The party head east in a desperate attempt to reach the relative safety of the Grandwood Forest. Yakan's parting words are to warn them of the emperor's most feared huntsman, Morven. He has a fearsome reputation and they soon feel his presence with their heightened senses. Before long they actually confront Morven, who cunningly disguised himself as Aliodan (Curevar's brother) to win their confidence. His imperious and arrogant nature irritate them immensely. He taunts them and suggests that this is going to be a game for him.

Before they can attack he is gone. Upon reaching the Grandwood they realise that Dismet's rapidly growing foetus is spiralling out of control. The cells are dividing insanely and her stomach swells. She is aware that it will be a multiple birth. Several brief scuffles with Morven's henchmen lead them all to a secluded hut in the heart of the forest. A lone man called Chalas lives there. A close inspection of the hut's interior reveals a large vat of raw souls, harvested and maintained by the rather curious man. His sorcery is great, yet there is an obsession about him that worries the group. The continuing assault by Morven's henchmen is easily fended off, yet they are aware that a killer is abroad. This killer is so efficient that they begin to find corpses dangling from trees or cut down with no tracks to be seen.

Eventually they killer approaches the party. He calls himself Yal Hedana and Dismet is aware that this man is the brother of Loramas. He explains that he is responsible for the peculiar work being carried out by Chalas. He inspects Dismet and her growing womb. He tells her that she is in danger and that this vat of souls has been prepared especially for her to ensure the continuing success of the Bloodlines. Dismet agrees to trust Yal Hedana and she spends a night in the great vat. Yal Hedana realises that he has no further use for Chalas so kills him swiftly and dumps him into the vat.

When Dismet emerges the next morning there is but one foetus within her incredible womb. The decide to travel further into the forest and Yal Hedana leaves them. Anstran is acutely aware that Morven dogs every move they make so until he is dead there will be no true safety. As they make haste Dismet's pregnancy stabilises - yet her gestation period is somewhat accelerated.

Across a fast flowing river that bisects the Grandwood they see a flighty elven girl who shadows their every movement. Anstran can detect a vast spiritual presence across the water and senses an elven settlement. He and Hyuga decide that this may be the perfect environment for the birth of the very special child.

Hyuga catches the elven child - who is called Morrian. He gains the young girl's trust and then asks her to escort them to their leaders. The child complies and they cross the river into what they perceive to be a haven. Eventually the party reach the home of Ariamis - the leader of the Grandwood elves. There they meet a stunning elven woman called Andirion. She is a disciple of nature and greets Hyuga warmly. They both decide to let them stay until the child is born.

Anstran is aware of the great spiritual 'telepathy' he has in the home of the elves and he is able to track Morven's spirit from fifty miles away. For the first time in some months the group are able to relax in the relative safety of the elves. Even though there are only seventeen elves remaining they feel secure in their new home...

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