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water along with a single tree for shade. But the beaches were alive. In fact they were not beaches at all but the larvae of an insect known as a Mortynt. What looked like water was simply thick greenish-blue gas. What appeared to be waves rolling up onto the sands were merely thousands of Mortynts scurrying through the gas and back to their waiting place. A living creature entering the Mourning Sands was walking to its death. There was no escape. The Mortynt’s larvae relied on living flesh for their metamorphosis and dead flesh for nourishment. Once you walked over them they entered your body, unnoticed. The further you walked the more you ingested. By the time you made it to the tree, blisters would be forming on your skin and each blister contained the Mortynt’s pupae.
    Unable to see or walk , the unfortunate victims would usually cling to the tree, screaming in agony, before the blisters would begin to burst, producing adult Mortynts. The victims would die shortly after only to have their dead flesh stripped from their bones by the remaining larvae.
    It amazed Jayden how something could start life in such a grotesque way but then finish it in such splendor and beauty, for as adults the Mortynts were stunning to look at and quite harmless. They had six wings, three on either side of their small furry brown bodies. The female’s wings were black in color with a chartreuse dot on the end of each.  The males were covered in every color you could imagine, all in vivid stripes and circles.
    Jayden’s thoughts were interrupted by a faint sound in the distance. He immediately held his arm up signaling the rest of his people to be silent. There it was, a faint but clear ghostly howl coming from down the tunnel and they still had no weapons.
    Jayden immediately began to organize the Lealian’s. They did not have much time. The Ralcriff would be coming from the rear and so he placed the women and children at the front of the lines. All the Lealian men were trained warriors. Jayden placed the youngest males in the middle, for they would have the stamina to fight a long battle should the Ralcriff make it past the rear of the lines. The rear line would be where the eldest Lealians would be placed for they were experienced in all sorts of combat and would have the advantage in close quarters. He positioned himself in front of the elders because he had been taught to lead his people. 
    J ayden turned and spoke. “Lealians, hear me. The Ralcriff are upon us, pick up your pace and listen for my instructions. When I give the word the elders will stop while the women, children and young warriors forge ahead. Young warriors of Leal, should the Ralcriff reach you, know that we did all we could to stop them. It will be up to you to fight for the lives of the women and children.” 
    A young warrior named Talen interrupted “Jayden, please reconsider. You have no weapons; the Ralcriff will slaughter you. Let us all join and have the women and children forge on. There is strength in numbers.” 
    “Very well spoken Talen, however every fight has a strategy and this is our best given the circumstances. We must have as many survive as possible and if we must die to protect the lifeline of the Lealian’s then so be it. Now let’s move.” 
    With that the Lealian s quickened their pace. They made it about another mile before Jayden heard the howling coming from just around the bend. It was time.  
    “Now!” Jayden yelled. 
    Alongside Jayden, the elders turned to face the Ralcriff . They knew they were simply barricades put in place to give the others a chance to make it to the Depot. With no weapons, they had no hope. They stood proud however, knowing the delay might give the young warriors a chance to retrieve weapons and save the remaining Lealians. 
    T he first two Ralcriff rounded the corner. Saliva dripped from their jowls at the sight of the Lealians. Their ghostly howl signaled to the Ralcriff advancing behind them that