They were all jerked awake by the rumbling passing of a bus along the road. The sun wasn't even cresting the eastern horizon yet. Mary felt like crap, this would be the second night in a row that she hadn't gotten a full night's rest. Grumbling, the pack got up and continued to move south.

Dakarai was quiet as they walked. He was lost in his own thoughts, but none of them were in a very talkative mood. It was about mid-day when they finally saw what looked like the beginning of a town on the horizon south of them.

Dakarai seemed to perk up and a smile spread across his face, "That's it, I think. Makalo should be there. Now, how I'm going to find him is another problem entirely."

Acharya let an easy smile spread across his lips, "Don't worry about that at all, Dakarai. I mean look at us? Before we found you, we were aimlessly walking around this gigantic continent with no real clue as to where we were going. If all we have to do is find one guy in a small town, compared to what we've done over the past few months or so, it'll be child's play."

They entered the town and Dakarai immediately started making inquiries about his friend. Aiman was impressed with his easy nature and how effortlessly the man moved through the town, speaking to various people, making friends and earning trust though his age, demeanor, and openness. It was refreshing to see that there were still some places in the world where being open and honest could get you where you needed to be.

Asclepius stayed mostly around the pack. He desperately longed for the freedom that he had while under the Mountain. With people and civilization, he would always be seen as the subservient 'dog.' Maybe dogs liked to be taken care and herded around like cattle. He knew through breeding, most of his distant cousins had nothing of the noble bloodline that created their stock left in their veins. Therefore, he was content to leave them to their fate. But he was not a mentally challenged animal who had frustrated communication problems. He was very capable of taking care of himself. But one wolf in a town like this could end up dead very quickly. He grudgingly played the part of the dog.

Dakarai walked back to the group. He wore a smile on his face and nodded happily, "I think I got directions to Makalo's house, or a hut if you like. It's on the outskirts of town about three miles that way," He pointed with his extended fingers to the east.

Acharya nodded, "well what are we waiting for?"

"No time like the present," Dakarai said as he headed off. The rest of the pack fell in line behind him.

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"Dakarai?" Tara asked, "What kind of person is Makalo? What do you remember of him?"

The old Bultungin's steps slowed a bit as he considered the question. He looked at the brown haired, tanned woman. He shook his head and smiled, "Makalo and I knew each other when we were young and very, very stupid. What I remember of him, is very much like myself, using our abilities in irresponsible ways, sometimes unethically."

"Wait, you what? Unethically? What do you mean?" Tara asked incredulously.

Dakarai shook his head sadly, "No, that doesn't need to be brought up again." His gaze hardened and dropped to the ground. "I'm not perfect, nor am I a saint. Makalo and I were very similar. He got married and she was a great stabilizing force on him. Me? I thought my youth would last forever, and the next thing I know I'm sixty years old, I have no family, or sons, and I'm passing to my nephews all my skills and knowledge."

"I'm sorry," Malikah said quietly in the awkward tense silence.

"I don't need your pity," Dakarai spat out harshly, anger in his voice and etched across his features. "I'm here to do the right thing for once in my life. Maybe by helping you, it will help my people. If nothing else, you helped my village and that alone is worth the trip down here. Just don't make me regret this."

Dakarai stalked off leaving the pack in stunned silence. It occurred to Acharya that he really didn't have any idea who this guy was when they agreed to travel together. He may have put his pack at risk. He didn't even think to have Malikah use her Tracker abilities to ensure that he wouldn't kill them in their sleep. He shook his head and moved after the angry old blacksmith. Well, this oversight hadn't cost them so far. He would need to make sure that he didn't make a similar oversight again.

Dakarai walked briskly. Malikah could smell his anger wafting off him like sweat. She felt really bad for him and at the same time was horrified at what she just learned about him. Just what did he mean by unethically? What abilities did Bultungin have that could be used in unethical ways? Hadn't Acharya mentioned something about Bultungin's innate ability to mesmerize people? But he wouldn't…? Tara was suddenly terrified of what that could mean and tried not to think about it anymore.

Three miles was a little longer than they had originally thought but eventually they reached a multi roomed hut on the outskirts of the town.

Dakarai didn't hesitate and pounded on the door with his fist, "Makalo! Open up, its Dakarai!" He said in his native tongue.

The sturdy wooden door opened soon after. A young, but very good looking, woman stood there looking at the seven of them with her large dark eyes. She turned to look at the old man and spoke in her native tongue, "I'm sorry, who are you again?"

"I'm Dakarai, I'm an old friend of Makalo's," Dakarai responded.

"My father has never mentioned you," she said quietly. "Are you sure you have the right person or house?"

Dakarai looked like he had just been gut punched, "Hi…his daughter?" He shook his head. "I…Look, I know this visit is out of the blue, but your father and I grew up together. May you please, just… go get him and bring him to the door. He'll recognize me when he sees me." The young woman looked a bit confused but eventually she nodded her head and disappeared back into the hut, closing the door behind her.

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