Kristopher   stared in awe as Egonas reached out his ancient hand to him. He couldn't remove his gaze from the sorcerer's eyes and a roar of laughter followed. The lines on his face grew deeper and his long white hair and beard shook lightly.

        "You've never seen a magician before, have you lad?" His voice was soft, yet powerful and it seemed to reach within the young Lostarian's heart. His stare stayed transfixed upon the old man. "Are you able to speak?" Kristopher realized that he was staring and shook his head.

        "I'm sorry. No, I haven't. How did you know that I was in trouble?"

        "I heard the cries of the Hemma stone. We all heard it. You must use its power sparingly. Others may be listening...."

        "We?"

        "There are other sorcerers within the forest. Although they have changed."

        "In what way?"

        "Come with me. I will show you."

        "It isn't that I'm not grateful for your help, Egonas. It's just that I have something very important I must do and very little time in which to do it."

        The elderly sorcerer scan the area as if to make sure they were alone. Then in a hushed voice he said "Yes, I know. You are Kristopher Tull...The Keeper of the Key. Remember, I heard the call from the stone. I'm going to help you get to Dolnar's prison."

        "I think I should go alone. No offense meant to you, but Dolnar would find your mind if you traveled with me."

        Egonas began to laugh again. "I have powers that even the Elders don't know about. Dolnar couldn't find me if I stood right in front of him " Kristopher didn't like the idea of traveling with someone unknown, but he felt that the Hemma stone would protect him if this man was not offering the help he said he was.

        Kristopher agreed to journey with him and the two walked across the field into the woods. As they ventured, Egonas spoke of his life in the Second Age. This amazed the young warrior who told the magician about his trip through Eray. Egonas became excited, saying that he had wanted to find that place for many years to learn of its secrets. After a short walk through the forest, they stopped in the middle of a small clearing that was surrounded by several tall oak trees. They were much taller and wider than any that Kristopher had ever before witnessed. Egonas walked over to one of them and began to speak.

        "Morok...I have good news. We were right! The Keeper has been sent!"

        Kristopher could hear low, rumbling noises coming from the trees as the magician spoke, but he couldn't see anyone else there, save for the two of them. "He tells me that he has been to Eray!", he continued. This caused the low rumbling to grow to the point that Kristopher became afraid. Egonas saw this and assured him that he had nothing to fear.

        Suddenly, the bottom of the tree that Egonas had been speaking toward began to make a scraping sound. A small hole appeared. It grew larger until it was big enough to walk through. Instinctively, Kristopher reached for the Hemma stone. "Don't be afraid..." instructed the sorcerer. "This is my home." He then disappeared into the tree, calling for Kristopher to follow. He did so reluctantly.

        As he entered, he found a spiral staircase leading down into darkness. Alight appeared ahead of him. Seconds later, the soft voice of the magician sounded from below. "Hurry along now lad. We haven't got time to dally!"

        A few minutes later, he reached the bottom step which brought him to a hallway. At the end of it was a large room. Light shone brightly from it. Kristopher entered, finding Egonas sitting at an old wooden table. He was surrounded by many lighted candles. His hands rested upon a thick opened book which he had placed upon the table.

        He pointed to an empty seat beside him. "Sit while I tell the tale, young Lostarian." Kristopher followed the magician's instructions. "In the Second age, there were many like myself...magicians I mean. We didn't bother too much with the dealings of men for most of our time and energy was spent slaying the many Nagards that roamed the world."

        "Nagards?" asked the confused Lostarian.

        "Hmmmm...Let me think. Ahhh yes. You have seen a Fotruh?" (This was a small lizard that could be found near the Normat Forest.)

        "Yes, of course. Many times."

        "Well, picture one of them twenty feet long from nose to tail! It was the job of every magician to seek out these Nagards and send them back to the place from which they had escaped. Only our sorcery could do this. At that time, there existed a man far more evil and powerful than Dolnar could ever hope to be. His name was Nolebes. He hated all magicians, for as was the case with the Nagards, we alone possessed the power to oppose him."

        "One day, Zagar, the Nagard leader, killed Sorcerer Preca. He was a magician of great knowledge. Zagar found Preca's book of spells and took it to Nolebes. He made a deal with Nolebes that, if he used the book to destroy us, then the Nagard would serve him. Nolebes used chapter seven against those who tried to get back Preca's book. They stand here even today...as trees!"

        "You mean Morok is the tree above us?", asked the awestruck warrior.

        "Yes...well, partially. He is really a great magician, but he has been trapped in this form by the spell that Nolebes cast."

        "Why can't you just break the spell with one of your own?"

        "You don't understand sorcery, lad. When the spell was spoken, he cast it incorrectly. He not only caused this to happen to Morok and the others nearby, but he also caused the death of the most of the Nagards. The spell was so powerful that it changed Nolebes into cloud-like state. It is believed that the cloud drifted for many years, bringing pain and suffering wherever it went. It is also believed that the Nolebes-cloud was there when Dolnar was overcome by the Word's power."

        "Where is he now?," asked Kristopher.

        "The Elders were able to trap him in another dimension. It is generally thought that when the five Words are reunited, the spell will be broken and the magicians will return to their old forms. For many years we had studied diligently so we could enter the next stage of our growth. We have waited a long time for the Keeper to appear so that we can move on."

        "So much depends on my success." Kristopher's voice sounded weak as he spoke.

        "That is why we must leave right away."

        "Are you sure you should accompany me?"

        "Of course. Eyama is a long way from here. You couldn't possibly get there without my help. Gondira and the other Elders knew that I would be waiting for you. Trust in the Light. We all work to keep the balance of things in tact. We will eat and then leave for Eyama."

        Egonas moved his hand from left to right across the table and two plates filled with food appeared. Between the plates was a basket of fruit. Kristopher stared in amazement which brought a chuckle from the sorcerer.
^

        The meal left Kristopher satisfied and ready to go on. A new kind of inner strength filled him as he stood. He was about to speak to Egonas, when suddenly a host of visions invaded his mind. He saw places that he could not remember visiting and faces of people that he didn't remember meeting.

        Egonas saw the bewildered look on his face. "Don't worry, they're just glimpses of the second age. You'll get used to it!" He then pointed to the door of a room attached to the one they were in. "You'll find a better sword in there. Yours will be too weak for what is to come." Kristopher looked at the door for a moment and then Egonas prompted him again. "Go and get it lad! You'll need it."

        Suddenly, the visions in his mind ceased. He moved to the door and entered the room. It was dark inside, except for a faint light shining in the corner. Instinctively, he walked towards the illumination and found it to be a sword. He was amazed as he picked it up, watching it glow. He then walked back to Egonas, holding the sword before him. It's beauty was unparalleled by any that he had ever been fashioned in Lostar. Slowly, he slid his own from its sheath, placing it on the table. Then he slid the new one into its place. "It was used to slay many Nagards when I was your age," sighed Egonas. "You are ready to face Dolnar now," he said as he patted the young warrior on the back.

        Holding a lighted candle, he motioned Kristopher to follow and they left the room, walking along the hallway. Kristopher followed closely behind. As they reached the bottom of the spiral staircase, a familiar scraping sound appeared above them and a great cascade of moonlight shone down upon them.

        Moments later, they stood outside of the great oak tree and the hole they had exited from closed. Egonas stared at it for a few minutes and then spoke, "I shall succeed or die. Morok...Either way, you shall know soon!" Again, the deep sounds filled the night air. Egonas listened to them and when they ceased, he said, "I know...I hope so too." Then that they headed through the forest.
^

        After a short walk through the trees, Kristopher found that the forest began to change. The grassy floor was replaced with dark green moss about three inches thick. The tree trunks, once very wide, were now much thinner and the leaves grew on the tops high above, creating a roof overhead. All around them, multicolored mushrooms and flowers grew out of the mossy floor.

        Egonas noticed Kristopher looking all about. "This land is called Ilot. It is enchanted. Next to Realm, this is the last known place on our side where the magic of the second age has been preserved."

        As time passed, Kristopher found his spirits to be rising higher. The farther they ventured, the more the forest changed. Tall, beautiful trees grew in unusual shapes, the likes of which he had never before witnessed. He could almost see the people of the second age walking past. All the heaviness that he had been experiencing since learning he was to face Dolnar, was now suddenly gone from him.

        As was the case in Realm, he felt no fatigue in his body at all. By now, he should have been too tired to walk, yet resting was the last thing on his mind. It was as if the forest gave him the renewal that he would have received from sleeping.

        Talk between the two was enlightening for both. When Egonas heard Kristopher's tales of life in Lostar, he was surprised that the Elders had allowed the Tulls to live there for the last few generations. It seemed to the magician that Kristopher's side of the mountain was much more dangerous than his own. "All part of the Balance, I suppose." he muttered. "It is sad to see what has become of our world since Nolebes changed it."

        "Please tell me more of the Nolebes cloud, Egonas" asked Kristopher.

        "He was banished to a place that no man must ever go. It's a pass that links our world with a much lower one. A place reserved for those whose crimes are beyond the normal evil that men do. In this pass, people from our side may enter and people from the other may enter, but neither can pass to the other side so long as the remaining four Words are in the hands of the Elders. This pass is known as Berra-Dom-Omit...or Death Pass!"

        "Why does such a place exist?"

        "It was another circumstance created by Nolebes' mistake. Sorcery is something that must be handled with great care. Our spells are cast in a language much higher than that used by common men. Each word can have several different meanings, depending on how you speak it. Nolebes didn't understand that and...well, you saw the result."

        They continued their trek and Kristopher silently pondered the tales that he had been told. After about an hour's traveling, he felt himself growing frightened. The beauty that had filled his soul was being replaced with dark thoughts. Sensing this, Egonas turned to him. "Your perception is remarkable. You can feel The Land of the Sleepless Dead already?"

        "What is that?" Kristopher's tone of voice revealed the fear in his heart.

        "Another result of Nolebes' error. The beauty of Ilot will fade for a while until we reach the other side."

        As they continued walking, the uneasy feeling inside of him grew stronger. In his thoughts, he could see sad faces and he could hear them moaning. Suddenly, Egonas turned to him. "Don't listen to their cries. They have earned their fate! Someday, they'll be freed from that place. One way or another!"

        The faces in Kristopher's mind grew clearer with every step. Finally, Egonas grasped his shoulder. "We've arrived", he whispered. All of the trees that surrounded them had died years before and were now rotting heaps of wood lying in the mud below. As Egonas led him through the mud, Kristopher found himself being sickened by the stench that surrounded him.

        Fear dug deeper into his heart. Suddenly, audible voices appeared. Kristopher almost fell into the mud as the eerie voices called out to them.

        "Save us!! Help us!! Please! We must get out of this place!!!"

        "Be silent!", called out Egonas. "You have received what you earned! I am not fooled by your cries for mercy. I remember what you did to deserve this!"

        Suddenly, another sound appeared. One that brought more fear to Kristopher's heart than the cries of the Sleepless Dead. It was the sound of heavy wings beating overhead.

        "The stone cannot protect you here...Tull! Give us the key!"

        "They've found me again!" he said to Egonas. The Skullot's evil laughter sounded from behind them. Suddenly, the Sleepless Dead called out to the gray soldiers. "Free us!!! We will serve you and your master!"

        Egonas cried out in anger. "You fools! Do not say that! You have no idea what powers you are dealing with. Endure your punishment. It shall pass!" Suddenly, the Land of the Sleepless Dead became silent as Egonas lifted his staff above his head. Bright, multicolored lights like the ones that had saved Kristopher from the wolves, lit up the area. The young Lostarian could now see those who were trapped in the Land of the Sleepless Dead. They seemed to be shadows of what they once were...pitiful remains of soldiers from an age long passed.

        He could also see the Skullots who stood before them. They looked the same as the Sleepless Dead...Shadows...distant shadows of what were once men. Their eyes gave off a yellow glow as they stared at him and he found himself being drawn into their thoughts.

        Egonas began repeating words that Kristopher didn't understand and a shield of light blocked him from their minds. The Skullots cried out curses. They knew that his magic was too strong a force for them to overcome. Suddenly, one of the spoke.

        "You fight us in vain...Sorcerer! How long do you think you can block us from our master's mind? Our master will find us and know that the Tull is coming. He cannot be defeated by this puny human!"

        Their wings began to move again and they lifted into the air, disappearing beyond Egonas' light. Kristopher thanked the magician for saving him again. Egonas nodded as the light began to fade. Then he called out to the Sleepless Dead, "Hear me. You shall be freed when your time comes. Not before then. Do not call for evil to free you! The freedom that it can offer is worse than the prison you find yourself in now! Only by staying here will you ever be truly freed."

        "But, how long must we wait, sorcerer?"

        "Soon enough." He then turned to Kristopher. "Hurry along, lad. It will soon be dawn."
^^^ ^^^ ^^^

        Eloe had been riding steadily since his encounter with the Lits. Time and again, he told himself to return to avenge the death of his friends, but he hadn't heeded the cries of his heart. He had continued riding. Lostar was just a few hours away and it was now the evening of the second day since they had left from Realm.

        Crossing the mountain had been difficult and he had been forced to dismount many times. The map he had been given had been an accurate one and he had been able to follow the correct path. Now, lights from the Lostarian homes shone in the distance. The sun was slowly setting in the west as he rode quickly across the Varan Plains.

        After a few hours of further travel, he finally reached the northernmost tip of Lostar. Slowing his horse's pace, he approached the gate and a voice called out from behind it. "Halt and identify yourself!"

        "I am Eloe Gonal. I've been sent from Realm on an important mission and I wish to stay here for the night. I must speak with your Council!"

        "The Councilmen are no longer here...and we have orders from Ned Brown not to allow anyone to enter tonight. I'm sorry, but I cannot let you in."

        "What madness is this?" Talnar told us..."

        As soon as he mentioned Talnar's name, he heard three swords being drawn and the gate flew open. Immediately, three guards approached him with their weapons held towards him. He dropped his sword as they approached. The guard that had been speaking to him continued, "If you have been with the traitor Talnar, then I am going to have to take you to officer Brown for questioning. I am sorry. I have my orders."

        "Talnar is no traitor. He is a valiant servant of the Light!", he said as they led him along the Lostarian streets.

        "I have my orders. Ned was very specific."

        "Where is your Council?"

        "That is not your concern."

        "You have no idea of the mistake you're making! I have orders from Gondira himself! "

        "I'm sorry. Your words are meaningless to me. I only know what happens in Lostar and right now, my duty is to take you to officer Brown. You will be helped by him if you speak the truth."

        They continued through the streets with the guards holding their swords to his back. Occasionally, a passing Lostarian would look toward him in disgust. After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a large house and immediately walked up the clay pathway until they reached the front door. One of the guards knocked on it and moments later, a small man holding a lighted candle above his head opened it.

        "Yes, yes! What is it?!"

        "This man claims he has been with Talnar, sir. I thought it wise to bring him to you."

        "Indeed it was!" He then turned to Eloe. "So, you have been with the outlaw, have you? He joined that army that tried to take over our home!"

        "That is ridiculous!", protested the Realman.

        "Silence!" commanded Ned. "He was seen riding through Lostar, dressing in their clothes. Him and Tull! I'm afraid we're going to have to put you in prison until the Council returns. They'll know what to do with you!"

        Brown put on his sweater and joined them. Immediately, they marched Eloe along the streets until they reached a stone building. Eloe noticed that all of the windows were covered with steel bars. Brown turned to the guards. "Leave him with me. I'll make sure that he is safety locked away."

        "Are you sure that you can handled him, sir?"

        Releasing a dagger from his belt, he put its tip against Eloe's back. "Quite sure. You'd better get back to your gate in case any of his friends show up."

        The guards saluted. "As you wish." Quickly they left to return to their post. As soon as they were out of sight, he said, "Now, Realman, I have a special cell for you!"

        "You know that I am from Realm and yet you want to imprison me?"

        "You are a threat to my position. Now move!" Eloe felt the point of Ned's dagger dig into his back as they entered the prison. Brown motioned him to move along a corridor until they reached the end. He then removed a key from his pocket and placed it into a hole in the wall. Seconds later, a small section of it moved, revealing a descending stairway behind it. He released a lighted candle from the wall and then forced Eloe down the steps.

        Reaching the bottom, he saw a large cell. Within were four elderly men. Brown motioned Eloe toward it and opened it with another key. In one motion, he threw in the Realman and locked it behind him. The four within had jumped to their feet and moved to the door, but they were too late. Ned started to laugh. One of the prisoners spoke.

        "Brown, let us out of here. We have done nothing to you!"

        "You'll be released when I'm ready to let you out! And remember this...I have the power now. The fate of your families is in my hands, so don't try anything!"

        He laughed and disappeared up the stairs. The door at the top shut with a loud crash and the cell became black. Eloe was terrified as he held on to the bars of the prison. He wondered what monstrous crimes these men had committed to deserve such punishment, but he was afraid to speak.

        "You are not from Lostar, are you?" In the darkness, the voice was like a scream. Eloe turned towards where he thought the one questioning him was standing.

        "No, I am from Realm." came the reply.

        "Realm? Is that near Salvia?"

        " My home is a few day's ride beyond the mountain."

        "That is absurd!", said another. "There is nothing beyond the mountain. Everyone knows that!"

        "Yes, I was told of the ignorance here on your side. Let me assure you that there is much more than you can imagine there. My home is a place of beauty beyond description. By the Light. I wish I were there now! Did you never listen to the tales of Samuel Tull?"

        "I have heard some of them, but they couldn't possibly be anything but stories."

        Eloe sighed. "How could the Elders allow such ignorance to go on?" he wondered. "You people really have no idea what my side is like. I have been with Kristopher Tull myself. He was in Realm for a while. There must be a reason that he has been declared an outlaw. Why has your council allowed this to happen?"

        "We are the Council! It was Ned Brown. He tricked us into signing a document that gave him command until we returned. He then had us brought here by some of his followers. I fear that our home is in danger!"

        "More than you can imagine!" said Eloe, thinking about Dolnar. "I must get out of here."

        "I'm afraid that's not going to be easy. Ned is planning something here and it seems that our being free is not part of his plan."

        In the darkness, Eloe let out another deep sigh. "I wish Queston were here..." he whispered.
^^^ ^^^ ^^^

        Dorma, Redoras, Mul and Perun led the section of the army chosen to go to the aid of Naton Allos (which like Tay, was a city built beside the Taymo River). They headed almost due north as the rest of the Realman army left for their decided destinations. Naton Allos was only a few hours from where they were as Dorma gave the command to quicken the army's pace.

        Finally, it appeared over the horizon. Smoke could be seen rising from the many hills that made up the large city and it was obvious that Naton was under siege. Redoras wondered if they had arrived too late. Immediately, Dorma gave the command for the army to divide in half. One side would follow Redoras to the left and the other would follow him to the right. They'd wait until they heard a blast from Dorma's horn and then rush the enemy from both sides.

        A few minutes later, they were all in position, hidden behind the hills. The sound of battle sounded from the city as Dorma moved to the top of the hill. As he looked down, he was shocked to find that Naton Allos was not being attacked by Lits, but by men. From where he was standing, he couldn't identify who they were. Suddenly, the blast came from his horn and the hillsides were covered with Realman warriors.

        Naton's attackers fell into panic as they looked up to see the scores of soldiers riding toward them. Immediately, they fled southward, pursued by the Realmen. Dorma headed for Naton. Reaching the gates, he breathed a sigh of relief as he was greeted by Lamin-Neyer...Naton's leader.

        "Lamin, thank the Light that you are all right. I expected the worst when I saw you were under attack!"

        The old man brushed back his white hair and beard. "You arrived just in time to save our city, old friend. I'm afraid that we lost many in battle, however..." Dorma could hear great sadness in the leader's voice.

        "Who was attacking you?"

        "Prepare yourself. They bore the black 'N' on their shields!"

        Dorma paused for a moment and then his eyes opened widely. "Nolebes?!!"

        "It would seem that part of his army has broken free again. Death Pass seems to be losing its power!"

        "So I have been told. I had no idea that it was this bad!"

        "You knew?"

        "Yes, Gondira has told me about it." Dorma paused for a moment as he looked to his returning army coming down the hillside. Moments later, they were joined by Redoras who was very excited.

        "Dorma!! What magic is this?!"

        "What's wrong?"

        "We gave chase to that army past the hillside and suddenly they vanished before our eyes!!! I'm sure that I saw the black 'N'!!!"

        "Yes... Now more than ever, it is imperative that I reach Death Pass!"

        "Surely, you don't intend to go there!" said Lamin.

        "That is what the Elders have commanded. I can delay no longer, now that his army has returned to their side."

        "By the Light, I hope Gondira knows what he is doing! It is not a place from which men return!"

        "Then, I shall be the first." Dorma tried to sound confident.

        "Yes, if any man has the strength to do it...it is you!"

        Dorma moved to his awaiting army, followed closely by Mul and Perun who were still awed by Nolebes' army's disappearance. They were joined by one of Dorma's captains whom Dorma addressed. "Thomas. Take this army to Jom to join with the others. I must leave to fulfill the wishes of the Elders." The captain saluted and quickly rode into the crowd, spreading the command that had been given him. Dorma turned to the Dromps. "Are you sure that you still want to follow me to Death Pass?"

        "You cannot go alone"

        "Then, we must leave now." He turned once more to Lamin and raised his sword above his head. His face held the look of great determination as he looked to him. Naton's leader nodded and a smile came to the Realman's face. He turned to the Dromps and then prompted his horse to leave. Immediately they followed him, knowing that Death Pass was just a few hours westward along the Taymo.

        Talk amongst the four was limited as they contemplated what would soon be taking place. Fear gripped their hearts, but none of them let it show. Finally, Blantum ridge appeared beyond the trees. At its base was the Pass. Reaching the ridge, they dismounted and looked to the bottom. Their horses became restless as evil could be felt all around. "Tum-Acros-Dile-Nor..." whispered Dorma which was a command for the steeds to be still until they returned. Instantly, they became calm.

        The sun was slowly setting beyond the other side of the ridge. They knew it would be dark by the time they reached the bottom. Dorma paused for a moment and then turned to the Dromps. "I won't think less of anyone who decides to remain here. This is my responsibility. Mine alone." For a moment, the Dromps considered what had been said to them. Both Mul and Perun wanted to discontinue their descent to the Pass, but neither wanted to admit it. Finally, Redoras said, "We've gone this far. We might as well see this through." In truth, he was as afraid as the others.

        The cliffs were steep, but the steady feet of the Dromps and Realman made their progress constant. With each step down the rocky canyon, they could feel the evil force below grow stronger. The darkness made it difficult to see much and soon the Dromps were totally overcome by a feeling of intense fear. Dorma seemed unaffected by the feeling that surrounded them. They could finally see the bottom and Redoras began to wonder if he would be able to continue. He felt ashamed that he was letting the evil discourage him and in his mind he kept repeating, "Power lies with the Light!"

        Finally, they reached the base of the canyon. Everything around them was dead and decaying. "This place is rightly named..." thought Redoras, although he was too terrified to speak it aloud. Mul and Perun too, were completely overcome with terror.

        Dorma could sense where the opening to the Pass was and he immediately walked toward it, followed closely by the terrified Dromps. Moments later, a low drone of eerie voices became audible from the darkness. This increased the horror in Redoras' heart and he wished that he had never convinced Dorma to let him accompany him. He fought this thought with every ounce of strength within him. Suddenly, a loud and deep voice began to laugh. The Dromps felt shivers run up and down their spines and Redoras unsheathed his sword. Mul and Perun could not. The four halted and the laughter changed to words:

        "So this is the mighty force that Gondira has sent to stop me?! He might just as well sent sniveling children!"

        Suddenly in a tone more powerful than Redoras had ever heard Dorma use before, he said, "Our strength is the Light, Nolebes! A power that you will bow down before...You and your followers!"

        "You speak with harsh words, Realman! But, are you brave enough to face me?"

        "I have faced more powerful foes than you! Do not think so highly of yourself!"

        "You puny insect! No one speaks to Nolebes that way! I'll crush you like I would crush an ant!" The Dromps fell to their knees as Nolebes shouted these words through the darkness. Dorma remained standing. Redoras couldn't believe that Dorma possessed the power to face such an enemy and he started to believe that he was more than an ordinary Realman.

        "Perhaps you will, Nolebes, but you can't try it if you don't show yourself!" There was silence for a moment and the Dromps shook with horror thinking that Nolebes might appear before them. "Why do you wait? What are you afraid of?"

        "You know that I can't escape the Pass. Not yet! The doorway is open for you to come to me, however! If you dare!"

        Dorma turned to the Dromps who still held their heads in their hands. "Wait here. If I don't return before sunrise, go back to Realm and tell Gondira that I have failed to send Nolebes back and I will remain in the Pass to keep him from escaping to this side!" Suddenly, he disappeared into the darkness. As he entered the Pass, the gateway between the two sides closed and the fear that had engulfed them quickly faded.

        They sat, ashamed of how they had reacted. They felt they'd abandoned their friend. Silence filled the canyon as the three feared for the great Realman's life. They waited in the blackness for his return. _________________________________
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