Sirad stood outside the cottage preparing the horses, when Kazor came walking up the path.

"And where have you been at, fire tongue? Zendoria has been looking for you," Sirad snapped angrily.

"Which would you prefer, fighting those armed and prepared or those weaponless and drunk?" Kazor shot back as he went into the house. Behind him, he heard Sirad mutter something, probably a curse, but Kazor no longer cared. As soon as the door closed behind him, he found yet another questioning face.

"Down to the village again?" asked Zendoria rather lightly.

Kazor stumbled for a moment. He had expected to find her angry, aggressive and maybe even suspicious, yet she seemed to bring up his absence as if was a good thing.

"Yes," he replied, not really knowing whether to deny it or not.

"Good, you best hurry up, we leave in five minutes," she said smiling before going into her room.

Kazor rushed off to prepare, but as he did he couldn't get his mind off Zendoria. Something had happened to change her attitude and Kazor couldn't figure out what it was.

Just as the last of the sun's rays dipped below the horizon, all six mounted their rides.

"To the caves!" shouted Zendoria as her horse took off.

The others cheered and raced to follow her, except Kazor, who glanced at the others confused. They were all racing into the mountains, which lay the opposite way of the village. This confirmed Kazor's beliefs that Zendoria had something planned in which she wasn't informing him.

After less than an hour of riding they reached the opening of a cave. It was impossible to see inside. Zendoria dismounted and tied her horse to a nearby tree. The others following her lead. Once all had dismounted, Zendoria summoned Kazor up to her.

"Light, if you please," she requested softly.

Kazor murmured and held out his hand. Above his hand a small glowing ball appeared and hovered in place. Zendoria smiled and entered the mouth of the cave, Kazor following directly behind her with the others at his heels trying to stay within the circle of light.

After awhile of walking, they could see another light ahead. Kazor thought he noticed Zendoria relax. As they approached the light, it became clear that there was a large room up ahead and inside were two figures sitting together conversing lightly.

As they entered the room, one of the figures stood. All six recognized the person immediately. Zendoria ran forward into her arms.

"Mother, I missed you," she cried happily.

"Well, Melantha, Mator may not love you, but she sure does," laughed the man who had been sitting with Melantha.

The joy of the group was very apparent. Melantha smiled and gestured for all to sit down.

"So that is you name, Mother. Melantha," Zendoria said, testing the word.

"Yes, my child, but come, this is a happy reunion. Let us not wish to ruin it with unnecessary questions. Tell me now of your adventures since I last saw you all," Melantha smiled.

Everyone went into great detail describing how they had furthered their studies. Sirad passionately told of how he had taught the others some basic combat skills. Marcus and Estelle explained some new herbs they had found and some complex recipes they had created. Bandj showed some of the weapons he had created, going through the procedure in great detail. Zendoria discussed their plan of attack thoroughly. Through the whole discussion, Kazor remained silent. Melantha found his silence disturbing. Was he the traitor Mator had spoken of, she wondered when someone else spoke, snapping her back to reality.

"Surely, Melantha, your children are not so uneducated to not recognize me?" the man seated next to Melantha laughed.

"No, my lord Smao, I recognized you immediately," exclaimed Marcus.

"So, young mortal, I presume you are the one who has chosen to serve me."

"Yes, my lord," Marcus replied, bowing his head lightly.

"Then I believe Melantha has a gift to present to you, and how having seen you myself I am sure you will prove worthy of it."

Melantha removed the ring Smao had given to her the night before and handed it to Marcus. As Marcus studied it, Smao told him the story of it's creation.

"Created by my first priests as an offering, I accepted it and blessed it with unique powers. Wearing it, you will be able to read the emotions of those around you easily and negative emotions will be lessen in those near you. This is a powerful gift and I am happy to let you have it, but do not abuse it's powers for it may do more damage than good used in the wrong way," Smao warned.

"I promise to use this great gift only to please you, my lord," Marcus said slipping the ring on his finger, surprised that it fit perfectly.

"We have had enough stories for the night. Rest for a few hours now my children, then you must go on your way. We must leave, but there is food for you and well as comfortable beds. Do not linger too long, leave before the crack of dawn. Goodbye my children," Melantha said lovingly. Then she and Smao were gone.

They stayed but a handful of hours before Zendoria ushered them all out to the horses with new found determination. Releasing a powerful battle cry, they charged down the mountain, excited to finally be on their way to domination.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Elizabeth had not fled as Kazor had warned her to. Sitting on the roof of the temple she could see several horsemen approaching from a distance. Looking down at the streets it was obvious that others had seen them too. The people seemed panicked and Elizabeth wondered what a handful of horsemen could do.

"Elizabeth," called Father Dor.

Elizabeth turned to face him as he stood in front of the altar. He walked down to her and held out a broad sword.

"Elizabeth, danger comes as Kazor warned you. Please do not stay. If you stay, you will surely die. Run into the forest, run as far as you can. Don't look back, just keep running as far as you can," Father Dor begged.

"Let me stay and fight. Surely we can fight off a few horsemen," Elizabeth said.

"No, two of the horsemen are sorcerers. They cast an illusion of a great army. The people are scared and will not be able to fight. Now listen to me, you must get far away from here. If they find you, they will kill you. They know who you are and the minute they see you, you will become a target. Get away from here," he continued.

"But they will kill you too," she protested.

"I know my child. Let me not die in vain. As my dying request I want you to trust the man who claims to be Mator. He speaks the truth and he can show you many things. Now run child," he said thrusting the sword in her hands and pushing her toward the doors.

Elizabeth stood on the doorstep confused and as the first dying scream rang through the village, she ran with all her might. She fought her way through the crowds of fleeing people. Many of the people ran to the temple, hoping Mator would save them, but Mator sat on the roof of the temple where Elizabeth had sat, unable to do anything.

The screams as people were killed and others taken into the temple echoed in Elizabeth's mind. As she reached the edge of the forest, she turned and look back on the wreckage. She could only see those she had grown up to love being murdered by five horsemen. Another horseman sat on his horse watching the killing, then he turned his eyes in her direction.

"Kazor, no!" she screamed as she recognized the horsemen. She wanted to run toward him but couldn't. It felt as though her feet were rooted to the ground. She cried out again.

Sirad looked behind him at Kazor. Following Kazor's eyes, he saw a young woman scream out Kazor's name. He quickly turned and rode up to Kazor. Holding his sword toward Kazor, he glared at Kazor.

"She is getting away. Go kill her, bring back her heart, you traitor. Bring back her heart as proof of her death or I shall kill you myself," he yelled and then riding past Kazor, Sirad hit Kazor's horse with the flat of his blade and it took off straight toward the forest and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth fled as the horse charged toward her, hoping the forest would give her an advantage. Tripping on a root, she fell. Her head smashed into a tree trunk and she slipped into unconsciousness.

Kazor found her limp body laying on the ground. Picking her up and holding her in front of him. He rode through the forest back up toward the mountains.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Zendoria's scream filled the temple and those in the basement whimpered in fear.

"You stupid, stupid boy. What were you thinking, sending him after her? Were you not listening to what I told you before? She is one of the great and Kazor loves her. He will not kill her. Now she not only knows that he is on our side, but she has the opportunity to take him farther to their side or worse yet kill him. Do you realized the problems you've caused?" she screamed as she slapped Sirad across the face.

"I'm sorry, mistress," Sirad whimpered, fearful for his life.

Zendoria paced, wondering how to fix this mess. She felt her anger lightening and looked up to notice Marcus standing there.

"Marcus, don't you dare use that damned ring on me!" she screamed raising her hand threateningly.

Marcus quickly turned and left the temple to avoid her wrath. He stood on the front step of the temple with the others, leaving Sirad alone to receive his punishment. It wasn't long before they heard his pained screams cry out for death. They could only imagine what was happening to Sirad.