Mayabelle skipped up the twisting trail that would lead the three friends in a few days time to the base on the great Mount Hadid. The whistle and jade deer pendant bounced on her neck. The stop in the city had revived Mayabelle. She craved being around people, seeing differences in everybody made her realize how amazing the world could be. 

Contentedly, she began to practice her magic. She cast a ball of warm yellow light which danced in the air around her before she dispelled it and caught its energy again. The ball of light were followed by a few bursts of lightning from her fingers, which made her hair stand up and a swirling wind which picked her up slightly off the ground. 

Ember laughed, "Aren't you a cheerful one!" she said, still grinning slyly at the gnome. "The dumplings couldn't have been THAT good,"

"It's the people," Mayabelle explained, moving slightly closer to Idril as Ceaser ran by, chasing a beetle. Ceaser had grown, she could tell. Even over the past days, he had grown by at least another foot. 

Chatting cheerily, the three friends walked along. It was about mid afternoon when they had started from the town, and by this time the sun had started to set. In a few minutes, Mayabelle spotted a fence off to her left, which she assumed belonged to a sheep or cow pasture. The three decided to stay near the gate, which was a good landmark to follow in case they were lost in the surrounding woods. 

They quickly and seamlessly set up their campfire, pile of wood and bedrolls. The fence sat about 50 feet away, visible from the light of the fire and the gleaming full moon. The air was brisk, causing the three to wrap up in extra blankets and socks. 

Suddenly, Ceaser started to growl threateningly in the direction of the pasture. Ember tried to quiet him, but he growled ever louder. 

"Perhaps it's the farmer," suggested Idril, quietly. Together, Mayabelle, Idril and Ember stood up. Uneasily, Mayabelle noticed Ember sheath her sword and Idril sling her guitar over her back. Crossing cautiously over to the fence, Mayabelle peered between the gaps in the wooden fence. Through the foggy gloom, Mayabelle could see the figure of a man standing in the field. Around him were stange shaped mounds, perhaps a dog or two. 

Idril and Ember spotted the dark silhouette as well. Ember peered at is, keeping one red hand on the hilt of her sword. Idril called out to it.

"Sir, we're just travelers camping here tonight, I hope you do not mind."

A strange, clattering throaty noice came from the direction of the man, sending chills up and down Mayabelle's spine. Behind them, their fire sputtered out, leaving the full moon as the only source of light. Out of the fog stepped the emaciated figure. 

His skin was grayish green, his eyes were sunken in deep sockets. He had only chunks of hair left on his head. His clothes were ragged, chewed through and covered in dirt and roots. The skin on one exposed arm was torn away, leaving bone unprotected behind. He took one step closer, yellow fingernailed hands streaching for the sky. He screamed a loud, long, high pitched scream. 

Mayabelle screamed, Idril gasped and Ember howled "Zombies!"