I do not own.

Reselda's brain screamed at her to move as the leering face got closer. Breaking free from her paralysis, she brought her knee up.

The man doubled over in pain but didn't release her. His face contorted with rage.

"Why you ..."

He didn't finish his epithet as a small barrel hit him across the head. Falling off the top of the caravan, he almost took Reselda with him if it wasn't for Conrad grabbing her.

"Thank you." Reselda gasped happy to see him.

"Hmm, doesn't seem to be a welcoming sort of fellow." Conrad observed calmly. "Is that why we stopped?"

Reselda remembered Bofer and ran to free him.

"Bloody…, caught me off guard, he did." Bofer growled. He was furious.

"We have to get out of here." Reselda informed him as she sat herself next to him. Bofer didn't need to be told twice.

"Told you this place is cursed." Bofer complained as the caravan started moving.

"Not now. We have to find Senarius' people." She said.

"Oh, you don't think he's one of them?" Bofer asked sarcastically.

"Of course not." Reselda insisted. "Senarius said they would give us safe passage. He wouldn't lie to us."

"I don't know about that. He knew Senarius by name." Conrad said as he sat next to them. "And we don't know much about Senarius. How do we know he's not lying to us?"

Reselda knew she didn't have a good answer; she only had a feeling. "He wouldn't." She said firmly.

Conrad didn't answer but Reselda knew he wasn't convinced. The caravan lurched forward. Reselda and Conrad got up to look behind them.

The man's bandages had extended and wrapped around the back wheels.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked straining against the caravan.

"Bofer!" Reselda addressed the chimp.

"Hee Yah!" Bofer urged the horses to move but they were stuck. "No good. We're not getting anywhere fast."

"It looks like we may have to engage him in battle." Conrad said. Cupping his hands together, he closed his eyes. Reselda watched as a small flame formed in between his hands. It grew larger and larger before Conrad released it. The ball of fire hit near the bandaged man. Startled, he released the wheels.

Bofer cracked the reins and the horses reared before bolting ahead.

Reselda had to steady Conrad as they sped down the path. As they rounded the bend a large red headed ogre holding a large axe jump in front of them.

Bofer pulled the horses to a stop.

"Ho ho! What we have here?" The ogre grinned evilly.

"Tribus! Get those interlopers!" The bandaged man appeared behind them.

"Don't tell me what to do, Quattuor." Tribus grin turned into a snarl.

"They know each other?" Bofer asked rhetorically.

"This does not look promising." Conrad observed. "Perhaps Senarius overestimated his influence."

"Did you say Senarius?" They heard a disembodied female voice.

The group looked around apprehensively. Pink smoke rose from the ground next to Tribus. A human sized lady in pink with wings fluttered in the air.

"Blimey! It's a Sprite!" Bofer declared.

"Well, I'm no bloody elf." She scoffed. "The name's Quinque. How do you know Senarius?"

"Senarius from Zenbakia sent us. He said you will give us safe passage." Reselda spoke up.

"Why didn't ya say so?" Tribus lowered his axe.

"We know Senarius." Quinque said. "He must be desperate to send you here though."

"Bah! I say we take care of them. Senarius will never know." Quattuor approached them menacingly.

An arrow shot in front of him stopping him in his tracks.

Everyone turned to see a shadow in the trees.

"That is not how we treat guests. Quattuor." The shadow jumped to the ground.

To Reselda's surprise the attackers all bowed before the man.

"Master! These people are…" Quattuor began.

"Our guest." The master finished sternly. "Senarius is one of us."

Quattuor's face twist in anger but didn't want to contradict his master. He just bowed low. "As you say, master."

"Come, you must be tired. Rest yourself." The man beckoned them.

"Rest where, in the trees?" Bofer grumbled.

Reselda elbowed him to shush him.

Quinque floated over to them. "Don't always believe your eyes." She said before waving her hand in front of their faces. Suddenly, a castle appeared in the distance. It was dark, imposing and frightening. The castle walls were lined with skulls impaled on spears. The towers on either side gave the impression of eyes glaring at them.

"Uh, I'd rather stay in the trees." Bofer muttered nervously.

"Come on. It'll be all right." Reselda said reassuringly.

The caravan followed their strange hosts to their home.

0o0

Roy rubbed his bruises as his centaur form limped along the road. Senarius' training had been quite brutal. Siren was now sitting behind Senarius to allow Roy freedom to move around. He had forced him to gallop and shoot at every Every so often Senarius would swipe at Roy with the flat side of his sword. Roy had to be alert enough to block it. He was tired and sore.

"Are we there yet?" He asked hoping that they would reach their destination soon so he could stop training.

"It's not far from here." Senarius answered. His sword shot out. Roy immediately formed his war hammer and blocked him inches from his chest. "Better." Senarius said.

They continued in silence. Roy wanted to ask what not far meant but he didn't want to remind Senarius that he was there.

He heard Siren gasp. Roy looked up before feeling a smack on the back of his head.

"OW!" Roy glared at Senarius.

"Too slow." He said flatly.

Roy angrily rubbed his head as he turned to see what surprised Siren. His eyes widened when he saw a thick red fog.

"They've reached Gehenna safely." Senarius said.

"How do you know?" Roy asked.

"They've put up the protective barrier." He pointed at the red fog.

"That's a miasma spell." Siren said with awe. "We can't pass through it. It'll kill us."

"Unless you have a pass key." Senarius said.

"Do you have one?" Roy looked at him.

Senarius didn't answer. He pushed his reluctant horse to approach the barrier. To Roy's surprise the red fog parted.

"Stay close. The pass key only has so much range." He warned.

Roy immediately moved in.

"Not that close." Senarius nudged him back.

They walked slowly along the clear path created by the pass key. Roy looked out into the red fog and could see eyes glaring back at him. He suppressed a shudder. He could tell that Siren was also nervous. Soon a castle came into view.

"That doesn't look inviting." Roy observed.

When they got within a few feet of the gate a wail stopped them in their tracks.

A red smoke began breaking into their clear space.

"What's going on?" Siren asked.

"The miasma is breaking in." Senarius growled.

"How?" Roy asked.

"I don't know." Senarius admitted.

"That's not helpful." Roy yelped as the smoke solidified.

The ungodly creature had the form of a large grasshopper, but its forelegs were scythes.

The group took a step back. The creature screeched and swiped at them. They scattered. Roy's shoulder accidently hit the fog. Immediately, it started smoking.

"Augh!" Roy pulled back. Checking the shoulder, he saw a deep burn. Luckily, it started to heal.

"Stay away from the miasma. It will eat through flesh." Senarius warned him.

"Now you tell me." Roy muttered. A shadow loomed over him. The creature was standing over him with its scythe-like leg raised. "Uh-oh." Roy gulped.

Wow, this was so painful to finish. I know where it's going I just got to make myself do it. Thanks for reading.