I hadn’t slept that well in a long time. My tranquility passed quickly, replaced by guilt. I couldn't help but think of the others: the elves, the dwarves, the princess. I wondered what they were going through right now, and if we could arrive to help them in time. I said a quiet prayer to the gods in hopes that we could. I made my way to the little dining hall where Master Stradus had made some soup. “Good afternoon, my boy,” Master Stradus said. “You had a long sleep.” “Good afternoon?” I said. “I’ve overslept! Master, we must leave. We've got to go and meet the others. We must—” “Relax, my son, relax. We have plenty of time. I woke up early this morning and went outside to see if your friend had made it to Sharald. He did. It looked as if the whole forest was moving. You see, nothing to worry about.” “Shouldn’t we go and join them?” “We will, but we have plenty of time. It’ll take the elves about four days to move an army that size to the rendezvous point.
