He had no idea how long he had been carried away by the furry creatures but soon Egalo awoke with all twelve sleeping by his side. He opposed the idea of getting up due to the incredible warmth of their congregated fur. Even in the daylight, the sun was dull, and its warming effects had been nullified now that winter had arrived. He was sick of the Carnakanes, he hadn't been able to escape it for what felt like months, but he could not be entirely sure how long it had been.

His mind wondered back towards Randor. How had he fared since his escape? Was he still alive? Egalo still lay motionless among the pack of night wolves. Oh, how they have saved me twice now. And what had I done to earn their loyalty? He missed Baradorn now, and Blade perhaps. He hoped Baradorn was still alive, but he wondered what difference it made, he wouldn't see him ever again. Egalo suddenly perked up, alerting the night wolves in doing so. A couple of the wolves rose to their feet, ready to follow in his steps instantly. Another wolf nipped at his foot and Egalo winced, pushing the fangs of the wolf away. I have to get out of here before it's too late. Soon, Torval's army will reach Mestrane. Egalo wondered what would actually happen. He looked at the night creature who had pecked at his foot.

He felt slightly foolish speaking to it, "Will Rainblood's army simply be ripped apart once they enter Mestrane? What lies beyond those meadows?" Egalo swore he saw the night creature tilt its head in line with the curiosity of the question. Part of him felt like giving up. It had been a long and treacherous journey ever since the night he followed the lights of the Magi to the temple, only to find out the temple had been attacked. He thought about how Randor had seemed like a terrible man, capturing him and bringing him to the Carnakanes to be a slave under Dalian Dagnar. He had learned a lot though. He discovered he has abilities, abilities he had never known about until The Worm had pushed him over the edge. He had become fond of Randor though, and he worried for him now.

For that reason, he felt compelled to get help. He must reach the other Magi Knights and return to free him. Maybe it was too late. He rose to his feet finally, trying to instruct the night wolves to stay put. He was thankful for their rescue, but he wanted to travel alone. He was exhausted, he wanted no extra responsibility upon his shoulders.

Hours passed and Egalo trudged through the desert sands. He wasn't sure he was headed the right way, but all he knew was that he was putting space between himself and Torval's camp. He figured they would have riders coming after him, he would be surprised if they didn't. He was seen as a valuable asset; Dalian had assured them of his abilities. He would be a welcome gift to the greater powers that dwelled beyond the meadows. Randor was surely to be a prized gift. Him and his Magi's stone—an offering that would complement their sacrificial army quite well.

Another hour passed when Egalo paused in his tracks and felt the hair on his neck rise. The sound of distant hoofbeats vibrated against the hard ground. He searched for some sort of structure to hide behind but he traversed a flat, desert wasteland. There was no hiding. He turned to watch as the rider grew from a speck to a figure. Soon he could make out more details, but the sand was stirred as the horse cantered so he had trouble making out who it was. Egalo was ready to surrender, he had nothing left.

The gods be gracious, I cannot escape him. Lord Dagnar himself. The night creatures formed a protective ring around Egalo, snarling viciously as the rider approached. Egalo was fully prepared to send them after lord Dagnar and hope he died then and there. Then he would take Dagnar's horse and he'd be much quicker arriving home.

He shouted as he approached now, "Egalo, son of Elgamar, do not be frightened! I come in peace and with important news!" Egalo barely heard him over the sound of the barking night wolves. They didn't appear so warm and cuddly now. The sands around Egalo began sifting off the ground, a reaction to Egalo's anger as he prepared for lord Dagnar to try something quick.

"Calm, Egalo, I know you are worried. Do not worry, I tell you. I bring news not for the benefit of the dark lord King Steed, but rather for your well-being. Randor is in trouble—"

"—I know that, Dagnar. And it is no thanks to you. What is your role in this whole thing? I'm a little confused. First, you're working with Randor, then you're getting us captured by Torval's army, and now you're here to help? I'd love to feed you to the wolves; I think they're starving."

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"I know it seems odd, but it's more complicated than you would know, boy. You're a Magi's apprentice now whether you know it or not. Your master is in trouble and there's more trouble ahead for the whole realm if it's not stopped. I am likely surrendering my life by telling you this, but it is crucial information."

"Yeah, sure is. What're you suggesting; that I turn myself around and ride my way back into Mestrane on my glorious night wolves and save the day?" Egalo sneered.

"Listen, Egalo. There's an army headed for Weptswur. If Weptswur isn't ready to defend its walls, the rest of the realm may be doomed. This may already be known by men of the Magi Order I'm sure. But what they will not know Egalo, is that there is a decoy army headed for Weptswur, and the real army is headed back through Raideth now that its defenses are weakened, and there must be defenses ready. You must travel quickly to Weptswur while you can and alert the kingdom that there are two armies."

Egalo was laughing now and shaking his head. "That's amusing Dagnar. How am I to believe that you have had a sincere change of heart to journey out here at the expense of your life to tell me the plans of the evil lord that Mestrane? If you were serious you should have liberated Randor and brought him with you."

"That was not possible Egalo. Even so, I hope you take my message seriously."

Just then more horses could be heard in the distance. The night wolves howled and barked before Egalo shushed them. "There are the rest of your men, Dagnar. Your tactic to slow me down and calm me are sound because I'm not going anywhere. I'm done running."

"Egalo you must go! They are coming for me, not you. Be gone now before they see you and deliver the message. The realm relies on you. The man you are looking for is Fintan. He is a master of the Magi Order. He will know what to do. I believe he will be waiting at Weptswur."

Egalo peered at the oncoming riders who were still small as peas as they journeyed closer and closer. At least ten of them rode, Egalo saw.

"Give me your mount then, Dagnar."

"My...my mount? Erm, yeah, sure."

"Yeah you heard that right, Dagnar. If I am to be seen off safely, I will require a means of transportation. You know, why don't you just deliver the message yourself?"

"Egalo, no time, you must go."

"I require an answer before I go or else, I will wait here and go down with you."

"No, you must go! Ahh, all right. I am bound in service to the King Steed, but I am formerly of the Order. You can ask the master Fintan when you arrive, I was banished from the Order years ago, but I found my new role after the war. You must go now, as I would never be accepted beyond the sands of the Carnakanes."

Egalo accepted the answer and kicked off the stirrups, and away he went. The night creatures tried to keep up with him but Egalo shouted at them, yelling at them to protect lord Dagnar. They turned hesitantly, but Egalo did not watch to see what happened next. He did not want to know what happened next. Dalian may be dead already. Maybe he was lying, and a trap awaits him at Weptswur. He pondered going straight to Raideth. What's the harm? I've already been in bondage to men for too long, freedom feels odd anyways. Egalo kicked the stirrups again and the horse was flying through the sands. The sky gloomed a deep blue now as the sun began to ease its way below the horizon. He was still a long way from Weptswur, and he had to pass through Perorg before he made it to Weptswur anyways. He struggled to stay awake as he rode despite the bumps and neighs of the horse's trot, his mind was begging to shut down. Eventually Egalo reigned to a halt, and together him and the horse settled for the night by a large rock, taller than twice his height. He rested against the belly of the horse and wrapped his cloak around him with some wools Dagnar had left on the saddle of the horse.

Nightfall approached after Egalo had already found his sleep. He dreamt of night wolves and flying. In his dream he was gliding along the puffy clouds on the back of a night wolf. He smiled for once, everything felt peaceful. Nothing bothered him in the world, he couldn't even remember if there was anything else to do in life aside from float amongst the clouds. To his right something horrible was flying towards him but he tried to pretend it wasn't there. He couldn't stop his head from turning and eventually the dread caught up to him. It was the scariest sight he had ever seen. It was a dragon, larger than any creature he had ever seen, and blacker any darkness he had ever found himself in. He shuddered, and it was coming straight for him. On top of the dragon sat a rider, and his helm covered what he somehow knew to be a hideous face. He prayed that the rider wouldn't remove his helm, but his hands went to his helm anyways, and the hideous chunk of metal soon didn't seem so hideous—because the face he saw once the helm was removed took the air from his lungs, and he awoke from sleep desperate for air. His horse was gone now, and the only company he shared was with a dragon now, screeching through the sky above—its rider upon its back.