Jep stared into the flickering fire without seeing. Tears that refused to flow rimmed his eyes. Gwendolise knelt beside him offering a small plate of food and some comforting words. Knowing they shared a special secret, the others left them alone, taking their meals away from the fire.

"I can't believe it," he choked. "To kill innocent people for a handful of stones..."

"You know it's more than that, Jep. I lost my parents too a long time ago. My father told me that our ancestors fled Balfour with some of the stones because they saw goodness and help in their powers. The King had the right idea; he just didn't know how to implement it. My father also told me about the Teachers and their blind lust to use the stones for personal gain.

You saw what Keebooten did in Nygard. Those people were all tricked into believing they were free and happy. Even when some tried to leave and the Duke had them jailed, they just didn't catch on." She set the plate down and made herself comfortable in front of the fire.

"What about your sister," he asked through gritted teeth.

"What can I say, she was- is simply a greedy, selfish person. My parents recognized this, that's why I was entrusted with the stones."

"She's a ruthless, heartless murderer!" Jep sank down on one elbow, sobbing.

There was no suitable response to his accusation so she remained quiet, staring at the fire and wishing she could comfort him. When the meal was finished, they cleaned up the site in silence, each finding a place to settle for the night. Mokum tended the animals and climbed into the back of the wagon, nuzzling down among Derrick's packs.

Gwendolise and Mary chose a nest of blankets beneath the wagon while the others spread out among the horses. Jep fell into a fitful dream with sleep an elusive wraith he could not grasp.

With the morning came a silver mist that hovered close to the earth, giving everything the appearance of beginning two feet above the ground. Streaks of grey released their grip on the blank sky as the promise of a sunny day emerged.

The campsite stirred with the grunts and groans of awakening and the group rose above the fading mist one by one. In the trees, the horses stirred, shuffling and snorting, their patient wait rewarded as Mokum scattered handfuls of hastily gathered grass around their hooves.

Derrick started a fire and the thick, damp air swallowed the clang of the pot he was using to prepare tea. Jep sat up holding the blanket and looking confused; his hip hurt where he'd lain on a piece of stone. Mary and Gwendolise arranged their hair and clothes behind the shield of a blanket before joining the others, propriety always finding a way despite circumstances.

Smoke from the fire curled up into the branches and the smell of Derrick's tea permeated the campsite. Gradually, they each found themselves squatting about the fire enjoying the hot tea and sharing whatever food they had that seemed suitable. Mokum offered his Huthwheat, chuckling when they all refused, watching him gobble down great handfuls from his pack. Finally, Mary broke the polite silence that held their tongues, asking Jep point blank to explain exactly what all the previous events meant.

With a wary glance at Gwendolise, he issued a reluctant sigh and recounted his knowledge of the history of the Stones of Balfour, finishing with a wave of his hand to Gwendolise. "That is my part to date. I have revealed things kept secret by my family for years. If you wish more, Miss Bogendancer will have to provide it."

Gwendolise agreed to tell her part, but before she did, Jep would have to show her that he indeed still held the Key in his possession. They already knew she had a share of the stones, plus those they rescued from the Duke. Too many tricks and schemes had come her way over the years to trust just anyone's word. Five pair of eyes fixed on Jep, following his every move as he withdrew the precious box from his pack.

"This is not to be touched, nor spoken about beyond this group. Are we understood?" Five silent heads nodded. Jep opened the box and held it tightly in his lap. Mary uttered a small gasp and the men sort of grunted. Gwendolise just stared transfixed. Since childhood, she'd heard of this key, of its incredible beauty and power of its purpose.

Jep closed the lid and re-wrapped the box, putting it back in his pack. "That's it. Now you've seen it. It is my charge to secure all the missing stones and to see them safely to Mount Drood." He and Gwendolise exchanged a mildly defiant look.

All the attention was now on Gwendolise. She began much as Jep had, with a history of her family and how they came to have some of the stones and what her father's last request had been. She told of her long journeys, following tales and rumours while all the time being pursued by agents of her sister and about the small successes and the many disappointments.

She recounted her days spent with the old woman in Dyst who told her of Keebooten and his family and their individual fates. She even admitted giving her one small stone for all her help and kindness, a confession that brought a pained look to Jep's face.

"You broke your oath." He said, flatly disappointed.

"It was an error I admit, but she – I had nothing and she gave so generously of herself- I just- I- I..."

"What is so important about one stone? You have all the rest, you have your key, just put them back in the mine and lock it up." William sounded confused; he'd obviously missed the potential danger of even one stone winding up in the wrong hands.

Jep looked at Gwendolise and suggested that she give a demonstration of the stone's power so that they would all understand the importance of what they were doing.

She undid the pouch from her belt and opened the drawstring. Even before she removed a stone, they could all see the strong, blue white light emanating from the pouch. Gwendolise took out one stone and placed it on the ground in front of her.

Immediately, they all seemed to be in a pool of warm light and a feeling of relaxation and contentment spread through them. Watching carefully, Gwendolise left it out for a moment longer, then scooped it up and sealed it back inside the pouch, returning it to its place on her belt.

"Wait! We didn't see anything—"

"You saw," she admonished, "and you felt. The danger of the stones lies in having them too close for too long. They seem to breed feelings of envy and greed. This is what destroyed Balfour."

"But think of the benefit," Derrick said. "Heat without fire; light without candles..."

"Why, we could rule the Loamites with such power." Mokum added.

"People would pay anything for even a small share—"

"Listen to yourselves!" Jep shouted angrily, cutting William off. "This is exactly why we must return them—all of them, to the mine. Some day, when we figure out how to harness the power we can try again, but not now. Not when such a tiny exposure fills the most honest and level headed with such avaricious thoughts."

The group fell silent, avoiding the embarrassment of Jep's scolding. A sudden breeze came up and dust and leaves began to swirl about the site. Quickly, the group gathered up their belongings and stowed them in Derrick's wagon. Mokum brought the horses and they prepared to leave the camp.

"We need to find a better shelter before the storm breaks." William said. "Which way is the Wye Valley?"

Derrick pointed toward a range of low hills on the horizon. "Beyond those hills about two days."

"So far!" Mary expressed dismay.

"It will take at least that long to reach the hills." Mokum suggested.

"There is no choice, at least not for Gwendolise and I." Jep said. "We welcome your company, but you may make up your own minds."

"Well, I'm just wandering anyway," Derrick smiled.

"Mary and I have no place else to go. We would not be welcomed in Graf."

They all looked at the Huth.

"Thee give me great stress. 'Tis a long journey for no gain. I have obligations to my people."

"Mokum, I would hate to see you go and I can't thank you enough for what you've done, but please, you must make your own decision and we shall all respect whatever you choose."

The little man fidgeted on the seat beside Derrick, his stubby fingers tugging at his ragged beard. If he returned, his life would go back to harvesting Huthwheat every day; this was an adventure and these were people he'd grown to like. "I've never given up on a job yet, and seeing young Jep to Mount Drood is still a job to be done. I'll stay."