After that conversation Gethin withdrew into a silent world. His face was marked with a sullen, empty stare. Except when it was absolutely essential, Gethin cut himself off from talking to anyone. If a nod was sufficient, he would give a nod rather than say a word.      

 Liadan would have tried to be with him in his sorrow, to comfort him if she could. But he would not allow it. In his sorrow, he turned inward.

   Even though his father was no longer there, Gethin was still haunted by the idea of his beloved father’s body rotting away in the dark caves. Like a weight anchored around his neck, Gethin carried the blame of what he had been unable to stop. Someday he would atone for his father’s death. Someday he would redeem himself, and take revenge on the Overlords.

   The prominent scar that Gethin now bore had become much more than a scar. It was a constant reminder of the cruelty of the Overlord’s. A reminder that he would bear for the rest of his life. A reminder that he would not forget.

   One night Liadan lay beside Gethin, thinking thoughts to herself. Oh, I love him, she thought at first, and then, Is he angry at me? Why won’t he talk to me? Is it because he thinks I’m coward? I’m not a coward, she thought, her lip set stubbornly, and then her mind flickered back to their conversation, but I’m no hero either.

    It was on a night that Gavon came to their door. Gavon had been an old friend of their father. They had known each other during the ‘’Better Days’’. The ‘’Better Days’’ were what all the villages had come to term the days before the Overlords had come to rule. In was different in every village, but in the village of Marlind, they had come sooner than most.

 The ‘’ Better Days’’ were the days before either Liadan or Gethin were born.

  Gavon was a kindly man.  He had a gentle mouth, a tall frame and blue eyes that knew how to smile. Gavon had given Liadan and Gethin something of a childhood though his music. He knew stories, and songs. Both Gethin and Liadan had memories of the gleeful days, when he would bring his harp and they would listen, and sometimes dance.

  Liadan saw him pass their window, and she called to Gethin, ‘’ Gethin, Gavon is here. You’d best get up.’’ Gethin stumbled to his feet. Gavon gave one decided knock on the small wooden door of the cottage.

  Liadan opened the door to Gavon and tried to smile. ‘’ Gavon,’’ she said. ‘’Won’t you come in?’’ She caught herself fumbling with her fingers. I’m not doing a very good job at being graceful, she thought. She drew up a chair for Gavon. ‘’ Please sit down,’’ she said. Gavon sat down. He sat beside Gethin, who was sitting on a stool, giving little of recognition, instead looking grim, and silent.

  For the first time since Gavon had walked in the door, Liadan truly saw him. His blue eyes weren’t smiling today, instead they looked at her with a tender pity. She looked towards his face, and watched the lines of sorrow that crossed it.

  A few broken words escaped from his mouth. ‘’ I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for both of you.’’

  Liadan dreaded talking about what had happened, but she felt compassion for the dear, poor man that she loved so much. ‘’ I grieve for my father’s death, but it was not your fault. Please, I . .. I beg you do not pain yourself because of our father’s death. You are a good friend, as good as any he could wish to have.’’ Liadan heard herself stumble over words, unable to stay calm, and felt all the feelings that she had kept hidden away come rolling out of her.

   ‘’ It’s just that I feel love towards you,’’ said Gavon. ‘’ I would wish that the two of you are well in the world, that is, as well as any may be in these days. First your mother’s death, and now this.’’

  Then as if he had had a sudden thought, Gavon asked, ‘’ Could I take a walk with Gethin?’’ Puzzled as to the reason of his request, Liadan still answered, ‘’ Yes, of course,’’ Gavon went outside with Gethin. As they walked out the window she could hear them talking.

  She heard them but they were too far away for her to hear what they were actually saying. She looked out the window and saw a kind of ease in Gethin’s face that she had not seen in a long time. She also saw him looking deep in thought. What could Gravon be saying to Gethin that was so important? Gavon soon left and Gethin came back giving no clue to the thoughts that had passed between them. Some days Liadan would see a thoughtfulness to his face, as if there was something he wanted to tell her.

   One night, Liadan lay near Gethin, trying to warm herself with the brown threadbare blanket. Her head tossed and turned on the lumpy pillow. A frigid breeze flew though the window. Liadan coughed. She could smell smoke.

  ‘’ Liadan,’’ said a voice. Liadan jerked upwards, startled. It was Gethin’s voice. It had been days since she had heard it last. He had hardly to her since their father’s death, when he had lapsed into a sullen silence. ‘’ Liadan,’’ she heard him say again. Not a mistake.

 ‘’We could leave,’’ She heard him, but did not understand. Leave where? Did he mean move into another house? They were all the same. She could see no difference.

  ‘’ What do you mean?’’ she asked. He was looking at her from across the room. She watched his dark brown eyes glimmer with an excitement that she could not fathom.

  ‘’ We could leave here. Leave Marlind! There is nothing left for us here, no one we know, no one we love, nothing but want, drudgery, and finally death,’’ His eyes glowed, and she watched a strange animation transform his face, but at his words she could feel nothing but dread.

   ‘’ How could possibly survive?’’ asked Liadan. ‘’ We are young, younger than our parents were when the Overlords first came. I could take with us all that we need, included a bow and arrow to catch game. We could find berries and other food along the way,’’

 ‘’ You suggest we abandon Marlind to live in the wild for all of our days ? Even our small cottage, and bare belongings, are better than such a vagabond life.’’ Liadan’s cheeks flushed a brilliant red.

   Gethin walked close beside her and spoke gently. ‘’ I believe, that in time, we will find others that believe as we do. Rebels who are willing to fight the Overlords,’’

    Liadan glared at him. ‘’ You believe,’’ said Liadan sarcastically. ‘’ You’re asking me to base my decision solely on what you believe? You’re too blinded by your dreams for me to base my decision on what you believe. This is important, Gethin. You don’t know what’s outside Marlind, any more than I do. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in the wild without a place to call my home,’’

  ‘’ But there must be those displeased with the Overlord’s rule! There must be those displeased enough that they would run away! The Overlord’s are not good rulers. At some point someone must have had enough,’’

  ‘’ Perhaps. But there is no certainty that you would find what what you’re looking for.Can you really think of leaving here, Gethin?’’ she asked. ‘’ This is our home. Think of all the good moments. Think of all the memories that live within these walls.’’

 ‘’ There is nothing left but wood. There is no reason to attach yourself to a building.’’

  ‘’ I will not forsake the memories of those who have lived here,’’

  ‘’ You will not forsake them, Sister. Those who knew you would be happy to find that you no longer lived under the control of the Overlords,’’

  ‘’ Would they be happy if I was dead?’’ asked Liadan.

   Gethin rose up. He could take it no longer. He began to wave his hands in frustration.

  ‘’ Why does this have to be difficult? I thought you would be happy to leave this place! I thought you would understand. We could build a new life for ourselves! You’re just too afraid, too timid to believe me!’’

  Liadan rose, and in an oddly calm voice, she said, ‘’ I’m not timid,’’ Her hand reached out, her hand with the strangely long delicate fingers, her hand that had so gently cleansed his cut. She slapped him.

  Gethin was left without a word. He could hardly process what had just happened. He never thought his loving sister would want to fight him. She wasn’t as zealous about the cruelty of the Overlords as he was, but he still thought that she would chose any other life over their rule. He was wrong.

  ‘’ Why did you slap me?’’ he asked.

    ‘’ Because you’re a fool.’’ she said.

  Gethin looked at her and saw someone he didn’t know. Had she changed all too soon, or had he simply pretended that she was who he wanted her to be, without seeing her as she truly was? He recalled memories, looked back on things she had said. I should have listened. I should have known.

  ‘’ I’m sleeping outside tonight, ‘’ said Liadan. Gethin said nothing. He did not go to her, though the wind howled. He crawled under his blanket and tried to get to sleep, but that night he had nightmares, about evil hands, reaching, grabbing, crawling. All the long slender fingers wore jeweled rings.

  Gavon packed all that he needed. He saw that there was hardly anything left in the room except for his harp. He was about to leave when he heard it speak. Take me with you, his harp seemed to say. Gavon gazed at the harp, lost in memories. He remembered all the times his hands had run along those strings. He remembered the voices that rang out as he played. It was a beautiful thing, from a happier time, a different era. A relic. Much like me, he thought.

  Gavon remembered feet that no longer danced. Gavon had made up his mind. He would leave, without his harp. Gavon turned to the door, and looking back said, ‘’ Sorry, friend,’’ But just as he opened the door he heard the harp’s voice again. Take me with you, said the harp. For luck, for love, for dreams. Gavon strode out the door, with his harp.

  Gethin refused to stay in Marlind a moment longer than he had to, but still he did not want to leave Liadan, to desert her to the life left for her here.

  ‘’ Won’t you come with me?’’ asked Gethin, hoping to win her over as he had been unable to several nights before. Liadan only gave a firm ‘’ No.’’

  ‘’ I am leaving. I don’t plan on coming back.’’

  She nodded.

   With his heart spilt, Gethin ran out the door.

  The evening cast dark shadows, and there would be little light to guide their way. Gethin met Gavon but an appointed spot. There would no Overlords on guard tonight. They were celebrating.

  It was Veerna, the second month of the season Zantha, when things began to grow again, the anniversary of the Overlord’s triumph.

  Usually there were guards, as a precaution, and tradition, more than anything else. But tonight, Gnarl, the head-Overlord saw no need. They would all celebrate.

  Gethin heard their loud, strange roaring laughter. It came from the inside of a stone building that looked like a mansion to Gethin, compared to all the small thatched cottages the villagers lived in. He heard strange, frightening, incoherent sounds.

  The Overlords were obviously drunk. He heard glass breaking shattering on the floor. They were shattering glass as if it was nothing, as if they hadn’t bought it with garrods, the black gleaming jewels that the villagers mined.

  Gethin’s only cup was made of wood.

   Gethin could see Gavon’s figure only dimly in the darkness. ‘’ Gavon?’’ he called out. ‘

'’ Yes, Gethin. I am here,’’ he said, keeping his voice low. Gethin saw a gleaming shape under Gavon’s arm.

  ‘’ What’s that?’’ he asked.

 ‘’ It’s my harp,’’ Gavon answered. ‘’ It spoke to me. I had to bring it.’’

  Gethin shook his head, but did no more. He must think I’m crazy, thought Gavon.

 ‘’ Come, let’s go from this place.’’ said Gethin. And with that they flew away, into the night.

  Gethin was too good for Liadan, and she knew it. She saw the fire, the flame, in Gethin eyes, and she could only shrink back. The memories of those who had lived here before them, did not keep her here. Comfort. That kept her here. She would violate any ideals for that.

  Gavon and Gethin traveled along at a good pace each day. The weather was pleasant, if chilly, and they were well clothed enough to keep themselves warm. Somedays Gavon would play and sing. But soon it seemed too long since Gethin had seen anyone.

  ‘’ Do you think Liadan was right?’’ asked Gethin, as he and Gavon lay under the stars. ‘’ What was that?’’ asked Gavon.

 ‘’ Do you think Liadan was right, about there being no one, I mean,’’ said Gethin. ‘

 '’ I don’t know,’’ said Gavon with a sigh.

 ‘’ Maybe. Maybe not. But this life better than the life I have led for many years.’’

‘’ Gavon?’’ said Gethin.

 ‘’ I still want to believe that someone’s out there, that there’s a chance . . .’’

  ‘’ Goodnight, Gethin.’’ said Gavon. That was the end of their conversation.

   As they walked that morning Gethin breathed in the sweet air, untainted by any foulness. The sky shone a brilliant sapphire blue, something Gethin had never seen before his escape. He could hardly believe that so much beauty could be left in world. Gethin shook himself. However beautiful the world might be, the day was still brisk, and chill.

   Gavon and Gethin strode on. Though they took in the lovely world which they had seen around them, as of yet they had seen no human face. Upon the face of earth grew ancient trees, which had been there too many years for any one to count.

  They walked on till midday, when they heard a voice, high yet stern. ‘’ Who goes there? What wanderers come where few have tread?’’

  A figure emerged from the woods. They could seen no face, for a dark brown hood covered it in shadows. The figure had a tall stature, and stood erect. It wore high brown boots, dark green trousers, and a dark green shirt. A belt swung across its side. The belt held a sharp gleaming sword.

  The figure strode a few paces nearer to Gethin and Gavon with a silent, steady gait, moving lithely.

  It spoke again, this time more urgently. ‘’ I must ask once more, who are you?’’

  Gavon spoke up. ‘’ I am Gavon. I was a friend of Gethin’s father, who is now dead. We come from one of the villages the Overlords have taken . . Marlind. Please, we mean no harm. We came seeking escape.’’

  ‘’ What did you think that you would find?’’ asked the figure. Gavon saw the sun glinting on the sword.

  ‘’ Gethin thought he would find those willing to fight against the Overlords, but I looked only for escape, for freedom.’’

  ‘’ Then you have both found a friend in me.’’ With that, the hood was shook back to reveal the face of a young woman, only a few years older than Gethin. Light golden freckles scattered across her face like flecks of sunlight. Gethin saw her head of short, tousled, coppery hair gleam. It was barely an inch behind her ears. Her hazel eyes looked at them intently, and Gethin thought he saw a laugh in those eyes.

  ‘’ I am Elfreda, daughter of Valerius, the leader of the rebels of Raehadon,’’ she said nodding to her right. Gethin peered to see a large, muscular man, who did not have Elfreda’s slender frame. Valerius was dressed similarly to Elfreda, and as Gethin looked on he saw that so were many others whom he had not seen. They had been surrounded!

 ‘’ Both you and your harp are welcome to stay, Gavon. And you, Gethin, I think you’ve found what you’re looking for.’’ Gethin saw an odd, sly smile quirking her lips.