The journey had been arduous and the distance great. The terrain through which they had travelled was rugged but varied; high hills in some areas where they could see for miles around them to their front, and dark forests of tall pines or ancient oaks at other points that made progress slow as a result of all the undergrowth and bramble bushes. Even so there were no real difficulties, for many small streams provided water while food was plentiful with rabbits, squirrels and even an occasional deer spotted along the way by the lookout scouts sent out ahead each evening. Most evenings too Zara had called up from her crystal ball images of what lay before them on the map she kept inside it, always pointing out features of interest to those who stood beside her cart. On these occasions Skraffi would ride his horse alongside to provide commentary if he deemed it necessary. For now however Regin and Hector did not appear concerned about such things; though sometimes they glanced back fearfu
Killian and his daughter Yuki arrived in a strange world where they watched a woman and a man talk, seeing them for a moment, little Yuki realized that there was no trace of her mother Monica.So Killian looked at the couple and was waved goodbye as he went to another world to look for Monica.In the deep desert east of Thebes two thousand miles from the Nile stood a mountain named Sai. On its peak was built an ancient temple to Hathor, goddess of motherhood and joy, where once every twelve years pilgrims came seeking her blessing on their journey through life. It was said that all those who passed under the giant gates had been touched by the love of Goddess Hathor. All except one man whose name has long since been lost in time, but it is known that he lived as king among them for seven days and nights, with no water or food save what his companions gave him. In exchange they demanded that he give up all that he held dear so that when they finally left at dawn's first light none woul
"No need for tears," said Hrobar reassuringly. "You've got us here, after all. There are plenty more people out there whose hearts have already been broken on account of what you told us today; now we'll do our best not to add to your troubles!"Regin stared up into space as if trying to find answers in a cloudy sky full of mist; he was thinking about his sister Zara and her brother Luca both having to suffer so much misfortune within a short time of meeting, because the King had sent them off to war together, while also wondering whether the mysterious stranger might turn up sooner or later to put matters right again."What does any of it matter?" asked Skraffi. "I'm just glad I wasn't one of those guards standing guard outside the gates when it happened." He raised his cup high into the air. "To Queen Anirul's daughter!" he cried. "May she be blessed forever by the gods above!"Hector joined in the toast, clapping his hands together until everyone else did likewise and began chantin
Regin looked at Zara and she gave him a reassuring smile. She had seen enough already today. He turned his attention back to Skraffi. "What about your magic?""Hmmm, what did you have in mind?" asked the dwarf."A distraction," replied Regin, thinking quickly. "One which you can produce at the same time as you set the guards on the far side of the castle chasing after the wrong people."Skraffi frowned slightly before he nodded. "That shouldn't be too hard. All I need is someone to go along with me." He pointed towards Hector and Hrobar. "I'm sure I could find someone who's willing to accompany us; perhaps they'd like to follow my instructions so that they know exactly where they should lead these men away from… unless they'd rather stay and help you keep guard against any intruders trying to enter this place through another entrance while we search for my sister… ?"The companions glanced between each other for only a moment, then both shook their heads. "We'll leave it up to you how
Hector scowled, glanced across the road into the distance, then looked back and forth between the two dwarves and the princess before muttering darkly under his breath, "That won't be enough to keep them distracted, you know…" His tone was uncertain but it didn't sound as if he really cared either way anymore since none of this had happened yet. Not in this world anyway; maybe things would be different when he got home again in just a few minutes or hours or days.Skraffi ignored him, instead leaning forwards and kissing Zara on the cheek, earning a surprised squeak and a gasp of shock from the girl. "Thank you," he said after letting her go. "We'll get back to you soon with an answer to your questions about what exactly is going on here and why my sister has been taken away for her own protection."Regin rolled his eyes at the younger dwarf as he put a hand over his heart to salute Zara before taking hold of his shoulder. "You are very welcome," replied the prince politely before loo
"How many people live here?" asked the princess before shrugging as she tried hard to think back on what she could remember from the books she'd read while they sat on that small island near Nilo's capital city. It hadn't taken her long to realise that she was most likely never going to have a chance to read any more books after leaving that place, but that didn't mean she was going to let her past life slip out of her memory either. She found herself wondering how many books existed and whether anybody still remembered any of them, or if all those stories would one day fade like stars slowly dying within the vastness of space or the tales of gods and heroes turning into myths and legends told and retold until they eventually disappeared completely forever. The girl decided not to dwell on the idea too much as she walked beside Regin instead as the dwarves strode across the road without ever appearing worried about who might be watching.The two men stood close together with Hector wh
"I am General Kalendeen," he said. "This is my son, Thaddeus. My second-in-command, Lieutenant Robert. There is only one person we can trust within this kingdom, and that is King Ataulf. His majesty is aware that you have returned, and has ordered me to give you a warm welcome. You may also be pleased to hear that the rest of your friends are waiting inside.""My apologies, General, but I'm not sure what you mean by a 'warm' welcome.""There's no need to be rude.""Rude? I don't think I've ever been called ruder than when I was told I'd received an invitation into somebody else's home without so much as so much as a small drink or two of water offered up along with it! Now, I have come all the way across the world without any sleep whatsoever, risking my life at every turn as well as facing threats which would make any sane soldier wet himself in terror… and now, having finally reached the castle gates, I find myself standing outside on a stone floor wearing nothing more than rags and
"I am a dwarf.""And you are telling me this why?" asked the man, turning towards Kalendeen who shook his head quickly. "What is this about? Why have you come here? What do you want? Who sent you? Do not answer any questions until I have told you who I will allow answers to!" He turned back towards Hector and Zara once again before gesturing for them to move away to stand next to Thaddeus near one of the walls; each of them placed so that they were all facing forward to make it easier for him to watch both groups simultaneously. His son stared blankly ahead with his arms folded across his chest, refusing to meet anyone's gaze even while watching carefully over every little movement. The general waited silently beside him with his hands resting on his hips. There was no sound other than the shuffling of feet as men stood around pretending to be busy while listening to what was happening in front of them."You say you wish to talk but refuse to listen…" continued the king as he walked s