<div style="text-align: center;">An otherworldly pillar of light held the thoughts of the Marveila townsfolk.  The tension in the air held the city with its icy tendrils so that no one was thinking about work, food, or anything else; they were just thinking about what was coming for them later on.  In the middle of the city worried voices gathered around the stairs to the temple and asked the same questions that Anora was now asking herself.    “<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">What could create such a Pillar?</span></span>” and “A<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="text-decoration: underline">re we safe here?</span></span>” are just a few of the questions dancing through the crowd and through the mind of Anora.   The unnatural look and the sudden, violent, appearance of the Pillar of Light had removed all doubt in her mind of what they were going up against.   And if the creation of that pillar nearly caused a city to crumble and a train to derail, then whatever is waiting for their group out there was surely powerful enough to render the walls and the guards of this city moot.  <br/><br/>The familiar sound of heavy metal boots slamming down hard on the platform followed by audible in quick succession signaled that Ardur had gotten off the train and was approaching her.  “<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Ardur, I don’t like this</span>.</span>”  Anora spoke as she closed her eyes and listened around the area, trying to latch on to a conversation.  “<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">The air here is heavy with fear, uncertainty, and dread</span>.</span>" Anora’s eyes opened slowly, and she slowly turned around to face Ardur.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">No matter what happens later, I am glad to have made a friend as capable as you.</span></span>”<br/><br/>An old figure, standing in the doorway to the train, soon caught her attention.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Cyrus</span></span>” she spoke “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Where are you going?</span></span>”  <br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">I am going into town.</span></span>”  Cyrus spoke with a raspy voice.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">I am not going to be able to assist you out there, and will only slow you down.  I will head into the city and see if I can help</span></span>.” <br/> <br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">I think I overheard Magnus saying his parents were heading to the temple, maybe start there.</span></span>”  Anora responded.  She knew he was spent and assumed this outcome was a possibility.  <br/><br/>Cyrus simple nodded his head and was off.<br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">We’re not dead yet, Anora.</span></span>”  Ardur said with a grin.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Besides, I doubt you will be able to last much longer without my help anyway and what kind of friend leaves someone like that?</span></span>”  Pausing as a face on the ground behind the platform caught his attention.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Don’t turn around, but I think we might have company.</span></span>”  He finished as he forced a smile across his face.  <br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">What do they look like, Lason’s men?</span></span>” Anora asked as she locked her eyes on those of Ardurs.<br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">I don’t think so, too diverse.</span></span>”  He spoke as he turned his head to locate magnus.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">One I think is a giant Jotun, and another one looks to be an old Meerah.  I can’t get a good look from up here but they were defiantly looking at us getting off the train with keen interest.</span></span>”  <br/><br/>"<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">We should let Magnus know.</span></span>” Anora responded. <br/><br/> Anora and Ardur slowly moved away from the edge of the train platform and towards Magnus.  <br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Magnus</span></span>” Ardur spoke “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">We might have company on the road ahead.  I spotted a well-armed group take an interest in ours, and they seemed like they themselves were heading to the pillar of light.</span></span>” <br/><br/>“<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">The two of us can head out in front</span></span></div>of the group and scout out the path ahead.”  Anora offered.  “<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">We can make sure we are not walking into a trap.</span></span>”