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the Forests of Selmont. He knew every landmark throughout the long narrow tunnel for over the years he had been down here many times. His father had insisted that every time they walked it, he call out where he was the moment he was asked. Back then, he had thought it just a game to pass the time of having to walk the tunnel which stretched well over fifty miles. He knew better now. It had been his father’s plan all along to prepare him for this day when he would have to lead his people to the Valley of Aura.
    Jayden was young for a Lealian, a mere ninety-eight years old and now he was the leader of these people whether he was ready or not. His family had ruled their small village for hundreds of years and his father and fathers before him had taught their sons everything they needed to know about warfare, creatures both good and evil, different worlds and most importantly about Rhol itself. 
    He could not be sure how long they would have until the Kaltaures discovered the gateway . Jayden estimated they would need about a ten hour head start to reach the first depot safely. They had food and weapons stored there in the event something like this happened. More importantly, once they reached the first depot, they could collapse the part of the tunnel in which they already travelled, making it impossible for anyone to pursue them further.
    Many may have felt reassured at this prospect but Jayden’s father had taught him well. He knew that if the Kaltaures discovered the tunnel they would surely send the Ralcriff after them. Ralcriff were particularly vile creatures. Their hair was black as were their eyes. Each Ralcriff had a full mane of poisonous quills capable of killing an inflicted individual within a day. Their teeth were razor sharp. Upper and lower fangs protruded from their steel trap like jaws and when they penetrated a person’s flesh, it made escape from their grasp nearly impossible. Very few had ever escaped a Ralcriff attack and those who had did so at the expense of a limb. They were killing machines bred for the sole purpose of tasting blood.
    Ralcriff used fear as a tactic in their hunt, letting their victims know well in advance that they were coming. Their long ghostly howl was very effective for that. It would pierce your very soul and render the less trained, immobilized in terror. If that wasn’t enough Ralcriff could travel five times faster than the Kaltaures. 
    Jayden hoped they wouldn’ t have to worry about the Ralcriff. He could smell the gas seeping through the soil and knew they were passing under the Mourning Sands. They were only about three hours from the depot. Nevertheless, Jayden summoned one of the Lealians to speak with him in private. 
    “Oisin, you are by far the fastest Lealian I know. I need you to t ake two men and get to the Depot. Collect as many weapons as you can carry and return as fast as you can.” 
    “Does it have to be men Jayden? Kaelyn is as fast as they come.”
    “Anybody, whom you choose Oisin, but make haste.”
    Without another word Oisin collected Kaelyn and a young male named Palvoy and ran toward the depot. 
    Jayden could feel someone tugging on his shirt and looked down to see a small boy. “Sir, what is that awful smell? It is horrid.”
    Jayden grinned. “It is just the smell of Rhol letting off steam in the form of gas, lad. It will soon pass.”
    With that , the boy grimaced, pinched his nose and stormed back into the crowd of Lealians walking behind him.
    Jayden had not told the boy everything, but then even he wasn’t sure whether the smell was what he surmised it to be; rotting bodies. 
    Based on what his father had told him about the Mo urning Sands, it was certainly possible. They were so named for the lost souls that succumbed to its alluring setting. It was a pure spectacle of nature. Set in between hills of rock and swamps that were unfit for any living soul, the Mourning Sands provided the welcoming illusion of sandy beaches and fresh