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rides faster than a Daerlan. Tell Artus that there are two dangers coming; one from the west and the other from the east. Gerrand is certain Galamog comes from the east. Artus needs to get as many mages ready for war as he can."
    "Should I stay or return here?"
    "Return here. We will need everyone together. If a Jungegud goes to war we will be hard pressed in battle."
    "Shall I get Blackthorne? It's on the way."
    "You have no time to be delayed by his arguments. You go to Nantitet and I'll fetch Blackthorne."
    "Keep my daughter safe, old fool."
    "I shall, as always Taina. Keep safe!"
    He watched the Daerlan ride south and remembered their years together. He had enjoyed those years. He couldn't remember the exact argument or the reasons they left one another. But life changes and remains interesting. Years later he had been surprised when Taina gave birth to Moria. He knew Moria wasn't his daughter; it had been a century since he'd lain with Taina when Moria was born. Taina never said who Moria's father was and Kerreth never pursued it although Moria's father was not a Daerlan. Taina did not seem concerned when Moria took an interest in Kerreth and Moria told him Taina was pleased they were together. In all his long years, Kerreth never claimed to understand the female mind. It was that acceptance which made the thousands of years bearable.
    "I heard voices," said Dvorak Annis, walking out of his small house. The fat wizard rubbed his eyes and looked up to Kerreth. Dvorak wore a brown cloak, which appeared slept in, and it was, and his long fuzzy hair threatened to leap from his head.
    "Ah Dvorak, good. I was just going to wake you."
    "Breakfast is ready?"
    Kerreth glared at Dvorak. "Do you actually think I would save any food for you, much less take the time to wake you so you could get fatter?"
    "Oh. Is there trouble?"
    "We can't afford the verbal games right now. I need you to pay attention. Gerrand saw a vision of war with Galamog involved. A major war against Men. Send word to Brevin to scout Mordyn as he makes his rounds. He is to send word to us immediately if he sees any military activity or large movements of people."
    "Brevin would be a long way from here by now. I will need my strength."
    Kerreth grabbed the wizard by the shoulders and lifted him off his feet. Dvorak's eyes bulged.
    "Then hurry and eat something! I want Brevin to receive your message by the time he wakes up." He did not set Dvorak down gently.
    "Okay, I'll hurry." Dvorak hurried off to eat and then prepare his spell.
    Kerreth felt ill at ease and did not know why. Then he noticed Jarius at the corner of Wynne's house watching him. The boy was creepy. Kerreth glared at him and walked back to the barn. The sky was beginning to lighten and the morning songs of birds had begun.

Chapter 4
     
    Nantitet was an ancient city and the capital of the kingdom of Calendia. The refugees of a massive volcano eruption on the Isle of Cothos founded the city centuries earlier. The Zidars came ashore on the southern coast of Anavar to find the race of Men, hunters and gatherers, who claimed the land. The king of the Zidar people, Weracht de Arayr negotiated for land for the Zidars to settle and they began to build a city. The Zidars taught many skills to Men and founded the dominant civilization on Landermass for centuries to come. The Zidars intermarried with the Men and still their descendants ruled the southwest of Anavar. The purple towers of the Nantitet castle rose five hundred feet into the air. The secrets of their construction had been lost through the ages and only Castle Moorld on the coast of Calendia remained to rival them. But Moorld was an evil place and best shunned. Nantitet grew to the largest city in the world and its crowded streets were dirty and narrow but the upper levels where the wealthier citizens dwelled were spacious and well kept. The upper levels were the oldest part of the city constructed during its zenith. The white brick streets shone