Epilogue

The arrival of Mashera definitely put my plans for spending some much desired time with my now bond mate, Red Moon, on hold. Grimm and I gathered up our former traveling companions and explained the situation to them. Without hesitation they all agreed to come along on this journey with the idea that since we started all of this together, we would see it through together. I'm not sure just what Mashera thought about having to lead such a large group, and I know that it wasn't in the original plan for Meri to take this journey--of course, I doubt anyone had considered the idea that she would be pulled forward through time and saved from the grievous choice that she had made so many turns of the seasons ago. And on that particular subject, the spirits of Elretta and Elmric were able to find some peace of mind at last knowing that their youngest daughter had been saved from an untimely death and given a second chance at life.

We would soon be making our preparations to depart on Dahmietra's, Kurietta's and Meri's "journey of the heart, to The Heart", and discover what we may about ourselves and each other along the way. I just hope that Mashera--beautiful as she may be--would not suddenly take an interest and leave me alone. Though I did have a thought concerning her--perhaps she might learn something of herself on this journey, and also perhaps I would have the opportunity to find out why she tried to come between my sire and dam so many ages ago.

When the High Cleric returned to his people, he and the other clerics worked in secrecy on just how they were going to try and change their people. He was right, though, when the "official" notice was handed down concerning Dahmel-Tur, there was indeed quite a commotion over it. At least some in both sects were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief that what they had quietly believed about the man was true and that much needed changes would be forthcoming. Many others, however, didn't much care for the idea that their firmly held beliefs were suddenly being shaken to the core by those they looked to for guidance. They were too comfortable in the way things had been, and they didn't want to change. But change is inevitable, and the Wastelanders were long overdue for it. As the clerics put it, they had wandered in a bad dream for far too long, and it was now time for the people to awaken from the Dark Madness of Dahmel-Tur and learn how to live.