[center][h2]The Beginning of the End[/h2]
[i]The Road To Silverwick[/i][/center]

They had set out early, well before the sun had even begun to crest the horizon.  The twilight of the morning had left her chilled, but compared to the scorching heat of the day it had been an unseen blessing.  At least Meera had saved enough to purchase the horse she now rode outright, even if the act left her with little left in the small coin purse that hung from the animals muscled side.  She'd have never made it walking, and the last thing she needed was to be wanted as a horse thief.  Her journey to Silverwick would take her through the Imperium, and from what she'd heard of her fathers homeland it wasn't a country kind to thieves, even less so to thieves carrying one of the greatest evils in history within them.

In truth she'd have preferred to avoid the Imperium, but the only other route to Silverwick would have led her deep into the labyrinthine mountain passes of the north.  She hadn't the skill or supplies for an excursion of that nature.  In a way it'd be enlightening to see her fathers home, but while she'd once clung to the idea of her extended family rescuing her from her torment and bringing her south, now all she felt was apprehension at the prospect of her journey attracting undue attention.  

Almost as soon as she'd thought it Akat chuckled and reassured her, [i]“Worry not Meera, the Imperium is as vast as the ego's of its rulers.  A single traveller need not worry about anything so grand and incomprehensible as the interest of the state, merely the notice of pathetic bandits who've succumbed to their base instincts like the animals they are.  We should be so lucky as to attract one of those, you've had little practice defending yourself.”[/i]

Meera could only grin, it had been some time since she'd surprised some foolish degenerate with Akat's gifts.  Making a target of herself in the slums had worked for a time, but there could only be so many self-mutilations in the work camps before the Great Lords took notice and came to an inevitable conclusion.  In truth her shadows had been more useful thus far, and she'd called on them almost daily, but she knew what was ahead.  For now what she creatures she summoned remained behind the veil, no matter her efforts.

Though if there was to be an opportunity for practice on this trip it certainly wouldn't be anytime soon.  As she looked to the horizon Meera heaved a deep sigh.  Only recently had the foliage of the land started to take a greener hue, and the cloud of dust kicked up by her horse could doubtless be seen for miles in any direction, so flat was the land.  There was no doubt about it, she was alone on this road.  Meera spoke wryly, “Come what may Akat, at the very least you've given me an excuse to leave this wretched place.  May we never see Jeshkan again.”

[center][b]Weeks Later[/b][/center]

As it happened Akat and Meera were both disappointed by their journey through the Imperium.  True, no soldiers had stopped them, but neither had any foolish bandits.  It had been a pleasant journey, though it had only reinforced Meera’s lingering disbelief that her father had left such a land for Jeshkan.  The only thing she could think to say about the world outside of Jeshkan was that it was green.  

Akat had found her surprise at the worlds verdant nature amusing, but her partners mirth had not dampened the sense of wonder Meera felt.  Farms had stretched out in near every direction in the Imperium, and even when she had emerged from the nations other end she marvelled at the abundance that seemed to stretch to the very horizon.  As wondrous as it was though, it only reinforced Meera’s trust in Akat.  In Jeshkan people could never be trusted to act with genuine kindness, but neither could they afford to.  Jeshkani were known for being cutthroat, or so she’d heard from other Jeshkani, but the very land they called home all but demanded it of them.  Here though?

The fact there was war and suffering and betrayal this far south proved every word Akat had fed to her.  Human beings could never be trusted to rise above their animal natures, at least not until somebody made them.  There would be no point in Meera’s revenge unless she endeavoured to prevent other men and women from needed to do as she had.  By the time she was nearing Silverwick her face had worn a contemplative scowl for days.   Eventually she spoke aloud, “I suppose I shouldn’t be so disappointed.  You told me that no amount of wealth would change people, after all.”

A warmth filled Meera as Akat spoke, “[i]The truth is not a kind thing, often it must witnessed to be believed.  Be wary though, child.  The last time I sought to right the world I failed, no matter how many sins I exposed or the number I punished for their self absorbed lies.  Had I a body of my own I doubt I’d do it differently, even now.  Yet I did not choose you to blindly follow my path, nor do I desire it.  No matter how much the masses deserve to bleed for their pretensions of righteousness, no rampage will disabuse them of those notions.  I chose you because you have spent the majority of your life waiting, planning, working, and only moving to act when the time was right, when you knew the outcome was certain.  Patience is a quality I lacked in life, and only through my association with you have I begun to see the importance of.  So remember Meera, as vile as the world may be, you must remember your past.  I will doubtless fail to compose myself in time, I may even demand you lash out, but even if you wish to you must not.  We will never have another chance to set things right, so this one mustn’t be squandered.”[/i]

Meera opened her mouth to reply, but a figure set against a roadside boulder caught her eye.  She approached cautiously, keeping an eye on the mans horse.  In the dim light of the morning she could have mistaken him for dead, but Akat quickly corrected the notion, [i]“Be careful Meera, this is no simple traveller.  It seems we’ve found one of my compatriots early.”[/i]