-----An hour later finds the entire party of adventurers back at the docks of Gafa. The late afternoon sun hangs heavily between the clouds. Between the heat and the moist marsh air, fatigue begins to set upon the band of adventurers and the troop that accompanies them.
-----As they look back across the lake toward the site of the castle, now mostly hidden by trees, they reflect on their journey from that wretched place.
-----Sorrow had hung heavily over all. Romney had carried the covered body of the fallen dancer from the ruins until he himself looked ready to collapse from grief and weariness. Still he had courageously denied any need of help laying the body gently in the boat when they reached the beach.
-----Murmured groans and curses were given by many in the Silvergardian troop as they came across the petrified forms of their companions.
-----The voyage across the swamp water had been solemn and quiet.
-----Now as Garrison helps Romney take Mirian from the small boat, some of the woodsmen approach them saying, "Our friends, let us help you with your loved one. The town of Rushfen is over a day's ride. We can find a resting place for her here in Gafa or if you wish somewhere in the Silver Woods."
-----Both the woodsman and the guard from Oakwood express their gratitude but admit they do not know where the dancer had called home.
-----Lovan appears a bit moody staring at the castle ruin with a strange expression. He grunts as he turns and murmurs something to Sol about leaving.
-----Raven and Rinda stand arm in arm on the dock looking at the woodsmen and the elves as they prepare to take Mirian's body. Turning toward Sol, the hunter says, "We should head for Rushfen, though we could all use a night of rest. I hate to leave the people in this small village after they have suffered so much, but I would feel more comfortable camping in the woods."
-----Just then, the hunters, Sol and Sarah are addressed by one of the elven warriors. "Part of our troop will remain here for a few days until more can arrive. If you are heading for the town of Rushfen, you could carry news of us to Lord Howrun."
-----"We will carry news, yes. Just warn those that stay here o'th' doppelgangers. Those that can take th' form o' other people. Make sure none o' ye patrol alone, they seem t'like ganging up." Sol warns as he heads up the bank.
-----The warrior stops momentarily and looks to where Romney stands with Garrison. In a soft tone, Sol voices his opinion, "Perhaps we should let th' elves take Mirian t'th' Silver Woods t'rest. Gafa wasn't her home, but in the woods she'd be surrounded by th' beauty o'life, something she appreciated."
-----Satisfied with that, Sol then replies to Raven, "Gafa is secure fer now, wi' th' beholder's influence done. I say we make use o' what light we have t'get started. We'll sleep out, tonight. Tomorrow, we'll arrive in Rushfen."
-----The Gorian then promptly leaves to find Thunder.
-----Sarah nods at Sol's suggestions. "Yes, that all sounds good to me. Mirian was a free spirit. I think returning her to the woods is a good idea." The young mage steps closer to Romney and puts a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it comfortingly. "I'm sorry." She says softly. "I know what she meant to you." The mage hugs the warrior for a second, before leaving him to his thoughts. She walks over to Sol with a sad look in her eyes and hugs him tight. "Let's get as far away from here as possible." She says.
-----As evening begins to fall, the adventurers leave the small tortured village of Gafa. The horses take to the road leading northeast into the woods beyond. Within a mile, under darkening limbs, they pass by the decaying and burnt bodies of undead that attempted to bar the way into the unfortunate community.
-----Romney stares straight ahead paying little heed to the grotesque scene about them. The guard slumps in his saddle, betraying his usual proud posture while his face registers a fatigue not only of body but spirit as well.
-----"So, a beholder it was that we battled," Lovan suddenly says as if first realizing what had transpired earlier. A grin breaks across his face as he looks up at the clouds between the trees.
-----Soon they reach the fork in the road that they saw the night before. They follow the road that leads off to the left while the sounds of crickets and frogs in the marsh begin as if welcoming the approaching twilight. For a mile or more they head toward the northwest before the road angles back toward the west.
-----Occasionally, they ride from the cover of the trees to cross short bush fields. There the sun reveals itself more hanging lower in the western sky before them.
-----Finally they come to a place they had seen before where a large lake stretches across a few miles to the south of the road. The trees of the Silver Woods border the road to the north and it is here the party camps for the night.
-----In the fading light, a campfire is lit and fireflies glitter and float between the limbs. Out on the lake, small circular pools are seen where fish jump for the insects crossing the water. At last, the adventurers get a chance to relax properly.
-----Lovan stares silently into the fire. After a moment, the storm priest says as if speaking to himself, "A few days ago, we fight and slay the evil ones in the village of Nox, but we lose one of our own. Two days ago, we fight and slay a great green dragon. This day we fight and slay an eye tyrant, but we lose one of our own. So it goes with the Great Rager. Always the change goes on. What is here one day, . . . gone the next." Lovan's voice fades off.
-----Garrison thrashes himself up from a sitting position. For a moment, he looks as if he might attack Lovan, but then his demeanor eases as if too exhausted to act. Or maybe something the storm priest made sense.
-----Rinda smiles faintly and says something to break whatever tension remains. "Yes, Lovan, things change. The great circling of life always goes on. Sometimes bad things happen. A fire may take the homes of the Great Hunter's children. But those of us who survive can do what we can to ease the suffering. We can do what we can to make the difference so that the bad things don't always happen."
-----Lovan narrows his eyes while staring deeper into the fire.
-----"Wise words, my love," Raven says placing his arm around the huntress. To the group, he says, "No moon again tonight. Let's figure out who's watching when and get as much rest as we can before tomorrow. I have the feeling, though, that we will meet no evil this night."
-----"Joren willing," Romney finally says, his expression sad as he stares into the fire.
-----After finishing up settling the horses down for the night, Sol comes over and suggests, "Rinda, Garrison . . . Take first if ye would. I'll manage second wi' Romney. Last, Raven an' Lovan. Rest easy all . . . It's days like these that I'm glad t'be surrounded ye all, friends an' loved ones." Sol smiles gently as he sits down and sets his back against a tree near Sarah.
-----For a while the warrior lazily watches the fireflies shimmer in and out of view, only settling down to sleep after wishing a last soft goodnight to the Lord Wizard's daughter.