This shocked the hosrosubs closest to him.  It bent down and snorted into Gruashe’s face.  Gruashe trembled and tears streamed from his eyes.  The rest of the crew slowly backed away.  Other hosrosubs circled closer to Gruashe as the crew escaped the plain.  Gruashe continued to shake as his heart raced thinking that he had finally been abandoned.
      The hosrosubs came closer still. Gruashe could no longer distinguish his breath from that emanating from the creatures that now stifled him.  As he thought he was soon inhale his last or be suffocated by the brutes, he heard another noise, a familiar sound.
      The sound caught the encircled hosrosubs’ attention for they all turned just long enough for Gruashe to scurry around and under and in between the legs of the beasts until he fled safely.  As he ran, the commotion became louder.  Not knowing exactly what it was, he did not run directly toward it.  He felt something following him and looked to realize it was Bags.  She landed next to him and led him straight to the turbulence.
      Gruashe chuckled as he discovered his friends did not leave him, but provided a means of liberation.  It was at this point he at last felt accepted into this body.  This body bound tightly in their quest and in their protection of Mal-Nai had now allowed an “outsider” come in as an equal.  He laughed to hide the tears chocking up from his throat . . .

      First, there was a moan, then a growl, as the hosrosubs jumped to his feet.  His mate next to him startled as she rapidly rose to her feet.  The crew froze as the entire herd awoke around them.  Instinctively, each one fell to his knees so as not to be seen by the large animals towering above them.
     Quietly, they crawled amongst the beasts hoping their scents would not ward the mass intruders were among them.  They had followed Yeinar’s advice and covered themselves with lillyfruit juice.  It was sticky and smelly and awful, but it seemed to be working.
      Terba pointed to the opposite side of the plain.  They had finally reached the completion of this part of their journey, now, on to Mount Glekny.  Just as the crew’s spirits began to lift from its latest setback, for this trip took more than three times longer than expected, Gruashe got excited, “We made it!”

      Bags joined the crew as crept around the sleeping hosrosubs.  Nags whispered, “Where have you been?”
      “I thought heard Mal-Nai crying, I searched, but I could not find her,” said Bags,
     “We searched for you, ma’am, but could not find you,” spoke Ralgam.  “We were quite concerned for your safety.”
      Bags apologized for worrying the crew.  Terba did not seem as forgiving as she paced back and forth throughout the line.  Gruashe and Yeinar attempted to calm her to keep her from waking the hosrosubs.
    Terba became louder and louder with her limbs flaying about.  Again, the remaining crewmembers tried to calm her, but the more they tried, the louder she became.  “I just want to see my precious one again,” yelled Terba as she stepped onto the tail of a hosrosubs . . .

      Dweller approached Traveler’s cottage carrying Mal-Nai.  The wedge greeted him and took Mal-Nai inside to her room.  Her wounds were cleaned and re-bandaged as Wee-One and Nom-Mee eagerly waited outside.
      Wee-One asked Dweller, “Is she OK?  Please tell us something.”
      “Yes, please, tell us.  How is she doing?” asked Nom-Mee.
     “She had a difficult time.  Poppie had to come to help her.  She needed a new heart,” said Dweller.
      “Her name is now Lan-Oea,” said Wee-One and Nom-Mee.
Nom-Mee said, “Lan-Oea will need the new heart to help her for the rough journey ahead.  She is stronger than all of us, even after all we have been through.  I doubt she will want to quit like the rest of us.  Her heart will keep her strong.”  Wee-One and Nom-Mee crept into Mal-Nai’s room.  The wedge could not believe all three were in the same room.  Wee-One had been growing weaker, but with the arrival of Mal-Nai she found strength she did not know she had.
      Traveler sought out Mal-Nai to confirm she was indeed who she said she was.  “You still doubt our identities,” said Nom-Mee.  “You are tasked with our protection and yet, you fail to trust your own heart.  How are we to trust you with our heart?  How long have we worked to trust ourselves?  Now, we must work to trust you, as well?”