The road was safe to walk relative to the woods. His new friends in Hillcrest assured him that it was the only reasonable way to get between holds without a boat given that it was regularly patrolled. A walk past two guards clad in the same garb as those of Hammond confirmed that for him. They rode atop large feather-links, and were friendly enough to stop to say hello, allowing him to pat their flightless mounts. He made sure to keep his hands free from the things beak, not wanting to suffer some missing fingers. Lie-Dor was his destination. It was a Tavern town according to his host. By the sounds of it, Lie-Dor was closer to a city than a town. Hammond may have been a major hold, but that was only thanks to the land's agricultural production. He'd been told that the other major holds within the empire would be a lot larger and more socially tumultuous than his previous destination. He pieced together the information he needed without making it so obvious that he had no clue where he was, even managing to learn the particular empire he walked through was called Bluun-Estoni, named from the sapphire stones that littered the mountain ranges. Getting to a Tavern was his priority. He needed to talk with someone about a new medallion. The guards he spoke with confirmed that the city was another half days walk from where he was, so he should be arriving a few hours before evening. Bidding them farewell, he continued into the tundra.

Leaving another wholesome interaction behind, he found himself baffled by the juxtaposition of his first few days compared to his past week. He'd seen a good depiction of what the world had to offer, and reminded himself to stay cautious regardless of the kindness he'd been shown. As well as the guards, he encountered another traveller on the road. From the top of a hill he could see a man stood on the side of the road with his cart and donkey. At a distance, he looked to be intensely explaining something about the cart to his pet, and getting close enough to hear him reinforced that idea.

"I don't care frankly" the man huffed. "I'm a man, you're the donkey. You should be pulling it".

The donkey responded with an obnoxious 'hee-haw', and stomped its hoof.

"Now that's just rude" the man scoffed in indignation.

He was so caught up in his argument, that the sight of the wizard draped in silver standing next to him suddenly, made him jump.

"Good gods" he yelped, before regaining his composure. "Sorry sir, I didn't see you there."

Murphy smiled, he'd never been called sir before. "No need. You looked like you were having a serious chat, I didn't want to interrupt."

The man scowled at his donkey. "Just coming to an understanding is all."

"I don't speak donkey" Murphy joked. "Don't think I can help you here."

The man sighed and shook his head. "No need for help, Sausage here is just being an arse."

Murphy laughed, then got an idea. "Maybe I can help" he chirped. Searching through his bag, he pulled out a carrot. It was a part of the rations Barberos sent him off with. As much as he wanted it for his own meal, the prospect of making an animal happy had him feeling generous. "Maybe this will get the feet going."

The man's face lit up, and he grabbed the carrot in a hurry. "Thank you traveller" he said earnestly, then he shoved the carrot into his mouth.

Murphy looked at the man strangely while he munched on the vegetable. Sausage made a noise of displeasure, prompting a groan from the man. "Fine" he huffed, before giving the donkey half.

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Murphy studied the man curiously. "You’re a strange fellow, aren't you?" He asked with a smile.

The man chuckled. "I've been accused of such things."

Sausage honked in agreement, prompting another scowl from his master.

"The names Oats" he said, holding out his hand.

Murphy shook it, thankful to have a clear prompt to do so. "Murphy, it's a pleasure."

"You’re not the first wizard to give us a carrot, but you are the kindest so far" Oats complimented.

"Am I friendly enough to get a ride into Lie-Dor?" Murphy asked, risking an awkward request.

"That all depends on our stubborn coach pull" he responded, gesturing at Sausage. The donkey sniffed, and turned his nose up at his master. It trotted into position at the front of the floating cart, and licked Murphy’s hand.

"Long as it gets you moving" Oats said happily. "Looks like you have your ride carrot man."

He joined the man on a small bench, keeping his bag at his hip to keep it from sliding off the unguarded tray. Oats was a nomad, he and his donkey would travel from hold to hold and make a living offering rides to village children while he travelled. The man bickered with his pet endlessly along the road. At first Murphy found it entertaining, though by the time they reached the city gates, he was ready to hear an end to the one sided argument.

The guards at the gate stopped them for an entry fee of a silver slip each. To his relief, Oats was happy to pay Murphy’s fee, as a thanks for good conversation. That prompted another honk from his donkey, so Murphy parted from them feeling entertained after all.

The sky was getting dark, robbing him of the chance to explore the city right away. The large population of guards around the streets made it easier for him to get the directions he needed, and he headed to the Tavern. It was called "The Hik-Cup" and was nestled in between two larger buildings. It looked notably unremarkable from the outside. Walking through the doors however, reminded him of the establishment's Importance. The building was larger on the inside, and hosted a similar layout to the others he'd seen, with only a few people on the mezzanine.

The innkeeper looked human, catching Murphy by surprise. He wondered if the man was a Warlock, since it was apparent that the innkeepers were always quite powerful. He sat at the bar, and the innkeeper joined him to pour a mug of mead.

"Just come in?" He asked.

"Came from Hammond way" Murphy replied honestly. "I'm happy to see a Tavern again, that's for true."

"You must thirst fast" the innkeeper laughed. "Not a long trip that."

"It's been an interesting walk to say the least."

"So how long are you in for. Need a room?" The man asked. The bar was starting to see more patrons, so he was in a clear hurry to be done with the conversation.

"Standard lodging for me I'm afraid" Murphy sighed. "Who can I speak with about a new medallion? Seems I've lost mine."

The innkeeper shot him a confused look. "Why don't you just call it back?"

Murphy returned the confused look. "You mean like with a whistle or something?"

"Or something" the man chuckled. He held his hand out in plain view, and made a grasping gesture with his pointer and pinky held out straight. There was a flash of white light, and he held his medallion out. It had a clear crystal in the centre. He was drawing a connection between that fact and the powerful, and he wanted one for himself. He mimicked the innkeeper's gesture, and saw a red flash come from his own hand. Nestled in his palm was a cold and wet golden medallion.

"That's a neat trick" he said, looking up. The innkeeper had already left to serve someone else, so he pretended to just be thinking out loud for the benefit of anyone that might have seen his embarrassing moment.

"Why didn't you tell me about that?" He thought to Uundah.

"I don't know everything" the O'jin reminded him. "I don't even have one of those."

That gave Murphy pause. Not that Uundah didn’t know everything, he was already pretty sure nobody could know everything. It was the tone in Uundah’s thoughts, he sounded a little spiteful. "Did you want one?" Murphy asked.

"There's not much point" Uundah sighed. "I'm basically bound to you. There's no sense in us both having one if yours gets us what we need."

Murphy smirked at his friend. "I can feel what you feel now you know."

"I'm aware" Uundah replied suspiciously.

"I'm going to get you one. Next time we have a slab to our names" he took a big gulp of his mead to finalise his declaration.

Uundah remained silent for a moment, but he gave off a feeling of gratitude. "If you wish to waste our money like that, I suppose I can't stop you."

"A room too" Murphy continued. "Tomorrow I'll find some work. That way you can get all ugly again and enjoy a drink in privacy."

Uundah sent a warm feeling back. "Thank you my friend."

"You won't be thanking me tomorrow when you're helping me work for it all" Murphy laughed.

The feeling of warmth disappeared, making way for a familiar feeling of exasperation.