-1AN: Hey guys! Thanks as always for reading and reviewing. Since this story became longer than I intended, I'm going to make it into several books. This chapter will mark the end of this book, the new one, which kicks off act 2 will be called Lumos Invictus: Sands of Ages, so go ahead and look for that. Otherwise thank you all for your support and I hope to hear from you all then and a special thank you to Branmuffinpower for your support, motivation, and for the spiffy art =)

Exodus

Chyemme

The second I felt my feet hit the grass of the rogue encampment, I breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. The sun was burning in orange twilight, a beautiful sight if ever there was one. I'm still alive, I thought. And because of Piricus . . . . I smiled slightly at the thought. For all his talk when it came down to the wire, we could depend on him, of that I was sure. And for all the sass he'd given me, all the tough guy attitude, he had just saved my life when others would have abandoned me. Maybe it was as he said, he just did it so that we would be even, but even then . . . I laughed inwardly. I had no idea what had come over me when I kissed him, perhaps it had been gratitude, but the look on his face when I kissed him, that was priceless. I wish someone could paint a portrait of that look so that everyone else could have a laugh too. I would have thought he'd slap me or push me or something, but he had just kind of gone rigid as ice and not really moved. That in itself told me mountains about him.

"Damn!" I heard Cloudyous hiss miserably as Alminus shifted him ever so slightly.

"Sorry," the large man said apologetically.

"Damn's right," Vendra grumbled, barely audible. "I've never felt this much like shit in my life."

"You and me," the sorcerer groaned, apparently suffering because of their newly shared bond.

"You're lucky you're not dead," Maria growled.

"So are you, assassin," Piricus pointed out snidely. "At least the sorceress was useful in this case. For once," he snapped.

Vendra almost tripped and Scorpious pulled her onto her toes. "I died. I must have, for one, because I hurt like this, and two, because that jackass just defended me."

"Don't get used to it, sorceress. You're still mostly useless to me," he started.

"You've been upgraded in status," I said with a laugh, making Piricus scowl at me.

Then, we became surrounded in a flurry of people as a rogue spotted us and called out to the camp at large. Kashya came around the corner, with her chain mail clinking as she walked swiftly to us, a look of expectation on her face.

"Well?" the commander breathed anxiously.

Scorpious nodded at her. "The demon queen is no more," he said simply.

Rogues all around us cheered loudly and threw up their hands in triumph and even Kashya cried out with joy.

"I can't believe it! I can't believe it! Andariel is finally dead! I . . .I may have misjudged you outlanders. No, I shall call you what you are. Heroes! I misjudged you heroes! You're a true testament to the noble spirit that has inspired our order for generations!" she praised, with a wide smile on her face, the likes of which I had never seen from her before. Her smiled faded however and was replaced by one of concern as she eyed us more thoroughly.

"Ah, but here I am a hindrance. Some of you are injured. Come, we will go immediately to Lady Akara," she said seriously.

"Not me, Commander," said Callie mournfully, making Kashya turn sharply around.

"Callie?! I thought you were dead! And what's that? Is that Sariah?" the Commander asked, surprised.

Callie nodded with tears. "Yes ma'am. It's her."

"But she turned!" Kashya exclaimed in shock.

"Scorpious saved her," said Laurella quietly.

"And she saved me. That's how she died. Saving my life," Scorpious admitted ruefully.

Kashya's back straitened as she surveyed the scene. "Well then, we shall rejoice tonight for her sacrifice. We will honor her with the greatest funeral rights and we will sing songs of her valor and tell her tales with honor. You should be proud Callie. Tonight you and she gain immortality in our legends. Through them, she will live on. And, I know this is hard, but take peace in knowing her soul now rests with Tyreal and his likeness in heaven where it belongs," the commander said earnestly, though I could see that she too was grieving for the loss.

"Janae, Heidi, Carol," Kashya began, "Go with Callie and Laurella and prepare the pyre for Sariah, when this is done, come report to me."
All of them nodded and left. "Now then, to Akara," said Kashya and together we all made our way to the High Priestess' dwelling. Lady Akara, in her purple robe, was waiting for us eagerly.

Scorpious nodded to her and she smiled, breathing in a huge sigh. "Finally we may rejoice! We owe you all a debt we can never repay. I only hope in time, we will be able to rebuild our order," she said, glowing with joy.

"You owe us nothing," said Scorpious. "We did what any decent people would have," he continued.

"Paladin, you are mistaken. Not just anyone would have gone through that Trag 'Oul forsaken mess," Piricus growled and Akara nodded.

"He's right. What you have done is no small task. It is a deed unheard of since the time of the Horadrim. But come, I see you have injuries. Let me see to them immediately," Lady Akara said sincerely and Alminus walked over and placed Cloudyous on the ground at her feet.

The wise rogue leader sighed as she looked him over. "This is serious. I don't know if I will be able to completely mend all of your injuries," she said gravely. "I will have to reconstruct some of your bones completely and that will take a great amount of energy.

"Take some of it from me," Scorpious offered nobly.

"You've done all that you can, noble paladin. My own energy shall be efficient, but this will take time," she replied.

"Her first," Cloudyous croaked and shifted ever so slightly to nudge Bibo, since he couldn't physically reach up and hand her to Akara.

Lady Akara frowned. "Your need is dire," she said gently.

"She comes first," Cloudyous insisted stubbornly.

"Just do it. The druid's not going to rest until you do," Piricus pointed out.

Akara nodded gently. "Very well. If it will give you peace of mind. Let's see what we have," she said gently and unwrapped the bandage to reveal a severely mutilated wing, held together only by determination and a few exposed tendons.

Akara sighed as Bibo began to squirm. "My lovely, you have endured a crippling injury. Be still now," she said gently and moved her aged hands over the area. Subtle blue light rippled over the area and I saw skin appear and wrap around the wing, but only superficially. Feathers molded from the skin to cover the area, albeit very thin ones. Akara looked her over and gently moved Bibo's wing between her fingers. She sighed.

Cloudyous strained to get a better look at them. "Is she alright? Were you able to heal her?" he asked desperately.

Akara frowned. "I was able to repair tissue damage, but not muscle damage. This wing, I fear will always be weaker than the other. So weak in fact, and I will not lie to you, she may never fly again," Akara said seriously.

Cloudyous looked like someone had just stabbed him. "What?" he breathed. "Do you have any idea how cruel a fate that is for a bird?" he groaned, now in mental anguish as well.

"Aye. I do. But it is not a certain fate. She may prove strong enough to yet recover. All I can say is that she will not fly any time soon for a long while yet," Lady Akara admitted.

"Don't give up hope," Scorpious comforted.

Cloudyous sighed as Bibo jumped from Lady Akara's arms and tried to fly onto the ground, but succeed only in fluttering pitifully like she were weighted down by rocks. She squawked in despair.

"It will be alright," Cloudyous said and made to stroke her feathers, but succeeded only in twitching his hand. He let out a loud curse, making Akara jump.

"You may not be so lucky either, Lord Cloudyous," she said grimly. "I must ask before I begin, is there anything else that requires my immediate attention?" she asked looking around.

Ryelass looked at Alminus' nasty bruises, but Alminus shook his head. "I'll be fine until ya can get ter me," he admitted.

Scorpious looked to Vendra and Sovellis. "What about you two?" he asked in concern.

"Take me to my tent. Let me rest there," Vendra assured. "This isn't a physical injury anyone can cure," she admitted.

"We meditate and regain strength," Sovellis assured, and with that they left toward their bunks.

"Chyemme," Akara began softly.

"Yes ma'am?" I asked respectfully.

"Your mother has sent you another letter," she said, reaching into her robe pocket and handing me a folded piece of parchment.

"Thank you my Lady," I acknowledged and took the paper from her. I started in the direction of the tent, and to my surprise, Piricus didn't say anything snide. Perhaps he was like the rest of us, tired and sore.

I arrived in the tent to find Vendra already there and resting. She was sleeping, so I didn't bother her. I opened the letter and read:

Dearest Daughter,

Much time has elapsed since our last encounter and I hope this letter finds you well and that you are making good use of a our ceremonial shield. I write to bring you tidings of your homeland, for I feel they may effect you, far though you are. The Queen has fallen under mysterious illness it seems and dark are her dreams of late. It could just be the fever, but she tells me that something stirs to the east. As you are in the west, I'm not sure I understand what this means for you, but maybe you would know better than I. Anyway, as always I am wishing you well and pray for your safety. Akara tells me that you have become quite a sensation among the rogues and that your services bring honor to your people and to our sacred bond with the Sisterhood. Best wishes my daughter, good luck to you on your undertakings and come home soon.

Love,

Sheltia

I folded the paper and placed it in my trunk, then set about writing a reply in the little light I could see by. I withheld nothing, for these were important tidings that I brought. I told her, with pride about Andariel's defeat, and informed her of a decision I had just recently made. I would not be returning home as I had anticipated. My vision had brought me to the west, and now I could see that this was but the first step in something far larger. Diablo himself was on the move. Terror was stalking our world in silence and who knew when calamity would strike? It was my duty, I felt, to do everything I could to stop him. Not to mention Ryelass was my friend. I wanted to help him in his quest with every fiber of my being. So my mind was made. I would be traveling east with the others.

I sealed the letter and made my way to talk to Lady Akara about having it sent home. She was sitting in her hut, next to Cloudyous, who to my relief, was actually sitting up and talking with her. I saw that she was busy and turned to leave, but Belthem whined when he saw me, bringing their attention to me.

"Chyemme, my dear, what brings you here?" Lady Akara asked me, unoffended by my presence.

"The matter of this letter," I said truthfully, holding it up and walking over.

"You will need that sent, will you not?" she asked knowingly.

I nodded. "Yes. But my lady, I am curious. How have you been getting these letters so frequently? It is many months journey to the amazon isles and I have seen no amazon messengers," I admitted.

Akara laughed. "Magic, of course my dear. The rogue sisterhood still retains enough of it for things like that, though we are far from mages," she explained.

"I see. Then I trust this request is not a great one?" I asked politely.

Akara smiled. "Even if it were, I would feel obligated to oblige you for the great service you and your friends have rendered to us this day and even before that. As I said before, we owe you a debt we can never truly repay."

"It is payment enough that you will be able to live in peace now and return to your homes," I said humbly.

Cloudyous laughed from where he sat. "You sound like Scorpious, but I agree with you wholeheartedly."

"You seem better. Are you well?" I asked him in friendly concern.

He nodded. "I am much better thanks to Lady Akara's skills. Unfortunately though, it seems myself and Bibo are going to be kindred spirits in more ways than one for a while," he explained and wiggled his left arm, which was in a sling.

"You will recover, right?" I asked him uncertainly.

He sighed. "To be honest, it probably will never be the same. When I do regain the use of it, it probably won't have it's full range of motion," he admitted.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely, and Cloudyous actually laughed.

"Sorry? Why would you be? I'm not. I am EXTRORDINARILY lucky, Chyemme. I came within a very second of my life and recovered from injuries just now that probably would have killed anyone else, were I anywhere else but with Lady Akara. God smiles on me tonight," he said with a smile.

"So what now?" I asked him sincerely.

He nodded. "I came and did what I set out to do. I answered the bidding of the western winds and I righted the wrongs that bitch Andariel cast against nature. But, to be honest, now that I know about Diablo, I can't return to Tur Dulra in good conscience. I will go East and with any luck, help Ryelass in his quest," he admitted, mirroring my thoughts exactly.

"But you're injured," I insisted. "You can't fight."

He chuckled. "I can't, but Belthem can. And since we're connected, through him I will be able to see what's going on and work some magic through him as well," he explained.

I nodded. "I'll go speak with Ryelass and tell him about your support and mine. In this, we are the same," I assured.

Cloudyous nodded. "I believe Lord Cain wants to speak with us. We can tell him then when we're all gathered," he suggested.

I nodded. "Now that I am certain I am going, I will need supplies. I need more javelins," I remembered. "Do you need anything while I'm there, Cloudyous?" I asked politely.

He shook his head. "No, but you should see to it that she gets the Horadric malus. I think Vendra still has it," he admitted.

I nodded. "I shall," I replied and made my way back to the tent. Vendra was actually awake when I walked in. She groaned.

"I'm too sore to sleep," she complained.

"I'll bet. What you did was amazing. I bet it took everything you had out of you," I said sympathetically.

She rolled over. "So what are you doing in here? Tired too?" she asked.

"No, I actually, I came for the Horadric Malus. Cloudyous said you still had it," I admitted.

Vendra sighed. "No, I gave it to Alminus and he said he would take it to Charsi. I would have gone myself, but I'm just so damn worn out. I feel bad," she said guiltily.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I can feel Sovellis suffering as well and I know I did this to him. He keeps assuring me it's okay though," she said quietly, though she didn't sound convinced. "I can hear him," she said tapping her head gently.

"You didn't really have much of a choice, and I'm sure Sovellis understands that. Besides, of all the people to be bound to, I think you'd be happy it was Sovellis, you two were close anyway," I admitted.

She sighed. "Yeah, but not that way, believe it or not. He's more like my brother than anything. It is a strange thing to be bound to your brother. I wouldn't know though about having a real sibling, I was an only child before I was inducted into the Zhan Esu," she explained. "But you're right. Better him, than someone like Piricus," she said with a scowl at the necromancer's name.

"He's not such a bad guy," I said in his defense.

Vendra rolled her eyes. "That's right, you like him. I don't know what you see in him, and I wouldn't have kissed him for all the world," she snorted.

I grinned embarrassedly. "I have no idea what came over me. I think I was just so grateful to be alive I didn't know what else to do."

"Okay. So you weren't in your logical mind," she laughed. "I'll forgive you then by reason of insanity."

I laughed. "You'd actually be mad at me if I was with him?"

"He doesn't deserve you," she said bluntly. "And I always make sure my friends are treated fairly."

"You consider me a friend?" I asked in surprise.

Vendra rolled her eyes. "We've only been fighting together every day for a month now and traveling together every day before that experiencing near death situations, guarding each other's backs and trusting each other like friends. If that's not a friend then I don't know what is," she said truthfully.

I smiled, touched. "I'm honored. So what now? What will you and Sovellis do from here?" I asked.

Vendra sat up and rubbed her temple. "We'll go to Lut Gholein like we originally intended. We still have the last part of our mage trials to complete. We've been sent to find a man named Drognan the Elder, he's the one who will give us our last task," she explained.

I laughed. "After what you've been through even before you got there, you should already be called a master mage. You killed Andariel, and that's something not even the Horadrim can boast about," I pointed out.

"It does seem like a technicality doesn't it?" she asked sarcastically. "But I hope we have a long ways to rest before the jewel city, because I'm not sure I'm going to be up to anything for a while," she admitted.

"What do you think your last task will be?" I asked. "Do you already know?"

She shook her head. "No, you never know until you get there. Usually, it's a quest that serves the greater good though."

"Like you haven't already done tons of those," I laughed.

She sighed. "Tell me about it!"

It was at that moment, Maria came walking in. She gave Vendra a glare. "Feeling better?" she asked slightly icily.

"I'd feel better knowing that I wasn't sharing a tent with someone that actually went to kill me not that long ago," Vendra shot back with venom.

"You were out of control," Maria hissed, "and out of line!"

"I had no choice. And as Piricus would say, you were useless, assassin," she growled on the last word.

"Don't sass me, if you know what's good for you," Maria said bluntly. "I spared your life because you changed back at just the right moment. But now that I know you're willing to break the rules, I'll be watching you like a hungry hawk watches a mouse. If you even think about trying something like that again, I'll cut you down. The world doesn't need another corrupt mage," she snarled.

"Maria, she saved us," I said gently.

"Be quiet, Chyemme. You have no idea how serious what she did was," Maria snapped at me.

"Tell me you're not coming with us to Lut Gholein," Vendra growled.

"Unfortunately for you, yes I am," she said bluntly.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Because I've been informed of a gathering of necromancers there. One of them is rumored to be Prince Darkblade," she said briskly.

"You know what?" Vendra said rudely. "I actually feel sorry for this guy."

"Sympathize with a killer do you?" Maria said coldly.

"He's no different from you," she remarked snidely.

"You have no idea what you're saying," Maria hissed at her.

"Don't I?" Vendra sneered.

"Guys," I interrupted quickly.

"What?" they snapped together.

"Lord Cain wanted to see us," I said truthfully.

"Then we should go," Maria said sharply and left the tent without another word.

Vendra scowled at her as she left. "I agree with jackass of all people. She is a bitch."

"Are you coming?" I asked her.

She groaned. "In a minute," she said truthfully.

"Do you need help?" I asked her honestly.

"None that you can give," she sighed.

"See you in a bit then," I said, giving her an encouraging smile and leaving. I decided to wait to visit Charsi until after Deckard Cain had finished speaking with us.

It wasn't long before everyone had gathered by the campfire, save Laurella, but everyone had tired expressions. Lord Cain was brief and to the point.

"My friends, you have done an incredible thing today. But, I'm afraid the world is still in peril. Diablo is seeking something in the desert, and we know not what, only that it will herald doom for us all if he finds what he is seeking. It is for that reason, I implore you to render your services once more for the good of the world. I know, young Ryelass, that you are going to see this through to the end. And you also, Lord Alminus because you are the closest of friends. Therefore, I will accompany you on your journey, lending what assistance I can. It is my duty as the last of the Horadrim," he explained.

"You seem to be forgetting, old man," said Piricus somewhat rudely, "that some of us have other things to do than chase shadows in the desert."

"Of course. I meant no disrespect to any of you and should you choose to help, it would be greatly appreciated, but it is of course, not required.

"What's the matter jackass? Afraid of Diablo?" Vendra asked with loathing.

"I am on a mission for my own order before anything else, otherwise I'll get my own ass kicked. Vengeance comes after that," he hissed, making everyone blink.

"Whoa. Piricus respon's ter a higher power," Alminus said with a laugh.

"Be that as it may, Ryelass it would be my honor to accompany you and lend assistance any way I--" Cloudyous began, but Bibo squawked and Belthem barked. He smiled. "Correction, WE, can."

"Wha' 'bout yur arm?" Alminus asked seriously.

"It won't be like this forever and Belthem has agreed to fight for me while I recover," he offered.

Piricus scoffed. "You have an excellent ally warrior. A mutt," he laughed snidely.

"Better him, than you," Ryelass snapped and he bowed to Cloudyous. "I except your offer with gratitude."

"I will also go with you. For I would be ill at rest if I don't," I offered and he smiled. He walked over and kissed my hand.

"Thank you, Chyemme," he said truthfully.

Scorpious nodded. "I am supposed to be returning to my order, but I will send word to my superiors of happenings here. Undoubtedly, whatever else they have planned for me pales in comparison to this and can wait. I will help you see your quest through until the end," he offered.

"I appreciate it," said Ryelass a little uneasily, "but," he said crisply, "remember what I told you about getting in the way."

Alminus nudged him. "Tha's not a good way ter thank someone fur their help," he chided.

"I know, I know," Ryelass grumbled, but Scorpious waved it off.

"You should haven't anything more to worry about, seeing as Piricus is returning to his order," Scorpious assured.

"Good riddance," Ryelass hissed.

"How we getting there?" Sovellis asked. He too, looked the worst of all us, along with Vendra.

"Warriv has been so kind as to allow us passage free of charge in his caravan," Lord Cain explained.

"Well, that makes matters easy," Cloudyous said with a smile.

"Yes, it is my honor and the least I can do for heroes such as you," said the deep voice of Warriv as he rounded the corner and bowed before us.

"Still, thank you for your generosity," Scorpious said sincerely.

"When do we leave?" Piricus asked, bored.

"The caravan will leave in three days. Time enough for everyone to fully rest and prepare," Warriv explained.

"That's a good thing," Vendra said with relief.

"I believe however, there is another matter we must attend to tonight," said Warriv grimly.

"And that would be?" Piricus said bluntly.

"The funeral of Sariah "Ash Wind" FeatherJay," Warriv answered solemnly.

Deckard Cain nodded. "Ah yes. I heard of her sacrifice. It will be the least we can do to show our respects," he said nobly.

"Where is the funeral being held?" Ryelass asked.

"They are burning the body, because the rogue cemetery has yet to be tended to after your battle with the Blood Raven," Warriv explained, "But the procession is being held on the riverside."

"Then let us go," said Scorpious with a saddened expression. I thought vaguely that he seemed to be taking this even harder than Callie, whom I'd only seen briefly since our return to camp.

We all turned to leave, even Piricus, which surprised me most. "I thought you didn't like her," I said to him quietly, falling behind the others.

"I think it was stupid the way she died. Especially for the paladin of all people, but if I don't go, I'll insult the rogues and I'm too damn tired to cause a fuss," he grumbled.

"That's a lot, coming from you. You must be dead on your feet for you to be this agreeable," I said, raising an eyebrow. "That could have been you, you know. You could have died, saving me," I added seriously.

"No I wouldn't have. If I seriously thought I was going to die, I would have left you," he said, though not with his usual spite.

I snorted. "You say that. But I don't think you actually mean it."

He gave me an odd look. "I meant what I said. We are even now. Don't expect me to run to your rescue ever again," he said stubbornly and a tad bit cold.

"I don't intend to ever be in a situation like that again," I said honestly.

He actually smirked. "Now, there's a good plan right there. You're learning, albeit slowly."

"You didn't say anything," I pointed out.

"About what?" he asked, slightly irritable.

"When I kissed you," I admitted.

"What did you want me to say?" he said flatly.

"Anything," I laughed.

"How about this then, touch me like that again and I'll curse you until you rot," he said bluntly and I laughed.

"I've heard that before, and chances are, it won't be the last," I teased.

"Woman, I'm serious. You have no idea what you're getting into," he said dangerously and his eyes flashed that eerie green.

"Do you do that on purpose?" I asked him, curious and not intimidated in the least.

"Do what?" he growled.

"Your eyes. When you're irritated or mad, or trying to prove a point your eyes just kind of glow," I told him.

He raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't know. I don't watch myself in a mirror," he said bluntly.

"You're self-centered enough," I pointed out.

"And don't you forget that," he said coldly.

By this time, we had arrived at the gathering around the funeral pyre and we listened and watched as Lady Akara spoke, then Kashya, then Callie and Laurella, and then lastly, Scorpious, who lead the gathering in a prayer, and then he said a blessing over Sariah's body and kissed her forehead. I actually saw tears run down his face. It was strange, for a man like Scorpious, that rarely ever lost his composure. Once he stepped back, so did everyone else, while Callie took the torch and lit her cousin's pyre, crying her own cascade of tears. Everyone stood still and bowed their heads in respect, save Piricus, who just looked on apathetically until it was over.

The crowd departed to the campfire, where a feast was held in ours and Sariah's honor. I stayed for a little while and had some ale along with Alminus and Ryelass, then left with Alminus to find Charsi. When we went to the forge, she was waiting there with a huge smile on her face.

She leaned up and kissed Alminus on the cheek and with a mischievous smile, he turned into it, making it a full kiss on the lips. Charsi blushed, then pulled apart from him and laughed. Then she embraced me with a full-strength hug, which squeezed the air out of me with as strong as she was.

"Charsi, I can't breathe," I squeaked.

She grinned. "Oops! Sorry! I guess I'm just so excited that you all came back mostly unhurt and that Andariel is finally defeated! I couldn't help myself!" she exclaimed with joy.

"Well, I got somethin' that'll make yur day, pretty lady," Alminus said with a smile and he reached into his pack and pulled out the gleaming Horadric Malus.

I didn't think Charsi could get any more excited. I was wrong. The blacksmith jumped up and seized him once more, this time giving him a kiss on the lips. "My hammer!" she exclaimed like a child at Yule.

"Told ya I'd get it fur ya," he said with a smile.

"This is wonderful! Now I'll be able to start making magical weapons again. As promised, tell all your friends I'll use it's magic to strengthen your equipment," she said, giddy.

"Ya make it sound so easy," Alminus laughed. "Ryelass had a go workin' with that hammer. Nearly blasted 'im outta his boots."

Charsi looked surprised. "Really? I've never had any problem with it."

"It's a sign that you were meant to have it," I assured. I pulled my ceremonial shield from my back. "Charsi, can you imbue this?" I asked, handing it over to her.

She looked it over and smiled. "Of course. You ought to know that I can't predict the effects of the magic, but it will always be for the better. This is a nice shield," she said with pride.

I nodded. "Let me know when you're done and I'll have Lord Cain look it over to see what he thinks the malus did," I replied.

"Will do. What about you, ya big bear?" Charsi asked Alminus playfully.

He laughed. "Well, my 'ole axe could use some spiffin' up," he said, lifting the huge weapon off his back.

She nodded. "I can do that for you, handsome. I'd be happy to. Anything else for you guys?" she asked.

"I needed more javelins," I said honestly.

Charsi laughed. "Girl you spend those things like gold. There's another bundle over there."

I nodded and paid for them.

"Anything else?" she asked.

"Not really, jus' yur company would be nice," Alminus said flirtatiously.

Charsi giggled. "Well, you're welcome to stay. Say," she said twirling the malus in hand, "I think Laurella's going to be ecstatic. I can fix her sister's crossbow with this," she said happily.

"Do you want me to let her know?" I asked.

Charsi shook her head. "I'll tell her tomorrow, she's busy with Lady Akara right now."

I nodded. "Speaking of tomorrow, I'm tired. I'm going to go get some sleep," I said, thanked Charsi and headed back to the tent to turn in for the night.

The next two days were a blur, with everyone busy packing and getting ready for our trip across the Aranoch Desert. I had gotten my shield from Charsi, and taken it to Lord Cain. When he examined it, he had found that my shield was now resistant to more than physical attacks. It been enhanced to shield me from the elements as well. I have to say though, one of the most pleasant surprises was one day walking into our tent to find a monumental heap of gold there in a large trunk at the foot of my bed. The rogues had ventured into the forgotten tower and claimed the Countess' fortune. This trunk full of coins was my share, and more gold than I'd ever seen in my life.

Before I knew it, we were loading everything into Warriv's wagons. We had just about finished when Laurella came around the corner with her crossbow, a broad smile on her face. She picked up a trunk and put it in the wagon next to mine.

"You're coming with us?" I asked with a smile of my own.

"Yes. Akara wanted the rogues to have a hand in Diablo's defeat and as an ally to those that would fight him. She figured that since I already knew you all so well, I would be the ideal candidate. I'm so excited!" she squeaked. "This is a great honor!"

"You're right. Are you sure you're up to this? I mean you are still pretty young," I pointed out.

"I'm eighteen as of today. A woman in every right," she said proudly.

"It's your birthday?" I asked with a smile. "Then remind me later and I will show you a technique I know as a present," I replied, making her smile.

"I will," she said happily.

"The caravan is prepared!" Warriv yelled aloud to all of us. "We may now journey eastward to Lut Gholein!"

"That's our cue," I said and jumped into the back of the wagon.

I saw Alminus and Charsi embrace. Charsi actually sniffled some. "You come back, you hear!" she said , not wanting to let go of him.

Alminus smiled at her and pulled the ring he had gotten when we cleansed the den of evil off of his finger and gave it to her.

"That's a promise, pretty lady. I won't forget," he said sincerely and I saw her take something from around her neck and give it to him.

"Come on barbarian," Piricus yelled irritably. "Your love life is holding us up."

"Yeah, yeah. Shut it. I'm comin'" he growled and with that he joined us as the caravan started to move.

I watched as the rogue encampment started to fade away with Lady Akara and the others waving to us farewell.

Laurella leaned back once we were out of sight and took a deep breath. "This is the first time I've ever been away from home," she admitted.

"It's okay. You have your friends with you," I assured. "And we take care of each other."

"This will be an adventure then," she said with a smile. "Diablo here we come."

To be continued in Sands of Ages . . . . . . . . Thanks guys!