The mountain trail was no leisurely walk. Carved by the feet of a thousand journeys, the path wound its way up the steep slopes of the Oke-oga Mountains, the aged grey rocks framing it just like wooden would a photograph. Midday had passed by now, and the sun was starting to make its slow descent behind the cliffs ahead. In his wandering mind, Enkerai compared the scene he was witnessing now to the scene he would normally have been enjoying back in Manyatta Forest. He wondered if his family was looking up and staring at the sky as he was now, he wondered if they were even alive at all.

Enkerai’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a dull whining sound. He snapped his head sideways to look intently at the clouds that were drifting North. Among them he saw two bulbous green shapes gliding steadily across the sky.

“Skyships. It’s not often you see them here, but if you want to leave the continent, it’s pretty much the only way to travel these days…”

Enkerai turned suddenly and saw the grinning face behind the voice.

“Oré?” Enkerai asked confused, “What are you doing here?”

“What does it look like?” Oré said. When he received a puzzled look in response, he smiled in amusement, “I’m running away.”

“But… your dad!” Enkerai replied clearly surprised.

“He’ll be fine. I think he knew I would do this. He knew I wanted to go.”

“You wanted to go that much?” Enkerai asked as Oré motioned for him to continue walking, “I know you wanted to see the world, but you did seem pretty happy there.”

“Life there was good,” Oré said jumping up onto a large rock and looking further down the path, “but I always felt like I had more to do. Like the One had a bigger plan for me. My farm is too small for my liking!”

The boy turned and held out his hand. A brown sleeveless jacket flapped in the wind over his blue string vest.

“I want to see the world. And you want to save your people.” He smiled, “We could both use a friend. What say we go on an adventure?”

Enkerai smiled and took the young boys hand.