I got up and stumbled from that suffocating room, knocking over a stool. I was not going to eat with this man. There was something wild and savage about him. He was an explosion waiting to happen, an untamed beast. I saw a storm in his eyes, and I did not want another storm. I felt my migraine coming on again and the pounding from that stupid pressure against my temple.

I passed through the doorway and out to the relief of the twilight. I sucked in the night air.

Suddenly I felt roiling pain in my belly and dropped to my knees, holding my upper stomach and lower chest. It expanded and contracted. Something awful pulsated within me. What was it?

Frodo growled, backing away from me, then barked at whatever was lurking beneath my skin.

I sat there on the road, frightened into speechlessness, watching my skin undulate. I tried to cry out but couldn’t make a sound.

I heard footsteps on the road, running toward me, then a familiar voice.

“Nick, are you all right?”

“Joshua!”

5

THE IRON-MUSCLED TRAVELER smiled broadly, pulled me up, and slapped me on the back like an old marine buddy.

“It’s great to see you,” I told him. Already Joshua’s presence—or was it his touch?—quieted my pain and stilled my quivering skin.

“Who’s your friend?” he asked, pointing at the dog. “Frodo.”

The two eyed each other suspiciously. I laughed.

I looked at Joshua, eager to ask something I’d regretted not asking him before. “You spoke of Skia. What is it?”

“A name for this world,” he said. “It goes by other names as well.”

“Like Thuros?”

He nodded. “I prefer Skia. How are things on the road you’ve chosen?”

“Well, I linked up with other travelers … for a while.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah—just long enough to know their destination’s not for me. I want to press forward, but I’m not so sure about the red road. I’d like to check out some other options.”

“Wise words, friend.”

He swept his strong arm across the view spreading before us under the two moons in the twilight. “Nick, I’d be happy to serve as your guide to Skia.”

“Would you?” I asked.

“No!” A raspy voice came from behind us like a tossed brick. I groaned as I turned and looked at the white-haired man with pachydermic skin.

“Don’t listen to him,” Shadrach commanded.

“Spying on me, old codger?”

“Nick will be fine,” Joshua said gently, putting his great hand on my shoulder. “And he can choose for himself. It’s not for you or me to impose our wills on him.”

Stooped like an old tree under winter snow and pointing his bony finger, Shad asked me, “What do you choose?”

“I’m going with Joshua,” I told him. “I’ve seen enough of your road.”