Kelton woke again as he neared Serenity's arms. The dream was insistent though its nuisance was waning. More of an annoyance, quickly forgotten after long repetition.

"Serenity again?" Rolic asked. He had risen earlier and was busy filling a small bag.

"Aye, as beautiful as ever," Kelton replied. He stood and shook off the dream, arms stretching wide, twisting his shoulder to warm the joints. "A reminder of my shame."

"I do believe it is a reminder, though shame is not its message."

"Reminder of what then?"

"The Goddess is powerful, her will has sway over many things. I have told you that being Unseen is one of her gifts. Mayhap, your dream is another, and she is trying to tell you something."

"That she dislikes me most likely," Kelton said. "I wonder about a Goddess who allows such a world. The Brethren claim her and others that suffer under them claim her. If there is goodness in her, it is a confusing batch."

"The Goddess cannot be measured by a single moment in time," Rolic said. "Do you claim that life itself is not wonderful? Is not a newborn a thing to be treasured?"

"Aye," Kelton replied, his lips curling at the memory of Zachary in his arms. "There is good with the bad. If the Goddess claims dominion over all, then mayhap she's done somethings right." Rolic laughed.

"You are a hard one, boy. There are not many who would judge a Goddess."

"I know only what I see. Is it the same in the other lands?"

"Every kingdom has their problems," Rolic said, nodding his head. "The farther you are from Aragonia, the weaker the Goddess' gift. Though the perchance for evil and good are measured the same."

"The Knowing is less?"

"Aye," Rolic replied.

"Is that why you choose here to live?"

"One of the reasons." Rolic nodded.

"I did not think travel could weaken a Goddess," Kelton thought out loud. "Are you sure it is she who gives us this curse?"

"Gift," Rolic corrected. "Aye, I believe it so. It is strongest here, where there are many Brethren. Elsewhere, it is fuzzy, more intuition than fact. Like if you squint your eyes tight so only the brightest things are noticeable." Rolic tied off the sack he had been filling.

"I packed some food," Rolic said, holding up the sack. "It will allow you to move for a few days without worrying about your next meal. It's best if you start before the Sun rises too high." Kelton's mood fell. He had hoped for more time in the cave. There was so much more to learn, and in truth, he felt safe inside its walls. If Rolic had been able to live here Unseen and untouched, why couldn't he?

"I'd rather stay," Kelton admitted.

"But you cannot," Rolic said as he stood and held forth the bag. Kelton didn't take it. Rolic sighed, closed his eyes and let his arm drop back to his side. When his eyes reopened, there was a visible strain behind them. "I've risked more than you know letting you stay as long as you have. I have shown you things you should have never seen and spoken more than I should." Rolic retook his seat. "If you were to stay, it would end badly for the both of us. I like you, Kelton but dying with you is not my desire."

"But you have lived here unmolested," Kelton argued. "Could I not as well? Do you fear I would give you away?"

"It is not..." Rolic stopped speaking abruptly and closed his eyes again. It was a long pause, his jaw tightened then relaxed before his eyes opened again. "If you stay, we will both die here. You, well before your time. I know I haven't earned your trust in all things. In this, you must trust."

"And you won't tell me why you know this?" Kelton asked. Rolic shook his head. Kelton held out his hand, and Rolic placed the food bag in it. "Then I thank you for all but the mead." Kelton struggled a smile to lips. Rolic's matching one looked pained as well.

"I could part with a skin full, if you'd like," Rolic offered.

"I'd rather fall on my sword," Kelton responded. Real smiles returned, along with weak laughter. Rolic was a strange one, but Kelton wished to think of him as a friend. There was something nefarious about the man, yet Kelton still wanted to like him.

Kelton began filling his pack, setting himself for life in the woods once again. It bothered him to leave with so much unlearned. There were symbols he now knew the names of, the beginning of reading the glyphs etched on pages. Given a moon or two, he knew he could conquer one of the smaller tomes. The idea excited him and quashing it didn't sit right. Something undone. He'd probably never see another book in his life.

"What will you do if you see the Brethren?" Rolic asked. They stood just outside of the cave, his hands on Kelton's shoulders, demanding that he concentrate on what he was saying.

"Run," Kelton said. Rolic nodded.

"And you will choose life before surrender?"

"Aye," Kelton responded. Rolic smiled and released his shoulders. Kelton readjusted the pack on his back, shifting the sword in Joycelyn's sheath to fit more comfortably for the walk ahead.

"I wish you a great escape," Rolic said. "Find your place in the world, away from Aragonia, and live a long life."

"I have friends here," Kelton said. There was a stiff chill in the air. He was already missing the warmth of the cave.

"Given time, the Brethren may forget about you," Rolic said. "Give them that time. Give yourself that time."

"Mayhap, I'll find my own cave," Kelton said. It came out with more anger than he desired. Rolic was a kindred spirit, the first Unseen he had met not wearing a white robe. Now he was sending Kelton away adding advice he deemed necessary. As if Kelton needed help running. If Rolic wanted to be helpful, he should let Kelton stay.

"It is your choice," Rolic returned with the same venom, stepping back as if Kelton had slapped him. Kelton turned and began walking down the hill. His mind wrestled with the resentment of being sent away. A few steps later, his thoughts moved to Gossamer. In a sense, he sent him away without a word. Granted, Kelton did the leaving, but it was the same. He stopped walking, decided that his anger was useless, something a child would do in an attempt to enforce desires. He turned to find Rolic standing where he left him, arms crossed on his chest.

"Good life to you," Kelton called. His voice no longer sharp. Rolic dropped his arms to his sides and walked down to Kelton.

"And to you, my boy," Rolic said, holding his hand out. They locked wrists, and Rolic's smile returned. They parted as friends. A small success that made leaving easier to bare.