"There it is!" cried Rybol.

Gydunce, acknowledging his cry, raced after it.

They tramped across hilly terrain and then into a field relentlessly pursuing the red-and-yellow, onx. Its short, slim body was its only real defense, allowing it to hide, somewhat, in tall grass or in large enough holes. But its capsule-shaped horns stuck out high above it, assisting the chaser considerably.

The onx spit out of the grass and clawed its way up a high hill. Rybol and Gydunce followed a little behind, and shortly lost site of it as it crested above. When they arrived on top, Rybol signaled for them to stop. He placed a hand above his eyes and peered out over the lower hilltops. They were golden and plentiful--rolling into the distance--with oak trees interspersed throughout; invisible heat hovered above them. But, no onx.

Gydunce nickered at Rybol.

"Yes. I am hungry," said Rybol. "But we can't chase after it. We have a job to do here�. Besides, you eat grass, not onx!"

She grunted.

"I know you like chasing them. So spare me when you pretend concern for my appetite."

She kicked the dirt with her hoof.

Rybol dismounted and the grass crackled under his boots.

Gydunce grunted disapprovingly.

"Hush," said Rybol. "I need to stretch my legs. Let me know if you spot one of those napolen heathens, will you?"

She snorted.

Rybol maneuvered down the hillside towards a withered bush to relieve himself. Perhaps it would benefit from this honor bestowed? But it seemed quite unlikely.

Dying light fluttered through the crooked oak trees in the forest and played about the earth interestingly. A robin picked at its feathers on a gangly branch nearby, stopping often to gander about.

"The simple life," Rybol breathed. Perhaps the wizard Ronin could transform him into a bird again, or a wolf? Transformation helped curb the boredom sometimes. Rybol wiped his brow and finished.

He stepped away to head back when some kind of sparkle suddenly teased his left eye. Looking, he discovered a pond resting behind two, gangly oak trees. A quick dip would be nice.

Pushing forward, he approached it grinning, stopping just short of diving in. An unusual something stirred in the air...a music? He surveyed the area. It came from the west. Rybol followed the sound.

He struggled up a hillock, then slipped on a patch of weeds and went tumbling down the other side.

"Damn-it," he grunted as he picked himself up. It was good that he was alone. Great men had reputations to uphold. He brushed his tunic and then froze when he glanced up--a cave opened before him, burrowed deep within the hillside. The music came from in there.

Something snapped behind him!

He whirled around and met with a drippy snoot.

"Gydunce! I told you to stay where you were. Why did you follow me?"

She answered him with a curiously human sidelong glance.

"Well...maybe I didn't exactly tell you to stay, but you should have known anyhow! What if one of those thieves is around here? This isn't the best lookout."

She nudged his chest.

She was right. Deep down Rybol knew there weren't any napolens here. King Steng was basically intelligent, but ordering them to patrol this desolate hill country forced him to question that. It was completely out of character for Steng. He regularly placed Rybol at the brunt of a confrontation, not out of the picture. The war was raging about thirty miles from here and Rybol wished he were there. Maybe Steng is becoming senile?

"I know, old girl," Rybol put, gently. "Our patrol here is futile. But what can we do."

He massaged her neck and she neighed happily.

Rybol almost questioned Steng's order, but what good would that have done? Resolute Steng answers to no one--especially those of lesser rank. And not many outrank a king, but One! Steng is a good king, which is another reason he did not protest. But ever since a few weeks ago, when the napolens first started this war, Steng has not been of his proper mind; making strange decisions...so strange.... Oh, well. They were ordered to patrol the area. No more questions.

"There's a strange melody coming from in there," Rybol said, pointing at the cave. "It deserves our attention."

He mounted and coaxed her in. Her muscles tightened as the shadow's coolness covered them. The source of the music seemed distant.

"What do you think of it?" Rybol said.

She grunted a response.

"Really! You think it's dangerous? It sounds much too sweet to be--"

A huffy grunt cut him short.

"I know sounds can be deceiving!" He shot back. "You need not lecture me." She was always trying to teach him things. Little did she know that he already knew most of everything. Plus, she was just a horse; not much could be expected from them.

"I'm checking it out anyway. If you would join me...great. But if you're scared, of course...."

That hit a cord, and she scoffed at him with a stuffy snicker.

He grinned. A little bashing of pride always did the trick. "Let's be on our way," he said.

Then, he suddenly wondered if she witnessed him fall back there. A horrible thought. He was to remain perfect in her eyes.

The duo maneuvered around the cave's many teeth and it seemed as if they were venturing inside a dragon's maw.... Rybol rolled his eyes. His similes were always bent toward the dangerous. But they did keep him on his toes. Even so, an unusual emotion baffled him. The more he mused on it, the more he understood it to be...fear? How silly! It couldn't be that. Rybol is the bravest man in all of Kava; everyone knew that. He passed the foreign sensibility off as inconsequential.

The light dimmed as they furthered themselves from the entrance. Rybol unhooked a lantern from the saddle and mumbled a few words. In a flash, the lantern was burning and the cave illuminated. Just ahead, the cave sectioned off into three passageways.

"Which way?"

A snort.

"Yes. I suppose you're right. The music does seem to be coming from that left chamber."

Rybol held the lantern high above, careful not to smash it against a sharp tooth. Then they eased their way into the golden tunnel.

The hard ground softened after awhile and Rybol noticed something. "Look at those footprints."

Gydunce glanced down disinterested.

"Hold up! I want a closer look."

She stopped and Rybol hopped down to inspect.

"Strange. These look like napolen footprints." He brushed the round-like print, which was no larger than his fist, with his fingers. "I'd know that distinctive print anywhere." He noticed another shape of print. "Look at these, Gydunce. Human?"

She was quiet.

"I think we're on to something here, old girl. That music is even louder now."

Rybol swept back into the saddle and they marched forth.

"Those new weapons the napolens stole, since we know they could not have made them--too ignorant--seem otherworldly, don't you think?"

Gydunce agreed.

He placed his chin on his knuckles. "Colored light that burns flesh and causes fire to our forests.... Surely the work of some wayward wizard. But why would a wizard choose to aid the napolens? Napolens have no magic to barter." He thought hard, then his brow furrowed. "They are a villainous race! Why Steng refuses to exterminate them completely is beyond me--"

Gydunce grunted, heatedly.

"Sorry, old girl!" Rybol said surprised. "It's just that I would like to see the tides change in this confounded war we are fighting. Those heathens have found a way to win...that is if their raw intellect doesn't get in the way first. They have very small brains. Did you know that?"

She did not.

"Yes. I slew one during fierce battle one cold morning, then proceeded to--"

Another hot grunt.

"What...? Aren't you interested in--"

Suddenly, a loud, metallic rip sounded cutting Rybol short, and then a white flash of light blinded them. Gydunce bucked instinctively, throwing Rybol from her saddle. He smashed against the roof of the passageway, then crashed to the floor. He was stunned for a moment and out of breath while he waited for his senses to come back. When the dust settled, Gydunce was gone.

He pushed himself to stand, then brushed off. He was facing the direction they had come and could here her distant retreat. Then he noticed how bright everything was.

"Hello, Rybol," said an eerily familiar voice.

Rybol whirled around. A creepy sensation curled up his back, then sat on his head and floundered.

He tried to say something, but couldn't.

This--other Rybol, was almost an exact image: dull jawbone; large, gray eyes; muscular build. The hair was different. He had short, brown hair, while Rybol's was long and shaggy. And what were those strange things over his eyes? Two crystal circles attached to some gold wire? Very strange. Well, at least he didn't look dangerous!

Suddenly, Rybol thought of Gydunce, and then warning flooded his mind; looks were not always what they seemed! He would remain cautious of himself--of that self--of his other self!

"I know. It is somewhat strange. Trust me, you'll get used to it after awhile. When I first learned of you, I couldn't understand it either. But, then again, why question something that just is...." He stared at the ground for a moment, then snapped to attention. "Well, then! It's time to go. I'd explain everything now, but I've very little time. We must get back to my study. Come along." He held his hand out.

Rybol unsheathed his broadsword. "I'm going nowhere with you, Stranger!"

The other Rybol dropped his arm. "My name is Blayne--and now I am not a stranger, so please come."

A lengthy silence ensued.

"Listen," Blayne said. "Do you like where you live, my friend? This planet Kava...is it something to you that you would not want to see it destroyed? Because, if you do not come with me, my good fellow, this dimension of Kava will be annihilated."

"What do you mean: dimension?"

Blayne smiled. "Oh, yes! I almost forgot. You do not understand such things. Well, then, there is much for you to learn."

"How will Kava be destroyed?" Rybol said, growing angry.

"First, come with me. I promise you, I have no ill intentions. I am on your side. After all, I am you...and you are me!" His speech became hurried. "But we must go now! This device I carry cannot hold the link much longer. If we do not cross now, I will die for certain."

Rybol knew nothing of the link he was talking about or anything about the strange, blinking box he was carrying. And about Kava being destroyed? This was all very foolish, but he could feel good in this man. What if he was speaking the truth?

"It's not indefinitely. I can send you back at any time. But I do need you now...please!"

Rybol thought about his horse and hoped she was safe. He locked his hand into his doppelganger's and they entered the circle of light.----end of sample