Chief Romani walked with Talaena and Narice to the edge of the village.

"Take care of yourself..." They both did a sign on their chest with a bow then clasped hands.

Narica gave Romani a handshake, "thanks for putting up with me." he smiled.

"Not a problem," Romani replied, "Good fortune on your quest."

Narice bowed and then turned to the opposite direction.

Narica stepped up the path leading out the forest and the village vanished behind them. Talaena appeared behind him after a few steps.

From here it seemed the path split, one leading into the forest of birds and one a path through the forest into the regular one.

Now that he thought about it...it may be good to ask.

He pulled out the finder. It looked like an old school compass- which was essentially what it was- just pointing to magic artifacts instead of north- there was no pointer. Until he spoke.

Ka'atra had the earth and ice jewels, Narice had already seen that for himself. He believed that Ka'atra didn't have the fire, or water. As for wind- he had no idea.

"Fire jewel!" Unfortunately, it didn't show anything.

"Water jewel!" This time worked better- he saw half the compass light up in a dark orange color pointing east.

"Where is the compass pointing too?" He spoke to Talaena. 

"Let me see..." Talaena responded as he grabbed it.

"Uh- i suppose it points towards Jubilee."

How far away is that?"

"Past the great forest... you can tell the distance through the color of the background. It will begin as a black background if immesurable. a dark red will be first. Orange will be a few days journey, yellow - perhaps a days walk, and finally light blue when upon it."

Out of curiosity Narice felt that he should check the other jewels.

"Wind Jewel!" a dark red background pointed north.

"Earth Jewel!" " a black background showed up pointing west. 

"Ice Jewel!" While it showed black in the background-  surprisingly however it pointed a different direction from Earth. He would have assumed that K'atra kept the jewels on him at all times.

"Alright- let’s take a detour then," Narice replied.

--

Narica walked up into the forest of the birds.

"Make sure to be respectful," Talaena spoke to Narice.

Talaena looked around with modesty - To him- it seemed that this was a sort of sanctuary within a sanctuary.

And then a giant bird flew up to both of them. Talaena did he best to hold his ground.

Narice however waved- non-chalantly as Terahawk's giant frame came down to them.

"So you're leaving then?" Terahawk asked.

"Yeah," Narice spoke and then. "Uh could you help us out...?”

"How?" Terahawk replied.

"We want to north-east. I was hoping we could fly on you," 

Talaena seemed a little panicked as Narice asked.  He probably didn't know this was what Narice had planned- but flying on one of the kings of the birds was certainly an insult.

"How far?" Terahawk replied.

"Uh?" Narice thought, "i think like a hundred of so kilometers..."

"I'm not sure about humanoid measurements- but i can get you to the edge of the forest."

Talaena seemed surprised by the response.

"Yes!" Narice replied.

Terahawk stretched his wings out showing a giant twenty foot wing span spread out in front of them Talaena was in awe.

Terahawk called out a bird cry and another bird came down.

"We'll fly together," he said. "I’ll fly you. My friend will fly your elf friend."

"Nice to meet you," Narice spoke to the other bird that had flown next to Terahawk.

They exchanged greetings. Talaena followed hesitantly.

Narice climbed up onto Terahawk as soon as Terahawk dipped his Neck.

Talaena followed suit- howbeit hesistantly - and after making sure the bird was really okay with it. Secretly however- Tala seemed a bit excited to be able to fly.

"Well, here goes..."

Terahawk wasted on time to Narice's affirmative-  flying upwards at a steep angle and breakneck speeds- Tala unfortunately blew off of his bird which then divebombed and caught him once again. 

Tala sighed.

At the speed they were going- they turned a 3 day journey into a two and a half hour flight. In the distance Narice saw what looked like a blizzard circling around a castle and a surrounding city enclosed with great walls. Narice thought it surprising to see such a storm- as they were initially in a temperate climate.

Narice pointed at a clearing before the snow started in the forest and Terahawk and his friend brought them down to the ground floor.

Narice looked at the Finder- which pointed directly into the giant snowstorm.

Narice brought out some food from his sack and gave it to Terahawk. 

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"Sorry- this was the best i could come up with," The food was something he'd gotten from some of the older elves he'd helped around the village for the journey- He got to try some of it first- but seeing as the journey had been completely negated because of Terahawk - he thought Terahawk earned the rest of it.

Narice put his hand against Terahawk's beak.

Terahawk asked Narice, "Do you want any help?"

Narice thought hard about whether or not Terahawk should join and decided against it- If Talaena got caught- he'd be able to help K'atra find the elves village- it wasn't worth the risk.

"Ah," Narice replied, "I think we should do this alone..."

"Very well," Terahawk responded, "If you need to reach us- the elf should be able to communicate through the barrier- you know where we'll be."

It then flew off happily with the food.

"Thank you-" Talaena spoke to his own bird before both birds flew back to the sanctuary.

"See,” Narica smiled, “That went well for us- huh?"

"I think i'm gonna be sick..." Talaena said looking queasyily at Narice. It looked as if he may throw up on the ground.

Talaena held up a finger and then a moment later he did.

"Haha..." Narice laughed to which Talaena gave him a sour look.

"Hey, Talaena,"

"Hm Narice?" Talaena replied.

"I think it'd be easier to call you Tala."

"Hm, i would think that a bad idea.." Tala said with a fire burning in his eyes.

Narice could feel the start of a fight.

"Fine -" Narice spoke not wanting to stir up the apple cart. He'd still think it though in his mind.

Tala was kind enough to change the subject, 

"Yeah, I could go invisible if you wanted help."

"That might be a good idea," Narica said- slightly surprised that Tala was being agreeable. It seemed that Tala respected him a bit. 

They walked around around the clearing -  Tala set up a magic barrier around it and then started a fire with another spell. Narice had to admit Elf magic really was handy in this situation. 

Tala then proceeded to pull out a few things out of a tiny sac he'd worn on his side- including blankets food and books. The sac was hardly big enough to put a few fingers in- but he seemed to be able to hold a mansion inside. After everything was in place they sat down eating some food.

Narice looked at the finder once again.. it pointed a blue-green color somewhere in the heart of the city.

Seeing as they still had half a day Narice figured it would be best to start now, "are you ready?"

Talaena looked up still working on a little bit "One minute…” Tala said as he got his own things together. "The invisible spell takes a lot of magic."

"You could just disguise yourself as a human..."

"Ah... that would be a lot easier," Tala cast a different spell and his ears changed and his height increased slightly... at least it looked like it might have. He was still short to Narica.

"You’re still too short."

"Yeah, well..." Tala tried to think of a comeback, "You’re bald."

Narica looked at him and scratched a full head of hair, "that was just lame."

"Not if your hair were to fall off in your sleep with an anti-hair spell."

"There's a spell for that?"

"Don't test me," Tala said smiling slightly.

They walked to the edge of the city slowly. Narice looked around at a storm of snow seemed to surround the city. It seemed to be snowing- the weather was a lot colder up here.

"Why's it so cold?"

"The Warlord here should be human and holding the water-jewel… the ice-jewel is now with Tezran right?"

"Yeah.” Narica nodded.

“then, I’m not sure…”

Narica walked around the city edges. The gates were heavily guarded alongside the top and the entrances, however it seemed the guards were facing inward instead of outward. It seemed that it was meant to keep in people more than anything. Something about the city seemed to be off…

Hesitantly, Narica and Romani walked through the gate.

"Oi!" a sales lady standing outside despite the snow called to them. "Are you two travelers?"

"What about it?"

"Come inside, we have hot tea and warm rolls."

"Narica looked at the lady with a short, "No thanks," and walked forward.

"Wait," Romani spoke, "We may as well check it out."

Narica figured he'd give his advice a chance.

They walked inside to find a very full restaurant. It seemed that others had the same idea.

"This way please," a lady ushered them to a table. They were located somewhere in the middle of the crowds of others in the restaurant/cafe-esque food court.

Narica looked around and noticed most of them looked to be the upper-class types, nobility even.

He wondered if they knew about the war going on, and the Ancient race as a whole. After all, most humans were unaware of the existence of Ancients.

Narica looked at the price-board, they seemed pretty steep.

"Well, this will cost a pretty penny..." Narica said.

"I have it covered," Tala replied pulling out a sack of gold coin.

"I don't want you to pay too much," Narica said.

"Then you don't have to order anything," Tala responded.

A young lady came to their table, "hi there, gentlemen."

Narica figured this was as good an opportunity as ever to get some information.

"What can you tell me about the city?"

"Uh," she paused with a deep expression on her face, however, she pulled herself together again "well, right now- it's been a bit cold lately… She suddenly changed her tone to a forced smile, “but I wouldn’t leave for the world.”

Trouble… that explained why businesses were so intent on their marketing.

"So can I get you two something?"

Tala took charge spoke up for this, "We'll have fresh rolls and a hot tea..." he said.

"Cocoa for me…" Narice spoke.

As she left Tala quietly picked up the conversation.

Tala responded to Narica, "I had heard that kingdom of Jubilee was a friend to the people in my generation… and a flourishing city.”

"King, huh?" Narica said. "I'm not used to a feudal system..." he responded.

"I have only known of kingdoms. How does your world govern?"

"Most governments try to limit the leader's power... checks and balances of sorts."

"Is it a good system?"

"Probably better only if the king sucks. Nowadays you have a bunch of people that are corrupt within the government,"

"I see,"

The lady brought the bread rolls.

"Thanks..." Narica said.

The girl smiled, "oh, you're sweet."

The elf looked at her.

"What about me?" with an intriguing look.

"You're too short."

"Hahaha!" Narica laughed.

I'm tall for an elf, he thought to himself.

"Ok, not bad...an elf." she smiled, "clever."

"You heard that?"

"Well, of course," she smiled. "We've got two," she said. Suddenly the police came.

"Oh goodness, I will not be leaving you a tip," Tala said as they got pulled away.

"Smoke bomb?"

Tala nodded, “that sounds like a good idea.”

Narica threw down a smoke bomb...

What it is with police and restaurants, Narica thought as they ran out of the building.

"That way!" Tala pointed towards the inside of the city.

Narica followed suit and they made a run for it.

Eventually they were able to get in a group of people and then took a left into some alley.

Narica looked around to find that they had come to the slums.

“It would probably be less suspicious if we were divided…” Tala panted a bit.

"We’ll split up…" Narica said.

“Let us meet at camp before nightfall if possible…"

Narica nodded and Tala left a separate direction.

Narica left in the opposite direction, then took cover in an open home as he heard the police run towards him. Maybe he could hide out here while the police were chasing him. These slum houses were more like shacks. Hopefully the police wouldn't come here.

He approached the door when a youth a couple years older than himself came out. He was pale, scrawny and wore glasses. He held out a wooden bat.

He held it up to him and Narica picked up a piece of fallen off wood from a nearby building. The kid charged at him. Narica was used to reading his opponent but the young man came at him with a fluid drifting motion. He was swift and threw out his a whack with the rod. Narica dodged it barely, getting scraped on the arm, and tried to bring down his own chunk of wood. The youth stepped sideways instead of trying to block, moved with the motions and spun- the rod whacked the wood Narica held to guard his neck.

"Why are you here?" the youth stopped his.

"Uh, sorry...”Narica spoke, “I just needed a place to hide."

"From?"

Narica looked at the person. He was a pale looking, thin, but in his eyes were a fierceness of fire, like he had something he was protecting.

"Uh..." Narica wasn't sure how to respond to make him trust him, "I'll leave right after, I understand you don't want me here. I was trying to get away from some bad guys."

"Police."

Narica looked at him with quiet resignation, "yeah."

"Get in," the young man as he held open a hanging drape that doubled as the door entrance.

Narica looked at his new acquaintance. If the police came now he would have no escape if the man wanted to turn him in. However, he took his chance and passed through the curtain.

Footsteps ran across the walkway outside of the shack. Upon hearing the steps he motioned to be quiet to Narica as he opened the door to the police, pointing a different direction, he spoke "I saw him go that way."

Narica watched him point away from the city.

"If you run you could catch him..."

The police pursued the direction of the extended finger as the youth closed the drapes.

Narica watched as the man turned to his own direction and with an extended hand held out spoke, "Hello, they call me Nick."