I made it to my small altar just after nightfall. It was as good of a place to camp as any other. I approached the statue of Geien and with a timid hand, reached out to touch his face.

Immediately, I was overcome with a sense of warmth and love. I collapsed to the stone floor of the altar with relief and a sob on my lips.

"I thought you had abandoned me, my love." I leaned forward and kissed the base of the moss-covered statue repeatedly, a prayer on my trembling ...