Early the next day I am escorted to the stables. Three of Rhygar’s best men and himself will be joining me on the final 230 mile ride to Hammerdal. We leave Port Bax behind and I am asked to pick a number.
The dice say 1. For three days we ride for Hammerdal. In the distance are the Hammerdal Mountains which protect the capital city. It is the morning of the 14th day of my mission. We are about to leave our camp when a group of six hooded horse riders approaches, blocking our exit. Rhygar orders them to move as we carry the King‘s Dispatch, but they refuse and do not speak.
He orders his men to draw their swords and charges in. I have three options, follow Rhygar, make for the woods, or use Sixth Sense. My keen Kai senses tell me that they are very evil. I shout out a warning to Rhygar and his men but they are already engaged.
As they charge the cloaked riders, one draws a black staff from under its robes and spits blue flame towards the Sommlending warriors. They arrive and begin to cut with their swords but the enemy is unfazed. Because they are Helghasts. Six Helghasts are attacking our men, and I have the only magical weapon. The leader sends a powerful Mindblast my way. I have two options: run or fight. I can kill one Helghast, but six? That’s stupid. I run.
I jump into the think brush and abandon my horse. A few minutes later Rhygar arrives and pushes me to run with him towards the mountains, as we leave his men behind, fighting futilely against the Helghasts.
We run for 6 hours. The Helghast are on the highway so we are forced to make our way through wood and rock. Each time I stumble, Rhygar pulls me up. His stamina is incredible. By night we arrive at the entrance to the Tarnalin, three tunnels through the mountains to Hammerdal. There is no more running off to the side. We have to go back on the beaten path for the rest of the way. Each tunnel is over 40 miles long. Rhygar hands me some food to eat and I do. He tells me that he will hold off the Helghast here and for me to continue along. I have two options, leave him my Magical Spear, or keep it.
I don’t want to be selfish, but I have no way of harming a Helghast without the Spear, and who knows if they are in the tunnels or not. I need it. Sorry Rhygar, I’d love to give you a path to victory, but I have to remember the big picture. The Kai are dead. Only the Sommerswerd can defeat the Darklords, and only a Kai can wield it, so I have to get it.