Branches snapped in their faces and mud sloshed beneath their feet as the two men trudged along the narrow forest trail. It had been raining for three days, on and off, and the forest's vibrant colors had been washed dark and soggy.

"Where exactly is it you're leading me?" puffed Myst. "I've seen no one in days. Are you sure this is the way to-"

"Dragonlord, you hired me to guide you. I may not think much of the High Lords in general, but I have no reason to do you harm. We are going to Murk. This is the correct path, and we should be arriving in town in a half-day or so. However, if you and your vast knowledge and experience would like to take over the navigation, I-"

"No, no," said Myst quickly,"I believe you, I believe you." He sighed, then grinned ruefully at the Forrestrial. "My apologies, Brakk, I did not mean to criticize you. I am not overly accustomed to long journeys on foot, or to sleeping on the ground, or to most of the things that most people are accustomed to... Truly, my friend, I would be lost without you."

"Perhaps you're not so well off with him, either!"

The two men whirled around at the sound of the wry, high-pitched voice from behind them. At first they could see nothing but the shadowy pillars of trees that surrounded them. Then one of the shadows seemed to change form, shrinking and branching until they were staring at the silhouette of a human. "You didn't see me, did you? Were I a highwayman or an assassin, you'd each have a dagger between your ribs by now."

It took Brakk only a moment to regain his composure. "Get over here, boy! Out of the shadows! What business have you to be skulking about like that?"

"Well, I've been skulking for about a week now unnoticed, and I'm no boy."

By now Myst had gathered his wits. He made a slight bow toward the shadow. You could never tell who, or what, someone was these days. "Uhh.. My companion and I would greatly appreciate a conversation with you, if it is no bother, sir, or madam, or..."

"Mira." The shadow moved forward, revealing itself as a tall, athletic-looking girl with dark blue eyes and a head of feathery blond hair. "I've been following you for days, and I was becoming fair bored. I finally decided to come right up and ask, may I join you?"