They made camp under the stars, the calming rush of a small stream lulling them to their dreams.

Eboni lay awake, facing the fire that warmed her as the chill of the night set in.

She caught Atu's eye and he smiled sleepily before propping himself up onto his elbows.

"Do you feel it here?" he asked quietly so not to wake the others.

"Feel what?" She replied.

"The weight of the world lifting off your shoulders." He took a deep breath before turning back to stare at the night sky.

Eboni followed his lead, staring at the stars she realised he was right, her body felt tired but her mind alight and happy, her soul light. All of the tension from her body she had carried around for the past week had disappeared.

"I feel it." She whispered. "Why do you think we feel better?"

"It's this place. It thrums with pure energy, the grass is green, the water pure, the earth is fertile and the people are happy and trusting." He sighed, content.

"Everyone has been so happy since we arrived. It was good to hear laughter. Our journey has little cause for laughter."

"When this is all over we will have forever to fill with love and laughter."

"I look forward to it." She smiled closing her eyes.

"Good night Eboni." Atu said, yawning.

"Good night."

The morning dew on the grass danced with the sunlight. Ambling through the purple grasses and passing by small streams they made their way towards a plume of grey smoke, rising from the other side of the mountain.

A small village came into view consisting of small stone cottages thatched with dried purple grass. Flowers bloomed and trees brimmed with ample fruits. Large squares of dark, life rich soil, were dotted around, food growing in neat lines.

They came to a stop outside the first cottage and knocked on the wooden door. It swung open to reveal a small woman with flame red hair. She froze as her eyes landed on the group in front of her.

"Good morning ma'am. I was wondering if you could perhaps help us please?" Orlan asked stepping forward.

"Oh! Goodness! Come in, please do come in. I will brew some herbs for you- you must have walked forever to reach here!" She pulled them all inside and waved for them to have a seat around a large table next to a shocked man and small girl- both with equally vibrant flame red hair.

"Good morning." Eboni said, followed by the rest of her traveling companions as they sat down, not quite sure how to react to the sudden thrust of hospitality.

"So, where are you all from? We don't get many visitors here, do we Gleb? Don't know why. Herbs?"

"Yum, yes please." Eboni said taking a small cup of steaming herb infused waters from the struggling hands of their host.

"My name is Sister Eboni, from God's Land, that is Brother Bren, Princess Iasa and her guard Sir Orlan of Rolezal and this is Atu, Chief of Sher- Woods and his brother Kas."

"No not many visitors at all Mabel." The man- Gleb- said after staring in silence at the people who had just come into their home, swigging down his water in one swift gulp. "Why- by the name of Elementi- are you here?"

"It is in the name of Elementi that we are here." Atu replied. "We seek someone, and have been told we can find them here."

"Drink up! Then tell us everything, we'll see if we can help you." Mabel sat down and smiled sipping on her water, keeping a keen eye on each of them.

They finished their water, grateful for the warmth seeping through their tired bones and sat back in their chairs, glancing around at each other trying to determine how much they should be telling these people.

"You seem like decent fellows." Orlan said eventually speaking up. "And when we mentioned who we were looking for at the village in the Valley them pointed us here, telling us that this person isn't perhaps hiding as well as they should be. Makes things easier for us, but also easier for them as well." He scowled leaning forward on the table.

Eboni eyed Gleb as he shuffled uncomfortably in his chair, his eyes flickering to the door and windows.

"Go on dear." Mabel said, her smile faltering as she tried to keep up a façade.

"We are good people, try to understand us when we say we are here because there is a danger coming unlike any you will ever have experienced before." Eboni said, watching for the couple's reactions.

Gleb snorted. "You have no idea what this land has been through. Danger like no other." He said sarcastically, snorting again. "Admari waged war on us as we fought for our freedom. We do not forget." He scowled.

"Then I will tell you straight. The Darkness that has plagued the land of Tozaro has decided it is time to claim the entire world." She said, looking Gabe straight in the eyes with a serious and unwavering gaze.

"You lie." He whispered back, his rosy cheeks fading to a drip white.

"The Dark Ones have set out to wage war and slaughter all who do not turn to their master. You have a person here, in your village who is like no other you will have seen. They are the missing link to creating a power strong enough to even have a chance at destroying the Dark Ones and reclaiming the world for light." She finished, happy to see that Gabe was nodding while Mabel looked ready to faint.

The young girl had disappeared under the table, playing with her dolls as the conversation started.

"I know who you mean." Gabe said standing.

"Gabe!" Mabel shrieked "You cannot be seriously considering telling these people where to find him!"

"Mabel, be quiet. Of course not. There are some more things I wish to discuss." He turned back to Eboni, who with the rest of the group had all stood up. "You must understand that these villages are also family. If what you say is true then I must introduce you- but we know that a power like his will bring him unwanted attention from people wishing to kidnap him and make money off him." He narrowed his eyes at the group.

"I have never seen any pictures of the people you claim to be so I have no way of knowing if who you say you are is true. I am sorry, but until you can prove anything to me then this is as far as our conversation goes." He gestured to the door.

"Of course, Sir, we understand. Family is something that must always be protected. Perhaps then a demonstration of some sorts would be in order?" Bren said opening the door for the others to file out.

"I knew it! That's all they want, they want to see his power and use it for their own selfish needs!" Mabel shot up out of the chair, spitting at the floor by their feet.

"How. Dare. You." Iasa said stepping forward. She glanced at the dwindling fire in the corner of the cottage and curled up her fist. She threw an imaginary ball towards it and it roared into life sending Mabel skittering back into another corner of the cottage.

"I learnt the hard way when you believe you are the only person who has an ability. Do not be fools. Take us to him and we will show you all that we are here because Elementi deemed it so." Iasa stepped back to the door, flicking her hair over her shoulder before she walked out.

Gleb looked to the quivering Mabel in the corner and back to the group. Making up his mind he walked out of the door and led them through the village.

"I will warn you now. His father treats him like a God. He will not take kindly to others like him nor will he like that his son will be taken away from him." Gleb stopped by a larger cottage near a trickling stream.

"Here we are. I will try and talk to them first, try and knock some sense into them. I've been trying to do it for years though, can't say it will work this time." He knocked on the door stepping back to make the others visible from the door.

"Thank you." Eboni said as the door swung open with a bang.

A large man looked at the group in silence, narrowing his eyes at Gleb. "What do you want?" He said, crossing his arms defensively.

"They have something they would like to show your son." Gleb said.

The man stepped out of his house, straightening his back and flexing his muscles to look taller and more threatening. Eboni saw Kas roll his eyes and managed to bite back the small smile that threatened to play on her lips.

"You brought foreigners here? To my Son? You have betrayed us!" He roared at Gleb, spitting at his feet.

"Oh, for goodness sake!" Iasa said crossing her arms and standing taller herself.

"Who do you think you are talking to me like that young girl?" The man said stepping closer to Iasa. Orlan did the same, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"I am Princess Iasa of Rolezal. The pleasure is all yours." She said smirking as the man stopped and looked around at the group again.

He stepped back and looked at Gleb again, who smirked and nodded.

"My son is eating right now, you will have to with until he feels he is ready to speak with you- if he chooses to at all." The man turned back into his cottage and slammed the door in their face.

"What a pleasant fellow." Kas said jokingly.

"Rond has always been difficult." Gleb sighed. "Come back to the cottage and I will have Mabel cook us up some more food." He said.

"Thank you for the kind offer but we are fine staying here until they decide to come out and speak to us." Atu said.

"Ok, well I better go and tell Mabel what is going on anyway and I will let the neighbours know not to worry when they see you about." He smiled and after a thank you, went on his way.

"It's so hot!" Iasa exclaimed collapsing onto the grass by the stream. The others all sitting around her.

Eboni looked to the cottage, an idea springing to mind. "Yes, it is so hot, isn't it? Kas- would you mind growing us a tree to shade us from the suns?"

Kas nodded and pressed his palms into the ground, a small shoot springing from the ground before growing bigger wider. Green leaves sprouting from elongating branches and roots penetrating the ground underneath them. They sat and looked up in awe as a tree that looked as though it had been growing for a hundred years shaded them.

"Much better." Iasa smiled, laying back down.

"What should I build?" Eboni asked scooting closer to the stream. "I feel in an artistic mood." She cupped her hands, creating a small ball of energy that floated neatly in her palms.

"Something really big that accidentally blocks the view from that cottage window." Kas said, catching onto what she was planning.

"An excellent idea, perhaps I should build a structure where a few sporadically placed flowers hanging from vines would fit perfectly." Eboni began to form a twisted glowing structure that flowed from the energy of the stream, growing to the window, intricate shapes forming through the air coming to a stop as the sculpture sat towering to the height of the cottage in front of them.

"Yes, I see what you mean. Flowers would suit this piece of art perfectly." Kas pressed his palms to the ground again. Flower buds began to grow up and around the sculpture, opening to reveal long bright blue and purple petals.

"You're going to give these folks a heart attack if you continue to display your gifts here." Orlan said, leaning back into the tree making no effort to stop them.

"From the sound of it the boy inside seems to have been displaying his talents for a while. They will be shocked to see more people who can manipulate things but they will soon get over the shock." Kas said growing another flower in front of Eboni who laughed and swatted his hand away when he went to pick it for her.

"I guess we will be finding out what they think sooner rather than later- look." Bren said standing as Rond came back out of the cottage and stalked towards them.

"Good morning again!" Eboni called out cheerily as he approached.

"My Son has told me he wishes to see you. You may now see him." He gestured for them to follow him.

"Thank you. But my friends and I are quite comfortable here, perhaps he would like to join us outside in the fresh air?" Eboni sat back down next to Orlan against the tree as none of the others made a move to stand.

The man huffed and turned on his heel back into the cottage.

"Why did you do that?" Bren asked, turning to Eboni confused.

"The cottage is small and confined, especially with the boy's father in their as well. Out here we can really talk to him and have a chance at getting him to join us, without his father looking over his shoulder."

The cottage door stayed shut for the rest of the morning, but the group, although worried about the time it was taking, were laying and enjoying the sunshine and fresh fruit without worry.

Gleb returned in the early afternoon along with a group of people.

"This is Jolon, he is the head farmer and takes care of keeping the people here safe. This is his daughter Kimi and this is Iya, my sisters youngest." He pointed to each of them as he introduced them.

"Hello, lovely to meet you all." Eboni said, standing to greet them.

Like the other villagers, she had glimpsed throughout the morning they all too had flame red hair. Jolon was tall and strong, he carried a sword and axe in his belt yet smiled kindly and shook her hand softly when she turned to him.

Kimi looked lean and able too. She was tall with cropped red curly hair, strong cheekbones and bright green eyes. A sword hung from her belt along with a cluster of small daggers. Like her father, she smiled and greeted them warmly.

Iya stood away from the group and only came forward when Kimi pulled on her hand.

"Come and say hello!" Kimi said ushering her forward. "Sorry, she is very shy."

Iya blushed slightly, hiding her face under her poker straight hair that hung to her waist. She carried no weapons and looked very small and fragile. Only smiling softly when Eboni asked them to join her.

"I hope you don't mind, I didn't think you would- but you see Jolon here is the one person I would go to if an army needed putting together here In Cerina. I figured you might want to talk to him?" Gleb asked looking to Orlan as he nodded in approval.

"What numbers are we talking?" Orlan asked.

"Well, in this village I have seven young lads who are fight ready, along with thirty defenders at the Valley. I don't know for certain. There are seven villages on the coast that have a lot of able sea men and there are around a hundred villages of all sizes dotted around the mountain here, but I would hazard a guess that in total I could get around six hundred." Jolon answered.

"Good, I would suggest you start rallying them. Rolezal has a working army of 3000, but I have no doubt that the King has asked all the able-bodied men to fight as his daughter is in the middle of all this. From what Atu tells me there are 150 warriors from around Sher Wood that will come and if we managed to talk some sense into the Commander of Admari we could utilise their army of 5000. 2000 of those are foot soldiers but the rest are well trained and will fight well." Orlan said, as the rest of the group sat closer to hear what they would have on their side.

"What about the Dark Ones?" Jolon asked. "No one has set foot in Tozaro for many years, do we know what numbers we will be facing?"

"Afraid not. From the look of the maps the island is just a bit bigger that Sher- Woods, but I expect they have been raising an army for generations. I just cannot say." Orlan sighed shaking his head.

"You said that we would only have Admari if the Commander could see sense? What do you mean?" Gleb asked scowling.

"The Empress has taken the side of the Dark Ones, the only way we can return to our ship and try and stop the Empress from using her army against us is by returning once we have talked the boy into coming with us and fighting our way to freedom. Before we left to walk here Eboni here told the Commander of the Empress's true nature but we do not know whether he has seen sense and investigated further for himself." Orlan replied.

"I knew I hated that woman for a reason." Gleb mumbled scowling to the horizon.

"And if you manage to escape but not overthrow the Empress?" Kimi asked, joining into the conversation

"Then Admari will fall to the Darkness if the Commander does not fight back." Orlan answered.

"Then instead of having Admari's army fighting with us, we will have an extra 5000 people to fight against." Kimi finished, bringing the group into a sorrowing silence.

"I guess you will be needing me then." A voice said from behind them. Spinning around Eboni smiled as she took in the young boy in front of them, awkwardly scratching his neck.

"Hi." Eboni said making room for him in their circle "Come and join us. My name is Eboni, this is Bren, Iasa, Atu, Kas and Orlan." She pointed to the others in her group.

"Hi, my name is Raus."