However, their cleverness that had allowed them to work together for almost an entire year came crumbling down very soon. Too soon in Sabele's opinion.

The end of winter came creeping upon the mountain and with it, hunters came too. They had been walking back from hunting, well Zack hunted while Sabele collected herbs. The hunters stood right off her invisible dome so she couldn't see them but they could see her. Racing, they immediately went to the head chief of the city and told him what they had found. He was by his wife's bedside while she slowly died in his arms.

At first, they had fights every night. The children misbehaved and she constantly accused him of cheating on her. Finally, she became so ill she could no longer fight with him or even leave her bed. The children then seemed to stop misbehaving and would sit by her side every chance they got. Believing Sabele had done this only strengthened him to further plan his vengeance on her. She would not only be the death of his beloved city but of his family as well.

With this news, he sent out his men early that morning to fetch the hunter and to execute him. They found them eating some stew for breakfast, chatting, and laughing. The guards grabbed a hold of both of them, dragging them down the hill and into the market center where Zack would be burned at the stake. However, he knew this day was coming.

The priestess from the north had told him to hunt wherever he pleased. By doing so he would stumble across something pitiful but spectacular. That something was Sabele. By helping her, he knew he would die. But he was told his death would save the life of another. Somebody else, that would become so close to her heart that if that someone died, unimaginable things would befall the city.

He would like to think that somebody would be her lover. That his death, allowed them to spend their eternity together and be happy. If he had to be burned then let him be burned. By now, he was prepared for anything. He had no family and no real home but he had Sabele, who he would sacrifice himself to keep her safe. She was the daughter any father would be proud to have and he only hoped her real father knew that in the short time he had spent with her.

Managing to get out of their grip, Zack raced back to Sabele and grabbed her to hold her tightly to him. "I'm so proud of you. You've done so well. Keep your head up. The gods favor you little one. They do and they shall never abandon you. Never. Don't forget what I've taught you or our time together. Remember me always," with those words he kissed her cheek moments before they ripped him from her hold and tied to the log.

"Zack! Wait! Please! Don't! Don't! Please!" Sabele tried to run from her captors, to stop what would happen, but they held her steady, encaged by human arms.

"Don't watch Sabele! I don't wish to add to your nightmares! Do not look! Do not let this be the last memory of me you see!" His voice was soon drowned out from the roaring fire that engulfed him.

People stood around and watched as he burned. They couldn't - wouldn't - clap simply because the hunter showed no fear. It shocked them as a smile stretched his lips. No screams could be heard beyond the flames because there were none.

Sabele watched on with a sickening horror as she remembered her parents. The flame licked her skin now as it did then. Weak, she fell to her hands and knees.

"Please... Please... Please... STOP THIS!" Her cry resounded off the walls in the Great Hall. Minor gods seemed annoyed as the voice called everything to stop. However, the cry had drawn their attention to see the fire.

"Those bastards!" Have stood, outraged at the fact they had killed his hunter.

"What can we do now? If we send another they will surely die. What can we do?" Amist looked around the room. No one spoke. No one had any idea of what they could do.

"We shall not interfere anymore. If we do, she will lose more loved ones and this will hurt her further. We can help her indirectly from now on but no more sending people." Fliana nodded as if she was talking more to herself than to the others.

"Yes. Let her do what must be done. She has all she requires. She can do this." Tatisic folded his arms. The others nodded in agreement.

"This is what I hoped to avoid all along," Agous spoke.

The others bowed their heads, slightly ashamed. He was known for his wisdom and instead of listening to him, they did the opposite. Nobody else spoke then. Nobody moved. They just sat and thought. The minor gods slipped out of the room, continuing the party elsewhere.

"My offer to help still stands," everybody looked at Evåinic who stood, as usual, fully armored and ready for any fight. His younger three brothers wore more normal robes for gods but they kept their weapons with them at all times, something they took from their older brother.

Ev was taught since his birth the ways of a general, of a soldier, yet he spent a good portion of his time helping on the large family farm he inherited from his father.

"Ev. Please sit down, dear," Amist touched her son's arm.

"If a protector is needed, I am willing to do so." Ev kissed his mother's hand before moving it off his arm.

"In the near future, should the head chief continue to try and harm our priestess we will send you. Most priestesses have guards but she is defenseless,” murmurs filled the hall at his words, but they silenced as he continued, “however, I believe the hunter taught her well. She should be fine and if plans change, I say we should then send a guard of our own." Tatisic wasn't opposed to the idea and nodded his head discreetly to Agous. Apparently, they’ve been discussing this themselves.

Priestesses were their communicators and fell under the responsibility of the gods. They were to be highly valued and treated with much respect for their ability to summon, or so people say. However, priestesses were just usually someone the gods trusted to do the job they needed them to do. Plus, the gods didn't appreciate it when the people went against them. They asked for their help and then turn on those who simply deliver the message which in turn is like turning against the gods.

"I shall wait then.” Evåinic sat back in his chair. They will wait until they couldn't wait any longer.