Only the steady beat of horse hooves hitting the ground and the rushing waters of the Great Ogawan River running their course broke up the silence as Qwarten, Meg, and Jeng travelled. With grave faces and eyes focused on the path ahead of them, they advanced at a rapid pace. 

As the thorny foliage thickened and grew closer to the edges of the path, Qwarten slowed down, and the others followed suit. Their only company comprised of the beaming sun and a soaring hawk above. 

A few minutes later, the path curved westward, and the travelers altered their course accordingly. They found themselves standing before a large, wooden bridge which offered a safe way across the wide Ogawan River. Two armored guards stood in the middle of the pathway with crossbows drawn and sheathed swords on their hips. 

Qwarten dismounted from his horse and strolled up to the guards with a blank face. "Good day, sirs," he recited mechanically, "Is there a toll to cross this bridge?" 

"Yes there is. Eighteen shekels per head." 

"Human heads, horse heads, or both?" 

"Humans only, sir. And we will have to search your wagon for stowaways." 

"Go ahead. I'll count out my money while you do that." 

One guard stood at Qwarten's side while the other strolled over to the supply wagon and clambered inside. Qwarten rummaged through his supply pack and soon found the coins he searched for. He dropped 10 oblong coins into the first guard's hand and saluted him before he headed back to his horse. 

"Alright," the second guard began after he concluded his search, "Everything checks out. Did you already pay?" 

Qwarten clambered onto his horse's back. "Yep. Where's the nearest village, by the way?" 

"Across the bridge and over a hill, you'll find a little town called Kristendale. Just follow the path, and it will take you there." 

Qwarten nodded. "Alright, thank you. Have a nice day." 

"You too, sir." 

With that, the three travelers trotted across the bridge and soon found themselves on the other side. After they crested the hill, they found themselves in the village of Kristendale. The little town's inhabitants welcomed the newcomers with warm smiles as they went about their business along either side of the main road. 

Qwarten frowned as he observed the raggedy clothing and dirty faces of the villagers, as well as their habit of forcing gaunt donkeys to pull loads even a horse would struggle against. "Oh my," the major began, "this place is the definition of poverty." 

Jeng sighed. "No kidding. God help these people." 

Qwarten called his party to a halt as they passed the shack of a man who sold deliciously red apples. He dismounted his horse and approached the bearded man with an ingratiating smile. "Hello, sir. How much do you charge for an apple?" 

"One an' a half shekels apiece, sir." 

Qwarten raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit cheap?" 

"Not around here, it isn't. In fact, people say my stuff's expensive." 

Qwarten grunted and grabbed three apples. "Well, here's six for you." 

The man grinned gratefully. "Thank you, sir! You're too generous." 

"Yeah, no problem. Now, are there any places to lodge in this town? I'm just curious." 

"Well, Mr. Douglas across town certainly enjoys his guests, but his guests never enjoy him. Since ya have a little daylight left, I'd make haste to Botaca if I were you." 

"Alright, thank you, sir." 

"No problem." 

Qwarten mounted his horse before he tossed an apple each back to Meg and Jeng. "He said if we hurry, we can make it to Botaca for lodging tonight." 

Meg nodded. "Let's do it." 

******************** 

A few hours later, Kahiri moaned and turned her head as the door to her cell swung open. Govlo and two Yugdabs rushed into the room and stood against the wall before Hadigama's heavy footsteps announced his presence. The Yugdab champion approached Kahiri and stared down at her for a long, silent moment. 

"So, dear," Hadigama began, "I sincerely hope your sufferings have wrought a mighty change in your stubborn heart. Where lie your loyalties now?" 

Kahiri took a deep breath and bit her lip as her spine screamed for release from its knobby resting place. "They ... never shifted, sir." 

Hadigama chuckled. "What a shame. I was hoping you would be more sensible." 

"I'm sorry to disappoint you." 

"No, you aren't. But I'm not angry. This merely means that we will have to resort to more drastic measures. Well, and that you will continue to suffer until I return." 

"Return from where? Hell?" 

"Of course not. That place is your destination, not mine. I will be departing tomorrow morning to attend the great, decennial feast to Anjaflic. There, he has promised to grant me much power." 

"Promises, promises. It seems every false god is full of them. You know what else they're full of?"  

"Kahiri Elyse Oriann," Hadigama droned condescendingly, "you are many things, but intelligent is clearly not one of them. You see, in my meditation, Anjaflic has told me many, many things. Chiefly, that the Yugdabs' restriction to only wage war with the Kaborian Republic on the physical realm has been lifted. Anjaflic will soon grant me power to draw on his wrath and fury against you infidels and channel it at my will, bringing this fight to the spiritual realm." 

Kahiri yawned, flinching as the movement tweaked her back again. "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not exactly clear on one thing. What's your goal here?" 

"Why, for the welfare of my eternal soul, I hope I am firm in my commitment to spread the honor and glory of Anjaflic throughout the entire Kaborian Republic. I cannot stop until each and every one of its citizens devote themselves to his service." 

"Wait a minute, I could be wrong, but doesn't Anjaflic live off the blood of the sacrifices you offer to him?" 

"Yes, you are correct on that, dear." Hadigama answered as he motioned for his men to place the captive archer on a chair. 

Kahiri gratefully stretched her neck as she settled into the chair. "And he'll starve if no more blood is offered to him, right?" 

"Right." 

"Then what happens if the entire world is converted to Anjaflic's service? Will his followers turn on each other to feed him?" 

Hadigama stuttered for a moment. "Why, I'm sure that in his wisdom, Anjaflic will reveal to us a way to ensure our survival, as well as his own." 

"But logically speaking, there's no way! That's why your religion is a religion of death!" 

"How is yours any better?" 

"My Lord and Savior came to bring peace to our souls. To help us live life, and that to the fullest. And what's more, none of you are beyond His reach, even now. You can still—" 

"Spare us the sermon, little lady! Christianity is a religion for dimwits who make up for their lack in brains with an abundance of faith!" 

"On the contrary, my Lord's teachings can be understood with the mind and embraced with the heart both fully, and be changed by them. Whether you admit it or not, your god demands much from you, but gives little." 

"That's untrue. He gives great purpose to our lives." 

"Does he give you salvation? Does he give you spiritual peace?" 

"He will give us both of those things in the afterlife." 

"Well, you could have them both in this life, and much more. Furthermore, you can keep them until eternity ends. If that's—" 

"This discussion is over, Oriann. For your impudence, you will be deprived of food and water for three days. Then we'll see where your ridiculous faith gets you." 

With that Hadigama spun on his heel and stormed out of the room. His men followed a moment later. 

******************** 

A few hours later, the Deflorian sky darkened as the sun began to set. Chris stood alone on a high balcony as he marveled at the lovely pinks, purples, and oranges the sunset presented to his youthful eyes. He pulled his coat tighter around his body as the cool evening breeze nipped at him. 

The young man turned to look over his shoulder as the balcony door slid open behind him. When Queen Dara presented herself at the doorway, he grinned slightly and bowed. 

Dara returned the smile as she stepped up to the railing herself. "Good evening, Mr. Corvin. Do I correctly perceive you to be partaking of the fresh evening air?" 

Chris shrugged. "I guess so. I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything like that, because it'd be a shame—" 

"Speak freely, Mr. Corvin, please." 

"Do you always have to speak so ... formally?" 

Dara giggled. "I suppose I do. From a very young age, I was taught to speak in this manner, and I should find it very difficult to go against so many years of training." 

Chris nodded. "Makes sense. I can't imagine actually needing to think before speaking, though." he added with a cheeky grin. 

Dara laughed again before she swiftly regained her composure. "So, how long have you been studying with Sir Fyervor?" 

"About a month now, I think. I've fiddled with swords and knives for half my life, but never decided to devote any serious time to it until now." 

Dara nodded. "I am certain you shall become a masterful knight in time. Perhaps you will even become a legend." 

Chris chuckled. "I don't know about all that, but it'd sure be nice." 

"Of course, legends are built out of more than just strong bones and muscles, Mr. Corvin. They are tempered and guided by godly character, and that, perhaps, is the most important part." 

"Yep. So Erok tells me." 

"And he is correct. My mind can easily envision your transformation into a great hero, Chris. But morality is the one thing which separates heroes from villains, and therefore, your focus must become fixed on that, above all else." 

"I totally agree with you, your highness, but why're you telling me all this?" 

"Dark times are coming, Chris, and perhaps they have already come. What this world needs, and what Defloria needs, is for the light to shine brighter, to cast out the darkness." Dara stepped forward and placed her hands on Chris' shoulders, "And who knows? Perhaps—" 

"Duck!" Chris shouted as he tackled Queen Dara to the ground. 

A red-tipped arrow sped over their heads and shattered the glass of the balcony door, drawing a frightened shiver from the young queen. She gazed deep into Chris' eyes with gratitude written on her features. "Thank you, my hero." 

Chris leapt to his feet and unsheathed his sword. "No problem, highness." As the young man helped the queen to her feet, he frowned at the roar of a multitude of shouting voices in the distance. "Those idiots have decided to get started a day early!" Chris growled, "Let's go warn the others!" 

The pair rushed through the jagged opening in the glass just before another arrow landed on the very spot they had been standing. 

******************** 

A/N: Well, the Yugdabs are stepping up their game! Hadigama's tightening his hold on Kahiri, and simultaneously, another horde is headed for the Deflorian palace!

Things are not looking good. But still, if you enjoyed this chapter, please throw some comments and votes at it, please and thank you. :D

So...what can I ask you? Oh yes! How did you like Queen Dara's little talk with Chris at the end?

I feel like she's contributing to some much-needed growth in his character, which is certainly a good thing, if you're a fan of him.

Alright, so before I leave, I should ask, if you could travel to one place in the world and live the rest of your life there, where would you go?

Well, I hope you have a great day! I'll see you in the next update. :)