Once there were two boys. Born on the same day, almost at the same time. Neither of the parents new of the other's birth.

Both boy's fathers were wood workers, and couldn't wait to teach their sons. They had great expectations of their sons.

The boys grew up as happy little boys. When finally able to begin their father's trade, they loved it! Neither had any idea it could be so satisfying. Seeing a block of wood turn into something beautiful, gave them both great pleasure. Both of them soon became master in the trade, and both fathers were very proud.

Christ our Light, Hope in Darkness
Vine of Life, Source of Strength
Living Water, Living Bread
Essence of the Godly Head
Yoke of Comfort, Rod of Joy
Son of God, Son of Man
Shepherd me, O Dearest God,
Along this weary path I trod
Born of a Virgin, Men to save
Holy Worker, his foster Son
Sweetest Breath of my weakened Soul
Stay, and fill this empty Hole
Lamb of God, Cross's Victim
Holy Priest, Holy Altar
Jesu, emptied of Blood for me
Here I am upon my knee
Offerer Divine, Priest forever

“What’s going on?” Danielle has to raise her voice above the whisper we’ve been keeping our voices at in order to be heard above the ever-increasing ruckus. From the din, few words are distinct. I believe I hear “catch him, catch him!” But I am unsure. Could I doubt Korin? He’s a good man. On the other hand, Danielle didn’t even know him. Scelerisal could have instructed him to kill Danielle on the road and drag me back. There wouldn't be shouts to catch him if he had betrayed us. He must have been found out. Or not. My head swims with these thoughts and others as I answer my sister.

Chapter 18

Among green leaves I lay awake,
Dreaming of what could be.
Dreaming of life, and youth,
And of the world,
All that could happen to me.
My mind whirls,
With what might some day be,
It goes off on a treachorous flight.
Taking me through the summer's evening,
And into the morning light.
I'm flying through the clouds,
Seeing all I want to see.
I land for a small rest,
To have a small glass of water,
And perhaps a bite to eat,
Then back up into the clouds I fly,
Dreaming once again.

Kerrin sat with his legs crossed, his back against the wall of his cell, facing the door. He leaned forward, intently maneuvering a nail around in the depths of the shackle lock around his ankle. He shifted position to give his back a rest and the sole of his left boot, now missing a nail to keep it in place, flapped a little.

Chapter the Sixteenth

The twinkling night was cast in the glow of a soft beaming moon. The resting trees were shaded by a dark gloom. A hill stood under the sky which was spread with silver specks in a sea of dark blue. On a dirt path a fire light flickered. The path was carved upon the slope of the grass-covered hill. The fire beamed upon the path, lighting it brightly. Pattering feet scurried up the slope. Children ran; their laughter was constant. An elf sat behind the flames, a slight smile curved upon his shadowed lips.

The glob of colors was growing, it started moving, swirling and twirling, and becoming larger, in just a few minutes it was bigger than I was, and then for a few amazing minutes, I was inside the glob, and then I was sitting quietly in a barstool at a kitchen counter, doing nothing of importance with an old pencil and a piece of scrap paper. I saw my mom and sister sitting in a living room; they too were doing nothing of importance, the whole place was quiet, you could have heard a small mouse scurry across the floor. It seemed as though I was in a small, pretty house.