Chapter Two

Peace and quiet once again! We near Peshamba with every breathe I take. It is night and the stars spread above me like a blanket of shining black, blue, and silver. Normally we the Hultas rest at night and sleep in the stopped wagons quite peacefully, but nothing is normal anymore. Father has ordered for us to move as fast as we can to reach our goal of first Peshamba and then Hultas.

The sky surrounding the horrid towers remains a foreboding black which lets no star's light shine through so that even at night we can tell it's still there, still planning it's evil ways and it's twisted schemes. Just the thought chills most to the bone. Now, though, I am warm and snug in my own wagon which continues on and in into the darkness.

Kendai, after questioning me about this book, fell right to sleep in a bundle of blankets inside the wagon we share. Perhaps it would be wise of my to do the same…a feeling inside of me tells me that tomorrow is going to be an eventful day!

I woke up this morning all stiff and sore and, truth to tell, a bit grumpy. Oh how that changed throughout the day! I am still going over it in my head, disbelieving, yet there he is, fast asleep in our makeshift infirmary wagon.

But, first things first, I woke up and Kendai and I went through our usual routine of washing our hands and faces and tiding up the wagon. By this time, you could see Peshamba in the distance and I couldn't wait to get there and attend the lively festival always held there whenever we go. By the way Kendai had been acting all morning, she was more than a little excited about this event as well.

There had been a time when a little festival would not only have been routine but the people became tired of them! This is not the time. Moments of merriment were few and far between for any people now. Hard times have fallen upon us, and all because of those terrible towers that I have never seen except in the distance.

The routine continued as we felt the wagons come to a screeching stop and we all left from our places and got together at a spot near the end of our wagon train where collapsible tables were being set up. The delicious scents of Hulta food drifted over to Kendai and me and we quickened our pace. Halfway through the meal, though, there was a terrific boom that filled the air and seemed to stay in the air as if intent on surrounding us and smothering us with its power.

Everyone jumped up at once, fearing attack. Although the men were all yelling for the woman and children to get back into the wagons, curiosity got the better of me and I sprinted toward the edge of the wagons. Once I reached the edge it was obvious what the gigantic sound had been; Peshamba was on fire! And from the rubble road out a single figure upon a horse.

As the figure drew closer it became easy to see that it was a male, and he was wounded. Before anyone could think to do anything, the man was right in front of us, he lifted his head and somehow his gaze found mine, and I felt the cold of those piercing blue eyes. He was extremely handsome, but I couldn't admire his looks for long because then Father arrived at his side.

"You must get your people away from here as soon as possible!" The man's deep voice rang out and washed all over me and I felt as if I'd been punched in the stomach. "Peshamba is under attack!" With that final warning, the man fell from his horse to the ground and I, among others, rushed up to help.

"I will take care of him, Father!" I heard my own voice say. "And I'm sure Kendai would gladly help! Father looked at me for a long while, or at least it seemed long but it probably only lasted for a second or two.

"Fine!" He said. "We will bring him to the empty wagon on the far side over there!" My gaze followed his pointing finger.

And that is how I ended up here. In the wagon, caring for a beautiful stranger with Kendai, who was definitely glad to help, asleep at my side. What a day it's been and I'm only just begin-