This is an excerpt from my 2007 NaNoWriMo novel.

"Shadow's Pawn"

It was supposed to have been easy.

Instead, it had been anything but. Instead of being the sure thing Joey had assured him it would be, Michael was now surrounded by police with no avenue of escape.

"It's an easy score, Mikey, a sure thing."

Michael glanced over his shoulder at Joey, then looked back at the road. The light turned green and Michael inched forward through the rush hour traffic.

"There's no such thing as a sure thing, Joey, especially for people like us. There is always risk involved."

"Fine, whatever. It's a score with minimal risk, is that better?"

Michael locked eyes with Joey through the rear view mirror for a few seconds, wishing for the hundredth time he could find another way to get what he needed where he would not have to rely on Joey. Unshaven and uncombed, Joey's red hair and beard looked more like a lion's mane than anything else, but Joey's small frame ruined any comparison that could be made between him and the king of the jungle. Turning his gaze back to the road, Michael sighed. "Tell me about it."

Excitement was evident in Joey's voice as he spoke. "You have got to see this place to believe it. I mean, this guy has definitely got money. Huge place, huge yard, huge wall surrounding it all. Zero security system."

"Yeah, right. One thing I've learned is that with great money comes great paranoia."

Joey shifted forward, his hot breath warming Michael's neck. "That's what's so weird. I managed to go up to the gate, get buzzed through, walk all the way through the guy's yard, right up to the front door before I even had to identify myself."

"So, what were you this time? Electrician, phone guy?"

"Nah, didn't even need anything that elaborate. I told him I was doing a product survey. He invited me right in. I had coffee and donuts with him and his wife, and they practically gave me their itinerary. The wife gave me the grand tour. You wouldn't believe the stuff they have. And I'll bet you anything there's a safe in there with more money than you would ever need. More than we would ever need."

So, why bring me in with you? Sounds like you could do this one by yourself. No one to split the money with."

"Turn left here." Joey sank back into his seat. "Trust me, the thought crossed my mind. But I couldn't do that to my partner. Besides, I like your grandpa and I know how much you need the money for him."

Michael shrugged, as if to say it didn't matter, but it did matter a lot. His grandfather was his only living relative after Gabriel, Michael's twin, committed suicide. When their parents had abandoned them as newborns and left them on Papa Sanchez' doorstep, his grandfather took them in and raised them as if they had been his own. Twenty years later, Gabriel was next to go. The police had found Gabe's car at King's Bridge, still running. It had been snowing that night, and footprints led from the car to the side of the bridge. With no other footprints visible anywhere, police assumed Gabe had just decided to jump off the bridge. No body had ever been found, though.

A few months later, Papa got sick. Very sick. He had no health insurance and Social Security barely covered his living expenses. So, Michael got desperate. And now, here he was, almost a year to the day of Gabe's death, contemplating breaking and entering. Most of the things he'd done in the past year were small potatoes. A snatch and grab here and there, a few car thefts, but the bills kept piling up. And Michael had sworn he would do whatever it took to help his grandfather. He intended to keep that promise.

"All right, Joey, show me the place."

And with those words, his fate was sealed.

The break in had gone badly. Joey had sworn the couple had gone on vacation. He was wrong. Joey had sworn there was no alarm system. He had also been wrong about that. Dead wrong. The owner surprised the two of them as they were searching the library for the safe, gun in hand. One shot and Joey staggered backwards into a bookcase. Galvanized into action by the shot, Michael ran toward the French windows that stretched half the length of one wall. Another shot and the glass before him shattered, pelting him with shards. Ducking his head, Michael tackled the remains of the window and found himself outside. Zigging and zagging, he managed to make it to his car without getting shot. He started it up and tore out of the driveway, but not before registering the distant sound of sirens.

He did not make it far at all. Racing over King's Bridge, the car hit an icy patch and skidded, stopping with a sickening crunch when it hit one of the guardrails. Michael staggered out of the car, his head ringing after making contact with the side window. The sirens, which had been following him all the way, now caught up to him, coming at Michael from both sides of the bridge. He had nowhere to run. He could not let himself get caught. The embarrassment of having a criminal grandson would kill Papa Sanchez. Well, he did have one option.

Quickly climbing onto the hood of his car, Michael took a quick look at the raging river below him, imagining just how cold the water would be in the middle of January. Then, before he could change his mind, he leapt. Another shot sounded and pain exploded from his left shoulder. The last thought through his mind as he hit the water was just how much getting shot really hurt. Then, just like his brother did before him a year ago, Michael sank into the river.

The first thing Michael noticed as he slowly regained consciousness was how warm he was, considering he had dived into an ice-cold river. The next thing he noticed was the crackling of a nearby fire and a small weight pressing against his chest. He cracked open one eye and came face to face with a cat, the source of the pressure on his chest, which stared right back at him. The cat was black except for its paws and a small tuft of fur on its chest. After a few seconds of staring at Michael, the cat apparently grew bored with him, because it began licking its paws, paying no further attention to him.

Michael opened his other eye and took in his surroundings. He was in a house, although calling this place a house was an overstatement. It was more of a shack. A roof made of straw, a dirt floor, and walls that looked like they were held together by sheer force of will. The furnishings were early Amish. No, the Amish were practically in the twenty-first century in comparison to this place. He was lying on a bed, albeit not a very comfortable one, and, other than the bed, there only seemed to be a table and a chair, both looking too frail to actually be of any use.

"Ah, finally awake?"

Startled by the dry, gravelly voice, Michael tried to sit up, only to lie right back down as pain shot through his shoulder. The cat barely reacted to the sudden move.

"Fortune, get off the man." The cat, obviously used to obeying the voice, jumped off the bed, then did something Michael had never seen a cat do before. Wings extended from the cat's shoulder blades and the cat glided across the room. Michael felt relieved at seeing that, since now it was obvious that he was just dreaming. The cat alit at the feet of the owner of the voice, and Michael got his first look at his host. The man had bare feet and a ragged, dirt-stained cloak, but it was when Michael got a look at his face that he was truly startled. This old man, stoop-shouldered and wrinkled, was easily the oldest person Michael had ever seen. He made Papa Sanchez look like a teenager.

The old man shuffled over to the bed. "How are we feeling today, sire?"

"We're feeling like we got shot," Michael responded.

The old man put his hand on Michael's hurt shoulder, and it was then that Michael realized his wound had been bandaged. "Yes," the old man said, "you did get shot indeed, but I must admit I've never seen a weapon that could do so much damage. Luckily, the arrow only tore through flesh."

Michael had never been in a dream where he knew it was a dream, so he decided to play along and see where this one would lead. "Who are you and where am I?"

The old man laughed, a sound even more dry and gravelly than when he spoke. "My name? Well, names are only important if there is someone around to talk to you, and my only companion is Fortune. But, since names are obviously important to you, you can call me Mordechai, just like you did the last time."

"The last time?"

"Of course, surely you don't think I would have forgotten. Although, obviously, you have."

"Sorry, must have been because of the accident. So, refresh my memory. Where am I again?"

"You are in my home in Stillwater Forest."

Michael racked his brain, but could not remember any forest by that name. It must have entered his subconscious from somewhere, though. "What state are we in?"

"State?"

"Yeah, you know, state, province, township? What do you call this place?"

"Hmph. The accident must have been worse than it seemed. This place is called Venidia."

"Never heard of it."

Mordechai frowned. "Maybe you should get some more rest."

Michael nodded. "Maybe I should." He could then wake up and find himself back home. He closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

Several hours later, Michael awoke again, only to find he was still in the shack, the winged cat was back on his chest, and his shoulder still throbbed. "Are you supposed to be able to feel pain in a dream?" he wondered aloud. The cat answered with only a single meow.

"This is no dream, my friend," Mordechai said as he stepped close to the bed. "You should well know. You asked the same thing a year ago, and came to the same realization." He offered Michael a cup and shooed the cat away. Fortune yowled once in protest, then moved away, flapping its wings.

"What are you talking about?" Michael asked, propping himself up on his good shoulder and took the cup, realizing how thirsty he was. He took a quick swallow and almost gagged. "What is that stuff?"

"It will help you heal quicker. Drink it all down."

Michael hesitated, not wishing to taste the bitter liquid again. "What did you mean when you said I asked about this a year ago? I've never been here."

Mordechai shook his head. "That must have been some injury you sustained."

Understanding dawned in Michael's eyes. "Wait. Did I tell you my name was Gabriel?"

"Of course you did," Mordechai replied, smiling. "That is still your name, isn't it?"

Michael was really beginning to wonder if this was a dream after all. But then again, wouldn't he imagine being able to find his brother again in a dream? "Actually, Mordechai, you met my twin brother. I'm Michael."

Mordechai could not have looked more surprised if he had just been told that he had grown a third eye. "A twin, you say?"

"Yes, you know. Born together, look alike." Thirst won out over revulsion, and Michael quickly downed the rest of his drink.

"I know what a twin is," Mordechai's voice was laced with a hint of anger, and Michael was immediately sorry for insulting his host's intelligence. "Twins hold a special place here in Venidia. Whenever twins are born, it is believed that the essence of good is contained in one and the essence of evil is contained in the other. Tell me, which would you consider yourself to be?"

Michael did not have to ponder that question. He knew immediately he would be considered the evil one. Gabriel had always been a model child and model brother, while Michael could barely help the one person who had always looked out for him.

"I will assume by your silence that you believe yourself to contain the essence of evil." Mordechai frowned and looked away. "What is usually done, once the parents discover which twin is the essence of evil, is the child is exiled, and usually is never heard from again. If the twin should attempt to return, it means instant death."

Michael blanched at the barbarity of what Mordechai was describing. "So, are you going to exile me or kill me?"

At this, Mordechai let out a raspy cough that vaguely sounded like laughter. "I said it is believed. I didn't say I believed it."

"Well, that's a relief. What do you believe?"

Mordechai slowly stood up and took Michael's cup from him. He headed to the table and refilled the glass from a wooden pitcher sitting on the table. He then sat down and offered Michael the cup before speaking.

"What I'm about to tell you would be considered heresy by some and lunacy by others. I believe that all of us, twins included, have both the essence of good and evil within us. I do not believe that twins are two halves of the same person. I believe them to be two separate individuals, capable of doing both right and wrong. Tell me, have you ever done any good deeds?"

"Well, yeah, of course,"

"Would you say you're evil then?"

"I suppose I couldn't say that. Although, I can say that if evil had a taste, this drink would be it."

Mordechai laughed again. "And have you done any bad deeds?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"See? We are all capable of great good, but we are also capable of great evil. They will tell you as long as your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, you are guaranteed a place in the afterlife."

"Sounds reasonable," Michael replied.

"But who judges how many good deeds and how many bad deeds you did? And what is the scale? How much good do you have to do to erase something serious, such as killing someone?"

"Look, Mordechai, not to be rude, but this is beginning to sound like one of the talks I get from the local Jesus freaks in my neighborhood."

"So you've heard of Iesu?" Mordechai brightened considerably. "This is wonderful! I don't get to speak of Him to anyone, since it's against the law to speak against the religious order here."

"No, wait, you've got the wrong idea. I'm not a Christian. I don't believe in all that stuff. It's just fairy tales."

Mordechai stiffened and the smile quickly disappeared. "Ah," was all he said.

Michael sensed a change in subject was needed. "So tell me more about twins."

Mordechai remained silent for a moment before finally speaking again. "People believe that twins are one man split in half, each half having either a good or evil nature. I would suggest, especially since you believe you are the evil half, that you tell no one you are a twin." Before Michael could respond, Mordechai took the cup again, set it on the table by the pitcher, and walked out of the shack. Michael sighed and lay back down. Within a couple of minutes, he was sound asleep again.

When Michael awoke for the third time in the shack, sunlight was streaming in through the window, and he began considering the possibility that this was indeed no dream. If that were true, then that meant that instead of waking up soon on the bank of the river he had jumped into, he would remain here, wherever here was. He had never heard of Venidia, and he was beginning to have a sneaking suspicion that he was no longer on Earth.

"That's ridiculous," he muttered. "It's more likely I ended up somewhere downriver and got saved by a crazy kook who thinks he's in another world." Satisfied with his assessment of the situation, Michael sat up.

The shoulder did not hurt at all much to Michael's surprise. "That must have been some drink he gave me." Staggering to his feet, Michael made his way to the ramshackle door that looked as if a light breeze could blow it right off. He slowly opened it and got his first look at his surroundings.

The view was incredible. He was in the middle of a clearing that extended about one hundred feet in every direction. Beyond the clearing, there were innumerable trees, with foliage greener than Michael had ever seen. "This can't be right," he said as he slowly spun around. "It's supposed to be the middle of winter."

"Not around here it isn't, Michael," Mordechai said, appearing as if from thin air. It's a beautiful summer day."

"I really am not home," Michael said, turning to face Mordechai. "Listen, I need to get back home. I have a sick grandfather I have to take care of, and I need to get back to him."

"Well, where is home?"

"New York. Ever hear of it?"

Mordechai slowly shook his head back and forth. "It does not sound familiar to me at all. But then, I don't know much of what is around here. I tend to stay in the forest most of the time."

"Well, where did you find me? Can you take me there?"

"That I can do." Mordechai whistled once and Fortune flew into the clearing, landing on Mordechai's shoulder.

"I meant to ask earlier, but what is that?"

"Fortune here is an alicat. Have you never seen one before?"

"I've seen alley cats before. But they've never had wings."

Mordechai spoke to Fortune in a low whisper. Fortune flapped its wings and hovered before Michael. "I've asked Fortune to show you. He can take you there much quicker than I can."

"Thank you, Mordechai. For everything."

"You are welcome, Michael. And who knows, maybe our paths might cross again."

"Maybe. Good bye."

Fortune must have sensed the finality of their exchange because, no sooner than Michael had said good-bye, Fortune was already on the move. Michael was amazed at the speed the cat displayed, as well as its agility weaving in and out of trees. But Fortune never got too far ahead of Michael, and he was able to keep up easily.

"This is the place?" All Michael got in return for his question was a blank stare from Fortune. Even that was short lived as the alicat began to groom itself, leaving Michael to contemplate his surroundings on his own.

He was standing on the bank of a sizeable lake and could only barely make out the opposite side. The water was calm and blue, looking almost like a sheet of glass, save for the occasional ripple. "So, did I float down into the lake from somewhere else? Maybe a river somewhere nearby?" Neither the lake nor Fortune were talking, leaving Michael's entrance into this world a mystery to him. "This is no good at all," he said, sighing, and sat down, cross-legged, and stared across the water. He did not know what he was going to do. How was he supposed to help his grandfather if he did not even know how to get back? Was there even a way back? Maybe this place was entrance only. After all, according to Mordechai, Gabriel had arrived here a year ago, but he never made it back. Wouldn't he have tried to get back? Maybe the only thing for him to do was to find Gabriel and get his help. "Not that that's going to be any easier. If Mordechai's right, the last thing I want to be doing is asking people if they've seen my twin. Maybe I'll just -"

Michael's musings were interrupted by a shrill scream coming from the woods to his left. Without thinking, Michael stood up and headed in the direction of the cry.

He stepped into another clearing and stopped short at the sight before him. Dressed in a white robe was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Surrounding her, though, were three shadowy figures, so dark Michael was not sure if they were just shadows or tricks of his imagination. The look of fear on the woman's face verified the figures were no trick but were really threatening her. He looked around him for a weapon, anything he could use against the shadows, but the only thing he could find that was of use was a tree branch. It had some good heft to it and Michael, who had played a little baseball in high school, was pretty sure he could use it for some power swings.

"Get away from her," he yelled, charging the closest one, swinging for its midsection. The three turned to face him, and Michael was shocked anew to see that they had no discernible features except for blood red eyes. And while they were humanlike in shape, it was there that the similarities ended.

Michael's blow connected, and it felt as though he had hit a telephone pole, but the creature was sent sailing away by the branch. The other two began circling Michael, kept at bay by the branch. When they reached opposite ends, they both lunged at him simultaneously. He turned to face the one on his left, leaving his rear unprotected. He figured if he could take two of them out, maybe she could escape the third more easily. He swung his branch, only to discover yet another surprise - the branch whizzed through the figure as if he weren't even there. The blow Michael expected to receive from behind him never came either. Instead, he heard a yowl and a guttural roar. Keeping one eye on the figure before him, he saw that Fortune had joined the battle and raked its claws across the figure's chest. Black ichor, which Michael could only assume was the creature's lifeblood, oozed out of the wounds.

Though wounded, the creature had still managed to get a hold of Fortune by the neck. Michael had to act quickly or it would break the alicat's neck. He swung again at the one in front of him, needing it to keep its distance for just a moment, and he followed through his swing, spinning around and connecting with the other creature's forearm. The creature roared again but was unable to keep a hold of Fortune, who broke free, but not before inflicting a few more scratches on its captor. Obviously deciding that discretion really was the better part of valor, the creature turned and ran into the woods, quickly blending in with the natural shadows. The third creature, seeing itself suddenly outnumbered, ran away as well, leaving only Michael, Fortune, and the woman in the clearing. Michael turned to face her and was left breathless and speechless by her beauty. If she had been from back home, he would have guessed her to be Greek, her olive skin complemented by her jet-black hair. Both features were made even more pronounced by the pure white robe she wore. Upon closer inspection, though, he realized the robe was not as pure white as it had seemed. It had collected the dust of many roads along the way.

"Thank you for saving my life," the woman said, breaking Michael out of his spell and freeing his tongue to speak. "To both you and your brave friend."

"You're welcome, but the cat's not mine. I was just borrowing him for a while."

She laughed at that, a laugh that was both musical and childlike. "Nobody borrows an alicat," she said. "It never leaves its master's side."

"Well, this one did. It was just leading me to find something, and then it was going to go back to its master."

She just shook her head and smiled. "My name's Ivania."

"I'm Michael." Fortune, who was standing at Michael's side, chose that moment to meow. "Oh, and this is Fortune. So, what are you doing out here?"

"I came to speak with Mordechai."

"That's who the cat belongs to," Michael said. "He should be able to lead us back." Turning to Fortune, he said, "Can you lead us to your master?"

Fortune licked a paw and showed no interest in doing anything at all, much less leading them to Mordechai.

"I told you," Ivania said, smiling. "You are his new master. That's why he's not moving. Ask him to take you to Mordechai instead.

Michael shrugged his shoulders and, certain that it would be a waste of time, bent down and spoke to Fortune again. "Can you take us to Mordechai's place?"

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the alicat had taken wing and began flying away. Michael and Ivania followed and, within moments, found themselves at the clearing with Mordechai's shack.

Michael stepped up to the door and was about to knock when he noticed the note with his name wedged by the door handle. He took it and opened it up, only to find six words scrawled on there.

"What does it say," Ivania asked as she moved up beside him."

"It says, 'Take care of both of them.'" Michael turned the note around, hoping for some further clues, or maybe a map to where Mordechai was going, but other than those six words and his name, the sheet was blank.

"That doesn't make sense," Ivania said. "How did he even know I was coming or that you and I would meet?"

"Wait, are you telling me that he wasn't even expecting you?"

"Well, obviously he was," she said, pointing to the note.

"Obviously." The two looked at each other for a moment, then Michael asked, "What were you coming to see him about?"

"I'll tell you all about it, but do you mind if we sit down somewhere? I've been traveling for some time."

"Oh, of course. How rude of me." Michael tried the doorknob and found it turned easily. Within moments, they were both comfortably sitting inside.

"So what was your business with Mordechai?"

"Those creatures you saw attacking me. Those are my business with him."

"What were those things, anyway?"

"They're called Shadowspawn. As you saw, they are able to become intangible at will. You also saw their sharp claws and teeth, with which they can tear apart any living creature. What you did not see was their ability to possess an individual, actually enter a person's body, invade his thoughts and dreams."

Any lingering doubts about whether this was Earth had disappeared when he saw those things, and hearing what they were capable of sent shivers up his spine. "How many of them are there?"

"People tell stories of there being thousands, hundreds of thousands to the north in the Frozen Wastes. But here, there used to be no trace of them. Lately, though, more and more have been appearing. I was sent by the Queen to enlist Mordechai's help."

"Really?" Michael tried to stifle a laugh but failed. "He's a frail old man, barely able to stand up on his own. How could he help against those things?"

"I don't know. All I know is that she was most adamant about enlisting Mordechai's help. Do you know where he might have gone?"

Michael shook his head. "I don't even know where I am, much less where he might have gone off to."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I'm not from around here." Michael stood up and began pacing. "I'm from New York. Ever hear of it?"

"I can't say that I have," Ivania said, frowning as if trying to remember every town she had ever been to.

"Yeah, that's what I figured." He stopped pacing and faced her. "I fell off King's Bridge, into the river, and next thing I know, I'm here. Actually, according to Mordechai, I showed up on the shore of a lake not too far from here."

"That's an interesting story," she said. "But it still leaves me with the question of where to find Mordechai. Will you help me?"

Michael looked at Ivania, her eyes pleading with him to help, but he knew he could not stay. His grandfather needed his help even more. He needed to find a way back home. "I'm sorry, Ivania, I would love to help you, but I need to try to get back. I've got someone relying on me back home."

"Ah. Your mate?"

Michael laughed at the idea. He had not even come close to getting married. Most of his relationships ended after just a few months, not that he had had that many to begin with. "No, my grandfather. He's very sick and I need to take care of him."

"Oh. Well, I can understand that."

"I need to get back to that lake and figure out how to get home."

"Mind if I walk with you? Just in case those creatures return, of course."

Michael smiled. The slight reddening of her cheeks gave him the impression that safety was not her only reason for wanting to walk with him. He was flattered, but he also knew there was no point in fantasizing about a relationship with someone he would probably never see again. On the other hand, the company would be nice.

With Fortune leading the way again, Michael found himself standing at the lakeshore again after a few minutes of wandering through the forest. Again, he found himself unsure of what to do next.

"Maybe you came from underneath the lake?" Ivania suggested.

Michael was about to dismiss that possibility, but then realized there could have been some cavern or tunnel system that carried him here. He immediately realized how silly that sounded, and then just as quickly decided it was as good an idea as any. "Just in case you're right, and I don't see you again, it was nice meeting you, and I wish you luck in fighting those creatures." Turning to the alicat, he said, "I suppose you're going to need a new master with me gone, so Ivania's your new master." Fortune, who had been licking his paws, looked up at Michael briefly, then continued his grooming.

"Well, I guess this is it." Michael said, stepping into the lake. "Take care."

"You too."

The water sent chills up his spine as he stepped into the freezing lake. "Best to just get it over with," he said, dunking himself in the lake. The shock was intense, but, just as quickly, it was over, and, while the water was still intensely cold, he found it easier to move further in.

Once he could not touch bottom, he dove under. The water was clear and the sunlight streamed through the surface, illuminating the lake floor with plenty of light for Michael to see with. He swam around, hoping that if there were a series of caverns or tunnels, they would be close to where he surfaced. The lake was big enough where it would take several days at least to explore it all.

Unfortunately, it looked as if the lakebed was one solid surface from end to end, at least on this end. The fish were of interesting varieties, the likes of which Michael had never seen before. He hoped none of them were dangerous as he continued his exploration.

After about thirty minutes of swimming, he was beginning to tire, and still there was no sign of an exit at the bottom of the lake. Resigning himself to accepting there was no tunnel through the water that brought him to this place, he headed back for the shore, where he was surprised to find both Fortune and Ivania still waiting for him.

Dripping wet, he approached the pair. Ivania was petting Fortune, who was purring loudly with closed eyes, looking very contented. "I figured you would both be gone by now."

"Well, I was intending to leave," Ivania said, smiling, "since I have a long road ahead of me, but Fortune would not budge, telling me just one thing. He knew you would be back." Fortune let out a little meow, as if saying 'I told you so.'

"That doesn't explain why you're still here. You could have left Fortune behind." Michael removed his shirt, shoes and socks, choosing keeping his wet pants on over undressing completely in front of Ivania.

"Yes, I could have, but something told me that if you were indeed coming back, you would need a guide through Venidia, and I could use a bodyguard. We could both help each other."

"Are you sure that's the only reason you stayed?" Michael asked, grinning, as he wrung out the water from his shirt.

"Of course that's the only reason. What other reason could possibly compel me to wait here, bored out of my mind, while I wait for you?"

"There could be no other reason. What was I thinking even suggesting that?" Michael put on the damp shirt, which was a lot drier than it had been although it was still somewhat uncomfortable. He picked up his shoes, stuffed the socks in them, and then started walking away. Turning around, he asked, "Coming?"

"I take it that means you had no luck finding anything in the lake?" She asked, standing up.

"Nope, the bottom of that lake is as solid as can be. If I came in that way, it was a one way trip."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"Well, Mordechai told me my -" Michael stopped before saying 'twin'. "My brother is somewhere out there. He came here a year ago. Maybe if I find him, he can help me get home."

"Where is he? Do you know?" Ivania easily kept pace with Michael, who actually had to walk slower in his bare feet. His tender, bare feet. Fortune was perched on Michael's shoulder, obviously choosing to conserve his strength for the time being.

"That's the problem. I have no idea. I was hoping to ask Mordechai, but he obviously had other places to be. Which leads to the question of how I will find someone who's had a year head start on me?"

"That does sound like a challenge. But you never know what can happen."

"Any idea on where to go to next?" Michael asked, stopping to put his shoes back on. As bad as it would be walking in damp shoes, it would still be better than hobbling around. He was immediately able to pick up the pace.

"Actually, yes, I do have an idea. The Queen gave me the name of someone else she wanted me to speak to. Huldan has a keep to the west of here. He has a sizeable army, and he would be a great ally to help fight against the Shadowspawn. I was supposed to ask Mordechai to go there with me, but I guess you'll do."

The smile on her face as she spoke the last part belied the tone of her voice. Michael returned the smile. "Hey, if it weren't for me, you wouldn't even have the pleasure of walking anywhere right now."

Ivania sobered, and Michael imagined she was picturing the possible consequences if he and Fortune had not been there. "I am grateful to you for that rescue. I owe you my life, and I will do what I can to repay that debt. I will help you get home or find your brother."

"Thank you," Michael said, and the two fell into a comfortable silence.

As they walked through the forest, the two shared stories of their respective homes. Ivania told Michael of how there was a great civil war between the Shadowspawn and humans hundreds of years ago. Both sides were suffering great casualties until they finally came to an agreement. The land was divided between the two of them. The land west of the Dragonspine Mountains would belong to the Shadowspawn. That suited them fine. The harsh cold and short days were perfect for them. Everything east of the Dragonspine would belong to the humans. That worked well for centuries, until the Shadowspawn became a distant memory, a boogeyman that mothers would use to scare their children into behaving. Then, about a year ago, a Shadowspawn was sighted. At first, the sightings were believed to be nothing more than rumors, but as the appearances increased, people began to worry that it was a precursor to an invasion.

"What I don't understand," Michael asked Ivania, "is why did your Queen send you instead of someone who could take care of himself?"

In answer to his question, Ivania reached into her robe and pulled out a knife. Without even turning her head, she flung it to her right, into some thick bushes. Fortune jumped off Michael's shoulder and followed the knife. He reappeared with a rabbit between his teeth. Ivania's knife protruded from the rabbit's belly."

"Just in case you think I can't take care of myself. The incident with the Shadowspawn startled me, because I had never seen a Shadowspawn with my own eyes, and I had not been expecting them."

Michael threw his hands up in front of him in mock surrender. "I will never question your abilities again," he said, smiling.

"Apology accepted. Now, how about cooking up that rabbit for us for dinner?"

Michael, who had never eaten anything too exotic in his life, was amazed at how good rabbit tasted. Of course, not having had any solid food for at least a full day could have been coloring his opinion of dinner. Sitting back, enjoying the campfire, and his fully dry clothes, he looked up at the night sky and found himself unable to recognize any of the familiar constellations he had grown up learning. Wherever he was, it was definitely not Earth.

"So, tell me more about yourself." Ivania said.

"What else is there to say?" Michael replied, shifting his gaze to her. She looked even more beautiful in the flickering light of the campfire. She was staring into the flames, her eyes twinkling as they reflected the light. Recovering from his distraction, he continued. "My brother and I were abandoned. My grandfather raised us like we were his own, then Gabriel disappeared, and now I've abandoned the only person who has ever really cared about me."

"I'm sure he will be fine." She looked directly at him, and for that moment, Michael really believed that Papa Sanchez would be all right.

"How much further is this keep?" Michael asked, struggling to keep up with Ivania.

"It's about another day's walk. Right at the base of those mountains."

They had emerged from the forest earlier that day, and Michael was surprised at the size of the mountains before him. Dragonspine indeed. But that was one big dragon. If the forest had not been so thick, and the trees so tall, he would have seen the mountains much sooner. But when he had gotten his first glimpse of the mountains, it took his breath away. As a New York native, the only place he had ever seen mountains before was on TV or in pictures. To be facing them was amazing. To actually set foot on them in about a day was even more amazing.

"Keep a lookout for Shadowspawn, Michael. The closer we get to the Dragonspine, the more likely we will run into some."

"I'll be ready."

In spite of Ivania's warning, the trip to the mountains was uneventful. They made camp that evening, and Ivania informed Michael that by midday of the next day they would be standing at the doors to Huldan's Keep.

By midday, they were indeed facing two gargantuan doors set against a stone wall. The stone wall stretched between two mountain faces, making the front of the keep nigh-impenetrable.

"What be your business here?" a voice called from the other side of the wall.

"I'm here on Queen's business, sir," Ivania called back. "I wish to speak to Huldan."

"And who are you?"

"My name is Ivania, and my bodyguard is Michael. As I said, Queen Endra has sent me to speak to Huldan."

Silence was her only response. She and Michael stood there for several moments, and Michael wondered what to do next. After what seemed ages, he turned to her and said, "I guess we're not invi-"

Before Michael could finish, the doors emitted a groaning sound and began swinging outward. "Never mind," he said.

"Follow me," the same voice who had spoken to them from over the wall was speaking to them now, and Michael was able to see who the voice belonged to.

To say that the man was physically fit would be an understatement. He looked like he could crush Michael by using merely two fingers. Shoulder length blond hair gleamed in the sun as brightly as the sword that hung at his side. Michael decided immediately that he would do whatever this man wanted, and he would do it as quickly as possible.

The soldier, at least Michael assumed that was what he was, led them through a series of winding roads in the small town that was comfortably nestled between the two mountain peaks. The only impressions he could get from the town were the hustle and bustle and the noise. If it had not been for the medieval architecture, Michael could have easily imagined himself walking down Fifth Avenue in New York.

After a few minutes of traveling through the cacophony, the group found themselves on a road that led to a small castle. "Huldan's place, I'm assuming," Michael whispered to Ivania.

"That would be a good assumption," she replied.

As the castle loomed larger before them the closer they got, Michael's awe grew in proportion. The stones for the wall were about three feet high apiece and as wide as a horse. Michael could not even imagine the effort it would have taken to lug a stone that sizeable around, much less to raise it about a hundred feet in the air, which was about how high the wall was. The double doors which stood between them and the inside were dark wood and three stories tall, reinforced with iron slats.

"Wait here," the soldier said, pounding on the door with the hilt of his sword. One of the doors swung ponderously open, and the soldier disappeared inside. As soon as the soldier disappeared inside, the door shut behind him, leaving Michael and Ivania to silently contemplate their surroundings. Of course, Michael was not much into silently contemplating anything.

"This is amazing," he remarked. I have never seen anything like this. Even my trip to the Empire State Building didn't fill me with such.such." Michael trailed off, not even sure what the proper word would be.

"Wonder?" Ivania said.

"Yes, wonder, that's it. I mean, the Empire State Building is over a hundred stories tall -"

Ivania interrupted with a sharp laugh. "A hundred stories? That's not possible."

"Yeah, people back in New York would say the same thing about a flying cat." Fortune made a sound that could have been interpreted as indignation, had it come out of a human throat. "Anyway," Michael continued, choosing to ignore Fortune, "in spite of the size of our skyscrapers, it's still all normal sized. This here is like a giant's house."

Realizing where he was, he asked, "Huldan's not a giant, is he?"

Ivania laughed again. "Not unless you judge him by his appetite."

At that moment, the doors swung open again, and this time a large, bearded man stood on the other side. A very large man. "Is it safe to assume that's Huldan?" he whispered to Ivania.

In response to Michael, Ivania stepped forward and gave the large man a hug, getting entirely lost within his arms as he embraced her in return.

"Ivania!" he boomed in a voice as large as his frame. "It is so good to see you again. It has been ages since you paid your Uncle Huldan a visit."

"Uncle?" Michael whispered as Ivania stepped back from Huldan.

"It's a term of endearment," she replied. "Huldan, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. His name is Michael."

"Any friend of Ivania's is a friend of mine," Huldan said, reaching out to shake Michael's hand, which disappeared into Huldan's massive fingers.

"Nice to meet you, Huldan."

"But where are my manners? Come, join me for lunch." Huldan turned and walked down the corridor. Michael, Ivania and Fortune followed. Michael continued to be amazed as he saw the artwork and the decorations along the walls, as well as the size of the rooms that they passed. His apartment could have fit into any of them three times over and still left room for his bathroom.

When they entered the dining room, a colossal table filled with enough food to feed a small town for a month confronted them. Some of the items on the table were easily recognizable, some he could make educated guesses about, and some he really did not want to know the contents of.

"Sit, make yourselves at home," Huldan said, and they complied. Fortune curled up at the foot of Michael's chair, and Ivania sat to his right. No sooner had they situated themselves than a fleet of servants entered the room. Each grabbed a plate from the pile and passed around the table, dispensing portions to each of them, Huldan's being twice as much as anyone else's.

"It is good to see you again, Ivania," Huldan said, speaking between bites. "How long has it been?"

"Two years, if I remember correctly," Ivania answered, picking at her food.

"And what have you been up to in that time, my dear?"

"Working for the Queen."

"Of course. And are you still training?"

"Every chance I can."

Huldan turned to Michael. "Have you seen her with a knife?"

"Actually," Michael said, just before putting a piece of what he believed to be chicken in his mouth, "I did get the opportunity. She is definitely amazing."

"I taught her everything she knows."

Michael choked and spit out the piece of meat that was definitely not chicken. Coughing, he grabbed the glass in front of him and took a drink. Instead of helping ease his cough, it strengthened it. Michael had drunk some hard liquor before, but this was like drinking liquid fire. "I can believe that," he finally said once he managed to catch his breath again.

"So," Huldan asked, turning his attention to Ivania again, "what brings you to my home this time, Ivania?"

"We need your help."

"Well, you know I will do anything for you that I can."

"The Queen would like to know if you will ally with her against the Shadowspawn."

Now it was Huldan's turn to choke. But Michael realized after a moment that Huldan was choking with laughter. Regaining his composure, Huldan said, "You want me to help Endra fight some fairy tale creatures?" At that, he broke into laughter again.

"They're no fairy tale, Huldan." Ivania said in reply. "If you've been paying attention to what's going on in the world, you know that there have been several appearances of them on our side of the Spine."

"My dear, they are usually the hallucinations of some drunk fool who happens to catch his own shadow in a mirror and believes it's coming after him."

Ivania said nothing and silence gradually fell as Huldan's laughs faded into chuckles and eventually even those disappeared. Once the room was completely silent, Ivania asked, "Do you consider me a drunk fool, Huldan?"

"Of course not. But you're not going to tell me -"

"I saw three of them on my way to Mordechai's. If not for Michael, I would not even be here telling you about them."

Huldan remained silent a moment longer before facing Michael. "Is this true?"

Michael nodded.

"If this is true," Huldan began, then stopped, falling silent again. "You are absolutely sure these were Shadowspawn you saw?"

"Actually, I'm not sure what they were. I've never seen them before. I just know they were dark and nasty looking, with red eyes and sharp claws. They also could become intangible at will."

Huldan closed his eyes. "Those are definitely Shadowspawn you're describing. This can not be a good thing."

Both Michael and Ivania waited in silence as Huldan, eyes closed, tilted his head back. Finally, after a silence that was quickly on the verge of growing uncomfortable, Huldan opened his eyes and looked directly at Ivania.

"I'm sorry, my dear. As much as it pains me to deny you anything, I can not help the Queen."

Ivania had obviously not been expecting that reply judging by the look of amazement that graced her features. "I - I don't understand," she said.

"Vania, if the Shadowspawn truly are looking to invade us, where will they be coming first? The villages and towns by the Dragonspine." He asked and answered his own question. "I can not leave this place defenseless. I need my men to stay right here and protect the people here. My people."

"But if we take the battle to them, we won't have to wait to find out where they will attack first."

"The Queen is wanting us to cross over and invade them?" Huldan roared and smashed a huge fist on the table, shaking the plates and knocking over Michael's glass, spilling what liquid fire he had left in it. Michael was not sad to see it spill, but he was amazed to find it did not immediately eat through the table. "She has lost what little mind she has left. If we cross the Spine, we will be in their territory, where they have the advantage, both in numbers and terrain. It would be suicide, and it will be a suicide I will have no part in." Huldan rose from the table. "Please continue to enjoy your meal and my hospitality, but I'm afraid you will be heading back to your Queen without me or my army." He turned around one last time at the doorway. "I would also suggest you speak to Endra and try to talk her out of her foolish notions before she gets someone killed. Or before she gets a lot of someones killed. It was a pleasure seeing you again, Vania. I hope it won't be another two years before the next time I see you."

"It won't be, Huldan. And thank you." Huldan nodded and walked away.

"Well," Ivania said to Michael, "that could have gone better."