I wandered through the forest, turning abruptly at random intervals as the compass swung this way and that. "Almost there," I reassured myself. It had been nearly an hour since I had been separated from Ebony, and time was precious.

I sighed and surveyed my surroundings for anything that looked familiar. Nothing. I slumped to the forest floor and scanned the rigid ground. I traced my fingers over the bumps and crevices in the ground.

Suddenly, a howl pierced through the ominous silence. I froze and turned in the direction it came from. Another answering howl swept through the chilled air. I shivered and slowly got up. I twisted and turned in every possible direction, making sure no one was following me. Satisfied, I began to stalk my way steadily northeast, which was incidentally where the first howl had come from.

I did not encounter any beasts, which set off my nerves even more than if they had attacked me. I just made my way past rocks, past boulders, and past massive amounts of trees. Finally, I reached a large clearing and stopped to rest.

A clicking sound made its way into my ears and I paused. Deep breaths, I told myself, deep breaths. I unsheathed my dagger once more, which gave a resounding clank. I cursed under my breath. The clicking intensified. I strode across the clearing, wanting to end this.

I took a deep, calming breath, that only increased my nerves. This was the big moment.

I stood there for what seemed like forever, waiting for the enemy's first move. Finally, a quiver. I pounced on the opportunity and sliced my dagger where the creature was.

A voice shrieked back, "Watch it, you're going to decapitate someone someday, you know."

I laughed in relief as Ebony limped out of the bushes. He winced in pain, and I immediately knelt by his side. "Wearing--off--need--more," was all he could manage. I nodded and checked my watch. It had been two full days since we had set off. I cut Ebony off by shushing him.

"There, do you here it...a stream!" I said excitedly. It had been the first sign of water, and we were supposed to refill soon anyway.

He nodded, but he quickly accused with a menacing tone, "Where on Earth where you? You weren't answering when I yelled, so I assumed you were in front of me. Explain yourself."

I was at a loss for words. Where to start...Ah, yes! I turned toward him and said seriously, "OK, don't freak..."

He just answered sarcastically, "Sure."

And I told him about the man, the prophecy, and all. He only furrowed his brow in deep concentration, which I took to mean that he was listening.

So I rambled, on and on. After I had finished, he whispered, "One of the Nine...who's alive? Hmm...Fenrir is dead. Gas explosion. Gari is also dead. Decapitated by Limpe de Poumpe. Tragic. Anyway...nope, dead. No, No, NO!" He was growing more agitated by the second.

I quickly asked, "What about...your brother?"

He paused and glared at me. "How do you know of my brother?" His tone was murderous. I shrunk back into the shadows.

"HOW?!!" he screamed at me. He was hysterical. I sighed and started to tell him about my life-like dream. He soon began to cool down and grasped my hand at the end of my retelling.

"Was that who we were going to?" he asked quietly. I nodded my head, afraid he would go into a rage again.

"Hmm...he is the last of the Nine," Ebony thought out loud, "I did hear that he was helping cure the Vengeful. OK, if that's our destination, then I know how to get you there."

He snapped his fingers and my vision swirled and blurred. I saw Ebony through a kaleidoscope lens. My chest squeezed and my eyes felt like they were going to explode.

Finally, everything stopped. I felt dizzy and turned to look for Ebony.

He was gone.