We return to the border of the Dark Lands and all exchange looks with one another.

“Okay, Ik Nal, show us the way to the Unspeakable One’s lair.” I finally say after a long moment and I feel Ik Nal tremble on my back.

“Ik Nal is scared.” He whimpers as he slides off my back.

“Trust me, no one is excited for this.” I say.

“I am.” Sunshine says grimly and Ik Nal swallows before he takes a step into the Dark Lands.

“Wait!” A voice exclaims and a small, pale child leaps over a fallen tree and lands in front of Ik Nal.

“Whitehair is alive!” Ik Nal exclaims joyfully and the child, who’s about three and a half feet tall shushes him.

Whitehair has white skin and is wearing white robes. He has long white hair and white eyes. In fact, I’ve never seen so much white in one place.

“And what are you supposed to be?” I ask the child who glares up at me.

“My name is Whitehair the troll hunter. I’m a goblin. What are you supposed to be?”

“My name is Gole the alterna.”

The goblin, Whitehair, hugs Ik Nal and the two study each other for a moment once they pull away.

“I am grateful you have not harmed him.” Whitehair says as he pulls out a bow with an arrow on the string and points it at me.

“Or else you would be dead.”

“So, what, do you live in the Dark Lands hunting trolls all the time?” I ask and Whitehair nods.

“Yes. Ik Nal is my only friend. I was lost in the Dark Lands after my parents and I were kidnapped by trolls. I escaped thanks to Ik Nal but the trolls took my parents to the evil one. I haven’t seen them since.”

“Care to join us for some justice on the Unspeakable One?” I ask and Whitehair laughs,

“You really think you can kill her?”

“You really think I can’t?” I challenge and Whitehair is quiet.

“You come from a world with more trouble in it than ours, I can tell. Maybe you have what it takes after all.” He finally says after a moment and I smile.

“Never underestimate one who has saved her world twice.”

“You never told me you’d saved your world!”  Lightlaugh gapes and Seeker nods,

“Our quest is a bit more hopeful now.”

“Then let’s go.” Sunshine says as she steps into the Dark Lands and Ik Nal nods nervously.

“Ik Nal will show you the way to the evil one. But we will have much fighting to do, Ik Nal knows.”

“Come, dear friend. Let’s pay back the evil one for what she has done.” Whitehair says as he links arms with Ik Nal, and the two lead us into the Dark Lands.