Roder watched me stomp my feet with an eagerness to break the silence already.
Darah and Rina were no less helping the agitation. Anxiety lay their face for which I had no understanding to.

"How far is that?" Darah asked. "A month?"

"Less," Rodar winced. "If all goes well. It is less."
I understood his bitter countenance as well; a host of army crossing through their lands held its good and bad. Sales of food to the men would profit greatly. But at times as they were, the worst too could happen.

This was a situation of strong uncertainty.

My ill feeling for the news however was different. I was troubled, aye I was weary. The report was in fact tormenting. Help was verily coming for my enemy.

Dakor's force had seemed unstoppable once...by the heavens, with such help coming, the dying man would sprout back with vigorous vision. They could conquer Hamdire and sack all the surrounding villages. The last thing my heart could bare was seeing Dakor with power again.

"Well then," Calous, the cowled man who had brought the tidings stood up. "I say we leave the village for few days. Wait till they cross, then return back." he pouted.

"No," Darah turned to him with strong retort. "We can't leave. Where would we go?" ambivalence hung her features, as a criminal to his death stake.

"Where to go isn't the greatest of our trouble. Haven to leave is the first challenge we must conquer." Callous told.

"How can we leave..." she grimaced.

"Callous is right." Rodar tore in strongly. His intrusion was rigid. Darah felt it sourly.

"We can't remain on this land while the host comes. We all know what they want...they seek to bring calamity on all of Kedrone in time." He nodded darkly.
"We would have to gather all the workers and their families...and food for a whole season."

"Where would we go?" Darah asked worriedly.

"The capital city perhaps. It appears the safest place for now." Rodar told.

"It would be difficult securing a place in the capital city. A lot of people would be marching down there too." Darah retorted.

"Then we must leave in time." Callous told.

"Or you all could come South." the low airy voice forced deep silence. The lady!
"The capital, if the enemies gain grounds in the Kingdom, would be there next target point. My home on the other hand is void of war, and in fact ready to accommodate just as much as you." She told.

I knew nothing of this woman nor her home. I was silent. I would neither support nor object her opinion. But what home did she really speak of? Who was this lady even?

"Are you sure?" Darah turned to her.
The elderly woman seemed already acquainted to this ladies fables.

"Of course." she maintained.

"Then you must prepare to go home...with my family." Rodar addressed her with the deepest interest.

"And you?" she pouted.

"I can't leave the North, its where my entirety is rooted." he nodded distressingly.

"You could always return home." I tore in now.
I wonder why I spoke now...but something did prick me that safety could come from her suggestion.

"My dear," he clasped his hands upon mine. "I wish you understand." He smiled dryly.

"Then I shall remain as well." Darah stood up.

"And I as well." Callous jabbed his chest.

"What?" The lady was dumbfounded. "Tell them this is war. They gamble their lives on the wager that the enemies would be crushed." she turned to me.

"Its deeper than you can imagine, my dear." Rodar moved to her. He felt sorry, for haven to disappoint her.

"Then I suppose I alone journeys South." she boomed disappointedly.

"Not you alone." Rodar turned to me impulsively. I looked back at him with a question gaze.

"Dorack," the old man finally summoned courage to address me.
"What say you...how shall your faring be?"
His piercing stare was urging me to speak.

"I feared coming to Kedrone was my curse. I shall have no peace alas," I sighed. "I have to join this fight again, and be rid of that monster once and for all."
The lady was the first to shoot the surprise gaze.

"You can only be cursed if you choose it. You can turn away from this life and leave the North and Dakor with it. The man would eventually die...if its death you seek for him." Rodar held my right shoulder. But I was grim. They couldn't persuade me otherwise.

"Dorack son, you don't have to join this war." Darah's eyes were filled with deep concern. I appreciated her worry...but my heart was sealed.

"You seem conflicted brother," Callous tore in. "What do you say? How is your answer? North or South?" He gestured with open arms.

"Rina can not head South alone. She would need an escort -- one experienced to the road and skilled." Darah held the lady by the hand.

"I wish to help, but..." I tried to form a right apology, only to be interrupted...

"I would go South, with or without your aid. But I invite you to accompany me home. Am certain you would never forget the experience." She spoke with dark enticing grace.

"Besides," she continued. "I'll be paying in full for your services," I leaned forward to grasp the juicy price she was yet to offer. "Three hundred silver shekels."