"Very good. Very good indeed. What is your name, boy?" Dubaza smiled warmly. He liked cooperative little kids with lots of exciting new information.
"Darius." the little boy replied cautiously.
"I'm called Jane, grandpa!" the little runner girl piped in rather recklessly.
"Jane. That's a nice name! And yours?" Dubaza looked at the third boy.
"I'm Brian, sir!" the third boy shouted nervously.
"Very well, Darius, Jane and Brian. Three of you are officially my servants. Serve me well and you will be rewarded. Betray me and die. Are we clear?" Dubaza said very simply.
"Yes sir!" the three of them shouted in unison, their eyes gleaming with an emotion which they thought had died forever. Hope.
*-*-*-*-*
"It's right over there! At the foot of that mountain, near the river!" Darius pointed at a large mountain that loomed in front of them. They had entered the Forest of Tamaro an hour ago and were speeding steadily inwards.