"Well I must say Fen, that truly was quite the tale - it's certainly been a while since I've met someone as anomalous as you."
Finally allowing her penetrating gaze to fall back, Auxley stood up, brushing her greyed locks to the side.
"That being said, I really must be going. I have the horrible feeling that I'm already late for my report, and it really isn't everyday you get to make such an interesting one."
Auxley let out a smile, whilst casually drawing a runic circle on the floor - quite a complicated one at that - with a stick of powdered ether.
"Don't worry however - anything you've said today will remain between me and at most three or four people."
Fen was pretty sure he did not want to know who these three or four people were going to be.
Realisation suddenly dawning on her face, Auxley added:
"Of course, if you wish to, you can accompany me back to the centre of the capital - I'm sure there's quite a few people who you would like to meet, and likewise."
This was an offer worth considering, Fen thought. After all, the centre was the most luxurious, sleek and, although corporate, useful place to be. That being said, Fen wouldn't mind being a bit more off the governments radar for a while. He did not trust them in the slightest - he had certainly heard enough stories from the uninhabitable zones to know not to do something so naive.
'One day, when I'm a little stronger'.
"I'll have to decline your offer for now, but I'm sure it won't be long before I make my way there."
"I see - I understand not wanting to travel there right away, frankly I would do the same in your position. In that case, you should probably take this."
Auxley was holding a fairly moderately sized emblem of sorts. If Fen had to guess, it was some sort of identification, or membership.
"This'll get you into a good position in the city you're currently heading to along this path. The magistrate there is fairly stern, but a overall respectable man - and he also owes me a favour. It shouldn't take you too long to arrive there either - half a day at most, I would expect.
This was quite a blessing, frankly - Fen had been forced to leave behind whatever treasure he had gathered in the tunnel, and was currently without any kind of possession or currency.
"This will indeed be very useful if that's so - you have my thanks, Ms Auxley."
Auxley smiled yet again in response, now almost completely finished with the creation of the rune.
"Think nothing of it - after all, I owe you for taking care of that monstrosity from the cave. The least I could do is make sure you arrive to the city with a warm welcome."
Auxley straightened up, now finished with the rune, which began glowing powerfully - swiftly becoming more and more overpowering by the second.
"Well then, I suppose I'll see you around, Enlightened Fen."
A second later, she was gone, not even giving Fen the chance to exchange her farewell.
***
A few hours later, the skies began to grow darker. Fen had long decided against attempting to sleep through the night however - his hunger was becoming ever more incessant, and he had no intention of leaving himself in the open - the best option was to simply power through, hoping to reach Ferhaven as soon as possible.
There was some regret in his thoughts as he imagined resting in a cosy bed in the centre of the capital, having no need to worry about food or safety, but Fen knew he had made the correct decision. The government was absolutely not something he could compromise with, and a stray enlightened one was not something he supposed they would simply let wander around the centre.
That being said, he was sure that when the time came, Auxley could offer some kind of protection against them - she didn't seem to trust them completely either, but still worked for them after all - and seemed high up. Not to mention the fact she was undoubtedly incredibly powerful - at least at her third, maybe even fourth enlightenment. Even if she only held divination ability's, her speed and strength would certainly be enough to overwhelm practically any opponent.
Thankfully, she seemed to be considering amiable to him, as well as being just a genuine individual.
The sky grew even darker, night almost completely drawing over - Fen made sure to pay even closer attention, listening for any movement.
After a little while more, the trees began to become much more thick and compact, before eventually fully forming into a forest - exactly what Fen had hoped to avoid, as for any crafty stray rift creature sneaking up on him would be laughably easy.
Miraculously, apart from some kind of bird nearly giving him a heart attack, Fen made it out the forest unscathed, the sun now slowly beginning to creep up to resist the veil of darkness.
The first thing he noticed when he entered the vast clearing was the mountains. The range stretched further than the eye could see, and towered above the clouds, imposing down upon him.
Fen knew these mountains well - he had once viewed them from the opposite side, after all.
They were the mark of one of the edges of the capital - of civilisation, even. Beyond it remained only uninhabitable zones, stretching for thousands of miles till the wastelands eventually turned into ocean.
Beyond the ocean? Who knew - there were certainly other stretches of land like the one Fen and everyone he knew currently resided on, but if they were inhabited he did not know.
Nobody did, anymore.
Somewhat ahead of the vast and expansive range of ridges, lay a large city, encased by a powerful stone wall, one that - although miniscule in comparison to the range that towered beyond it - was still tall enough to seem a suitable form of protection.
Fen had arrived in Felhaven.