Lawrence and Craig made for Ludium where they briefly stopped for Craig to greet Quenya who was busy working in the Guardian's Bakery. At Lawrence's urging, she had included small written cards by a small legion of scribes of all of the Guardian's Bakery branches around the city and in Black Bay.

"Father, be careful, they like to go to... Dangerous places." Quenya said indignantly and Craig nodded, pointing at Lawrence.

"I got him. What are you afraid of?" Craig smiled and Lawrence scowled, prompting both of them to laugh.

"Anyone who stands in the fire will get killed, Craig. I expect you to listen to me if you want to live to a ripe long age." Lawrence replied sarcastically though his heart sank a little at the thoughts running through his head.

What if by some difficulty, he would not be able to protect Craig? How would he face Quenya? Craig's wife?

Swallowing those fears, Lawrence suddenly recalled the teachings of his parents.

"Do what you can. As man does their deeds, the heavens watch."

Lawrence looked up at the grey sky.

Ma? Pa? Are you well?

Your useless son is trying to help other people. Will you approve of what I am doing? Beyond this world, will you find your peace in yours?

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"Lawrence? Let's go." Craig said, mounting his horse and as Lawrence did the same, he spent his day thinking about his parents, as their horses stormed towards the Singing Gardens.

Or at least that's what they imagined.

They were supposed to follow the coast, then cross a bridge and continue following the coast.

However, there is a problem indeed when the bridge is under repairs.

"No, no, I'm not listening. The bridge is under repairs by order of Marquis Van Shelk!" the extremely bored looking guard said, his spear held limply in his hand. Behind him, a small encampment of workers and bricklayers sit and have dinner around the campfires.

"Then how do we get across to Singing Gardens?" Lawrence asked and the guard scratched his chin as the guard's eyes moved from Craig's bow to Lawrence's sword.

"If you really need to go to the Singing Gardens, you may have to dare to go through Forest Altis," the guard replied, his gaze holding what would amount to curiosity.

"Let's go then," Lawrence said, making to move back to the horses but Craig held him back.

"Uh... Lawrence, there is something real about the Forest Altis that you need to understand," Craig said and the guard smirked as if having scored a mental victory.

"Well, it was a tale from long ago. However, never do groups of people lesser than eight make through the place," the guard said and Lawrence scratched his chin.

"You buy it?" Lawrence asked Craig and the latter, who had not believed in the existence of sirens, nodded sheepishly.

"Fill me in?" Lawrence asked and at this point, the guard said, "You can make camp near us tonight. It best not to be on your own especially so near the frontier."

As Lawrence and Craig led their horses to the encampment and set up tent, they joined the workers having their dinner - A pot of gruel.

"So, can you tell me about the Forest Altis? What's wrong with it?" Lawrence asked Craig and before the huntsman could reply, one of the workers laughed.

"Not from around here eh!? Never heard of the Mad Marquis and the Butcher!?"