The   journey back towards the horses was slowed greatly by the darkness and pounding rain. Kristopher's mind raced with questions. Who was Dorma? Who was Dolnar? Why was everyone after him? An increasingly powerful thought was overtaking his mind. Perhaps the tales Samuel had told through the years were more truth than fantasy. The fables of life in the other side of the mountain might have been more than his elderly uncle's imaginative stories. So often, Samuel had spoken of a mystic land that he and Kristopher's father had visited years before.

        Kristopher had decided that Samuel had spoken these tales to help him deal with the death of a father he had barely known. But now he wondered. These thoughts were racing through his mind as he and Kari reached the area where they had left their horses. The steeds weren't there! Kari turned to his friend and screamed/whispered "Those damned Lits again!"

        "It looks like we'll have to make it to the canyon on foot."

        "Fat chance! I don't think it was a good idea to let Talnar go with that bone-head Dorma!"

        "We didn't have much of a choice. Let's face it, you saw the way he handled those Lits! If he had wanted to kill us, we'd be six feet under right now!"

        "Well, I don't like it. If those Lits have our horses, we're in a load of trouble! Good God...listen to me! If they don't have our horses we're in trouble! Let's get out of this forest!" Moments later, they were on their way. There was no sign of any Lit guards as they moved westward in search of the path that Dorma had told them to take.

        The driving rain proved to be a blessing as it hid the sound of their movement. A Lit would have to be very close before the Lostarians could be heard. In the dark, they searched for the path. Finally, Kristopher found it hidden beneath the underbrush and decaying leaves.

        "Dorma said that this path will lead us to a stream." he said, half to himself. Suddenly, he became silent. Kari could see a horrified look come to his friend's face.

        "What is it?" There came no reply. "Kris, what is it?" Kristopher fell to his knees holding his head in his hands.

        "NO!!!" Kristopher's shout cut through Kari's heart like a razor sharp blade. He grasped his friend's shoulder and began to shake him as the rain pounded upon their weary bodies. Kristopher's face held a terrified look.

        "Kris! Shut up! They're gonna hear you!" Suddenly, Kristopher leapt to his feet. He was breathing heavily as his eyes met with his fellow warrior's.

        "I didn't really believe it possible! But it's true!"

        "What is it?! What's wrong??"

        "An evil mind! Incredible evil! Somehow, someone reached directly into my thoughts. I can't really describe it except to say that it was unlike anything I've ever felt! It took every ounce of strength I had to push him out. I don't know if I will be able to free myself of another invasion if he finds me again!"

        "Come on Kris. That Dorma and his fairy tales has got you spooked!"

        "I know what I felt and saw and it was quite real!"

        "Don't you think it's strange that you didn't experience any of this until you heard about it?"

        "I don't want to argue with you. Let's find that stream and get out of this forest..."

        "Now that's something I agree with!" Quickly, they moved along the half-buried path. Following the trail was simple for someone with Lostarian senses, although the loss of their horses slowed them greatly. Periodically, Kristopher would stop for a moment and shake his head, uttering curses. Kari silently cast his own curses. He resented the way Dorma had filled Kristopher's head with such "garbage."

        Kari was saddened to see his friend in such mental anguish and felt helpless as he followed him. Sometimes the path would wind through heavy underbrush. Other times through open fields. Both men could feel the cold hand of fear holding a tight grip on their hearts.

        Passing through a wooded section, they heard a sudden burst of laughter ahead of them. Immediately, they fell to the forest floor, hiding amongst the underbrush. Was it a Lit scouting party? The Lostarians had no choice but investigate since the path they were following ran between two groups of tightly standing trees. The only way to follow it was through a small opening between them and that was where the laughter was coming from!

        They crawled uncomfortably through the wet underbrush. Soon the laughter became spoken words. Their worse fears were realized as they recognized the horrible sound of Lit voices!

        "The other white skins musts be close, Sheal. But I can't smells 'em 'cause a this rain and wind!"

        "We better reports back to Tog to gets other orders."

        "Too bad we can'ts finds'm. I'd like ta plays with'm!"

        The Lostarians were still as the Lit guards moved about. Kristopher felt the hair on the back of his neck rise as he heard a Lit nearby sniffing the air. He wondered if its sense of smell was keen enough to be able to detect the warriors as they hid in the darkness.

        They heard the Lit cursing the weather as it walked to within ten feet of where the two lay in the cold wet underbrush. It became clear to them that a small camp was set up ahead. "They always seem to be one step ahead of us!" thought Kristopher. Then a terrifying feeling returned...the invasion of his mind! It wasn't hard to come to a decision. He had to get by the guards immediately!

        He began moving through the tall, wet grass on all fours. The darkness of the starless night hid him from searching eyes. Yet, someone nearby would be able to see him. Kari followed closely behind. His mind screamed what his lips darned not; "What the hell are you doing?????"

        Suddenly, another sound appeared from beyond the horizon. It was the roar of distant thunder. It was just a slight rumble at first, but it began to grow with each passing moment. Still hidden in the tall grass, Kari tapped Kristopher's leg trying desperately to make him stop. But his fellow Lostarian didn't acknowledge him. He could feel the search for his thoughts and this terrified him. After a few more moments, their travel stopped. The two had reached the camp. Several Lits sat together in a loose circle, laughing and drinking liquid from leather pouches as they guarded the opening in the trees.

        "Here's to Blantum and those that waits for us there!" Flasks and pouches were raised and the liquid within them was consumed. "Does ya thinks we is ever gonna sees home again Sheal?"

        "Of course...the Boss says that, when we wins the war, he's gonna gives us Sheleta ta lives in, too."

        Not far from these Lits in conversation were other Lits sitting together making toasts and laughing their hideous laughter. Kristopher strained to hear their words, but the rain and the crashing of the approaching thunder made it difficult. The treetops were now reflecting the lightning that was flashing in the distance.

        Suddenly, one of the Lits lunged to his feet and began to shout at another. A momentary appearance of lightning lit the area enough to see their outlines.

        "You is crazy, Trid! Why is you talkin' like that?" Their leader became annoyed and called to them;

        "What's wrong over there????"

        "Trid says that when the war is over, he heards that Dolnar is gonna have all us Lits killed!"

        "You fools! Don't even mentions his name out loud! Didn't ya feels him a minute ago? He's searchin' the forest for the Tull! You know what he can do, even from insides his prison! You better hope that Tog don'ts finds out what you said or he'll kills ya for sure! I thinks you had too much Tarack!"

        Suddenly, their leader grasped the half finished flask of the drink he had called "Tarack" from the other's hand and tossed it into the darkness. The Lit let out a terrified shriek.

        "What're you doin'? You knows how hard it is to gets that stuff!!"

        The Lostarian warriors listened fearfully as heavy boots moved clumsily through the wet underbrush, dangerously close to where they were laying. They readied themselves for battle.

        Every muscle in their bodies tensed as they prepared to spring at the Lit the moment they were discovered. Suddenly, the guard found the flask amongst some weeds just a few feet from where they were hiding. The Lostarians tightened the grips upon their swords as the monstrous creature drank noisily from the flask which had landed in such a way that little had spilled out.

        The Lit suddenly changed from a panic stricken, animal-like creature, to a soothed, child-like being. Kari could feel his entire body tensing as he waited to see if he was going to be discovered. He could see the outline of the Lit clearly as the lightning flashed more frequently. The guard seemed to be testing the air. It turned back to the others and called out;

        "It's him!!! I smells the Tull!" Immediately, the Lits jumping to their feet and the unsheathed their swords. Kristopher prepared himself for battle. He was going to leap at the guard before the others got to them. Kari prepared to do the same. Suddenly, some bushes to their left began to rustle. Immediately testing the air, the guard again called out to the others and disappeared into the bushes.

        The two warriors heard the Lit cry out painfully. Moments later, the rest of the guard party disappeared into the bushes. Without hesitation, the Lostarians leapt to their feet. The appearance of several lightning flashes revealed that they were alone! "Dorma." whispered Kristopher.

        "Well, what do you know? " replied a surprised Kari. Without another word, they ran through the Lits' campsite, continuing on their way through the Normat Forest. Both thought of Talnar and prayed that their friend was safe.

        Beyond the large opening in the trees was the continuation of the path Dorma had instructed they take. In seconds, Kristopher's keen eyesight found it and they were, once again, on their

^^         They traveled through the cold and bitter rain as lightning and thunder drew closer. Kristopher fought to keep his mind clear as he felt the evil force searching for his thoughts. Deep inside, he knew that the incredible things that were happening to him had much to do with the tales his uncle had told him when he was younger. He could feel that the searching force was not close and the memory of his earlier encounter helped him to find the strength to move on.

        The path soon led them to a stream as was foretold by Dorma. Immediately, they followed it northward. The ground that had been even for so long was now rapidly becoming rougher. Occasionally, they rose over small, rocky hills and the trees became less frequent. Off in the distance, the sun began to rise behind dark storm clouds. Soon, another sound could be heard. It was falling water!

        The gray of night was being replaced by the lighter gray of a rainy dawn. Moments later, they reached the end of the stream. It emptied into a deep canyon that fell about a hundred feet below them. Their path wound down the side of the canyon about fifteen feet lower. The steps that led to the ledge appeared as if they could have been man-made.

        Kristopher remembered Dorma's instructions to follow the ledge to a cave and immediately moved down the steps.

        "I'm not too sure about this, Kris...It's a long way down!"

        "We can go back and try our luck with the Lits instead," answered Kristopher sarcastically.

        "I don't think so," was the reply as the younger warrior motioned his companion to move down the steps.

        The driving rain made the stairway slippery. Each step was carefully placed until they reached the three foot wide ledge that stuck out from the canyon wall. The sun, although hidden behind dark clouds, had by this time risen high enough to lighten their path. Kristopher could now see the other side of the gorge, although it was too far away to make out more than ancient rock. Many feet below, a large white river thundered along. Its roar, as well as that of the pounding rain, made conversation almost impossible.

        They marched further until, rounding a corner, Kari stopped suddenly. He motioned for his friend to look ahead. Kristopher's heart sank as he viewed what Kari pointed towards. It appeared as if a rock slide had fallen along the path ahead, completely wiping out about forty feet of it.

        They stood, gazing ahead silently and Kristopher's spirits dropped lower. He had felt the horrible evil presence searching for him and he knew it would be difficult to hide from it for much longer. After a brief moment of silence, Kari's face lit up.

        "Those vines hanging from the side of the canyon! Hang on a moment!"

        Immediately, he disappeared around the bend they had recently passed. Kristopher could feel the search for his mind getting closer and he grew horrified. He stared across the area of the walkway that had broken away and despair filled his heart. Moments later, Kari returned with long vines in hand. The young warrior noticed a peculiar look in his friend's eyes and asked what was wrong.

        "Dolnar is close."

        "Here we go again," he muttered under his breath. "Give me a hand to tie these vines into a long enough piece to reach the other side." He handed one end to his friend and the two began the task. All the while, Kristopher looked about uneasily. Kari knew why but didn't want to speak of it.

        Soon, they were finished. Kari tested the knots again and again until he was satisfied that they would not come apart under the pressure of their weight. Then, he tied a small rock to the end of it. He pointed out a large root growing out of the side of the canyon wall beyond the broken part of the ridge. "Let's see if I still have as good an aim as I had when we were kids. " He swung the rock above his head and then released it towards the other side allowing the vine to pass through his hands. It fell a few feet short of the root. Quickly, he began pulling it back as he looked to his friend. "It was the rain!" As the rock reached his hand, he prepared for another attempt.

        "Do you want me to try?" asked the older Lostarian. Kari looked at him for a moment and turned back towards the root. Once again the rock spun above his head and again it was sent through the air. This time, it missed by an even greater distance. "My foot slipped on the wet rock!" Soon, another attempt was made that yielded the same result. Kari's excuses were getting worse. "Don't give me that look, Kris! I suppose you could do better??"

        Kristopher reached out his hands and Kari reluctantly handed him the vine. The older Lostarian immediately began to swing it over his head and then released it. It almost seemed to fly in slow motion as it made its way through the air. As if it had a mind of its own, it found the root on the other side and wrapped around it. Pulling on it tightly revealed it would be secure enough to hold their weight. Kari stared at the vine for a moment.

        "Sometimes hangin' out with you really sucks!"

        Kristopher tied the end of the vine to a rock that jutted out of the side of the canyon wall. He grasped it and Kari immediately stopped him.

        "After me, pal..." Kristopher could tell by his friend's determined, albeit stubborn look, that it was no use discussing it with him. Reluctantly, he stool aside.

        The rain made the vine slippery and difficult to move along. His arms ached as he shifted forward. Minutes later, he reached the other side. Immediately, he checked the rock and found it to be very securely attached to the root. "Smart ass!" he thought aloud. Quickly, he motioned Kristopher to start across. Grasping the vine, he tested it and began his trek.

        Reaching about the midway point, Kristopher stopped to catch his breath. Suddenly, Kari's voice echoed weakly through the rain. Looking ahead, he saw his companion motioning him to look behind him. Before he could do so, the vine began to shake. Someone else was climbing along! His heart went cold as he realized two Lits were approaching him at an incredible pace!

        He tried to hurry, but the creatures were gaining. He knew he didn't have much hope of escaping them. It was obvious they would reach him before he could make it to the other side! Suddenly, a terrifying scream shrieked from his mouth as he felt the vine begin to bow with the added weight. The rock he had tied it to was loosening!

        The Lits felt it as well and they both turned to retreat back to the ledge. For a brief moment, the Lostarian felt relieved. The feeling of comfort was gone seconds later as the rock pulled out of the canyon wall! The three were sent swinging towards the rocks below Kari. Kristopher felt incredible pain in his right knee as he hit the rocks. He barely held on as he heard the horrified scream of a Lit guard disappear into the canyon below.

        Twenty feet of vine separated the Lostarian from his companion. He began to climb madly, trying to forget the pain in his knee. The remaining guard below him was giving chase. After pulling himself about ten feet higher, he felt the cold hand of the Lit grasp his right leg. Immediately, he began kicking with his free foot.

        The vine was already difficult to hold, but with the Lit pulling upon his leg, it was almost impossible. His hands were slipping as he moved a few feet higher. Suddenly, he heard Kari calling out to him. He looked up, seeing his friend directly above him holding a rock over his head. Immediately, Kristopher turned, putting his back to the canyon wall. Moments later, the rock dropped past him. It hit the unsuspecting guard on the shoulder and the impact caused him to lose his grip. A horrifying scream then faded into the sound of rushing water in the gorge below.

        Kristopher had fifteen feet of vine left to climb before he'd reach the ledge. He slowly pulled himself towards Kari who was lying on his stomach with his hands extended towards him. Kristopher's knee ached and he wondered if he would be able to make it to the top. Kari called out to him to keep moving as the rain fell steadily into his face.

        Each inch he moved higher seemed to take every ounce of strength he had left. Finally, he reached the top! Kari pulled him onto the ledge and Kristopher rested there for a moment, struggling to catch him breath. Kari tried to comfort his exhausted friend until he slowly rose to his feet. Turning back to the gorge, Kristopher looked down toward where the Lits had fallen.

        "What do they want with me?"

        "How did they know we were here?" was Kari's reply.

        "You don't think Talnar has been captured do you?"

        "He wouldn't betray us, but who knows what's goin' on with that Dorma maggot?"

        Suddenly, Kristopher's expression went cold. "Dolnar is close!"

        "Come on, Kris..." sighed Kari.

        "Please, Kari! I need your help with this."

        "You know I'm with you no matter what, Kris. It's just that I have a hard time believing in the fairy stories that Samuel tells. Everyone knows there is nothing beyond the mountain and I don't like putting my trust in people who need to believe there is."

        Kristopher grasped his aching knee. "This isn't the time to be arguing! Let's find that cave and get out of this forest!"

        "Are you alright to walk?"

        "I'll survive."

        The two grasped forearms and set off for the cave. Kristopher walked painfully a few steps behind Kari. He could feel the evil presence around him and he knew it was searching for him. His thoughts drifted to his encounter with the Lits earlier and how he had been saved from them. He wondered who Dorma was and how he had known the Lostarians were in Normat. Finally, they arrived at the mouth of the cave.

        It was an opening in the side of the canyon wall about seven feet high and three feet wide. Kari poked his head inside and then quickly back out. "This is gonna be a hoot. It's pitch black in there."

        "I don't think Dorma would have sent us here if we couldn't make it through." Kari opened his mouth, but Kristopher quickly raised his hand to silence him, knowing too well what he was going to say. Kari sighed as he followed his fellow warrior into the cave.

        It was as dark as Kari had described. Kristopher found himself moving slowly with his hands held out before him. The roar of pounding rain slowly faded. From behind come constant curses cast by his friend. The only other sound that filled the stone cavern was that of their wet boots striking against the cave floor. Kristopher's steps were uneven as he favored his aching knee. They were both happy to be out of the rain; the darkness seemed like a small price to pay.

        It was very difficult to keep an accurate account of time and space in the absolute darkness. Kristopher felt the pain in his knee growing as he moved slowly along. He began to reflect upon the events that had taken place since Kari and Talnar had found him on the battlefield. As each new event had occurred, Samuel's tales of the other side of the mountain began to shine in a new light. Kristopher couldn't help but wonder how he was involved. It was obvious by the evil presence he felt in his mind and by the fact that the Lits were after him that his involvement was more than slight.

        After what he felt was a long while, he noticed the echo of their footsteps seemed to change. They grew slightly more distant. By the way the walls were shifting it appeared that they might be in a large room. Suddenly, he felt a slight tremor beneath his feet. He caught his breath as he envisioned the ceiling crashing down upon them. Instinctively, his sword slid from its sheath.

        "That'll help..."whispered Kari. "I told you we shouldn't have listened to 'Dorkma'!"

        Before Kristopher had a chance to reply, he noticed a small beam of light appear ahead of them. Another vibration appeared from below and a small piece of the ceiling fell upon his right shoulder, knocking his sword from his hand. His gaze stayed fixed upon the beam of light shining ahead as he bent to retrieve his weapon. The ground shook again and he noticed the light grew brighter. Kari had viewed it as well and quickly headed for it.

        With each paralyzing step taken, they noticed the light grew brighter. The shuddering rock shook harder as they sped closer to the illumination, which grew stronger. Small pieces of the roof were now falling with greater frequency and the Lostarians felt themselves panicking. Kari noticed the light was coming from a hole in the wall that was growing with every tremor. Suddenly, a deafening crash echoed all around them and a larger part of the wall opened. Stinging light shone from it, lighting the tunnel.

        Both of the warriors shielded their eyes as they headed towards it. The ground continued to shake fiercely, making it very difficult to move. The panic in their hearts pushed them on. Finally reaching the wall, they found the tremors had broken away a part of it large enough to squeeze through. Immediately, they passed out of the tunnel. A quick check of the area revealed they were in a chamber. It was illuminated, yet there were neither torches nor any other source of light. It was just there!

        "I don't like..." before Kari could finish his words, the ground shook so hard that they both found themselves lying on the floor. The sound was deafening. Kristopher held his hands over his ears, as he lay on the stone floor, terrified. Then, a tremendous crash sounded from the corridor where they had been just moments before. The tunnel began to fill with large rocks that fell from above. Within moments, the opening was blocked. They were trapped inside the lighted chamber! Immediately, Kari tried to pull at some of the rocks, but it soon became clear there was no way out!

        Kristopher, still panicking, began to look around the room for the source of light that continued to radiate throughout. There was none. Suddenly, a part of the rock wall began to distort...almost melt away. Neither could look away as they watched the wall slowly change. Moments later, a large wooden door appeared. As they stepped away from it, a deep echoing voice sounded throughout the room.

        "WELCOME TO ERAY"

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Copyright © Rod Chappell