She felt no fear when the bear like Zack approached, taking care of the guards around her. Why wasn't she afraid? She should have been, but she wasn't.

She then gasped when Dravesh cut loose the large hook and the sighed in relief when it didn't hurt anyone, especially Zack. She continued to lay on the ground, her breathing labored from her cracked ribs, her face bruised and bloodied. When he asked her how bad she was feeling, he didn't give her time to answer. He picked her up so gently that it almost brought tears to her blue eyes. She laid her head against his chest, snuggling in to him.

"Thank you, Zack.....thank you, Kade. As for how bad I feel.....it hurts to breathe and my face hurts. It will be awhile before I can fight again....but damn, I was good if I do say so myself."

She smiled at the last bit, closing her eyes as she snuggled in even closer.

"Yea, let's see how Lyand is doing and if he's ready to leave this insane place."

Dravesh leapt with all his might, stretching his long arm upward. His abdomen burned with pain as he extended his body causing him to scream out but he was just able to hook his fingers onto the edge of the wall and hold fast. Two guards appeared, their weapons drawn assuming the ape-man to be one of the invaders but when Dravesh cursed them for their utter stupidity and demanded that they contact his father and Lord Bloodhand they wisely chose to aid the enraged ape-man.

As the guards helped Dravesh over the wall, he looked back and saw the tall warrior moving slowly down the ridge, the woman, Kaelen in his arms. Zack had returned to his familiar form and was not wasting his time in pursuit, in fact he seemed to care little about Dravesh, making the ape-man feel like a fleeing rat, but at least he was alive and soon he would heal and live to carry out his revenge on the mysterious warrior.



The sounds of battle echoed around them but only a silent tension existed before the walls of the lord's fortress. While the guards hauled Dravesh over the wall, Zack slowly came into view behind Lyhand's frozen form. Transfixed upon his brother, the blue skinned man did not move, but he was aware of the approaching warrior. When the red clad man was but a few strides away, he turned, swiveling his head slowly toward his companion and acknowledged him with a nod. He then looked back to his brother and sheathed his sword.

Kryzhand, relaxed and straightened. Their battle was done. His brother had proved himself as great a fighter as he and neither would be victorious this night under the red moon. One day, Lyhand may come for him again when the Black Sun hung in the sky, but until that time they would part ways. He would lay claim to the sun lit world while his brother had the night, and relieved of his burdens perhaps he too would appreciate, even crave the freedom they never had.

"Farewell, brother." Said the red skinned man.

He then looked briefly at Zack, a man who was not his enemy and memorized his features. Kryzhand turned then, raised his shield and charged with explosive speed toward the gates to the fortress. The bull of a man threw his powerful shoulder behind his shield and burst through the massive doors of wood and aluminum.

Lyhand turned his back to the fray and lowered his eyes to Kaelen's bloodied body in Zack's arms and spoke.

"Let us leave this place, brother."

The words were in agreement with what Zack and Kaelen had already intended and so amidst the destruction of Sanguine Valley the two fighters proceeded to exit via the eastern gates that had yet to be effected by the ongoing battle.

Zack gave a little chuckle as he watched Dravesh climb the remaining distance up the wall. “Hope he has fun explaining to his ‘father’.” Hissing the word father out of his lips with some menace but composing himself again as he almost slipped on a stone. Hearing her rather quick report on her condition his face becoming slightly serious concern evident but it broke into a grin. “Good?” leaning in close whispering his next words. “You did brilliantly I’m proud to have been witness of such courage and bravery.” The two reached the bottom of the hill walking towards the rear of Lyand the warrior turning slowly when Zack had come within only a few strides of Lyand both nodded to each other acknowledging each other’s wishes in what seemed by telepathy.


“Why would he bother examining me?” still looking over his shoulder as they had both began to walk away from the carnage which was happening Zack looking back to Lyand the open wounds over him. “Those need some stitching we will sort it out once we are a good distance from this mad house.” The warriors continued seeming to be left un-harassed the streets empty and barren Zack and Lyand stopped people were closing windows and doors against them the screams of battle increasing Zack looked back Kade chuckling as he squirmed in his mind. “About thirty of them running towards this street we could outrun them easily if new found ‘brother’ is up to the task of running. “Brother can you run they are going to catch up with us otherwise and conflict it not needed now.” Still feeling the lead weight of his arms and knowing full well he could never fight in his current state.

Lyhand looked behind him to see the troop of invaders running toward them and immediately broke into a run. His body was stiff, but his legs were strong and he yet had the stamina to out run the likes of the rag-tag band that pursued them. He was more concerned with Zack, who was burdened with Kaelen and did not appear as sure footed as he usual was, but he seemed to be maintaining a good gate regardless.

Ahead of them was the eastern gate. A ten meter high wall built across the narrowest part of the chasm, sealing it shut. The only way in or out was through the heavy doors which were locked tight, but there was a stairway, running along the chasm wall to the top of the rampart where five cards stood watch. Two of them manned swivel guns, one shot large harpoons and the other was a flame thrower, but they were not expecting to defend their backs and the guns were aimed forward to defend the bastion. Opposite the stairway on the other side of the wall, was a defensive tower a few meters above the top of the rampart. Three more guards were perched at it's top, each armed with a high powered crossbow and when they were alerted by the shouts of the rabble following the two warriors one turned on a spot light and shone it toward them.

Lyhand held up his hand and averted his eyes from the bright light. Focusing on the ground he did not break stride but something troubled him. It was obvious to him now that the hoard behind them had been assigned to take down the eastern gate, but like wild dogs would prey on whatever crossed their path and so they were still a threat to them. But, even more so, Lyhand feared what lied on the other side of the wall, for why would the raiders seek to control the gates, if not to open them and let more of their soldiers in? He prayed that he was wrong, for they had little choice but escape over the rampart and make their way through the chasm before dawn broke.

"Halt!" Ordered one of the guards in tower as he aimed his crossbow at Zack, "Halt, I — arrrgghhh", the guards words were cut short as a gun fired from the approaching hoard and the bullet just so happened to strike the crossbowman in the head. He flopped back lifelessly, and the guards immediately prepared to return fire, those manning the swivel guns twisted them round to fire on their attackers. Then, even as they prepared to drive back the raiders, one of the guards saw head lights approaching from down the chasm. Barreling toward them on the other side were several vehicles that had driven around the mountains to assault Sanguine Valley from the east.

"Incoming!" Alerted the guard, pointing beyond the wall as he turned his harpoon gun back toward the approaching vehicles. At the tip of his harpoon had been strapped explosives, one hit and BLAM! That is if the thirty raiders about to attack allowed him to get off a shot.

"Withdraw the bridge!" Hollered another guard, and both Zack and Lyhand could see a man running along the top of the wall toward the stairs. Then they noticed that there was bridge that connected the top of the wall to the stairway that ran along the chasm wall, and apparently the guard was going to somehow pull it away so that no one would be able to use it.

Lyhand knew that it was up to him. Carrying the girl, Zack would not make it in time, and so the blue skinned man who had been keeping pace with his companion increased his speed and leapt up the stairway in but a few strides. By the time he made it to the top, the guard had been able to crank the winch several times pulling the bridge away, but the distance being only a mere ten feet was but a single stride for the tall man. He crossed over, drawing his sword and when he reached the guard, swung his sword stopping short at the man's throat.

"Stop!" He told him and the guard obeyed.

Lyhand could have killed the man, but he would be needed to continue retracting the bridge after Zack got across, so he had spared him out of necessity.

Waiting for Zack the other guards glared at Lyhand but as the raiders approached they could only hope that these strangers who did not appear to be part of the invading force would either lend a hand or keep out of their way. Either way, the situation was dire and many of them felt this would be their last stand.

Lyhand watched his companion as he raced against the raiders, then he turned to see the approaching vehicles on the other side of the wall. They were trapped! Quickly his eyes darted about for another means of escape and he saw it. On the other side of the wall there was a door that accessed the tower and at the top of it on the side of the chasm wall, was a metal ladder that went all the way up to the top of the canyon. It was a long climb, and the ancient ladder appeared ravaged by time but it offered an alternative to fighting. The climb looked dangerous and with Kaelen injured it would be difficult and so he hoped that Zack would be able to present some more options once he made it onto the wall.

Kaelan was trying to ignore the pain of her beaten body and cracked ribs as Zack carried her, following Lyand. She could tell that he was tiring and trying to be careful with her at the same time. She jumped when Lyand yelled. She lifted her head from Zack's chest and from the stance of Lyand's frame, all was not well.

"Zack, maybe you should let me walk. From the look of where Lyand is looking, we have a little climb ahead of us and you can't carry me and climb at the same time. Not with you tiring the way you are."

Kaelan knew that she wouldn't be able to keep up with her injuries, but she didn't want to hold the two of them back either. If Lyand and Zack could get to safety, then she would be okay...somehow.

"Go on Zack. Put me down and follow Lyand. I will be right behind you."

Zack was running trudged one foot after another keeping a hasty pace but delicately he trudged on looking back he was practically going the same pace as them not gaining or losing them a nuisance to him. Zack analysed the gateway quickly seeing the exit the guards and the tower with one...two... a blazing light smashing his eyes harshly bowing his head down over Kaelan. “Jesus that hurt!” His eyes stinging as he ran he glanced over his shoulder the men were gaining he had unconsciously slowed down with the pain. “Damn it this is too close.” He heard a commotion of yelling as the guards prepared for the raiders loading crossbows and the little man running for the bridge. Zack watched as Lyand suddenly increased pace. “Bloody bastard hiding all his energy!” Zack was thankful though that someone was up to the challenge he looked down finding Kaelan was well aware of the situation telling him she should try to walk he gave a grin to her as he looked left and right stopping he lowered Kaelan placing her on her feet.

“Get to Lyand I’m gonna buy us some time of these raiders.” He unsheathed his claymore walking to what he had noticed a scaffold tower of hollow pipes he stood next to it taking a deep breath he stepped forward with a slicing motion cleanly cutting the pipes the structure groaned and moaned as the bottom set began to buckle sliding ready to collapse he walked backwards from it. He was only a few steps from the wall now Kaelan already climbing the stairs with a limp he followed quickly sheathing the sword he slipped past her going to a guard. “Continue defending you can retract the bridge once we have got across I would advise you to follow as this town is easily falling to its knees but I leave you with my blessing and my curse of fight well.” Zack helped Kaelan up the last step as they watched the man winch the last foot of bridge back the pair walked across slowly Zack gave a nod to Lyand then jutted his head to the ladder. “I can’t think of any other way we will escape from this mess, guess it’s a long climb for freedom as they say.”

The scaffold tower folded, crumbling beneath its own weight after Zack's powerful swing of his sword compromised the structure. It fell across the narrow part of the chasm but before it struck the far side of the canyon and broke apart a few of the raiders attempted to out run the mass of pipes. They tried and died, while the others, having more self preservation stopped in their tracks and awaited for the collapsed tower to settle.

The guards cheered and praised Zack's efforts, but the celebration was brief. On the other side of the wall, four vehicles stopped about three car lengths from the gates, their head lights illuminated the area. The pass was only wide enough for a single vehicle and so they remained in single file. At the front was a large military style truck and it's open wagon the raiders had a mounted, 50 caliber machine gun. An incredibly rare weapon and one used sparingly as ammunition was hard to come by.

"Open the gates!" The raider at the gun demanded, seeking not to waste their precious 50 caliber rounds, "Open the gates and you will be spared!"

The guards were not the most educated of men, but they weren't fools. They knew they'd all be dead sooner if they gave in.

"GO TO HELL YOU PIRATE BASTARDS!" Roared the guard at the large harpoon gun as he fired his explosive laden missile.

The harpoon penetrated the hood of the vehicle and exploded. Flames leapt into the air painting the sides of the chasm a bright orange and before wall the burning men futilely rolled on the ground in an attempt to extinguish their flaming bodies. As their horrible screams echoed through the canyon, raiders from the back two vehicles exited their vehicles, a few armed with ranged weapons and one leapt up into the back of the smoldering truck and manned the 50 caliber gun which had survived the blast. He cocked the gun and shredded apart the guard who had fired the large harpoon gun, then he proceeded to turn the weapon on every one else on the wall, including Zack, Lyand and Kaelen.

Lyand saw how the powerful rounds of the gun easily penetrated the crenellations of the aluminum and stone wall and realized as they all did that no place was safe. The tower was about ten, Kaelen sized strides away but it seemed that was where the mad man at the large machine gun was concentrating his fire.

On the other side of the wall the twenty or so remaining raiders were making there way through the debris of Zack's make shift barricade. Already some of them were hauling pieces of the structure with them to use as ladders to get up into the tower, where obviously the mechanism to open the gates was located.

Lyand crouched down low, pulling Zack and Kaelen with him so that they were not noticeable targets, unfortunately to the raiders on the interior side of the wall they were in plain sight. For those men who had ranged weapons they were sitting ducks and it was only a matter of time before they decided to loose their crossbow bolts or even fire a bullet at them.

Lyand did not know what to do and looked to Zack for support. "If we try to make the climb the raiders with guns will just pick us off." he said then looking through a crack in the wall he surveyed the cars. "Two of the vehicles remain operational," he informed his companions, "I cannot tell how many are down there, maybe six, maybe more."

Lyand turned to Zack and Kaelen awaiting a response. He did not need to mention that the odds on the other side of the wall were far better, but he could not make the decision on his own. They had come this far together and so he would follow whatever action they chose, but they had precious little time left. Already the raiders below had spotted them and a few with crossbows eyed them hungrily.

Kaelan was thoughtful for a moment, then she looked to Zack.

"I agree with Lyand, Zack. If we climb, it will be to our deaths. Perhaps we should take our chances on the other side. It can't be any worse than it is here. Either way, we need to decide to quickly."

Kaelan was leaning up against a narrow wall, wishing that she could wash away the dried blood from her neck and body. She was also afraid that her injuries would hinder their escape, but something told her that Zack wasn't about ready to leave her behind. She didn't know if she had the strength to pull on the tiger's dna again for it's strength, but she would try. Reaching down deep, Kaelan closed her eyes trying to grasp the tiger dna only to have it slip from her grasp. She tried three more times only to lose it each time. She just didn't have the strength to call and hold it at the same time. She looked over at Zack, giving him a shaky smile.

"If you give me a little support every now and then, I should be able to make it, Zack. But, you don't have to carry me. Concentrate on getting yourself to safety. Lyand, once Zack is ready, I say we make a break for it and see what is on the other side."

She stepped away from the wall, grimacing at the pain running through her body, but she was stubborn and swallowing the pain, she called on her will power and stood straighter.

Zack looked along the wall seeing a dropped crossbow of a guard he crawled to it pulling it into his grasp the thing had been ready loaded but the guard...looking behind him no body looking down the wall ah... he crawled back to the two keeping low behind the wall. “Lyand is right the cars are the best alternative so we will go down, Lyand will take you down Kaelan as I’m sure he won’t need to scamper down the side of the wall.” Zack brought the crossbow to his shoulder aiming through the crack they had used for observation leaning till he saw the 50 gunner. “Good night.” He pulled the trigger the bolt flying into the central forehead slamming the man’s head back twitching as he fell back Zack nodded to the two with a smile. “Let’s go explore.” Without further ado he jumped over the wall climbing quickly down as handholds seemed to naturally come to him then he realised it was all the shots from the gun serious luck he had to say.

Lyand roughly scooped up Kaelan and leapt off the wall. He attempted to touch down as softly as possible but the small woman still found their landing a little jarring, of course it didn't help much that the giant blue man's arms were hard and rigid. He then placed her down on the ground and without a word moved quickly toward the last two remaining vehicles in the line of five.

The first of the three vehicles had been badly damaged and still smoldered. Lyand leapt onto the still burning remains of the truck that supported the 50 caliber machine gun and drew his sword. Staring down through the narrow chasm, he looked across the other two damaged vehicles and tried to sport the remaining raiders. The two last operational cars had tinted glass windshields and nothing could be seen through it, so it difficult to say where they might be.

Lyand leapt to the ground and stalked forward. "I will take the right, you the left." he called to Zack as he made his way through the narrow space between the sides of the cars and the chasm walls, which was hardly enough to allow the doors to fully open.

Zack stood slowly his hands clenching into fists as he looked around he walked slowly up to the smouldering wreck wondering if the 50 could be recovered but wondered how hot that gun had gotten he looked down to his gloves shrugging he was just approaching it when Lyand jumped on top of the smouldering wreck. An image probably conjured by Kade gave the hysterical scene of the fuel tank exploding as he landed on it watching him... Zack looked back down the row of two cars his hand unconsciously going to the scar on his cheek as he heard Lyand shout for him on the left.

Zack quickly moved into position he walked to the first car as he was approaching the door he heard a click he choked the words grenade back down before he could shout them it may have been something else someone loading a magazine he looked to the door and realised the click had been it opening. “Come out slowly and you can go I won’t kill you.” The two raiders in the car looked to each other as no way of surprising Zack as he had heard them open the door before they could slam it into him. The two opened the door slowly still unable to stop themselves from banging the door against the chasm ungracefully the two closed it afterwards walking backwards a distance before turning and running Zack opened the door peaking his head in happy to find it empty he moved to the next car.

This one was empty with some suspicion he lay crouched down in the narrow space to look under the car he found no traps or raiders hiding underneath he moved behind the vehicle finding no one behind it he reached for the rear doors but he stopped noticing that it was already undone quickly standing to the side expecting it to rocket up and a group of maybe 6 raiders but Kade snickered in his head telling him no life forms were inside the truck. Zack believing the demons instincts opened the truck indeed finding it held no raiders just ammunition, guns and many over equipment from radios to rations they had obviously found the convoy which brought in the luxuries for after the battle for the raiders. “We got a nice truck here Lyand.” He clambered to the front hopping into the front seat the machine was still turning over as he went through a routine check of how to drive checking his mirrors... hmm no mirrors check the fuel level.... no gauge you simply ran out without knowing. Zack frowned at the machine looking down expecting a gear box but remembered not many cars used such a thing an automatic. “Ok everyone in.” Pulling the level into reverse and waited for Lyand and Si...Kaelan she’s dead get over it sonny just don’t confuse the two in front of her that would be embarrassing.

Lyand tentatively climbed into the truck's passenger seat. He had never ridden in a motorized vehicle before and he was surprised just how comfortable the seat was, although the cab was a little cramped. Thankfully the interior of the truck was designed to be roomy and even though he and Zack were far above average height had enough room.

He watched curiously as Zack checked all the levers and controls the magically fired up the engine by turning some sort of switch. The large man was rather looking forward to a 'drive', as he had once heard the ancients called it. After they backed up for about ten car lengths, the chasm widened and Zack was able to turn the truck around. They then headed straight east along the canyon road.

The red moon was hanging low in the sky now. Even though he had no device to measure time, Lyand knew that sunrise was a little over three hours away. He always knew when dawn would come. So long he had dwelled underground guarding his brother that he had forgotten what it was like to race time but over the last few months he had once more become accustomed to resting during the day.

Lyand took his sword off his back and placed it beside Zack's claymore between them. He leaned back and enjoyed the luxury of traveling without any strain to one's body and relaxed in the seat. Zack had turned off the headlights, as all them were able to see in the darkness they were more of a nuisance than anything and also made them a target.

"This is most enjoyable." he commented as he folded his large arms across his chest.

It did not take long to reach the end of the chasm and they began to drive up a winding road that took them into the vast steppe lands. A barren wasteland of sand and scrub stretched out before them as Zack found the remnants of an ancient highway that took them on a southerly course.

"In another hour we should consider seeking shelter for the day." mentioned Lyand, to his fellow nocturne, "These barren steppes will offer us little protection."



Back in the Sanguine Valley, the victory shouts of the conquering raiders mixed with the anguished cries of those who fell under their rule. Lord Bloodhand had been defeated but had abandoned the settlement long before it fell. His fortress was empty save for some soldiers that had stayed too long to loot their former master before the usurpers finished them off.

The glow of the fires could yet be seen in the distance turning a small patch of clouds that hung over the canyon a vibrant orange. That was the end of Sanguine Valley, but Bloodhand and his new doctor lived on, making their way across the steppes in small caravan of vehicles. They and a troop of loyal soldiers headed east toward the coastal settlements to start again.

The furious ape-man, still recovering from his wounds, stared out the window. His fierce eyes searched the steppes, wondering what had happened to this arch-enemy Zack. Perhaps he was just beyond the ridge of rock to the south, he could not know, but he knew that they would meet again.

Kaelan had felt the jarring to her ribs when Lyand had landed on the ground on the other side of the wall. She appriciated the fact that he was as gently as he could be, but she'd still felt it. She stayed close to Lyand while looking for Zack. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him and heard him holler something about the truck he was standing next to. She'd heard of these machines but had never ridden in one.

Kaelan climbed into the back and got comfortable, her curious blue eyes taking everything in. She gave Zack a tentative smile, letting him know that she was glad he was with them again. As they started to move, the few bumps they hit forced a moan from her as her bruised and cracked ribs protested to the movement.

"Where are we headed? I have no true destination as I was just wandering."

“It’s a form of transportation it’s just a shame it can’t scale rock faces.” As he glanced to his left seeing a large cliff seeming to be impossibly huge with its top scratching at the sky. He could feel the sun rising bit by bit dawn approaching unlike Lyand his accuracy of time was not as honed unknowing he had three hours left till dawn all he felt was an itch at the back of his head as the demon bided with its time before sleeping . Zack continued to scan around him finding little cover. “We might find a motel somewhere to settle down.” A small memory of that time so long ago when he had fallen into the motel in that second story window… he pushed the memory away but did not banish it for it was not just a sad memory it had its moment of meeting.

Zack reached into his pocket finding the crumpled picture he had always stared at a photograph the road being straight did not hamper him from unfurling it expecting to find it covered in blood scratched and covered in dust but the photo as always proved to be clean. It showed twelve people all wearing rather extravagant wear from different countries and cultures; suits, robes, garments, great ball gowns even a man who wore a set of old armour but three of the group standing to the far left stood apart seeming almost as if their own group did not associate with the rest the three contained Zack on the edge his long hair cropped shorter strands playing across his face the same face, same coat but something different as he stood next to a girl... his sister the same smirk a curl of the corner of the mouth the hair both black as night in the black and white photo then the startling odd person who the sister hung her hands around a person shorter than Zack his hair a wild bright white in the photo he smiled as he stood in what could only be called a true gentleman’s tuxedo with top hat hair spilling out to flow over his shoulders. The huge pair of revolvers on his hips the bullet belts going across his waistcoat his smile unlike Zack’s and his sister did not radiate confidence but a pure surety of his limits. “Bishop?” The demon taking an interest in the picture remembering the time easily quickly sliding the words into Zack’s mind.

“Shelter…” Zack yanking himself away from the demons question of his reminiscing over the photo. He saw a large sign post slowing the car down the three easily seeing the motel neon long dead with the small building beyond the post he stopped the car letting the engine roll over as he thought about it finally he crawled the car forward parking the car across three parking spaces. Zack reached for the claymore with one hand switching the engine off with the other he lifted himself out the car using the door frame looking round he predicted maybe an hour till daylight but as always his prediction were probably wrong by those crucial minutes

He walked to the Lobby opening the empty glassed double doors he moved further in hearing Lyand and Kaelan clamber from the vehicle slamming the doors. Zack still hadn’t answered her question on where they were going but was it the fact he didn’t know where he was going. “At the moment we are looking for somewhere for Lyand we can discuss history once we find somewhere the big boy can sleep.” Moving to the counter he found the register looted for its dollars keys for the rooms were on hooks behind the desks ironically they were all left in condition hanging and not tarnished just slightly dusty he picked a set of keys looking over the number looking around he saw small corridors leading off the lobby one door labelled 1-29 the other 30-48. “Any number in particular you want?” looking to the two as they entered the crunch of glass under their feet putting his claymore back onto the back hooks of his sheath holder finding ease in pulling the leather straps around the sheath he smelt nothing menacing on the air he heard nothing stir the place even felt empty...but sometimes good things happen when buildings aren’t empty.

Lyand was appreciative of the shelter from the suns rays. He reached over and randomly procured a key, ending up with #17 and proceeded to make his way outside to find the door with that number. Making his way back through the shattered doors of the lobby he saw that his room would lie in the row to his right. Walking past doors one to sixteen, Lyhand was surprised to find that all were in reasonably good shape and were all still locked. Some of course had their windows broken in from the elements, but others were intact, like his own room.

Unlocking the door, the large man let it swing open and stood back. He scanned the entire room with his sensitive eyes and made sure that nothing lurked within before entering and checking out the bathroom. Everything seemed to be as it was left all those many years ago before the cataclysm. He closed and locked the door, then pushed a large chest of drawers against it. Giving a quick peek out of the heavy black-out curtains he surveyed the area then shut them tight.

Lyand slapped the bed, clearing the dust off of the sheets of the one furthest from the door and tossing his gear on the other. It would soon be light, but until then he opened his satchel and took out some dry meat, a canister of water and an old book. He made himself comfortable, placing the water on the bedside table as he placed some of old pillows against the head board of his bed and leaned against them. Picking up his book, he took a chew of meat and began to read the ancient story which he knew well, but never tired of reading.