The moon rose and fell twice before they met someone again. Rouh was waiting for them hiding on one of the trees totally silent. He took one more look around to make sure there is nobody else than them before jumping to the ground. After a few more minutes a blonde beauty just appeared as if she materialized out of nothingness right before them. Mntui was taken aback by her sudden appearance, but her presence was more startling. All three of them was wearing some kind of armour made of probably black leather plated with an also black material. But the blond woman somehow looked gorgeous even in such garment despite the sword and shield equipped on the side. The whole look of her made Mntui realize how messed up she was. How she stood out in the group only wearing her originally white wedding dress now dirtied by earth and scorched by flame with a hole on its side which was not possible to miss.

“You already met each other, even if you might not remember” Saleh glanced at Mntui for a moment then continued. “This is Rouh” Saleh pointed at him. The man looked young, younger than Mntui, he smiled kindly at the newcomer. “And this is Sera.” The woman waved charmingly, somehow the innocent expression on her was more frightening than not. “The three of us basically make a team, sometimes with other changing additions. All in all it means you will meeting them often if you manage to stay alive. So guys this is Mntui. I’d appreciate if you help her out when…” suddenly Saleh went silent. He stared into nothingness.

Mntui blinked in surprise. Somehow the motionless stance of her elder frightened her. She did not understand yet, but this fright was enough to push through her other fears. Stepping out of her melancholy she called out his name.

“Saleh…” her voice were full of doubt. Trembling she slowly reached out with her hand. But before their skin touched Rouh jumped in, caught Mntui’s hand and pulled her away.

“It’s better if you don’t disturb him now” he explained in a gentle voice still holding Mntui, making sure she doesn’t go anywhere.

“Why? You know what’s going on?” there was only a half moment silence between them. Then Mntui narrowed her eyes. “You do! I can see it on you.”

“Listen, I know it’s all new to you…”

“Yeah it is!” she cut in frustrated. “It’s clear that I don’t have any other choice but to go with you. So why do I have to fight for every little bit of information?”

“Alright, alright. Keep your voice down. Saleh… well he is the oldest of the three of us. He is an Ear to the Mind” Rouh scratched around his helmet with one hand realizing how confusing his words might have been. Yet he still was cautious not to let go of their newest addition with the other. “He is probably speaking with one of the elders, getting new information or orders… Something like that.”

“Speaking?” Mntui asked on a lower voice glancing back to the man in question. “He just stands there, doing nothing…”

“Yes… well it might seem like it. Those chosen to be an Ear can communicate with the elders even from distance and with out saying a word.”

The four of them stood there, silent in the night for minutes felt almost as long as a whole night. Mntui’s was nearly as motionless as Saleh. Worries she thought she conquered in the last two days started to gain on her. Life turned so quick upside down for her. Now that she started to calm down to an almost acceptable percentage had to realize it will only get stranger from behind of the veil of shadows. She didn’t took of her eyes from her mentor until the point he kind of unfroze. The whole idea to be connected to someone even more powerful than her new owner through the power of mere thoughts frightened Mntui, more than anything she got acquainted to in this few nights. If she was in anyway considered some kind of subordinate or scion of Saleh, she hoped the day will never come when she has to follow the man’s footsteps acquiring such position.

“We have new orders” Saleh declared as he shook himself adapting back to reality.

“I told you” Rouh whispered to Mntui.

“The highlanders seem to getting close escaping the ill-omen on the northern front lines. We are to join the watchers” Saleh continued ignoring Rouh’s comment.

“Ill-Omen? Such things are real?” Mntui asked shocked by the revelation.

“Just as we are, sister” Rouh winked at her mischievously.

Mntui started to give up hope on ever hearing bright news ever again. Becoming a lurking shadow ever to hunt the living wasn’t enough. Now the wrathful punishers of nature were real too? An abomination born from affronting the spirits were frightening even in theory. The fact that there could be more than one was almost beyond comprehension.

Somehow despite the shock it raised even more questions in the woman’s head. Venturing fort to the unknown proved more dreadful for her than knowing about the dangers. Yet it seemed the night was not on her side on this matter. Before she knew Saleh grabbed her hand. Such gesture first seemed awkward but moments later there was no luxury wondering on impressions like that.

“I’m sorry, but it seems we don’t have time to let you just adjust to your new self. As time is what we really don’t have these days. Ironic…” Saleh looked away for only a second. Wasting such precious time with wondering thoughts was not he would ever do.

Mntui opened her mouth to ask what does he mean, but not even a single voice left her. In that moment she started to somewhat understand. A strange power overwhelmed her. It surged through her veins, reaching every part in her body in second. It was as if she got a glimpse of what she could become. She knew it, she felt it, just as she somehow knew this was all Saleh’s doing. They were connected with a bond so strong, so essential and just as mysterious.

“Follow my lead and don’t let go.”

With that final warning he started to run dragging Mntui behind her. And the others followed.