The palace prepared for the trip under the supervision of the princesses. People came up from the towns to give tributes that would help them on the trip. However it seemed most of the Nagorins were willing to stay and protect Nagoray from being destroyed by the Mounts and their disgusting practices.

                On the third day the exodus party assembled before the palace two hundred and one strong. Kiva couldn't believe that more weren't coming and tried to persuade them.

                "Mother, make them listen."

                "I can't make them do anything, Kiva." Naogora said turning her back.

                Kiva turned to his aunt. "Aunt Cheneey, tell her." He begged but Cheneey shook her head.

                "We can make rules and expect our citizens to follow them but we can't force them to do anything. If they believe that staying is in their best interests then we have to leave them to their choices."

                "But they could be killed." Kiva said.

                "My dear," the snow leopard explained. "To some of them, far be it more important to defend what is sacred than to live another day. They wish to defend what is right...to protect their king." She raised Kiva's head. "So that one day he may return and rule over them."

                "I'm not the king." Kiva said. "My father is still alive and I know it."

Hero had gone with Menrai to bid farewell to her students. There was not a dry eye in all the school. He stopped by the temple and ran in to find Gavery.

                "High Priest!" He shouted as he ran into the courtyard.

                Gavery had his back turned looking straight up at the sky.

                "High Priest," Hero said as he skipped up to his side. "It's exodus day. I came to get you so we could walk down together."

                Gavery still didn't say anything for a moment.

                "High Priest?"

                "I know what today is, Hero," Gavery laughed.

                "Well let's go we don't want them to leave without us." Hero laughed and turned away but Gavery didn't follow so he returned to his side.

                "I'm staying." Gavery said and Hero opened his mouth to protest but Gavery spoke first.

                "Someone has to be here to boost the morale of the people. Who knows, we may be able to stop them from doing too much damage. And we will also keep them from coming after you." He pointed to Hero.

                "But we need you with us...what about our morale and our faith?" Hero asked

                Gavery laughed. "you'll have each other." He said. "Kiva and Uhua will keep you busy. As for your faith...well that's not something I can give or take from you." He raised his wing and Hero saw that he had been holding a necklace. "Here," He said and Hero bowed his head as Gavery slipped on the necklace.

                Hero took the pendant in his paw, "It's the eye of Nagoray." He said. "Thy symbol of my family...but it was a gift to you from my grandfather."

                "I know." Gavery said, and when you get back you can return it to me. But until then keep it safe." He looked meaningfully into Hero's eyes and the prince nodded.

                "Are you sure you don't want to come, you and Sweet?"

                "Certain." Gavery said and they turned in the direction of the temple entrance. "The Mounts will be here soon and someone has to make sure they don't raise the temple." He put a wing on Hero's shoulder. "Give my goodbye to the family. I don't want to break your mother's heart."

                Hero smiled despite his tears. "I'll tell them you said you'll see them later." He said. He hugged the priest then raced from the temple before his mother started to worry.

                When he reached the palace the family was already on the steps. All the people who had answered the call to evacuate stood before them wagons packed, and children anxious.

                "Hero, where were you?" Naogora asked as he came running up the steps.

                "High Priest Gavery says he'll see us when we return." Hero said and his mother looked surprised.

                "Very well." She said then turned to her sister. "Cheneey." She nodded.

                Cheneey roared and the crowd returned with sounds of cheering as the royal family stepped forward.

                "Long live the Queen, Long live the Queen!" Those staying behind chanted as the procession moved forward. They tossed flowers in the air and waved banners and garland. The students from the school came out and led the crowd in singing the song they had rehearsed.

                Menrai dried her eyes as she walked next to Hero.

                "It's just like the festival." He whispered to her and she perked up.

"Mountains, please bless these mountains, trouble our lowly fountains as we sing praise to you. Come home, prince no matter where you roam. Come back and claim all you own so we can honor you. So we can honor you."