Chapter 78: Epilogue

Four Months Later

For the first time that day, the sun came into view, bursting from the gray cloud bank to shine on the Plains of Manala. Oliver had never seen anything like it.

The land swept out from him like a sea, with waist-high brown grass instead of water, waving endlessly in the mighty winds that swept down from the west. Every blade of whispering grass seemed to come alive in the light of the sun, turning to shimmering gold, scurrying into the far distance.

Oliver did not have long to admire the sight. He staggered along the rocky ground as best as he was able with his hands bound behind his back. His captors, two men astride large horses, rode on either side of him.