Mira yawned and wondered how she was still on her feet, still in her light leather armor, still carrying a sword on her hip, a bow across her back, a quiver of arrows, and her trusty thick-soled boots. She'd spent most of the night underground, most of that lost, and most of the lost time terrified. Now, she was galavanting around with a peculiar creature who studied everything like an eager puppy. Triolux was more quizzical than Varix had been after they’d adopted him into their party and brought him to Everspring.

Mira walked alongside Triolux, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. The ferrokin moved with a fluid grace, his metallic skin glinting in the sunlight. She couldn't help but be both awed and also a little uneasy in his presence. Just a short while ago, she had been fighting for her life in the depths of the earth, and now she was escorting a being from a race she had never known existed to meet with another peculiar race—the gnolls.

Alic brought up the rear, his eyes constantly scanning for threats even though they were still on the outskirts of the village.

“What are these?” Triolux asked enthusiastically as he ran his hands through a long row of bushes.

“Lavender. Everspring is known far and wide for its fields."

“Lovely scent,” he said as he pulled a few buds and rubbed them between his hands before inhaling. Mira hadn’t been close enough to test her theory, but she figured he smelled like rusted metal.

As they ventured out of town, past the orc fortress, the sound of Urzan's booming voice reached their ears. The large orc was yelling at his workers as they raised a third tower, his words a mix of encouragement and admonishment.

"Who and what are those?" Triolux pointed at the imposing green creatures.

"Orcs," Mira said.

Triolux slowed as he studied them. "Yeah. That name suits them."

Mira couldn't help but chuckle. "It does, doesn't it?" She raised her hand and waved at Urzan, who paused his shouting to acknowledge her with a nod.

Urzan's big orc-mouth dropped open when he spotted the ferrokin.

"What is that?" Urzan yelled and pointed at Triolux.

"I'm Triolux!" Triolux yelled back.

"Okay!" Urzan called and went back to work.

"I still can't believe we were fighting these orcs just a few months ago," Mira said, shaking her head. "But now, I'm starting to trust them. Slowly, but surely."

Triolux tilted his head, his eyes studying the orcs with curiosity. "You were recently enemies with the orcs?" he asked. “They look to be fierce fighters.“

Mira nodded. "Yes, they were our enemies for a long time. We were at war with them for many years, and they were indeed fierce enemies. I’d rather see them like this,” Mira waved toward the fort, “than across a battlefield.

Alic chimed in, "Thanks to Varix and some unexpected circumstances, we're working together. It's a strange turn of events."

Triolux's expression grew somber. "War is a terrible thing. It brings nothing but destruction and suffering. If there's one thing I wish could be eradicated from this world, it's conflict. It's what led to the cataclysm that forced my people to bury our city."

"I know it was long ago, but what caused the cataclysm?"

Triolux hesitated, his gaze distant. "It's a long and painful story, one that I'm not ready to share in full detail yet. But know this. War has the power to reshape the world, and not always for the better."

Alic's brow furrowed. "Can you tell us anything about the war that caused your people to go into hiding?"

Triolux shook his head. "Perhaps another time. The memories are still raw, too fresh. Remember that I’ve been in hibernation for many millennia. To me, the cataclysm happened months ago. Perhaps in time, I will be able to share more. But for now, let us focus on finding these gnolls. I very much look forward to meeting the people who were looking for my city."

Mira exchanged a glance with Alic. They had questions, but Mira respected Triolux's reluctance to discuss the past.

The group trekked through the forest, following the path that led to the gnolls' encampment. The air grew cooler as they entered the shade of the trees, and the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves filled the air.

Mira kept her eyes ahead, her ears perked, and her hand on her sword hilt. Alic had taken to the rear while Triolux walked between them. He frequently paused to take in new sights: bugs, little animals darting around. He stopped and sniffed branches, leaves, flowers, whatever caught his eye.

As they approached the gnolls' territory, Mira scanned the surroundings, looking for any signs of movement or potential threats. Paranoia? Maybe. It was better to be safe than run from the angry bear she kept hearing about.

The group emerged from the forest and into a clearing where the gnolls had set up their camp.

Mira cautiously approached the gnoll encampment, her hand never straying far from her sword hilt. The gnolls were spread out, their weapons at the ready, their postures tense and alert.

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“It’s us,” Mira said and offered a little wave.

The gnolls relaxed, and a few came out to greet her. Mira hated to admit it, but these dog hybrids all looked the same, and she couldn’t figure out who among them had accompanied them underground for the life of her.

“Mira. Mira!” A few of them yipped.

She turned her head to the side. “Look, Alic. I’m a celebrity," she said out of the corner of her mouth.

"What about me? I went along, too."

Mira shrugged.

Grix'gnash peeked his head out of the cave’s entrance. His mouth pulled back in a close approximation of a smile.

Mira waved and greeted the shaman. "Grix'gnash, it's good to see you again."

The gnoll leader's eyes crinkled. "Mira, Alic, I am thankful to see you alive and well after your journey into the caves."

Alic nodded, his expression guarded but not hostile. "It was a close call, but we made it out, thanks to our friends."

"It is truly an honor to see you both. I have prepared something for you and Alic. Also, Tobias and Bowen, would you be so kind as to give them these?"

Grix'gnash reached into a leather pouch that hung at his side. The gnoll shaman's claws clicked against something wooden as he pulled out four small totems, each carved with meticulous detail into the shape of different dog heads.

"These are gifts," Grix'gnash said, his voice a mix of growls and yips. "Made with the blessing of the spirits." He held them out in his palm.

Each totem was unique—one resembled a sleek hunting hound, another a guard dog, the third a peaceful-looking sheepdog, and the last bore the noble features of what looked like a wolf.

"For you, warrior Mira." Grix'gnash selected the hunting hound totem and placed it in her palm. "Blessed by spirits of hunt. Will steady your aim, guide your arrows true when needed most."

Mira turned the small carving over in her hand, admiring the intricate details. The wood felt warm to her touch. "Thank you. This is... unexpected."

"For Alic." The shaman handed him the wolf-headed totem. "Grants sight in darkness. Makes shadows less deep."

Alic accepted the gift with a respectful nod. "I didn't expect a gift… thank you, Grix'gnash. I'm truly honored. This will be valuable during night patrols."

Grix'gnash held up the remaining two totems. "This one," he indicated the sheepdog, "brings warmth when cold bites deep. And this," he showed them the guard dog, "brings calm to troubled minds."

"These are for Tobias and Bowen?" Mira asked.

The shaman's ears twitched. "You decide who needs them most. I trust your judgment."

Mira exchanged glances with Alic. After their harrowing experience in the underground passages, she knew exactly who could use a calming influence. "I think Tobias could use the one for calm. He tends to get worked up during crises."

"And Bowen's always complaining about the cold during night watch," Alic added with a smile.

"Then it is settled." Grix'gnash placed the remaining totems in Mira's hand. "May they serve you well."

"This is incredibly generous," Mira said, touched by the unexpected kindness. She'd spent years fighting various races, but here she stood, accepting gifts from creatures she'd once considered nothing more than savage raiders.

"Small thanks for great help," Grix'gnash replied, his tail swishing gently. "Your aid means much to my people."

"Speaking of which, our new friend who would like to meet you." He gestured to Triolux.

Grix'gnash's gaze shifted to the ferrokin. Triolux greeted the shaman with a slight bow. "Greetings, Grix'gnash. I am Triolux of the Ferrokin."

The gnoll sniffed the air, his nostrils flaring. The other gnolls followed suit, their noses twitching as they caught Triolux's scent. A few of them growled while others let out little yips of excitement and/or confusion.

Grix'gnash approached Triolux and reverently lowered his head. Then, in a gesture of profound respect, the gnoll dropped to one knee before the ferrokin and placed his staff on the ground.

Grix'gnash's voice was filled with awe as he spoke. "Triolux of the Ferrokin, your presence is a great honor. The spirits have spoken of your kind, of the ancient ones who walked the earth long before the great change."

Triolux placed a hand on the shaman's shoulder, urging him to rise. "Please, there is no need for such formality. I am here as a friend. I wish to learn from you and share knowledge of my kind. I believe it was my kind you were seeking when you entered the caves. I must be honest, friend Grix’gnash, you’d have never found it, for it lies thousands of feet below the earth."

The gnoll stood, snout shifting back and forth, maybe in excitement. Mira wasn’t sure what these creatures thought.

“The legends speak of our crafters. I am honored.”

Her curiosity piqued, Mira said, "Grix'gnash, what do you know of the ferrokin? Why do they hold such significance to your people?"

“I believe I can answer some of that.” Triolux put in. "As the world above burned, we went into hibernation. Some of my kind chose to leave and walk in the light," Triolux said. "This was not a way of seeking death, but rather a way to avoid an unknown length of time sleeping. We ferrokin are natural explorers, and it is in our blood to seek out and share knowledge.”

Triolux continued, "It is possible that one of the powerful among those who braved the cataclysm sparked the tribe that grew to be the gnolls."

At this, Grix'gnash let out a bark of excitement. "Yes! Our oral history speaks of such a being. A god to us. His name was Chromidus.”

Triolux turned to Grix'gnash, his expression curious. "What did this god look like?"

The gnoll shaman's eyes gleamed with reverence as he spoke. "Our god looked like you, Triolux. Metallic skin, eyes that shone like gemstones, and a presence that commanded respect and awe."

Triolux nodded slowly.

Grix'gnash continued, his voice filled with excitement. "The stories say that Chromidus taught our ancestors many things. How to hunt, how to survive, and how to honor the spirits of the earth. Chromidus was the creator. It is said he walked to the sun after he had imparted all he needed to."

“I do not know the name, but it sounds like one of my kind, indeed. We have always believed in the importance of passing on knowledge and wisdom to those who would come after us. I believe we can find the information together, Grix'gnash."

Grix'gnash snout twitched at this.

Triolux reached into an inner pocket and pulled out a small egg-shaped item that fit his hand. But it wasn't simply gold. As he held it in the light, its luster shifted to various shades of copper and silver.

"What is that?" Mira asked.

"It's what I shall use to bring the ferrokin back to the world of Mythralon. Assuming I get the leader of this land's permission, of course."

Mira's mouth dropped open. She snapped it shut and said, "You mean King Alister?"

"If it is he who leads, it is he I must speak with."

"Okay, but I'm going to need some sleep before we head in that direction, Triolux. I'm about to fall over right here, right now."

Triolux threw back his head and laughed. After he settled down, he said, "My friends. We all need some rest. I suggest we go to this event that Varix has been speaking of. We can talk of kings and lost cities later."

"That's a relief," Mira said.

"If your night is still hours away, I have a tea to help restore some of your stamina. Can you stay a while longer?" Grix'gnash asked them.

"If it gets me off my feet for a few minutes, I'm more than happy to have a little tea."

"I have a flask with something a little stronger," Alic said.

"Then it is settled." Grix'gnash nodded.