Autumn slowly opened her eyes and rolled over onto her side. She could hear Curt's voice.

"Salt on your eggs, Colton?" Curt asked.

"Yeah, just a bit though," Colton replied.

Autumn slowly sat up in the bed, yawned, and stretched. Paul was sitting at the small table by the window eating breakfast. Curt handed Colton his plate.

"Hey, sleepyhead, want some breakfast?" Curt asked Autumn.

"Sure, what's on the menu?" Autumn answered.

"Oh, just some eggs and a bit o' bacon with toast," Paul chimed in.

Curt brought Autumn a plate and then sat on the chair next to her bed, diving into his own funny face made of two sunny sides, a bacon unibrow, and a triangular toast mouth with a strawberry jelly tongue.

"Thank you, Curt," Autumn said.

"He's not a bad cook when he puts his mind to it," Colton praised.

The companions ate in silence for a while before Curt finally realized that he had forgotten something.

"Hey, I never really introduced you all to Autumn, did I? I'm sorry...well, Paul...Colton...this is Autumn! She's the woman I told you I met at the restaurant across the street. She saved my life last night! An ahriman knocked me off the roof, but Autumn caught me just in time! It was a miracle! Hey, Colton, I invited her to join our caravan...would that be ok?" Curt said quickly.

"She saved your life, huh? Well, any friend of Curt's is a friend of mine! I don't see why not. We could use all the help we can get...especially now that we've lost a dear friend..." Colton stared out the window quietly.

"Are we really going to continue on, Colton?" Paul broke the silence.

"Well..." Colton began.

"We have to continue on...Brighton is counting on us!" Curt interrupted.

"Yes...Curt is right...except that you three will be continuing on alone. I'm pretty bad off. I'll need to heal up here, and then I will return to Brighton with Buddy. We can't afford to dilly dally here any longer. Life waits for no one...the same goes for myrrh," Colton said as he set his plate of unfinished food down on the nightstand beside the bed.

"You really think we can journey on alone?" Paul questioned.

"Well, you all did well last night, didn't ya?" Colton chuckled. "But all the same, it may be best to look for help. I saw a man dressed all in black fighting alongside us last night. He seem to be quite skilled...a kind of mercenary or something I'm thinking. You'd do well to go look for him, Curt. I'm leaving you in charge of the caravan now. Can you handle that?"

"Of course, Colton! I won't let you down...I won't let Brighton down," Curt said proudly.

"You all better get a move on then. Remember you need droplets from three myrrh trees," Colton instructed.

"Don't worry, Colton. We remember all of our training...right, Paul?" Curt assured.

"That's right. Nothing to it!" Paul agreed.

"I like that spirit, but don't get cocky! Be cautious and keep your wits about you. Autumn, watch out for these two eager beavers," Colton chided.

"I will, Colton. You take care of yourself too," Autumn replied.

Curt bode everyone farewell and then set off in search of the man in black. Autumn helped Paul tidy up the room, and then she returned home to prepare for her new adventure with the caravan. Paul and Colton were left alone.

"What do you think happened last night, Colton?" Paul asked.

"I'm not sure, Paul," Colton answered.

"Have monsters ever attacked a city before?" Paul inquired.

"I have heard of only a very few attacks like this," Colton replied.

"I wish Buddy was still ali—" Paul's voice faltered.

"He gave his life protecting others...a most noble gift..." Colton reflected.

Paul nodded as he walked over to Colton. He then put his hand out for a firm shake, said farewell, and left to gather supplies for the journey.