2: ACROSS THE PLAINS OF AZANULBIZAR

Jack came up behind the group, moving slowly at first but picked up his pace as they moved out across the plain. He stopped for a moment to look back at the forest home of the elves, knowing full well that he would not see this place again in his current state. He then looked to his new companions. The path that lay ahead would be the fullfillment of his destiny. The ghostwalker caught up to the others quickly, more determined than ever to uncover the secrets of his past and to learn more of this prophecy the spirits spoke of. They wouldn't get far when Jack stopped again rather suddenly. "There was a great battle here. The spirits of this place know me not as the ghostwalker but as a friend and comrade in arms. I remember this place." The flood of memories hit hard and Jack stumbled back a bit.

The army of men stood their ground as a massive army of orcs moved across the battlefield. Generals of both armies called for the attack and before long all were engaged in combat. Jack found himself reliving this battle all over again as he locked blades with one assailant after another. He was quite the swordsman back then but it was not enough as the orcs overran them quickly. Before long Jack found himself alone against an army. It was then that the orc leader slashed into his belly and Jack fell to the ground, dying.

Back in the real world Jack gripped his gut as he felt a slight burn in his abdomen. Lazarus appeared again, smiling. "Isn't it ironic? This is where it all began for you and now it is where it shall also end." The assassin drew his swords as he looked at his companions. Just as he was about to deliver the deadly blow Jack snapped out of his trance in time to dive to the side. He felt the sting as a blade cut into his arm but at least he would live. The two ghostwalkers now stared at each other.

Ssinjin and the small party of Elves traveled swiftly through the Golden Woods. Her companions never said a word but there was an unspoken respect they held for her and in turn, she held for them. While they may be from different worlds, right now, their enemy was the same and in the unity of trying to defeat this enemy, usual grudges were cast aside.

The party moved as silent as wraiths as they slithered through the forest. A few times they halted to listen to a noise someone had picked up on but soon after started their trek once more. It felt good for Jin to be back among the wildness and not in the structured city of the Elves. While she was grateful for the respite she had to admit she was eager to get back to something she liked better.

The Drowess had no trouble keeping up with the Elves guiding her to the farthest corner of their world. While she wasn’t as tall as they were, she proved herself quite capable of maintaining the same pace they did. No doubt they were testing her abilities to see if she could move about in this world as easily as she had in her own. Of course they didn’t know she had spent a good deal of time on the surface at the request of her Mother and the different missions she sent her daughter on.

When they reached the outer fringes of the Elves territory, the men traveling with her bid her farewell, wished her luck on the quest she and the others had taken on then faded back into the woods as though they were ghosts. Now, once more alone, the Drowess waited for the arrival of the others.

Taking to a nearby tree, Jin made herself comfortable. As the sun began to dip further and further into the horizon, she couldn’t help but wonder how Augustine and his wooden son, Adam, were fairing. The druid knew Adam was in serious trouble and had done the right thing by departing company with her and Lac when he did. Perhaps he returned to the place they had first met the Ranger. The humans there seemed genuinely concerned for the little boys well being.

With a deep sigh, Jin remembered what Verin had done to the druid and his monastery. There was no level her murderous, blasphemous brother would stoop to that was too low. He’d proved that by killing her Mother and Sisters. Nothing short of peeling the skin off his still live body then poking him with a white hot, iron rod would suit for his punishment. And she would make certain that happened.

A noise caught her attention and she quickly snapped her attention to the direction it was coming from. Something was moving closer to her position but she couldn’t tell if it were man or beast…or something else. Slowly pulling herself to her feet in the tree, she silently withdrew her bow from the endless pocket of her cloak, knocked a bolt and slowly pulled the taut string back. Feeling the feathery touch of her gloved fingertips on her cheek, she made ready to let the bolt fly the moment she found out it wasn’t a friend.

Please old friend do not shoot, I'm afraid I cannot bear any more holes in my robes.

Augustine stepped from the shadows and into the light, he knew damn well that the Drowess could sense his approach. He would have had zero chance of surprising her, even above ground.

I am pleased to see you, I have been searching for you and Lac'Nala for a few weeks, a vivid dream I had some nights ago foretold your passage through this wood. I traveled here soon after and have enjoyed living among the stout trees here in this old place. I have been meditating here for a few days hoping the dream was an accurate one. I see now it was a good turn to have faith.

Augustine smiled wide, and bowed slightly to the dark elf woman.

Jin blinked when she saw the familiar outline of Augustine’s form with her darksight. The sky was still holding onto the last bits of light before it lost the fight and night overtook the land so when the Druid stepped into one of the last remaining streaks of light in the woods, the Drowess recognized his frame and voice instantly.

Quickly lowering her bow and releasing the tension she had on the string, Jin tucked the weapon back into her cloak then reached up and pushed the hood of her cloak off her white head so her friend could see it was indeed her. With a small smile on her lips she easily dropped from the tree and walked over to greet the handsome Druid.

”Augustine……it has been too long, my friend. I am very glad to see you again. I see you are in very good health.”

Looking around for Adam, Jin gave the Druid a concerned look when her eyes lifted to hold his gaze once more.

”I do not see Adam. Has something happened to him? Please tell me that murdering bastard has not gotten to the wooden child.”

Augustine would see there was a subtle change in Jin as he stood watching her. Gone were the hard edges of her features and now they appeared to be more relaxed as did the rest of her and her cynical, hatefulness seemed to be replaced now with a more caring nature. Quite the contrary to the last time he had been in her company. Obviously something happened to bring about a change to the Drowess.

It brings me a lot of joy to see you Ssinjin, it has been many months.

Augustine looked the dark elf woman over, blood rushed to his cheeks as she lowered her hood revealing her white hair and fair beautiful face. The druid was grateful that his hood was still up as he blushed at looking at her.

Ssinjin seemed a great deal more relaxed, different yet the same. Augustine's eyes lingered on her hair and face and then the druid cleared his throat and looked to the ground.

My son is safe, he is with a trusted and wise friend.
The druid looked back to Ssinjinn, as he spoke the trees around the pair creaked and groaned, were they attempting to speak? The woods around them seemed to jump to life as the druid moved and spoke. Every rooted, growing thing surrounding them twitched and wavered.

The druid gently raised one hand, the subtle sounds quieted and faded.

There have been many times I evaded your treacherous brother's death squads, a few times I almost fell into death. I thought it prudent to hide my son until this unfortunate business is settled.

There was anger in the druid's voice, a rare thing. When the anger showed through in his voice the forest breathed again with those subtle and mysterious sounds.

Augustine lowered his stiff hood, letting his friend see his face for the first time in several months.

Would it please you to hear that Adam is in the charge of the very same powerful nymph that healed my scars and helped us all those many months ago?

The druid smiled warmly as he spoke these words, the trees around them grew quiet again.

Jin let an audible sigh of relief slip past her lips when she heard Adam was safe and doing well. Often she thought of the Druid and his magical son and hoped they were safe and that Verin was unable to harm them. But now, hearing where Adam was and who he was in the company of, Jin knew her brother wouldn’t dare try to combat the nymph.

When Augustine lowered his hood, Jin actually took a small step back. While she was not afraid of him, he was much taller than she was and she wanted to get a better look at his face. She’d almost forgotten how handsome he was but now, he seemed even more so. Like he was a little younger than the last time she saw him. How was that possible? He still sounded the same….but his features…they were certainly more…youthful for the lack of a better word.

As the trees and plants began to move and rustle, Jin’s eyes glanced around. She had forgotten just how powerful the Druid really was and as the plants surrounding them seemed to speak, she was reminded of his power and how much of an asset he was to their cause. As he raised his hand to calm the plants, Jin smiled slightly as the quiet enshrouded the two like a sheer veil shrouds a brides face.

With the mention of her brother, Jin said something in her native language then spat on the ground. The softness of her features changed instantly and that same hardness Augustine had seen of her in the past quickly resurfaced. There was no doubt exactly how she felt about Verin. Still.

”No brother of mine would do the things he has done. At least, not any brother I would dare claim as my own. Much has happened since last we talked, my friend.”

Knowing she and Augustine were safe, Jin told him about everything that happened since they last saw each other. How they met with young wizard apprentice Alrick, who had the unfortunate curse upon him that kept turning him into a pig only to be changed back to human again with a kiss. How they lost him in the depths of the Mines. Their encounter with the Dwarf that led them through the high passes to begin with and eventually through the mines. The arrival of the Pharie, Tiphereth, from the other plane and the young human woman Brianna. The arrival at Golden Woods and everything that had transpired with the elves as well as the rare amulet Galadriel had bestowed her with.

Jin left out the parts where her emotions were surfacing and how she felt about Lac’Nala. For starters, she didn’t know how to talk about them. She did, however, mention how she had traveled another direction to thwart the massive group of beasts tracking them. Omitting the part about the hell hound, of course. She didn’t need anyone knowing she had grown too tired to remember they always traveled in pairs. As she finished up with how she got to be where she was when he arrived, the night sky twinkled with stars over head.

”So you see, my friend….we have come a long way but there is still a long way to go. Lac’Nala and the others should be arriving shortly. I cannot wait to see his face when he sees you standing here with me. He will be very happy to see you again. Just as I was. Although, I have to say, hearing you had a vision of us passing this way, makes concerned these visions may not be bearing good news.”

Lac led his companions east, through the southeastern edge of Lothlorien, staying hidden in the trees, towards the great river Arun. Once they reached the eastern corner of the wood they would cross the river Anduin, then northeast across the Brown lands towards Rohan.

Lac remained silent as they travled, he sensed a familiar presence growing closer as the trees, shrubs and plants themselves seemed to be watching, as darkness deepened and the night sky filled with stars. Lac stopped and dismounted, motioning for the rest to do the same, taking Lighting's reins in hand, he on slowly onward. Lightning pulled back, planted his hooves and stopped, his ears twitching, he snorted softly. ....... Ahead and to Lac's right on a small rise, Shape appeared to materialized, lifted his nose towards the full moon and howled. Shortly two more howls could be heard, one to Lac's left and another behind them. Lac smiled "We have an escort my friends." Lac said quietly and they continued......Lac sensed another presence as well, but kept the feeling to himself and his eyes watched to forest.

Augustine listened as Jin laid out the tale for him, she spoke of the wizard, the dwarf, the fairykin and the woman. He now realized that his old friends had been through as much as he had in their months apart. Coming to look for Ssinjin and Lac'nala now seemed like the right choice, there was safety in numbers and the druid had missed his companions.

Augustine made himself comfortable, sitting at the base of some of the great trees. The stars blinked overhead spilling a dim light onto him and the Drowess.

It is a strange thing my friend, ever since the lady of the lake cured my burns I feel very different. The druid looked away from Ssinjin and at the ground.

I feel weightless..no, I feel like I am walking through a dream sometimes..I..
Augustine's words trailed off, he searched his mind for the right ones, they were not coming to him.

Sometimes I hear her, I hear her speaking to me. She wanted very much for me and Adam to stay with her, but she accepted my choice.
Augustine looked up to the stars, he looked tired in the starlight.

Brianna was enjoying being on the back of a horse again as she followed her companions through the woods. Hearing the wolves howl, she smiled and smiled even bigger when Lac mentioned that they had an escort.

"I love to hear them sing. It is so beautiful. And, I am happy that they are with us."

She smiled to Lac, wondering why SinJinn wasn't with them, but not wanting to seem rude by asking. She figured if Lac wanted them to know then he would tell them.

Tiphereth Sorrelwind followed closely behind his lord, his Phaerie eyes looking beyond the veil of the physical world and into that ancient realm that the old trees touched upon and knew well. Suddenly then, he felt a presence; a stirring in the essence of the forest, the ripples emanating from far away. 'What manner of creature could move the tree's so?', he pondered but said nothing of it to his companions for nothing evil surrounded this force, only the purest neutrality.



"What is it lad?" Inquired Othargren, who's black ram pranced lightly alongside the Phaerie's gifted mount.

Sorrelwind turned and gazed into the Dwarf's curious scowl, surprised that he could interpret his expressionless face, but then he must have betrayed some emotion. "I am only thinking of our trek to Rohan and what we shall find there." he misguidedly answered then looked back to Brianna. "Your heart is yet heavy with our return to your home, but it is pleasing to see you delighting in the ride and good company. Nature has a way of healing all wounds Brianna Red Fox."

The Phaerie then returned his gaze to the woods considering the nature around them once more. Once he had felt such an aura before and the one who cast it was a Man of the Oak. Powerful was their magic of the wood and so much were they like the plants they nurtured so, neutral as the trees they worshipped and nurtured. A neutrality that did not set Man, Elf or Phaerie before the great forests making them the perfect instruments to uphold the Will of the Aelaeydium within his world. Here in the realm of Middle Earth, however, Sorrelwind feared to be deemed disrespectful of those laws that governed him. Had this guardian been sent to punish him? Only time would tell. Remaining silent, the Phaeire followed the lead of Lac'Nala his eyes focused on the ranger's back, while his other senses spread out into the woods, ever watchful.

At the mention of returning to Rohan, Brianna lost her smile, but it soon returned as she turned her dark green gaze onto the Phaerie.

"Thank you, Tiphereth. I will enjoy showing you my home, I simply wish my adopted parents could be there as well. It will be a bittersweet return, indeed."

She turned her attention back to her beautiful mount, a light buckskin colored horse with a black mane and tale. She couldn't help but wonder if the mare was chosen for her because of her coloring.

Jin sat down across from the Druid when he sat to get comfortable as well. When Augustine lifted his face to look up at the stars dancing overhead, Jin saw the weariness on his handsome features. It was never easy leaving loved ones behind. While she knew Augustine was doing what he knew he had to do, it still weighed heavy on his heart and mind that he left his miracle child behind. And the Lady.

”She will no doubt be delighted to see you when you return. As will Adam. Is he still as curious about life as he was when last I saw him?”

Hearing the wolf howls in the distance, Jin stood up and grew silent and listened intently, turning to face the direction the howls came from. A smile slowly eased its way onto her features. Looking back over at the Druid, she sat back down.

”Lac draws near. Once we meet up with the rest of the group, I have no doubt he will take a moments rest to greet you then we will be ready to move out once more. The faster we move at night, the more time we make up between us and the dark forces. And now that we are leaving the protective borders of Lothlorien, I suspect we will have our work cut out for us trying to stay ahead of them.”

Lac slowly rode forward, he sensed Ssinjin was close, but there was another close to her. A familar presence, though he could not put his mind around the strangers identity. It was is a voice he did not readily recognize from days long past drifted across his mind. Lac tensed as his thoughts turned to Verin for a moment. But why did this presence not feel evil, had Verin conjured a spell powerful enough to mask who he truely was?

The wolves were coming closer, but Augustine did not fear, there was a man who rode with them on occasion, and this man was no threat, in fact he was a friend. Augustine closed his eyes, the trees rustled softly, they whispered to one another in their secret silent language, their whispers traveled from tree to tree in a wide circle. Although Augustine did not fear the approach of the wolves and whomever traveled behind them he wanted to be sure, the enemy that stalked him could easily disguise his approach and appear to be friendly. Was it a trick? Was the druid giving in to paranoia?

The trees were watching in their own way and they would soon sense the approaching group and Augustine would know whether he could expect an old friend or prepare to defend himself. The druid kept his eyes closed tight, he drew in a deep breath and tried to clear his mind.

Ssinjin stood up as the wolves came very near, she was relaxed as they sounded very close. This put the druid at ease somewhat, she was a very sensitive creature and if she sensed no danger it must be so. The druid wondered briefly what it would take to surprise her, to fool the razor sharp senses of the dark elf woman.

Lac held his hand up, singling a halt to those who followed, then he rode ahead slowly, leading the horse Ssinjin had rode into the mines so long ago, into a grove of trees. Thru the darkening gloom the form of Ssinjin's image slowly materialized, standing beside her was a figure cloaked in the faded maroon cloak of a monk, his hood hiding the strangers features. Slowly Lac spoke "Satsaeisanaejarlinnar Panraeistaeldsortorestasaysat osfar tynhineva Darunoswis Hiemothuthsaeeva olfor Key'Naryisartnay athanorda tayrinunesiltoreldaday falrelinestanirdil imtil daolethasay mayyir hinevastrareltar gilossaothdel taeoth sateldest yorothuth othnircuraeva arthgularthistanae. Yiloluthayrin cirothmaypalarniristornay finestaevalissata foranmoristilisimastriril tiroth maeeld. Im sileldanaesataeld naror evavaeisalay innir hurimmae. Isa perrayalyir yaolune hamartavalketha norothtil bearevestnir halanraymirevadil inanae alnaryor wilartayin. Istifar taehirinsat sirtinrinarthnelgolethren hurastrisar hilartharaemayevadil yaoruthay ithnay annaryid wynaryin Hileva welistalorlay sorlirevaeldapan tinhalimsat nelimgolhiltyn ithnae tayhilelda astrabearyissatsor.” (Translation: Ssinjin Priestess of the Drow House of K'Nyan and trusted friend it does my heart good to see you once again. Your companion feels familiar to me. I sense no evil in him. I pray you have not been harmed in any way. If this stranger has harmed you in any way He will sleep this night in the abyss.) He then dismounted and walked over closer to he and smiled. His attention then turned to the cloaked man. He then bowed his head slightly, while his hand rested on the pummel of his sword. "You sir feel familiar to me, if we have not met before, allow me to introduce myself. I am, Lac'Nala a Ranger from the lands of Oron_D_Naar. Your cloak is as one of the order of a long lost friend, who traveled with a small boy. Are you of this same order or know of this man?"

Augustine was standing near Ssinjin, he had gotten to his feet when she had. As the Ranger awaited an answer the druid lowered his hood and spoke.
Yes, I know of this man, he has traveled a long way to meet with old friends.

Augustine smiled and extended his hand to Lac'Nala, the druid was aware that the others that Ssinjin had spoken of were most likely nearby. Lac'Nala had no doubt had them remain out of sight, ever the cautious ranger.

Hello again old friend.
The druid looked at the half elf, pleased to see his friend in one piece.

Lac smiled broadly , took the Druids hand and embraced him tightly. "I am so pleased to see you again, my old friend. It fills my heart with joy to see you are safe." Lac then relaeased his old friend and looked around for Adam. Not seeing him, his face grew concerned. "Please tell me that Adam is safe and unharmed." Lac said.

The leaves rustled in the wind, only it was no normal wind. Only the eyes of the Phaerie could see this. Ancient whispers of an unintelligible language came to his ears; the trees were speaking their ancient language traveling upon what was perceived by Men as a gentle breeze and perhaps on some level of reality it was, but not to the Deithir.

Moving away from the Dwarf and Rohirrim woman, Sorrelwind had settled his mount and quietly surveyed the meeting from the low ridge. Rendered virtually invisible by his Phaerie glamour, his ability to envelope himself with the hues of the forest transfered to his horse, painting them both into the forest scene around them.

The trees watched. Did they see him? He existed partially in their realm and his magics would render him invisible to even those of his kind, but the trees, were old... very old. They saw and knew everything that occurred in the world about them and Sorrelwind knew that they spoke of him as well, but they did not judge. In his own world trees were protected by the Aelaeydium, and their Will forbid the taking of any green limbs for fuel. Dead fall and the magical wood created in the mills was what they were allowed and nothing else. They were revered by Aethiad and Phaerie alike.

Looking upon the cloak man, Sorrel knew that he was indeed a Man of the Oak, a protector of the forest. For what reason did he feel it necessary to meddle in the affairs of men?

Jin smiled at Lac when she heard him greet her. Knowing the Ranger meant every word he spoke, she turned to look at Augustine with a twinkle in her eyes and a grin on her lips. As Augustine stepped forward and lowered his hood, Jin knew Lac wouldn’t recognize the face right away but the voice was unmistakable. As the recognition showed on Lac’s face and he smiled at Augustine, the Drowess knew things were settled quickly. It was then Jin noticed the horse Lac was riding. Blinking, she wasn’t sure she’d seen correctly but as she approached, Lightning nodded his head at her familiar scent. Jin reached her hand out to the horse and stroked his velvety snout.

Looking into the darkness, Jin’s darksight saw the outline of the others as they waited nearby anxiously. Signaling for them to approach, she notice the rider less horse as well and instantly gasped recognizing Walnut, or Wally, as Alrick called him. Approaching the gelding slowly, the Drowess reached her hand out and stroked his snout in the same way she had Lightnings.

When she turned to see Lac smiling at her, she gave him a pleasantly surprised look. He explained the horses had arrived just before the group in the Golden Woods and Galadriel had kept them safe and sound. To say the least, the Drowess was very pleased.

As the introductions were made, Jin walked over to Lac as he stood next to Lightning.

”If your steed does not mind an extra rider, I will ride with you and let Augustine take Walnut.”

Brianna rode forward upon Jinn's signal to approach, watching the hooded monk warily. She knew not who he was and although Lac and Jinn appeared to be relaxed around him, she herself was not. She was somewhat at ease with the fact that Lac and Jinn knew him, but she was quickly learning that everything could be something other than what it seemed. So she watched, she was polite, but she watched.

Augustine took a moment to explain Adam's situation to Lac, how the druid had thought it best to leave him in the protection of the water nymph, the lady of the lake. He left it at that, he did not feel that it was right to burden Lac with the rest of the tale. He did not tell his friend of the many attempts on his life over the last few months, how on several different occasions Verin's underlings had come at him. How they had come with their daggers and crossbow bolts and had poisoned him and he had barely survived.

There is more to tell my friend, but we will save that for another time...Augustine said cheerfully to his friend.

Ssinjin motioned to the others that waited in silence nearby, they approached cautiously. The Phariekin stood out to the druid, he seemed to charge the surrounding area with his presence, the trees whispered to the druid as he approached, they spoke in respect of this being from another plane.

The human woman looked at Augustine, the druid nodded to her as she walked near, her energy was much different. She seemed very cautious, and why wouldn't she be?, they had never met and now introductions were taking place in a dark wood in the night.

The Dwarf was an impressive sight to behold, a mountain of a specimen, truly a fierce looking individual. Augustine was realizing in this moment that he was lacking any kind of real world experience when it came to the different and varied people of this land. He had not known many Elves as a cloistered druid, he had never even seen a Dwarf face to face, and he had certainly not met women like Ssinjin and the human woman before.

Augustine folded his hands at his waist and introduced himself.
I am Augustine, a druid from the former monastery at the Great White Lake, a beautiful patch of flat land a ways west of here. I am the last of my sect and I am pleased to make your acquaintance.

Augustine bowed slightly in respect as he spoke.

Brianna lead her horse behind her as she walked past Augustine, nodding to him again as he introduced himself, still watching him warily.

"I am Brianna Red Foxx, born of the Dunedain and raised by the Rhorrihim."

She walked on, placing herself behind the monk, patting her mount on the neck, then lifting one foot at a time, checking the hooves, making sure that they were free of any pebbles or rocks. When needed, she withdrew a small dagger and picked the hooves clean before setting them back down again, talking softly to the horse the whole time.

Once she finished, she nodded her head towards Jinn in greeting before turning her gaze back to the monk. She wasn't trying to be rude, but she didn't know this man and even though Jinn and Lac were comfortable with him, she would wait until she knew him better before letting down her guard.

Sorrelwind bowed graciously before the druid and lamented for the loss of his brethren. "'Tis truly a tragedy that has befallen you Augustine, Man of the Oak. I mourn for yours and the world's loss of your druidic sect." The Phaerie humbly stated, then rising introduced himself. "I am Tiphereth Sorrelwind, but a humble bard far from beyond the northern winds, a creature not so unlike the Nymph you spoke of, strong in my element but not as so in the world of Men. I shall write a song of this crossing of paths." mentioned Sorrelwind and bowed once more as he receded and passed behind the approaching Dwarf who all but shook his head at the behaviour of the Phaerie.



"I be Othargren, son of Barlden o' the house of Ironfist far to the east within the Orocani Mountains, my western friend." Announced the Dwarf, then stroking his red beard sized up the druid as he curiously returned his own stare. "You've not seen any o' my people in the flesh before, 'ave ya my good man?" Figured the Dwarf by the way Augustine studied him. "Well take a good look, 'cause you'll not set yer eyes on a finer form... at least not 'til we pass through my home." Othargren jostled.

Lac turned and adjusted his saddle , the looked to Ssinjin and said "It is time we continued on, we must cross this meadow before dawn. Come Ssinjin you can ride with me. Augustine can take Walnut, there is a village not too many leagues beyond the meadow. It should be no problem to aquire another horse there." He helped Ssinjin into the saddle then mounted behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and the travellers moved out across the plain.

Brianna kept watch as Lac and the monk exchanged words, seeing that they were friends, she relaxed, but only a little. The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up and she felt as if they were being watched. By what or whom, she didn't know, only that eyes were upon them.

When Lac announced that it was time to move on, she breathed a sigh of relief, allowing the others to move ahead of her as she took up the rear, her senses on high alert for any strange sound, smell, or sight.

After several minutes, she spurred her mount, Sage, and rode up beside Lac and Jinn.

"We are being watched, Lac. I don't know by what or who, but I know that they are there."

She said no more and resumed her place at the rear of the group, one hand on the reins the other on the hilt of her sword.