I had woken up early the next morning. The house was quiet when I stumbled into the kitchen. A plate of bread was placed on the dinner table. I reached for a slice and took a bite. Suddenly, I remembered Elmer. I had completely forgotten my faithful herrk all night. Guiltily, I shoved the rest of the bread into my mouth and scurried out the front door. Sprinting around the house to the stable I had seen last night, I threw open the door. From inside, I heard a welcoming neigh. Rushing to Elmer's side, I petted his nose while muttering apologies. Elmer was in a roomy stable that was one of five others. A large white mare, two bays, and a strawberry roan occupied the others. Being still a colt, Elmer was easily dwarfed by the others.

I found a currycomb hanging on the wall and began brushing his coat. He had already been brushed, fed, and watered. Tristan was efficient with herrks. While putting away the brush, I noticed a bow leaning against the stall. I picked it up. It was a lightweight, unstrung longbow. The wood had intricate carvings of vines and flowers. The bow was a veritable heirloom.

I heard the stable door creak open and whirled around. Tristan was standing in the doorway. He was dressed for travel with arm guards and a full quiver of red fletched arrows. "There you are, Rina. Father's been looking for you." His eyes wandered to the bow in my hand. I hurriedly put in down. "That's alright." He said, walking over to the bow. He picked it up. "It's been in my family for ages, passed down from father to son. I believe it was made by elves in return for a favor." He was silent, as if trying to think of what favor. Then he shrugged and said, "Anyway, come Rina. Father's outside."

Tristan took a bowstring and hooked the ends in the notches. With bow in hand, pointed the way to the door. Jerrold was standing right outside with Phil and Terrance.

At the sight of me, Jerrold said, "Ah, Rina. I was wondering where you were."

"I was just in the stables with Elmer." I replied. At his confused face, I explained, "my herrk."

If Jerrold thought my name was particular, he didn't show it. Instead, he said, "I wanted to tell you it was time to leave. I noticed bread missing from the table so I presumed you have eaten." I blushed. "No, it was there for breakfast, anyway." Jerrold said assuring. "I packed some food and supplies." Jerrold continued, pointing to the bundles he clutched. "You just need to gather your possessions."

"Ok." I said. Excusing myself, I dashed into my room. All my belongings were where I left them last. Scooping them up, I dumped them unceremoniously onto the bed. I picked up a large carpetbag that Jerrold had given me and shoved them roughly into the bag. I had nothing delicate and valuable anyway. Closing it, I heaved it into my arms and staggered out the door.

When I reached the stables, Jerrold, Phil, and Terrance had been joined by Tristan. He carried the old bow I saw earlier and was leading Elmer and the two bay herrks by their reins. Elmer, sandwiched between the bays, neighed a greeting. All three herrks were piled high with packages.

"Rina." Jerrold exclaimed, "Did you pack your stuff?"

I nodded.

"Good." Jerrold gestured to Elmer and the bays. "You, Phil, and Tristan will head over to the base. Riding will make it fast. The bays are study, intelligent herrks." Seeing my slightly confused face, he added, "I would give you another one, but I was afraid Elmer wouldn't like it. He's old enough to be ridden for short periods of time and you don't look like you weigh that much, anyway."

From his position sandwiched between the two larger herrks, Elmer neighed in agreement. Jerrold smiled briefly. He then cleared his throat and handed me a cloak. "You'll need that."

Tristan handed me the reins to Elmer. "Have you ridden a herrk before?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Good." He said simply. Phil and Tristan mounted their herrks. Tentatively, I threw my right leg over the saddle and pulled myself upright. Elmer stumbled a bit, but did not shake me off. Proud, I patted his neck. He shook his mane in reply.

When I was settled, Tristan asked his father, "Do we head through the mines?"

Jerrold considered it, than answered, "It's shorter and away from Mother Nature at her worst, but it's dark and who knows what lives there. I say try the longer route, but head through the mines if you absolutely have too."

Tristan nodded with understanding, "Alright." He glanced down at Terrance who had remained silent although the morning. Terrance stood slightly behind his father with his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl planted on his face. "Afraid you can't come with us, Terrance. You know the dangers and father would be better off with your help."

Terrance scowled and grunted unhappily. Ignoring Tristan, Terrance turned to his father. "Father, why can't I come? I'm twelve after all."

Jerrold sighed. "Son, you'll just get in the way."

"I will not!" Terrance all but stamped his foot.

Jerrold suddenly became stern. Terrance cowered at his outbreak as Jerrold waved at Phil, Tristan, and I, telling us to move on. As we left the town, I could hear him patiently lecturing to Terrance why he was not allowed to come.

------------------- Normal POW---------------------

They could no longer hear or see the town. Instead, they were engulfed by trees and underbrush. There were no trail, yet the bay herrks seem to know their way through the trees. They have been through this forest many times, no doubt to travel to the headquarters. Of course, Rina mused he had to be in contact with the base if he was to be part of the rebellion crew. I bet Tristan has been there also. That explains why Jerrold did not personally take them there but delegated the task to Tristan. Tristan must be known to the headquarters. That was how they would gain access, because Tristan must already be a member of whatever organization it was called. Poor Tristan, he was only nineteen at the most and already taking on responsibilities prematurely.

Tristan guided the herrk through the forest. Rina rode on Elmer beside him. Phil trailed behind them. Kirby was perched on his herrk's mane. The herrk did not seem to mind, and the smooth gait of the herrk suited Kirby admirably.

Elmer is doing fine for a young herrk just recently being ridden. He was comfortable with the saddle and did not object to the bit. He needed to rest periodically, but tried his hardest to keep up the other herrks. Tristan acknowledged and appreciated the effort he was exerting and did not complain about the slower pace.

Tristan, Rina, and Phil were ridding through the forest when Rina ventured, "So Tristan, is your favored weapon a bow." She gestured to his finely crafted bow and quiver.

Tristen nodded. "I've been trained with it ever since I was a child. Everyone in my family seems to have a talent with it. Even Terrance is fair with a bow, even though he has absolutely no interest in it."

"Terrance.?" Rina repeated, with a tinge of doubt in her voice.

"Hard to believe, isn't it." Tristan grinned at her. "My brother's so unlike me. I like the military, weapons, and spying. My brother doesn't care about all that. I think my father was a bit disappointed when Terrance showed no interest in war. Terrance tends wander and play . . . tricks." Tristan glanced at her, his eyes wandered to her bruised cheek. "He couldn't care less about the organization, but he keeps his mouth shut. Trustworthy as he is, he gets a bit annoyed when he doesn't get his way. You saw it back there."

Rina nodded. If someone as stern as Jerrold could barely discipline him, he'd turn into a nightmare with someone easygoing. "What does your mother do to discipline him?"

Tristan winced, "My mother died years ago."

"Tristan, I'm so sorry." Rina mentally kicked herself.

"You had no clue." Tristan said, "It's been years, anyway. My mother, she lost her mind and her health deteriorated from then on. She did recognize father and me, and she did have periods when she was normal, but those got fewer and fewer until depression ended her. For good. I mean, those last few days were terrible. She was insane. The beast in her surfaced and I think she might have lost her ability to speak and hear. I suppose she was trapped within her own mind." Tristan shook his head sadly. "We were fortunate, compared to other people. Some died in weeks, others held on for months. Most were gone at one year. Mother lived longest, held on to the sanity longest. Perhaps it was because she had something to live for. I was but a child and poor Terrance was only two when she died. He remembers her more as crazed than sane. Father, he was distraught when she died. We couldn't afford to lose both parents, so I think that might be the only reason that kept him from suicide. He eventually moved on with life, although now he was even more determined to defeat Nargul after the incident, for revenge."

Rina didn't recognize the incident Tristan was referring to, but she kept her mouth shut. Tristan continued, "What about you what have you been doing for sixteen years?"

Rina blurted out her life story including Vivian, Connor, and Fara. Tristan was chuckling after he heard the story about Phil and Vivian at breakfast. (See chapter 3) He dared to glance at Phil and immediately muttered an apology when he spotted Phil's face. Changing the subject, Tristan said, "It sounds like you grew up around mystical creatures. That fact might come in handy."

"What do you mean?" Rina asked.

"Well for one thing, Nargul is a sorcerer. I'll bet you all the money I have that he'll use mystical creatures against us. That's why, along with weapons training, many of the leaders at the base are raising mystical creatures. I personally don't like creatures fighting others of its kind, but, frankly, we humans have bickered among ourselves since the beginning of time."

"True enough."

"When your lessens start —"

"Lessens?"

"Of course. You'll be instructed in weapons and politics as well as queenly behavior. You know, what's expected of you, how to address people. All the stuff noble girls learn. And how to run a country, too. You'll have advisors, but the major decisions will be yours."

"Seems like a lot to learn."

"It is. Not to mention the fact that you have to start training Elmer. Work will pile up."

"Training Elmer?"

"Of course. He's a striped herrk. He naturally has magical powers. All we have to do is train him to respond on command." Tristan pointed to the stripes on Elmer's rump. The stripes had darkened and were now clearly visible against his brown coat. "It's better to start training when they're younger. Beside it'll strengthen your bond."

"I really don't have the slightest clue about how to train a herrk."

"Don't worry. I know the basics. That'll last the rest of the way to the base."

"Really! Let's start now!"

"Ok. I don't see why not. We're due for a rest stop, anyway."

"Alright then. We can rest there." Rina pointed to a shaded stop beneath a walnut tree. Tristan halted his herrk under the shade and tied the reins to a branch. Phil pulled up beside them and followed Tristan's example. Meanwhile, Rina led Elmer into the shade and relieved him of his burden. She didn't bother tying him up.

When everything was set, Tristan walked over to a spot without any branches overhanging overhead. He gestured to Rina to lead Elmer to him.

"Ok," he said, "the first and easiest thing for a striped herrk to do is levitate."

"Levitate?" Rina gasped in disbelief. She didn't think levitation could be considered a beginner's course.

"It's quite easy and I've seen herrks do more than that. Anyway, Elmer'll glow and begin to rise. It won't be very high, mind you, but if he gets a hair's widths off the ground, I'll consider it to be a miracle."

"He'll do more than that." Rina replied confidently.

An hour later, all of previous Rina's confidence had dissolved. Elmer didn't seem to understand her command. It was impossible to demonstrate by lifting Elmer off of the ground, so Rina lifted one of his hooves. Elmer caught on to the trick and extended a leg, but couldn't understand why Rina was still dissatisfied. He pawed the ground in frustration. Rina's patience was nearly used up, even against her beloved herrk. She slapped his rump and ordered him to levitate. Elmer, slightly offended, started to raise a hoof. Rina cried out in anguish and placed her face in her hands. Slightly parting her fingers, she could see Elmer cocking his head in bemusement and neigh questioningly. Rina looked up. Elmer took a hesitant step forward towards her. She noticed his skin was slightly browner than it use to be. Was it tanning? Could herrks tan?

Rina glanced at Tristan. His face was a mixture of excitement and surprise.

"Yes! He got it!" Tristan yelled. He swept her into a hug.

"Got what?" Rina said.

"Elmer. He got the levitation at last." Tristan said, releasing her.

"Where?" Rina dashed over to Elmer who had stopped his approach. He was slightly started. He skin was slightly darker than it was a minute ago. Rina bent over and peered at his feet. They were placed firmly on the ground.

"See that red glow?" Tristan explained patiently. "That's the magic. No, don't try to lift his feet or feel underneath them. He isn't elevated yet, but the glow is a sign that he's finally in touch with his magic." Rina peered at Elmer. The brown color of his coat that she had mistaken for a tan was actually maroon. The 'glow' was so dim she had almost missed it.

Elmer looked at her through uncertain eyes. When she didn't respond, his glow began to lessen. "Wait!" Tristan yelled. Elmer paused. Tristan picked up a handful of walnuts and cracked them with a rock. He held the crushed nuts out to Elmer who strolled willingly forward. "That'll be enough for today." He told Elmer who was chewing noisily.

"But can't we try it out again." Rina protested.

Tristan shook his head, "We've had enough for today. We need to get going and, besides, Elmer's getting tired." Rina looked closely at Elmer's coat. It was now the normal bay color and was sweat specked. Elmer was slightly panting. She hung her head in shame. How could she have forgotten to check her beloved herrk? Elmer thrush his head in her hands as if telling her she was forgiven. She smiled weakly and patted his nose.

"It was his first time to try out his magic. He won't get so tired next time." Tristan assured her. She hugged him in reply, partly because she was grateful for his support and partly because of the excitement of the glow was coming back. Craning her neck, she could see Phil over Tristan's shoulder. He was looking in her direction and was watching her with almost beady eyes. His hand, which was stroking Kirby, was suspended in midair. A mad glint was in his eyes. Was it hatred? No. Could it be jealousy?

When she looked at him, Phil turned away and resumed stroking Kirby who was perched on his arm. Rina pushed the thought deep inside her head to ponder over on a rainy day. Instead, she released Tristan and suggested, "Why don't we allow Elmer some time to rest?"

"Good idea." Tristan agreed.

Throughout the break, Rina tried to speak to Phil but he was avoiding eye contact. He managed to become very busy at taking care of his dragonet. He'd avoid her and move when ever she approached him. Rina was baffled and somewhat annoyed by his reaction. She thought their friendship had greatly progressed. Why was he suddenly acting so strange? Phil obviously wasn't going to tell her so all she could do was guess.