My soul has felt dry— aching to be quenched by inspiration it lays in a box, buried in my closet.

You water me often, but my roots grow rotted with no soil to cling. My soul grows dusty, waiting by the high heels I never wear.

Try again. Try again tomorrow and don’t stop.

I am not who I was pretending to be, I open the closet and start to clean.

I find our memories and remember that the past does not dictate my future.

A box falls, my soul tumbles out.

I scoop it up and show you, we water it together once again.

Fear is replaced by love, I am yours no matter the shape of my soul.

“Sit, stay, now, roll over!” I held a thin strip of meat between my thumb and forefinger, the drooling Schmig looked up at me, one eye on me, one eye on the scrap. A moment passed, the bullyboar let out a frustrated huff and then proceeded to roll over as demanded. I threw him the food as promised then bent down to kiss him on his wrinkled head, what a good boy.

“Schmig, get over here. You’re my pet, remember?” Elysia called as Schmig lazily trotted over to her. Thalas looked up from his magazine,

“I like to think he’s more than a pet, he is part of the group.” He looked back at his reading, happily stirring the pot.

“Yeah! You can’t own a part of the group Elysia.” I jeered, adding fuel to the flames. Elara rolled her eyes and went back to looking at a map of the bridge, ignoring us as I playfully pulled on Elysia’s fiery braids.

“I paid my gold chain for him, he’s mine.” She protested, clinging the poor creature to her chest even tighter, its eyes bugging out just a bit more as it struggled to breathe. She let go of him a moment later, placing the sweet boy gently on the ground by her feet.

“Yes, you’re my little guy aren’t you.” She playfully wiggled a finger by his snout and Schmig snorted happily, his tail wagging back and forth. Guess he does love her. What a surprise that she can love anything that isn’t the sun gods.

Sitting down on one of the chairs, a poof of dust rose up as I plopped into the cushion of one of the empty chairs. I gazed around the room once again, I could see bits of debris fall from the roof as the tavern above raged on, the supporting beams were ornate with carvings and hand painted scenes of fading celestials, a shame to see such a nice ceiling go to ruin, even if it was stories of cosmic beings who could care less about us. Celestial worship had left this city long ago, once upon a time I bet this safe house helped many through as they progressed on their spiritual journeys around the realm, but now empty. Only home to ghosts, and the rare cathedral party. I wonder, will we be the last party this basement would protect? I left the thought where it stood and moved my attention to Elara, and the map she was studying.

“What are you looking for exactly?” I watched as her fingers kept retracing the same spot on the paper, nearly wearing a hole in the ancient parchment.

“I am routing our way around a potential army.” Her fingers kept dancing across the map, their nails painted a fine blue, and the skin around them was well manicured for a warrior.

“Do you think we could fly over?” Elysia chimed up, “Most of us do have flying beasts after all.”

“No, they'll most likely have patrols in the air, as well as on the bridge.” She placed a hand over her mouth, her brow furrowing, her stare never leaving the table. She tapped her other fingers in rhythm as a few moments of contemplation rolled by. “Thalas.” She said, shaking him from his reading.

“Yes,” he lowered the magazine once again to his chest, “How can I be of service?”

“Do you know of any mages within the city that do illusion magik? We need some disguises.”

In over my head yet again, and it’s Lyra’s doing. I watched as she turned, and walked away into the busy city, as I got pulled deeper into the guild by a human monk that I was handed off to. In a whirlwind, I was pushed into a bath house, scrubbed clean, offered a set of earth colored monk’s robes, and then ushered into a silent room of about forty to fifty monks all meditating quietly in front of a large statue of Typhor, the gods grand form shaped by clay, finely shaped the many fingerprints of the artists on his flesh and glass, glistening as the suns light hit it and gave the statue a slight glow.

I shyly walked to an open mat, sat down, crossed my legs, and joined in, harshly adjusting my posture to be pin straight and almost falling over as I tried to mimic the other monks' seating positions. I felt off balance, the whole room felt off balance, my energy was heavy, dirty, and unprepared for such a spiritual center.

As I closed my eyes, and deepened my breath, a side door opened. An elderly fistfolk, his eyes now cloudy with time and scaled skin dull and flakey, walked slowly to a cushion in front of the ethagy. He took a deep breath in, the monks on the floor did the same, a melodious connection of life force bringing all the individual minds and energies in the room and blending them into a collective.

I could feel the hair on the back of my neck raise as I copied the monks. I drank in the air, taking an extra sip at the top, only to cause myself to start coughing loudly. The monks did not get disturbed, the whole group seemed to hold their breath as I tried to catch mine.

A kind hand patted my back, I turned and a kind velociraptor like first-folk smiled at me. The collective exhaled, I felt the energy shift. Again, they inhaled, my neighbor signaled me to join in, his hand slowly raising, showing me how quickly I should be taking in the air. I followed, feeling the life force fill me, ground me, and then his hand stopped and I held my breath with the collective.

A few moments passed, a gong was softly rung, its sweet deep tones vibrating through every vertebrae in my spine and a slow exhale took over. I think I get it. We are all one being, breathing in unison. I closed my eyes and let the peace consume me as I followed the flow of breath. Hours went by and I felt myself become blended with the spirits of those around me, the smells of the sacred incense and warmth of the calmed energy held me as I sat within the whole. Maybe this isn’t so bad. My breathing deepened, but still my lungs ached as I filled them with life.

******

“Ouch!” I fell to the ground, my small sparring partner smiling down at me and offering a hand.

“Just try to use my force against me, you’ll get it.” He demonstrated how to grab his wrist and move it past my body, his movement fluid and graceful from years of practice. I copied his flow, shaky but cleaner than my last attempt, then I got in position to try again.

He came at me, trying to slap me on the shoulder, I copied his technique and grabbed at his wrist. This time I made contact. As quickly as he came at me I pulled his arm across my body and moved him behind me with ease, his body slightly stumbling as I did so. “Exactly, like that!” He turned to face me, “Again, let's do it again.”

I repeated this sparring exercise with K’thar, my friend from meditation, until my body could move no more, and my sweat soaked through my robes. Over and over again I moved my arms in a fluid motion, moving his attack beyond me. Our bodies danced in time as we started to incorporate more moves into the drill. Energy flowed through us and moved around as I felt it fill my spirit and the ache’s turned into a dull drive to keep the flow going, to not let this energy drop.

I asked him how he could dedicate himself to something tiring, he said it gets less so the more you do it, you just have to do it. We drank some water, and I continued the drills.

******

When the suns had set, and the split moon rose the day if drills and breathwork was finally done, and it was time for dinner. I felt in my element finally, and helped the monks with their vegetable meadlies and legumes, offering up my knowledge of spices and how to prepare them both beyond steaming. That night we ate tempura veggies and a lyre bean hummus, tea was also poured and the night was filled with a cheerful atmosphere. I ate my fried food slowly and reflected on what information I had learned today. The monks were no stronger than me, but somehow had mastered reading others' energy and seeing how to use it against them.

Lyra’s instinct was correct, this was my bread and butter, that wasn’t actually bread and butter. I caught myself quite often trying to deepen my normal breathing, noticing the subtle shifts to my anxious energy, and how at ease I felt, even in an unfamiliar environment, but this might just be the guilds influence for the moment.

I shoved another tempura veggie into my mouth, and stared into the distance, only to be snapped back to the moment by a slap on my back.

“K’thar thinks Kaelen is going to be a brilliant monk, just needs to slow down.” He hissed a few laughs and pulled me into his group of friends, a few humans and other first-folk, all small and wearing matching robes. I instinctively smiled and laughed along, even if I was essentially just called slow by my only friend here.

“Well, what do you suggest I do?” I turned my body to face the group.

“Breathe. Deeply.” Answered a human, their freckled face framed by a bush of curly dark hair, “Then you will see your opponent's energy more clearly. Since us humans have no connection to magik, our auric senses are the closest thing we have to even competing with the elves' power.”

Another first-folk, her scales rainbow in hue and eyes like a snake, spoke, her voice soft but dry.

“Too bad you only have one more day here, Screech agree with K’thar, you would do well training here for a few months.” She handed me a shared bowl of hummus.

Everyone is so kind to me here. I wish I could stay, but abandoning Lyra is completely out of the question.

I had to soak in all the information I could before I left the day after tomorrow. K’thar suggested that I should seek out a meeting with the elder of the guild for advice, worth a shot.

******

I slept in communal spaces, the group that pulled me in at dinner invited me to sleep in their space with them. Screech gave me a sleeping roll, and the bushy haired human, I learned their name was Royal, gave me a pair of sleeping clothes. Happily changing out of the sweaty monks robes, I could smell the sweet incense from the meditation temple on the sleeping clothes fabric. A deep earthy scent with a touch of citrus like sweetness, a smell I would keep with me forever.

I really don’t want to leave. I could feel my heart break as I thought about how much one day with this guild had changed my outlook. I feared that I could not get all that I needed, and yet again my heart sank.

“If you wish, you’re welcome to join us for our before sleep meditations.” K’thar offered me his hand once again, always pulling me from within myself, a good friend to have on my side. I looked up at him and confusion took hold, I could see a glow, a subtle one but still a glow, around his body. It was orange and pink, blending all around and most pronounced at the crown of his skull. I squinted my eyes then rubbed them before looking again, the colors were still there.

“K’thar, what am I seeing around you? Have you always glowed?”

“You’re seeing auras already! Not fair!” A ginger haired human threw his hands down, a frustrated sigh escaping him, “I’ve been trying for months to see them, and you waltz in and see them on the first day?” K’thar shot the human a glare, “We are to be happy for our brother, Thorin. You’ll see them in time, keep practicing. Some are just gifted in other areas.”

Auras? I am seeing auras? I glanced down at my own hands, and saw nothing.

“You can’t see your own aura silly.” Said Royal, who was now glowing with a turquoise and pink haze. I blinked my eyes again, trying to end the visual hallucination.

“Kaelen, you are gifted, K’thar knew it!” The monk pumped his fist and grabbed my hand pulling me into their sleep quarters meditation room. “Come sit in communion with Typhor. When the spirit has questions, in silence answers will come.”

I sat next to him, the rest of the group piled in, I could almost lick the back of Royal’s head we were all sitting so close. K’thar took a deep breath then let out the most relaxing chat I had ever heard.

“Ohm.” His nostrils flared as his exhale powered the word he spoke, his voice monotone and soon joined by the echoes of the others. My body felt electric as the word ended and a split second of silence followed. Inhales, deep and sounding of the waves of the great universal ocean, were taken all around me. K’thar opened one eye and motioned for me to join in. Focused, I took a swift breath out, and got myself set into a comfortable position. I listened for the next inhale and joined in with the waves of other breathtaking. My body melted into the ether, all I could feel was in the waves of breath washing over my soul, light filled my veins, and darkness left with each exhale. I was one with this guild. One with it all.

The smell of rain clung to the air of the city as we made our way to the tea house. The two half-elves were walking together, but in silence. Family dynamics were not my strong suit, especially since I had been estranged from mine for about ten years now. I had no words of unity, or ways to lift the heavy blanket of unchecked negative energy. I continued with them in silence, watching the surrounding crowds that ebbed and flowed by.

“Elysia, please put up your hood. It’s best we remain concealed here.” I whispered in her ear, pulling her shoulder to slow her angry march. She rolled her eyes then put up her hood. We continued on, the silence still lingered.

“Here we are, Mara said this is the best tea in the first ring.” Lyra finally spoke. I looked up at the tea house, its teal paint needed a new coat, and the sign was on its last legs, but it was full of customers, a good omen for a good cup of tea.

We walked in and found a booth in the back, the tea house offered privacy screens with detailed scenes of mythology finely painted across each one. Ours happened to be the tale of the Manticores, with multiple scenes of a first folk mage creating one with a squashed bug, his favorite pet, and a spare pair of bat wings he seemed to have laying around.

“Welcome to Leaf Sigil, here are our menus, and please feel free to request a free sample of one of our baked goods.” The waiter excused themselves after we ordered a round of oolong faeberry for the table. I was hoping it would relax the never ceasing tension between Lyra and Elysia. I was going to at least get us talking.

“So, how are you two related exactly?” I asked, trying to put on an emotionless tone, my eyes going from one to the other. Lyra spoke first, her green eyes meeting my gaze for a second before shyly looking away.

“My father is her mother’s brother. I am half-elf on my mother’s side—” she got interrupted.

“I am a half-high elf on my father’s side, we are not the same. The only thing we might share is our humanity.” Her gaze shot arrows at her cousin.

“This griffinshit again!” Lyra hissed, “Just because I am half wood-elf and not a self healing, celestial, boot-licker like high elves—” Elysia looked shocked, Lyra continued on, “ doesn’t mean anything. When we were young you always made me feel inferior because of it.” She looked at her cousin and asked the first sincere question I heard them ask all day.

“Do you even want to have a relationship with your family, or are the celestials more important than your blood?”

Elysia froze, the privacy screen opened and the waiter presented our oolong. I thanked them, and poured us all tea in the silent booth. They soon started bickering about unresolved childhood fights, and my ears started to tune them out. The sounds of a neighboring conversation at the next table, caught my attention.

“I hear there’s been news of beasts on the bridge, and not just the normal kind either,” one of the voices explained, “I hear they’re metallic and their screams will deafen all who hear it. Wish my wife would go out there and find one, hah!” The first voice roared with laughter as the second spoke up.

“I heard the Obsidian Sovereign is trying to infiltrate Skyhaven with the beasts. If it falls to them, how many isles will be left under the old rule? Everglade didn't stand for too long against them, do you how many, Glez?” The second voice asked.

The first voice, Glez, replied “My cousin says that the Azure Waters and the Gorge will be the only isles not under their influence.”

“My goddesses…” I tuned out and looked back at the warring cousins.

“Did you two overhear that?” They were still at each other's throats, bringing up the past and not paying attention to anything but their next cutting words. I interjected, “Hey, we’re gonna make some new friends right now, act right.” Pulling open the privacy screen I leaned over the next table, and smiled warmly to introduce myself to Glez, planning on charming more information out.

“Hello, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.” The fist-folk, who resembled a Komodo dragon but with three horns on his face and some feathers sprouting around his head, and his companion, a dwarf with a finely braided beard and matching hair, his dusty eyes matching his tanned complexion, looked me up and down. The dwarf spat then spoke first.

“Names Glez, Glez Y’throwind, and you are?” He leaned in, looking me in the eye, reaching out a dirty hand. I grasped it and shook, “Elara of Lyranside, pleasure.” I scooted over in my booth, pushing Elysia to the wall, “Please, gentlemen, join us for some tea.”

******

The two men were actually very lovely tea companions, with stories of the mines of other islands, and tales of monsters slain, and women bedded. Reminded me of time spent in the barracks back home with the creatures of all races with many stories to share. Eventually, after many rounds of tea and biscuits, I asked again.

“So, Glez, tell me about these monsters on the bridge to Sky Haven?”

His bright demeanor soon faded and he pulled the privacy screen closed tightly.

“Listen here goat,” I would excuse his slur for information, this time, “It’s dangerous. Three—” he hiccuped, “Three ladies should not be going to Skyhaven, no matter how tough you may think you three be. There are metallic chimeras out there that can kill a man three times the size of you little lady.” He gave me a pointed look, I thought it amusing he thought he could patronize me into not leaving. He meant well, but I didn’t need his unwarranted advice. Just the information.

“Who is creating them? Are there any rumors?” I asked, skipping over his fatherly remarks.

“Some say it’s a faction the Sovereign contracted out. All we’s know is this: riders, and their mounts have vanished and are never accounted for in Sky Haven. Travel between the two cities has been slow at best since the Sovereign took hold of Everglade, us Gladians, we survive, but not being able to go trade our goods in Sky Haven has put us all in a crunch. Some braves souls, like D’ink here’s cousin, he left how long ago now bud, three, maybe four months ago?” He looked at the first-folk who nodded in agreement, licking his eye in the process, “Yeah so he packed up his goods, and says to us ‘Yeah! I am gonna make it big in Sky Haven, I can cross a bridge no problem!’ He left on his manticore, and both never arrived at his mothers places in Sky Haven. No word of him. Poof. Then others have come in from the bridge after hunting for loot or other goods, and they refuse to go back out because they have seen the chimeras ripping apart bandits, and dragging their mounts away to who knows where. It’s just all around bad news.”

I thanked the two men, bought them a round of Yarrowwine, and we took our leave back towards the safe room.

“Do you think we’ll be able to navigate our way to Skyhaven?” Lyra asked me, her scarred face serious. Knowing that I could lie, I chose to be honest, but then a lie came out.

“It’s going to be a very intense mission, but I am sure all of us can get there, no matter the monsters.”

Lyra seemed comforted by my words and continued to walk beside me until we returned to the safehouse. Once inside I informed Thalas of what I learned. He scratched at his bearded face, and seemed lost in thought. Finally he told me what he thought.

“I guess the only way is forward then. If we get caught up, we fight.”

How could I be so selfish, dragging him along with no questions asked about his want to be on a dangerous quest. I had not thought once about his inability to hold his own. How selfish I was to not tell Elara to leave him behind. Fuck.

I didn’t sleep that night. I waited until morning, brain trying to solve this problem. I couldn't just leave him here, I refuse to abandon my childhood friend. We had to find some way he could feel more safe within the party. Maybe I should ask Mara. The innkeeper seemed to know the city pretty well, it couldn’t hurt to ask what she thought about my predicament.

I found her making some bean tea, some cream and honey set to the side ready for guests. She greeted me happily and poured me a cup. The warm drink woke my sleepy mind, and I told her my problem, leaving out as much emotion as I could.

“You see he just needs a way to feel safe while traveling? Do you know anyone who could help him?” I asked, pushing my empty mug away from me.

“Send him to the split-moon guild. The monks there are about his size and they do feats of strength all the time at festivals. Maybe he could get some pointers from them?”

I thanked her, and gave her a jade piece as a tip, and slipped back downstairs, Kaelen now sitting in the common room rubbing sleep from his hungover eyes.

“What happened last night?” He asked.

“You said you felt worried about being with the party.” I said bluntly, “So I solved the problem, get dressed. We’re going to get you a new hobby.”

******

We wound our way through the lower ring, spider web like alleyways made the inner workings of this ring more like a maze, than a city. Each turn looked the same as the last, and often ended in thorn covered dead ends.

“Do you even know where we are going Lyra? We have been going in circles.” Kaelen was dragging his feet behind me. Not as excited by the idea of a fighting guild of monks as I was. Eh, he will get over it.

I took another left turn and saw it, the sign of the Split Moon Guild over the wide entrance of a old building made out of the same roots and vines as the walls of the city.

“We’re here. Let’s go” I grabbed Kaelen by the collar and we walked inside.

“Welcome wanderers, how can we help you today?” A small firstfolk walked in front of us, his reptilian eyes unblinking as he studied us. I let go of Kaelen, and stuck out my hand, “Hello, we are interested in getting him,” I shoved Kalene in front of me, “inside to talk to on of the masters. He needs a fighting style, and cannot do magik or divine work. I was suggested by Mara, do you know Mara at the Whistling Hippogriff? Well, Mara told me to bring him here, so here he is.” I stopped my loud rambling, now the eyes of many of the monks were on us, tactfulness was not my strong suit.

“Well, we will see what we can do.” They grabbed Kaelen away from me, pushing me out the door. I waved, and yelled after my best friend, “I’ll scoop you up before we leave tomorrow! I hope you get enlightened!” I turned around and wandered back into the alleyways, knowing that what I did was right even if Kaelen might kill me when he comes back.

******

“Thalas, why can’t we train down here? There is no one who can see us?” I asked, pushing the Demi-god’s copy of Elven Illustrated down to his chest, his eyes not amused by my actions.

“Because, if we get caught doing magik, especially the kind that can turn us into mean beasties, the secret police will be down on us faster than Schmig on a fallen piece of food. It’s not wise Lyra, be patient and go hangout with the others. I am sure you and your cousin need some catching up. I swear if I didn’t know you were related I wouldn’t even think you two like each other.”

His words stung, he was trying to get me to go away by using them, but he was right. I should try to put an effort towards getting to know her, especially since she seemed to understand the celestials better than anyone else around me, even Thalas who was partly one of them.

“Fine, but I won’t like it as much as trying to kick your ass, old man.” I got up and made my way to where my cousin and her bodyguard were relaxing. “Hey cousin.” My words elicited a glare from Elysia as she looked up from her bullyboar and met my gaze.

“What in the dark celestial do you want?” She asked sitting up from her comfortable position, her body language as uninviting as her words.

“Oh, come on, let’s get along. We never actually tried doing that, and since we are stuck together we could always give it a shot while we have time to kill.” Hopefully my tone sounded more sincere than I felt inside. I was lonely, this was a bandage while Kaelen focused on soaking up ethereal fighting wisdom.

“Not once in our lives have you ever tried to get along with me. What, now that you don’t have your assigned boyfriend around, you need me? What gives?” She turned away from me, “I’d rather play with a pissed off manticore than give you a chance to be my friend. The reason you are with us on our quest is for informational purposes only.”

“Why won’t you trust me Elysia? We are cousins after all. We don’t have to always be at each other's throats.” I begged, hoping to maybe appeal to her family wounds.

“Give her a chance Elysia. She is your blood after all.” Elara spoke, her words calming the static in the air between myself and Elysia.

“Didn’t you want to leave her back in the forest?” Elysia snapped. I didn’t know this. Elara looked away from my gaze, “What has happened since then?” Elysia questioned.

“We got out of the forest in time and I see what she put herself through to do so. We could have left her and the chef in the forest, their home was not far, but now,” She positioned herself to look my cousin in her eyes, “Now they are both our responsibility, we cannot let them go with the information they know about the quest, if you don’t try to build a relationship with her then that could bite us in the ass if we face any kind of trouble.”

“I don’t need your pity friendship just so I won’t turn on you.” I said, “I won’t turn on you because that’s the fucking right thing to do, and also whose to say I would ever do that?” Hypothetical ass holes.

“Many have turned away from the light. Why do you think we are in this mess in the first place.” Elysia’s words sliced the air, I had no reply, “If we trust everyone, especially people who have no idea of the scope of the divine issues at hand there would be no celestial faith left in the realm.” She gripped her necklace dangling from her neck, “I ask again, what the hell do you want Lyra?”

I looked her in the eyes and gave a half smile, my eyes still showing the hurt from her words, “Just to go get some tea with my cousin. My treat.”

“How much for the mushrooms? No way, I will give you six emerald bits for that , no more.” I was pretty darn good at haggling thanks to my time with Thalion at the mid summer markets back at the compound. It was a life skill I felt I had become accustomed to and using for the good of my stomach. I happily put the mushrooms in my pack and moved back into the market, looking for Lyra in the crowded stalls. How are you so easy to lose? I swear she blended in somehow even more now that she dressed like an avenger of the night.

“Lyra!” I called out suddenly getting a tap on my back, I turned and jumped finding her inches from my face, her scarred mug looking right back at me giving a sly smile.

“Boo!” She laughed and continued deeper into the market, her gaze going from weapon stalls to the glorious mounts being sold for more than my souls worth in coin. I tried my best to keep up, eventually getting led to a tavern table and being offered a chair by her.

“Thanks.” I sat and looked at the menu, a mead sounded good to me, we ordered two and sat together, listening to the sounds of the bustling bazaar.

“Strange isn’t it, being so far from home.” I said half thinking as I sipped the sweet and nutty beverage, the notes of honey and wood dancing on my tongue. I let my eyes wander and really tried to take in this unfamiliar atmosphere. So many creatures of different races mingled in front of me, exchanging energies and words in so many different languages I almost felt dizzy. How glorious it was to witness something greater than the silence of the compound, I took another sip of my mead and looked back at Lyra, her whole self melting into her cloak and hiding her now scarred face with her drink.

“Are you doing ok?” I knew she wasn’t, but maybe I could get her to open up since we had some mead to loosen the words she was probably hiding. She took another sip, let out a sigh, and put the mug back on the table.

“I don’t know why Elyndor put my soul back together. I feel so lost.” She looked out into the bazaar, “I can feel myself getting stronger, Thalas is a gifted teacher, but I don’t feel my spirit gaining strength as my body and magik do. I never had a connect to the celestials, Kaelen, what am I supposed to do as a deformed champion for one?” She pulled the cloak hood over her face even more, she almost looked like she might cry. Almost.

I reached and hand out and took hers, “Lyra, you are the strongest bitch I have ever met. I do not speak on behalf of the celestials, they have their own bidding they do, we are just chess pieces for them. My advice is to learn about your new patron.” She looked at me, her green eyes soft, “Thank you, Kaelen, but I don’t exactly have access to a library of information about some god I had never heard of.” She let go of my hand, and took another sip of mead, “I guess we could ask around.”

At least she half-listened, better than nothing with her. I ordered a cheese tray for us both, and some more mead, might as well enjoy the spoils of a city while we were around. Thank Typhor for Lyra’s parents paying me and giving me food, I should be able to support us on our savings until Sky Haven, if all goes to plan that is.

“Hey, what exactly are the bridges between worlds?” I asked, changing the subject and shoving the cheese plate in her direction, swiping a piece of aged chimera-cheddar and some sourdough toast.

“I have only heard stories, I think if we want a clear answer we should ask Elara, she seems well traveled.” Lyra gave a slightly breathy sigh.

“Oh you have a crush on her?” I accused, my mead slightly spilling as I pointed at her. She slapped my finger and dropped the energy fast. No way she would admit any kind of feelings beyond anger to me. Not in one day.

“Drink your mead and mind your business chef”

“You two have to see what I got!” Elysia’s sing-song voice came from behind me, and by the look on Lyra’s face, I had to see what she had.

In her hands was the most wrinkly creature I had ever seen with a silver pig snout, brown bug eyes, and a tail with a perfect swirl. I let out a very loud squeal, threw my mug to the table, spilling my mead, and swept up the bullyboar in my arms.

“Oh my Typhor! What is his name! Where did you find him?” I gave him a snuggle, a pink tongue covered my cheeks in kisses as his new owner grabbed him back into her arms.

“His name is Schmig, and he is mine.” She pulled him close, supporting his round butt with her right arm. Lyra gave Schmig a pat, and offered two seats to Elysia and Elara. The mead continued to pour, and eventually we had to navigate our way back to the safehouse. Elara, luckily, had taken a vow of sobriety, and was leading us back.

*******

Once back down the somehow more steep staircase, we all piled into the common room of the basement. Thalas sat up from the couch, his past few hours spent reading some magazines Mara had dropped off.

“Oh,” I pulled a well warped baked good out of my bag, “I couldn’t find a cup cake, but a stuffed croissant?” He snatched it out of my hands.

“Thank you! Looks delicious.” I had never seen anyone inhale food so fast. Wiping crumbs from his beard he smiled, crumpled the paper, and looked at the slightly drunken group. “Did ya have some fun now?”

Elysia blushed, and put Schmig on the ground, who then waddled over to Thalas, licking his hands to say hello. Lyra plopped down on a dusty cushioned chair, and I followed suit.

“The mead was so well brewed Thalas, you missed out.” I said, throwing my hands behind my head, kicking my feet up on the table.

“Oh I am sure I will taste the sweetness of mead once again. I am glad you came back safe, I was expecting at least one of you to be missing by now, but apparently we added a member.” He scooped up Schmig and gave him a squish as he placed him on his lap. “So, two more days here. What are our plans on being prepared for the bridge? I haven’t been on one since they were almost new, so I have no idea of the state of them.”

“As I said before, it will be easy to be let out of the city. The behemoth, and the secret police only really care about people coming in from the bridges.” She took a seat, “What I have seen on my travels, and heard, is that the bridges are crumbling. The shattered lands beneath are also starting to cause issues with bandits, monsters, and many other unknown happenings. The best thing we can do is move fast, and keep ourselves as aware as possible… That means no more drinking.” She looked at the rest of the party, I hid my gaze.

“We also need to be aware that the Obsidian Sovereign will still have reach on the bridge. We need to gather intel about what they are doing between here and Sky Haven, and somehow safely sneak over enemy lines to get to the city.”

“Wait, no one said anything about having to do anything like that? How am I supposed to do anything? I am just a fucking chef!” I let my thoughts spill freely, damn my loosened tongue.

“I mean…” all the eyes were on me as I tried to explain my words, “You all are warriors of some sort, or have divine protections. I am just a chef.” I looked at my feet, “How am I supposed to help and not just drag you all down.” A tear swelled up in my eyes, I couldn’t help it. I felt useless.

“Kaelen, no.” Lyra placed a hand on my shoulder, I shrugged it away, wiping my eyes.

“Never mind, I just need some sleep, forget I said anything about it.” I got up and went into my room, locking the door behind me, and slept hard until the next dawn, pounding in my head.

In the beginning our planet was whole, and the first-folk lived in utopia under the dual suns. Their days were filled with the blessing of light helping them reap more harvest than all the hungry mouths could eat. The first-folk sang songs to honor the suns, making them both grow with power as their praises rang up from the planet the first-folk had called Aleoria. When the suns set would happen, great bonfires would be lit and the story-tellers, dressed in gold and gray to honor the moon, would tell stories of how the twin suns grew jealous of the smaller celestial, often making the nights short only giving the first-folk a few hours of night before the grand light of the suns would return to grow their crops.

Though the nights were short, the first-folks stories of the moon started to grow and eventually a whole festival was dedicated to the briefly visiting goddess of the nights. Many sacred foods and teas were made for this grand night, and all would wear masks and partake in grand games in every village, all celebrating Lunara, the moon goddess.

Hearing the sounds of fan fare, but no mention of their names, the suns grew jealous and felt that even a night of celebration focused on a celestial that was not them was not going to be forgiven easily. Both Aleoria, and their moon would soon regret this mistakes.

When the dual suns rose in the skies of Aeloria the next dawn, the people of the land lay asleep, tired from the festivities of the night before. For a brief moment one of the suns considered compassion on the first folk and not going through with the plan, but when no sign of worship was seen on the sunlit surface, the sun‘s mind changed back to destruction.

The closer of the two suns, Solaris, turned to his brother requesting his grand bow and his quiver of golden-flare arrows. His brother, Zol, the smaller of the two, bowed and obeyed, handing over the sacred weapons any thoughts of compassion now long gone from his heart.

With a swift pull of the bowstring the twins channeled their energy into the arrow tip and let it go, then another, and finally a third.

Two of these grand arrows struck Aeloria, shattering our planet to the core, creating the floating isles we inhabit, and the third arrow, hit Lunar straight in the heart.

The goddess screamed, not knowing what happened and sent parts of herself flying into the planet's surface, now creating the shattered-lands beneath us.

As she broke, the grand mages of the land did what they could to save her. A mass spell was used, draining many of their life forces, to hold the splitting moon in our orbit. The lands shook, the gravity shifted, and the physics of this world was turned upside down, but still they held her there, the once unified moon now floating above but in two halves instead. After what felt like eons, the chaos stopped.

In the dual suns’ revenge wake was the death of a civilization, the crumbling of our once whole planet, and now the birth of our split moons, Galios, and his dark sister, Lunar watching over as Aeloria started from the ashes once again.

Oh the market! The smells, the sounds, the artistry! This was better than all the holy day festivals the Cathedral had ever thrown, and I couldn’t be more at home in the organized chaos of it all. A stall to the left of me had silks, and so many different types of incense I could be lost in smells for hours, or the food stalls that were selling the most beautiful and ornate street foods, and the many mounts that were for sale as well. Oh this was amazing, but what was I going to buy for myself to remember this time.

I doubt the Cathedral would ever send me on another mission, it was rare a Priestess would ever be sent, but since I was chosen by Solaris himself, they had no choice but to send me as the sun god wished. His heat warmed me, and blessed me with his healing grace, but I had very little to show for being the chosen one. At least no coin to speak of. I do want something, but even if I just get to gather memories, that’s okay with me. She thought, lovingly running her hands over a spider silk shawl then mindlessly moving to the next stall. Occasionally I would check over my shoulder for my body guard, Elara was always just a few paces away, her eyes scanning for dangers as I window shopped.

“Oh Elara, you would look so beautiful in jade green! It would bring out your eyes.” I playfully held a milk-maiden dress up to Elara, over selling how much I loved the color on her, she rolled her eyes and kept scanning the area. “You’re not fun.” I pouted, putting the dress away, “They had to give me the beautiful and cold bodyguard, not one with a sense of humor.”

“I am here to protect you, not be your doll.” Elara cooly stated, not having one more moment of being teased, she turned and made her way to the next stall waiting for me to catch up.

I joined her and looked at the wares. Nothing impressive. Some enchanted mirrors, love glyphs scams, and what looked like firecrackers. I half heartedly picked one up and placed it back down, but something caught my eye.

In the back corner, sitting on a pile of rags was the most adorable abomination of a creature I had ever seen, and I must have him.

“Is the pig for sale?” I asked the stall attendant, a tired looking hobgoblin with a bite out of his ear.

“Maybe, what you got to trade? He can smell bad magic, but around here he is just a waste of my food.” He sneered, throwing a fruit peel at the now cowering creature, “He ain’t no pig though lady, he is a Bullyboar, and I won’t take anything but three gold for his ass.”

Put off by the crassness of this man, I took a step back, trying to think of what I could offer that was worth his wager, “Well, I do have this.” I pulled my gold necklace chain off, and placed it in his grimy hands, “Will this do?” The goblin grabbed at the solid gold chain and bit at it, his teeth resembling the rotted fruit I had seen in some rubbish piles, then gave me a nod, “He’s all yours. Good luck though m’lady, his gas is worse than all the bad magic combined.”

******

I was in love with this adorable little critter now happily being carried away in my arms towards his new home. His face was soft, covered in a lavender hair, almost gray, little wrinkles covered his pig like snout, and droopy jowls covered his softly pointed teeth. Brown eyes gazed up at me as he snorted happily, his little swirly tail wagging like a dogs, and tiny back legs kicking in the air. He was perfect, and he was all mine.

“I shall name you…” I thought for a moment, trying to think of the grandest name I could give my little companion, “Schmig, Schmig the Bullyboar.” I pulled him into my chest, kissing his sweet head right between his bugged out eyes, were they looking two different ways? I didn’t care, I could not wait to show him off to my cousin and her chef.

The city walls were made of roots and vines, thickly woven and covered in thorns, a fortress grown by the blood and fire of many battles won for the city's longstanding existence. Wise architects built this grand city as a last resort if the island fell. I’ve only heard of Everglade in stories whispered to us as children around the fires of the storytellers. To see it with my own eyes almost made me cry, almost. Tomorrow, we would be inside of the city, making our way to the safe-house, a hostel in the middle ring run by some Celestial sympathizers. Elysia said they make some wonderful food, so it wasn’t hard to convince Kaelen or Thalas to go along.

“Will it be hard to get into the city?” Asked Kaelen.

“Not any harder than any other, the hard part would be getting in from the other side of the behemoth barrier when on the bridge.” Elara replied, her hands still sharpening her staff with ease.

“Why?” Kaelen was the best at asking questions. I appreciated it so I didn’t have to bother Elara. The warrior had been very cold to me ever since my soul ripped apart and was put back together again by a deity. I really didn’t care, and was thankful my cousin felt enough blood loyalty not to leave me with two men, even if one is Kaelen, he would never harm me. Thalas on the other hand, was immortal. What did he care about me for? I am still not exactly sure why he pleaded my case to his father. Maybe just to not have three angry travelers on his ass for letting their party member explode.

Whatever the case I was thankful for his Druidic glyphs and tips on how to ground myself into my new magik connection. I could feel myself growing more used to my new body as well, the pain had subsided to a dull ache most days anyways, and with the help of Kaelen’s herbal regiment, I can barely feel that after a dosage. What I was really aching for was to get more practice in, but Thalas claimed that so close to the city it was unwise due to the presence of the secret police. I reluctantly agreed with him and silently told myself I would get us through this city as fast as I could just to get a chance.

I rolled out my bed roll right next to Zephyra, happy to be sleeping where I longed to be, with my loyal beast. She had caught a rabbit earlier on, dried blood still slightly caked on her chest feathers. I watched as she preened and purred, shifting slightly to let me lay my back upon her warm belly.

Kaelen was sitting opposite of me and was chopping up some fresh veggies from Thalas’s food forest. Happily he julienned them and threw them into a simmering pan of oil on the fire. He was getting quite good at stir-fry. My mouth watered just smelling the herbs and oil starting to mingle.

“That’s smelling phenomenal there shortie!” Thalas bent down to join the chef by the fire, “Do you need me to keep bringing you wood?”

“Yeah!” Kaelen cheerfully replied, “That would actually help a lot, we need to cook this rabbit Ember caught me. Could you possibly find a steak we could use as a spit roast for it?”

Thalas agreed and went off to find the tools, Elara was expertly skinning the rabbit in one swift downward pull, and Elysia seemed to be praying facing away from the violence, her vow of meatlessness willing her to do so. It almost felt like a family meal should have been, no servants or niceties, just everyone trying their best to help out.

“Can I help you at all Kaelen?” I asked.

My friend smiled and handed me a cutting board and some tubers. The meal was shared by laughter, and we all slept heavily until first dawn.

******

We made it to the city barrier early the next morning. Up close I could see that the walls were exactly as told in the stories. Writhing and moving it seemed thick enough to swallow a thousand swords before giving up the city within its core. A symbiotic relationship between the plant weaving its branches to create this wall, and the city providing its soil and freshwater through many canals and falls. Dwarfed by the size of them, we willingly let ourselves be swallowed into the city by the walls' mighty gates.

The outer ring felt like the full-moon bazaar we held back home, but with twice as much going on around us. Stalls of food, spices, ales, wine, fine jewelry, exotic mounts, anything you could imagine was right here in Everglade. You could barely move an inch without bumping someone haggling for the best price, or a street performer doing a show for their rent. I felt alive for the first time in my life, and couldn’t help but smile at the wonders of the city.

“Don’t get caught up in the shops. We are here on business, not pleasure.” Elara reminded me as she pushed past Zephyra and I, Elysia resting lazily on the back of her mount. My smile faded and I kept close. I could explore later on, Thalas said the city gates to the bridge only open once a day and we are far too far to make it today. Once we get to the hostel I will slip out and find what the city has to offer.

We walked through the labyrinth of streets, as tightly wound as the walls protecting them, and eventually found our way to the middle ring. The air smelled of roasting meats, and burning incense as the sound of laughter and life came from the large taverns in the side alleys. The patrons merrily clinging to one another and drinking golden ales form large mugs. I envied the fun they seemed to be having as we continued trudging around the corner away from the action. After a few more twists and turns we finally reached our destination.

Nestled behind the tavern, and adjacent to a peaceful herbalist pharmacy, beneath a layer of ivy, hung a sign on an old brick building that read: The Whistling Hippogriff Hostel, with a crudely drawn beast holding a horn of mead on its aged wood. We put the mounts in the stables around the back and went back to the front. Elara opened the yellow door for us and the party spilled into the front hall, grabbing the attention of the keeper at the front desk.

“Welcome to The Whistling Hippogriff!” She said in a sing-song-like voice as a smile as big as the split moons broke across her face, a sea of short golden curls bouncing as she did so, her sapphire gaza behind a pair of full-moon glasses with gold rims, “My name is Mara! I will be helping you today. Do you have a reservation?” She lifted a large, dusty book and dropped it heavily on the table, the loud slam making the paintings on the wall tremble.

“Elara of Lyranside,” she leaned in close to the keeper, her lips practically kissing her ear and whispered a few words, the keeper's eyes getting wide then subduing her reaction as quickly as it came on.

“Oh, of course. With me.” Mara left from behind her desk and led us to a room in the back with a small table with a wilted flower in a hand crafted vase, some comfy and very worn chairs, and a wall of books of many different shapes and sizes. Mara looked both ways, checking for watchful eyes or listening ears. She lifted a delicate hand and quickly turned around a small bust of a unassuming centaur sitting on a corner table, causing one of the bookcases to slide open.

“Quickly, through here.” She gestured for us to go into the dimly lit hallway leading down into who knows where. Elara and Elysia led the way, followed by Thalas, Kaelen, and then myself. The innkeeper slid in behind me, lifted a wall torch up and down, and the door slammed behind her.

“Now, follow me.” She pushed past me, making her way up to the Elara at the front. We all made our way through the small hall way until it opened into a large open room with a bar in the middle, a few rooms to the right and left of it, and a large table in the middle.

“Welcome to the safe house.” Mara beamed and slid behind the counter again, dodging a small crumbling of roofing falling from the sounds of the tavern above, “Don’t mind the noise, it helps keep the city's eyes busy with the tavern's problems rather than snooping on our goings-on here at the hostel.”

“Where exactly are we?” I asked gazing around at the dimly lit hall, spying a few spider webs in the corners, “What kind of ‘safe house’ are we in? It doesn’t seem safe at all…” I got cut off by Mara, who was giving me a soured expression.

“This is the safest place for celestial conspierers in the city walls. As you well know, if you get caught even farting a celestial name the secret police will scoop you up in no time and take you to get reeducated. So when they started to gather up us believers my grandmother opened this safe house, helping many great priests and priestesses get through Everglade without being rounded up.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a few beat up iron keys, each with a number on its ring, “Please, make yourselves at home. We won’t be able to get you out to the bridge until three sunsets from now,” she turned to Elysia, “Your papers are being made as we speak, we just had a bit of an issue with our print space, but they should have it to me by tomorrow evening's supper.”

Papers? Were we illegally leaving the island? What exactly did leaving the island mean for us?

“What exactly do we have to do to get ourselves on the bridge to Sky Haven?” Elara asked, grabbing a key from the countertop.

“Leaving is much easier than entering the city. The papers we are making are for your entry into Sky Haven. Once you arrive there you will be searched for celestial paraphernalia. If you are found to have any they will take you away, and we will not be able to save you. The papers we are creating should work as a cloaking spell, and hide each and everyone of your identities, causing them to see only what’s on the paper, not what is in front of them.”

“Sounds risky.” Chimed up Thalas, “Have you tried this method before?”

“No, your party is our maiden voyage on these particular glyphs.” She smiled, “But it’s better than not even trying.”

I scratched at my arms, the glyphs scars creating texture that I was still getting used to.

“Will my scars cause me trouble?” I asked, lifting my right hand up in the air and exposing my skin to Mara. Perplexed for a moment she stared, unsure of what she was exactly looking at.

“Not if we do our glyph weaving correctly.” Mara pulled my sleeve up and grasped my hand giving me a wink then letting go, “Now, I have an inn above to care for. If you need anything please feel welcome to go out to the first ring through the backstairs over there,” she pointed behind the desk, “If you need me just pull on the string behind this desk and I will be with you as soon as it is safe.” With that she left us sitting in the safe house, digesting the information we had just been given.

******

“Lyra, let’s go see the market! We can’t just sit in here all three days, c’mon. I bet there are so many different types of herbs and spices they have! I could really make our meals more exciting than bland rice.” Kaelen had a good point, his rice was bland, also sitting underground was starting to wear on me. I had never spent this much time indoors, and since last night the party had hid inside the safehouse doing almost nothing.

“Fine, let me get my cloak and gloves.” I wasn’t about to go walk around, scars out, hoping to be chosen by the secret police as the next reeducation victim. Damn celestials pulling me into their griffinshit agenda. I pulled my gloves over my hands and my mossy cloak over my face and met Kaelen by the back stairs. Surprisingly, Elara and Elysia had rallied themselves and joined us as well.

“Well there’s no point in not seeing the markets.” Elysia was dressed down, wearing a very basic olive blouse and some muddy skirts. She looked almost normal. Elara, still menacing, was wearing a matching outfit but in a softer blue tone, her hooves sticking out just slightly, a small silver bracelet around the ankle of her left hoof jingled just a little as she slid to hide them back under the skirts.

“No Thalas?” I asked looking around for the elven Demi-god.

“He said he has seen all the markets on all the islands and has no interest, but to bring him back a cupcake.” Elara reported.

“His loss.” Kaelen said, swinging around and heading up the stairs to the alleyways above.

After so many delays, finally we were off. I did not find the elf’s camp bad, but I knew we were burning precious time with each passing sunset. My Priestess would not leave without her cousin, no matter my protests. For the realms sake, I hope she was worth waiting around for.

Aurelia trotted gracefully through the forest, so similar to the jungles of the Azure Waters. I’d almost feel at home if it wasn’t for the man-sized centipedes, and horrifying screams that shook the deep forests at night. I guess it’s just a different type of jungle. I thought to myself, still focused on the path now appearing before them. Certainly when we return to the Cathedral we will have to make note of this forest’s—quirks.

After what felt like eons, we emerged from the thick canopy and felt the full power of the dual suns. I sheilded my eyes as I gazed out at the city walls only a few miles beyond us.

“Is that Everglade?” I asked the Elf.

“Yes, it is only a half day's ride.” He replied, swiftly turning his beautiful cockatrice around to face us.

“Thank you for leading us out of your forest,” I gave a half bow, the priestess doing the same behind me. I gave a flick of the reins and attempted to slide past but found myself blocked by the rattling tail of his mount.

“I actually require payment for letting you all mooch off me for the past month.” He said, a sly smile on his face.

What did this guy want from us?

“No way, I passed out. You tricked us into staying by saying it was important that you train me. What the hell could we give a fucking Demi-god? I already gave your father my welded soul.” Lyra’s words were spiked. At least she spoke her mind so I didn’t have to speak with my staff. I could take a Demi-god, at least long enough for The Priestess to get away safely on Aurelia.

“Hey hey, calm down cowboy. I just want to join your adventure to Sky Haven. My forest needs to replenish without my intervention. It will close itself off to any wanderers while I’m away, and if any get in the centipedes will get them anyway.” He said with a matter of fact tone.

“Join us?” I wasn’t opposed to him joining, after all a Demi-god would be useful on the bridge. Once we got beyond these city walls’ who knew what lurked, we needed all the help we could get. I looked back at the group.

Lyra seemed to be shocked by the request, and her friend, Kaelen, was it? He seemed to be ok with the request by the fact he was giving two thumbs up to show it.

“I think he should join, I rather like Mr. Thalas.” Elysia cooed.

“I agree.” Joined the chef.

I looked at Lyra, whose expression had gone blank. She took in a deep breath then said, “Yeah, why not.”

I turned to face the elf, “Fine. You can come along. But you must fight with us and must not betray Priestess Elysia. Is that understood?”

He gave me a wink with his emerald eyes glinting beneath, “You got it Ms. Warrior Princess.”

I sneered at the jab and pushed past his mount, making my way, finally, to the city of Everglade.