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Chapter 6 Endless Valley

"Master, I have lost them, they're tracks are gone!"

"Why do you report to me with such a petty excuse? I thought I trained you better than that. You ought to be able to follow simple Gargoyle tracks!"

"They have a woodland elf with them and he is somehow covering up the tracks or letting them stray off the path. It seems they know of me and trying to throw me off."

"Do not worry about that elf, I have plans for him yet. He is a valuable aset to us, his job will be over soon, but do not lose Kane! Casifus should be enough to protect him, but make sure you do not lose Kane at all whatever the costs. If it comes down to it, kill the Minilia and Elf and bring him back to me."

"I thought it was the elf's job to bring them back to you?"

"It is, but he seems untrustworthy after losing his family...Anything else to report?"

"No...that is all..."

Kane rubbed his head and shook it. The voices he heard in his head couldn't have been real. They were still traveling on down towards the valley of Unda. Casifus was in lead and Shade was perched on Casifus' shoulder. Kane took a long and hard glance toward Casifus, "Could he really betray me at any moment?"

"He knows....." a voice said in Kane's head, yet it wasn't fake. It sounded far off and muffled. Looking around Kane saw nothing but forest. Kane didn't want to say anything to Casifus because he thought it might be over and Casifus would kill him. Kane was too terrified of him.

"But I have the Ibion ring, that would protect me!" Kane thought to himself. Shaking his head he said no to himself. Not wanting to risk it at all so he kept it to himself just like he did with all his other speculations and emotions about this whole ordeal.

By Noon they reached the bottom of the valley. The ground became flat and less rocky. The trees became more dense, with summer almost coming to an end some trees leaves were still geen but with a hint of brown on them.

"How long till it starts to get colder Casifus?" asked Shade.

"Probably not till the next full moon," he said confidently with a smirk.

Kane was starting to slow down behind them and lagged, "Wait for me Casifus! I don't think I can go much further."

Casifus turned around and looked at Kane strange, "But Kane, it is barely past noon and we've only been walking for a few hours. You can't possibly be tired."

Shade jumped off Casifus' shoulder and ran towards Kane, "Is everything allright Kane?" he tilted his head in curiosity, "You haven't been acting the same ever since that Giltourion inicident."

"Nothing is wrong with me!" Kane snaped, "I'm just tired, that's all."

"Well, we'll rest here for awhile and get you something to drink. How are we on supplies for food?" Shade turned his head towards Casifus.

Kane sat down and leaned against a trunk of a tree staring up at the forest ceiling, "Well we probably have about a fortnight supply, by then we should have gotten over the Great River and almost towards Rydain. We'll have to do some hunting or pickin berries we find along the way."

Kane sighed while still looking at the inpenetrable forest ceiling and sighed, "By the way Casifus, how will we cross the Great River?" Kane turned his head and stared at him.

Casifus bowed his head in thought and hummed to himself, "I have been thinking how we will do that for awhile now. I'm still not quite sure. Shade? How did you cross the Great River?"

Shade was lying right next to Kane and rested his chin on his hand, "I would usually have to wait for days or sometimes months to wait a ship to dock and I would hitch a ride on over where ever they would be going. Sometimes it would be the Plains of Rydain or the forests of Filliet."

"I think it would be too dangerous to just wait around hoping for a ship to come by and nicely let us on. For we cannot sneak on a ship as good as you Shade especially Kane," Casifus smirked a bit while Kane didn't really pay any attention.

Casifus looked long and hard at Kane, " Kane, are you sure you're allright. You really haven't been acting the same since the Orc caves. You can tell us, we're your friends. You can trust us!" Casifus smiled at Kane but he was still looking up at the forest ceiling.

Ha! He just wants to know so he can report what ever problems I'm having. The voices in his mind were numerous telling him that Casifus was a traitor and a spy out to get Kane, " You lie Casifus!" Kane blurted out.

Both Shade and Casifus quirked a brow at him, "What are you speaking of Kane?" Shade asked.

"Do not trust him Shade! He is a decitful liar! He was sent by Ibion to take us to him!" Kane stood up and growled towards Casifus clenching his fist. The Ibion Ring was glowing a violent red.

"I don't know what you're talking of Kane! What makes you think I am a traitor? I swear to you by my honor! I saved your life by sparing my sons friend's lives! Is that enough to earn my trust?" Casifus started sweating cold and backed up a little away from Kane.

Kane was walking slowly towards Casifus pointing his finger at him, "Liar! Ibion set you up! He offered you L'usuma's freedom from Lorandul! He offered you riches beyond your wildest dreams! You are nothing but a puppet, expendable to him!"

Casifus was truly frightened and pulled out his bow and arrow ready to release it at Kane any moment, "Stay! Stay back Kane! I will not hesitate to kill you!"

Shade was in awe and shock clamping onto Kane's leg, "Kane! Please stop! Casifus is not a liar or traitor!" Kane just kicked shade off with him hitting a tree trunk with minor injuries.

"I trusted you!" kane held his head in disbelief and was shaking, "I can't believe it...all of it was a lie," then fell to the ground fainting.

"Do you think he knows?"

"I will erase his memory where he suspected so, do not worry, reveal yourself to them once they reach the end of the mountain range."

"What about the Elf?"

"Have him say that Kane was just feeling woozy and fell asleep from the walking. Reassure him that Kane does not remember a thing!"

"Yes Master"

He woke up seeing the faces of Shade and Casifus, "Where am I? What happened?"

Shade and Casifus smiled but Casifus was a little bit leery after what had happened, "You were tired Kane and must've fell asleep or fainted."

Kane sat up and grumbled, "I don't remember a thing..." he said rubbing his face.

Casifus told Shade ahead of time to not mention to Kane of what had happened recently not wanting to disturb Kane. Telling Shade it must be the heat getting to Kane, "You were asleep for awhile Kane. Do you want something to munch on?" said Shade.

Kane nodded his head as Casifus fetched him some deer meat. Kane took it and ate it hungerly. Casifus was watching Kane hard making sure he wouldn't accuse him of being a traitor. What he did say was true though, were the thoughts going through his mind. I did was L'usuma's freedom, but now that I see what Ibion will do, I won't give him Kane! Thinking firmly in his mind. He put his head down in almost a shame.

When the trio started off again, everyone was in their own thoughts. One central thought was around them though, all determined to get to Rydain and from there, who knows. They were in the valley of Unda for the day and also for the next. It was not till the fourth day when a rocky and steep climb had begun.

Shade had begun to be perched on Casifus' shoulders, always whispering to each other as if trying to avoid Kane. Sometimes laughing, singing merry songs of joy when Kane would be struggling behind sneering at them.

"I do not find what is so amusing..." Kane thought as he listened to the two. He was getting immensely jealous of the two wishing to join in their mirth but he felt like he was alone in this one.

"Shade! You are a laugh! None of the journey's I've ever had, have been with this much joy! You are a most delight!" Casifus said with a big smile across his face.

Kane sneered at that comment as they were walking up the valley, "In all my years of living I haven't found an elf as joyful as you are!" Shade replied with the same smile.

Kane was getting very weary, his legs were aching, his tail seemed to drag on and was stinging from sliding over all the rocks, "I need a rest!" as Kane said that he collasped on the ground and took a big sigh.

Casifus took a hard look and Kane and frowned a little, "You know Kane, I get tired too but we have to keep going! We cannot rest whenever one feels tired, especially you! It's too dangerous to stay in one place for long."

Kane looked up at Casifus with a hateful look, "Look here Elf! You don't understand do you? It feels like my energy has been drained. Ever since escaping out of that accursed Orc cave my energy seems to be wavering less and less. I don't know if I can go on much further."

Shade jumped off Casifus' shoulder and climbed on Kane's, "Kane, we're going on this journey with you and for you! So you must go on, we know you can do it!"

Kane looked at Shade with weary eyes that were half closed. Kane's face suddenly turned to pain as he clutched the side of his chest. Roaring in pain Shade jumped off his shoulder and ran off looking back at Kane staring and watching in amazement.

Kane was grabbing hold of the side of his chest very hard. Casifus kneeled down near Kane, "What's the matter Kane? What is wrong?"

"Get away!" Kane managed to mutter. Kane's eyes were closed tight from the pain. Casifus looked down at his chest but his hands were in the way. He noticed the ring, the Ibion Ring, was glowing a shade of green almost. It was changing colors very rapidly. First green, red, then blue and back to green.

What has Ibion done to him? Were the thoughts racing in Casifus' mind. He was in a shock and rage all at the same time. Twice was he betrayed and he could not stand it anymore. Casifus looked up and saw Kane far off behind a tree smirking and walking into the shadows disappearing. Casifus blinked not believing what he just saw.

"We must leave now and quickly!" Casifus demanded.

"We can't! Kane is in too much pain to barely speak!" Shade yelled back watching Kane suffering.

Kane felt a sharper pain go on his side and he roared in pain. Birds could be heard flying away in fear. If anyone was near Kane sure let them know they were there, "Kane! Be quiet! Get up! We need to move on now!" Casifus was ordering Kane.

"I don't know what is going on with you Casifus, but can you not tell Kane clearly can not move?" Shade was standing right next to the elf looking up.

"Trust me, it is not safe if we stray here much more, we need to get to the river as quickly as we can, we'll be safe there hopefully."

Kane's eyes were wide open with his eyeballs rolled back and all you could see of them were white. Kane seemed to be having convulsions and gasping for air. Memories of that strange dream he's been having of Linden walking into his bedroom at night with a knife were flooding his brain. New memories one's that did not involve Kane were showing in his mind. Linden in a strange room of the cabin ,which Kane could not recognize, looking as if he was talking to someone. One more memory flooded in, Kane saw himself laying on a hard cold table and he was next to himself or what appeared to be himself only smaller.

Kane smelled a fire was going on, he opened his eyes slowly seeing Casifus and Shade huddled near the fire cooking some broth. He sat up while the two glanced over at him relived yet curious to see if he was ok.

"What happened?" Kane asked.

Shade and Casifus looked at each other and nodded, "You fainted again Kane," said Shade.

Kane rubbed his head and then noticed his side was aching a lot. He dismissed it as sleeping on it wrong, "I had a disturbing dream," Kane started. Casifus and Shade's eyes were fixed on him, "In the dream I saw myself in a forest much like the one in L'usuma only more humid. I saw myself or the reflection of me that has been following me, and I also saw Linden. I was not afraid but happy to see Linden. There were others like me too. Three of them, but you two weren't there."

"I then heard a voice inside my head, 'Kane, do not trouble yourself anymore, for we are here.' It was Shade's voice. I then saw my reflection fall to the ground and what looked to be dying. Linden didn't say anything but he smiled. I turned around and there were the three other reflections of me. I did not understand but I did not feel the evil as I do with this reflection. I looked on my hand and the Ibion Ring disenigrated. It felt like everything was uplifted from the world, from myself." Kane smiled for once.

"Where was I Kane?" questioned Casifus.

Kane shook his head, "I don't know if you were there or not, I don't remember." Kane winced as his head was throbbing.

"Get some sleep Kane as much as you can," Shade said solemnly.

Shortly after Kane fell asleep, Casifus went to sleep also with Shade by his side. Casifus was having a nightmare that time. He saw Kane and Shade in an open field with the small grass swaying each way where ever the wind was blowing. Kane and Shade were approaching a mountain. Casifus felt the fear of Death around that mountain, but he could not recognize it. Casifus was trying to yell at Kane to go no further but his voice was unheard by anything. Kane turned his head towards Casifus' direction and stared, wondering what it was. Standing there for a moment he shrugged it off going off on his way.

A mist had surrounded the trio when they awoke in the morning. Kane was feeling better than ever as if no pain had been caused to him from the previous day. Casifus and Shade too woke up with the feeling of cheerfulness. They had gone far but still many hundreds of miles lay before them. They were a week's journey away from reaching the Great River. After climbing back down the Unda range they would go in the Unda Forest which is not that big and from there an open field of one or two leagues laid before them till the river.

They were trekking up the valley while the ground was getting more rockier and steep. Shade decided to accompany Kane today for he felt that he left out Kane. Casifus was humming an old elvish song while Kane and Shade were busy talking.

"I once met a Martoise," Shade said.

"What does a Martoise look like? I've heard many tales and legends of them but I've never heard what they look like." Kane asked.

"A Martoise is a Tortoise that can walk on his back legs or on all fours, whichever it perfers. It's shell is covered with spikes in case of an enemy wanting to bite it's shell. The top of it's head is spikey also for defense or attack. They may look slow but if you anger one they can run very fast in a short distance. I've heard to never run straight from a Martoise for your butt will be feeling a lot of pain." Shade started to crack up laughing along with Kane and Casifus overhearing the story.

"But this Martoise I met, his name was Gauith. I remember seeing him in the far west of L'usuma. He told me that Martoises roamed all over Raisher at one point and even the whole world. They existed along with Dragons and Giltourions. It was not till Elves, Dwarves, and men were they killed off or forced to hide away. A small colony of Martoises lived in West L'usuma."

"They are all dead now," Casifus interrupted sadly, "Lorandul had them all killed, he did not trust them in his land." Casifus was holding back tears for elves loved all things living or not.

Shade looked back at Casifus and sighed, "I'm sorry to hear that Casifus, Gauith was the kindest Martoise I've ever met."

The trio was silent for a while until suddenly the ground wasn't rocky anymore. Kane's stinging feet felt relieved along with his tail. The ground felt flat and Kane had a big smile on his face," We made it!" he roared out. It was a long journey through the mountains but they had made it.

Casifus was not saying anything as his expression had not changed at all while Shade looked at Kane with those huge white eyes, "This is only but the midpoint Kane. It confuses many travelers for it goes straight for a couple miles then goes back up." Shade hated to tell him this for Kane's spirits sunk even lower.

"This accursed mountain, it will be the death of me!" Kane yelled in anger.

Casifus looked up at Kane and tears were welling up in his eyes, "Why do you say such things Kane?"

Kane turned around and saw Casifus breaking down before him, "What do you mean Casifus? What is wrong?"

"It is true Kane, this mountain will be the death of you!" Tears were slowly falling down his cheeks.

Kane was rather confused and somewhat frightened at this unknown prophecy coming from Casifus, "What do you speak of Casifus? Am I going to die?"

Casifus sighed and nodded his head smiling almost, "But I will not see it, I won't be around to see it!"

Kane was shocked and still confused, "Let's keep going," wanting to drop it and move along, "I want to get out of here as quickly as possible."

They walked on at a fast pace. It soon went steady upwards again and also very rocky. Kane and Shade were silent as was Casifus troubled by his thoughts. When it was sundown the company had not yet stopped. That night they had reched the top of the mountain with little celebration to do with.

The trio was silent all having thoughts of their own. Kane and Shade sat side by side while Casifus seemed to be distant from them. He was rather disturbed of this vision or dream. He couldn't decide which it was. It was plauging his mind. The three all slept soundly.

He was not too far off watching Kane, Shade, and Casifus. A small smirk came across his face as he waited for his appearance, watching them quietly. Dawn was drawing near.

When dawn approached Kane was the first to wake. The other two woke up disturbed thinking something was wrong. Kane looked alert peering out into the woods.

"What is it Kane?" Shade asked.

"He's here..." he said sniffing the air.