The group had already moved a considerable distance along the road. They had spent close to two full days traveling down the road expecting to see something, any sign of civilization that would let them know they were headed in the right direction. Instead all they could see around them was a forest that bordered both sides of the road.

Simeon’s hope was to find a town, or any group of furtives which could help guide them towards Belaran, but it seemed that this search would take them longer than they expected.

“How is it possible that we have not seen even a single furtive so far? I thought the continent was full of different furtive tribes and their settlements? How is it that all we've seen are three people that we can't even communicate with?” Corin asked Simeon.

Corin understood that the continent was big, but he was growing exasperated at their lack of contact. In this time he would have seen several towns in Trinixo, but here not even the slightest hint of civilization had been observed.

“Well my boy you are not wrong that the continent has many furtive communities, but you forget that the continent is large, very large.” Simeon replied.

Although he didn't want to admit it, Simeon was beginning to feel disheartened himself. It had been a long time since Simeon had traveled the continent, but even then he could remember furtives traveling along roads in the past.

After some time Simeon once again broke the silence. The same concern that had been gnawing at Corin was also bothering Simeon.

“I will say, I don't remember roads in the continent being this empty.” Simeon added finally putting into words his unease.

“Do you think there is a reason for that?” Livia asked.

By this point all of them were beginning to question their apparent lack of contact.

“Well I've been thinking about it. If a Titan had been spotted in an area that would deter people from leaving their homes.” Simeon replied.

“But the three men directed us away from the Giant. Or do you think they were lying to us? Do you think they were sending us toward the Giant?” Livia asked, sounding concerned.

“I don't. I believe wholeheartedly that they were trying to stop us from going down a road that would lead to a Giant.” Simeon said.

“So what could cause this?” Livia followed up.

“That's the problem. I don't know.” Simeon replied.

“We need to break for today. I don't think I can go on anymore.” Zhi spoke with difficulty as she caught her breath.

She had been trailing far behind and had only caught up when the group slowed down their pace as they talked.

Nanaua made sure to slow down and keep pace with her so that she would not be left alone.

“Right.” Simeon looked towards the setting sun.

Simeon was hesitant about stopping now. He did not understand why they were not coming across other furtives and wanted to continue moving down the road until they made contact with anyone, but he understood that to continue down this road at this time could be more perilous than beneficial.

“Yes, night is almost upon us. You are correct.” Simeon replied as he quelled the unrest within him. “Rest will serve us well.”

The group ventured into the forest that bordered the road and began to set up their camp.

As Corin took out his belongings from his supply pack, Simeon called out to him.

“Corin, we are running low on water. Would you be able to get us some more?” Simeon asked him without raising his head.

Simeon's abilities at setting up camp were unique. Once he began the process of preparing it there was nothing that could distract him from his task at hand.

“Oh sure.” Corin put down his supplies and grabbed the water canteens.

“The river should not be too far in that direction.” Simeon pointed away from the road they had just been following without raising his head or looking at Corin.

“Got it.” Corin said as he set out to gather water.

As he entered deeper into the forest, the sun had set even further, and dusk was upon them. The little light that permeated the forest gave everything a bluish tint and it made it difficult for Corin to see many details in front of him. All he could do was follow Simeon’s general directions and wait until he heard the rushing water.

It did not take long for him to hear the rushing water and Corin began to move towards it. As he walked through the forest Corin noticed something odd. Aside from the rushing water and himself he could not hear anything else in this forest. He had never ventured into a forest this quiet before.

Guided by the sound of the water Corin found the narrow stream and got down to collect water. He began the process of filling the canteens. As he brought up the last canteen he heard a splash in the water.

Corin instantly reacted by looking up.

Across from him a man filled up a canteen and looked at Corin. He was on the opposite side of the narrow stream. At this distance he would reach Corin within five strides. He was apprehensive of the stranger, but the man did not seem to share Corin's apprehension. He smiled at Corin as if he was seeing an old friend.

“Hello there friend.” The stranger spoke to Corin. The man spoke in a kind gentle voice, one that would put anyone at ease.

Corin tensed as he stared at the man, who continued smiling. Either the man did not notice Corin’s unease or he did not care that his presence in the middle of a dark forest in the night was alarming.

“My name is Daum, friend. I have not seen many faces around this area. ” The man continued smiling at Corin as he continued his conversation. He gently drank from his canteen.

Corin was unsure of how he should proceed. The first thought that flashed into his mind was to pull his blade out and stab the man quickly. If he was fast enough he could kill the man without making too much noise and not alerting anyone else. That would probably be his safest bet.

He began to slowly move his hand toward his waist.

What am I thinking?

Corin was horrified at his first thought and at his reaction.

The man in front of him had done nothing wrong to him, and his first thought was to gut him like an animal. Corin eased up as he put his water canteens on the ground.

“I am just a traveler around these parts. My name is Corin, it is a pleasure to meet you Daum.” Corin said with a twinge of guilt in his voice. Only a moment ago he was thinking of killing this man.

“Oh a fellow traveler!” Daum said with glee.

“Would you not agree that there are few joys in this world that compare to the thrills of adventuring, of going out into the world and discovering new things?” Daum asked Corin with genuine excitement.

Corin was taken aback by the man’s enthusiasm. Prompted by the man’s question he began to think about his adventure’s so far with the group. Although they had faced quite a lot of hardship, the joys of discovery, of seeing new things, had been one of the best rewards on this journey so far.

“Oh, I hadn’t given it much thought, but I guess you are right. I guess that being a traveler, or an adventurer is quite an exciting endeavor.” Corin replied.

“Oh well yes of course! You only have to look to songs of great heroes to see how adventures can inspire all of us. The Epic of Tallon, Tor’s March, the Sacrifice of Tanok, these and other stories, all great tales that challenge its hero through adventures like none other and inspire any would-be adventurer like yourself and I!” Daum spoke with even greater enthusiasm.

He rattled off these names in quick succession, as if Corin would know them. He spoke of them with such passion that Corin understood that they must mean a great deal to him, but to Corin they meant nothing. He had never heard of these names, or who these people in these tales were.

“But most listen to these stories and just think about the hero, about Tallon, or Tor, or Tanok, but I don’t think they see the most important thing.” Daum continued.

Corin was curious as to what Daum was referring to.

“What is the most important thing?” Corin asked.

“To me I would say it is the companions in these stories. Tallon was able to receive a dragon’s blessing, but it was only after his friend Tirono gave his life during their duel against the monstrous Leviathan Alcidu. In Tor’s March, it was his steadfast love for his bride, Talla, who was snatched by the agents of the evil Giant, Bellum, that gave him the resolve to march across the continent in pursuit of her. And while Tanok did in fact help Troento’s forces rise victorious over the dread dragon Thane’s forces, he was only spurred to fight after his squire Troclios fell in battle while pretending to be Tanok. It is then only by the help of their companion’s that these heroes were able to accomplish what they did.” Daum looked straight at Corin now.

Something about Daum seemed to have changed. His warm smile at some point seemed to have dissipated.

“Just like the Onsiel, who has accomplished so much thanks to you and the other companions.” Daum shot an icy glare at Corin.

Corin reached for his blade, but he felt a sharp poke against his back.

“I wouldn't try it if I were you.” A new voice spoke behind Corin.

Enthralled by Daum’s enthusiasm Corin had not noticed the other assailant approaching.

How could I have been so foolish!

Corin still gripped his blade.

“If you don't let go of it, we will have no choice but to gut you.” Daum said to Corin.

Corin let go of his blade, and he felt somebody grab his arms. Before he knew it his arms had been tied behind him and his feet were tied together as well. A piece of cloth was wrapped around his mouth, leaving him unable to articulate anything.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

He lay on the ground, face down, unable to move, tied in place. He tried to free himself from his restraints but they were too tight. Corin was trapped and there was nothing he could do.

He felt a boot on his midsection. He was unceremoniously kicked over and flopped onto his back. He now faced the sky and an unfamiliar face looked at him.

“I still don't trust this plan of yours Daum. We should just gut him now when we have the chance. You heard what happened to Yoren Dok and the other Zifors.” The second unidentified man spoke as he looked straight at Corin.

“Not with this again Caleb.” Daum began to sound exasperated. “We kill him and then what? How do you plan on subduing the Onsiel without killing her? Or even better, how exactly do you plan on dealing with the Protectorate? She could cut half us down before we even get a chance to attack. That is the same plan that idiot Dok and his Zifors followed and that is why they’re all dead.”

Caleb grew agitated as he heard Daum speak and he moved up, standing face to face with Daum, seething with rage.

“How dare you speak of Yoren Dok in such a disrespectful manner? If Yoren Asheri heard you right now he would cut you down where you stand!” Caleb trembled with rage as he stared down Daum over Corin.

The men’s petty squabble made it seem as if they forgot about the tied Corin.

Daum laughed in Caleb’s face.

“This is why Asheri did not ask for your advice. The only thing you are useful for is singing the praises of those above you.” Daum said with a scoff.

Caleb put his hand on his sword and unsheathed it. He pointed the tip right at Daum's face.

Daum was nonplussed about his agitated companion.

“Enough with the theatrics Caleb.” Daum said as he swatted the blade away. “We have the captive, now signal Asheri.”

Caleb was silent as he held onto his sword and stared at Daum. It was clear that in his mind there was a great struggle ongoing about whether or not to kill Daum then and there. Corin wanted him to do it, to kill the bastard that tricked him. But then he realized that he would be his next target. Then Corin began to feel less enthusiasm about the prospect of Caleb killing Daum.

The one who finally yielded was Caleb, as he finally stepped back.

“Yoren Asheri will hear of this insolence!” Caleb said as he still held onto his sword.

“Of course he will, you complain about everything.” Daum replied with a certain air of exasperation. “Now go on and signal him.”

Caleb put the blade away and cupped his hand over his mouth. He whistled a strange tune. If Corin had not seen him whistle it with his own eyes, he would have thought it was some sort of strange birdcall.

After several seconds the birdcall was answered with more unique whistles. They seemed to come from deep within the forest. They were short in duration and sounded slightly different.

Once the calls ceased Caleb replied with another short whistle.

“It seems as if Asheri has located the rest of the camp. They are headed toward the main road. Let us bring the prisoner.” Caleb told Daum and began walking away.

“Help me with him will you?” Daum replied as he stooped over Corin.

“You're the ones with the ideas, I know you'll figure it out.” Caleb replied as he continued walking.

“Damned fool.” Daum muttered under his breath.

Daum grabbed Corin’s blade and admired it. “Hmm, such a fine blade! I think I will keep this for now.” He said as he smiled at Corin.

He then put a blindfold over Corin and picked him up. With some difficulty he was able to drape him over his shoulder. Corin struggled as he was picked up but Daum quickly hit him over the head with something hard. It left Corin in a dizzied state and unable to do much.

“Stop struggling, you’ll be dead soon enough.” Daum said to Corin.

Corin was carried along for a brief period of time, until he heard another whistle ring out.

“Hold.” Caleb muttered.

Corin heard rustling near them and heard some new voices join the quarrelsome duo.

“Yoren Asheri, we have the prisoner.” Caleb spoke. His tone sounded different, a much more muted voice.

“Good. Remember, as soon as we have the Onsiel and the rest of them distracted with the negotiations, the four of you go around the back and kill the others. We only need the Onsiel. The Protectorate will be too much trouble to try and contain. We’ll just say she died in the crossfire.” A deep voice that Corin had not heard previously spoke now.

Upon hearing this Corin began protesting, shouting out as loud as he could in his muffled state, but it did no good. A quick kick to his abdomen took out all the air from out of him and left him gasping. The cloth tied around his mouth made this even harder for him.

“Let’s move.” Asheri ordered.

Corin was picked up once again and moved around like a dead kill from a hunt.

He was moved for several minutes until the group halted. Their presence was quickly detected.

“Who’s there?” A voice shouted out. It was Simeon’s.

Corin once again started to struggle but he was quickly thrown on the ground. He could hear shuffling around him as people moved. He felt a sharp object pressed against his neck and a heavy weight on his back. The slightest move and Corin’s head would be separated from his body. The blindfold was taken off and he saw his friends staring in horror at him.

“If any of you move he’s dead!” Daum shouted at the group as he held the knife to Corin’s neck. He pushed it deeper into his neck. Corin could barely breathe now.

Corin wanted to move, to break out of his situation but the knife on his neck, and Daum’s weight on top made it impossible for him to move or even breathe.

“You know what we want. You!” Asheri, pointed to Zhi.

“What-” Zhi began.

“No talking! Just come forward!” Asheri ordered.

Zhi stepped forward as she looked at Asheri.

“Were you sent by Tonatiuh? Are you another squad of Zifors?” Zhi asked as she stepped forward.

Behind her Simeon, Nanaua and Livia were too focused on the captured Corin or the bargaining Zhi to notice anything else.

“Does it matter who sent us or what we are?” Asheri shot back at Zhi. “What matters is this, we have your friend and if you don’t cooperate he’s dead. No more talking, come here.”

He held a rope in his hand.

Corin could see Zhi looking at him. Her face was a twisted display of fear and uncertainty. Corin wanted to scream, to let her know to ignore him, but he could not do anything. Corin saw movement beyond Zhi.

Beyond her, behind his friends, Corin could see the other Zifors begin to move. Corin began to struggle to try to warn them of the danger, but he was surprised when he heard someone speak to him in a quiet tone.

“Behind us there are six men. Your blade is right behind you. Leave the ones on the right to me, you take the ones on the left.” The voice belonged to Daum, who spoke so quietly into Corin’s ear that he was not sure if he had imagined what he had heard.

But it was no hallucination. Corin felt the weight of his back slowly come off, and the knife at his neck quickly move away. Several moments later Corin felt the knot around his hands be cut loose, and those around his feet as well. Then Daum’s weight completely came off of him.

Corin instantly removed the gag.

“Behind you!” He shouted to his friends.

Corin quickly turned around to grab his blade as he stood up. He saw the other assailants Daum mentioned.

Less than a second later Corin heard the sound of thunder cracking in the air and the pained deep voice of Asheri screaming out. The sound of a solid object hitting the ground soon followed.

Daum had already run one of the assailants through with the same knife he had been threatening Corin with. The man Daum had run through, Caleb, looked at Daum with a mix of surprise and hatred.

“Feel free to spill your guts now!” Daum seethed with anger as he carved Caleb's insides with his knife.

Corin did not hesitate and lunged at the assailant closest to him. In the short amount of time since Corin had gotten up, the man closest to him had only managed to take his sword out of its scabbard. He was too slow and could only stare in panic as Corin ran him through with his blade.

From a distance Corin heard a shot ring out, Nanaua shouting as her pike struck something solid, the twang of a bow as arrows flew out, and several more instances of cracks of thunder shooting out. The remaining four men standing between him and Daum fell onto the ground in quick succession, their bodies smoldering from the intense heat of the lightning. Now only one of the Zifors was left, Daum.

Corin tried his best to catch his breathe in the manic chaos that had unfolded. As he did he heard a familiar sound, the sound of static beginning to crackle in the air.

“Wait!” He shouted as he put up his hand.

Daum had his back to the group as he stood over Caleb’s body. He put his hands out and dropped the blade in his hand. He turned slowly towards Corin. His face was covered in blood. He once again had the same friendly smile Corin had seen on him when they first met.

“What do you mean wait? He was ready to kill you!” Livia shouted as she pointed her rifle at him.

Corin stepped in between the two.

“But I'm not dead am I?” Corin asked his wife who looked beyond him with hatred in her eyes.

“Let us hear him speak then.” It was Simeon who spoke up now. “Corin is right. He did help us.The least we can do for him is to hear him out.”

At this Livia put her rifle down. She ran over to Corin and embraced him.

“Are you hurt? Are you ok? Did they do anything to you?” She asked as she looked over him.

“Well my ankles and wrists don't feel the best, but beyond that they didn't do anything to hurt me.” Corin spoke as he looked at Daum. “It was he who insisted on keeping me alive. If not for him they would have killed me there.”

“Well I did help in getting you captured as well.” Daum added with a cheeky smile.

Livia shot him an angry scowl.

“But I saw you arguing with the other Zifor. He would have killed me, but you intervened. If not for you I would have been killed. Why?” Corin asked.

“Why? Simply put, I am tired.” Daum said with a weak smile.

“Tired?” Corin asked.

“I'm well aware of your encounter with Yoren Dok, so I don't need to explain to you what us Zifors do. We go out and hunt those who only want one thing. Freedom. Anyone who escapes from the Dragon Temple knows they will be hunted and either brought back and tortured or just killed, but time and time again furtives continue to try to escape. Because that small taste of freedom, those hours they spend free to do as they please, before they are caught, are the best of their lives. When we catch up to them most of them will start attacking us, or run, or simply just drive a knife through their hearts. They would rather die than go back to the dragon temple.” Daum finished as he stared into the ground.

“When I heard the Onsiel had escaped the first thing I felt was a visceral hatred. I did not even question it. Anytime we are given a new mark to hunt I cannot help but hate them. I hate the things I do because I have to hunt these people down. I hate these people who make me feel like such a coward for hunting down those who only want freedom.” Daum could not look at them as he continued. “But then I heard about Yoren Dok, and what happened in the aftermath of your encounter with him and my reaction surprised me. I was elated.”

Daum still could not look into anyone’s face as he continued speaking.

“Out of all the Zifor squads, Dok’s was especially known for its cruelty. It was well known that they all took immense pleasure in torturing their targets, bringing them in so broken that they were in a state beyond death. So when I heard about his death, it was as if something within me awoke. I knew that if I came across you all, that there was a chance for me to finally break free from this system. To help someone get their freedom, rather than take it away from them.” Daum finished this time as he met Zhi's gaze.

“So you helped us and you get your freedom? Is that it?” Zhi responded. “There are none more deserving of death than Zifors.” Her voice was tinged with hatred.

“I don't expect freedom.” Daum said. “Everything you said is right. There are few who are more deserving of death than Zifors. If I spoke to you of the families I tore apart in my many years as a Zifor your hatred for me would be insurmountable and fully deserved. There is nothing I can ever do to atone for what I have done. The only thing I am deserving of is death.”

None spoke after he was finished. Daum continued.

“I was hoping that you would do me this kindness as well.”

Zhi raised a hand towards Daum who only closed his eyes. The air around her began to crackle as the static began to build up. Moments passed and nothing occurred, until Zhi finally lowered her hand and the air around her stopped crackling.

Even though Zhi felt no compassion for the man, she did not feel as if she could kill him in cold blood.

Zhi looked away.

“My love, if you command it I will do it.” Nanaua said as she stepped next to Zhi.

Zhi did not say anything.

“No, of course. I’m sorry I asked you to do something so heinous, it was wrong and cowardly of me to ask.” Daum said with shame. “You already helped me in ridding myself of these people who caused others so much pain. Asking more of you is cowardly. I will do the deed myself.”

Corin looked around to the group. Livia, Zhi, Nanaua and Simeon all were quiet and observant. It was clear that none of them knew what to say to Daum. Corin himself did not know how to react to the unlikely ally, if he could even be called that.

“But before I do, I must warn you. The next town down this road has a Zifor squad hiding in its outskirts, waiting for your arrival. They like Yoren Dok, would likely use the populace to try and coax your submission.” Daum said. “But if you go across these woods, on the other side you will find a small village that borders a mountain. I came across it while scouting the area. It was not in any maps of the area I had seen and I did not inform any others of it. If you want to avoid more Zifors, and more bloodshed, I suggest you go to that village.”

Daum finished and walked over to his sword. He picked it up and began to walk into the woods by himself.

Corin tried to think of something to say, but he could not think of a single thing he might be able to say to reach the Zifor. He did not even know if he wanted to try and stop him from what he planned on doing.

“Young man, what good will ending your life provide to those that you wronged in the past?” Simeon spoke up.

Daum stopped dead in his tracks.

Simeon walked up to Daum.

“I know you heard me.” Simeon spoke with authority. “I want to know, how exactly will going through with this help them? It will not make those families whole. It will not bring back from the dead those who you condemned, so what good does your death do for them?” Simeon asked him again.

Daum still did not reply.

“It haunts you doesn’t it?” Simeon followed up. “That is why you want to do this? Because the pain is too much to bear?”

Daum finally turned around. His eyes glistened as he listened to Simeon.

“You are right. Their faces haunt my dreams every night. The faces of those I have condemned.” Daum’s voice sounded pained, he struggled to speak. “While I live, their families won’t know peace, knowing that those who are to blame for their pain walk free. This hurt I carry with me is too much for me to bear. I cannot tolerate it anymore.”

“You are right. You have caused pain, and I can see that it haunts you. Some are capable of inflicting pain without remorse but that is not you. Because you are not a monster as you think. The pain you carry is great, of that I do not have any doubt, but your story is not complete.” Simeon mentioned.

At these words Daum’s eyes widened.

“If you go into these woods with that blade, all the world will know of you is that you were Daum the Zifor, a person who caused misery for others.” Simeon began. “But if you walk away from there, you can choose a new life for yourself. Don’t let your story end here, let others remember you as someone who strived to better the world around himself, not someone who brought only pain and misery.”

Daum looked away from Simeon.

“Old man, I can tell your words come from a good place, but you can't possibly know the pain I have caused others. Your intentions come from a place of kindness, and I know you mean to do well, but your words are better suited for someone else. Trust me when I say you should save them for someone else, someone who deserves them.” Daum replied.

“You think I don't know what Zifors do? Is that it?” Simeon asked incredulously.

As Simeon stood right in front of Daum, he pulled up his right sleeve. There was a large patch of hair on his forearm with no hair, on it a large scar was present, from where he was Corin could not interpret what it was. Daum's reaction to the marking made it clear he understood quickly what it meant. He did not respond.

“The first time I escaped from my lord I did not make it very far. It was a large group of us who tried to escape. We thought our chances would improve if we all tried at once. But it did not make a difference. The Zifors they sent after us did so ruthlessly and with reckless abandon. By the time I was brought back to the temple I was sure I would die from the injuries. It turns out I was one of the lucky ones, because the majority of those that escaped did not survive the journey back to the palace.” Simeon finished.

“I'm sorry. I really am, but I don't-.” Daum replied weakly.

“You say you are sorry, but I don’t believe it. If you really mean it, then do something that will begin to make up for what you have done.” Simeon replied.

Daum was silent.

“Do you really think there is any good I can do? Do you think it is possible for me?” Daum asked Simeon without looking at him.

“Yes. It will not be easy, and some will hate you always for what you were, but I think you have what it takes to make a difference for the better. But there will be others that will remember you for your acts of bravery.” Simeon added.

Daum looked into the forest. He then looked back to his blade. He was transfixed, locked in deep turmoil, unable to decide.

Daum decided. He sheathed his blade and turned back. He began to move into the forest.

“So what will it be?” Simeon asked.

Daum stopped.

“Daum the Zifor is no longer. I will now go to see what the future holds for me. Thank you.” He said as he disappeared into the deep forest.