The black path to the mountain started to be littered with boulders and stones. Ambar struggled to keep the wheelbarrow straight up the incline.

  It twisted in his hands and the wheel broke on the rock, the jolt hurt his arms as he used all his strength to keep it from tipping.

  “Are you alright Thalia” he asked, pulling her out

  “Umm hmmm” she replied weakly. She didn't even respond to the cart breaking.

  Amber braced himself for the journey I had, they had plenty of supplies but without the wheel barrel how is he supposed to get his sister up the mountain? He decided that he had to do the only thing he could do, he had to carry her up the mountain and leave what supplies he couldn't carry behind. “All right on my shoulders,” he said. She didn't even reply as he hefted her up.Thalia felt so light so small on his back. He stepped forward on the volcanic rock the black sand crunching under every foot as he stepped up.

  His foot slipped, and he fell forward cutting his hand on a sharp Rock. This was not going to be easy. He looked ahead and saw a dead tree he just kept his focus on the tree taking step after step, pushing himself ever harder.

  “Ambar is that you?” A familiar voice asked.

  “Gertra?” He asked. It couldn't be true.

  He beautiful face was streaked by black grime, he normally kept hair was dirty.

  “I didn't think I would ever see you again, your farm. . .” She closed her eyes.”Come on! Our wagon is just ahead!”

  He carried Thalia up past a large boulder and behind he saw them.

  So many of the people he grew up with.

  For the first time in days, Ambar finally didn't feel so alone.

  He wanted to cry, but his pride, what would Gettra think?

  “You're stronger than you look!” Rolven came and complemented him.”I'll take Thalia off your shoulders.

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  “No!” Ambar nearly yelled, then went quiet. “I'm sorry, she's all I have left.”

  Rolven looked at him “I'm sorry. You're bleeding. I never told you but my Ma used to be a healer, come let her help you.”

  “Where is she? Can she help with Thalia?” Ambar asked

  “I don't know, this way.” Rolven replied.

  Ambar felt conflicted. His rival was trying to help him! Sure they used to be friends years ago, but they were rivals! Thalia needed help though, he could see it in her.

  His neighbors had packed wagons, carts and anything else with wheels, until they fixed the canals, there wouldn't be life in the valley. Rolven led him to a covered wagon, the kind that Rivaini merchants used to travel between the city-states. Plants were hanging from the roof in small posts that clinked in the wind. The colorful wood was faded and pitted from lack of use.

  “Ma? Ma!” Rolven called out.

  Rolven's mother steps out, her dress a patchwork of floral patterns and swatches of solid color.

  “Come in come in, poor dearie”

  The inside of the wagon was aromatic, you could smell the different spices and herbs in the air. “Ambar, Thalia! It's good to see you alive! though you're in such a terrible state! Come here, come bring her to the table.

  Rolven's mother started clearing the table vases with half dead flowers, books and Scrolls she shoved off into the nearest available surface.

  “Let's take a look at her,” Rolven's mother pulled out a crystal, it had a half moon shape with a jagged edge. It was slightly glowing slightly blue from the inside. Ambar stared.

  “Have you never seen a Beal’in Stone before?” Rolven asked. They contain Magic. Amber had read about them but he never thought that he'd see them let alone that the mother of his friend would have one. She must have been much more than he thought growing up.

  “Can you give me some space, dearies?” Rolven's mother asked.

  Ambar and Rolven awkwardly stepped out of the cart.

  It had probably been the first time they'd been alone together in years.

  “Soo, your farm is gone, sorry about that.” Rolven said.

  It was just so plain, so blase, so. . .

  “Yeah” Ambar replied. What else could he say? It just was so much so overwhelming, his entire family was gone and all Rolven could say is sorry??

  “We used to be closer, if you want to be friends again, I'm here for you.” Rolven said

  Ohh, of course now he’d be there for him now that his entire family was dead. While trying to steal Gertra from him? Fat chance he'd ever rely on Rolven.

  Ambar didn't say that though.

  “Thanks” he said softly instead.

  Why was everything so overwhelming?

  “I think there's some extra quilts in the back if you want to get some sleep” Rolven offered.

  “Thanks, I want to stay close to Thalia.” Ambar replied. Everything felt cold.

  “Ok, let me know if you need anything” Rolven said.

  Then Ambar was left alone to think.

  It was a long night.

  Rolven's mother told him Thalia was going to be fine and gave him some soup.

  All he could do is just stare at the uncaring stars.

  It was just all too much.