Im recently back from a vacation and had this image staring at me upon return. For some strange reason i kept getting a dark line through the middle of the image. I finally just photosopped it out. There are other issues with this image I have but finally decided to just post it. I hope you enjoy the story! The Distance between Shadows-A Seraphims Story. (Part 3) Hoping to lighten the mood Earnest spoke, “Ah, the Vale of the Lake. We are almost there. See on that hillside, Leading to the Iron Mountains?" Earnest Said with Pride That's The Temple of Nanaea!! And see to the north, in the valley by the lake, that’s the Lakevalle hospital, and next to it is LakeVillage known for the infamous Runic tavern, owned by Llosten a warrior of some renown. And see...over there to the west, past the town and hospital, that arch? That is the Runic Gate..." Earnest shuddered as he spoke "It's said that the Gate was put there several millennia ago by creatures of immense power. The gate itself can be used to travel great distances, or different worlds...." Earnest's enthusiasm was lost on Seraphim as he stared at the Iron Mountains. They seemed to reach up forever, With its very peaks scraping the clouds of the heavens. They stretched from one end of the horizon to the other. Starting south they came north curving westward headed to the ends of Ithildor. The lush vegetation crawled about mid-way up the mountainside, thinning only to be replaced by snow. And on the Foothills of the largest Mountain sat the Temple, A large and imposing edifice. The complex itself had to stretch for miles, Because even from this distance Seraphim could see its flags waving, and proud towers gleaming in the evening sun. “What’s' beyond the mountains?" Seraphim asked. As he casually rubbed the hilt of his sword. "Bandit Kingdoms." Replied Earnest " Originally the Temple was a fortification that was used to defend this area from raiding parties that would come across. That was centuries ago" “I have been holding out on you Earnest” The scribe stared at Seraphim perplexed. “Oh yea have now, huh?” “Yes, I knew about the temple all along. And have spoken to one of the knights, a Capt. Brealynd he gave me the invitation to come.” “So you’re to become one of the Knights? That’s a good thing!” Seraphim chuckled “That remains to be seen dear scribe.” As they made camp for the night Seraphim released Tristan to go hunting. Then he untethered his horse from the back of the cart and started brushing it. The Horse stood some 18 hands tall, and had a coat as black as midnight, with a long flowing mane and tail. Earnest walked up to it and tried to stroke its gleaming black coat. “I’ve never seen…” Suddenly the stallion snorted and lashed out almost biting his hand. Speaking softly Seraphim quieted the angry horse. “Whoa Czar, shhhh…” Looking at Earnest Seraphim warned, “ Don’t try that again, Czar is very aggressive and spirited. He doesn’t like being touched.” “What type of horse is he, I was saying that I’ve never seen that breed before.” “He is an Andalusian stallion, a very ancient race of horses’ bred in the south of Ard-Byzantium. Very temperamental, but an extremely good fighting horse. This here is Czar, he is the descendant of my fathers war-horse. We’ve been through a lot haven’t we boy?” The War-steed nuzzled his hand. “Earnest why don’t you finish making camp. I will go hunt us up something. We can stay here until tomorrow.” Walking over to the cart Seraphim grabbed a bow, and quiver of arrows. Then grabbing Czar by a lock of his mane swung on the horses bare back. “I’ll be back soon.” Scanning the horizon, Seraphim rode away from camp. His thoughts kept straying back to the conversation with the scribe. Why had he opened up? After so long a period of silence, he was surprised at his reaction. Over the past few years of wandering, he had not spoken of his life story with anyone. So why now…And why this man? As he rode Seraphim brooded upon his present actions, and his past, and old painful feelings surfaced, feelings of betrayal, rage and bitterness. And his mood darkened. Czar sensed his agitation, and started chopping at the bit. “Ah, my friend…” Seraphim chuckle as the horse jerked about, “…feel like a little exercise? ” He relaxed his grip allowing Czar head. The horse bolted, almost catching him off guard. Shifting his weight, to compensate for not having a saddle he leaned forward giving Czar his freedom. Maybe the horse had decided that he needed to run to lighten him up or something, but at this point Seraphim did not care. The scenery blurred past as he exorcised his demons. Letting out a yell of reckless abandon, he let Czar opened up to a full gallop...