Rylo and his father walk over to Algreid, and through the very dense forest, they travel. The sun is coming down into the forests but the men are protected by the big trees. "You cannot look up at the sky," Rylos father said implying at the large trees that covered them! "Yes father" replied Rylo. "These trees have indeed grown very tall and big. We ought to do something about them" he said looking at the trees like his father. "Father" calls out Rylo. "How do you think our welcome at Algreid will be?" he asked. "They are our allies, so I sense that there would not be any problem at all son" replied the father. "I think this is more of a formality than anything else" his father added trying to erase any nervousness in his son. "Then why have you come along with me? it was just a piece of paper they intend to sign" asked Rylo "Just as a precaution son. Chief Wilmo is a fair and just man" reassured his father again. "Do not mistake my questions for weakness father" said Rylo as they continued to stride on their horses! "I have fought in many wars and brought victory to us," said Rylo reminding his father of his accomplishments as he had always done! "I do not accuse you of anything son, said his father trying to calm his son down well knowing his temperament. "There is no need to prepare for any sort of combat. That is all I say! Again I reassure Chief Wilmo is a fair man," the father further Okay father, replied Rylo. The battalion continues to march ahead for a few more hours and is very alert now all of a sudden. "Let us be alert now," said Rylo as he marches on over to the front. "We are now crossing Wilmir," he said as his eyes wandered from one corner to the other. The father follows him to the front. "Father!" said Rylo. "These forests seem a little more evil, a little more dark! Don't they?" he asked. "Yes son" replied his father. "These forests, they hide something," he said as he too rolled his eyes from one corner to the other! "Yes Father, they surely hide something evil," said Rylo. "Shhh!" said the father. Rylo kept quiet. "The ghosts can hear us son" his father whispered. Rylo looks over at the trees and they move more rapidly than they were previously. "Yes Father,they hear us. Let us get out of here as fast as possible" said the son. Rylo gallops and moves the battalion out of that area. They march on till the sun sets in. The camp sets their tents and set the fire and begins to roast their dinner. The stars were not visible yet, the big trees still covered the area. The pig was finally roasted and the camp gets busy with their dinner. Rylo and his father are seated next to their tents with the food. "Good meat, it is very well cooked," said the father. "Yes," agreed Rylo to his father's comments. "Your son is growing up fast, it's time for him to start training," the father said of his grandson! Rylo went on to eat his food and then went on to throw out the chewed bone onto the ground. Before his dad could say anything he spoke "Do not worry Father, I will have them pick out the mess soon after we are done." "Good, we didn't want to attract any animals" replied the father. "Father," said Rylo "about my son, he will start training next year. Uncle said so that is the right age and that is when Chief Darticus started training," he said to his father! "Yes, yes" responded the father. "Six is a good age to start training" he further added. "He will go on to become a wonderful lad." "And are things going well with your wife?" he asked. "It's going alright. She is still complaining about the smallest of things father. I do not think she likes me anymore," replied Rylo. "Do not say that son," his father said. "Be careful of what you are about to say next!". "These things have their way of playing out the same way the words come out of their mouth" his father added visibly concerned for his son! "Marriage is sacred Rylo, it is a union that needs to last a lifetime," said the father! "I know father, the gods would not forgive me. But what do I do? you cannot force someone to like you anymore." Replied Rylo. "What about your son? Will he not be affected by any mishap if it was to happen" asked the father. "Rylo looked down to the ground. He is the only reason we are still together. He is the reason we want to fight and make this marriage work. A broken childhood would be bad for him and the community as well. A future general with a traumatic past, that is no good" said the father "A future king" uttered Rylo but his words were lost in the sound of the wind that rustled the trees! His father looked up at the trees. "Make it work son, if not for you, at least for the sake of your son," said the father! "Yes father" replied Rylo. The two men continued to eat their meals in silence. After a few minutes. "We leave early tomorrow Rylo, get to sleep. A longs days march awaits us" said the father. "Yes father!" agreed Rylo. Rylo got up from his chair. "Men," he commanded. "We leave tomorrow at the spark of dawn and two men take turns to keep watch" ordered Rylo. "Yes sir" the soldiers shouted in unison. The trees rustled, leaving a small spark of moonlight in. Which was quickly covered again His father got up from the chair and then slowly proceeded onto his tent "Good night Father," said Rylo "Good night," his father replied back