I could still see it when I closed my eyes. Graxon’s slumped over body in his study found just before our morning meeting. There was something he wanted to show me after his trip to the Highlands, a collection of islands floating above the Earth where he had made some kind of discovery. He had sent me a letter before his return, but he never went into much detail. It didn't occur to me that it would be our last correspondence. All I could think about right now was that damned black dagger shoved in the old dwarf’s back. 
	It was the only thing the police had to go off of, no prints, no mana, the damned thing had some kind of anti magic curse imbued in it that no diviner could see through. I always thought I’d go before the old man. I could have screamed, but I hadn’t, I just walked to his library’s phone as calmly as I could and dialed for the police. Questioning had gone quickly and I was ruled out. I had an alibi in my friend Phoenix who could prove I wasn't there when he was murdered. The dagger and whatever strange markings were on it was only one of our clues, though I admit the markings themselves were indecipherable to anyone present. The undrank whiskey from the night before was our other clue, as it sat neatly on Graxon's desk. The old dwarf was fond of the stuff, it was a bad habit, but I guess none of that really mattered in the long run. 
	It was strange though, there were no signs of struggle, not a book or paper out of place. His valuables were untouched and the key to his vault was still hanging from his belt. It mystified me. Who did this? Who wanted the old man dead? What were they after, if anything? The only guess I had was the small puzzle box and the tag the old chronicler had written on it saying OBERON. It was a trinket I had been sent with my mentor’s summons. Had he found something he shouldn't have? Had his killer already taken it? I didn't care. I just wanted justice.

	So I set off, taking a vessel to the lands high above the clouds. To Oberon. It was one of the last places he had been before his untimely fate befell him.

	“Reece,” Phoenix gently sat next to the boy and touched his arm.
	“Hm?” He replied, looking up from the little puzzle box in his hands. He had been pondering it for hours on end, ever since they departed the lands below and had made no progress on it at all. For the last few hours he was merely staring through it, his thoughts focused on the late Graxon, only interrupted by his friend.
	The satyr sighed, relieved to have gotten his attention for even a moment, “You have not said a single word all day. I was getting worried.”
	Reece lamented with a sharp exhale, “I keep thinking back to it, Phoenix. I can’t get him out of my head.”
	Phoenix put her hand on his shoulder, “I know. I am sorry. But it is not healthy to keep thinking about it like this.”
	The boy turned his head to look out the window of the vessel. The Earth looked so far away now, “How can I stop?” He weakly asked, not daring to look her in the eyes, “He was more of a father to me than my actual father.”
	“Focus on the task at hand,” She poked at the wooden box between his palms. It was about eight inches across and five inches long and tall. It had ornate carvings of beasts and mountains across it, four mythical creatures all but extinct on Earth. Reece had struggled to find any part of it that would slide, twist, or turn to open up, “There must be something important inside.”
	“Or whatever was in it, my mentor already took it and he was going to show me. I couldn’t find anything out of place in his estate,” Reece sadly grumbled.
	Phoenix leaned back into her seat. The satyr woman was an old friend, one that Reece had made in his line of work. It was a chance meeting with the daughter of two heroes he had heavily researched– though some think she befriended him to keep an eye on him for her parents’ sake. She was beautiful, radiant even. She had her mother’s curly auburn hair that practically glowed in the sunlight, a fire of passion burning in her scarlet eyes, a pair of curled goat horns charred black and adorned with golden jewelry, and long, furred goat ears on the sides of her head that tended to betray what emotion she was outwardly showing. Said ears were currently drooping as she was worried sick about her friend. She wore a crimson knitted sweater that paired well with the black skirt that folded over her crossed satyros goat legs. If there was somehow any question that she was a demi-human, the curly ochre hair covered legs and soot black hooves gave her away.
	The pair were staying in a small cabin aboard a modestly sized vessel. They had four hammocks in the room along with a small table and four chairs. The USAS Myridea, a long wooden cog ship that chartered the stars, carried the duo, along with a few others, high above the Earth. The land currently floating high over the United States was known as Avalon, where Avalonians like Phoenix’s ancestors were said to originate from. Reece found it all so hard to believe, a collection of islands slowly migrating over the Earth, apparently from the Old World, found ninety years after the Great Cracking. His own mentor had been there, or so the letter said, so he was forced to believe such a place could exist now. Graxon wasn't the kind of person to play games like that. He was from the Old World himself, and had taught Reece many things about it over the years. The Old World had a fascination with Arthurian lore, something that had somehow made it there before they made the journey from their doomed world to the New World, our world, bringing all manner of magic, myth and man with them. The world had adapted surprisingly well, but what of this Avalon? Would there be things there thought lost to time? Peoples and places changed by the ages or had they remained untouched as if nothing had ever happened? It hadn't even been a century, but for Avalon it could have been much longer. In his experience magic could be strange and twisted and often confusing. Reece had no idea what to expect.
	The door to the room opened and the third passenger in their party stepped in, “Dinner,” He simply said.
	“Thank you, Red Hawk,” Phoenix smiled softly as the elven man removed the white wrappings he wore around much of his face. 
	He was an acquaintance of Phoenix’s. Once a member of the revered Demi-Human Integration Force, a branch of law enforcement as Reece recalled, he had recently retired and turned researcher under the powerful Hamilton family. He didn't look much older than Reece, in truth, but he was an elf and it was hard enough to gauge the ages of people from his own race at times, let alone the other races of men. The dark skinned elf was looking for a reason to go to Avalon after hearing about a magical power source they had, as Phoenix had told him, and Reece was more receptive to the idea when he learned Red Hawk had been an investigator for crimes not unlike this one. The elf sat with his fellows, “The captain was asking about you, Reece.”
	“Was he?” The boy stared at the meal they had been provided, a simple potato and meat soup with some soft, somewhat fresh bread. A crisp apple salad split between the three, something that Red Hawk had prepared himself. 
	“Word of your mentor’s death has spread even here. He offers his condolences,” The elf said solemnly.
	“Captain O’Malley seems like a good man,” Phoenix piped up.
	Reece nodded. The boy had brought very little with him. According to his mentor’s will, anything that the boy wanted from the estate was his now. Reece had brought writing materials along with a few books to read during his down time, a camera, as much film as he could carry, a few changes of clothes, a sweater, coat, some toiletries, a cleansing rock, a magic ring that would allow him to understand and speak the Highlander’s language, and an old dwarven-made silver handaxe– it had been a gift for Reece when he got his degree. He was out of his element, he was a historian, a chronologist, and author. Now, he was in pursuit of a murderer.
	Red Hawk took off his navy blazer and hat. He had only been wearing suits during the two day voyage along with that flat cap with an ornate H that turned into a cat on the right side. From what Reece understood of wizards, this hat denoted him as a magical researcher, and the H meant he belonged to the Hamilton foundation. His short and curly black hair was neatly cut, his features were sharp and thin, and his eyes were purely black like all wild elves. The horns wild elves usually had often resembled the antlers of cervidae animals and those like them. His, however, were filed down into small nubs that barely broke through his hair. It was a curiosity at best, one that Reece paid no mind beyond that. A silver earring that connected a clip on his earlobe to a cap on the end of his ear by a chain jingled quietly in the otherwise silent cabin. The trio ate, each one searching for the words to say.
	Phoenix broke the quiet, “What did you say you were researching, Red Hawk?”
	Red Hawk smiled, thankful to be able to fill the silence, “Magical power sources. I had been working with the Australian aether crystals for some time now. You wrote about them, did you not, Reece?” The elf asked.
	The boy nodded, “I did for a few articles. I met with the Ironstones, that gremlin and her husband that helped make big breakthroughs in stabilizing them. The second was with that gremylkin, Skitz, I think she’s in Avalon now trying to dodge the Australian authorities. I did a short article on America’s first mainstream MUTT, a tractor on legs with arms.”
	“A lot of talk of the crystal’s uses in war,” Red Hawk whinged, “This very vessel is powered by a pair of aether crystals, Reece. They are used for much more than powering robotic exoskeletons. Well, they should be used for more in any case. The crystals give it lift and the air currents they generate push the sails. A much more efficient way to do it, as the mana is so thin up here, it would be impossible for mana engines to power it.”
	Reece nodded, “Is the lack of mana messing with either of you? Spell casters are very in tune with the mana around them, from what I understand.”
	Phoenix shook her head, “I can feel the mana-quenching effects of the aether crystals, but I feel no ill effects as of now. I doubt I could cast a spell in these conditions.”
	“I cannot imagine what it is like for you, Phoenix. A sorcerer’s blood has more mana in it than red blood cells. I am glad to hear you are not in pain,” Red Hawk gave her a small smile.
	“I’ve been wondering,” Reece shifted nervously, “Why’d you leave the DHIF?”
	The elf nodded and rubbed his forehead, “I had been on the force for more than seventy years, Reece. We stopped being a group that helped the downtrodden races, goblinoids, avalonians, other beast folk, integrate into society and became a magic based police force that also dealt with hate crimes. I enjoyed being a detective, I knew I was making a difference. A DHIFference, if you will, but I was ready for a change, and Lady Hamilton was looking for experienced wizards to look into the recently made available aether crystals. Like you wrote about, Pin Ironstone made it possible to export them. All it took was a reverse or counter vibration to keep them from destroying themselves.”
	Phoenix smiled, “I am grateful you agreed to come along. I know you want to see this new energy source the Avalons use, but we will be needing your skills of deduction. We both really appreciate it.”
	“Of course. Who am I to deny two friends of the Hamiltons? Lady Hamilton urged that I go with you both for a similar reason. I think she was very fond of Mister Graxon.”
	“A lot of academics seemed to be,” Reece slouched in his seat, “The old man knew a lot of people. Guess that happens when you’re more than two hundred years old,” He looked out the window again, desperate to take his mind off the dwarf. There would be time for mourning later. They were more than ten miles up now, high above the earth. Tomorrow they would arrive and the search would begin, “What should we expect in Avalon?”
	“We will need to acquire a few things once the captain drops us off,” Red Hawk began, “An air source for each of us. Supplies like food and water. I may look for potions as well. Tents. Bedrolls.”
	“I used my parent’s contacts to find us a guide,” Phoenix smiled, “Then, hopefully, we can figure out where the puzzle box came from and how it opens.”
	“It will be cold. Freezing, even,” Red Hawk added, “Did you pack enough warm clothes?”
	“I might want to buy a cloak,” Reece decided, “But I am prepared otherwise.”
	“May I ask what Graxon was tutoring you for?” Red Hawk prodded, trying to continue a polite conversation, “I, of course, did some research and came across a few things you have written. Your Ballad of Sol Eater being the main one.”
	“That’s the one everyone talks about,” Reece allowed himself a chuckle. Phoenix was glad to see him finally crack a smile, even if for a moment, “I understand it, at least. It's how I met Phoenix, afterall.”
	“Oh, hush,” The satyr giggled, “Mother still teases father over his depiction in it. Though he acts like he loathes it, the notoriety of his antagonistic bent has brought him some fame in recent years.”
	Red Hawk nodded, “Ah, so that is how you two know one another?”
	“Yup,” Reece shook his head as he remembered the day, “She was the last person in and we talked for hours afterwards about it. As for your original question, Graxon taught me a lot. Since I was young he schooled me, taught me how to write, how to read, and once I was old enough he taught me his field. Literature, translating, compiling information, writing runes, a bit of art, linguistics, and even some axe fighting. Of course that means he taught me dwarven among a few other languages. Most of my work has been field journalism, unfortunately, but I really want to do more writing like Sol Eater.”
	“Perhaps this journey’s story will be worthy of being called your follow up?” Phoenix wondered.
	Reece frowned, “I’m not sure I can.”
	“Graxon might have wanted it.”
	“Maybe he would. I’m just hoping I’m not wasting your time,” He shook his head.
	Phoenix gave him a confident smile, “We cannot say until we begin our search. Have some faith.”
	Reece could only nod, “I'll try.”

	When morning came, the sounds of the crew unloading the Myridea woke the trio up. Reece silently got dressed and used the cleansing stone to remove the grime and sweat from his body. It was as simple as waving it over his face and chest and left no more than a sterile scent behind. It beat the more odorous alternative, he often thought to himself. Phoenix put on tight, dark denim pants, a cream colored shirt, and an unbuttoned crimson peacoat. A thin sword, some kind of rapier with a rose gold hilt hung from her hip along with a black metal rod with a small cluster of crystals fastened to one end. She had a small leather backpack, no doubt filled with as many useful trinkets as she could get a hold of for such a journey, “Ready?” She asked.
	Reece nodded slowly as he put his shoulder bag on, “I have to be. I’m not going back now.”
	Phoenix’s ears perked up, “Good. I am glad you have a fire in you.”
	Red Hawk put on his suit, this one being onyx black with a blue tie, “Shall we?”
	The three left the cabin and went up to the deck. The crew was unloading barrels under the direction of a man with a clipboard. Reece got his first glimpse of the Highlands; of Avalon. The docks, fifteen miles above sea level, were frigid and made of a deep purple, mauve wood with dark plum grain. After shaking off the cold, he noticed the buildings were made with a similar wood. They had a stone base made of gray brick, but the main construction was usually plain wood of the same purple hues. This village, Oberon, had once been placed in a valley long ago, or so people have said. Now it was splayed out across a collection of loosely connected islands. Each island was either completely made of stone or had a layer of soil and was covered in a deep orange grass. The biggest islands were the size of a stadium and were used for houses and some of the smaller ones reminded him of the city block his apartment was on. These islands were being used to grow crops. Any island that could hold them were covered in trees with white bark and orange-red leaves. It was the middle of summer, making Reece wonder if they were consistently this color, if it was the cold affecting them or how thin the air was up here. The largest island which most others were tethered to with bridges had a sort of village center. A large main building, most likely for governmental uses, was surrounded by carts and wagons that people were selling food, clothes, and trinkets out of. One other building was on this main island, a tavern with several townhouses connected to it. Many other islands had a home or two, rarely did one have more than four. Reece had to wonder if the islands would float away without the bridges connecting them, but then again how did they put them there to begin with? The sky was dark, even though the sun was visible on the Earth’s horizon. This high up in the stratosphere, they found themselves above the blue sky which was only visible on the horizon basked in the morning glow that cast a harsh, fiery orange light on the sides of the building and the Myridea.
	“Hey!” The man with the clipboard took a moment to call to the trio, “Enjoy your ride?”
	“We did, Carlisle,” Red Hawk replied.
	Carlisle was the second mate, a squat human with short brown hair and brown eyes. He shifted in his well fitting white and blue jacket that most of the crew wore, “I’m glad to hear it. We don’t carry very many passengers on the Myridea. I believe the Captain mentioned one of the last was your mentor, Reece.”
	The boy’s blank expression turned downcast, “Yeah. He was.”
	“I’m surprised more people aren’t making the voyage. We’ve only been trading with them for a month, and I think only five or so groups have come with us. No one is taking just passengers up here yet, but I hear they may do a cruise style voyage up to Avalon. Ah, listen to me ramble. Take a moment to say hi to the captain, will you?” Carlisle pointed to a tall human with sandy blonde hair who was talking with a goblin on the docks.
	“We shall. Thank you,” Phoenix gave him a gracious bow and led the others away, “I am surprised how thick the air is here.”
	“Look,” Red Hawk pointed to a lantern overhead. It let off a bright green glow from its rounded, cylindrical, metal frame, “I can sense a power from this. It is similar to the aether crystals, but the power feels… different,” The elf wandered to a portion of the dock that lacked any of these lanterns, “As I step away, I can feel the air get thinner. We must assume along with light, they let off air. I will need to get my hands on one of these.”
	Captain O’Malley had an amused look on his face as the elf went through his deductions, “I don’t understand it much either, sir,” The captain chuckled, his voice was heavily Australian, “But from what the locals have told me, those green gems or stones are the reason these people are still alive here.”
	“Truly?” Red Hawk rubbed his chin and picked at the wrappings on his face, “Then I definitely need to see them up close.”
	The goblin cleared his throat. He was a small, yellow-skinned goblin with black splotches on his face that Reece could not tell was face paint or skin discoloration. Goblins tended to have one or the other in his experience. His long ears drooped and he wore a simple cloak and fur hat, “We have a wizard in town. You can buy some from him if you want a prepared chunk of avalite. The miners’ guild has some unrefined pieces, surely, if you’re more interested in that,” His accent was impossible to place, it wasn’t like anything Reece had heard before. The high pitched goblin voice had a pleasant lilt with a bit of a drawl. Reece knew the goblin wasn’t speaking a language he understood, but the ring made it comprehensible to him, as did it make his words to the goblin.
	“I shall do this, thank you,” Red Hawk barely contained his curiosity.
	“Reece,” The captain took his hat off, “I’m sorry to hear about Mister Graxon. He was a good man, from what I hear.”
	“He was. Thank you very much,” The boy gave a weak smile, “Is there anything we need to know?”
	The captain put his hat back on as his crew began to load cargo he had traded from the village, while a few workers from Oberon were taking his deliveries into town. It wasn’t too many barrels and boxes, but they were taken to various businesses, mostly to the two in the town square, “We will be gone for four days as we head to Rathus to unload some more cargo. We’ll be here for a day after then head north to the capital, Estron. I can’t guarantee we’ll stay much longer than that.”
	“Understood,” Red Hawk jotted that down in a small notepad, “We shall try to leave a message if we plan to come with you.”
	“Any laws that previous visitors have had an issue with?” Phoenix asked the goblin.
	He shrugged, “Just don’t be a nuisance and we’ll all get along,” As if on cue, a loud and boisterous laugh rang out across the village. It was followed by a few cheers. The goblin sighed wearily, “That woman. The sooner she leaves my quiet town, the better.”
	“Who is she?” Reece wondered.
	“Some big hero. We haven’t needed heroes in Oberon in years, but the people love her,” He huffed, “I don’t have a clue why she’s here.”
	“Oh! That must be who we are here to meet!” Phoenix quickly deduced, “Come along now.”
	The goblin paled at the mention of their acquaintance as the trio went off into town. They quickly crossed a short bridge into the town square where they spotted the commotion. The people were gathered, each in cloaks of various colors and designs, around a single individual. Currently, the cloaked person was doing pushups with a dozen teens and children sitting on their back. They effortlessly switched to a one handed push up and then only on their pointer fingers. Soon, they got off and the boisterous individual was back on their feet, throwing their hands in the air. The crowd cheered and clapped for their little show.
	The figure stood to their full height, more than six and a half feet tall. They were a she, Reece realized, a somewhat young woman– though older than him, with a wild head of fluffy, golden blonde hair and a pair of bright, emerald green eyes that fixated on the Lowlanders. She sauntered over with a grin on her face and the two rounded cat ears on the top of her head twitched and the long cat tail on her backside swished back and forth, “Finally! Ya’ll left me waitin’! Maxamillion, I assume?”
	“Indeed, and you must be our guide, Zyra?” Phoenix gave the gargantuan woman a bow.
	“Ain’t ya polite? Come on, we can have a chat over drinks!” 
	Before anyone could protest, the tall avalonian woman wrapped her big arms around Reece, Phoenix, and Redhawk’s shoulders and led them to the tavern.

	In the middle of the building, a stone fire pit crackled beneath a large chimney. Villagers, made up of humans, various species of avalonian, and goblinoids sat around the tavern’s fire comfortably chatting with one another, dining and drinking the day away. In the corner, Reece sat with his two companions and this new woman. He stared in awe as she chugged two whole pints of ale and ate a large steak off the bone. She had large paw-like hands covered in coarse, dirty blonde fur. Sharp and vicious claws for each of her fingers were her preferred method to rend the tougher meats she was eating. She, and everyone else, had stripped off their cloaks and tops and hung them on hooks or coat racks around the tavern, leaving only their loose garments on or tightly wound wrappings over their bare chests. The barkeep was the only halfling in town that Reece had seen, and had served the table the same meat that the avalonian was scarfing down but in much smaller quantities. It was like a pleasant, buttery pork in flavor covered in a mushroom sauce that was savory and a little sweet. Reece struggled to not be distracted by the revelry of the tavern, not to mention the near nudity on display in the surprisingly warm building. 
	“Ya don’t like yar meat?” The woman asked with a mouth full of food, “I can’t get enough of the stuff, myself!” Her accent was very similar to the goblin’s, but she said a few words like a country bumpkin.
	“No, no, it is good,” Phoenix had eaten a few bites of hers and Red Hawk almost none, “It is just a bit early for such a hearty meal. Now, your name is Zyra? Do you have anything else you want to be called?”
	The woman nodded and wiped her mouth, “Zyra of Rivaan. Some call me The Lion, as well. The Lion of Rivaan. I understand ya want me to be yar guide, but what exactly is it you three need?”
	Red Hawk and Phoenix both looked at Reece. He had scarfed down the meat, knowing he needed the energy for the day, and sipped on the mead. It was sweet and sour and mixed with what he imagined was honey, “My mentor was murdered,” He uttered grimly, “I don’t have a lot to go on. We were hoping you could help, since you’re well traveled and something of a local hero. I don’t care what it costs me, I have to learn who did this… and deliver justice if we can.”
	Zyra quickly sobered up. Her once quick replies immediately slowed as she took a moment to gather her thoughts. She nodded, “I’ll do what I can, friends. Tell me, what is yar name?” 
	“Reece M Gawain.”
	“Right,” Zyra put on a smile, “Ya Lowlanders love yar second names. I’ll start by sayin’ that this won’t cost ya a thing. I don’t need gold.”
	“Really?” Reece was shocked, he had at least expected to trade for services, it was what he was used to having spent so much time amongst dwarves. Even good friends tended to do things in trade, even if it was as simple as a handshake or a cup of ale.
“Truly. Can’t let this go unpunished. What clues do ya have?”
	The boy brought out a piece of paper, “This was the dagger that did him in. An all black construction,” He had drawn it to the best of his ability, at least as much as he had seen from what was shoved in Graxon’s back before and after the police had removed it. The blade had a cross hatching pattern inlaid on the hilt and a fist made from a scaled hand at the base. The blade was thick at the base and tapered off into a curved point, “I believe it's a design from Avalon.”
	“Black metal, black hilt,” Red Hawk chimed in, “Ah, Red Hawk, at your service miss Zyra– I am wondering if that is a lizard’s hand on the hilt.”
	“It looks like it coulda came from Avalon,” Zyra mumbled, her eyes gazing up as if searching the corners of her mind, “No clue on this scale pattern. I haven’t met a lizard avalonian myself. Doesn’t mean there aren’t any up here, o’course.”
	“There are lizard folk in the Lowlands, similar to beast folk like you,” Reece scratched his head, “But I can’t figure out any kind of connection. The other clue is this,” He brought out the puzzle box. Red Hawk and Phoenix got a better look at it as Reece finally relinquished the box to Zyra. It was made of the same lavender wood as the buildings around them, it had a scene of a mountain range framed between tall trees and a meadow of an expertly and precisely carved out relief. The sides had darker wooden cut out creatures. A wyvern– a two legged flying and scaled ferocious beast with wings where their arms might have been, one of the ancestors of the long since dead dragons. Another beast was a six legged lizard covered in spikes with milky, empty eyes, a basilisk. The chimera, a terrifying lion-like beast with many different beasts mixed into its form, able to mimic and portray their victims to lure in more food. The last creature was a big, armored beetle-like monster with eight legs and a massive horn on its face between half a dozen beady eyes. Neither Red Hawk nor Phoenix had seen it before.
	“Well, I see a wyvern, chimera, basilisk, and a behemoth,” Zyra imparted, turning the box over in her hand, “That mountain range looks really well made, whoever carved this was a pro, maybe beyond that. Though where it is is hard to tell, since there’s more than a few mountain ranges here. Even then, I can see mountains on the Lowlands when I look down. Who's to say this is actually somewhere in Avalon?” Zyra flipped it over and stared at the blank bottom, “It could also be from the olden days, before Avalon was like this,” She idly suggested. The only feature was the word Oberon, “Those markings don't look like your average charcoal scribblings. What is it? What does it mean?”
	“Dwarven runes written in permanent marker. It says Oberon,” Reece replied, “The only other Oberon I can think of is the fairy king of Arthurian myth. Though this unusual wood color and my mentor’s recent visit here made me pursue this. We don’t have wood in the Lowlands that naturally occurs in this color.”
	“As for the creatures,” Red Hawk was quick to join in, “Those are all extinct and, well, I had never heard of a behemoth before now.”
	Zyra shook her head, “Maybe way down below, but besides the chimera, these are all living and breathing monsters. Though, truth be told, I think a chimera shows up every once in a while. Only fought one once many years ago. Lady Diane killed most of ‘em way back when before my time.”
	Confusion passed over Phoenix’s face, “What do you mean ‘way back when’? How long ago?”
	“Diane passed before I was born, of old age. I’m not a historian and no one really knew that stuff in Rivaan. She was born here, not in the Old World, though.”
	Red Hawk made a quiet noise, “A goblin, I assume. You seem to be in your late twenties, leaving a gap of about sixty years. She must have been busy if she set out to kill as many chimeras as possible.”
	Phoenix nodded, “I would too, knowing how evil they are,” She sighed, “What do they mean on the puzzle box though?”
	“Dunno,” Zyra shrugged and went back to her food, “I know some places we can check, some are nearby. Places where some wyvern are. We could kill a couple birds with one stone. Maybe solve yar box, and prevent Oberon’s wyvern problem.”
	Reece looked at his companions. Phoenix nodded slowly, “It sounds like a good idea to try. Opening it might give us some clues.”
	“We could also try bashing it open,” Zyra took the box in her hand.
	“I already tried,” Reece revealed meekly, “It seems to be enchanted. Couldn’t even knick it with an axe.”
	“Then our only means of opening it is either we solve it or we break the enchantment. We shall get ready and then we can head out, Miss Zyra,” Red Hawk declared, “I have prepared a list for myself. Could I ask you to take me to this local wizard’s abode or tower? Or wherever it may be he sells his wares? I wish to get my hands on some of these green energy stones.”
	Zyra finished her drink and nodded, “O’course. Ah, ya three are gonna need ‘em to breathe better out in the wilderness. Ya can obviously survive out there, but if we need to run or fight, ya’ll be winded real quick.”
	“Anything else?” Phoenix pressed.
	“I like to get blessed by this Rael fellow when I come across him. He’s one of them Christians from the Lowlands,” Zyra explained as she took up her clothes and put them back on, “I’m still not sure I believe him, but it makes me feel better. He should be visiting his flock here in Oberon.”
	“Christians?” Red Hawk sputtered, “Even here their influence spreads. They are rather eager, hm?”
	“Rael says his God bids him to be here,” Zyra retorted, feeling slightly irked by the elf, “Come on, we have things to do.”
	The group of three became four, as Zyra of Rivaan went with them.
	
	Reece found himself watching the townsfolk as they went. Outdoors, everyone wore thick cloaks and clothing to keep them warm. Indoors, like in the tavern, they seemed to strip as a show of comfort or calmness. Outdoors, in the dense roads, people bumped into one another, put hands on one another's shoulders, even a hug or two. They seemed very comfortable with bumping and touching, much of their movements were gentle and often caressing as each person went about their day easily weaving through the narrow and crowded streets. Curiously, they moved for Zyra of Rivaan. The crowd seemed to clear around her, giving her as much space as they could as she went, reverence on their faces. She was a hero, after all, and Reece quickly gathered that it must have been some kind of custom the people of Oberon had for those with some renown as they parted for a couple of well dressed officials. He found himself relieved that they were traveling together with Zyra, the pressing of the crowd would have quickly put him off of this place. Firstly, the group stopped at a clothier and Reece bought a cloak with a few coins. It was a simple dark blue with a black hem. The interior was lined with a layer of soft and fuzzy wool. Red Hawk bought a pair of tents, some blankets, small pillows, bedrolls, and an assortment of camping gear. His large leather backpack seemed to be bottomless, same with Phoenix’s bag as she rolled up the blankets and put them in her bag. Reece could hear the not-so-hushed whispers of the shopkeepers as they watched an impossible volume of items pass through the mouth of the wizard and sorceress’ bags. It occurred to him that they evidently did not have many bottomless bags in Oberon. The satyr bought some food for the road, jerky and other dried foods that could last for a time ingredients to make into a few stews. 
	Reece stopped at a stall with boxes of odd fruit on its countertop, “Hail, Lowlander,” The canine avalonian said with a smile. Her robes were flowing and colored a bright red, “Care for some fruit?”
	He recalled seeing a lot of other fruit sellers. His cohort had stopped nearby, “Does Oberon grow a lot of fruit?”
	“Oh, Avalon is known for her many fruits. We have a few farm animals, but most everyone eats fruit from the trees. Some vegetables grow, we harvest mushrooms, but fruit is everywhere. The few traveling historians who are left say Avalon has always been like this,” She excitedly explained, “I’m hoping to trade my fruit with the Lowlands in the future, like we used to do. The few traders that come by take things like mead or wine from the capital or the bigger towns. Anywho, can I get you anything?”
	The fruit reminded Reece of apples, but were shaped like persimmons. The skin was tough and smelled sour, “I’ll take a few of these. Three, maybe.”
	“Of course. Take a fourth, make sure to tell The Lion you bought it from me,” She smiled and gladly took the coin. Reece shoved them in his bag and gave her a little smile before regrouping.
	“I see,” Red Hawk was speaking to a man with a black beard and blue robes, “This magic is from an outer realm, I imagine. It's of course not a mana based source, nor is it aether. And you tune these?”
	“Yes, I do. For light, air, heat, or water. Though the trees can let off water, avalite is much more portable, as well as potable,” The wizard chuckled at his own little joke, “One of the previous cohorts of researchers were interested in these runes. Here, they are a bit crude, but you should be able to recreate it,” He gave the elf a slip of parchment.
	“Ah! Thank you very much, my good sir. I think that is everything I need. Thank you again,” Red Hawk bagged up some of the stones and the paper, “Is that everything?”
	“One last stop,” Phoenix reminded him, quickly keeping him from wandering off, “For our new friend here.”
	The elf quickly relented and nodded, “Right.”
	Zyra led the group out of this town square and over a rope bridge. Reece tried not to look down as the others passed over it rather confidently. It was very difficult to ignore his trepidation as he brought up the rear rather slowly. They stepped into a less populated part of town, seemingly some small homes and a church or temple. Flowers grew in front of one of the houses while another grew mushrooms under a dark mesh. Whatever god this had once been set up for was long since gone. Now, tapestries of crosses draped and hung over the dilapidated iconography that people once revered. Zyra went right into the church without a hint of hesitation. At the far end of this one room building, a cross had been erected on an elevated section while some hastily crafted pews lined the room facing it. Off to the side a few cots had been set up and men sat on them or the pews, “Hello!” Zyra called as she approached.
	The missionaries, two human men, a dwarf, an avalonian woman, and a goblin man, all greeted the Lion as if they all knew her.
	Reece could sense Red Hawk shifting nervously. Phoenix had a smirk on her face, “She certainly is outgoing.”
	“She seems to be,” Reece chuckled.
	The door behind them opened again and an overwhelming presence moved behind them. It made the trio freeze. A hand placed on Reece’s shoulder, firm yet gentle, nearly made the boy yelp. He whipped around and found himself face to face with a figure in dark metal armor with a purple tabard depicting a black cross with a sunset or sunrise behind it in white half circle and a rounded horizon line, “Your face. I have seen it before,” The man stated before pulling off his helmet. A stern and older human man looked down at Reece with one good eye and numerous scars across his face. Lightning scars, perhaps, was the first thought Reece had upon seeing them. There was not a hair on his head, which only served to emphasize his strong, squared jawline, “In my dreams, I have seen you in visions.”
	“Huh?” Reece squeaked as sweat formed all over his body, “W-What do you mean?”
	“Visions and prophecies are gifted to me,” He explained as he walked around the trio, “Though their meanings are left up to me to interpret. I believe you are full of doubt, as I have seen before. You are where you need to be, no matter what you may be looking for.”
	He went to Zyra and began conversing with her and the other missionaries. Red Hawk shook his head, “What an odd fellow, even for a Christian.”
	“At least he has the courage to reveal his face,” Phoenix teased, to which the elf rolled his eyes. 
	Reece made his way to the group of holy men, now much more curious. Zyra smiled at this cleric, “There ya are, Rael. Me an’ some Lowlanders are about to head out into the wilderness. Got a wyvern problem to deal with. Since ya’re in town, thought I’d ask ya to pray over me again.”
	The stern old man nodded, his face slightly brightening up with an amused smirk, “Of course. You can pray to the Lord for protection on your own, you know. Despite being a Highlander, I firmly believe the Holy Spirit is with you.”
	“Yeah, but it feels more right when ya do it for me. Like the Old World holy men used to,” Zyra replied a bit anxiously, “Ya gonna get blessed too, Reece?”
	The boy nodded, “It's been too long since I last prayed. This is as good a time as any, right?”
	The older cleric, Rael, nodded, “It is never too late to start speaking with the Lord again. He will wait for you always, like an old friend. Let me pray over both of you, and your friends. Bow your heads with me,” Reece did as he was told, as did Zyra, “Heavenly Father. I ask that you keep our friends Zyra, Reece, and their friends safe from harm. Keep them from temptations. Keep their stomachs full. Let their journey be safe and swift, and let them find rest and peace in the wilderness. Let them find and put down these dangerous beasts. Lord, I ask that you help Reece stay from anxiety and worry, let him find what he needs to see, and find peace within it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
	“Amen,” The group of missionaries ended and made the sign of the cross, with Zyra hurriedly echoing the phrase after them. Reece took a deep breath and repeated it once more to himself, feeling just as committed to his mission as before.
	Rael began to doff his armor, “Thank you for sharing a moment with us and coming to visit. Do not let me keep you any longer than I need to.”
	“Thank you,” Reece felt a strange sense of calm come over him, something he thought he had felt before, long ago.
	“Yeah, thanks a bunch. We’ll swing by when we come back. Hopefully ya’ll still be around, Rael,” Zyra smiled and made her way out of the church, Reece and the others following her. Before they left, Reece turned back to see the priest giving him a confident nod, his friendly face turning stern as he began discussing something with his fellows in hushed voices.

	The four returned to the docks in search of a vessel to charter. Reece didn’t think he could ever get used to the sight of the earth far below, especially without many guard rails in Oberon. There were not many boats at the docks now, as the Myridea had left. A goblin in what seemed to be a fishing vessel was docked. It was the only ship around with its captain. With a single sail and enough room for the four passengers and their things it would be enough for their purpose. Zyra had retrieved a few of her belongings, a massive sword and a set of armor in a green or jade hue and yet even as she approached with stomping feet, she did not attract the attention of the little green sailor. The goblin was far too busy messing with the ropes of his sail and looking frustrated, “Hail,” Reece gave a traditional dwarven greeting with a raised hand, startling the small, lime-green skinned goblin.
	“What!? What is it!?” He had a different accent than Zyra or the others Reece had spoken to. Less lilt and more shrillness in his gravelly voice.
	The group of four looked at one another, taken aback by the sudden outburst. They didn’t really have another option, “We need transport,” Red Hawk explained.
	“Transport?” The goblin looked at them, sizing them up. He was sweaty and had tossed his forest green cloak aside and was in a black turtleneck sweater and loose, ill-fitting pants, “I mean, I can do that. I was about to, uh, do some fishing. But, for the right price, my vessel is yours.”
	Red Hawk’s expression, though hidden by the wrappings, was obviously a bit incredulous at the statement of fishing. Reece thought it prudent to ask about it as Zyra began to board the boat. He was surprised how little it rocked when the large woman stepped in, “What do you fish for? There isn’t much water around,” He joked.
	The goblin, taken aback, gave him a stupid look, “What? Your fish swim? That’s weird.”
	Phoenix was next to step aboard, “What is your rate, sir?”
	“Sir?” He blushed, “Ah, er, for a gal like you? You and your pals? Seven– no, no. Six silver. Per day.”
	“That seems fair?” 
	Zyra nodded, “Fair enough for a group of this size.”
	“So, where ya’ headed?” The goblin asked once everyone was aboard.
	Zyra gestured west, “The Guardian Mounds.”
	He turned pale, “Woah, woah, woah! I never signed up to ferry you to your death! Gotta double my rate if you wanna go there.”
	Phoenix leaned over, “Even for me?” 
	The goblin’s once green skin turned a reddish hue, he was changing colors so often that Reece was beginning to wonder if he was part chameleon, or fey-touched, “Ah, well… I can get some fishing done there, I’m sure. Just bring me back some wyvern meat.”
	“Oh, I cannot wait to have some wyvern steak,” Zyra grinned, “Can we get going?”
	“Yeah, yeah. Hold your ratotons,” The goblin grunted. At the rear of the vessel, there was a wooden box with a handle that pointed towards the front of it. It had a glass case on top with a big chunk of avalite in it in a pyramid shape pointing towards the front of the boat. The goblin pulled a chain and the pyramid began to glow. At that moment, the boat began to move. The goblin lowered the handle, making the boat move slowly. Once they were away from the dock, he pulled it and they began to speed along.
	Reece had a moment to think over everything. The boat had small bits of the green avalite in its wood. They glowed softly, making him assume they gave the boat lift. The air was getting thin as they sped away, and he was handed some avalite from Red Hawk. Affixing it to his cloak with the attached string, he found he could breathe normally. He held the puzzle box, hoping once again to glean some insight from it.
	“What are you all doin’ heading towards those beasts?” The goblin asked.
	“We’re killin’ ‘em,” Zyra picked at her claws with a dagger.
	Phoenix nodded, “It should be of great help to Oberon if we do.”
	“Ah, yeah I guess so,” The goblin sighed.
Red Hawk cleared his throat, “What do we call you, goblin?”
	“Oh, it's… Fang.”
	“Fang of?” Zyra asked. Reece imagined this was an important identifier, like a last name that he would use.
	“Fang of Oygrun.”
	“Yar a long way from home, Fang,” The Lion mumbled, “Explains yar speech, at least.”
	“Eh, toss off lady,” Fang stuck his tongue out at Zyra’s back side.
	“So, uh, fishing,” Reece changed topics, “What are these flying fish like?”
	Fang tapped his foot on his net and simple fishing rod on the floor of the boat, “They’re like birds, but more soarin’ than flyin’. They do it in groups and nest in stones like that,” He pointed to a loose chunk of landmass, one of the ones that dotted the starry seas above the Earth. It was a rounded chunk of rock, dirt and mud with a hole in it that water leaked from. A few fish with brilliant silvery scales and blue stripes flitted about the rock, occasionally diving into the water before gliding back out into the air. They were curious creatures, preferring to stay in the air, though forced to dive back into water to breathe. Perhaps the nearby avalite changed their behavior in some way, allowing them to breathe partially in the air?
“There aren't a lot of ‘em. So we try not to catch too many,” Fang continued, “But they are a delicacy to some. I’d happily trade some fish for a nice chunk of wyvern meat, though. Oh, by the by, you all never told me your names.”
	“Reece.”
“Phoenix.”
“Red Hawk,” They all answered quickly.
	“Zyra of Rivaan,” The Lion gave her name without turning to the goblin.
	Fang tried to hide how pale he was turning by covering his face with his turtleneck, “Gotcha, gotcha. N-nice to meet you all. What are you Lowlanders doin’ with such a… renowned hero? I doubt her services come cheap, as cheap as mine, at least.”
	“I don’t need the money, Fang,” The Lion grunted, “I got a sense o’ justice.”
	“We’re looking for answers,” Reece did his best to leave it vague. His group seemed a bit shifty around Fang. He had to wonder if they were picking up on something that he was blind to. Red Hawk specifically was very quiet around the goblin, keeping him in the corner of his dark eyes at all times. 
	“Answers?” The goblin’s curiosity was getting the better of him. He flinched as he noticed the elf’s gaze fell upon him, silently telling him to stop inquiring, “P-personal matters then? Gotcha. Family stuff. Drama and… that stuff. Yeah.”
	A few moments passed in awkward silence. Reece tried to keep his mind occupied and brought out a book. Phoenix leaned in, “It's wonderful is it not?” She looked down at the Earth below, “It still does not look real. I can scarcely believe we are actually in a little dingy this high above the world.”
	The boy nodded, “It’s amazing. But the feeling of one wrong slip…” He shuddered, “I don’t think I’ll get used to it.”
	“Eh, it's not that bad,” Zyra grinned, “Ya just gotta fall off once or twice and ya’ll get over it.”
	He began to sweat and hid his face in his book, making Zyra laugh boisterously. She turned her attention to another member of the group, “Ya got a certain air about ya, Phoenix Maxamillion. Reminds me of a close pal.”
	“Me? Oh, think nothing of me, Zyra. I am just like any other sorceress trying to make my way through the world,” Phoenix tried to get comfortable and leaned against the edge of the boat. The below freezing winds didn’t bother her at all like it did Reece– in fact, it seemed to him that he was the only one really bothered.
	“We don’t see many sorcerers up here nowadays. I heard there used to be some, but those magic bloodlines stopped flowin’,” The Lion commented flatly, recounting information she seemed to consider dull, “I heard one blew up a castle a long time ago. Does that kind of thing happen often?”
	Phoenix frowned, “Sorcerers get a very bad reputation. I cannot deny that some are dealt a very bad hand once they awaken their powers and learn they have the power to destroy entire kingdoms if they are having a bad day. It is unfortunate that they have become even more rare here, but given how little land is available I suppose it is a blessing in disguise,” She mused, thinking on it for a moment, “Are there many people living here in Avalon? Oberon seemed crowded but there couldn't have been more than a few hundred people. I can see the sorcerer bloodlines becoming too thin to bring about magical powers in any substantial way here. I have to wonder what bloodlines lay dormant in the Highlands.”
	“The capital has thousands living there, though I couldn't tell ya how many,” Zyra said with a shrug. Fang cocked his head as he dodged a lazily floating, mossy rock, “What kinda bloodlines are there?”
	“The Phoenix, where my family gets their power– and my namesake. It comes with a lot of fiery magicks. The most common was the dragons’ bloodlines, though with their dying out in the Old World I see very few of them now, there seem to be more half-dragons than dragon sorcerers. There are some fey-touched or those who have been touched by the elemental realms that gain this power. It could be a few generations down the line before it pops up, too. There is not much magic in the air here, that could be why it rarely develops now.” 
	“So down on the Lowlands you’ve got people running around with uncontrolled magical powers?” Fang scoffed, “Surprised any of you are still alive.”
	Red Hawk shook his head, “We have many schools for magic casters of any kind. Sorcerers are taught to keep calm and control themselves, wizards learn how to make use of their gift, bards… Sing and pester me endlessly. Artificers learn to bind their magic to technology and items. I've heard a few of them even refer to themselves as technomancers, though I've never really seen anyone with the skills to be called such a thing. We have many more jobs for wizards and the like than you all seem to up here. The refining of your magical resources– the avalite is necessary, I understand, but there must be more to do with their magicks.”
	“So ya have no warlocks or druids either?” Zyra sighed with relief, “Last kinda person I wanna cross.”
	Red Hawk was visibly irked, “The druids were wrongly persecuted.”
	“That’s not what the historians tell me.”
	Phoenix grabbed the elf’s shoulders before he could say something more, “Drop it. How about lunch? I picked up a few things for us.”
	“I got some fresh fruit if you want,” Reece offered and each of his friends gladly took one.
	
	The Guardian Mounds were placed on a singular, much larger island. A group of steep hills with trees around them and bushes dotting the area. The blood orange foliage made Reece think of autumn as he finished his fruit. It was the same fruit the mead he had drunk was made from. The rind was sour and the inner, white flesh was very sweet and juicy. He craved more. Dried meat and hard cheese along with a bit of hardtack had been the rest of their lunch. It was all serviceable and a bit tasteless, but filling. Reece was hoping this wouldn’t be their only type of meal for the foreseeable future. That wyvern meat seemed to be sought after by Zyra and this Fang goblin, he was curious to try it now that he thought about it.
	Zyra was first off the boat, having already donned her armor, a mix of cloth and chain armor. She had a black gambeson on her chest with chainmail over it and a pair of rounded, greenish metal pauldrons on her shoulders. Her leg armor was simple, mostly being made of a thick, durable fabric with chain on the sides. Her sword was a long chunk of that same greenish metal, probably four feet long with a two feet long hilt and a wide handguard. She easily handled it in one hand as she rested the long, sheathed blade on her shoulder, “Fang, hide your boat under the island. They like to go after boats.”
	“W-will that work?” He squeaked.
	“Wyverns tend to go up, not down,” The Lion smirked, “Come on. We will be gone little more than a day.”
	Fang did as he was told and the four made their way towards the mounds. It was a surprisingly long walk, “Why do the people make their homes on the smaller islands when areas like this exist?” Reece asked.
	“Creatures tend to make their homes on these bigger ones,” Zyra explained. Reece could tell she was visibly cheerier when chatting with him compared to with Fang, “Ya won’t really have to worry about wyverns in places like Oberon until they start ruttin’. They get aggressive an’ hungry. Ya do much huntin’ back home, Reece?”
	“Almost none. I went hunting with some dwarves when I visited Russo-Dwarva. Their animals did most of the hunting. I don’t know what to make of it. But I guess the answer is no,” He prattled off, trying not to let his nerves get the best of him.
	The Lion laughed, “Just stick close to me,” She pulled him closer with an arm around his shoulder, “I’ll make sure a beast doesn’t pick ya up and drop ya from high up!”
	The thought of dying in such a horrible way made Reece sick to his stomach. Zyra gave a loud laugh at his grim look.
	“Reece,” Red Hawk was quick to help him by changing subjects, “May I see the puzzle box? I wish to test and see if my hypothesis is correct.”
	There was some hesitation, but Reece handed over the box. His eyes stayed fixed on Red Hawk while the elf looked it over.
	Red Hawk put his hand on a tree. In a flash of smoke and light, he summoned his staff. It was pulled out of the tree, removing a chunk of wood that then carved itself into a rounded, six foot tall staff with sprawling roots on the bottom and a collection of brambles at the top. He waved his staff around the box and nodded slowly, “It seems I am right. The enchantment is outer-realm magic, just like the avalite. I suppose this confirms it is no ordinary puzzle!” He chuckled as he attempted to lighten the mood.
	Reece quickly and wordlessly took the box back, not wanting to be parted with it for much longer than he needed to be. 
	Phoenix stepped around a berry bush and looked at the fruit that grew uncultivated by the people of Avalon, “Fruit is just everywhere here.”
	“It's all pretty good, too,” Zyra plucked a small, plum like fruit from a tree and took a crunchy bite before giving Reece the other half. 
He ate it without another thought, “Oh, that’s really sweet. It's as juicy as a watermelon too.”
	“Makes a great mead too.”
	“On a more serious note,” Red Hawk brought a small leather bound journal from his chest pocket, “That goblin seemed a little odd, did he not?”
	“All goblins are odd,” Phoenix smirked.
	“I mean shifty or dishonest-- for even a goblin. Fang is an odd goblin name,” The elf noted, “Blood, Muk, Ugly, Chik, Ratty, Retch, and Poo. These are some of the most common names for goblins in the Lowlands. There is not a goblin father alive confident enough in his newborn child to name them something that they might call ‘cool.’ Maybe a hobgoblin or even bugbear, but not a goblin.”
	“I didn’t pay a lot of attention to ‘im,” Zyra shook her head, “Not a lot of goblins are worth the attention. Lady Diane was the exception.”
	“Speaking of odd names for a goblin, I would love to hear more about her,” Red Hawk chimed in, “I pray we get to see more of your people’s culture.”
	“Why? I thought ya were after a murderer.”
	“Well– Yes. But we will have a bit of downtime, will we not? It is not every day we travel to another mostly unexplored continent– at least by our people. It will be very useful in our pursuit of the murderer, I am sure,” He hastily added.
	Zyra frowned and looked at Reece who she was still dragging along, “Anything we learn might help. Maybe these beasts had an old, forgotten meaning, and if the murderer is in Avalon they won't have many places to hide, right?” He gave a disheartened shrug.
	“If ya say so.”
	
	While it always felt like dusk or dawn during the day, when night came it was obvious. The lack of light pollution brought out the infinite stars of the dark sky. Swirling strands of lights and twinkling stars were sprawled out as they looked up at them. The moon cast a bright glow across the island as the group settled down for the night. Zyra was helping Red Hawk put up their simple tents as Reece and Phoenix looked for some firewood.
	“I still do appreciate you coming with me, Phoenix. But why put yourself at risk on what is most likely a wild goose chase?” Reece asked.
	“Who else is going to come with you?” The satyr replied with a sly smile, “Jack and Pin? Gordon?” 
	“I mean, a MUTT would be great to have up here,” Reece chuckled, “But no, I can’t think of anyone I could drag along. Graxon–” His face quickly twisted in pain as he thought about his late mentor again, “Is the only one who would have come on an excursion like this.”
	“The man taught me too, not as much as he taught you, but he taught me linguistics,” Phoenix reminded him, “I would not have been able to sleep if I let you go alone. Even if we had gotten you in contact with Red Hawk and Zyra, I could not bear the thought of you going alone.”
	Reece nodded, “Did you at least tell your parents where you were going?”
	Phoenix suddenly flared up, a bit of smoldering smoke coming off her skin, “No! Of course not! They care not about what I do.” 
	“Okay, okay. Sorry,” Reece quickly apologized. Silence came over the duo for a while as the two continued gathering sticks.
“Sorry,” the satyr apologized.
“It's okay. I just thought I'd ask. So, what do you make of Zyra? This Lion of Rivaan character?”
	Phoenix picked up some more sticks, “I have never met a full blooded avalonian before her. The old tales of their connection with humans seem to be very true. She likes you, certainly. In what way, I cannot say. I also am wondering what she ate growing up, I have not seen a woman that size before that wasn't an orc.”
	“We’ll see if it's all for show tomorrow,” Reece sighed, “I need to sleep soon.”
	“After dinner, Reece. I know you have not rested much, but you should wind down with a drink and something to eat,” Phoenix told him. It was more of an order than a suggestion. 
	“Of course. I’m glad I brought a bit to drink.”
	“Maybe we shall get a wineskin when we return to Oberon? Something sweet would be nice.”
	After returning to the camp, Phoenix easily used her magic to start a fire. In a pot, a stew of meat, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots was made. It was filing enough, Reece found as he sipped on the bit of whiskey he had left. 
	“I did a bit of talking when in Oberon while we were shopping around, Reece,” Red Hawk put his bowl down, “Trying to figure out anything I could about Graxon’s visit.”
	“Such as?” The boy urged him to continue.
	“A few had met him. But I could not find who had given or sold him the puzzle box, if he had in fact bought it there at all. The only thing I really learned was that he went to the capital afterwards. I think we should go there with the Myridea,” He explained, “I also had a thought. What if he knew he was being pursued? Perhaps that was why he sent you the box rather than kept it. You said nothing was stolen, that you could see, at least.”
	“What I’m worried about,” Reece put his hands on the puzzle box again. His only clue, a desperate need for resolution only fueled by the thought of a clue turning into a real lead, “Is that whatever he got from the box is what was taken. When I shake it, nothing seems to be inside. All I have left is a fancy paper weight if that’s true.”
“It is enchanted with outer-realm magicks, they could easily mask the contents inside from your natural senses,” Red Hawk assured him.
	“We cannot say for certain,” Phoenix’s gentle touch made him relax, “Rest. Us three can take watches. You almost look ill.”
	“If you say so…” He sighed and scarfed down the last scraps of his food. Phoenix took the cutlery and bowl to clean before he could try to himself. He crawled into the tent with his things and slipped under his blankets. The bed roll was rather snug and the wool-like material of the blanket was very warm and comfortable. Even if the doubts and worries were filling his head, he found the sounds of his friends’ low chatter, the crackling of the flames, and the whispering of the winds to be enough to help him drift off into the realm of dreams. Ever since the first time he had gotten his hands on the box, he had dreamt of it for several restless nights For once, he had a visionless night, a peaceful rest.