Of course Sean knew he would not wait for his family to accompany him on his journey. As soon as Borit realized he was gone, surely the soldier would hunt him.

'They will never be safe with me', he realized sadly.

After a few hours' sleep, Sean rose and packed his bag. He touched the necklace around his neck, debating if he should leave it behind. 'I'll keep it for now and return it one day. It will be a happy reunion.' His smile was bittersweet as he envisioned the scene.

'Back to work.' Sean reluctantly put on his belt and cloak and placed the last provisions into his sack. He headed to the door of his small cabin and paused. The woodsmoke smell was very strong. His parents must still be up talking. "Goodbye," he whispered, wishing he could say it in person. He wouldn't even look the way of the main house. It would be too painful.

He prepared to open the door and run into the night when suddenly every sense inside him tingled. Something was wrong.

Shoving open the door, a bright yellow, red and orange light caused him to shield his eyes. It took him a moment to process what he was seeing.

The main house was on fire! Not only that, the other houses in the village were all lit up like braziers in the night. Sean didn't have time to think.

He threw his pack to one side and rushed to the front of the house. The young man pushed open the door and was blown back by the ferocity of the flames.

The main bedroom was already engulfed, and hungry flames were quickly heading toward Haven's nursery. Sean ran to the small bed and saw Haven sitting up and staring at him, eyes wide. She clutched her doll and cried out to him. Lifting her out of the crib, Sean wrapped his cloak around them both. Under the folds of the garment, the heat of the flames was easily bearable.

'Another impressive trick,' but Sean did not have time to dwell on it. They exited the house, and the brother placed his small sister safely on the cold grassy earth.

"Stay here," he told her, and turned back to the house. Before he could take a step, the roof over the main bedroom collapsed in on itself. Sean cried out in horror. "No!!!"

The young man rushed toward the house, thrusting himself back into the flames. The air was thick and Sean struggled to breathe. He squinted against the smoke; it was overwhelming. The cloaked figure tried to call out, but he choked instead. It was no use. Looking desperately toward the door to his parents bedroom, Sean saw it was completely blocked by the inferno. He reached out his hand to try to move one of the fallen beams, only to yank back his arm. Outside the cloak, the hair on his arms immediately singed.

The ceiling of the living space groaned. It threatened to collapse also, and Sean headed its warning. He turned and ran. The roof came crashing down as he leapt from the doorway, sparks covering him as he landed face down on the frigid ground.

Sean stood to try to find another way in, then he heard voices behind him. He turned to look hoping it was help, but his hope quickly turned to fear and rage.

Borit stood between him and baby Haven. A torch was in the lieutenant's hand. His smile was wicked as he held up the fiery branch in threat. Two other soldiers emerged from the village and joined the lieutenant. They walked right past Haven in the grass, nearly stepping on her in their deadly quest. They were so focused on him, it seemed that they had not seen the child.

Sean's hood slid off as he stood, and the lieutenant and he locked eyes.

"He's the one who caused this. Get him!" Borit pointed. Knowing the truth didn't stop the soldiers. They were just as wicked and twisted as their leader.

The men formed a circle around their captive, swords drawn, and slowly tightened the noose. Sean waited, drawing them as close as he dared. At the last moment, he drew a hunting knife and threw it at the closest soldier to his left. The soldier had not expected the move, and grabbed his calf as he crumpled to the ground. Sean somersaulted to his left out of the circle and made a mad dash for Haven. Whatever happened, he needed to save her.

Borit had not predicted that he would put up a fight. Last time the boy hadn't fought back, so he was unprepared for this display of force.

Recovering himself, the lieutenant called out to his uninjured comrade, and they quickly pursued. Sean scooped up Haven and her doll, barely missing a sword swing over his head by Borit.

The lieutenant's lunge bought Sean precious time and allowed him to gain two or three lengths ahead of his pursuers. He made his way to the river, hoping that the small crossing raft was on the nearer shore. Since a bridge had been built a short way up river a few years prior, the raft was seldom used and all but forgotten. 'Please be there,' came his silent plea.

As he left the fiery pyres behind, the darkness of the hills worked to Sean's advantage. His acute sight helped him maneuver easily, while the two soldiers tripped through the dense grass and brush, their torches only casting a dim ring of light around them.

At last, the river was in sight. The raft was pulled up on the near shore while the water's edge slapped against the side. Sean pushed to get extra distance between himself and the soldiers as he neared the shore. The cloaked figure had no idea that he could move with such blinding speed.

The water was fast and the river moderately wide. As this was the narrowest section for a day's ride in either direction, the water pushed against the banks fiercely as it made its downhill trek. Sean set Haven on the center of the raft and pushed it into the water, wading a few steps into the current. With a last push, he jumped aboard and grabbed the pole to direct the raft into the swiftest current.

The long pole pushed along the river's muddy bottom as Sean quickly charted his course. Without warning, the raft tipped and lurched to one side. Releasing the pole, Sean dove toward Haven to keep her from falling. When he was sure she was safe, he turned his head to see what had become of the pole.

Sean's heart raced as he saw Borit looming over him. With his sword in both hands lifted high in the air, Borit had nothing but murder in his eyes.

Gathering Haven up in his arms, Sean rolled quickly to one side as the deadly blow sliced through the air and bit into the thick logs of the deck. Having lost his torch in the jump, Borit was nearly blind in the darkness. Now his killing strike had missed, and the lieutenant could only grope and thin at the hilt of his sword to free it from the wooden embrace.

On the front side of the raft, Sean shielded Haven with his body. He looked toward shore and realized he had done too good a job; they were moving swiftly in midstream. Not being a strong swimmer, Sean knew trying to swim with a baby in one arm and all of the gear around his waist would be futile.

Still, staying aboard did not have much better prospects. 'I have to fight.' With grim determination, Sean held Haven in one arm and drew a knife from his belt with the other. Crouching low, he waited for his enemy's next move.

The wind hissed past them and the water picked up speed. They were heading into rapids. Bracing himself, Sean leaned forward toward the center of the craft. A loud crash rent the air as the raft struck a wading boulder.

The boat spun wildly, nearly dislodging all of its occupants. Borit was thrown to one side, finally recapturing his sword from the wood. The lieutenant stood again, his balance tenuous as he loomed over his targets. Sean pulled backed to use his dagger when he felt a presence behind him coming up quickly. Instinctively, he dropped flat to the deck and held Haven firmly against the boards. Borit had only a split second to be confused before a huge hand-like branch of an ancient tree scooped him off his footing and held him firm. Sean watched with relief as the soldier and his curses faded upriver.

But there was no time to rejoice as the raft collided with another half-submerged stone. The pole from the raft long gone, Sean dug the dagger deep into the wood of the raft and clung desperately to both the dagger and child as they pitched and rolled.

One of the logs, done with its part in the journey, slipped from its cords and drifted away. Haven screamed. She was soaked, scared, and ready to be off this not-so-merry-go-round.

A third rock, perhaps feeling sorry for their plight, bumped them, which finally stopped the spin and set them to right. The river suddenly calmed. Sean heaved a huge sigh.

'I never want to do this again.' He gathered himself and took stock of the situation. They had no pole, so he could not steer. This also meant they could not easily get to shore.

Swimming was still out, because even though the river had slowed and widened, it was likely still deep. Sean hated being in the water, and he could not guarantee that panic would not set in. Even if they did get off, Sean was not sure on which shore Borit would be. The tree that took him was so large--impossibly large--that it could have come from either bank. If he chose wrong, Borit could be there waiting to finish the job. There was only one thing to do: wait and hope the river would be kind until morning. He sat and pulled his knees to a crisscross and gently lay Haven in his lap.

"I'm sorry sister, but it looks like a water bed for you tonight. Don't worry. I will watch over you."

As if she understood him perfectly, Haven curled up like a kitten and settled quickly. Once her breathing fell into a quiet rhythm, Sean scoured the banks for any signs of movement.

He realized after a while that although his boots and uncovered sleeves were soaked through, his cloak was remarkably dry and warm against the frosty winter air. He wrapped the cloth tighter and tucked it around the edges of Haven's tiny frame. The river, now having worked out all its angst, lapped quietly on the sides of the raft creating a slow and mesmerizing rhythm.

Hours passed.

Finally, unable to fight any longer, Sean fell asleep.