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“What did you see?” asks Miko.

“A face in shadows,” replies James.

“A face?” questions Qyrll.

“Yes,” he answers.

“But how is that possible?” Uther asks as he follows along behind.

From the front of the group, James’ voice comes back to him, “I don’t know.”

They continue working their way up the slope. Darkness begins to creep into the world as the light slowly fades away. Before it fails altogether, the outcropping of rock which coincided with the shadow’s beard comes into view.

The rock around them begins to show signs of having been worked. Right angles, which could never be formed with such precision by nature start to appear. What use they held can no longer be determined.

Forging through the underbrush James suddenly comes into a clearing and before him lies the outcropping. The signs of human workmanship can be seen all over now. Holding out his hand, his orb suddenly springs to life for him to see better as the light has all but faded away.

In the glow of the orb, he approaches the outcropping. “Examine the whole area,” he says. “Look for any sign of the Star.” Suddenly, several other orbs spring into being and the entire area is flooded with light.

“Won’t this attract anyone in the area?” Jiron asks him.

“Damn, forgot about that in my excitement,” he says as he looks around at the blazing orbs. Then he glances back to Jiron and shrugs, “Too late now.”

“At least we have the high ground,” Qyrll says.

“What?” asks Jorry.

“The high ground,” he explains. “The fighter upon the high ground has a better tactical advantage.”

“Oh,” he says.

“You should know that,” Uther pipes up. “Remember that time when…” He and Jorry go off together as he begins another of his stories.

Pull his beard to make him sit up. Should that be taken literally? If so, then how do you pull a shadow? Questions run through James’ mind as he ponders the best course of action. The others are hunting as well, looking over, under and around for any place bearing the Star of Morcyth. He is sure that is what must be found. Down to the center of his being he knows that to be true.

Dave is standing off to the side, not being very helpful. Oh sure, whenever James glances his way he makes it seem that he is actively looking. When he turns back, he goes back to watching the others, a look on his face saying this is dumb.

It was during just such a time when Jiron comes up behind him and asks, “Why aren’t you helping?”

Dave turns around to see him there with fists on his hips and a scowl on his face. “What business is it of yours?”

Eyes narrowing, Jiron replies slightly louder than necessary, “You are supposed to be James’ friend. Yet when everyone else is trying their best to aid him, you stand around as if you don’t care or are just too lazy.” After a moment of silence as they stare at each other, he adds in contempt, “You make me sick.”

The others pause in their searching while they move closer to where the growing drama is unfolding. From the far side of the clearing, James takes notice of what’s transpiring and hurries over.

“Why don’t you leave me alone?” Dave says, voice rising in irritation. Glancing around at the others he continues. “You all have done nothing but treat me like dirt ever since we first met. You can all just go to hell!”

“Dave!” exclaims James as he comes to stand near them.

“Sorry to have to say that James,” he says, “but it’s true. You care more about these butchers than you do about me. And I’ve been your friend longer.”

“Butchers?” Uther retorts his anger getting the best of him. “We ain’t the ones going around killing girls!”

At that Dave looks in shock at him and takes a step backward.

Uther turns his attention to James and says, “That’s right. He’s the one who’s been killing all the girls wherever we go.”

James looks in horror at Uther then glances to Dave. “Is this true?” he asks, voice barely able to speak the words.

Before he has a chance to reply, Jorry adds, “We saw him with that innkeeper’s daughter the evening before she