Garv’n, during the night, had pondered this strange twist of fate that placed him in a position of pursuing Rab'k.

  Rab'k was his most favored lieutenant. Garv’n believed the man was loyal to him; it never occurred to him to think otherwise. Rab'k had obviously helped Garv’n gain a better portion of these great prairie lands. No one disputed Garv’n claim to these lands, no one contended with him about increasing these holdings while Rab'k was his liaison with the landowners.

  Garv’n had often marveled at just how successful Rab'k was. That Rab'k might now be denying allegiance to him was a great surprise.

  Why would Rab'k desire the Ahar'n? How could he have known that something like it existed?

  It never occurred to him Rab'k knew about the Ahar'n, nor that Rab'k might be nearby waiting for him.