Karki got up. "We should rest a bit now. It's best to leave when the moon is high, for in this ice land, creatures sleep at night."
Akira and Tara watched him leave. Tara looked at Akira, "Are you going to sleep? It's sun down now. You should have about five hours of rest."
Akira nodded. "You best rest as well, Lady Tara."
It was exactly at midnight, that they started. Tara had taken a sip from the vial. She had turned into a human, her skin a beautiful tan, that complimented her mousy brown tresses and eyes.
The Naga Prince smiled at her, but didn't comment.
For nine days the walked through the snow, till they reached the first sun town, Loyü.
"We have reached the borders of Ang. Everyone, be alert, speak little."
Karki and Tara closely followed her, from behind.
The land was serene, with people wearing yak skin and beads. Men and women were broad shouldered, and hairy, with designs on their skin, marked by berry juice and natural ink.
Tara's eyes sparked as she saw the beauty of the tribals. "They are charming!" She whispered.
Akira smiled. She was mostly chattering. She hated cold, and they could no longer use magic, as magic was looked down upon and wielders were considered a threat in the lands of Ang.
Even royalties from other kingdoms had to surrender their Summons to the King.
Akira asked a passerby the direction to the nearby temple, in the local language.
As they walked towards the temple, Karki asked her, "Do you speak all Gayan languages?"
Akira shook her head and laughed. "I spoke in my language, she seemed to understand, since temple is common in both our languages."
"Why are we going to the temple now?" Karki asked.
"That's the only way we get free food, and a free place to sleep. We need to rest before we start walking again."
They walked into the temple and ate to their heart's content.
Tara noticed a small boy, maybe around fourteen or fifteen, staring intently at them.
"Why do we fascinate you, little one?" Tara asked in Sāmā, and bit her tongue, when she realised that the boy wouldn't understand.
To her surprise though, he replied in her same language, "Why pretty lady, I didn't know there were people still spoke in this tongue."
Akira intervened, continuing in the tongue,"We are people of the scriptures, we are trying to revive the language of the Ancients."
Last thing she wanted was attention drawn to her companions.
The boy looked surprised. "What scripture do you practise?"
Akira continued pleasantly,"We are from the temple of Apā, but are on this mission to learn about all the seven schools. We have come here to pay our homage to Lord Hotrā."
The boy looked surprised. "Oh? So are you going to Malīnī, the old temple is in the capital city."
Akira nodded."Indeed. You seem quite knowledgeable young one, who are you may I ask?"
The boy thought for a moment, and replied, "You may call me Jātved."