After walking for some time, the party saw a sign that read Ravens Country was only a few paces ahead, but Raven Wing Farm was in the next vicinity.

“Let's stop for a spell and take a break,” Cassandra suggested. Everyone agreed and continued the path to the farm.

The quaint farm of Raven Wing had a peaceful disposition that made Lyra think of home. Her heart swelled its chest as she took in the rolling farm hills, the plain fields boarded to keep their animals safe and Fiends out, and the quaint small town in the middle of the farm.

The group walked toward the large overhead sign leading toward the town, where they saw someone tending to a carriage.

“Excuse me?” Lyra got their attention.

He stood up from the ground and turned to them. The gentleman wore a newsboy cap, a long-sleeved shirt, and overalls hanging loosely at his side.

“What can I do for you folks? The Man said with a twang in his voice. However, upon seeing Lyra's Locksmith patch, he exclaimed with surprise. “Oh, a Locksmith! I should have given you a better greeting.”

“No worries at all! Does this town have some inn and tavern where we could get something to eat?”

“Sure do. The Pig and Grease makes amazing breakfast, meat pies, and a custard apple pie. They're just ahead, past the fountain. You can't miss it.”

“I think that sounds delightful,” Cassandra replied. “Thank you for your kindness.”

The man tipped his cap. “Any time. Enjoy yourself here in our humble town.

They followed the man's directions. The town's moderate-sized area allowed people to cross here and there. Wooden houses were spread about the town. Many people–from adults to children–wore simple garments, such as overalls, linen shirts, and tunic gowns.

Children played gallantly in the streets, holding sticks as they played around a fountain. In the group's line of direction was an oval wood sign, ‘Pig and Grease,’ with a picture of a pig on it.

They entered inside two at a time and were greeted by a waitress with curly brown hair, a white bonnet, and a small button nose.

“Welcome To The Pig and Grease. You can take your seat wherever you like, and I'll be with you in a moment.”

They took their seats around the table. There were already quite a few travelers sitting around drinking and eating. Despite the concerns warring about, the folk here were trying their best to live their life as peacefully as possible.

“Amazing,” Malakyh breathed out as he eyed the townsfolk seated.

Lyra’s brow rose. “Uh, what's amazing? Have you never been to a tavern before?”

“It isn't that. It's just… quaint here. The curse summoning Altars and the Harmony Tax will likely cause a riot to fester, most likely farmers and low borne citizens.”

Cassandra hummed in agreement. “I can concur with his statement. The people here are full of life and aren't letting something like this happen, or at least, they don't show it.”

Lyra didn't get it but shrugged and offered her thoughts. “Well, I can't speak for everyone else, but most people have been in a tougher situation– like the seven-year strain or when Chancellor Price was in power– they might not fully believe the power of the curse or the Altars but taxes and the deployment of the military is just not something that shakes the common people– that one little negativity won't be enough to arouse the Altars.”

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Malakyh gave his own hum, thinking. “Let's just hope we can prove the very real situation the curse and Altars bring so the people can make a real headway.”

Lyra pouted slightly. “Speaking of headway, mind telling us a bit about yourself, Mr. Strega? We didn't get to talk much after the closing of the first Altar.”

The waitress came back early with a beaming smile on her face.

“Sorry for the wait, folks. Can I get you something to drink for starters?”

Aurora raised her hand. “I want something called mead. I heard people at the other table make them feel really good. I want that!”

Lyra’s eyes bugged out, and she waved her hands wildly. “ha-ha, kids. Right? We'll take some milk.”

“Make that another milk for Tierney, too,” Cassandra added, making Tierney blush.

The waitress smiled at them. “Two milks got it. Don't you go making trouble for your mommy, okay?” she tapped Aurora's nose and giggled.

“M-mommy?” Lyra's eyes bugged out, her face turning red. “Oh, uh–”

“And you two,” she said, pointing to Tierney. “Don’t give your mom and pops a hard time either.”

Seeing that the lady was talking about Cassandra and Malakyh, they looked at each other, then looked away with mumbled “never” and “unlikely” responses.

Lyra palmed her hand to her face. “Maybe we should order our drinks now. I'll have a water.”

“Same,” Cassandra and Malakyh simultaneously said.

“Got it! I'll return with your drinks and take your orders after.”

The table was silent until Aurora spoke, “If you’re mommy, then who's my daddy? Would that make Eamon my dad? You both always got red in the face around each other, and Grandpa Dre (Eldred) said that's one way to tell if someone likes someone.”

Thankfully, her palm was already on her face as Lyra’s face only grew redder from the comment.

“I think we need to have the talk Aurora.”

•†•

Once they had finished eating, the group was about to head back on the road again when they saw a group of military men just outside the restaurant. Lyra could practically feel her veins pulsating.

“Should we just keep going?” Cassandra asked, sensing the unsettling Emotion coming off her.

Lyra shook her head. “They might be harassing the locals here. I won't sit back while they do whatever they want.”

Malakyh hummed in agreement. “I agreed. Something doesn't feel right. It's best to get further information before we proceed.”

They approached the military. It looked like they were speaking to some locals, which further proved Lyra’s point, but as she called out to them and was ready to berate them–fight them if necessary—the look of relief on one of the Locksmiths' faces made her retract her anger.

“Oh, thank goodness for an actual Locksmith. We are so unequipped for this. Do you think you could give us a hand?”

“Uh, what seems to be the problem?” She hesitantly skirted around the question, unsure if this was some game or trap, but judging from the looks of the other military personnel, they didn't look hostile at all.

With a long white beard and bushy brows, the older man said, “There is an old abandoned stone structure not too far from here—Emerald Fortress. One of our own noticed that some children hadn't attended class. Another student said they saw them going in that direction but thought they would have returned by now.”

Lyra frowned. The situation was dire since the children could be potentially hurt or worse. “How long have they been gone? Is this fortress being blocked by something?”

“You can say something like that,” The first military man who had spoken to her said. His thin, curved brows furrowed. “It's been a few hours now. We might have been able to bring these kids home hours ago, but… Veilspawn and Fiends are blocking the path, but these Fiends aren't like normal. They're something stronger than usual, the Veilspawn, too. They have this ethereal blue aura and crystal along their bodies.”

Their bodies stiffened at the description. Even Malakyh whispered under his breath, ‘I knew it.’

It's the curse. It's starting to spread. Lyra concluded.

“Alright, we'll handle it from here, no worries.”

The military men profusely thanked them and went on their way, followed by the older man, who thanked them for their services.

“If you keep heading south of here, the path going straight leads to the fortress. Thank you again, Locksmith, and to the rest of you.”

The old man left, leaving Lyra to turn to the group.

“Okay, since we don't know much about this tower and the structure, or even the damage these Fiends and Veilspawn have done, we have to be cautious. Cassandra, how do you feel about fighting?”

She lifted her cast arm, which was no longer in a sling. She could even move her fingers a bit.

“Pain here and there, but nothing I can't handle.”

Lyra nodded, then looked to Malakyh. “I can assist the best I can. No worries here.”

And finally, she looked at Tierney and Aurora and pursed her lips together.

Great. I can’t separate us anymore, or that will shrink our numbers, and leaving them alone isn't an option either. Ugh…

“...Fine, you two can come, but stay within our circle and listen to what we say. So if I say run, you run. Got it?”

The two of them nodded, giving Lyra at least some relief that they'd get out of danger if it came to it. “Okay, let's head out.”