Lan-Oea lay motionless among the fallen rocks with the forceful nor’easter swirling about her.  It seemed this would be the last of her as she labored with each beat of her heart to draw a breath.  The earth trembled as she continued to struggle.  The trees danced along with the whistling clouds streaming by.  The sun would soon be seen, yet she did not move.
     The rocks surrounded Lan-Oea and would shortly consume her, as Traveler and Dweller ascended along the trek.  Nags glanced upward as Yeinar approached him.  Bags joined them, “I found a small hut along the river to lodge for a bit.”
     As they arrived to rest for the day, they opened the door to find Traveler and Dweller placing food on the table.  Gruashe stopped, “What are you doing here?  Is Mal-Nai alright?  Shouldn’t you be with her?”
     “She, Nom-Mee, and Wee-One are safely in the cottage.  Lan-Oea has been continuing on the journey alone.  We needed to find you so you could aid us in the search for her,” said Traveler.
     “What do you think we have been doing all of this time,” questioned Yeinar.  “First, she left us then she was taken!  How will your plan differ from the one we have tried?”
     “I have searched throughout the land and have not been able to find her,” Bags replied.
Nags shouted, “Hey, where is Terba?”
     “Now, we have to search for her as well,” Gruashe was concerned about the provider of his meals.
     Terba set out in the moonlight.  She soared among the skylights keeping a steady eye in hopes of being reunited with her precious one.  “I must locate and secure her safety before he realizes I have disappeared.”  She continued to look into the night as she stared the room appeared and the figure loomed over.
     Rock Monster charged, “You WILL watch over her and report to me all that you know.  I can make your life miserable.”
     “I cannot betray her father.  I made a promise,” Terba pleaded.
     “When was the last time you saw your mate?”
     “Wait! You cannot hurt him.”
     “So, we have an agreement, whispered Rock Monster.
     Terba nodded in agreement . . .

     Nom-Mee settled into the comfy bed next to Wee-One as they continued to hum along with the ballet as they sang the healing lullaby.  Mal-Nai sat near the two humming souls still concerned about Lan-Oea.  “Do you think she wants us to come to her side?”
Wee-One grimaced, “I really want to help her, but we must trust her as she has trusted us.”
     “We have remained safe which means she is striving along the path toward our goal,” added Nom-Mee.
     The three cuddled together as the ballet sang softly until the girls drifted off to sleep.  Drip, drop, drip, drop, the water gathered together as it raced toward the peak to tumble gracefully bouncing on the cliffs skipping along each outcropping scattering as they gather as a family joining in the lagoon below.  The gentle roar could be heard echoing throughout the valley.  The soothing sound calmed the hearts and slowed their breathing.  His voice an ever-present reminder of the love held so closely, yet so fleeting.
     The story flowed evenly as they listened intently.  This was the sweetest prose ever composed.  This is the very definition of safety and security.  They felt more protected than any time in the past.  How could they keep this feeling lasting beyond this moment?
     Lightening crashed and the resounding thunder shook the rocks beyond the beautiful waterfall.  The tumbling stones fell from the walls rolling across the floor of the cave.  Boulders piled upon boulders colliding into each other as the mountain screamed with the pain of bones crushing . . .

“With each note, I further sealed her fate,” Terba trembled.  “It ends now.  I will no longer betray my charge.”  She knew Rock Monster would be looking for her message this evening.  “If I stay, I leave everyone to continue to have to live in terror as to when he will strike back.”  As the spectrum of color surrounded the squad, Terba hid at the edge of the mountain and slid unnoticed into the darkness.  She walked many lengths until she came upon an abandoned dwelling near a small lake still in the moonlight that shimmered along the surface.
     Terba rested until the following nightfall.  She prepared a simple meal longing for her child to be near her.  Resting throughout the day, Terba took flight as sunlight faded from sight.  Rising slowly in the breeze, she flew, not toward the assigned spot, but facing the path she felt her soul, her precious, precious soul had traversed.  Searching with each sweep of the wind, hoping above all that she will be safe.
     Traveler and Dweller came to the woods beyond the river, as the path became steep and rocky he stood before them.  Each jumped at the sight and thought, “What now?”
     “Pardon me, sirs, I do not mean to intrude upon your hike,” Ralgam politely spoke.  “Gentlemen, I have been dispatched to inform you of the latest findings.  While Lan-Oea is progressing along on her path, her previous taunters have returned.  She has attempted in vain to battle them, but have succumbed to their ravages.  My comrades have been monitoring her.  She has fallen into a trance, a deep trance.  We do not know how to help her awaken.”

     “Lan-Oea, we have longed for your company and now you do not wish us to leave as before,” gloated Gemkai’akai.  “How is it you have been able to survive in misery without us?”
     “Look at her!  She did not triumph.  She is weaker than when we left her.  She wears a façade,” taunted Zegbuk.
     “Ah, how right you are,” celebrated Skadzib.  “Her body carries many scars even with me around.”
     Taladmoord sighed heavily, “My, my, my, I hear you have given up time and time again.  This does cause my heart to leap with joy.”
     “It is not your time, Bindini.  You must leave me,” pushed Lan-Oea.  She attempted to argue, but Bindini knew there was no point.  Backing away slowly, she turned toward the rising moon.
     Lan-Oea snickered at the assembly before attempting to depart on her own.  Taladmoord blocked her path.  Once again, she tried to move, but the others had attacked her from behind slamming her to the ground.  Wanting desperately to scream, but noise was not there.  Closing her eyes, she escaped to “her” place to hide.
     Water splattered over the boulders, tripping and dancing along the way.  It was music to her ears.  It laughed and sung with each additional splash.  Soon, she could hear it the voice, that voice, the only thing that would comfort her when she felt lost and alone.
      The words turned into a melody so familiar a single tear made its way down her cheek.  With all of her might, she tried to force her eyes to open fearing at the same time this precious tune would disappear.  Nothing moved, the harder she tried, each muscle refused its job.
     Silence engulfed them as they marveled at the sight.  How Terba longed for her precious one to share in this symphony of color . . .

Bags dove to catch him before he could drop the only torch.  “Easy, my friend we want everyone to be safe.  How much further?  It is growing colder in this darkness.  Do you know where we will egress?  We must stop soon to eat and rest.”
     Yeinar cleared his throat, “Is that a light I see ahead?  Have we been discovered?”
     “No, no, my comrades, it is the halbs.  They come in a large swarm to rest in the moonlight,” Gruashe expressed.
     As the crew stepped away from the stairwell, they discovered the beaming ground carpeted with the beautiful halbs.  Cleinags sneezed causing the sky to brighten with their fluttering wings.  Terba sniffled to hold back her tears, “Oh, I miss my precious one.  She would have loved this sight.  How could I have sought to injury her?” she sobbed to herself.
     Bags took flight to seek a place of refuge for the others.  She began soar higher as her stomach sang its own tune.  She quickly found a cave, but continued her search for her tender love . . .

“Klon, where are you?  How could you abandon me like this?”  She rose gingerly from her position so as not to disturb the brightly colored night halbs settling in for the cool evening breezes.  Their glowing wings fluttered with the wind as she tiptoed around these precious creatures.
     Mal-Nai entered the cottage to the lilting sounds of the healing lullaby.  She was confused by the choice of the song.  Was someone sick, lost, afraid?  She feared someone my need her help and she had been lost in her own miserable thoughts as words from Taladmoord clouded her entire brain.
     Wee-One looked toward the door to see her walk in as the Glad moon’s rays shone behind her.  Mal-Nai was quickly embraced by Wee-One.  “How is it everyone is singing this song?  Who needs help?  You needed to get me so I could assist,” Mal-Nai questioned.
     With tears streaming down her face, Nom-Mee spoke, “We were afraid for you, but you returned prior to the full rising of the Glad moon.  We sang in hopes of surrounding you with its words of hope, healing, and comfort.  It worked!  You came before the peak.”
     “She is in grave danger!” exclaimed Mal-Nai.  “Where is Traveler and Dweller?  They must go to her, now!”
     Klon responded, “They have left and we do not know where they are.”
     Gruashe slipped and began to stumble, trying to grasp a rail, a branch, something . . .

      Bindini stretched out her arms.  These arms weathered the by the sun with sinew, tendons, and thew covered a gentle, benevolent spirit.  Lan-Oea quavered and shuddered at this sight.  Before she could speak, “I am here to keep you safe,” comforted Bindini.  “You must leave her alone,” she told Skadzib, Gemkai’akai, Zegbuk, and Taladmoord.  “Now is the time to work toward health as apposed to death and destruction.  Lan-Oea is not your enemy.  Your temptations will not be heard.”
     “Taladmoord has been my lone friend during many troubling days.  He was my only escape from the oppressive qualm and woefulness.  He sang sweet tunes to abate my fears allowing me to step forward.  How can I send him away?
     “Skadzib releases my angst when my heart seems to leap out of my chest with each beat.  Oh, Zegbuk, my multi-level companion numbing those emotions that whelm me to the point I cannot form a sentence.  At least, with him, I have courage to ignore those who dwell in the basement.  Gemkai’akai keeps me straight and calm in the midst of the chaos.  Please do not banish these confidants.  They mean merely to protect the abashed ones, but at times, harm others in the process.”
     “Ah, so lovely to hear your accolades and musings of missing us, especially me,” whispered Taladmoord, “I can be here to squelch those noisy neighbors once again.  How shall we assist you today?”
     Yeinar was consumed with his sadness as he ruminated to himself, “My own love, how can I help you remember my heart for you?  I have longed for an interlude, a moment, in which I can help you realize you true identity.  I remember our times of frolicking through the meadows and beautiful forests before, before he came and the memories were wiped in one instant.”
     The Glad moon began to creep slowly upwards, Mal-Nai’s eyes darted back and forth searching for compassion, for help, for solace from the heaviness that engulfed her . . .

I fought against the guards as much as I could.  As they drug me through the forest, I gripped and grabbed any and everything I could.  I heard it snap and then . . . then, it happened.  I caused the curse of the entire land.  If she discovers it, how will she ever forgive me?”
     Nags slowly felt his way along the wall.  “I must tell someone we are not seeking to heal Mal-Nai, Nom-Mee, Wee-One, or whoever she is at this time.  We are seeking to find her daddy and heal him.”
     Bags made an attempt to try to fly instead of walk, but the passageway was too narrow.    “That day, that awful, awful day it was a flash then I had these as she looked down at her webbed feet.  I spun around and he . . . was . . . gone.  Will I ever find him?  My love I fear is lost forever, I fear.  Each day I take to the skies, I truly search for him as I soar.  Yet, I do not know his form.  What will happen with him?”
     Terba’s soul filled with grief and guilt.  “I have sent messages to Rock Monster daily.  She trusted me!  I will be forever known as Terba, the tergiversate (tur-ji-ver-seyt)!  I cannot believe I have threatened her safety all along!  How can I seek a new path and help us all escape?”

Each wondered in secret despair as the group wanted to lift her off the bridge to carry her to the comfy bed, but they would not force her.  Mal-Nai must decide on her own to return.
     Lan-Oea yelled in her head, “I am safe.  I am safe.  I am safe,” as if to conjure her secret spot before her eyes in which to find refuge.  “I cannot do this alone.  I do not know how.  Poppie said I must do it alone, but I cannot find the strength he said I had,” she mulled to herself.  Just as she was about to give into the temptations before her, Bindini (bend-den-ee) appeared amongst them.
     The others followed Yeinar and Gruashe through the opening carrying their provisions for the expedition each feared what might be around the next corner as they descended into the discovered as a fraud of a leader and his true feelings were uncovered.  Gruashe cautiously led the others as a lump appeared in his throat.  “How would they treat me if the crew knew I was the true brother of their sworn leader?”

     “I think you need to eat this,” shouted Gemkai’akai (gim-key-ā-koo) as she held up the forbidden fruits from the kingdom’s hidden cellar.   Lan-Oea remembers eating them as a youngster and when Rock Monster discovered her, she was punished for stealing and forced only to eat food that would not “make you look like a nehlem (neigh-lamb).”  Lan-Oea began to shake as she backed away from Gemkai’akai.
     “No, take this,” Skadzib (sky-dab) yelled while wielding a meif (mafe).  Lan-Oea jumped as she saw it glint in the moonlight.
     “Why are you doing this?  I have done nothing to you,” she responded in shock.
     “Wait,” Zegbuk (zage-book) said teasingly, “When did we stop being friends?”
     “You can no longer hide from us.  You have ignored us for far too long.  Don’t you remember how we helped you?”  Taladmoord (tall-ad-ma-erd) cooed silently in her ear as he led the others to come closer.  He was their leader and seemed the most powerful of all.
     Lan-Oea drew her weapons, but was unable to maintain control as she continued to quiver violently.  She willed herself not to cry, but to stand firm in her mlooks that covered her newly healed feet.  She struggled to speak, to say something, anything, but no air could escape her ever-tightening chest as her heart raced so loudly she was sure the attackers could hear.  They came closer, encircling her trembling form.  She wanted to yell, to scream stop, to force them to leave, but she was frozen as she was flooded with memories she had labored so frantically to forget.
      Klon sang softly and slowly the healing lullaby in hopes to retrieve Mal-Nai from her trance.  Soon the ballet joined as they circled the Alpha moon in full flight.  Wee-One quietly joined in as she gently swayed back and forth reaching to Nom-Mee for support.  “We are safe.  We are safe.  We are safe,” Nom-Mee whispered.
     The Alpha moon darkened as the skylights danced before them.  Presently the Glad moon would appear.  Was it too late, now?

     Wee-One ran out of the cottage desperately looking for Nom-Mee.  Klon met her at the door to comfort her.  “Where is Nom-Mee?  I must find her,” Wee-One spoke rapidly as Klon attempted to calm her.
     “Have you looked under her the bed, her favorite spot?  We should try there,” Klon responded.
They both raced to the comfy bed.  Wee-One crawled under as Klon spoke encouraging words, “You are a strong person.  You can do this.  Do not give up, now.”
     Wee-One laid next to Nom-Mee as she rocked back and forth.  Wee-One sang the healing lullaby softly in her ear.  Klon left to search for Traveler and nearly trampled him in the passageway.  “What is your rush, Klon?”
     “I . . . I . . . I was lo . . . looking for you.  She is upset, but all are singing the healing lullaby.  I think she is afraid and she might need your help.  Where is Dweller?  Why are you leaving now?  Don’t they need you?”
     Gruashe felt through the stone face looking for something, but he did not know exactly what “it” was, but was sure he would settle when he found the mark.  “Hey, hey, I feel something between the boulders!  I think this is the mark I left.  It, it shows the secret passage door, but I, I cannot push it.  I need help.”
     Yeinar and Nags ran to assist.  All three worked together to depress the stubborn lever.  As each groaned with the struggle, it did not budge.  Mags joined in the fight.  Finally, landed atop the melee and a puff of a dust cloud escaped as pebbles shifted and fell to the ground.
     Metal screeched as the door slowly opened as the crew stumbled to the earth below.  The door seemed to lead to an endless, dark pit.  Gruashe lit a torch and carefully crept forward.  He tripped on the first step and began to tumble.  Yeinar caught him before he dropped further into the cavern.
     Wee-One and Nom-Mee joined Mal-Nai on the bridge.  Wee-One hung her head as she sat near Klon.  “How long has she been out here?  We are very sad.  What is wrong?”
     Klon replied, “She is giving up.  She no longer believe in hope.  I found her like this as the Alpha moon rose over the river.  I am afraid if we do not go in before the rising of the Glad moon, we will never be able to help her.”
     “Traveler and Dweller have been sent on a mission without us,” said Wee-One.  We do not know what they are doing or where they are trekking.”
     Lan-Oea looked at the moon and “sparkling rocks,” as she called the skylights as a child.  OK, Poppie, I need your guidance.  I do not know how to do this without you.”  As she spoke to the skylights, three small figures silently trotted in front of her.  She was so intensely searching for some secret pattern in the sparkling rocks, she was unaware of the visitors until they began chattering amongst themselves.  “OH! When did you arrive?  How did you get here? Where did you come from?”

     Yeinar bounded to his feet with the first rumble.  He tried to wake the crew to help them escape, but as they ran toward the cave’s entrance, he observed the boulder seal the cave.  “OK, Gruashe, do you know another way out of this mess?”
     Yeinar thought to himself, “If this was Rock Monster, he thinks Mal-Nai is still with us.  If, indeed, her name is still Mal-Nai.  It will surely take a miracle to get us out now.”
     Gruashe sensed Yeinar’s despair, “I know all seems hopeless, but somehow we have managed to escape our tough spots before.  I doubt this was Rock Monster, although it does seem curious, the closer we get to my house, the more tragic things seem to happen preventing us from our goal and keeping us from finding Terba’s ‘Precious Wee-One.’”
     “Let me see.  I do recall this was a place that was familiar,” Gruashe said to himself as he began to search through the rocks . . .

     Nom-Nee, Wee-One, Mal-Nai, and Lan-Oea at once said, “Broken promises give me no hope . . .”
     Bit by bit, piece by peace.
     My hope is stolen.
     This thief has many
     Faces, many names.
 
     It comes in beauty,
     But leaves deep scars.
     “My name is love,”
     It says, but leaves
     Fear and terror in its wake.
 
     “I am here,”
     It says, but
     When needed the
     Message is demanded,
     Abandonment ignored or laughed away.
 
     “Expectations are too high,”
     It says.
     Stop hoping,
     Stop believing,
     Just give up!
     There is no need to continue.
 
     Lan-Oea stood to discover she no longer had deformed feet and did not need a pebble to see them.  Her eyes saw things more clearly than the others.  She had more trust in Poppie and knew she must trust her mission to him, not to herself.  This is why she is still tired.  She tried for too long to walk the path on her own . . .

     Nom-Mee said, “My pain goes deeper than my new heart.  It is my soul, Klon.  My soul is not clean.  It is beyond help.  There is no hope.”
     Wee-One woke screaming.  She was inconsolable.  Members of the bevy sought Dweller, but he could not be found.  She kept repeating, “No hope, no hope, there is no hope for me.”
     Traveler awoke to the commotion and began looking for Mal-Nai.  His search was in vain for he instinctively knew where she was.  Mal-Nai had required refuge in her spot under the bed as she repetitively stated the familiar phrase, “I am safe, I am safe, I am safe . . .”
     Lan-Oea arose and found she was alone in the cottage.  The familiar feeling came deep in her stomach.  She dare not think it.  Not this time, He promised.  She knew he was real.
His very heart caused the lifeblood to course through her body.  How . . . how . . . how could it be true?  Yet, she looked around and she, indeed, was . . . ALONE.  This time no waterfall could be a refuge.
     At a lost, Lan-Oea gathered her pack and weapons to forge on the path.  “I must save the others on my own.”  The trek seemed different this time.
     Lan-Oea continued her nightly hike and then stumbled falling.  For the first time, she could not find the strength to stand.  She tried once, twice, finding a boulder nearby, she leaned against it.  She pushed harder, pulling, tugging, struggling, but failing.  She yelled out, “THERE IS NO HOPE.  WHAT HOPE IS THERE FOR SOMEONE LIKE ME?”  Finally, in desperation, she yelled to no one in particular, “So, I guess this means Rock Monster wins since I have no strength to go forth!  Your promises mean NOTHING!”
     Her feet less steady, she could not find her balance.  Once again, she wished for her m’looks.  She stumbled and the contents of her pack strewed across the path in front of her.
     Lan-Oea attempted and failed numerous times to stand.  Finally, she crawled about gathering the insides of her rucksack carefully replacing each.  One by one, she mindlessly returned the items.  Until her hands touched them . . . could it be . . . really . . . they have been here all along?
     She slipped her m’looks on her deformed feet and stood.  Loading the remainder of her belongings, she still felt discouraged, with the feeling of rejection in the pit of her stomach . . .

     Mal-Nai buried her head in her hands and stated, “This brings up a lot of pain, but I am not afraid of it at the moment.  There are many times I am.  I want to run and hide behind my magic curtain to listen to my brother read and I will be safe again.  I know it is only an illusion.  Even at the time, it was.
     “There is no such thing as safety.  It is all smoke and mirrors.  Those appointed charge over me failed miserably.  Even my loving brother left the mantle to me.  I bore the weight the best I could until I failed my brother as well.
     “The gig was up.  They saw beyond the curtain and I was seen as a fraud.  Yet, no one would dare take my stead.  There was no one waiting to rescue.  It was still left to me to provide safety for those around me.
     “No one was there to even hold my hand.  Had I become a leper?  Would everything I touch now die?  I dare not allow anyone close for fear they would leave me as well.”
     Yeinar laughed as he welcomed Gruashe into the camp.  Gruashe was still reeling from the thought of being accepted.  Yeinar slapped him on the back causing Gruashe to begin to cough as he continued to choke back his tears.
     Terba said, “I must admit I thought you had killed us for sure, but I was the one who is to blame for the whole thing.  I am so afraid for my precious child.  I forget to be concerned about myself or any of you.”  Terba began to weep as she apologized.
     The crewmembers surrounded her to assure her they forgave her.  “We have all been selfish and thought only of this journey,” said Nags.  Bags nodded in agreement.
     “We must work as one, if we are to find Mal-Nai,” said Yeinar.  “Do you know the way to go from here, Gruashe?”
     “Yes, yes, I do,” said Gruashe firmly.  “Now, that we are almost to the base of Mount Glekny, my mountain, I most assuredly can show you the way.  I know the shortest way to my family’s home.”
     Nags said, “How long has it been since you have been on this path?”
     “Well, uh, yes, I guess, perhaps, I suppose, it has been a long time.  I was taken as a very small boy, so it has been quite some time, but I do have a good memory.  I marked trees, rocks, and cliff faces.  I have made the climb a million times in my daydreams.”  Everyone was satisfied with his explanation and set out to search for shelter for the night.
     Terba prepared Latbedyz (lat-beads) for breakfast because it was Gruashe’s favorite.  He gave her a big hug for making such a special treat for him.  He was so happy, he even helped clean without being asked.
     Bags stoked the fire before she stretched out her bed.  Yeinar dug through his pack to find his writings he had begun keeping when he remembered Mal-Nai had memories of him.  Nags fell asleep quickly.  Gruashe straightened things and fell asleep dreaming of home.  Terba, as always, was the last to bed down in the cave they had selected.
     Shortly before they were to wake, pebbles began to fall from the ceiling as the walls shook.  The shaking became violent as a giant rock fell in front of the entrance of the cave . . .

​     Mal-Nai sat quietly in the comfy bed listening to her new heart beat.  How, she wondered, could she have allowed the Janimgly to attack her yet again and this time take her heart?  What would have happened had Poppie not been there to save her.  “I am so weak.  I can never stand on my own.  I am such a fool!”  Mal-Nai buried her head in her hands and she continued to berate herself.  “I failed.  I was unable to complete the mission as assigned.  What is to become of me?  What is my purpose, now?  I do not belong here.  I am worthless.”
     Mal-Nai waited until the night fell and she left the cabin.  She walked along the river and came upon a bridge.  She found herself walking across and stopping in the middle.  She sat down with her legs dangling over the side.  Klon sat next to her, “Not like this, Mal-Nai.  You are brave.  You are strong.  You are letting Rock Monster win.”

     As the crew arrived safely opposite of the ridge, each settled in for the day in the cave Gruashe had found for their shelter.  Nags asked Ralgam, “Do you suppose you could have given us a little bit more of a warning about the rushing water?  We almost drowned.  You can fly so I understand it is not a problem for you, but for those of us that are earth-bound, it would be nice to have a further notice next time.”
     Ralgam almost stated his worn out sentiment, but decided against it this time.  Bags and he discussed the best route to take from this point further given that neither had ever flown this far north.  Gruashe joined in the discussion, but stated he could remember names of places, but not exact locations.  He was such a young sprout when he was taken.  He admitted he only remembers shadows…

     “Excuse me, sir,” came the annoyingly polite tone from Ralgam.  However, it was not heard above the cacophony and revelry of the crew as at last they were reunited, at least this part of them.  “Pardon, me, might I have a moment of your time,” Ralgam attempted once again.  Still, it fell on deaf ears.  For his third attempt, Ralgam, dared to pick up one of Terba’s pots and spoons and bang them loudly together.  At that, the crew stood in silence, for no one had ever touched Terba’s things without permission.  Before anyone could utter a sound, Ralgam promptly stated, “Now, that I have your attention, would you kindly turn your faces to the rear and look at the water rushing toward you across the plain that was forewarned.”  With that, no one cared about who touched anything, but rapidly gathered everything and RAN!

      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?”

     Poppie sat quietly on the floor next to the bed and softly sang the healing lullaby.  Lan-Oea continued to weep as she wanted to leave her safe place, but was fearful.  She did not want to move closer she knew Poppie knew where she was, so she stayed.  “Lan-Oea, I am here when you are ready,” said Poppie.  “I will not rush you.”
     Lan-Oea slowly inched forward to listen to Poppie.  “Help me, Poppie, I am afraid to do this on my own,” she cried.  Poppie helped her and then held her close as she continued to cry.  “I do not know how to feel safe.  Will you help me?”
     Poppie leaned in to wipe her tears as he asked the inevitable question, “Are these tears of love?”
     As Lan-Oea cried deeper still, she shook her head and said, “Trust.  I trust you, Poppie.  I just want to be able to trust myself and others.”  She stayed with Poppie as he stroked her face and hair.  She willed herself to stopped crying, but it did not work as her tears turned to sobs.  “Poppie, when will the tears stop?  I so do not feel safe, even here with you.”  Poppie rocked her as she fell back to sleep.  He held her gently until she awoke again . . .

       Poppie prepared a meal for Klon who was still distraught for not protecting Mal-Nai.  Klon wondered what she would do now.  Her only job had been to protect Mal-Nai and now she was gone.  Gone, that word seemed so foreign to Klon.  Mal-Nai was always there; Klon would stay in the shadows to leap into action, if needed.  “The one time she needed me and I failed her.”  Klon collapsed from the day’s events and slept where she sat.
       Lan-Oea (lan-way) awoke to voices coming from downstairs.  Again, fear crept in as she found once again suppressing herself under the assumed safety of the bed.  She lay there crying and shivering disparaging that once more she began doubting that she would ever feel secure in the world.  “Who is there to trust?  Each person wants to hurt me and keep me guessing.  Why must I keep trying to figure out what someone is thinking?”
      Klon crept up the stairs to look for Lan-Oea.  She found Poppie and told him that Lan-Oea could not be found.  Poppie knew just where to look for her, but he warned Klon to remain calm, as she was still weak even though she would assure them she was ready for any battle that lay ahead . . .

      Dweller could not get close to Mal-Nai because of the zatmeid.  He had to find a way to get it out of the cottage.  Dweller opened all the doors and windows in hopes that it would leave.  It zigged and zagged its way out of the door.  Dweller quickly closed all of the doors and windows, but the zatmeid stayed outside of the door bouncing back and forth standing guard.
      Dweller ran to care for Mal-Nai, but feared he may be too late.  He saw that her left arm was nearly severed.  There was a large gash that began in the middle of her forehead across her right eye down her check  to her jaw.  She had lost a lot of blood.  He was alone and he was not sure how he could do this without any help.
     He thought of the pebble, but he was not sure how it worked.  Dweller began bandaging Mal-Nai’s wounds.  He placed the pebble in her right hand, but nothing happened.  So, he tried it in her left hand.  The pebble began to glow.  He noticed there was another pebble in her pocket.  Dweller took it out and placed it in her left hand.  As both pebbles began to glow, Mal-Nai’s wounds stopped bleeding.  Soon the pebbles faded and the glow disappeared.  He investigated and found that her heart was missing . . .
      Dweller knelt beside her praying and crying.  “How could this happened?  You were supposed to be protected.  I knew I should not have left you alone.”
     “OK, Klon, let me in,” came the voice from outside.  “What has been going on?  You were supposed to protect her.”
      Klon answered rapidly, “I tried, I did, she trapped me and then, he came, he got to her, I tried, honest, I tried . . .”
      Dweller opened the door to see Poppie holding one hand over the struggling Klon’s mouth while trying to keep her still in the other.  “Yes, yes, I know. You tried your hardest.  It is time for you to sit.  I know you did your best.”
       “The Janimgly got her!  I tried to stop him,” yelled Klon.  “I could not catch him.  What are we going to do?”
       “I thought I told you to sit,” said Poppie.  “Dweller, take me to her.”
       “She is not good, Poppie.  I have never seen her like this.  I tried, but I cannot do anything.  Her heart is missing.”  Dweller paced as he spoke.
      “The Janimgly took it,” yelled Klon.
      Poppie glared back at her as he knelt beside Mal-Nai and kissed her left hand and then her right that held the pebbles making them glow momentarily.  She opened her eyes briefly and whispered in his ear, “I cannot give you my heart.  I need your heart,” as a single tear streamed down her check.  “I need your love,” she whispered again.  Poppie reached into his own chest and retrieved a portion of his heart placing it carefully inside Mal-Nai.
      Dweller took the lifeless body as Poppie motioned for him.  This time he would have no report for wee-one or nom-mee.  How will she survive?  Dweller cried for he knew his journey back would be long and sad.  How does she trust him?