Tunde avoided more disciples as he retraced his steps toward the beacon of power he now knew to be the rift, keeping the rift finder in hand and pretending to use it. He had no idea if Rhyn and the strange woman were lurking somewhere in the trees, watching. The death of the disciple at Rhyn's hands was still fresh in his mind as he moved closer to the rift, feeling the strange power infuse the plant life and trees around him with Ethra. The realization struck him that, despite how strong he might seem for a disciple, he was nowhere near as powerful as Rhyn, the strange girl, or even Elyria.