The darkness of the night covered the people who escaped the destruction of Nosgrid. They have been running for almost three hours without rest just to run from the pursuing Vigardian army who were ordered by Demophoon to kill the Prince of Nosgrid whom they are carrying with them. Eilaer ordered the people to set up camp for the night. He had carried with him a total of 35 women and children and an escort of 25 Nosgridian troops armed with broadswords, shields, and bows and arrows. Eilaer, himself, carried a broadsword but he is more adept with being an archer. However, since they are running out of arrows, he is mastering sword fighting.

The civilians were all saddened of their fate. They didn’t realize that this is what will happen to their formerly glorious kingdom. All their lives, they spent with such splendour under the protection of the power of Nosgrid. Though they lost a lot of battles, but their victories outnumbered their defeats, and they know how to handle such event.

“Sir, your orders for firewood are already here,” reported a Nosgridian soldier.

“Thank you. Now, start a fire. But we have to maintain a full alert watch for the night. Who knows there could be more Vigardians out there,” replied Eilaer.

The soldiers understood. They then sent parties to gather firewood while the civilians prepared a stewed deer for dinner which the soldiers hunted just before they found this place. It took another hour before the search party returned with loads of firewood. They then started the fire and another troop guard was told to keep watch on the perimeter.

The forest where they made camp is a very dense one; perfect for them to make camp without being seen. The thickness of the forest made the safety of the refugees possible. This forest was a site of a historical battle unknown to the people with the presence of the unburied bodies which were believed to have been killed in battle. These bodies were of unknown race. The weapons and armours found on the bodies were from an unknown origin.

After they had their fill of food and water, the refugees then went to rest. Eilaer volunteered that he will be one of the parties who will keep watch on the camp. His sense of duty for the people kept him alert for everything that may harm them. He still remembers what Themis had told him to protect the people who he will lead to safety. And every time he remembers it, he would lament on the loss of both his Lord and Queen. Every time he looks at the sleeping Archel, he would wonder: “What could destiny unfold for the little prince of Nosgrid?”

The whole night watch was peaceful and sound. For the first time since the escape from Nosgrid, Eilaer felt safe and peaceful. That morning, the people continued on with their task of keeping up the camp alive while Eilaer went fast asleep to rest his tired eyes which hadn’t rested since the time when they heard that an army is approaching Nosgrid.

Another day passed and fortunately for them, no sign of enemy ever came near the camp. Eilaer then commanded that they continue on with their journey to the east to get to Atlantica where they will be able to seek refuge, the place where they will be able to feel secure and safe.

It took them another two days before the scouting party who led the way finally saw a valley forming the letter V. These snow-capped peaks were called as Figurd and Fidd, the Pillars of Light from Atlantica to the rest of the Land. It marked as the boundary between the Atlanticans and the Mortal Men. These twin peaks has seen a long history of the Land. It is where the expedition led by Fiero of Fantasia passed through when they journeyed to establish an alliance with Atlantica. It is also where the Atlanticans set up their watch tower which guarded the kingdom during the War of Mag Tuired, the Ancient War, where Thyperion was one of the glorious chieftains.

The scouting party felt relieved and reported to Eilaer that they have finally reached the foot of the Pillars of Light. Upon hearing this, Eilaer also felt relieved and was finally able to breathe easier. He then told the scout to make camp for the night and they will then approach Atlantica the following day as it is already getting dark. The people then started to make camp, as firewood were then placed to make a hearth, while the bread masters prepared their weapons for another game to hunt.

Eilaer then went to the handmaiden who had been carrying Prince Archel all along.  “You must have been tired having to carry the little Prince,” he asked the handmaiden.

Having served Queen Themis since her enthronement with Lord Thyperion, the handmaiden is a very loyal servant and a trustworthy person whom Themis entrusted the safekeeping of her one and only son. Her name is Efressia. She was a daughter of Tannis and Eldemia, the loyal cook of the Nosgridian Palace. They were originally from Atlantica, and had been close to Thyperion when he visited the magical Kingdom, just before he met Themis. When Thyperion decided to go to the West to establish a Kingdom for his own, the family went with him and their Lady Themis. And she was then entrusted to attend to Themis while Thyperion is away busy running the kingdom. And when Prince Archel was born, she baby-sit him. She was holding the child when the first sight of the Vigardian Army was seen. It was then told that she had to escape along with the Prince and away from the enemy. She was able to, however, her parents were not seen when they were able to get to the outskirts of the city.

“His Highness still manages to behave under my care, sir,” she said to Eilaer. She was still carrying Archel on her arms as the Prince slept soundly.

There was peace amongst them that they continued to live quietly while the soldiers are on their respective posts. Eilaer went to Efressia to check on the child. He found that the boy was fast asleep. And he was relieved.

“He’s much too young to be separated from his parents. How cruel this world which we live in,” Eilaer commented, “Cruel for Evil has been brought to this land.” The handmaiden felt sad realizing how cruel indeed their years were. Eilaer then placed his hand on the forehead of the boy, and said in a very low voice, “To him, our last hope remains; to him, Peace will be attained.”

Thus saying this, he remembered what King Thyperion had told him when he was still at the besieged city of Nosgrid. Though he doesn’t know what his destiny may be, he still looked forward to see the boy lead them to final Peace as what the father had done back at Mag Tuired.

“I too, had sensed that this boy is bound to greatness when he’s come of right age,” Efressia added, “while I was taking the boy under my care, King Thyperion often times speak of greatness on to this boy. That’s when I realized that Prince Archel will save our land.”

That being said, Eilaer pondered on deep with what the handmaiden had told him. He tried to remember what they had done in the past that may relate to this, but he cannot think of any yet. Or it might be some hundred years ago when he was still a new recruit to the escort of Prince Thyperion when they altogether journeyed to Atlantica. He then told the handmaiden to rest for a while and since the young prince is fast asleep. The handmaiden agreed and went to sleep.

Eilaer then went to his tent set aside for him. It is a simple tent of reeds that they had gathered when they reached the forest. Though his eyes are already tired, he couldn’t sleep. He tried many times to close them, but his mind is so full of questions and wonder about a lot of things concerning the young prince they are bringing along with. He stood up from his mat, and then began walking towards the lowly tent where the young Prince slept. He felt that it would be better to make use of his eyes for the watch. He relieved two soldiers and told them to go to rest, which they gladly accepted. He just carried along with him his bow and some arrows behind him hanging on his back. He then waited until the flames of the camp lulled down to rest, which is also about time when light can then be seen about them.

By the next morning, they then continued their march towards the foot of Figurd where there is a small path leading directly to the magical kingdom of Atlantica. The convoy was led, as usual, by three marksmen who will scout the area, then followed by an escort of five able swordsmen, then followed by the civilians, and further rear were the rest along with Eilaer. They walked in an open plain where there are no more trees for cover. Anytime they can be spotted and attacked by enemies, but they are sure that they are safe from bandits who may lay ambush.

Then their scouting party noticed movement ahead. They heard gallop of horses and a huge smoke was found right ahead of them. But it was thick that they cannot distinguish if the troop in front of them were enemy or not. Even Eilaer’s keen Elvish eyes cannot see through it. Perhaps it is magic that covered the cavalry running towards them. The people were beginning to feel terror and the soldiers escorting drew their swords. They are already weary of the long march, but they are ready to die for the people. The troops then prepared at the front of the people and Eilaer was in front of them, readying his sword.

When the cavalry is a few yards ahead, the cavalry leader raised his sword and signalled his troops to stop. Then the cavalry slowed down to a stop just in front of the Nosgridians. The leader saw they are not enemies but of a known race, the Humans. He went down from his horse and approached the Nosgridians.

The banner carried by the assistant right behind the leader is familiar to the eyes of Eilaer as well. It depicted a crystal shard with leaves of myrtle encircling about it. The Shard of Nautilus. He brought his sword down and ordered the men to lay down their weapons.

“Men of Nosgrid, by fortune, we finally have come upon the race we seek; the Atlanticans,” he announced joyfully.

The Nosgridian soldiers then laid down their arms and rejoiced, as well as the civilians right behind them. Their weariness were replaced with joy and gratitude, and they rested down their guard. But they are still curious about the Atlanticans. Throughout their lives, they haven’t laid their eyes on the Race that they only heard in Lores.

The Atlanticans stood taller than them, even taller than those who have Elvish blood in their veins. Most of them have pale-white skin and their eyes are coloured like Sapphires. Their hair hung behind their shoulders even though they wore winged-helmets. Their silver armour shone like a star about them that it would reflect the sunlight. Only their leader carried a long sword, the rest only carried long spears and short broadswords slung behind their backs. Two of the company were archers, and they have longbows, even longer than that of Nosgrid, or much sturdier and longer than that of Dalos, a kingdom of skilled marksmen and archers. They have also with them one warlock who only wore leather armor and carried a magic staff and a pike with him. It was his magic that brought about the effects of a cloud of smoke to cover them as they advance.

The leader approached Eilaer and said in deep words, “Greetings, men of Nosgrid. We were sent here by Queen Oceania when she heard that Nosgridian refugees are coming here. And we thought that what we saw are enemies as you were carrying weapons of war, and we are very protective of our lands these days, for who knows that an enemy may lay siege to our kingdom.”

Eilaer smiled and bowed. He answered, “And by that, we are grateful for the Queen for sending us a big help so we might feel safe as we continue our journey.”

“Come now, I know you are all weary for the long journey to get here. The Queen would surely like to hear your tale about the Fate of our ally. So much has changed these days, and anytime, there may be enemies who might come upon us here. And we are only a few men right here to provide great protection,” suggested the leader.

Fortune did play for them. Atlantican scouts were sent to patrol the west side of their territory and they found the Nosgridian refugees. Eilaer thanked them for their unlooked-for arrival and escort. The people were also happy that they were brought safely to Atlantica. But they cannot hide their grief for their kin who were being slaughtered on the burning Kingdom of Nosgrid. And so they continued on and reached the huge gates of Atlantica.