After spending a week with the caravan, Ostus announced that they were stopping where they were. The folks of the caravan were sorry to leave the pair; the children had taken to Kiara especially well, and those assigned to protect the caravan would miss the extra help. But eventually they did part ways, Ostus and Kiara heading for the mountains.

They left the horse at a tiny village in the foothills. Ostus knew most of the people there from his travels and assured Kiara that her mare would be well taken care of. Perhaps, once she was settled in Berinike, she could send someone to retrieve her horse. Until then, there was no possible way the beasts could come with them.

They traveled the entire day through winding, zig-zagging trails along the foothills, sometimes trampling through terrain that was not trailed off at all, Ostus tense and completely on edge. It was imperative they were not seen and followed, and he was worried about attacks.

Finally, at dusk, they entered the true trail head, a thin path that looked more like a faded animal trail cutting through the trees than anything else. Near the secluded trailhead was a small clearing in between a cliffside and a thicket of trees. This was where they set up camp for the first night.

"The climb is not too strenuous," Ostus informed her in a quiet voice after tents were pitched, a fire was built, and food set aside. He currently busied himself with sharpening his sword by the fire. "You should be able to handle it, though you will need trousers and good boots for the trip. I have those, if need be."