If there was anything to be understood about the expanse of the Wilderlands that lied on the northern border of the Lands of Civilization, it was that they could never be fully understood. To young Saradin Mizal, this was not an obstacle, nor was it merely an acceptable fact. It was a guideline to base one's life on, a never ending quest to undertake. The Wilderlands were home, but they also made up an exciting expanse of mystery and enchantment, and Saradin vowed that he would never forget this as long as he existed in the world.

     Such was his outlook as Saradin ran across the fields of the small hamlet of Sarbin, the wind rushing at his face in that way only a child can truly appreciate. Beside him, his two best friends dashed along as well, the trio forming a force to be reckoned with as they conducted the serious work of afternoon play. People knew to stay out of the way when Saradin, Aldin, and Mia were on the prowl.

     As if to prove his point, Aldin Riverford came up behind Saradin and launched out an obnoxious leg, tripping both of them in the process. Mia Belldale was caught unaware by this sudden act and fell onto the newly formed pile of bodies, adding her own mass to its own. Of course, there was nothing to do now but break out into hysterical laughter, which is exactly what the three did.

     "I... I meant to do that," Aldin chuckled, unable to control himself at this point. "Hey, Mis. Would you get your foot out of my eye?"

     "You deserve more than that, you big klutz!" shouted the young girl, her own giggles betraying her hostile words.

     She casually rolled off the others and laid for a moment with her back to the ground and her line of sight stretching to the heavens above. Ever the little lady, she then addressed the situation with the gentleness of a strand of silk.

     "Hey, Saradin. You still alive?"

     "Yeah," he answered as Aldin followed Mia's lead and rolled to a similar position. "Yeah, I'm fine."

     "Good, cause the healer's gettin' tired of seeing us," said Aldin and then the three broke into laughter all over again.

     After a few long minutes of exaggerated chuckling and carrying on, the friends gradually stopped and spent the next moments in silence, gazing into the clouds as if to determine the nature of their existence. The warm sun spilled its life giving energy upon them, a constant presence in a strange and unpredictable world.

     "Aldin," Mia asked, her tone inquisitive and musical, "whatcha want to be when you grow up?"

     The boy remained silent for only a second more, an incredulous grin spreading across his face.

     "I'm gonna be a paladin!" Aldin boomed as if he'd been thinking about that very question his whole life. "I'm gonna fight dragons and ride horses and rescue pretty girls..."

     "Why does everybody think that girls always need saving?" Mia broke in. "I hate that!"

     "Because girls have all the germs!" Aldin answered, "and you're the Queen of the Germs."

     "I am not! Saradin, tell him I'm not!"

     Saradin, quiet as he always seemed to be, did not respond at first, his attention lost far in the sky above him.

     "Saradin!" Mia prodded.

     "Mia doesn't have germs," he finally spoke up, his voice soft and knowing. "She has cooties."

     Mia turned on her side and gave Saradin a playful smack against his forearm.

     "You're no help!"

     "Well then, Miss Cootiedale. What are you gonna be?" Aldin asked.

     Mia didn't seem to need any more time to think than Aldin had.

     "I'm gonna be a beautiful swanmay and protect the forests and fly high in the sky when I change into a swan..."

     "Suuuuuure you are!" interrupted Aldin.

     "I am... you'll see. How 'bout you, Saradin. What do you want to be?"

     Unlike the impossible careers his friends seemed to have chosen, Saradin Mizal always knew exactly what he was going to do, and it was a down to earth, realistic ambition.

     "I'm gonna be a mountaineer and explore the Skypeaks like my dad."

     "Gee, that's real important!" Aldin shouted, ever quick with a cheap insult.

     Saradin returned his attention to the clouds and suddenly was able to pick out the shape of a high, foreboding mountain in one. It seemed to appear as if to beckon him, to give purpose and inspiration to his life's dream. It was a reminder of the wonders that remained untouched in the high peaks near Sarbin, the Skypeak Mountains. Wonders that he would unravel, someday.

     "It is to me, Aldin," he quietly responded. "It is to me."

     The years rolled by, slowly in the minds of the three young friends in Sarbin, transforming each into an adolescent. With their added age came new ideas, and ultimately new responsibilities. To some, the process of growing up gradually ate away at their sense of wonder and excitement. To some this was the time to settle into their life's work, learning from a farmer, artisan, or greatmage. To Saradin Mizal, however, life could never be locked down into a simple day to day routine. In his quiet opinion, the world offered too much for him to just sit back and let it slide by. He was determined, to the very limit of determination, to someday explore the uncharted peaks of the Wilderlands and far beyond.

     So it was when young Saradin was offered his first errand that would take him away from his home village. Of course, he jumped at the chance. He was to travel with his father up the road from Sarbin to the larger village of Krath, located near the southern borders of the Wilderlands. There they were to trade for much needed supplies that were in shortage in his own village, a simple, if not routine affair. Saradin didn't see the mundane chore behind the journey, but the journey itself and the experience it would bring him. Such was too much to keep from the ears of Aldin and Mia, who instantly insisted that they be included, so that Saradin wouldn't get to hoard all of the fun. It was agreed to by the adults so long as one condition was met, that they all stay out of trouble.

     The journey was routine enough, almost too routine for Saradin's taste, as was the village of Krath once they had arrived after several stopovers at cottages along the way. Krath was larger than Sarbin, but that was the only point of interest that the three teenagers could find about it. Merchants traded and shops sold goods, all in the same manner as Saradin was used to seeing in his own town. Of course, this couldn't be allowed to continue. They had come too far, and this was too unique an opportunity. Aldin Riverford was the first to throw an idea into the minds of his companions, after Saradin's father had stepped away to negotiate with one of the merchants.

     "I'm bored. Let's check out those ruins on the east side of town."

     "Mist Manor?" Saradin toned in. "I'm not so sure about that. I've heard things."

     "Yeah," Mia added. "That place is supposed to be haunted."

     "I know," smiled Aldin, looking interested for the first time on this trip. "Don't you want to have a look?"

     "We're supposed to stay out of trouble," Saradin scolded.

     "Now you sound like your father. Aren't you the one who wants to be the explorer? Aren't you bored with this stupid place?"

     "Yeah, but this is not the same thing..."

     "Isn't it? C'mon, I just wanna have a look."

     "Aldin, it's just not a good idea."

     At this, Aldin sighed and slowly ran a hand through his dark auburn hair. It was apparent that he would have to start getting dramatic in order to find some excitement.

     "Tell you what. I'm going over to the manor anyway, and if you change your mind, you can come too."

     Now it was Saradin's turn to sigh. He had been backed into a corner and Aldin knew it, but Aldin always was a master at manipulation. Of course, that's why he had always been an interesting friend. After a long pause, Saradin finally dignified Aldin with a response.

     "You're my best friend. Somebody's got to keep an eye on you."

     "Saradin..." Mia broke in.

     "You don't have to go," he answered before she could say any more.

     "Oh no! You guys aren't leaving me here to explain this to Saradin's dad. I'm going!"

     Saradin had to admit to himself that Mia could be so pretty when she was determined. Perhaps there was something to be said there.

     "Thanks guys," Aldin smiled. "You're the best. Life savers."

     "We know," answered Mia, and the three then turned and slipped into the crowds toward eastern Krath where the ruined estate of Mist Manor was located.

     The manor itself had been built about eighty years ago by an adventurer whose name eluded the three adolescents at the moment. Thirty winters back, however,it was destroyed by a mysterious fire and left in ruins, and it had remained abandoned ever since. Though these were the facts, there were also the rumors, spread by local townsfolk and some of the bards that traveled the land withtales of the incredible.

     These people said that Mist Manor had not been entirely abandoned and was still inhabited by the undead, spirits and skeletons that supposedly roamed the site when the moon was full. Like many bards' tales, though, there was no known truth in this and thus no perceived danger beyond superstitious warnings. Because of this, Saradin, Aldin, and Mia were able to slip into the ruins without incident, undetected by the city patrols.

     The estate was dark, even in the mid afternoon, and very dusty. Their movement across what used to be the foyer caused ominous, echoing vibrations to ring into the depths of the building. This was obviously not the placefor a young girl of class like Mia Belldale.

     "I don't like this," she whispered, uncharacteristically timid. "You guys are crazy."

     A gust of wind howled through one of the cracks and breezed past Mia's red hair like the touch of an unseen agent. She shivered and backed against a wall, now completely without courage or even curiosity.

     "I... I can't go. I'm scared."

     "Mia..." Aldin began, a degrading tone beginning to sound in his voice.

     "You don't have to come," Saradin quietly reassured her while glaring at Aldin as if looks alone could keep him quiet. "Just wait outside until we come out. You can be our lookout."

Mia seemed to relax at that statement, and the display was almost visibleto the others. As beams of sunlight flickered eerily into the room, dancingacross both the walls and themselves, she turned to Saradin and gave hima small kiss on the cheek.

     "Thanks, Saradin. Just promise me one thing. Stay out of trouble."

     Saradin grinned, but it was an uneasy grin.

     "Words to live by, Mia. I'll make sure Aldin follows them, too."

     The girl nodded, paused, and then turned to the doorway behind them. Inanother few second she was gone, leaving the two boys to their own sense of adventure.

     At that point, Aldin was off, exploring through a crumbled hole in thewall that led into a long hallway decorated with web covered chandeliersthat were swaying in the howling breeze above him. Saradin jumped throughbehind him, determined not to let his friend out of his sight.

     "This is what adventuring is all about," Aldin breathed, walking towarda spiraling staircase that led down from a room off the back of the hallway."This is what makes people into heroes!"

     "Words from a true paladin," smiled Saradin, though his voice was fullof worry. "Don't you think we should've brought a weapon?"

     "There's nothing dangerous here..."

At that moment, a pocket of weak stone gave way beneath Aldin's feet,and he fell a good ten feet into a section of the sub-basement below. Thesounds of crumbling rock and loose gravel drowned out his cry of surpriseas he supported his brief fall with both of his palms. The action awoke afew common bats, who squeaked with displeasure and fluttered up toward Saradinand then away to another undisturbed corner of the manor. Panic driven, Saradinleaned over the newly formed pit.

     "Aldin! You okay!?"

     There was a moment of silence and then an echoing chuckle, one that Saradininstantly recognized as his friend's.

     "Saradin!" Aldin called. "I think we've found a secret passage! You'vegot to come see this!"

     "Aldin, I think we should stay above ground..."

     "Come on... wait!" Aldin exclaimed, suddenly sounding absolutely mystified."I see something!"

     Saradin could hear Aldin rise to his feet and continue forward into thebasement's depths.

     "Something beautiful!"

     "Aldin, let's go now..."

     "Come see this, Saradin!"

     Caught at a loss, Saradin had two choices, and they were to either runand get some help or to follow his friend. It didn't take long to decidewhich one a brave explorer like his father would do. Groaning, he eased himselfinto the pit and took a few moments to get his bearings.

     "Aldin! Where did you go?"

     Then he began to hear the moans and the chants, very quiet at first butslowly rising in both volume and intensity. Snapping his attention in thatdirection, he saw the form of Aldin walking as if in a trance toward a collectionof dancing white figures that he recognized even without the torch he wished he had so badly. They were animated skeletons.

     Frozen with fear, Saradin found he couldn't even call out to warn Aldin,let alone run forward toward him. Thus he was forced to watch as Aldin continuedon through the collection of spooks, which were dancing in what seemed tobe some sort of pattern. Obviously, they were not Aldin's final destination.It was the great white glow of mist on the crumbled throne behind them. Saradin'smind ran through every type of undead creature he had been told about andfinally picked out the correct label for this new monstrosity. It was a spectre,and by the looks of things a powerful one at that. But why had there beenno mention of a problem this severe in the town of Krath before? Why hadthere been no official warnings?

     As Aldin walked toward the beckoning creature, it began to speak in acackling, devious voice that carried the weight of thousands of dead yearsupon it.

     "Come into my light, boy... Yesssss... I can sense your force of life...So strong... So bright... You will be the minion that will bring about myrenewed presence on this world... Yesssssssss!"

     Saradin wanted to scream, cry, and cower all at once as the ghostly apparition seemed to engulf the very space that Aldin himself occupied. It appeared to consume him, and then twist him into something just like itself,as if the two had momentarily become one. And there was nothing in the worldthat Saradin could do to help him. Even when he heard the faint cry for helpthat would be the last living words of Aldin Riverford.

     "Don't... leave... me... Saradin..."

     The voice sounded like Aldin, but they were dark and distorted, barely alive to the ears of someone who was still of the living. But this was ridiculous. It couldn't end this way. There was still so much for both ofthem to do in life. However, there was now only one thing he could do, given the reality of the situation.

     "Nooooooooooo!" Saradin shouted, and the skeletons turned toward him as if noticing him for the first time.

     They started forward, but the spectre seemed to waive them off as Saradin jumped back up the hole and charged out into the warm safety of the livingworld. He bolted into the open air and fell into Mia's waiting arms, terrifiedand grief stricken. Tears poured down his face as his body shook out of control,and he would have collapsed altogether had it not been for Mia's support.

     "Saradin! What's wrong?! Where's Aldin?!"

     "We have to... get out of here..."

     His cry of helplessness was soon joined by the sound of villagers approaching,led by Saradin's father. A healer got down on one knee and began to assessSaradin's condition, and motioned politely for Mia to step back. She understoodthe request but continued to hold Saradin, refusing to break the comfortand support that she was providing him. At last she was gently pulled awayby Saradin's father, who took her to the side with one question running through his head.

     "Mia, where is Aldin?"

     As if on some sort of cosmic cue, a wicked cackle emanated from the depths of Mist Manor, after which a beam of ghostly light shot into the steadily darkening heavens above. A few of the local clerics began to recite their rituals of protection, but they seemed to have no effect as the apparition announced a terrifying proclamation to the villagers below.

     "I have returned... and nothing on this world will stand in my way now!"

     With that, the light burst apart and spread to all corners of the sky, and in an instant all was silent again, except for the wails of despair coming from young Saradin Mizal.

     The cold mountain air nipped at Saradin, but he never felt more alive in his entire life. This was his first chance to live out his eternal dream, his first chance to touch the sky as only a true mountaineer could. With his father at his side and hisenthusiasm to propel him as he climbed, he scaled the Skypeak mountains as if they had always been a part of him. To Saradin, this journey was the one he had always been meant to take, the quest that would accelerate his life forward into new frontiers.

     As the bright sun began to set over the western horizon, and the wind began to drop the temperature ever further, Saradin's father stopped and gazed upward as if to seek advice from some heavenly presence, unseen bythe rest of the world at large. Saradin came up behind him and followed hislead, squinting upward though he did not know why.

     "There it is, my boy. Right there."

     His father extended a gloved forefinger to the sky, almost directly across the heavens from the setting sun.

     "The first star of the evening. The symbol of the end of the mountaineer's workday. A constant, noble voice for the tired ear."

     Saradin cupped his hand over his eyes and looked again, this time spottingthe bright point of light that his father had seen all along. It was a beautiful thing, a beacon that could change any moment into one of life's grand memories.

     "Always remember to look for that star, Saradin. Always remember that there comes a time when one must rest, when one must forget the troublesof the long day. If you look, the star will always be there for you."

     There was nothing Saradin could say at that moment. There were no wordsthat could describe what he was feeling inside. An existence of sorrow andjoy swept him into the moment, forcing him to peer backward into his pastas well as forward into his future. He allowed himself to think once againof the friend that he had lost to that tragic incident in the town of Krath.Memories of Aldin Riverford ran through his mind, the free spirit who would never appreciate the splendor that he was now witnessing. And it was allbecause of him.

     "We camp here tonight," his father gently spoke, throwing his heavy pack onto the ground of the mountain clearing that surrounded them. "Let's grabsome wood for the fire."

     "Yes," was all that Saradin could say at the moment. "I'm ready."

     The night was cold and uncaring, restless and troubling all rolled into one. Though his father slept soundly, Saradin did not, his eyes wide and staring at the sky above. Before he couldn't bear to stay put any longer, the youth rolled out of his makeshift sleeping bag and rose to his feet, quietly creepingpast his father toward the edge of the clearing that was a good number of yards from the campsite. He knew this was dangerous, but somehow it didn'tmatter. This seemed to be the right thing to do, since everything else about the night felt somehow wrong. Even the wind seemed to be working against him, to whatever end only the gods knew.

     At last he reached the edge, overlooking a valley far below full of multiplespecies of pines and wildlife. There was no light except for that from thelantern he held and the glow from the moon and its trail of sparkling tears.The sounds of the night filled his inner being, from the chirping of thecrickets to the howling of the wolves that were no doubt hunting in the clearingbefore him. Yet there was also another sound, one that Saradin dismissedas coming from his own thoughts, but not to be ignored all the same. It rosefrom a pitch that sounded like the moaning of the wind itself, and eventuallyformed into words that were all too simple to make out. Something was callinghis name.

     "Saradin... Saradin..."

     He had heard this particular sound once before, only it had been slightlyaltered. This one was more familiar somehow than the voice he had heard inthe manor basement in Krath all those years ago.

     "Why didn't you do anything, Saradin? Why did you run? You are a coward! A coward!"

     Saradin turned and raised his lantern, arm shaking as the light it emittedflashed erratically across the landscape before him. It was then that hesaw the eerie white cloud of wisps, a ghostly robe around a haunted figurewhose features Saradin knew all too well. It was that which had once beenhis friend Aldin.

     "Now I am forever in the servitude of the Master Dargon! Infinite is myagony, and you must pay the price for my suffering!"

     The apparition flung a ghostly finger toward Saradin and floated forward,its anger a tangible ting that could be felt as well as observed. Saradinwished with all his might that this was merely a bad dream and that he wouldwake up at any moment to the rising sun and his gentle father, but he hadto admit that this was probably not the case. Aldin had most surely becomea spectre like the one who had enslaved him.

     "Aldin, it's me. Your best friend..."

     "There is no time for friendship when you walk the earth in eternal pain.I will make sure that you know this!"

     Saradin quickly drove his hand into his jacket pocket and fumbled asinconspicuously as he could for the object he hoped was there. Suddenly,he felt it and he grabbed at it with everything he had in him.

     "You don't know how long I've been waiting to curse you as you've cursedme! Dargon has been waiting a long time for you, Saradin!"

     Saradin thrust his hand out of his pocket, clutching a holy cross thathad been given to him by another significant companion in his life. Aldin'slifeless eyes widened in both terror and rage, his form floating back asreadily as it had come toward Saradin.

     "Aldin..." Saradin gasped, tears beginning to well up in his own anguishedeyes. "Please don't do this. I've regretted leaving you more than anythingelse in my life. I've suffered too."

     "You betrayed any friendship we might have had when you let this happento me! You betrayed it even further when you accepted that... cross! Mia'scross!"

     "There must be something I can do..."

     "You love her, don't you? As I once loved her! You will become one ofus so that you will never know love again!"

     Indeed Saradin did love Mia, though he had never brought himself to tellher outright. She had become a beautiful, flame-haired young woman whoseinterest in nature and compassion for life was surpassed only by her kindnessand strength of spirit. She had given him her beloved cross as a sign ofthat kindness, and as a symbol of the relationship that might someday cometo pass. If anything was to become of that romance, Saradin knew that hewould have to turn Aldin away once again.

     "Maybe, friend," he spoke, thrusting Mia's golden icon toward Aldin'scowering form. "But not today! I must continue to live and learn, and there'sstill so much out there to do before I'm willing to admit that my time togo has come!"

     "And there's the bottom line of a true friend!" Aldin hissed back. "Youare always thinking of yourself! YOU must live! YOU must experience! I willget you, and then I'll go after Mia! You will both wear the chains of servitudethat are bonded to my master!"

     Saradin's hands shook violently now, more from anger than from fear atthis point.

     "You will leave Mia alone! I'm the one you want! You will deal with me!"

     "And so I shall! You can't win, Saradin! I am forever!"

     Saradin screamed in uncontrolled rage, the boiling point of his emotionshaving long been reached. In a fit of unthinkable anger, he hurled the crossat the spectre, causing the ghost to lose coherence into a wavy blur of mistupon contact. Then, there was nothing except the cross itself, lying innocentlyon the section of ground above which Aldin had once hovered.

     Saradin had won this night, but he knew that his old friend would be back,and he would grow continually stronger as he attempted to accomplish hisgoal. He felt betrayed, angry, and guilty all in one as he stumbled forward,at last reaching the point where the cross sat on the ground. He gently liftedit up and held it to his heart, all the while gazing upward to the sky above.His eyes were full of tears, like the moon itself, as he struggled to collecthis thoughts. He would deal with Aldin when the time came, and when he wastruly ready, but now there was another variable thrown into the equation.Saradin would have to protect someone who was truly innocent in all of this.In a jumble of emotion that refused to untangle itself, Saradin picked outthe startling fact that his dear Mia was in as much danger as he was. Hewas again forced to admit that the blame could be pinned on nobody but himself.

     "I'm sorry, Aldin. I'll help you. That much I promise."

     Saradin strode across the village of Sarbin, now a young adult of nineteen years.His mood was in prime condition on that bright morning in the month of Plenty,his vest pocket full of dreams unrealized. There he kept not only the crossthat meant so much to him, but another golden item as well. This was muchsmaller than the religious icon, and in the shape of a tiny hoop with a redruby engraved across its top that seemed to burn with a fire from within.It was none other than an engagement ring, for the one he knew he wantedto spend the rest of his life with.

     Then he saw her, the redhead whom he had been unable to take his mindoff of for many of his later years. She stood near the carving of the great hero Baskin, who died many years ago to protect the region from an invadingforce of rampaging orcs. Below that statue, the man's very body was buried,creating a monument that was a constant reminder of what Baskin had accomplishedfor the whole of the Wilderlands. It was a romantic ideal, and thus manyyoung couples met at this site when talk of love or marriage was appropriate.Now Mia Belldale was there, Saradin's own true love, and from that pointon they would be together for all time, even beyond death itself.

     She spotted him before he could even come near her and she waved an inviting hand his way, beckoning him toward her with an excitement that seemed almosttoo genuine. Saradin broke into full stride and then swept her up into hisarms, laughing and crying all at once. This moment was magical and therewas nothing that could ruin it inthe entire world. Nothing at all.

     "Mia!" Saradin breathed, lowering her to the ground but not taking hiseyes from her. "There's something I want to ask you! Something long overdue!"

     "There's something I have to tell you, too, Saradin," she spoke sweetly."Do you want to go first?"

     "No, no. Please, go ahead."

     "No, you..."

     "Please, you first..."

     Both took a deep breath, and then Mia continued.

     "I've done it, Saradin! I've actually done it!"

     Saradin didn't quite like the sound of that.

     "Done what, love?"

     "A representative of the Minstrels wants to see me in Moone Vista! Apparently word got out about my nature studies and she wants to take me in as anapprentice! Isn't that exciting?!"

     That, of course, was the last thing that Saradin Mizal wanted to hearon that day. He knew that once she left for this mysterious organization,she would be kept from having much contact with anyone from the outside worldfor many years, and that unfortunately included him. He had to be happy forher, but this certainly meant another great sacrifice, which Saradin's lifewas all but completely filled of.

     "Mia, that's great, but..."

     "This is my chance to join the Minstrels someday! To be a champion ofthe wilderness!"

     She seemed ecstatic to Saradin, happier than she had ever been before,even in all her years with him. He shared some of her joy, simply becausehe enjoyed seeing her that way, but somehow it didn't ease the larger pain that welled up inside. First he had lost Aldin, and now it seemed he wasgoing to lose her.

     "But, what about us?"

     The bright smile faded from Mia's lovely face, and she fell silent as she pondered the answer to that for awhile.

     "Oh, Saradin. I'm so sorry. Was that what you wanted to say?"

     Saradin turned from her, his face cast downward toward the ground below.

     "Does it matter anymore?"

     "Of course it matters," Mia said, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder,"and we can still be friends..."

     "There just won't be time for that. You've found your dream and now youmust follow it."

     "Do you understand?" Mia pleaded. "Do you realize that Aldin's transformation hurts me as much as it hurts you. I just can't stand by helplessly if he comes looking for me."

     Saradin sighed painfully at the mention of his old friend and tormentor.

     "No, and neither can I. I've trained as a warrior, Mia, in order to protectmyself and to possibly help him. But I was going to stay at your side."

     "I'm so sorry, Saradin, but that training took away the part of you thatI held most dear. You are so driven now. Too driven."

     "Can I be anything less?!"

     He whirled around and faced her now, angry at her, Aldin, and the entireworld. Nothing had ever been fair or easy in his life. It just wasn't right.He had suffered more pain than many had to endure in their entire lives,and Saradin suspected that the long lived elves could be included in that assessment.

     "Let's not part like this, dear Saradin. Let's remember what we had."

     Saradin pushed the ring aside in his pocket and brought out the cross,holding it out in front of Mia in the palm of his hand.

     "Here, I think this belongs to you."

     Mia shook her head and reached out, folding Saradin's fingers over the holy symbol.

     "No, you keep it. I think you'll be needing it far more than I will. Justpromise me one thing. Stay out of trouble."

     Saradin nodded and looked at her again for what was probably to be thelast time.

     "I hope you become that swanmay you've always wanted to be."

She smiled and then turned to walk away, and again there was nothing Saradincould do but watch as destiny pressed forward without him. It was a feelingof loss he could no longer tolerate. He reached for the ring and threw itas far as it would go out into the vast landscape outside of Sarbin. He knewthat with this action came the loss of all individual love. Saradin wouldcherish the world as a whole, protecting it wherever there was need, butnever again would he give his affections to a single woman. Never, ever again.

     Gathering the last of his supplies in the city of Procampion, which was just southof the mountains of his home village, Saradin turned and patted the longsword at his side with which he had trained for so very long. At his sidestood his father, the man who had protected him for his entire life, butwho could no longer do so. Destiny would split them apart now, and his fatherwould not have missed these final moments with his son for anything in theworld.

     "You're a good fighter, Saradin, but a mountaineer at heart. I wish youthe very best that life has to offer."

     "Thanks, dad. You know this is something I have to do. There's nothingleft for me here now."

     "There's your family. You'll always be welcome with us."

     "I appreciate that, but I don't think I'll be coming back for a long time.Aldin will always be my friend, no matter what he says, and I have to helphim. There has to be a cleric somewhere who knows something about a cure."

     Saradin's dad smiled with the knowledge that his son had indeed becomedriven. That trait would take him far if he didn't overuse it.

     "You'll do fine, my boy. Just don't forget to take in the wonder of theworld once in a while. To admire it for the mystery that it is. When youget tired, look for that star I told you about, for you alone will know itstrue meaning."

     "Those ideals will always be a part of me, dad. There are just more pressingmatters now than when I was ten years old."

     Saradin's father offered his hand, and the young man returned the gesturein a firm handshake full of confidence and possibility.

     "Good luck, son. Now go and show 'em what you've got."

     Saradin turned and headed for the city limits, knowing only then thatthe world was finally his to explore. He could climb any mountain or findany treasure if he only set his mind and his heart to it. Somehow, though,that wisdom offered no comfort, no joy just for its own sake. He had a mission now, a mission that was the only thing he could hold onto, and it was one of dire importance and consequence. He had to give Aldin Riverford the chance at life that he so deserved, or at least end his friend's eternal misery.That was Saradin's purpose, and he would follow it to his dying day. If the first evening star wanted to help him, that was all fine and good, but he was the one who had to bring about the necessary changes. Him and no one else.

     The city walls soon fell far behind him as he journeyed ever onward toward the very center of the Lands of Civilization and his uncertain future. Above him, a small point of light winked on in the darkening sky, a lone star that could do nothing now but show Saradin the way to his great destiny.