The sun's rays broke through the thick green branches of the forest. Clouds flew across the sky on the strong winds that carried them, they could be seen through the small openings in the canopy of the forest. Diomede walked at the head of the group, with Lily and Kria behind him. Francisco followed behind as he wrote in his journal. Clayton walked at the back of the group. His eyes were sharp to any danger that would try and ambush them. He scanned the forest, seeing only birds land and fly through. Squirrels running along the forest floor chasing one another. A few rabbits pushed through the brush and retreated once they saw the group pass. Francisco closed his journal and as he put it away, he tilted his head back. "Young Clayton, what exactly is our destination called?" Clayton continued to scan their surroundings, "It's a town called Kinga. It's known for the sweet bread that they send to the capitol." Francisco produced sounds of glee and excitement. "How are the people there?" Kira asked. "They are welcoming, for the most part, normal folks going about their lives." "Will they voice any disdain for our appearance?" Francisco inquired. Clayton looked to the others in front of him, meeting the gaze of Francisco and Kira. "I don't recall any negative comments about those outside Umar's borders." "But much could have changed since I was last there." Diomede from the front of the group called back, "How long has it been since you have been back?" Everyone snapped their heads to the front to the abrupt question. "About twelve years." Clayton gave in response. Diomede stopped and turned, he looked past the rest of the group, his gaze cutting directly to Clayton. "So you don't even know what could be waiting for us when we get there do you?" He asked. Kira, Lily, and Francisco looked between the two. "No I don't, but I also haven't been given word of any change." Clayton stated. Diomede inhaled, "That doesn't mean the presence of Umar's forces hasn't increased." "I haven't been notified by any increase in presence, plus the part of the country it is located in wouldn't warrant it." Clayton replied. Lily spoke up, "Why is that?" "It's too far from the coast and sits in the middle of open flat planes, in the shadow of the only mountain for hundreds of miles." This captured Diomede's attention, "This mountain, does its peak resemble a crescent moon?" Clayton was surprised, "Yes it does." Diomede gave a small grin, "I know where we are going now, and he is right there shouldn't be anything to worry about." Diomede started walking again and the group followed behind. Kira fell back and began walking beside Clayton. "You said it's been twelve years since you were home?" Clayton nodded. She felt no signs of excitement or anxious feelings. "Do you not miss your family?" Clayton's attention rested on Kira, "Of course I do. I just never had a reason to return home." Kira's brow rose, "Not even to see your mother and father?" Clayton shook his head, "My father is the only blood family I have there, well the only family I am aware of really." "What happened to your mother?" Kira asked. "I don't know, my father is all I have ever known. He never spoke about her while I was growing up." Francisco began walking on the other side of Clayton. "So your father never remarried?" "No." Clayton replied. "He just built and ran, well still runs the roadside Inn just outside of town." Kira in a cheerful tone, "I am sure he will be glad to see you again." Clayton nodded in agreement. "It's been eight years since I saw him last, he was able to make my knighting ceremony at the grand temple." Francisco placed his hand on Clayton's shoulder, "You must have been very young when you started your Holy knight training." Clayton gave Francisco a confused look. "No not as young as the others were. I was seventeen when I went to the capitol to start at the academy." Francisco's face revealed a mixture of shock and confusion. "I decided to join when a few knights came through town and boosted about how being a Holy Knight was an honor." Clayton continued. "I felt the need to provide my services to the cause and protect Umar's people." Francisco admired what Claton had said. "I look forward to seeing your home my dear friend." Francisco sang in a musical tune. The group continued walking until the sight of the edge of the forest was within view. Diomede raised his hand, signaling the group to stop. "Wait for my call before you all venture out." The rest of the group eagerly waited. Diomede stepped out into a large field of tall grass. For miles it seemed to stretch, small hills ran up and down the field. Like waves in an ocean. Diomede stepped further out, his gaze sharp and his ears honing in on every little sound. The wind blew through the tall blades of grass, causing what looked like something moving underneath the field. Diomede felt no signs of danger, no strange presence among the grass. He turned and whistled for the others. Lily led the group with her great axe drawn. Kira followed close behind, with Francisco beside her. Clayton scanned the forest behind them to ensure they weren't followed. He left the shade of the forest and was covered in the sun's light. The four regrouped with Diomede and continued down the path through the tall grass. They walked for hours, baking in the bright sun. A cloud would pass over them casting a shadow that for a moment shielded them from the sun. As the group grew further from the sight of the forest. Now they walked in a sea of grass and hills. The sky began to grow dark and the sun rested on the horizon casting shades of orange and pink. "Seems we shall sleep under the stars tonight." Francisco spoke as he gazed up at the small sparks that were gleaming into view. The view reminded the Nesfundur of a story he had learned while sailing in the Fallen Star Islands. Until he noticed something flying overhead. "Um, young Clayton." Francisco asked in a fear-coated voice. "Do you see that?" Clayton looked to Francisco and followed his arm pointing into the ever-growing night sky. Clayton strained his eyesight and saw what looked like a giant bird. "I assume it's a large bird, don't tell me you are afraid of them." Diomede heard the pair and looked up. His senses became alert and he turned to the group. "Everyone into the grass now! Take cover and do not move!" The rest of the group burst with adrenaline rolled into the grass and lay as flat as they could. The Large bird's nose-dived toward the ground. As it drew closer its size became more apparent. It was a massive beast and covered in black fathers. Its wingspan reached the same length as an Artoseatine ship. Its talons were large enough to grab hold of two fully grown Clydesdale horses. Its head resembled an eagle that had long forked feathers curving back. The group remained still, Kira could feel everyone's heart beating in her ears. Everyone except Diomede, when she focused her gaze on him, she could feel his calmness, it helped soothe her. The massive creature circled in a wide figure eight. Scanning the ground for signs of movement and life. The force at which it swung its massive black wings pushed the grass, like a hard gust of wind. For twenty minutes it flew, until dissatisfied continued flying in the direction it was previously in. The group stayed among the grass and moved parallel to the path they were on. "What was that?" Lily asked. "A Roc." Diomede replied. "Stay down a bit longer, though it may be far now. It has the eyesight of a looking glass." Diomede stated. Clayton was overwhelmed. He had heard stories of the many different creatures that roamed the lands. But he thought them to be exaggerations, but to be faced with the real thing humbled him. The sounds of writing and scribbling on paper danced through the grass and reached Clayton's ears. Francisco was yet again writing in his journal. Moments passed and the group stood among the tall grass. "We need to keep moving." Diomede stated as he returned to the path. "Could there be more flying around?" Asked Kira. "No, they do not share hunting grounds in the warm seasons of the year." Replied Diomede while he pushed past the grass. The five moved down the path, all except Diomede kept one eye on the sky. Night had fully formed, and the light from the sun no longer pierced the horizon. The field now bathed in the moon's rays. Lily felt a pull in her mind, she searched around to see what could have caused it. A small orb of faint blue light caught her attention. It weaved through the grass. Kira noticed Lily looking out into the field, she turned to see what had held her companion's gaze. She peered out and saw nothing. "What do you see Lily?" Lily broke her gaze and faced forward. "Nothing, I was only scanning for any signs of animals, I grew tired of dried fish." Kira felt Lily was not telling the truth but also felt a sense of shame and grief. Diomede stopped and pointed out, "We will rest there." The group looked out and saw a lone tree sitting atop a hill. Its branches were covered with thick leaves, and its bark was a deep black color. Kira felt uneasy while they grew closer to the tree. Lily suddenly stopped. "We mustn't get closer to the tree." Diomede turned to her. "Why is that?" Clayton and Francisco looked to Lily for her answer. She felt their eyes resting on her. "Because there is an evil presence coming from it." Diomede turned to the tree and scanned its outline. "I see nothing nor do I feel anything coming from it." He turned to Kira, "What about you? Do you feel anything coming from the tree?" Kira walked closer and stopped beside Diomede. "The only thing I feel from the tree is an unsettling energy." Kira replied. She then turned to Lily. "If she says we shouldn't get any closer, then I think we should listen." Lily felt a small wave of appreciation. She tilted her head in thanks to Kira. "Fine, but when we get soaked in the rain that's on you." Francisco and Clayton looked up to a clear sky, not seeing a sign of any rain clouds. With a snap, Francisco remembered he had a tent in his bag. "Do not fret my dear man." Francisco tore into his bag and began pulling out large long poles. "I happened to have a royal tent from Artose I won playing a game of bones." He handed Clayton poles, "You know how to construct a tent don't you?" Clayton replied with an unamused look."Yeah, I do." Francisco continued digging, "It's too large for one person to use let alone put up by themselves, so I forgot all about it." An hour passed and before long a huge tent stood in the sea of grass. It bore the royal markings of a Duke who was in charge of the northern ports of Artose. Within it, there was enough space to hold two full-sized wagons. The group gathered under the tent and made their beds. "I'll take the first watch." Diomede stated as he stood at the entrance to the tent. The rest were fast asleep within moments. Diomede looked out over the field. His eyes rested on the tree he had pointed out. Diomede peered out to the tree. He still couldn't see anything. His eyes changed to a dark shade of orange, now he could see the tree and all its details. From the tree branches, hung corpses locked in cages that wrapped around their bodies. A shadow of shame weighed on him as his eyes returned to normal. "Well shit, guess it was a good idea not to sleep under that tree." Diomede said to himself as the evening continued.