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when.
You think& you think we re in a different time?
Yes& but as to what period& I cannot say. I also cannot say how we will be able to get back to our
own era.
Slumping back, Rhonin gazed into empty space. Vereesa&
Have courage! I said I cannot say how we will be able to get back, but that does not mean that we will
not try! Still, our first action must be to find sustenance and shelter& and some knowledge of the land. If
we can place ourselves, we might be able to calculate where best to find the assistance we need. Now,
help me up.
With the human s aid, Krasus stood. After a few tentative steps, he decreed himself well enough to
walk. A short discussion on which direction to take ended with agreement to head north, toward some
distant hills. There the two might be able to see far enough over the trees the next day to sight some
village or town.
The sun fell below the horizon barely an hour into their trek, but the pair continued on. Fortunately,
Rhonin had in one of his belt pouches some bits of travel food and a bush they passed supplied them with
a few handfuls of edible if sour berries. In addition, the smaller, almost elven form Krasus wore required
far less food than his true shape. Still, both were aware that come the next day they would have to find
more substantial fare if they were to survive.
The thicker garments used for the mountains proved perfect to keep them warm once darkness reigned.
Krasus s superior vision also enabled them to avoid some pitfalls in their path. Still, the going was slow
and thirst began to take its toll on the pair.
Finally, a slight trickling sound to the west led them to a small stream. Rhonin and Krasus knelt gratefully
and began to drink.
Thank the Five, the dragon mage said as they drank. Rhonin nodded silently, too busy trying to
swallow the entire stream.
After they had their fill, the two sat back. Krasus wanted to go on, but neither he nor the human clearly
had the strength to do so. They would have to rest for the night here, then continue on at first light.
He suggested as much to Rhonin, who readily agreed. I don t think I could go another step, the wizard
added. But I think I can still create a fire if you like.
The idea of a fire enticed Krasus, but something inside him warned against it. We shall be warm enough
in our garments. I would prefer to err on the side of caution for now.
You re probably right. We could be in the time of the Horde s first invasion for all we know.
That seemed a bit unlikely to Krasus considering the peacefulness of the woods, but the centuries had
produced other dangers. Fortunately, their present location would keep them fairly secreted from most
creatures passing near. A rising slope also gave them a natural wall to hide behind.
More out of exhaustion than agreement, they stayed where they were, literally falling asleep on the spot.
Krasus s slumber, however, was a troubled one in which his dreams reflected events.
Again he saw Nozdormu struggling against that which was his very nature. He saw all time tangled,
confused, and growing more unstable each moment the anomaly existed.
Krasus saw something else, too, a faint, fiery glare, almost like eyes, gazing hungrily on all it saw. The
dragon mage frowned in his sleep as his subconscious tried to recollect why such an image would seem
so terribly familiar&
But then the slight clink of metal against metal intruded, ripping apart his dreams and scattering the bits
away just as Krasus was on the verge of remembering what the burning eyes represented.
Even as he stirred, Rhonin s hand clamped over his mouth. Early in his long, long life, such an affront
would have made the dragon teach the mortal creature a painful lesson in manners, but now Krasus not
only had more patience than in his youth, he also had more trust.
Sure enough, the clink of metal again sounded. So very slight, but to the trained ears of either spellcaster,
still like thunder.
Rhonin pointed upward. Krasus nodded. Both cautiously stood, trying to see over the slope. Hours had
clearly passed since they had fallen asleep. The woods were silent save for the songs of a few insects. If
not for the brief, unnatural sounds they had heard, Krasus would have thought nothing amiss.
Then a pair of large, almost monstrous shapes materialized beyond the slope. At first they were
unrecognizable, but then Krasus s superior vision identified them as not two creatures, but ratherfour.
A pair of riders atop long, muscular panthers.
They were tall, very lean, but clearly warriors. They were clad in armor the color of the night and wore
high, crested helms with nose guards. Krasus could not yet make out their faces, but they moved with a
fluidity he did not see in most humans. Both the riders and their sleek, black mounts journeyed along as if
little troubled by the darkness, which made the dragon mage quickly caution his companion.
They will see you before you clearly see them, Krasus whispered. What they are, I do not know, but
they are not of your kind.
There s more! Rhonin returned. Despite his inferior vision, he had been gazing in just the right direction
to catch another pair of riders approaching.
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