One moment passes in relation to all other moments when a change occurs in the thoughts of one person, a discovery of something new and exciting. Mankind usually benefits by this simple action.
There are. however, those who only seek to proceed along a path both destructive and onerous.
If a person desires to be more wicked than others then often such a person will digress toward absolute evil with no concern for any but self, at the huge cost to others, and this change becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Power, in itself, can be one of those imaginary processes which draws a man, or woman, to serve it. As though one becomes godlike through achieving the control over other people's wills, evil is a goal unto itself.
Gods do not need to consider the ramifications of power, nor its counterpart, greed; but many mortals are victims of the overwhelming desires that can come from such worship. Let us observe such a person as this, in our tale . . .
Rab'k and his men set a fast pace; he knew they needed to travel at all possible speed to intercept Garv’n's men. Garv'n's troop would have left Tariny before the messenger arrived at his door, therefore must be beyond Varspree by now. He pushed his men to travel throughout the night, resting only once just before dawn.
Afterward, they pressed onward for the rest of the day on the road. And by evening they reached a place easily guarded and set up an encampment.
Jond'r, selecting several of his men and placing them on first watch at the perimeter, walked through the camp inspecting the grounds carefully for anything unusual.
When he felt satisfied all was well, he returned to the main campfire. Rab'k was sitting there looking at the sun setting.
"Your men are doing an excellent job." Rab'k reached and pushed a log further into the fire. Jond'r had learned silence was the better course of action whenever around Rab'k. He witnessed too many harsh results for interrupting and he didn't need to bring that on himself.
"Yes, sire. I chose these men from the many who came our way. These are the best; they work hard and obey commands," Jond'r answered, not wanting to engage in conversation for very long. He needed rest after the hard day's ride.
"We're going to need good men and will find out soon enough how well you have chosen," Rab'k replied, not looking at Jond'r. He knew he was putting pressure on the captain. He wanted to see if there would be any reaction.
"Yes, sire," Jond'r said. He recognized the prodding and adhered to his decision to say as little as possible. Jond'r was assigned to Rab'k's staff by Garv’n and warned Rab'k was ruthless, but a good man when a task needed to be completed.
Jond'r now knew why Rab'k was so successful. He simply eliminated competition. Jond'r didn’t trust Rab'k but planned to make the other man trust him.
He had no idea what Rab'k's goals were, but he felt they could lead to no good.
"Do you understand what we are doing?" Rab'k asked, disturbing the Jond'r's reverie, "What we are after?"
He looked at Jond'r across the campfire with dark piercing eyes, not looking away when one of the guards walked up and stood at attention just at the edge of the firelight.
"Yes, Ar'n, what do you need?" Jond'r asked, breaking his gaze from Rab'k's. "Is there something afoot?"
"No, Captain, you asked me to report when the perimeter was covered," the soldier answered, still looking at no one, "The men are deployed and alert."
"Thank you, Ar'n, you will set watch for every four hours, rotating the men. You're dismissed," Jond'r replied, watching as the man turned and strode away.
He turned back and noticed Rab'k wasn't aware of the soldier, but was again looking at the horizon.
A curious man. And dangerous.
"We must catch Garv’n's men, those going north," Rab'k spoke, after a long pause. The sudden statement surprised Jond'r.
"They've possession of something vitally important to me. They possess the knowledge of good and evil."
Jond'r sat in amazement. He was troubled.
What could this man mean? What is this man planning?
"Sire?" he asked, his curiosity overpowering his resistance to talking with Rab'k.
"Good and evil. Garv’n has discovered the whereabouts of the Ahar'n, I believe," Rab'k spoke in low tones, once again gazing at Jond'r as though there was some great secret between them.
"But, sire, isn't that an old wife's tale," Jond'r asked, now engrossed in this great mystery Rab'k had created, "The Ahar'n, I mean. I thought myths and fairy tales would mean nothing to you."
"What!" Rab'k snapped, his attention bearing down on Jond'r, "I don't accept idiotic tales! This goes beyond mystification. There is always some truth to the myths; my people have long been led by the gods and have spoken of the Ahar'n many times. This is truth. If indeed Garv’n has discovered where it is hidden, I must get to it first."
Jond'r was quiet, not wanting to disturb Rab'k again.
His people
"We are going to find the Ahar'n," Rab'k spoke softly, more to the sky than to Jond'r. "It should be found for my people."
Jond'r wasn't certain what Rab'k meant by "my people". He generally didn't listen to gossip and had little reason to investigate Rab'k's background.
He trusted Garv’n, a good man if a bit greedy, and Garv’n had told him Rab'k was ruthless but loyal.
At this moment though, Jond'r was wondering how good a judge of men Garv’n really was.
"We should ride at dawn," Rab'k said, "have the men mounted and ready to move quickly." He rose, looked at the two moons above, and strode away toward his tent.
Jond'r, watching the man walk away, shook his head and wondered what was going to happen the next few days; he felt certain it was not going to be pleasant.
He still didn't understand, but then it was his lot to lead men and obey, not puzzle over mysteries that didn't involve him.