give them anymore help than you or Simon could," he said, "To help them would result in other consequences that are not mine to bestow at every turn."
"Salte," Faith said, "That's the most self-righteous thing I've ever head you say. They had no controll over this."
Salte hung his head and walked toward a wounded person. "I know," Salte said.
"Know what?" Faith said getting even more angry.
"What you just said," he replied joining the others in bandaging and getting water to people who were hurting. Hope called to Faith, and Faith turned to go to her with a quick glance back at Salte.
Simon then came to an old man who was not terribly hurt, but he was bruised and could not hardly move. When Simon saw him, the man asked him, "Have you seen a little blind girl?"
"No," Simon replied stooping down to give him some water, "But I'll go look for her."
"She's not here then," the old man said taking a drink, "Those soldiers came looking for her..."
"...because she's a bad omen," Simon said. The man looked up a Simon.
"Bad omen?" the old man said getting upset, "She is no bad omen. *cough* Curse that superstition!" The old man hit the ground with his fist. Simon shook his head.
"That's just what I heard," he replied, "Whether or not it's true, I don't know."
"It's not," he said to him, "She is innocent." he took another drink. "She is innocence," the old man said after his sip. The man lay down in the grass near the front door of the pub.
"Innocence often suffers at the hands of greed," Simon said. The old man nodded and then looked at Simon from his resting position.
"You are a noble man," he said. Simon only returned the man's gaze with his green eyes. Price walked up behind Simon followed by Salte who had his hood off now. Price and Simon both took their hoods off. The old man looked at Salte in wonder.
"You have the hair and eyes of . . ." the old man said.
"A harcus," Salte finished.
Simon turned to look at Salte. Trotes now rode in close out of curiosity. "But I saw you helping and nurturing the people of this village," the old man continued, "You are not evil, if you are, then you have decieved me as you willed."
"I do not deceive," Salte replied. A young woman walked up to the conversation.
"Your speech and your looks are not from anywhere I have ever heard in my own travels," she said. Salte looked at her and then at the old man and then to the south.
"Decendants of the Southlanders," Salte replied, "the harcus of legend, though legend, is actually true in our distant past." The old man stared at each one. Simon's eyes turned their black color. And he looked down on at the ground.
"The violence brought to this village can only mean that the young girl escaped," the old man said, "If you find her, please care for her or take her to a safe place." "Please let her be well," he said praying. Simon, Salte and Price nodded. Trotes now rode away as they continued to talk, deep in thought. He came upon Delos who watched Trotes ride along the edge of the wounded. Trotes happened to glance down and see the soldier watching him, but Trotes looked forward and continued in his thoughts.
Eventually the wounded were set in order and the people who had survived the tradgety of the village were able to care more effectively for the injured, since quite a few had died from severe burns or open bleeding. There were about thirty survivors in all who would live.
Salte had left Simon and Price, who were talking to the old man still. He got up from a woman who had just died in his arms and left her with her eyes closed and her arms folded. He walked to the river to the place where the boys being watched by Claude had caught their fish along the rocky bank. After a little while, Faith walked up behind him.
"She didn't have to die," she said to him. Salte turned around.
"What do you want me to do?" he said.
"Save them!" she replied.
"From what?" Salte replied, "Tradgety? Injustice?"
"From needless sorrow and pain," Faith said, "They are hurting and all you can do is hold on to your stupid ideals, whatever they are. How can you be so cold?"
"Cold?" Salte said, "You think this has no affect on me? You have no idea what you are asking? Who knows what consequence would be later . . ."
"Later!?" she said louder, "These people are hurting . . ."
"How dare you talk to me of pain and hurt!" Salte said now angry, "How dare you come preaching to me of...of tradgety, when you yourself would have had nothing to do with us if your own lives were not in danger. You speak to me of loss, when not just my bloodline, but my race and the race of two other peoples is about to end at the hands of fear, unforgiveness and ignorance." Trotes heard this arguement from a distance in the moist air of the valley in the now waning sunlight. Price and Simon walked up on the conversation along with Hope and Charity. "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to sling the scales the other direction just because some other fools tipped it. What would happen? How would I know if I tipped it at the wrong time and the whole thing fell over? You of all people should know that things are not so simple in fixing, and that healing is more delicate than just righting the wrongs." Salte sighed heavily, and then walked past her. "Tradgic pain is a horrible thing, Faith," he said stopping and hesitating, ". . . To have to endure it is . . . beyond understanding."
Simon, Price and the girls walked over to Faith, who was now crying. Trotes watched Salte walk to people who were hurting stoop to help them. He rode his horse toward Salte looking at the people who were just escaping the pain of their injuries and sorrow through sleep.
"You probably don't care what I say," Trotes said to Salte, who looked up at him, "But we should stay here tonight in case anyone tries for revenge of the sort." Trotes dismounted.
"We were going to do that anyway," Salte said returning to his present task of cleaning a wound.
"I know," Trotes said walking away. Salte shook his head and dismissed any inclination to understand Trotes at the moment. Night came on, and they had finished the work they had to do for the most part. Everyone was now waiting in case any injured developed a need. Some of the towns folk came to Simon, Price and Salte as they sat with Faith and the others. Delos had moved over there where they were and Trotes walked around looking at the damage.
"We wish to thankyou for your aid," a middle aged woman said to them, "if not for you, Outsiders, our village would be destroyed and we would have all died in shame."
Salte shook his head. "Think nothing of it," he said, "I'm sorry this has happened." The middle age woman was accompanied by a four other younger women and a girl of about fourteen.
"You're speech and your appearance are not from here," she asked, "May we asked where you are from?"
"We are from the South," Salte said, "But we mean you no harm." The woman nodded.
"We are taught from an early age to be suspicious of all not from Calton, and to fear any with a strange appearance." The Outcastes smiled. "The teachings of our elders reach far back," she continued, "the south is supposed to be a land of evil."
"It is," Salte said, "But we do not succum to it."
"Then it is true? It is a land of death," she asked.
"It is," Salte said, "We live between that land and this one."
"How long?" she asked.
"A little under 4000 years," Salte said. The woman and those with her gasped.
"So long?" she said.
"Not for much longer," Salte replied, "Soon the world will be rid of us."
"Your people are dying." she said.
"Our people are dead," Salte replied, "We and a few others in our village are all that are left."
The woman fell silent and only the trickle of water was heard amidst camp fires and groans. Trotes had walked up in interest on this little bite of information. The women looked to the side somewhat ashamed to look at the Outcastes. After some time, she looked Salte in the eye.
"Thankyou for your aid, "she said with tears in her eyes, "When we left you to die, you did not leave us. Your race must be noble indeed." Salte smiled.
"No," he said, "Just chastened. But thankyou for your acceptance." The woman nodded. She was curious, but she did not wish to pry. She was simply thankful for what help she could get from Salte and his companions.
"If you need anything that we can provide," she said, "do not hasitate to ask," she said.
"Thankyou," Salte said smiling politely. She smiled and nodded at the Outcastes and walked away to attend the wounded. Faith stared at Salte for a moment and then spoke.
"Salte, I'm sorry for what I said," she said. Salte shook his head.
"You were already forgiven," he said. She nodded her head.
"I've been tempted myself," Salte said, "It would be so easy to just make it right. But itwould only be an illusion of right."
After a short silence, Price spoke, "So are we continuing after this?"
"I don't know," Salte replied, "Will the people who did this come back?"
"There's no telling," Simon said, "I'm not against the fact that we helped these people, but it's still a delima."
"Let's get some sleep now and consider this in the morning," Salte said, "We'll take turns helping the wounded. I'll go first."
Every one nodded in agreement and lied down to sleep, untill they heard a yell at the entrance of the village. The three jumped up to see what it was. They ran to the bridge that was just a few hundred feet away from where they were at the pub. Across the bridge in the moon light they could see a man on a horse, who they gathered to be Trotes, holding a man on foot. They ran to Trotes to see what was the situation. Trotes held the man firmly as he struggled.
"Stop struggling or I'll make you stop forever," Trotes told him. The three came up to the activity.
"What are you doing here," Trotes snarled, "And are there any others?"
"N..n..no," the man replied, "They sent just me to tell any who were still here to come quickly."
"Why?" Trotes asked.
"Because Elestor is dead," he said, "Alastor has been summoned to Calton Capital."
"How did Elestor die?" Trotes asked.
"We don't know," he replied, "Whatever did it, it wasn't a man or woman."
"Oh?" Trotes said, "How did he die?"
"He was strangled in the vines around his room," the man said, "the blind girl and another girl dissappeared at the same time. The whole place is in an uproar and the second man has ordered us to get out of that forest and move base to somewhere else."
"Where?" Trotes said.
"I don't know?" the man said, "and even if I did, I'd never tell you."
Trotes threw the man down.
"Get back to your gang," Trotes told him, "the men you sent here are either dead or on their way back." The man stumbled up and scurried off. Trotes turned to the Outcastes.
"They won't be coming back," he said.
"We leave after we help these people get things in order tomorrow," Salte said, "Let's get some rest."

Chapter 9: Claude's Path

The girl was about seven or eight years of age. She faced forward without turning. Claude understood, now, why Samantha wanted to help her. She did not look strong enough to handle riding on Claude's back while he jumped around on the roof.
"Maybe I can sneak her out late at night," he thought, "I may have to get Samantha's help after all."
Claude then dropped from the roof and landed quietly on the floor. The girl started when he landed. "Y..Yes?" she asked perking up in fear and listening intently for an answer. Claude paused suprised.
"You heard me?" he asked slowly walking to her.
She nodded. "You talk funny," she replied. Claude smiled.
"I know," he said, "I try not to talk if I can."
"I like it," she said.
"I've come to get you, and take you back to your family," he said.
"You're letting me go?" she asked.
"No," Claude replied, "They don't know I'm here. We have to be careful getting out of here." The girl began to tear up when Claude told her he was going to save her. "Don't worry," he said, "Nothing's going to happen to you."
Claude walked over to the girl, who was now trembling slightly, and gently took her hand, so she would stand up. "Are you ready to get out of here?" Claude said.
"Why...are you helping me?" she said following him meekly.
"You've never helped anyone?" Claude asked her.
"Yes," she said, "But they told me no one would help me. That I'm bad and going make bad things happen."
"Looks like they don't know everything," Claude said, "What's your name?"
"Seliah," she answered.
"Mine's Claude," Claude said slowly opening the door and looking out. No one was there so he opened it, and they walked out. As they did the door down the hall swung open. Claude tried to get back into the room with the Seliah, but it was too late. Samantha came through and spotted Claude and the girl. Claude took a deep breath of relief and lead Seliah down the hall to meet Samantha.
"What's going on?" Claude asked her.
"A messenger from his cousin Alastor is here and they are looking for him," Samantha replied, "When they entered his room and saw everything they immediately started looking. They started checking the roof, and when they finished checking that room I jumped down into it and got on the roof."
"So, we're going to have a hard time getting out of here," Claude said, "Was this part of your plan?"
"Actually, yes," Samantha said smiling, "But I calculated that patience and luck would get us out of here."
"Where would the danger be without a little improvisation?" Claude said. Samantha looked down at Seliah and then knelt down infront of her.
"Hello, little lady," She said to Seliah, "I'm Samantha. What's your name?"
"Seliah," she answered, "Are you here to help me?"
"Yes, I am," Samantha said, "We're going to get you out of here." The little girl teared up again.
"We're not safe talking here. Let's go," Claude said. They ran down the hall to the door leading outside. Claude opened it slowly and looked forward and then down. He then crept out to see men with tourches wandering into the woods while others looked around. Samantha and Seliah followed behind, while Claude walked across the walkway and then turned to look at Samantha.
"Go on up," he wispered. Samantha quietly walked to the other side with Seliah to where Claude was and then jumped up on the rail. She then opened a section of the roof that covered the walk way.
"Smart," Claude said to her.
"Why?" Samantha said, "How did you do it?" Claude shook his head and motioned for her to get going.
"Hurry," he said. She jumped up and grabbed one beam with one hand and the roof with another. Claude was going to help her, but she pulled herself up with little trouble.
"Wow," Claude said. Then he turned and took Seliah by the hand as he knelt down. "I'm going to lift you up to Samantha," he said to her, "Has anyone ever held you up before?" She nodded her head.
"My grandpa has," she said.
"Okay good," Claude said, "Are you ready?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Hold up your hands," Claude told her, and he lifted her up. Samantha grabbed her hands and gently pulled her up onto the roof. Just as Samantha got Seliah on the roof the door infront of them swung open and hit Claude, but Claude quickly shoved the door back to close it. He then jumped up quickly and pulled himself up onto the roof. Moments later three men burst throught the door.
"Get him!" one said as they rushed across the walkway to the south wing.
Claude looked at Samantha and Seliah.
"That was close," he said.
"We're not done yet," she said taking Seliah by the hand and leading her to the place where the grapevines reached the roof. Claude looked up at the moon while walking over to where they were. It was just about to set behind mountains far in the west, which would hide its light.
"Thankyou," Claude prayed.
"Seliah," Samantha said, "You are going to have to hold on to Claude's back. Whatever you do, don't let go."
"Okay," Seliah said holding her arms out. Claude knelt down, and Samantha guided Seliah to his shoulders and placed her hands where she would not choke Claude. Claude stood up with Seliah holding tightly.
"I'll go first," Samantha said. She turned and began to climb down the vines, and Claude followed after her. They went down as quickly as they could without making too much noise. As they got lower they heard shouts that came from within.
"Did you find him?"
"No, but we have intruders."
"What? Where is the General's daughter?"
"We don't know that either."
"How could we have lost them?"
"Maybe he got mad and killed her?"
"Just find them. Anyone who is not familiar dies. And the general's daughter dies. I knew Elestor shouldn't have taken her."
"The girl is gone!"
"What!?"
"We ran into someone, and we ran into the south wing because we thought he ran in there, but no one was there not even the girl."
"Alastor and Elestor will have my head if we don't find that girl! Find them all, or I'll have your heads before they have mine."
"Yes sir."
"Check, everything. Check the roof again."
Finally, Samanth, Claude and Seliah made it to the bottom. They could see men in the vineyard just a little ways away, but the moon was no longer out and the night was dense.
"I can barely see," Samanth said to Claude.
"I can," he said, "follow me."
"What," she said taking his shirt, "How?" He led her through the dark into the forest. Men were in the forest with torches looking for whatever they could find. Claude avoided them and continued to head west.
"Slow down," Samantha wispered to Claude, "I can't walk as fast and as quietly as you."
"Sorry," Claude said. Every once in a while Claude spotted a torch in the forest.
"How many men were in that place?" Claude asked.
"A lot," Samantha replied, "Enough to make up section."
"Section?" Claude said puzzled.
"About 200 soldiers," Samantha replied, "You must be from one of the back water villages in Calton, or you're not from Calton, which would explain why you talk with such an accent."
"How do I talk?" Claude asked. They made their way through the forest around clumps of trees and around rocks. Claude didn't see any more torches, so he decided to slow down.
"It's like you pronounce your words completely or . . . I don't know. You just do," Samantha said.
"You kind of draw some of your sounds our and others you cut off," Seliah wispered.
"I see," Claude replied.
"I like it," Seliah said.
"I never said it sounded bad," Samantha added.
"If we find my friends, you'll have a whole group of us," Claude said.
"You were looking for your friends before you decided to do this. Where were they headed," Samantha asked.
"They were chasing a group of your soldiers who were traveling to Calton," Claude said.
"They could have passed while I was stuck in that place," Samantha replied.
"Why were you in there anyway?" Claude asked.
"I was picked up against my will," she said, "They kept me because they could."
"Did they try anything?" Claude asked.
"They wouldn't dare," Samantha replied, "They're too afraid of my father."
Claude climbed over a log and knelt down.
"Hop off for a second," Claude said. Seliah got off. "You can rest right here," Claude said to her. Seliah knelt down and felt the ground where she was standing and then sat down.
"Claude, can I talk to you for a moment," Samantha said.
"She'll be able to hear us," Claude said, "We might as well talk right here."
Seliah smiled. Her teeth were white and straight.
"Beautiful smile," Samantha said, "I see you take care of your teeth."
"My grandfather would always make us clean them with a potion that he makes," Seliah said.
"Well, it works," Samantha said, "I have to use a brush." Claude knew the solution Seliah talked about was made from string leaf, but he didn't say anything. Samantha turned to Claude. "We can't take her back to her village," she said, "They're going to go straight there in the morning, which isn't too far away." The night was still dark, but the time for it to brighten was fast approaching.
"I can't stop that many men," Claude said.
"Will grandpa be okay?" Seliah asked.
"I don't know," Samantha replied, "But you can't lose hope. You have to be strong."
"What do you suggest we do?" Claude asked.
"We're going to take him to my father's house in the Capital," Samantha said.
"I thought your father wouldn't have you back," Claude replied.
"That was a lie," Samantha said, "I'm on my way to take a message to the Mayor of Oak, remember."
"They didn't know that?" Claude said.
"No," Samantha replied, "I got rid of the message when I discovered I was being followed."
Seliah tightened up with a look of fear, and Claude looked up and around.
"What is it?" Samantha asked.
"Something's out there." Claude said, "I don't think it's human." He got up and looked around and then headed into the forest.
"Where are you going?" Samantha said.
"Stay here with Seliah," Claude said.
Samantha sat next to Seliah and they waited to see what Claude could find out. Moments later Claude came back.
"It's just a wild animal," Claude said, "But we do have company furthur down, we need to move." They got up and began moving through the forest. As they went the night sky started to lessen it's hold on the darkenss.
"How far is the road from here?" Claude asked.
"Just a little ways," Samantha replied, "We go north on it." In a few moments, they were on the road through the great forest valley. They headed north as soon as they were on it, looking back every so often to make sure no one was following them. Claude could see or hear no one in the woods. They had made it safely, but they did not feel safe yet.
"There's a small village along this road that will feed us," Samantha said, "I left our food and stuff at that place."
"I know," Claude said, "You didn't have anything valuable did you?"
"No," Samantha said looking at her sking tight dress skirt, which was torn from all of the activity.
"Nice outfit," Claude said. Samantha looked over to him and then at her dress again.
"I hate dresses," Samanta said.
"Is that what that is?" Claude replied. Samantha looked up in wonder at him.
"Where are you from?" she asked, "Be honest." Claude looked on. After a moment, he sighed and then spoke, "I'm not from any country you've heard of."
"I've heard of seven," she replied.
"I'm not from any of them," Claude said. Samantha thought for a second.
"You have to be," she said. Claude laughed.
"Are you sure you don't know of any more places?" he asked. Seliah piped up, "Are you from there?"
"What do you mean?" he said.
"From the bad place," Seliah said, "My grandfather used to tell me about a place that lead to a very bad place, to Heckros. He said an evil people lived there."
Samantha looked at Claude agast.
"You are from the south?" she said.
"My ansestors are from the South," Claude said, "No one lives there anymore." Samantha could not believe it. "Why so suprised?" Claude said, "You didn't think anyone could come from there?"
"We don't let anyone from the South into our lands," she said.
"Well, in case you haven't noticed," Claude said, "You haven't been guarding the entrance too well."
"What do you want here?" Samantha asked.
"I just want to find my friends," he said, "Nothing more . . . yet."
Samantha stopped and grabbed Seliah backing away from Claude.
"What are you doing?" Claude asked, "We've got to keep moving."
"What are you doing here?" She asked, "Tell me now!"
"I told you," he said.
"What do you mean by 'yet'," she said pulling her daggar from her boots. Claude sighed.
"You don't have to be afraid," he said, "The 'yet' is an important matter, but a long story. Just trust me."
"The South has been forbidden for thousands of years," Samantha said with her daggar still drawn, "Why? What evil did you do?"
"I'm not evil," Claude replied.
"No one has come from that place alive. It's sure not good," she said.
"I'm not that place. I didn't do anything. And if you want to prod someone for doing evil, prod the one who sent three men in there to their doom and the doom of the world," Claude said turning back toward the north, "Are we going or not?"
"Claude," Seliah said pulling from Samantha and taking steps toward him, "My father told me that the peolpe there are bad, but I know what bad people sound like. And you aren't one of them." Claude turned around and let Seliah get closer before picking her up.
"I know what bad people are too," Claude said, "And you're definately not one either."
Samantha watched confused, curious, and somewhat nervous.
"Let's get you somewhere safe," Claude said. Seliah smiled and Claude set her down and led her by the hand to travel to the next town. He looked back. "You coming?" he said. Samantha slowly walked behind the Southlander, watching him.
"Is the world in trouble?" Samantha called.
Claude turned around, "Yes."
"What kind of trouble?" she asked. Claude sighed.
"Grave trouble," he said, "Trouble that waits untill it's too late for anyone. As soon as I find my friends, we're going to figure out how to deal with it."
"You're going to stop the bad men," Seliah asked.
"Yes, but it's just one man," Claude said looking straight forward, "One very, very bad man."