Ignol and his henchmen left at last, heading inevitably for their desolation and demise, and there was nothing they or anyone else could do about it. As they disappeared, Vradiome turned to Katar and his parents, the two friends exchanged a smile and then got back on their feet.
"They'll never come back."
"And for my trouble, I almost feel sorry for them."
"Me too."
They burst out laughing and then hurried off.
"We have to go. We have no time to lose."
They set off again towards the nearest Emero border.
Along the way, they also took on new identities, that of poor-looking merchants dressed in long, clean but worn tunics and worn leather sandals.
We're almost there!" Katar's mother exclaimed with anguish but joy before pointing to a spot.
"The Esis border gate is at the end of this meander.