AZARK

LITTLE FEGANWOOD

Samsora ignited the morning with the rays of possibilities but Lelie was not impressed with the progress of her day thus far. As they had all agreed to meet up at the entrance gates to the Godfordt, and she had not taken the time to fit her apouche the previous night, and had seemed to have misplaced the scroll with her chain-blades inscribed under mountains of laundry she had scattered around her room in a haste to find nice clothing for Pheax; she was utterly late with her left braid more in a state than anything else; the shame of it was still struck across her face by the time she finally got to the Galserta gate.

"Oh Lelie, great you're here!" said Highborn Commander Nady double checking her apouche.

Lelie looked to find Chrys. He was standing a little away from Mogadi and Ripple; she caught his eye. She was happy to see he was looking as grumpy as ever.

"All of you have done your final checks before we set trail?" Nady called, she got the go ahead and put her hand against a stone tablet to the gate; the gate gave way before them and they passed over the fields and over a little stream to reach the Unnamed Forest.

Unnamed, for the name of the lands were not given to the likes of those abuse their intellect lightly; but the secret name of the forest they walked through was Little Feganwood.

Little as it was named in the irony of how large and intricate the systems of this forest truly worked; hidden mostly from the naked sight - the deep affairs of Feganwood.

Young Fallion hopped silently from behind tree to tree as the feet from Galserta pass through. He planned to observe them carefully and to ensure them safe passageway.

That is, if they behave.

"This is the Unnamed Forest which spreads across the entire bottom of the Lion’s Tooth,” said Que. “It’s what seperates Galserta from the rest of Saidel. We will be going Nordt for the next twelve-dials if we'd like to reach the Goagoushini Hills by nightfall."

"We'll set up a nice fire when we get around the Derminicia," said Nady holding her hands to embrace the fresh and rich oxygen that blasted her from all ends. "A good ol' fashioned camp under Samsora's cousins and his great great great grandmothers."

Most of the Flare-Warroyers chuckled behind her.

"Should we have our weapons drawn?" Lelie had to ask; still completely oblivious to the world beyond the Godfordt. The beauty of the nature around her was still teasing her on the outlines of her defences.

"I doubt we should run into any problems around these parts," said Que. "These lands are rumoured to be protected by secret wyld-forces."

"There aren’t many records so I go mostly on word of mouth and things I have heard from other Galsertians who have passed these lands; these forests are rumoured to be divided into little sections which are governed by the native-life. Some have said they had seen an actual Centicorn and others have claimed to have actually met an officer of the Reineiriers."

"The Reineiriers?" Whisp rolled the word over his tongue as Flint seemingly bounced it all over his brows. Ripple giggled behind them.

"The Reineiriers are the secret police force of the Unnamed Forest," said Que. "We should see at least one on our journey; they are said to be unmissable."

Chrys wondered with mild interest what on Evalend they could be talking about. Yet the beauty of the indifferent universe around him had him absolutely enthralled and thriving of enough dopamine that he found almost everything mildly interesting. He wondered if he should tell Lelie ahead that her boot-lace had come untied when Halori sneezed beside him.

"Apolothanks," she said; looking up at him with mild-concern. He blinked at her awkwardly.

"In Pheax, we say 'Ginesing' when our fellows sneeze," Nady called from up ahead.

"Ginesing?" Chrys tried the verbalization.

Halori seemed delighted by the sentiment he was not sure he had even intended. "Bless up, Chrys, thank you." she said as she ran to catch up with Mogadi; who was so absorbed in the world around her it seemed as if she was vibrating the source of the atmosphere like one of the trees of their surroundings.

"I don't know about you guys," said Borrin. "But something sounds awfully delicious whenever any of you say Reineiriers."

Ripple burst out in laughter; it was enough to ignite the rest of them. Chrys rolled his eyes as it happened but it hit Lelie like a smile from Samsora himself.

Perhaps the World beyond the Godfordt hedge was not so far off from what she had hoped and dreamt it would be.

Suddenly she was on her face.

"Oh Lelie!" Spiere was by her side in the moment in happened. "You seemed to have forgotten your bootlace..."

Lelie was back on her feet as if it had never happened in no time. Nady, Que and Borrin up ahead turned to see the commotion. It was far too late to do anything other than laugh.

Chrys watched them in silence; almost as if a dagger to his heart prevented him from being a part of the world that meant so little without him.

To the Nordt-Wes of Feganwood in a specific region protected by the thickest of thickets and the most deluding of charms; was a large protruding rock which stood occupied before a herd of mystical beings; all on their own tablets that laid in a circle around the high-stone.

On this stone was Laszathier; tall, proud, and glowing gold from her white-to-grey colour; her long rose-gold tail whipping behind her; the same colour hair found by her feathered feet and long main; long great strands that flowed wherever the wind may blow. Her long muzzle led up to magnificent indigo golden eyes and from the centre of her forehead currently protruded two long golden horns with one pointing slightly off to the side.

Laszathier stood before her herd; all of them her children.

Although, not all her children were present with her here today; some, such as the zebricorns, were on duties in further reaches of Dellfelldell, and others, like the versocorns, were about touring Evalend to grace the populations with their fine arts in mysic, to mention but a few of her splendid creations.

To the left were her oldest, Skaladapi and Skyscope, who were full bred yunicorns like her; but young in their age, in spite of them being older than most of the other inhabitants of the Feganwood; she had created them with her first love; Paraxoss - the head of her initial herd, who had perished long ago in a war. She was proud of her foals; in spite of the fact that they grew in a world where their purpose no longer existed.

To her right, were her three youngest, strong but silly ulicorn off-spring; conceived with a mule she had fallen in love with around six decades ago; sadly, she had outlived him by a long-shot, but the three colts he had given her reminded her strongly of him.

In the centre, of course, were her three centicorn sons; who were half-brothers, although they did not know that. They were young colts when their fathers murdered each other over the discovered betrayal of her love.

She had always been a free spirit; and always would be.

The Centicorns did the best job at protecting her kingdom of Feganwood; they had made it so that she did not even have to leave the luxury of her secret sanctuary; just as their zentaur fathers had done when they had crossed these woods two hundred years ago and had stayed for a short time; enchanted since the moment they had first seen the strong and beautiful yunicorn mare. It was with them that they cleared these parts of the prides of black-lyons who once dominated these lands. It was hard for her to not love them both simultaneously.

"Bless and Grace upon Asduyth, my young ones," she neighed. "Today, the penultimate of the Asduant of the maiden Asztrara-lyoho’s moons; we gather to listen to the predictions of our humble centicorn brothers."

"Blessings and Grace, Mother," said Eldanon; the eldest of the three. His long hair was of blacks, silvers and grey and protruding from his head were three horns of gold that were as if a crown upon his beauty pointing out towards the heavens. He, like his brothers, stood over two feet tall with the pure sculpted bodies of mortal men; enormous in size were their horze lower ends and bulging in muscle. Eldanon had the eyes of silver like his father had and with them he read the numbers of the times; and what he had to say was:

"Of the Azuns there are but four; but as four there are two upon both sides, simulating a unique gate-way through which the Great Return shall finally come to pass. First as but an opening which shall transpire into the destruction of the floodgates which have withhold the Lost Light for this long."

"This is true mother,” said Odeson; whose eyes were of a kind indigo and his hair black with lines of silver striping in between. Upon his head was a crown of four horns; the two on the far sides were finetuned into the frequencies of the three aximoons of Evalend whilst the tinier horns in the middle diluted its movements into tangible information. “Luthane will lose all light in a matter of four spins; the last of Samsora’s wishes reflect then from the jealose Ava; who shines now in glee as the present aximoon of the day. With these spellings it is predicted that a strong darkness shall threaten our ways to inspire the rekindling of the Lost Light.”

Queen Laszathier neighed; for she could not sigh. Throughout her experience she had come to see many of her sons’ prophecies come to light, but the unfolding in reference were of a different nature, for their initial predictions had come a long time ago, and now they were said to come to a concluding catalyst point. She could feel the tides of change in the air itself.

She looked over to the wise and kind-faced Aladon, the youngest of the three; whose hair was of rose-gold where his eyes were a soft gold; upon his head his three long horns of hold pointed in different directions altogether, and with these horns he channelled both of his brother’s horns in order to project a large beam of connection in to the in-betweens from which he held spaces from which he received messages from the divinities beyond.

He nodded at her. "It is true, mother. Asztrara-lyoho, the Matara of our current luciclys, nods sadly at the question of war whilst Norbert the Naughty says that the trees of our Feganwood will burn to fecundate the necessary sparks for collision. It is not without silver, beloved Mother, for Asduant assures that the smoke that emit will draw in the storms of change.”

Queen Laszathier neighed darkly; praying silently over her secret kingdom and all its inhabitants.

"And the visitor?" She asked; looking over to her ulicorns. "Have your horns detected the prophesied yet?"

Each one of them unique in their colour, each one of them made her proud in that unique way. They acted as the guard to the forest; their horns linked with their surroundings.

"Yeigh, mooms," said Zohani; the biggest of the ulicorns, his main red and brown. "Six homlendian feet and the four paws of a Saprhix do the trees whisper to my horn."

"There are twelve pairs of feet currently crossing from the Galserta Lands through to the Derminicia; there are of course forces from the Reineiriers on their trail to ensure they behave," said the yellow-golden maned Dozari.

"There are no signs yet of trespassing in any form," said the long-faced Mizune. "The frequency is on high alert for any signs of the dark-portal."

Queen Laszathier neighed. "My centicorn foals, disband to meet the visitors. It is important we ensure them safe passageway through our forests. It is important to not have these due different prophecies intermingle. As Sestralysa told us herself so many years ago; the safe passageway of our visitors is of the utmost importance to the Everything in the All."

The Centicorns all nodded with a little bow before they set off in the directions that their horns aligned with. Galloping with haste in the direction of the Aliscea-most entrance to the Feganwood.

"Mother," said Skaladapi; who looked a lot like her yunicorn mother, her dazzling hair was slightly of a deeper rose-gold although it did not flow nearly as long as her mother’s and upon her forehead protruded two straight silver horns; from her emitted a light pink glow like that of a sunrise. "Are we sure that the Feganwood defences are ready for such things? Let me cast the charms to lock the outer world out until these times have passed."

"You are speaking ignorantly, young mare," said Laszathier. "You forget that Feganwood does not belong to us, or any of the inhabitants we swear to protect. Feganwood is Mother Evalend's; those who pass now walk into great destinies. Who would we be to halter the unstoppable processes of fate?"

"Mother," said Skyscope, whose shining silver mohawkian main was of pure silver; his eyes swirling in many different changing colours; he was taller and more muscular than his sister; although she was said to have been birthed first; upon his head was but one golden horn. "Do you really believe the day is approaching where Skala and I will feel what it is like to be ridden into battle?" his blue glow flickered in hope.

She knew her yunicorn foals wished for nothing more; to ride into battle with the Niaphere by their sides and on their backs. Although she wished nothing of the likes of war for her foals; she could not blame them. The yunicorns had fought alongside the Niapheria for thousands of years. It would be an honour for them to do so again.

It was sad that Queen Laszathier had seen the fall of the great Silver Age; she had lost plenty at war. She certainly hoped to never have to bid those kinds of goodbyes to her offspring.

"Alzapheer himself told me that Evalend will see the wings of the Niapheria break through the prisms of time again one day," said Queen Laszathier. "We do our best to play our part from our sanctuary here in Feganwood. For now, let us embrace the shine of Samsora, before Feganwood grows dark."

Chrys watched Nady edge ever close to him as they approached their fourth hour through the long stretches of endless trees. The afternoon Samsora was a-bliss with warmth and even though the Fyrevere was heavy on his back he found the beauty of his surroundings was enough to keep him rewarded.

Up ahead of him, Tomo and Que were leading the pack, speaking in whispers, and chuckling like children every so often in a way that Chrys found most annoying. Nady however was smiling as her eyes flickered in that direction every so often. He looked at her in confusion and she caught him. She took this as her invitation to finally walk side by side with him.

"What do you think?" she asked with stars in her eyes. He looked at her questionably. "Well, I'm assuming this is your first time being under any tree outside of the Oreds..."

He narrowed his eyes but nodded.

"It's..." he thought of the right word and Flint's vocabulary fluttered into his mind. "Pretty cool."

Nady chuckled warmly to this. "I can’t wait for you to see Pheax!"

Lelie, walking in between a furiously conversing Spiere who was blasting away at the countless tricks he knew, could not help but feel a bit sore inside her as she watched Chrys respond to all Nady's questions, out of earshot of what they were saying and bombarded by Spiere's endless meandering had her at the tip of annoyance and she wished Borrin would say something in order to sway them off the topic of him.

"What do you think?" Spiere asked her eventually.

Lelie blinked. Hoping he had not caught her in her frequency of jealousy. She turned to him wide eyed as she tried to think of something to say. She had not heard him at all.

Fortunately, Borrin guffawed. "I'd love to see you take on Spezthero. He is the best wyvernite in Galserta and his only a Neotier. I heard his wyvern is ten feet long."

Lelie nodded. She had never seen a wyvern before. She mastered the sweetest cheekiest smile she could think of.

"You'd come watch me, Lelie?" Spiere raised his eyebrow and pulled his smile half. His teeth blinked at her. She was unsure of his intention. But she was happy for his companionship. Even if it was unfamiliar to her.

"Of course, I would," she winked at him.

She turned back to inspect her situation as he turned away and blushed.

Far behind them, however, Ripple and Mogadi trailed behind as Halori walked as fast as her little feet could take her. Ripple and Mogadi not only had to lessen the speed of their motion but the width of their strides. They did so patiently and tried their best to make the little dwelvish girl not feel too bad.

"Apolothanks famzels," she said, sounding deeply stressed. Whisp had turned to see how they were doing; looking mildly concerned. Halori tried her best not to cry. If things carried on as they did, she would slow her entire formation down by half a day. She did not know whether to be sad or relieved that the front walkers were too distracted to pay any regard to her.

"Be calm Halori," Ripple assured her. "We are a team. Pheax will wait for us patiently."

"A team is only as fast as their weakest link," Halori sighed under her breath.

Mogadi made a smack of her lips and stopped. Halori looked way up to see the tall barbara look down at her seriously. She stopped simultaneously.

"You are speaking ill of a friend of Mogadi's," she said. "Halori will move much faster if she stops being so heavy in her stride."

Halori lowered her head in shame but quickly lifted it up again and smiled quickly at Mogadi as to not make her tall friend feel any worse.

"They're coming back," Ripple said. Smiling.

Halori looked ahead to see Borrin approaching with a grinning Whisp.

"I had an idea," Whisp smiled down at her. "Why not get on Borrin's wide shoulder over here?"

Halori looked from Whisp to Borrin to see if she could detect the joke. Borrin was smiling widely, but they did not seem to be making any fun of her.

"Oh... Um..."

"It's worth the try Halori," Ripple said, putting her hand on the little dwelve's tiny shoulder.

Borrin got down to one knee and Whisp held out his hand. Halori blushed deeply and could not suppress her shy giggle as she was lifted from the reptotoid's knee and on to his shoulder. She gasped slightly as he got up and then smiled and chuckled some more as she realized how high she was up from what she was use too.

"Woah!" she said as Borrin took a step. It seemed perfect as he was wide enough for her to sit in perfect balance comfortably and she was light enough for him to not even consider her weight. They laughed together as Mogadi, Ripple and Whisp exchanged a special proud glance between themselves.

The Unnamed Forest was of bright yellows and oranges by the upper Nordt-Wes entrances to the woods; where trees were further apart than in the eossen where the Galsertians were passing through. Tamoria put Pawnick down and the saprhix kitten rolled in the soils and made its way up a tree; hopping from branch to branch above them.

"It's beautiful here," said Luciana.

Allaana chuckled sweetly in agreement. Samsora had peached his peak for the day; they were only expected to reach their destination of Moremere at the early hours after midnight, and Allaana was biting down in mentioning that it may be better if they set up camp when their feet grew tired; but thought it better until one of the other two were exhausted enough to suggest it.

They had been able to stock up on supplies at a shop at Aliscea, and were set for another moons’ worth of staying at the library. Although none of the girls were really looking forward returning to the Holy Isle.

Allaana had secretly hoped they would find the answers towards getting closer to Thielzaphere a little sooner. Yet she doubted the trees around her, alive as they were, could sing her any signs.

It was in her hopelessness that the sound of hard galloping lifted in the air. She looked from Tamoria to Luciana as they drew themselves to alertness. The thudding of hooves upon soil were getting ever closer, until suddenly it sounded as if they were surrounded. The trotting stopped.

Pawnick hopped from a tree and meowed when landing into Tamoria's arms.

She turned in the direction the kitten had alerted and called: "Who goes there!"

And out stepped Aladon, Odeson and Eldanon. Big as they were, the girls got a fright, unsure as to whether rise or jump to the defence.

"Bless and Grace upon Asduyth; you are the daughter of Parliot Wincrest," said Eldanon. "It has for a long time been prophesied that we should meet on this day."

Allaana was taken rather aback.

"You lot are Centicorns, aren’t you?" Allaana asked him. She had always been told by her father that the centicorns of the Unnamed Forest were the most loyal and wisest of beings. "Did you know my dad?"

"We were honoured enough to have met Parliot, a long time before you were born," said Adalon. "He had attended some business with our mother."

"We told him then that we would see you here one day," said Odeson. "Sadly, we knew he would not be around to join us."

Allaana could not help but feel her heart skip a beat. She looked over to her friends, Tamoria raised an eyebrow and Luciana winked at her. Clearly this was the sign they all had been praying for.

"I am delighted to meet you all," she said with a smile. "My name is Allaana Wincrest. Yes. Parliot Wincrest was my father. Please tell me all there is to know."

"We know very little of what there is to know," said Odeson. "I know only the feelings of Ava as Samsora removes her illumination of light and whispers them to Luthane as she takes off her masks of darkness to reflect his light when the night blankets our planet."

"Or what the patterns of numbers predict can unfold in the moments as time weaves the yugalini," said Eldanon.

"We are not even certain of why you have come to these woods, Allaana Wincrest." said Aladon. "Sestralysa, Matara of the sixth moons‘ cycle, simply informed us on the day you were born, and that you would walk on these soils when you feel at your most lost." Said the young one

Allaana was relieved for the accuracy. She decided she would trust them.

"You speak truth, Centicorns, for I know not where I go. We have followed nothing but clues and although the harons have been strong, we feel we are no closer to getting any closer."

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"What is it you currently seek, young mare?" asked Odeson.

Allaana turned to Luciana and Tamoria. Wondering how she could phrase it.

"A snowy mountain in a fiery cavern," Allaana said with a hopeless sigh. "One lost to the memory of Evalend."

"Not all of Evalend have forgotten Mount Pheax," said Adalon.

"My brother speaks true," said Eldanon. "My mother took us there before Alzapheer sealed it for the last time,"

Allaana's eyes widened. Had they just revealed her destination.

"We will ensure your safe passageway to Pheax, Allaana Wincrest. We know the best route from here. "

Allaana looked to each of the Centicorns; Eldanon looked over to Odeson with mild concern; or perhaps that was just how his face was. "Give me a minute with my friends," Allaana nodded and she turned to face them as they went about figuring out their next steps.

"Brother," said Eldanon to Odeson. "To take them to Pheax is to put them in the line of danger."

"Be smooth, Eldanon," said Aladon. "Naughty Norbert of the eleventh spindial is holding the rose of good fortune; Asztrara-lyoho petals of good fortune still shower upon our sides of the Feganwood."

Allaana turned back to them looking readier than ever; Luciana smiling excitedly behind her whilst Tamoria stroked Pawnick somewhat nervously.

"Bless you, Centicorns," said Allaana chuckling sweetly. "Please share with us your names, and tell us all there is to know about Mount Pheax."

The shadows of the Unnamed Forest grew tall as Samsora began to descend into another day for other reaches of Evalend and Ava, the day-moon gave way to the left in the horizon as what was left of Luthane’s waxing light began to phase in from the right.

Lelie had made a point of it to stand next to Chrys for quite some time now. He could feel her silence ponder and quite unsure of what point she was trying to make. Nady had been a lot less talkative with her around and eventually she stayed back to rather conversate with Spiere, Halori and Borrin about different fighting formations. Leaving Lelie struggling with which sentence she could formulate to break the ice. Nady rolled her eyes in annoyance as she observed their awkwardness Chrys took to watching the last rays of the dayevaporate amongst the thick canopies; they would be in utter darkness soon.

"So, Highborn, hey?" said Spiere out of the blue.

Nady choked on her sentence of flying back-kicks as a guilty look dawned upon her.

"I feel so honoured-" Halori began from up on Borrin's shoulder.

Nady shook her head furiously and held up her hand to stop Halori. "Please don't!" she said a little too loudly. Seeing the dismay in Halori's little face softened her instantly. "It's just... I mean Que hasn’t spoken a word to me.”

"She'll come around," said Spiere. Nady detected a hint of bitterness in his voice and she turned to face him intently. He looked away from her. "You could have told us before you announced it to everyone so casually."

Nady stopped; the thought had not cross her. She realized in that moment that she had not considered her friends in regards to her secrecy at all.

"If you could see the way everyone has looked at me ever since they've known, you would understand,” she sighed sadly.

Spiere, Borrin and Halori all took deep note of this. It was true; the rest of the Flare-Warroyers had all given her the same twinkle and glint that she received whenever she was out and about roaming the streets of Pheax back home. The same glint that translated that she was revered as overly-important in their sight; as if they would drop everything, they were doing to appease her in any way.

Chrys, however, had always equalized this out for her. Even on this day he had treated her no differently than what he had treated anybody else. The thought that she was a Highborn did not even seem to cross his mind at all. She sighed looking after him dreamily. Just looking at him sometimes could ground her in ways she did not know possible.

Borrin and Halori walked past her.

"I want Tomo to show me Nonthonomew," Halori smiled back at her. Nady nodded after her returning the smile in order to clear any stagnant air between them.

"Hi Chrys..." said Lelie finally; as Borrin and Halori walked past them happily. It was now or never, she decided.

"Hey Lelie," said Chrys. It struck Chrys at that moment. "You mean you don't know." He had forgotten to ask Lelie, as he had asked Que and Nady. Looking around to see if they were out of ear-range, and catching Nady's eye rather awkwardly, Chrys turned to Lelie and asked her: "What do you know about my sword?"

Lelie, who had noticed Chrys ensure nobody could hear him, had to take a moment to catch on.

"Oh! The Fyrevere? I'm surprised you don't-"

Que screamed and Tomo groaned loudly in pain. Lelie reached for her weapons automatically and Chrys drew the Fyrevere instinctively; standing just a while off from Tomo, laying on the ground with Nonthonomew slightly out of reach, was a four legged, young but still big in stature, raindear. His coat was of whites and auburns and his antlers were still short in comparison surfacing. His eyes swirled of consciousness in their deep browns and greens.

Not too far from him; Borrin stood still with a frozen Halori next to his face. Que, shocked, made her way back to her feet, whimpering from the fright she got. Behind Chrys, Ripple, Flint and Whisp rushed forward. He could feel their Magick concentrating.

"Stay calm," Nady whispered. "I’ll scan and hook him..."

"No Nady don’t!" Que tried desperately to warn but Nady had already reached.

"How DARE you," said the young stag. "Attempt to steal my mind from me." he stomped his foot and Nady clutched at her hair as she yelped in pain. Chrys tightened his grip on the Fyrevere. It sazzled in his hand. “I should have known; I was told the enemy used the means of such powers!”

Que held up her hands; “Please ... Um... You are an officer of the Reineiriers, aren’t you? We are students from Galserta. We seek no trouble, whatsoever!"

The stag maintained his furiousity. "How can you prove that to be true?”

When the young stag put his hoof down on Tomo's hand; Chrys swung the Fyrevere fiercely.

"Go ahead wally," the young stag dared fearlessly.

"Now hold on!” Que yelled this time. “As explained; we are from Galserta. We are on our way-" Que started.

"What would a bunch of young lenders from Galserta be doing here in the Unnamed Forest as the nia falls?"

"We just came from Apalorn-" Que tried.

"Alas. There were a bunch of Galsertians who went on an exam in Apalorn which resulted in the loss of a beloved Mayor,” the stag's eyes pulled fiercely. “With a sword that matches that description, no doubt!”

"Now hang on a second," Nady began.

"You naughty lot have already disregarded two of The Unnamed Forests' unspoken rules. Never draw a weapon under the canopies of these trees and never attempt to control the mind of another against their will. If there is any honour in you, you will wait for my comrades with no resistance until you are arrested and put to trial."

Whisp burst out laughing. Que threw him a dangerous look which made him stop. Chrys loosened his grip on the hilt of Fyrevere; it would be most unwise to attack a being who had just revealed to them their offence.

"Apolothanks in our naivety; we were not aware of the Unnamed Rules," said Nady, Chrys could tell she was feeling, or at least faking her guilt, like a professional.

"You shall be made aware," said the raindear. "I have signalled for my tribe."

Chrys heard hundreds of hooves plopping around them; and in the shadows he could spot endless amounts of raindear outlines; their antlers all unique against the remainder of the light and longer and more magnificent than the seemingly much smaller one who had poor Tomo's wrist pinned to the ground. The Flare-Warroyers grouped closer together as the air around them seemed to shift. Nady was on the outlines of fear, when another stag, twice as large as the first, with large antlers stretching out and curling and spiking in the most dynamic of ways, stepped forward to meet the first; he was visually a lot older than the first one too; sporting what seemed to be a long beard that dangled before him; his coat thick with silver and greys. The Flare-Warroyers stiffened in the light of his enormous presence.

"What is this, Fallion?" he asked; observing the scenario.

"Elder Qwer, these culprits have drawn their swords and warmed offensive Magik in our sacred lands - that famzel was attempting to take control of my conscience."

Elder Qwer looked from Borrin and Halori, to Nady.

"Young famzel," said the Elder Qwer; founder and leader of the Reineiriers. "You are the commander of the Flare-Warroyers, is that not so?"

"Apolothanks Elder Qwer, I am Nadanae Getrienne Pharon. Highborn of Pheax and commander of the Flare-Warroyers. We are passing through to the Fredominion of Pheax."

"Can you explain why your weapons were drawn?" There was no hint of malice in his voice; and Chrys eased his tension as everyone else around him picked up on the intention.

"Oh! " Que was on the verge of tears. "Halori asked Tomo to show him his spellblade ..."

"Apolothanks!" Halori was about to burst.

"And I was on the verge of slicing this raindear in half for attacking my comrade," Chrys said.

"How dare you-" Fallion started.

"Hush Fallion," said Qwer; now moving to meet his gaze upon Chrys. "Dear Homlendian boy; is that the Fyrevere?" Chrys said nothing as all eyes turned to him yet again. He looked over to Nady, who gave him a nod. He returned that nod to Elder Qwer. "It had been prophesied that both the Fyrevere and Flareyuma will pass through these woods on their next cycle. I am glad to see it has come to pass. Fallion. You will escort the Flare-Warroyers to the Derminicia lake."

"Elder Qwer," said the young Fallion, finally removing his hoof off Tomo's wrist. "They have broken..."

"I was informed of their passageway through these woods by my old friend Ossenweld from Galserta," Elder Qwer turned to Fallion. "I don't suppose you want me to inform the Masters of Galserta that we have arrested their students for breaking the rules you may have forgotten to pass on to them upon their entry?"

Fallion looked away in shame as this hit him.

"Elder Qwer, I've been on high alert ever since the centicorns prediction of Apalorn came to pass. How can we be certain these are not the evil of which they have spoken?"

"I am certain, Fallion," said Elder Qwer. "I have heard the words of the deloovians. It is an old friend of mine from my own Mastria days, with the brandished Hellsun bloodt, who is spreading the fears of the Dysterness amongst our neighbouring lands. These feet shall pass safely through our sanctuary. You know the laws of the Apolothanks, Fallion. Not once have you acknowledged our visitors' attempt to mend their sincere mistake."

Fallion looked off; seemingly very embarrassed with himself.

"Apolothanks, Elder," said Fallion. Bowing his head low.

"It is the Flare-Warroyers that you owe the Apolothanks to," said the Elder.

Fallion hesitated, he turned see them all, and then bowed his head low in Tomo's direction.

"Apolothanks," said the young raindear stag. Like that, Tomo let out a breath of relief and got back to his feet. All tension dissipated as the Magis cooled their vibrations and Chrys sheathed the Fyrevere.

"Welcome to the Unnamed Forest, younglings," said Elder Qwer as Tomo ran into Que's arms. "We trust you have found our lands in a good state. Young Fallion will lead and guard you to the Derminicia Lake. I would like to apolothank you all for the inconvenience the Reineiriers have seemingly caused you."

"No problem," said Nady; but Samsora was threatening to disappear completely and time was running thin. "We best be on our way, though. We would like to reach the Goagoushini Hills before midnight."

Elder Qwer nodded and gave Fallion a look.

"Follow me Flare-Warroyers," said Fallion. "I know the quickest route."

"Luthane will glow at her fullest this coming Astridri upon the Ascidant,” said Odeson as Luthane came into glorious view glowing a seeming pink. “As it does upon the fifteenth-day of every Luciclys.”

“Astrid the Spinster will govern that spindial,” said Aladon with a smile at the look of confusion upon Luciana, who displayed great interest in the topic. “She assures that great tides of change will be woven into this new cycle, which shall bring upon a new world by the time her spin cycles again.”

Odeson huffed in agreement; not taking his eyes of the beautiful Luthane as she offered him comforts in spite of the agitation that arose from his suspense. “Luthane assures it,” he said. “As Ava begins a new cycle, all watches and hopes that she will allow all cycles a little more grace and little less resistance.” .

Allaana listened with mild-interest at the ongoing explanations Luciana was asking for in terms of expanding her knowledge on astrological understanding to increase her understanding of the Horosceptics.

"But how is it that you can see me, or know of me, or know me, before you have even met me," Allaana asked in consideration.

"That is not how it happens at all," said Adalon; his dimples folding. "If you look at existence from an outside perspective, and consider every dynamic that makes up our universe, but a gear, or a speck; you may begin to see a secret language and understanding between all things. When these dots do sometimes connect, structures such as time, as in how you understand it – from when to then – from here to now – from there to here; they become slightly fickle in the eyes of the Obsolete. For all things matter more than what it means in the moment; and sometimes they blink for a moment stronger than matter. Us centicorns, in service to our Unnamed Sanctuary, have dedicated our hybrid hearts to understanding just enough of the patterns to ensure as much safety as we can for these lands. Even then, safety is not always guaranteed."

Eldanon smiled with a nod. "Take the day you were born into consideration, Allaana Wincrest, as in to say the day that you began to sprout your consciousness upon Evalend by crying your first breath. On that day, the twenty-eighth of Sestrallis, the fourth day of the fifth dantian upon Bytraomon; the numbers and dials would have it spelt the hardness of stone surrendering to the waters that promise to slice through with the rivers of change.”

“In the morn when Samsora span Sevyere, your birth spindial within the Sevyant dantian; also known as the Twins of Entanglement, found great interest and both shone their vision upon the exact momodial you were born. This symbolised an age of failing relations beginning to reconcile. After your presence was anchored, Sestralysa brought forth their accounts to the likes of my horns and I saw my brothers and I walk side by side with you under these sacred canopies as we are.”

“Knowing you, however, is an honour that can only be worked for; the Daeons and Cyclaeons do not gossip about the sacred affairs of individuals,” Aladon concluded.

"Very cool,” said Luciana. Allaana chuckled sweetly. She did not really understand any of the cryptic things the Centicorns were telling her.

“Claryce, Luthane’s own satalite, is now within the second house of the Night Moon,” Odeson pointed. “She will dance alongside Luthane for all of Evalend to see upon this Astridri…” Odeson narrowed his eyes ever so slightly when it occurred to him that some parts of his psyche was resisting pending information, the likes of which were strange and unfamiliar with him to date.

Allaana lost herself in the wonder of the waxing-gibbous blues of Luthane; Ava was a yellow horseshoe shaped speck to the upper left of the light- blue moon.

“I have read that Dante is an artificial satalite…” Luciana said.

“It is true,” Odeson said with a hint of absentness that the girls did not pick up on. “A legendary group forged the dwarf-moon to restore balance to the tides of Evalend when her neighbouring brother, Elocrome, threatened to destroy her very existence.”

“Woah!” said Luciana and Tamoria in unison.

As the pictures formed in Allaana's mind as the Centicorns told it; like small memories rising to the surface from her subconsciousness, she was taken almost out of herself as she considered how big and wonderful all things truly were. The serendipities and synchronicities she had discovered after her father had died; along with the harons he had so often preached about. She wondered for a second what it would be like to have him on this journey with her. There was still so much left he could have taught her. Tears boiled in her eyes as she considered how small she was in the likes of it all.

Aladon smiled down at her as he felt the vibrations of Feganwood encourage Allaana to process and heal through their journey.

"Allaana Wincrest must not worry," he said. "Odeson has told that Samsora will kiss Luthane with the Shadow of Evalend and all things will come to alignment upon the Setitri.”

"What does that mean." Allaana asked, wiping a tear, and pushing a smile. She found peace in the rhythm of their voices when they spoke.

"Do not further concern yourself with the whispers of the Time Lords,” said Eldanon kindly. “The best way to determine the age is to experience it.”

Allaana took a deep breath in and put her arms around Tamoria and Luciana. They smiled together for a moment.

"Brothers, a word if I may," said Odeson; Tamoria observed him look away from Luthane for the first time that night. Aladon and Eldanon nodded and they galloped a while off.

" Brothers, Luthane whispers that time is wearing thin," said Odeson. “We must turn to the sanctuary at once. We are seemingly heading straight in the direction of the prophesied happening."

Aladon shook his head; “Do not fear, Brothers. Norbert the Naughty has handed a rare rose with dead petals to the Asztrara-lyoho and meant it with condolences which brought tears to pass from her eyes. From this refreshment sparked new petals upon the rose which ensured the safe passageway of Allaana Wincrest."

Odeson huffed in frustration he was but a particle to question the signs of the Matara of Astraglyph.

"I wonder why he wouldn't tell me about my future," said Tamoria to her friends with a little yawn out of earshot from where the centicorns were delegating. "Centicorns; of all things. This journey couldn’t get any more interesting!"

Allaana was happy to hear the light in her voice; but she could sense a strange sense of urgency coming from her surroundings.

Almost as if the darkness of the Feganwood were preparing for something. She could almost hear the sobs of Luthane.

"The Reineiriers were founded by Elder Qwer and my late father, Cuur, who perished in the last Dellfelldell war not too long ago in service to the country. They had assisted the Queen of Feganwood with the banishing of the Black-Lyons, who dominated these regions. He has sent out in to the lay-lines of Evalend that any raindear is welcome here. To date we have five-hundred raindear in our tribe."

“That is wonderful," said Que dreamily. Meeting the Reineiriers certainly was on her list of things she wanted to experience in the Unnamed Forest. “Sorry about your father."

There was a murmur of condolences. Fallion shook his head. “All in service to Mother Evalend.”

“Who and what is the Queen of these regions?” Lelie piped up.

“That is classified." said Fallion. "Reineiriers act as the security and policing force of this region. We guard plenty of its secrets, and will not surrender them lightly."

The Unnamed Forest was now but shadows around them; but Fallion's coat shone like neon against the darkness and illuminated their path with Magick that mystified all the Flare-Warroyers beyond comprehension.

"We are here," said Fallion; and true, as the canopies cleared.

"Beautiful” said Chrys, before he could stop himself.

The Derminicia's clear waters illuminated with a soft golden that seemingly glowed from its tranquil deepness. The still-waters reflected the Derminicia mountain peaks off in the distance to the right whilst the waxing Luthane glimmered upon its circumference; shying away into the shadows slightly, illuminating her with purples that reflected into Chrys's eyes. Lelie was far to mystified to his side, as was everybody else, to take note that he had been the one to say it.

"Well, that's our destination," Que breathed. Pointing to the far other side; to the left of the blue mountain peaks. "We'll need to go all the way around," she sighed.

"We'll probably have to set up camp before we get to the other side," said Nady; but with the beauty before her she was not to phased or upset.

"I will leave you here," said Fallion. The Flare-Warroyers turned to face him and he made a slight bow. But his, and everyone else's attention, was suddenly drawn to a strange slurping noise that came from the direction of the lake.

They watched as suddenly a little whirlpool became as a massive maelstrom that swirled at a large radius; vortexing deep into the lake. And then the maelstrom began to spin outwards again, as from its centre of the golden swirl, a long beam of water swooshed outwards to reveal the figure of what appeared to be a goddess; her form that of water streaming upwards and crashing down like a waterfall as her hair.

The Flare-Warroyers stood aghast, the waters beneath her an actual part of her – one with her; like a never-ending dress which was the lake itself. She looked over to them, collapsed in the water, and sprung out again much closer and before them.

Chrys, like his comrades, was shocked beyond measure at the sudden appearance of the Lady of the Derminicia. Her names were many; but in Feganwood she was only known as the Lady.

"Lady Derminicia," said Fallion. He bowed before her. Que gasped. She followed pursuit. Chrys watched as all his companions did so. He looked at the lady, she was looking at him, or through him. Her smile was unlike any other.

Chrys bowed his head. It felt appropriate.

"Rise before me Galsertians," said the lady. "The times of bowing before gods have long passed."

"Que," Nady whispered. "What's going on?"

Que shook her head and shushed her.

"Highborn Getrienne," said The Lady. "I am the essence the mother of the oceans shaped to guard this lake when it formed a very long time ago. I have come before you as a matter of urgency."

"There is no time for you from Galserta to pass around the lake, rather you shall pass through it," said the Lady.

Nady looked over to her companions.

"Lady Derminicia," said Ripple, stepping forward and holding her fist to her heart; as the Evflish do whenever they are faced with a being of metaphysical frequency of this stature; those who vibrate between the elms and the realms; and play an equal role in both, such as the Lady of Derminicia. "How shall we do that, my Lady, when there are no boats in sight and we have but a few strong swimmers in our party?"

"The Lake shall carry you, Flare-Warroyers," said the Lady. She rose her arms, from which the waters of Derminicia fell like wings to her side. She sung the following incantation over her lake;

"Lavashisiwin Lashrimish Masvahliin Felishreos"

From the waters around her spiralled three more complex figures; two females on her sides and a male to her front if the outlines of their appearance served Chrys’s assumption correctly. Figures of translucence; but fierce in appearance.

"These are my children; created by the likes of myself and the Queen of this region; they are called Leaminaeods; and can take many diverse and complex forms due to the combinations of Magik that went into their creation.”

Chrys was amazed as the male figure came forward, seemingly gliding as a part of the lake. He lowered into the surface of the water and the Flare-Warroyers released multiple gasps of delight as he revealed again above the surface in the form of a giant dark-blue horse-like being with long strands of water as and eyes as gold as the lake itself.

“The Leaminaeods will take their Kelpion forms to ensure your safe crossing,” spoke the lady.

The Leaminaeods dived before them and the Flare-Warroyers observed with great fascination as they swam towards them with tremendous speed. Their fronts producing the appearance of a horse with gills on the side of their necks whilst their hinds were finned fish-like tails.

When they emerged, they did so dramatically and they appeared ever more solid the dryer they swooshed. “Climb upon the Leaminaeods will guide you safely and swiftly with great haste over my body.” Said the Lady.

Chrys gulped along with a few other; the Kelpion forms of the Leaminaeods were big enough to carry several of them, that much was certain. He could not, however, grasp these concepts before them, and wondered how he could find within himself to trust it.

Nady was the first to brave it as she drew close to the one called Lakami; his solid form blue as he edged closer to the embankment and lowered himself before her. She smiled nervously before she grabbed on to his back and pulled herself up on him before throwing her leg over his side. She chuckled at her companions to convey encouragement.

Borrin, Spiere and Halori followed suit upon the one named Lachini who differed not much in appearance in comparison to her siblings.

“Um,” said Flint nervously as Whisp and Ripple waited excitedly as Elauren came towards them. approached; her muzzle below the surface. “I… I’m weak against water…”

“Do not fear, Flame Magister,” said the Lady. “Elauren has already taken your Magik into account; her Magick will prevent your legs from getting wet.”

Elauren flipped her golden strands of Kelpion hair aside as her front legs came on to the banks of the lake; Chrys was shocked to see the fins beyond her front legs; as the rest of her body was scaled fish-like; with a long serpentine-like iridescent fin. She winked at Flint who sighed nervously. Making very careful to avoid the water; he through his leg over Elauren’s kelpion form and put his arms around her neck tightly. Whisp and Ripple smiled with delight as they took the spaces behind him; Mogadi took the last spot; her eyes twinkling. Elauren made a movement into the waters next to Lakami and Flint gasped in delight when he found that when their lower-halves submerged into the water, he was graced with the sensation of rather being surrounded by warm mist; oddly, despite the clear indication that they were all in water.

Chrys sighed inwardly as Lachini approached; Tomo first helped Que on to him before assisting Lelie; they all smiled at Chrys sheepishly when they were perched on top of the majestic Leaminaeod. He rolled his eyes and allowed Tomo’s hand to help him over the large kelpion form.

They took one last look back at Fallion; who was smiling at their sight. Their energies were not as he had initially preconceived as he saw the light in their hearts through the smiles they emanated.

“Fallion, you must return to the Reineiriers,” said the Lady. “Your assistance will soon prove to be of the utmost importance.”

The young stag nodded and with final glimpse he hopped and bounced off into the shadows of the Unnamed Forest behind him.

"Hold tight, Flare-Warroyers," said the Lady.

They all did as they were told as suddenly the Kelpions reared and dashed at an unfathomable speed, zipping across the Derminicia Lake. They stopped abruptly. Dizzy at first, Chrys struggled to not fall over.

"Woah!" said Flint.

And when they all came around; they were on the shore of the other end of the Derminicia lake. Spiere still turned around to make sure it was true; and saw the Unnamed Forest far to the distance on the other side of the gigantic body of water.

The leaminaeods let them off by the bank and The Lady swooshed from out of the water behind her three creations.

"Thank you!" said Halori happily and amazed.

The rest of them erupted in thanks. Chrys however, found again that the Lady was looking right through him; perhaps at his Fyrevere.

"It is an honour to assist towards the balancing of the scales," said the Lady.

"That was fun"! came the figure of Lakami; his voice like a monsoon.

“Oh, so very much!" said Lachini.

Chrys was stunned at the youthfulness in their voices, moreover that they spoke in Evlendish.

"Flare-Warroyers, would you like for my children to join you as you settle down beneath the stars of Goagoushini?" The lady asked. Nady seemed confused.

"Oh, what an honour!” said Elauren. "We shall grace them with our songs of the Derminicia lake. And we shall stretch our physical bodies again in dance!”

Ripple walked over to Nady's side. “I advise we should make advantage of this opportunity," she said. "It is rare for beings of this stature to want to intermingle with our sort. We are blessed."

Nady nodded and checked for the impressions on her comrade's faces. All seemed at the very least curious.

"Captain Mogadi?" Nady asked.

"Mogadi believes the Flare-Warroyers would love the experience of celebrating our safe crossing with the Leaminaeods."

"Blessings!" cried Lachirose and they made movement towards the bank of the lake.

They shifted themselves upon the bank and when their long fins swooshed to separate them from the lake the Flare-Warroyers watched in amazement as suddenly their forms changed yet again; sizing down tremendously and what was left of them within a couple of seconds were three small ponies equivalent to Halori’s size. They squeaked their neighs as they bounced in a circle happily before they faced the amazed onlookers from Galserta.

“This is our kelpony form,” said Elauren. “It is our first emanation upon dry lands.”

"On the lands they are still young," said the Lady. "I would much prefer these powers safe from these lakes for the dawning moments. Tread safe young ones."

With a mighty splash she became level with the rest of her lake as her felt focus simmered. The Flare-Warroyers exchanged looks of mixed reactions as the three galloped on ahead; laughing in their stride. Nady giggled at the expression on Chrys’s face and shrugged as she led the rest of her comrades after the kelponies.

They reached the soft grass-plains of the long Goagoushini-Hills in almost no time; a long stretch of field illuminated blue in the light of Luthane with hills stretching as far as the eye could see.

“I wonder what trouble the Lady was ensuring we avoid,” said Whisp; and Chrys wondered for a second along with him.

“It is best we don't meddle in their affairs,” said Que. “The wylds have their own systems and ways of going about things,”

“I agree,” said Flint, as he unscrolled some wood that the Mastria had given them as part of their kits. He waved his hand over it and blew slightly; and from his breath erupted a bright fire that caught quickly.

The Leaminaeods laughed as they came around the fire and when their forms were illuminated yet again, they changed form; to the likes of three children; clothed in a blue expression; Chrys shook his head at all the changes flowing before him as the three leaminaeods twirled around fire and grabbed on an unsuspecting Nady and Mogadi by the hands as they began to spin around the fire; much to the Highborn and the barbara's surprised amusement.

Lakami then began to make a sound from his throat that sounded like a strange drumming or thudding upon large bodies of water, and his sister began to make hums that synchronized acutely; making for perfect ambience and entertainment.

the Flare-Warroyers stood back and laughed; and eventually Ripple caught on to the hum, and she held Halori's hand as they went to join them. Whisp and Flintus exchanged daring looks; they laughed simultaneously as they gave in and Borrin, Spiere, Tomo and Que were not too long off after them.

Leaving Lelie and Chrys to the side. He sighed inwardly, ignoring how fun it seemed to be a part of the celebration of dancing and singing. He looked to the heavens above; the constellations and Samsora's great grandmothers were all at their finest.

Lelie sighed loudly; and before she could stop herself, she pulled Chrysleon Kion by the hand. He tried for a moment to pull back, but he could not help but surrender.

Flint and Ripple made space between them and they grabbed hands with them as they swung around and around to the rhythm of the Derminicia Lake's song; bringing their hands up and down like waves.

Chrys was looking into Nady's eyes as she laughed with the atmosphere; all the stars in her eyes twinkled almost as if just for him; and she held his gaze and he could not help in this moment but not look away.

“And now as we break into the droplets, grab the lender next to you and continue the swirl!” called Lachirose happily. Nady's eyes widened as suddenly Chrys was faced with Lelie; whose emerald eyes widened at him as they span and span; for a moment he saw who she truly was and his eyes narrowed and hers softened almost in defence as she batted her eyes and looked away.

That was not what he had meant, he intended as he pulled on her and they span ever faster.

Flint and Whisp collapsed first; followed by Mogadi and Nady; and then Que and Tomo, Ripple and Halori, Borrin and Spiere and finally Chrys and Lelie collapsed; the night-sky swirling around them in their dizziness.

Chrys breathed loudly at the wonder of it all as Lelie's laughter ripped through the night sky. The Flare-Warroyers around him in a state of ecstasy. He was the only one to hear when her laughter died down into a little sniff and ran as the happiest tear, she had ever manifested down her face.