There are dark and ominous people in this world who lack scruples, morals or even a shred of mercy. If it’s your misfortune to cross the path of such a person, tread quietly and use wisdom to avoid a confrontation.

If a confrontation is inevitable, try a conversation as a course of action.

Just be aware that violence could be the only language they actually understand.

If such is the case, make sure you speak clearly.

Guided by Elder Gaidred, the party traveled back up the mountainside and across the peaks until they reached the ridge of Tämä-Un. Though the sun was hidden behind the thick clouds, sweat trickled down Wendell’s brow and neck, his hair matting to his forehead. The last hiking trip he’d been on was with his father—and that had gone badly. It was too difficult for him to keep up in the hot summer heat and his father, an avid hiker, was forced to stop repeatedly. This was different. Ever since the Ithari had taken him as a host, he’d had more energy than he could remember. Even through the gasps and hard breathing, Wendell could keep pace with the party without complaint.

Only the wizard huffed and puffed loudly, which started to worry Wendell after a while. Chuck threw out an occasional “exercise Nazi” comment in the direction of Gaidred—but no one listened. No one but Wendell.

The more he got to know the old wizard, the more he listened, the more he became convinced that Chuck knew things about Earth. Knew things he wasn’t sharing. At the same time, he was becoming increasingly fond of the old man. Unlike Dax, Wendell felt grateful. He mattered to this grandfather figure. Chuck had a job to do—he’s here to help destroy Mahan, but—there was something else. The old man cared. Several times Wendell caught the wizard staring at him when they would rest. He never looked away, just smiled ecouragingly at Wendell and nodded. What are you up to, old man?

The morning sun made it difficult to see much of the details in the small valley from above. The trees were thick along Tämä-Un’s peak, amply hiding the party, but they couldn’t locate the black claws of the Prime Gate through the mist either.

“I don’t like this,” Chuck muttered uneasily, “we’ll be sitting in their laps before we can see them through this soup.”

“There’s no other option, unless you want to use magic—but I wouldn’t advise it,” said Altorin, “too much of a change would alert the enemy—and they may have a mägo with them.”

“If there is one,” replied the wizard. “We could be sitting here, worrying about nothing. Nothing at all.”

Gaidred stood and adjusted the pouch on his belt. “There is little choice in the matter. We must get close enough to see for ourselves.” Even Wendell couldn’t argue with this line of logic.

The further they descended into the valley, the thicker the mist became. The sweat on Wendell’s neck and forehead quickly became uncomfortably cold. The light from above cast strange shadows. Shadows which hung in the air. Trees and shrubs melded together, taking on a blue tint, until the shadows became one. A single mass of growing darkness that consumed the forest around them, its thin tentacles writhing out into the cold. Wendell found himself repeatedly looking about.

“Your gonna be ok,” whispered Alhannah.

Wendell looked at her wide-eyed. “What?” He looked over his shoulder again.

The gnome reached out and patted his hand—which was scratching at his jeans. “You are going to be ok, Wendell. It’s just fog.”

“But what if theres something in the fog?”

She grinned, “There’s always something in the fog. The real question is if the something is close or far away. If it’s close, trust me, Dax’ll hear it before it can hear us.”

Wendell breathed a momentary sigh of relief and relaxed. “Thank you, Alhannah.”

“No problem. You…reminded me of Green just then.” She adjusted her belt and her swords rattled lightly. “My little brother. He was always terrified of the mist, back home.”

“So you’d soothe his feelings. That’s…nice.”

She grinned, “Actually, I’d scream about seeing shapes in the mist and run like hell. Freaked him out.”

Wendell stared at her, horrified.

She shrugged, “I just said you looked like him.”

“Shhht!” Dax signaled for the party to stop. Turning his head slowly from side to side, his ears twitched wildly. With a whisper to Gaidred, the Elder nodded and Dax vanished into the mist.

“He says we’re close,” whispered the Elder.

Moments later, the troll returned. He was frowning.

“We’re here, but I can’t tell how much company we’ve got. It might be a good idea to scout the perimeter and see if the main path is being guarded. Just be careful—they could have their own scouts about.”

Gaidred looked to Altorin and whispered, “Be in the mist.”

Wendell was shocked at how silent the rotund Elder could move…and how fast. In moments, he’d vanished.

Dax waved everyone forward. “Step lightly and follow me.”

The clearing was devoid of trees and underbrush—at least as far as Wendell could see, anyway. Near the center of the field, sitting in the white haze was the Prime Gate. It’s large, arcing claws sat defiantly—clearly visible from tip to base.

A campfire crackled next to a small pond on the far side of the field. Three figures hunched near the flames, eagerly eating. Wendell could hear the soft trickling of water echo in the morning air.

That can’t be all of them, he thought. A whole army came through the gate—why would they leave it unprotected? But that made Wendell think. Maybe the Prime Gates weren’t common knowledge. Dax had said that Dathern Istul didn’t use magic, or at least avoided it, if he could. According to the High Council, it took magical knowledge—gate lore—to even open a Prime Gate, which explained dark mägo being present. Maybe using magic—or at least using these gates, isn’t a common event. Maybe there’s no need to guard it.

Thick trees and bushes provided an abundance of cover. Wendell could understand how Tiell would be able to hide for hours on end without being discovered—even without the fog.

Gaidred surveyed the surrounding mountain tops through the occasional breaks in the mist. He tapped Altorin and pointed to the Prime Gate.

Sitting on the ramp of the platform were two of the Vallen race, grunting and snorting between each other. Their dark green skin, heavily tattooed and scarred, intimidated Wendell. One had long hair, scraggly and braided, hanging down its back. It leaned on a pole-arm, which rattled with dozens of rings looped through the blade. The other beast was even larger, bald and sitting on the ramp of the platform, arms crossed and resting on a large two-handed axe. The other three, sitting around the fire, were more than fifty yards from the Prime Gate.

The fog broke for an instant and Wendell could see the giants clearly, huddled near the fire. Something large was being cooked over the open flame and he almost shrieked—but Alhannah slapped her gloved hand over his mouth and knocked him to the ground.

He couldn’t breath. All he could do exhale. Fingers clawing at his throat and chest, he pulled at the T-shirt. Even the smiley face was shaking from side to side, purple-faced with pupils the size of pinholes, screaming silently. Wendell’s only impulse was to flee—to get away from this valley as fast as possible. We’re next! They’ll eat us. THEY’LL EAT US!!

Dax crept near. “What’s wrong?” he whispered.

Alhannah nodded in the direction of the campfire, but kept her hand firmly pinned against Wendell’s mouth. “The cooking fire.”

Dax leaned down so Wendell could hear him clearly and whispered. “Wendell. Kid—look at me.” He tapped Wendell’s cheek until his eyes rolled over and focused. “You’re gonna see a lot of bad stuff. I can’t do nothin’ about that—but ‘Hannah and me are here. Our job is ta protect ya.”

Then the impossible happened.

Dax smiled.

Not the tainted, scary, antagonizing smile or grin he’d shown until now. It was—genuine. The lines chiseled into his rough face smoothed out, his lips covered his canines and even his eyes seemed somewhat…normal—if that was even possible. Astonishing as it seemed, Dax almost looked…kind.

“And I swear…they’ll have to kill us both to get to ya, ok?”

Wendell nodded, air seeping back into his lungs.

Alhannah slowly took her hand away. “Good,” she whispered, “then lets get this party started,” and slid off Wendell’s chest.

Gaidred frowned at the two guards in conversation. “They are too close to the gate for us to work. A conflict is imminent.”

Alhannah rested her hands on the small swords strapped to her hips and smirked. “Two of those beasts is hardly a challenge. If you’re leery about the job, I’ll gladly dispatch them myself. Just give me a few minutes.”

“No,” Gaidred reached out and put a hand on her forearm, “It’s not the enemy that disturbs me, Lady Alhannah, but the lack of them. There were five watching the gate two days ago. Two of the guards have gone missing and they have only replaced them?” Gaidred looked across the field where pockets of the fog opened up to give a better view. “This mist does not bode well for our success.”

Altorin crawled up beside them. “The far rim of the valley is clear. The enemy is not watching the main path as far as I could discover.”

Only Chuck seemed unconcerned.

“It doesn’t really matter, now, does it?” the wizard posed, “The more time we waste, the further the enemy gets inland. The people need to be warned, the gate purged and the King escorted back to his people.” He jabbed his staff in Wendell’s direction, “And our young hero here needs to make his way to Til-Thorin if there’s any value in that letter.”

“Then let’s get moving!” grumbled Dax, “I can port me and Gaidred right next to…” Without completing his sentence, blood issued from Dax’s nose.

The Elder shook his head. “You won’t be porting anyone until you regain your strength, my friend.”

“Fairy farts,” Dax grumbled, wiping the blood across his forearm.

Wendell couldn’t help but stare at the Vallen near the gate. These were not the same creatures he remembered from the Black Market. Even Thule’s scouts from the Tavern were smaller. These guys are huge! They have to be over seven feet tall…AT LEAST!

Their very presence made him nervous. He quickly squatted lower to remain completely out of sight. Were these the things that beat up Tiell?? He closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing. It’s going to be ok, Wendell. Seriously. Dax and Alhannah will…protect me. He looked at both of them, conversing quietly against a tree. I’ll be protected by a gnome…he gulped…and midget troll with a nose-bleed.

Alhannah, Altorin and Gaidred were all armed, perhaps a dagger or two hidden in Chuck’s sleeves? He then looked out at the humongous weapons, wielded by the enemy. Broadswords and axes that could probably slice a cow in half. Wendell flinched, We’re screwed!! How can we possibly beat things that big!? Rippling muscles, tattooed skin, pierced and scarred faces with hooks, chains and bones protruding from their noses, cheeks and ears.

The moment we go out there, they’re going to try and kill us. Actually, literally KILL us! He looked down at his hands, which shook violently. Oh, man…I already suck at being a hero.

An eagle screeched high overhead.

Their oversized ears, riddled with metal rings and gauges, clinked together as heads snapped back to search the sky. Their jaws jutted so far forward with jagged teeth, it reminded Wendell of piranha.

Or eat us.

He startled as Chuck grabbed his shoulder and whispered, “Stay here. Don’t move.”

“Not a problem,” Wendell swallowed, “Why, what’s the plan?”

Turning to the wizard, he found he was alone. Completely alone. Hey. Whipping his head around and peering through the dense trees, Wendell couldn’t see any of his companions! HEY! A small bird chirped from a nest in a low branch of the trees. Dax? Alhannah? Gaidred? Altorin!?? Where did everyone go?!? Wendell dropped face down into the leaves, his stomach in knots. Don’t leave me!

Painfully long minutes passed. Wendell struggled to hold perfectly still. The whole world had suddenly fallen into silence.

Don’t breathe, Wendell. They’ll hear you. But the more he tried to keep perfectly still, the more his body ached and begged to shift and twist and run away. He clenched his eyes tight. Don’t find me. You can’t see me. I’m invisible. No one can see me. Ohhhhhh, they’re going to find me, I just know it!

When he heard a loud grunt at the gate, Wendell lifted his head up to see the two giants jumping to their feet. A wobbling silhouette with a pointy hat and walking staff appeared through the mist, on the far side of the clearing, pulling his robes free from the grasping underbrush.

“Let GO, you silly dogwood! Go grope a squirrel and leave me alone…”

Oh no, CHUCK! What are you doing!?

The wizard looked up and froze. He looked between the enemies, then looked about, as if trying to find something. He finally let out a big sigh. “Oh poodle piddle!” he shouted nervously, “…I got my timing wrong again, didn’t I?”

With a high-pitched scream, Alhannah lunged from the platform at the nearest giant, her black sword in a two-handed reverse grip. The creature had no time to react. The thin blade lodged in its throat, sinking to the hilt. As the Vallen’s pole-arm fell against the ramp, her forward momentum carried Alhannah’s body in a curving arc across the giants barrel chest, and down under it’s arm….opening flesh, muscle and bone. She rolled across the damp ground and up to her feet as the soldier collapsed with a gaping cavity wound. Black blood seeped across the grass. Alhannah pulled the blade from the body, wiping it across the beasts tunic.

The second guard quickly slid across the stone ramp and lunged at the gnome. It exposed its jagged teeth in a sadistic grin.

“Hannah, MOVE!” bellowed Dax, already dashing up the far ramp. Using his arms like an monkey to propel himself forward, he reaching the lip of the platform and leapt into the air.

Wendell bit his lip as he watched Alhannah dive at the ground, curling her shoulder and rolling just in time to avoid being severed in half by an axe swing. The clang of metal rang through the air, small rocks and dirt exploding upon impact.

Dax landed on the giants back.

Without stopping his momentum, he grabbed an ear and a protruding canine, jutting out of the giants jaw. Kicking off the giants shoulder, Dax swung his body in an arc, around the soldiers face, to the opposite shoulder…and pulled. Hard.

A loud snap resonated through the air.

Dax rolled down the back of the Vallen as it fell to the ground, lifeless.

Wendell’s jaw dropped open. Holy freaking….WOW!

Exploding into the open, just beyond the tree line near the pond, six more giants charged from their hiding places. Two to the north and four to the south. Swords and axes in hand, the soldiers from the campfire also charged across the grass.

“Ambush!” Dax yelled. Creating some space between himself and the gnome, he snatched up the enemies weapon from the ground.

Alhannah, however, just grinned. She drew her other blade from its sheath and found a level piece of ground and bounced in place.

“COME ON!!” she screamed.

Altorin and Gaidred also burst into the clearing, swords, mace and shield to the ready. Wendell was shocked to see them charge straight at the enemy. Altorin answered the bloodlust roars with a shout of his own, piercing the mist and sending chills down Wendell’s spine.

The fat Elder met one of the beasts head on, shield held high.

Broadsword struck the Elders shield.

Light flared and Wendell winced, covering his eyes.

When he could see again, he watched Altorin dashing between opponents, crushing kneecaps while deflecting swords and flails. Gaidred moved behind him, close as a shadow—running his blades over limbs and between armor and finding unprotected throats. With a spin, a pivot and a flick of his wrists, enemies bled to death within moments. The Elders moved in such unison, there were moments they appeared to be the same person.

His attention was drawn away, however, by Alhannah’s incessant, psychotic giggling. She was running, jumping, rolling and dodging every blow her attacker could deliver with its mighty war hammer. Rocks exploded with each swing, but it never came close to the gnome. She taunted the beast with coo’s, smiles, blowing kisses or shaking her behind as it shrieked in rage. When the swings became wild, unfocused and desperate, she rolled across Dax’s path.

Wendell almost jumped out from the trees in shock. Alhannah—what the heck are you doing!?

The giant roared, mouth foaming in madness, like a wild dog chasing its prey, destroying everything in its path to get at her. Dax did a back flip out of harms way—leaving his own foes exposed to the attack. The lesser vallen perished under the mindless rage of their comrade. Armor folded and bones shattered as the hammer fell again and again. With a final roll, Alhannah shot between the beasts feet, skillfully severing both hamstrings as Dax grabbed the hammer.

Unlike Alhannah, Dax’s weight pulled the Vallen forward, spinning it off balance. Gripping the giants thick green neck, Dax flipped up and over the torso of the enemy, sending it crashing onto its face. In one swift motion, Dax reached down, grabbed its deformed head by the long hair and twisted sharply.

No, no, no! Wendell jumped into the open, his high pitched voice piercing the air. “RUN, CHUCK!” he screamed frantically, “For crying out loud…RUN!!”

Chuck had gotten himself backed up under a large pine tree on the far side of the clearing. Wendell could see his hands up in front of him. It looked as if he was trying to reason with the two soldiers converging on him. Dax and Alhannah bolted across the grass, but it was no use—thy were too far away to get there in time.

His enemies momentarily distracted by the sudden shriek, Chuck turned to make his escape…and walked right into a low hanging branch. Reeling from the blow to the forehead, his tall pointy hat flipped forward over his eyes and nose.

“AHHHH!!” he hollered in surprise, “Sniper wizard! Run for your lives! Run for your lives, I say!” Panicked, Chucks hands shot out to steady himself and he dropped his walking staff. It made a clunking sound, landing on an exposed tree root near his feet. He twisted and turned, reaching out, but missed the tree altogether and started walking towards the soldiers. They both grinned in amusement, raising their weapons to deliver the final blow.

“Mahan’s pink panties!” Chuck bellowed, “Someone turn on the blasted lights!”

Stepping forward, one of the soldiers swung his axe in a wide arc, intent on severing the old man’s head…and cleaved his comrade in half. Wendell watched as Chuck tripped over the end of his staff, the axe passing harmlessly over him. With a ‘chunk’ and a gasp, the Vallen crumpled to the ground, sword still tight in its grip. Chuck discovered the bottom end of his walking staff and grabbed it as he stood up, his free hand still reaching out for something stable to hold onto.

“CHUCK…BEHIND YOU!” Wendell screamed, dashing across the field as fast as his feet could carry him.

“What’s that?” Chuck replied, turning towards Wendell’s voice and pulling the end of his walking staff with him. The hook of the staff cupped the back of the Vallen’s heel, yanking it off balance. The giant stumbled, tripped over a rock and fell backwards, impaling itself on the broadsword—propped up between his comrades dead body and a tree root. It gasped as its heavy body slid down the blade, the tip reemerging from the center of its chest.

The body went limp.

Tripping a second time, another low branch knocked Chucks hat back into its original position.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, “Much better.” Looking about, he recoiled at the sight of the two bodies—the second giant, propped up on the sword with a frozen look of shock on its face. He cautiously leaned in…and poked it with his staff.

He crinkled his nose. “Ew.”

Hobbling across the field, Chuck poked each of the dead bodies with his staff.

Wendell, Dax and Alhannah stared at him.

“What?” the wizard asked innocently.

Dax frowned, “You couldn’t pull off an ambush if your life depended on it!”

Chuck frowned back, “I said I was sorry.”

“No you didn’t.”

“I didn’t?”

Dax shook his head, “Nope.”

The wizard threw his shoulders back and folded his arms, “Well I’m not going to. Leaving a frail old man all by himself like that, I could have been hurt! You have no consideration for the elderly.”

Alhannah giggled and the smiley on Wendell’s shirt rolled its eyes.

“Wait!” Dax hissed. Twisting his head, his oversized ears twitched.

Chuck frowned, “Don’t change the subject!”

“Over there, in the trees!”

At the mouth of the valley’s entrance, a lone soldier emerged from the brush. Clutching sword and shield, it sprinted towards the narrow forest opening.

Dax and Alhannah took off in hot pursuit.

“Oh let the big chicken go!” chided the wizard, “I certainly wouldn’t want to hang around after losing all of my friends, would you?”

“But, won’t it go report to someone?” Wendell asked, nervously. The soldier disappeared around the bend. “Let them know that we’re here?”

“Oh poo,” the wizard complained, “more running. I hate running you know. Why can’t people casually stroll after one another instead? I could do that all day long.” He bit his lip when he noticed Wendell suppressing a laugh. “Fine. Off we go then. I’m right behind you.”

Quickly distancing himself from the wizard, Wendell sprinted with all his might. This is amazing! It was as if he’d been built for this all his life. He quickly caught up with Dax and Alhannah. Both sides of the valley narrowed and eventually met at a natural archway of rock. The forest grew thick with trees on either side of the doorway, nearly hiding its existence.

“He’s…gonna…get…away,” gasped Dax, slowing down. A small trail of blood trickled down from his nose. Sweat beaded across his forehead, his face turning pale.

“No…he’s not,” answered Alhannah, skidding to a halt.

Pulling a long knife from her back, the gnome threw the blade with blinding speed. The thin blade hummed and tumbled through the air, and found its target—in the base of the giants skull. The beast crashed to the ground like a wet rag, sliding to a halt.

“Wow, ‘Hannah…,” gasped Dax, hacking. He grabbed his ribs, “Now that was impressive. Been practicing a bit, have we?”

She grinned, also gasping for air, “A bit.”

Though he was sweating, Wendell didn’t feel tired at all. He looked at both sides of the small valley that made up the mouth of Tämä-Un. “We probably need to get the body off the path, don’t we?”

Dax nodded, swaying from side to side. “Don’t want…anyone knowing…we were here.” With considerable effort, the three dragged the body to the edge of the trees. A total of four feet.

“He’s too heavy,” complained Wendell.

Alhannah yanked the blade from the wound. “Bah, lets cut him into pieces.”

Dax looked up along the mountainsides, “No. Just cover him with branches and leaves. This is good enough.” Stumbling to the side, he fell against the dead body.

Wendell reached out to steady him. “You ok?”

Dax slapped his hand away, “Of course I’m alright—don’t be stupid! Now get off me!”

“What is your problem? I was only trying to help.”

Even Alhannah frowned at the troll. “Lighten up, uncle Dax. The kid didn’t mean any harm.”

“Stay out of it, squirt—I don’t need his freakin-fairy help!”

Alhannah smiled weakly at Wendell. “Just blow it off,” she whispered.

Wendell grit his teeth in silence. What is it that I do that makes him so mad at me? You’re a flippin’ jerk, Dax—you know that!?

Once they’d covered the body with leaves and branches, they jogged back to the gate. Halfway there, they passed poor Chuck, who was hunched over, coughing, wheezing and purple with exhaustion.

“Come on, old fart,” teased Dax, poking the wizard in the arm as he jogged past.

Chuck slumped down to the ground and tossed his hat to the side.

“You children are plotting against me, I just know it,” he panted.