The Search for Hecate's Cauldron, Part 3.

I had never seen a star gate before. It was a swirling circle of blue fogs. Gabriel had Thadeal lead us into the swirling fogs.

I was third through the gate. I stepped out of the blue fog, in which I could not even see Thadeal or Tesser right ahead of me, onto a broad green plain. Sharle came out right behind me. The Norse couple were behind her, and instantly headed toward the rising sun. They plainly were not going to go with us.

Gabe and a tall dark haired Sly Male came out after me. Sharle greeted him as Aaron. He led a beautiful white unicorn. He was introduced as Aurnue. Aaron himself was extremely handsome.

Gabe made seven now in our group.

He now turned to us with a smile. "Thank you for your patience. This is known as the Tsagagathba Plain, We must hurry to the next gate. We are in Thrann's home lands. Unfortunately, this is the way to the gate Hecate used. Follow Aaron. He is our guide."

Aaron nodded, and turned to lead us at a right angle from the northward trek of the Norse couple. No more was ever said of them.

By nightfall, he'd led us into a rather deep valley. We camped there without fire, but were handed warm blankets, pillows, food and drink out of Aurnue's saddle bags. He had no saddle or bridle, being sentient, but willingly carried our supplies.

In the morning, Thadeal handed out meat rolls, some rather tasty purple fruits he called Hendes, and some peach jam for the small hard rolls Tesser added to the meal. They turned out to be a rather hard barley cake. Tasted fine.

We just drank water fro m a nearby stream.

Two more days of riding took us to a deeper section of the valley we were following. Aaron was following the stream. He had a rather sketchy map.

Late the second day, he turned us east, around a grove of trees, and straight into a hidden inn.

We got hot food, drinks and warm beds for the night.

To be continued....

Sharon Pribble