Lydia smiled as she felt Ragna wrap his arms around her and kiss her cheek. "This was a dwarven mine," she informed him with an even tone. "They always have at least one extra exit." Suddenly Lydia's ears picked up as she heard a whirl of sound approaching them from the cave mouth behind them. Tugging at Ragna's hand she urgently exclaimed, "Get down and cover your head!" They dropped to the earth, laying on their stomachs as they covered their heads with their arms. Moments later a large colony of bats burst out of the cave, disturbing the calm night with the sound of their shrill cries. [i]At last![/i] They seemed to say. [i]We are free to fly![/i] Some of the bats flew so low that Lydia could feel their wings or feet brushing against her back and cheeks, but none of them attacked the two travelers. Instead they flew off into the night, determined to do some hunting before the moonlight was gone.

"See?" Lydia asked as she stood up and brushed herself off. "Bats. I told you." Then she turned her face to the moon to bathe in its light, her luminescent green eyes closed, and she breathed in deeply. Now that the storm was gone everything was peaceful. The land was quiet and clean, the air fresh and sweet. Lydia exhaled slowly, feeling a calmness settle over her. How long that peace would last, she did not know. But for now she was happy and she would enjoy it. Opening her eyes again she turned back to Ragna, smiled, and said, "Come on. We have to find the river again." They set out, following the path they thought would lead them to the river. Before the end of the night they came upon it and resumed their journey. "How many days before we reach your homeland?" Lydianna asked Ragna as they followed the winding ribbon lit by silver moonlight.