-Chapter Ten-

The next morning, they arrived in the little town of Ember. They all stopped as Bishop called them to a sudden halt. He held an arm out to his side to signifying silence, "Hold on. Something isn't right." The village was unnaturally quiet, nothing stirred.

Lana walked next to Bishop and said, "I agree - the village is abandoned, no villagers... and no livestock."

Bishop looked over at her, nodding in agreement and replied with less of his usual smirk, "Good eyes - I noticed the villagers, but you're right about the livestock." Casavir realized she was right, he hadn't noticed the missing livestock either.

After beating off two swarms of githyanki, they were all able to stand and catch their breath. Bishop stood looking at the village, stating "They left a large force in this village... which means it'll be easier on us when we catch up to the others - as long as we catch them before they go to ground."

Lana nodded in agreement, "If their forces are divided, good - but that means the remainder will travel faster, and the trail will be harder to follow."

Bishop sarcastically shot, "Eh? Well, now, aren't you a bright ray of hope."

Casavir was weary of Bishop's lewdness and sarcasm throughout their journey. He knew Lana was only stating what they were thinking and he wanted to take relive some of the burden she carried. "She was just pointing out the realities of the situation, Bishop," Casavir shot irritably.

Bishop sneered at Casavir," I suggest you rein in that attitude of yours, paladin - what, you think our leader can't speak for herself?"

Casavir grimaced, "It was not my intention to speak for her. " I really hate this foul ranger. How can one person contain so much animosity?

Bishop growled hatefully, "Yeah? Then don't - and maybe next time you'll sound convincing." Casavir sighed; he couldn't take much more of the ranger before putting a fist through his face. Bishop sneered hatefully at Casavir, challenge in his eyes. What is he playing at? The ranger is up to something and I don't like it.

Bishop looked at Lana and said, "But you're right... and what's more, our friends won't be leaving an obvious trail this time, since they don't have the men to bait any more ambushes."

Lana continued, "If their forces are divided, good - but that means the remainder will travel faster, and the trail will be harder to follow." She paused, looking over them all toward the village, concern drawing her brows together. "Maybe we should make sure the villagers are safe."

"Agreed. Some may be wounded, we should check on them." Casavir responded.

Bishop snorted, contempt dripping from his words, "Why? After this slaughter, they're probably as scared of us as they were of the gith - let them stay in their homes and rot."

"The githyanki are not common soldiers. They are not veterans of battle like you and I." Casavir commented.

Bishop stared at Casavir, his eyes hard and filled with hate. "Surprised the giths left any of them alive…it'd be more mercy then I'd show them. Let's leave this worthless village behind, then." Casavir was disgusted at Bishop's cruel words. We cannot trust this man, there is nothing but evil in him.

Lana had ceased listening to them bicker and was walking into the center of town to try to find any villagers. She paused as a door opened and a young woman peeked from behind her door and looked fearfully at them. With a sigh of relief, she approached Lana. Casavir saw the woman and hastened to Lana's side, turning his back on Bishop grateful for any excuse to get away.

The woman was fearful and tentievely asked, "Forgive me... you... are you hunting a woman, Shandra Jerro?"

Relief crossed Casavir's face. Lana nodded and asked if she had seen Shandra. The woman continued, ignoring Lana's question, "Those creatures, we heard her screaming as they were carrying her off - I tried to call out to her, but... I didn't realize they had her at first, but she makes a merchant run through Ember and Port Llast during harvest season. We hadn't seen her yet this year, though, and-" She paused mid-sentence and looked at Lana as if she was seeing her for the first time.

She looked apologetically at Lana and blurted, "Sorry, where are my manners – I am Alaine. Please, I saw the beasts taking her to the mountains to the north and east - they barely have an hour on you, but they were moving fast." Lana had a look of disgust on her face. Lana stared fiercely with hateful loathing directed at Alaine.

Alaine must have noticed the look of anger on Lana's face too and stammered, "And thank you for saving us from those creatures, I can't th…"

Lana cut her off, "You already have done enough by letting them ambush us. Get out of the way. Now," Lana spat at Alaine. Casavir was stunned to see Lana push brusquely past Alaine.

Lana's face was a mask of contorted rage. He had never seen such anger and contempt from her. He didn't understand what had happened to have such an effect on her. This troubled him deeply but she paid him no mind as she stormed toward the direction the githyanki had come. He had no choice but to follow her, hoping for the opportunity to talk with her. Casavir had a deep sense of foreboding but pushed it aside for the time being. He looked at Lana's retreating figure and ran to catch up as the others also fell in behind her to hopefully save Shandra.