I open the side of the Wagon, getting inside in silence as I think about Shaw's note, and how it will effect us. Emylia does the same, sitting opposite of me as the Caravan suddenly rocks as Jayce gets in the front to drive. And in silence, we begin to go. I look out the window, dreading the end as I know it is coming. Were close, but is two days enough with only the three of us? I don't know... "Isahia, why would Shaw leave us? I mean... I know why but- but..." "Emylia, I can't answer that... He just needed to make a change. We saw the signs. We knew this was coming, despite all of our thoughts hoping it wouldn't be so. I just pray for his safety, and for the light within him to flourish..." She looks to the bottom of the Caravan, sad. "Indeed..." For some reason I expect Jayce to interject, but nothing comes. The silence is almost deafening. "Were not going to make it, are we?" I hear Emylia's words echo through my mind... Will we? "Emylia, I know this has been a long journey, and I know how hard its been for all of us here, but please don't fold..." She simply nods weakly, closing her eyes and leaning against the side of the Caravan. I've never seen her look so defeated... Suddenly, the tread of Gyphal can be heard, along with the clanking of armor. "What's going on?" I say, looking out the window to see the Golden Road just a ways away, along with 3 very familiar Knights... It was Mont Bilare, and his fellow Paradrim's of the Goldstone line! Jayce stops our steeds. "My, my. If it isn't the Goldstone Paradrim's. We meet again." I hear from Jayce, hiding the sadness in his voice. "Indeed, gladiator! Hopefully this time on more trusting terms!" The Paradrim bows, getting off of his Gyphal. Emylia opens the Caravan door, going out. I decide to follow, curious of why we see these Paradrim's again. "Ah, I see you are doing well, Prince." I glare at Mont for his chatter. "Speak your reason of being here, Paradrim Bilare." He steps back. "I am sorry, Milord... I'm afraid you must still be on bad terms with us. No matter... We have come by Lord James's orders. He asks you reconsider our help." I feel an anger bleed through me, along with pride. "How dare you ask that of me! Tell Lord James he already has his answer! Nay!" A Paradrim with a large shield shakes his head. I can't seem to remember his name. "Hold on, Isahia..." I suddenly hear a voice behind me, and I turn to see Emylia... "Maybe you should drop your pride... Just this once... Our odds are not with us." A sudden pang of guilt hits me, as I realize just how much my pride has cost us... "She may be right this time, your Majesty..." Jayce too? Hmmm... Is... But I'm supposed to be the one to save my Kingdom... For my family... I turn back to the Paradrim's, thinking... "I don't know..." I say in staggering notes. Mont then walks over to me. "Lord James has a note for you..." He hands me a royal note, signed by my fathers brother... I open it, the following being what it says:

Isahia... I know the pain you feel, for it flows through my vains as well... You sent my help back for your pride, which gave me flashbacks of your father in his younger years... Back when we were all within the same home, one day we were attacked by the darkness beyond the walls... Both Paul and I were asleep, and he was forced to kill the darkness, because without the darkness would just keep going, and going... He was scarred, for we were younger than you are now... He then vowed never to kill another, and he buried the fight in his heart, crafting a spear that cannot kill, so he would never have to again. But anyway, the point is... We were once like you... Fighting the entire world as it enclosed around you. But I believe in you. My daughter believes in you... She misses you by the way. And both her and I mourn for your father, in front of the statue of the White Dragon. I pray you a safe return to us, for we will home you and your men, and in time... I will make sure I slay King Paul in your name... And my brothers name... Isahia, stay safe. Don't let the darkness within you out. Don't become like Paul. - Lord James

"Oh my gosh..." I shiver to the note, it reverberating in my head as it holds around me... My pride was in error, as was I... "Isahia, you're shaking!" Jayce gets off the Caravan and grabs my shoulders to make sure I don't fall as he begins to read the note in my hands. I take a tight swallow, looking to the Paradrim's in front of me. "Mont Bilare... May I have your aid?" My words shake as my body does, and all 3 knights bow before me. "You have always had our aid, lord Isahia." I shake my head at them. "Stand. I will not have you bowing to me. I am no king..." They apologies, getting up quickly. Jayce then begins to speak, "What aid did you have in mind?" Mont Bilare gets back on his horse. "His Majesty has addressed a troop of his army to help defend you as you enter the Tower. He has learned of Lord Paul. Asriel Garner is said to be coming to the tower in one days time to try and fell it. We will not have that happen!" He pounds his chest with his fist in some sort of salute. It must be a Goldstone thing. "We know of this as well, Paradrim's. Then what do you plan to do until then?" Jayce says, questioningly. "I, Mont Bilare, is to go back to the Capital and tell of your reply to his Majesty himself. As for my men, they are to stay with you until I come back on the morrow." Now I feel bad for not knowing their names. "Very well, then we should go now. Time is not with us." Jayce responds to my words. "Well said, Isahia. You heard 'em. You should get going, as should we." "Indeed, gladiator. It was good to see you all again. I pray our battle ends triumphantly." Emylia agree's with Mont, and we nod him off as he heads toward the Golden Road. The other Paradrim's wave him off. Suddenly, Emylia begins to speak to the 2 we were entrusted with. "Your names were Dren and Farae, yes?" Then the one with the large shield responds. "You were mostly right. My name is Forae, not Farae." "My apologies, Forae." Suddenly Jayce interrupts. "Enough talk. We have somewhere to be. We go to the tower." The two Paradrim's do the chest beat like Mont did earlier, and then turn their Gyphal around towards the tower. We also get back in the Caravan as Jayce begins to drive off to the Tower of Equalibrium!