“Look! Look!” 
	“Is that a monster?”
	“It looks like a skipper but bigger– is it made of metal?”
	“What odd white metal.”
	“Do you really think that Lowlanders have blue skin?"
	Zyra awoke from her nap. Atop one of the roofs at the edge of town and under the shade of a fruit tree, the avalonian looked out beyond the islands. Over the walls came a trio of wooden masts carrying navy sails– not that Zyra knew what a sail was, before the white metallic body of the Myridea came into view. It listed up before leveling out and turning towards Anjana’s docks. The ship was much too large and stopped a ways away. The entire trading town had come to gawk at the vessel. They murmured amongst themselves, wondering what the people would be like or what they had brought with them. Fewer wondered if their currency would be any good in Avalon.
	“What a waste,” Zyra muttered to herself as she leaned back and stretched her spine, “That much metal could arm three armies. How many people would those cloth?” She wondered as she stared at the sails. A grin spread across her lips as she thought about commandering the vessel to be taken apart and its resources used elsewhere, but Zyra knew her Queen would be rather cross if she did something so reckless. A skipper took off from the docks and approached the Lowlanders’ vessel. Zyra folded her arms and decided to wait and watch.

	-

	Already on the top deck, Reece watched as a small wooden boat made its way to the Myridea. A sailless boat made of the same blue wood as Graxon’s pipe. Four individuals were aboard. Two avalonians wearing the same tabards over gambesons wielding spears flanked a third cloaked in a wool-lined cape that wrapped around his form. All three wore a red and green checkerboard pattern with a golden tree on their chest. The fourth person, a goblin, was wrapped in a cloak and hood of a simple brown color as they worked a small device on the back of the skipper that seemed to be what propelled the ship– at least by Reece’s assumption. 
	“Do you think I can get a cloak in the same colors?” Nora joked, "It's nowhere near Christmas, though.”
	“I doubt they know what Christmas is,” Phoenix had appeared behind the two and stood by the railing with them. She had once again donned a new beautiful outfit. Her dress was made of black leather with a dim sheen, stitched with charcoal colored silk to make flowing patterns of flowers that contrast the leather brightly by comparison. The dress had six onyx buttons on the chest, three on each side with raven colored fur flowing from around her neck to the chest. On her cuffs was matching black fur which wrapped around her forearms neatly and ended with dark leather gloves. She adjusted her wide brimmed, black hat that sat atop her curly hair and revealed she had put on a little makeup to accentuate her beauty, “Good morning, you two,” The satyr greeted.
	“My, you’re looking particularly witch-like today,” Reece smirked.
	“That’s the point!” She gave a grand bow, “For today we learn of our fellow actors in this play. I am dying to get this underway!” Nora gave her an odd look, but didn’t ask.
	Ambassador Sebastian as well as Captain O’Malley, Carlisle, and Admiral Bradford had come above to greet the Highlanders. Sebastian fiddled with an amulet that hung around his neck, “Like this?” He asked.
	“Yessir,” O’Malley had one as well, “We should be able to communicate with them now.”
	Carlisle waved Reece over as he put on his own amulet, “Say something in Myridian, would you?”
	“Ah. I will have the fish with a side of steamed potatoes and a glass of white wine,” He said the first thing that came to mind.
	Sebastian scratched his head, “This translation magic makes my mind feel rather off. It is as if I can hear you speak Myridean but my mind is being rewired to understand it.” He furiously scratched his scalp behind on of his horse ears.
	“You’ll get used to it,” O’Malley laughed, “We used ‘em all the time in the aether wars when communicating with our allies. We had to speak to Russians, Japanese, and Filipinos, and all the other languages in south east Asia all the way to Papua New Guinea.”
	Carlisle joined in, “I always forget we were on different sides back then, sir. We Crowns never got the chance to speak with Oceanic Venture in a peaceful capacity– at least not before I defected. Here come our visitors– or should I say hosts, now,” There was a bit of tension in the air as everyone prepared mentally what they were going to say first. The first contact with a new civilization. Reece’s mouth was dry as he stood with his hands behind his back, giving the Ambassador, Captain, Second Mate, and Admiral some space as he stood by Carlisle. 
	With the Captain’s order, two deckhands unlatched part of the railing and swung it open. The avalonian stepped from the small skipper and looked around at the crew who had come to welcome him. The avalonian man grinned as he spread his arms wide, “Welcome to Anjana, Lowlanders!” He had short orange hair, a pair of cat ears atop his head, and furred hands and legs, “I am the Don of the region, Rudolpho Orfelo. Who do I have the honor of welcoming to our fair Avalon?”
	“Ambassador Sebastian Crowly, at your service,” The equine avalonian man stepped up. 
Before he could bow for the Don or go for a handshake, the somewhat taller feline avalonian pulled him into a hug, “I was afraid our kind didn’t exist down below!” He bellowed with laughter as his bear hug lifted the man off the deck. He put the ambassador down and looked at the others, “Some were worried you wouldn’t speak our language either. Or perhaps you use magic?” He grabbed the amulet and turned it over in his hands.
	The Ambassador was too flustered to respond as the Don put a hand on his shoulder and shook him slightly with a laugh. Captain O’Malley was next to greet Rudolpho, “Good morning, sir. I am the captain–” The Don hugged him too.
	Phoenix grinned, “I am quick to hug as a greeting, but this is ridiculous.”
	“He’s pureblooded,” Reece noted, spotting his furred appendages and long, twitching tail, “I’ve heard about how friendly they are, more so than someone like you with strangers, even. Graxon told me he never got used to it, even in the Old World. I have to wonder if they really are all like this.”
	“I’m sure we will find out soon,” Nora nodded, “Oh, I am so eager.” As the captain went through and introduced his crew, Nora hurried over, “It is an honor to meet you, sir!” And fully accepted the hug, being the only one to hug the Don back. The head of security, the gargoyle Victoria, was the only one to stop the Don from hugging her as even Reece and Phoenix were pulled into hugs.
	Carlisle was first to speak, “Reece and Phoenix here are some of the few New World born people who can speak Myridean.”
	“Really?” The avalonian looked them both over, “Is that what you call our tongue? It works, I suppose. Are you scholars?”
	“Reece is,” Phoenix explained, “The boy and I were taught by our master. I am sure he is eager to make your acquaintance.”
	“I am just as eager!” Rudolpho was full of smiles, “If you think you can bring your lovely ship closer, we can try to extend a rope bridge for de-boarding. Otherwise, we can send some skippers out to ferry people back and forth.”
	O’Malley stood with his hands behind his back, “I think the skippers would be preferable. We’re still getting used to this aethervessel. We are used to airships, but they were much more maneuverable."
	“Aethervessel? Airships? I’d love to learn more about this ship, when we’re underway to the capital, of course,” The Don nodded, “For now, please come ashore and enjoy my peoples’ hospitality. Chief R’nalho is at the docks, ready to receive you and there are people from the capital here to process your papers.”
	“Papers?” Reece echoed.
	“Identification papers, lad,” The avalonian explained, “The Queen had them issued. Shall we take you to land, Ambassador? We can get you something warm to wear, too. Perhaps the colors of Avalon?”
	“Yes, I would like that,” Sebastian nodded, “Admiral? After you.”
	
	After some waiting, Reece, Phoenix, and Graxon boarded a skipper and headed towards Anjana. Reece wrung his hands together slowly and anxiously. They sat with a few scholars who were preparing their spells to be able to speak and hear the local language. Myridean was not a very common language amongst the Lowlanders these days. Reece had only learned it due to Graxon’s dealing with very old clientele from the Old World. Phoenix had a big grin on her face, “You look more afraid than excited, darling,” She teased.
	Reece side eyed her as he adjusted his brown suede coat. He was having a hard time breathing as the skipper took them across the sea of stars. The little boat had a small wooden box with a glass top at the back that held a few small, blue-green stones that had opaque and transparent parts swirled together. Some heat radiated from the box and Reece could only wonder if that was a byproduct of it pushing the skipper along or a purposeful design. The avalonian who was piloting the boat with a single lever at the back was humming to himself. Reece turned back to Phoenix, “I am excited. A bit.”
	“The boy is always anxious,” Graxon chided him, “Not that it is unwarranted. This is a strange land and we are strangers in it. What are you two going to do first?”
	“See the people and their wares,” Phoenix crossed one leg over the other, “I am sure the Hamiltons would appreciate a report on their trade. Maybe they will make me the head of Low and Highland trade.”
	“A waste of your talents,” Graxon shook his head.
	“It will be fun! I would get to travel all over the islands and see what they trade and do!” The satyr scoffed, “I would be following in your footsteps, as well.”
	The dwarf scrunched his brow, “I was no meager baron of trade. I brokered peace between peoples. Though, maybe you are right,” He relented and softened his glare, “I am sure you would enjoy meeting people like that.”
	Reece leaned in, “I would like to try their ale and food,” He added.
	“A noble quest,” Graxon nodded, “Perhaps you should go as well, Phoenix. It might be worth trading for some barrels to take back! Oh, looks like we’ve arrived.”
	Reece quickly got up and helped the elderly dwarf and satyr onto the rickety dock. The dock was built on some smaller floating stones that had been chiseled to set the lumber into. Next, the boy helped the able bodied researchers onto the dock who thanked him quietly. A table was set up on the docks that a rugged old dwarf stood next to as a human and avalonian processed some papers. The duo wore the same red and green as the guard along with beret style caps with a long feather on them. Nora was nearby as well.
	“Names?” One of the processors asked in Myridean.
Graxon cleared his throat, “Graxon Goldrune. Phoenix Maxamillian. Reece M. Gawain,” He pointed at each of his party as he spoke.
	They began to write down the information on sheets of parchment. The cards were about six inches by eight inches. The two eyed the visitors as they jotted down most of the information just by sight, “Weight and height?”
	Nora stepped forward, “Weight is by baskets or yandi as they tend to call it. Baskets are around twenty pounds in our measurements. And height is by haruls and daruls. Haruls are six or so inches and daruls are one tenth of that,” She explained as if she had told many people this after first learning and figuring out these measurements.
	Reece quickly did the calculations in his head, “Six and a half baskets, and just under twelve haruls.”
	Phoenix leaned in and whispered her measurements so as few people as possible could hear. Graxon cleared his throat, “Ten baskets. Eight haruls, and… let’s say eight daruls.”
	The man nodded and smirked knowingly. He handed the three their cards. Phoenix quickly hid hers away so the gawking boy wouldn’t see, “There isn’t an ounce of fat on you, Phoenix. What are you hiding?”
	“Shush!” She brushed past him and continued down the docks. “Did you forget I am still a lady?”
	“Have a bit more tact when dealing with the locals, boy,” Graxon shook his head, “I will catch up with you both.” Reece nodded and hurried to catch up to Phoenix. Graxon stayed behind to chat with the dwarven Chief. 
	Through an overhead archway made of the same brown stones that made up all the walls, Reece entered a town square of sorts where he glanced at his pass before pocketing it. A fountain sat in the center which poured water out of a fish’s mouth. A couple researchers were around it, either speaking to the locals or observing the fountain. The scales of the fish were made of the same blue-green stones that had been on the back of the skipper. Once he pried himself away from the fountain he realized Phoenix had slipped away.
	“Fascinating, isn’t it?” 
	Reece jumped.
	It was only Red Hawk who had come across on a skipper earlier along with other Hamilton Foundation researchers, “Salutations. Observing these stones as well, correct?” Reece nodded at his assumption, “From what I can gather, that material is called Avalite. A veritable wonder material, they mix it with various other materials or use them raw.” Red Hawk handed the boy a small, smooth piece of it.
	Reece tilted his head as he ran it between his fingers. It was about the size of a marble and silky smooth. He put some pressure on it, quickly turning it oblong, “Whoops.”
	Red Hawk took it back and vigorously ran it between his palms. He showed the stone again, now spherical once more, “More malleable than gold. Just by the touch of our hands does it warm enough to shape. Look here,” He showed the boy his journal where he had sketched half of the fish statue, “They are difficult to see with the naked eye– human ones at least, but these have small runes etched into them. These can generate water, heat, air, and various spells like with the skippers. Imagine what else this could do.”
	Upon closer inspection Reece saw the sketched runes, Red Hawk had already started to guess which ones were which, “I guess I was right that they were somehow self-sufficient. I never would have imagined they had magic rocks like these.”
	“Who could have guessed it?” Red Hawk chuckled, “When I was told they had a magical power source, I never expected this. I will not be left wanting by their possibilities, I imagine. I shan't keep you, I saw Phoenix heading that way. There’s a large market there, as expected of a trading town.”
	“Thank you,” Reece nodded and hurried along. While some of the Myridean had been in the square chatting with the visitors, down the smaller stone path streets lined with blue wood and stone brick buildings, people went about their lives underneath the shade of the plants that grew on the rooftops. People slid past one another, each in warm looking cloaks as they bumped into others, ran hands across each other's shoulders, a few hugging in greeting as well. Quickly, Reece felt there were eyes on him as the people brushed past him. He struggled to pick out any one specific voice in the crowd around him. There were many ‘hello’s that he replied with ‘hail’ to every time he could.
	“Come sample the fruit, Lowlander!”
	“You look cold, how about a scarf?”
	“Just what is your coat made of?”
	The avalonians especially were quick to come close to greet him as he wandered past the stalls selling all manner of fruits, clothes, wooden trinkets, chunks of avalite, and objects made of metal. Most of them were blue-green like the avalite the boy had seen. A stall with weapons and tools lining it made the boy stop. He eyed axes and spears with blue wooden shafts and handles that made him think of his mentor's old pipe. 
	“Like what you see?” The dwarven woman asked, “Husband made ‘em this mornin’.”
	Like everyone he had greeted thus far, she spoke myridean, “I do,” He nodded, “I carry a nice piece already, but I can’t resist a new axe,” He picked up a hatchet. The metal was made of swirling blue-greens and grays. The metal was smooth and its head was sharp. White leather strips entwined the wooden handle and gave it a nice grip. As expected of dwarven craftsmanship, it was nicely weighted. It could definitely chop wood, but if it could split a monster’s skin he would have to find out, “What do you call this material?”
	“Avarium,” She nodded proudly, “Stronger than steel! All smelted by my husband. Just needs sharpening every once in a while, see? The avalite along the blade grows like a plant!”
	Despite being mixed with the malleable and soft avalite, the metal was as hard as any other he had held, maybe even harder like she had said, “I hope my coin is good here.”
	“Gold is gold. Seven coins and the axe is yours. Though, if you have some metal I’d gladly trade for it,” The dwarf had a smirk on her face.
	“Metal? Is your Avarium not good?”
	“No, no. Nothing of the sort. We just don’t have a lot of metal. I haven’t seen a purely metal piece of armor in… When did we come to this world?”
	“Eighty four years,” Reece answered as he handed over the coins, “Three hundred and sixty-five cycles of the sun per year. And a fourth.”
	The dwarven woman nodded as she put a dark leather sheath on the axe before handing it over, “We’re still using the Old World calendar. What do you all use below?”
	“A seven day week, thirtyish days in a month, twelve months, and like I said; three hundred and sixty five days in a year.” He undid his belt and slipped it through the axe sheath’s loop.
	“Sounds so rigid,” Another citizen commented, “Back in Old Avalon, we followed the seasons much like we do today. It was a lot easier then, we could tell what season it was by the changes in the weather. Up here, it's always cold!”
	Reece hadn’t realized more than a few people were listening to his words, “Aye. They’ve fought holy wars over this calendar. Most believe this style of calendar is dictated by our Lord. Our God,” He quickly changed the terminology as he foresaw a ‘what lord’ question.
	The mention of divinities seemed to sow a bit of unease amongst the High Landers. A crowd had formed and foot traffic was impeded, “Make way! Make way!” Some guards shouted. Reece took time in the commotion to slip through the crowd. Glancing over his shoulder, he spotted the Don and Ambassador walking down the road with a few guards. Both Graxon and the dwarven Chief were with them as well. These people began to take up everyone’s attention as they went through the crowd, the Don stopping at a stall to show some of his people's wares. Reece slipped down a side street as he continued his search for a drink. He would have to find Phoenix later. This thin side street was about two people wide and held doors that led down into the cellars of the surrounding buildings or into back rooms. Reece took a moment to catch his breath after suddenly being surrounded. They definitely had more questions for him, but he felt wholly unprepared. Here the air was much colder, his breath appearing as a fog under his nose. It was pleasant, but the thinner air made him cough. There were no pieces of avalite hanging here like there were hanging from the stalls and the doorsteps of the buildings.
	As he prepared to move on, he found himself accosted by a pair of avalonians. Twins, he quickly assumed, with snowy white hair that fell in pretty curls on their shoulders with grace and bunny ears that fell down the sides of their heads. Each of the women took hold of one of the boy’s arms as they pressed themselves against him, “Hey there, handsome. You look cold,” One cooed.
	“Looking for some comfort for the night? I’d love to cuddle up to those big strong arms~” The second teased as she ran a hand up and down his chest.
	“Yeah, show us how Lowlanders do it, hm?” She made a lewd hand motion, something Reece was shocked to see was common even here
	He peeled his eyes away from their low cut, black fur coats and revealing, short skirts, “Oh, uh– I’m good, I uh, have somewhere to be.”
	The duo pressed closer on the boy, “C’mon, you know you wanna feel our fur,” She stretched out one of her long, furred, rabbit legs, “Anything you want, handsome. Just say it.”
	Both of them perked up as someone or something stomped into the alleyway, “Chief R’nalho is really gonna love to hear about this. He was very clear in his orders. What part of ‘be on your best behaviour of I’ll skin you alive’ did you two not understand?” The voice was low and husky. Deep and foreboding as well.
	It was another woman, but instead of an avalonian who was a bit shorter than the boy, this one was a massive, hulking beast of a woman. He struggled to even call her an avalonian, she was more of an ancient beastman that had died out in the Old World. Her arms were covered in thick muscles.  With a head of steel-gray hair, sharp claws on her furred hands, and a stern face; the seven foot tall avalonian made the two rabbit women back off with just a glare, “C’mon, Zyra,” One stammered, “The Chief doesn’t need to know about this,” They started to hide behind the human, almost using him as a shield.
	“Yeah,” The second swallowed nervously as she stuffed Reece’s coinbag bag in his pocket. The boy hadn’t even noticed she had managed to lift it off of him, “C’mon.”
	“Go find a local sailor to get in bed with. Get,” She ordered. The two scampered off before slipping into one of the cellar doors. Reece patted himself down, glad to find he had all of his belongings. The tall woman put her hand on his back and pushed him along, “We’re not all like that,” The deep and intimidating tone was gone. Her voice was still low and husky, unlike anything the boy had heard before. She had an accent unlike the others Reece had met in Avalon so far. Perhaps there were others like her, he considered. The rest had an almost Spanish accent while this woman was more of a mystery Southern American-mix accent.
	“Do you mean avalonians or people from Avalon?” Reece asked.
	“People from Avalon. You’re already familiar with avalonians, eh? I can smell one on you.”
	Phoenix, Reece thought as he was guided along, “Well. Thank you. They called you, uh, Zyra, right?”
	“Aye. Zyra of Rivaan. Zyra the Lion. Zyra, hero of Avalon. The Huntress,” Trying to impress the Lowlander, she prattled off her various titles boldly with a grin on her face. Her yellow eyes were full of life, almost glowing as the two walked along. Even in the darker alleyway, her jovial mood was obvious.
	Reece got a better look at her as they exited the shade. She was leering at the boy, watching his every movement like a predator eyeing potential meals. Despite her size and muscles, she was rather feminine with some meat on her hips and chest, with a dangerous looking and stern resting face with thin eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Beneath the scars on her face and body, there was a beauty unlike anything he had the pleasure of gazing on before, wild and untamed like her mane. He had never seen an avalonian like her before, he had never even heard of one like this before. More surprising though, was how semi-modern her clothes were with a green doublet, grey wool-lined vest, and dark red-brown leather shorts with a belt around her waist, not exactly a modern outfit, but more recent than he would pick for such a lady. Her face changed, to something a bit more concerned prompting Reece to finally speak as he realized he was just staring at her, “C-can I get you a drink?”
	Zyra laughed boisterously, throwing her head back as if wanting the stars to hear her. Almost every pair of eyes turned to her, sparkling in admiration, “Yeah, a drink sounds great!” She continued to push the boy along, her large paw-hand pressing into his back as they walked. The boy could tell she knew her strength as she was firm in guiding him but not shoving him roughly or digging her claws into his back. Reece felt an immediate change in the people’s demeanor. They still said hello in a very friendly fashion, but now they parted like the Red Sea as Zyra passed. They were eager to press together to afford her space. She waved to the people casually with her free hand. The other Lowlanders stared in shock and bewilderment. Her presence was commanding, demanding of attention as she sauntered down the street in her leather sandals, “Honestly. A bit disappointing that you Lowlanders caused so much fuss and you all seem so… normal.”
	The ends of Reece’s mouth formed into a tiny smile and his brow raised in an incredulous humor, “What did you expect?”
	“I thought you’d be blue. Like the world below is."
	Reece cracked a bigger smile and shrugged. The boy was pushed into a bar near the center of town. He could read the language, it was in Myridean like everything else. The Sleeping Wyrm. A charming name. The word wyrm rang in the boy’s head for a moment before being released by Zyra as they stepped inside. The bar was long and the ceiling was tall with a set of stairs behind the bar leading up into an attic or second floor. The man behind the bar was human with a pair of younger avalonian barmaids in long tunics and skirts with leather aprons. The oddest part was every patron, no matter what race, was topless. To his shock, The Lion began to strip as well near the long, flaming hearth in the middle of the room. Her vest and doublet were hung up on a nearby hook as she stretched her torso that was only wrapped in a tightly bound white cloth. Reece tried not to stare at her form, but her abs were rather impressive along with the bulging muscles on her upper arms.
	A few others had come in behind them that did the same. Men wore bare chests and some women did too, but many had the foresight to wrap their breasts in a similar fashion that Zyra had. Reece swallowed anxiously as he noticed some of the locals giving him curious gazes, “When in Rome,” He mumbled before stripping off his coat, then his sweater, then button up shirt, leaving him in just a thin undershirt. 
	“Do your people always wear their warm clothes indoors?” Someone asked as Zyra sat at the edge of the hearth. 
	Reece scratched his head, “Uh, not usually. But we certainly don’t strip down to nothing,” He basked in the warmth of the hearth. More pieces of avalite hung from the poles near the fire and above the tables. Those over the table glowed like candle light.
	Another spoke up, “It's a showing of comfort. That your host’s hospitality is safe and warm.”
	Retrieving his notebook from his journal, Reece began to take notes, “I see. Just your tunic? Or…”
	“No, not the pants,” Zyra shook her head as if he had started to ask something ridiculous and unheard of, “Barkeep!” She barked, “Two over here! So who are you? Why’d you wanna come see the Highlands?”
	There was a pause, “I got told to come. My name is Reece.”
	“Just Reece?” She said the name like it was entirely foreign to her.
	“Reece M. Gawain is my full name. I don’t really have any titles. Chronologist, I suppose.”
	The word made Zyra scrunch her face and furrow her brow, “Never heard that before.”
	“Like a… Historian. I write about the past, amongst other things.”
	“You’re like one o’ them wizards, huh? You’re too young to be a scholar, I’d bet,” Zyra was quick to take her big wooden mug from the barmaid who had one in each hand. It almost looked small compared to her while it felt big in the boy’s hands. It was sweet smelling, almost like apples and peaches with a tart hint of lime with the thick scent of alcohol and hops. He took a quick sip, just to taste it. It was sweeter than any cider he had previously tasted, but not to an extreme. It tasted like a flat, alcoholic soda mixed with a bit of beer. Zyra chugged hers down and smirked at the human, “Never had a drink before?”
	While not a dwarf, the soul of a slighted dwarf raised up within the boy. Wordlessly, he brought the mug to his lips and downed it all in one go. In proper form, his other hand clutched his lip with his elbow straight out.
	Zyra let out another boisterous laugh, “Are all you Lowlanders full of surprises?”
	“Definitely not,” He chuckled. The barmaid was quick to take their empty mugs. Reece offered her a couple of silver coins that she gladly took, “Can I ask you a few things? I’ll answer anything about the Lowlands in return.”
	Zyra shrugged, “I’m not well versed in history, if that’s what you want to know.”
	Reece pursed his lips, “No, I’m more interested in people and culture,” He wasn’t prepared for an interview. He hadn’t taken the time to think about meaningful questions, but he had a good opportunity to start. What made it worse was that he was just brought another mug. Not wanting to be rude, he downed it like the first which made Zyra grin again. The barmaid took the mugs again. After a moment, Reece tapped his pen on the journal, “Anything you can tell me about normal, daily life here?”
	Confused crossed Zyra’s face, “Life here? I’m not a good person to ask, either. I’m not normal. I wander from town to town dealing with problems.”
	“Problems?” A lot of heroes the boy had met downplayed their roles as a hero. Zyra seemed no different. Was she calling herself a hero? The others definitely had some kind of awe when staring at her making him guess they called her one rather than it being self appointed.
	“Y’know, bandits, monsters, local civil affairs, just moving heavy stuff around for old ladies.”
	“For gold, assumedly.”
	“Yeah. I don’t keep a lot of it. Send it all home,” Zyra explained. A third round of drinks had come.
	“Are you far from home, Zyra?” Reece pressed, “I imagine Rivaan is your home?” Not that he had any idea where Rivaan was.
	The woman shrugged and her eyes turned downcast into the booze, “I mean, I’m from Rivaan, yeah. A little farming town. It always feels far away.”
	The boy decided to change subjects. She was rather melancholic and almost sad, “I wanna loop back to the hero work. What did you mean by civil affairs?”
	“Eh, the Queen gave me judicial authority. I don’t like exercising it. Land disputes between Dons doesn’t concern me. I want to do things that make a difference.” 
	“Can you tell me what a Don is? And I’ve heard the word Chief a few times, what’s the difference?”
She shrugged, seemingly ready to end the questioning, “A Don is appointed by the Queen to govern a collection of towns or land. The Chief is elected to manage a town.”
It seemed like a feudal system was still in place here, Reece noted. He knew it was time to move on, “You said you like to make a difference. I would assume this means you like to deal with problem creatures?” Zyra nodded. “What kind of monsters do you deal with?”
	The Lion finished her drink, “The usual problem beasts. Wyverns, wyrms, basilisks, ogres, and the unusual like chimeras.”
	Reece felt his mouth dry. He had heard of some of these. But they were extinct according to the Lowlanders. The thought of a chimera terrified him, but were the legends he had heard accurate? “Chimeras? I don’t think we have them in the Lowlands. Are they similar to manticores?” He kept his attitude stoic as he took the time to sip on his cider.
	“Not familiar with manticores.”
	“Huge feline-like monsters. The apex of predators. They have wings, huge sharp jaws, their claws can rip through cars– er, metal, and can throw spines from an armored tail,” He explained.
	Zyra nodded, “The way you talk about them, that little fear in your voice, I imagine they’re of similar size. The chimeras here are big and covered in tough fur hides. They have three heads– usually. A head on the tail like a reptile that can deliver a venom so potent you die in minutes. A horned head that can use magic, and a big feline head with powerful jaws. The worst part is they can mimic their prey. Anyone they eat they can put on their face and speak like them. They don’t understand the words, but know to cry out ‘mama’ as a child. Diane, the Maiden of Raton, wiped a lot of them out before I was born. Awful things. You look pale!”
	Reece chuckled a bit nervously, “Y-yeah. Sorry.”
	The Lion slapped the boy hard on the back, nearly making him spill his drink, “No apologies! If ya wanna write about something, I’ll have the Princess tell you about her namesake when we get to the capital. She can tell you a lot more than I can about Diane, the greatest warrior who ever lived!”
	Reece nodded, “I would like that. I imagine you’ll be boarding the Myridea, then?”
	“Aye, the Queen told me to. Oi! Barmaid, how about some food? Whatever meat is fresh. Red. Please.”
	She nodded then turned to Reece expectantly, “Uh, I have an odd request. Can I get some fruit, vegetables, dried or simply cooked meats, and whatever cheeses and bread you have? I would like to sample your food in a mostly raw form. A sampler or charcuterie board if you would. Prepare them however you like, but the simpler the better.”
	She nodded, though she didn’t seem to understand what a charcuterie was. 
	“Do you usually eat like a farm animal?” Zyra teased.
	He shook his head, “Like I said. I want to taste your food raw first.”
	“Don’t expect to have some of mine when you get bored of the steamed veggies,” She chuckled, “C’mon, drink! Show me how Lowlanders handle their brew!”