Jet had felt like he had never walked that much in his life. The paths seemed to go for ages. He was at least happy that was in company of Heyvl. He knew Heyvl could have left as soon as they found Rujar but he was sticking with Jet to see it all through.

The three of them had made a bit more small talk on the way. Heyvl and Jet had told Rujar about what happened in Lonav with Trekthar. Rujar appreciated they had gone to Heyvl's parents about it. He had told them that he would have to find more out about Trekthar, especially after the news of the army surrounding Lonav.

As they continued, Jet wasn't used to the warmth of either Lonava or the Kingdom. They weren't too hot, but they were much warmer than Calbar. He wondered if there were settlements in the mountains for the cool air. It made him uncomfortable to think about different temperatures.

On their way to the city Rujar was taking them, Jet began to notice farms they passed. They looked like the fields around Lonav but with people working in them and strange looking plants growing out from the ground.

"These farms help grow food and other produce for the capital," Rujar explained.

"All the way out here?" Jet asked.

"Had to be this way. Most of the land around Shnela are covered in quarries and mines."

"Mines, huh?" Heyvl asked.

Rujar nodded. "It's believed that our Element came from miners in the old days. Our capital rose up amongst the mines because of our Element. That's how the stories go, at least."

Jet nodded. He began to wonder where the Spirit Element came from. Did the desert hold a similar story?

"There's Grevale," Rujar said as he pointed forward. The city soon took up the horizon. It was vastly different from Lonav. Instead of the wooden and stone houses that filled the streets, the houses of Grevale were much simpler. They all looked like wooden cabins and huts.

"It's a farming city," Rujar explained as the three got closer to the borders. Jet could see why. Up to the borders, there were farms of several different kinds. The farmers would stop working to look up at the three of them. Jet figured Rujar stood out. The land was of dark greens and browns, so Rujar's armor and hair stuck out. Rujar seemed to like the attention. He would wave to anyone he noticed watching him.

"We'll get a carriage before it gets too late," Rujar told them.

"Where will we get one?" Jet asked.

"There is a company of carriages that sell their services."

Jet liked that he was learning so much. Calbar probably had a lot of what Lonav and the Kingdom did, but he had never been able to see it.

The three of them entered the city. They continued on the main path until they reached the carriage company. It was a large building with an open section to store carriages, while the other section looked like a booth of some kind. The open section was covered in tire marks similar to the ones that followed the trader from earlier.

Rujar had approached the booth without hesitation. It was still attached to the open area, which Jet noticed was empty of carriages. It still had benches with tools on them.

"Ah, Rujar, good to see you again," the man in the booth said as they came up to the service window.

"Hello there, Rerold," Rujar replied in a friendly manner.

"And who are these two boys in your midst?" Rerold asked.

Jet almost immediately became shy. He looked to the floor as if Rerold was a man of Calbar offering him a job. Heyvl remained unmoved.

"These are two kids from Lonav that need to be escorted to Shnela."

"Interesting. But you know I don't question my renter's motives."

Rujar frowned and shook his head. "Speaking of, do you have a carriage available?"

Rerold looked over to some documents. Jet took the time to examine the booth. It had one door that seemed to lead to the storage area. The wall was covered in papers that seemed to keep track of schedules and the drivers. After a few seconds, Rerold looked back to them with a frown.

"Looks like the next carriage back will be in about an hour or so."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Rujar sighed. "With that wait, we'll be riding into the night."

"'fraid so," Rerold replied.

Rujar turned to Heyvl and Jet. "This will be our only fast way to get to Shnela. It's much safer than walking the rest of the way."

"That's fine," Heyvl proudly stated.

Jet admired Heyvl's attitude. "What will we do in the meantime?" he decided to ask.

Rujar seemed to think about it for a second. "How about you two explore the city? As long as you don't go too far off. I'll wait here and make sure we get a carriage."

Jet nodded. He actually wanted to see more of the city. Heyvl was the one who answered for them. "Sure, we'll be back here in an hour then."

"Good. Don't go forgetting about coming back. I need to report this news as soon as possible," Rujar explained.

Both Jet and Heyvl nodded. They turned and began to walk away from the carriage company. The city was duller looking that Lonav. It sort of reminded Jet of Calbar; less stone covering the ground and buildings, but more plants.

Jet watched as people carried bundles of crops, sometimes in barrels and sometimes in crates, to different parts of the city. Bartering and gossip filled the air as the two of them walked further away from the main path.

"Reminds me of the trading area of Lonav," Jet told Heyvl.

Heyvl nodded as he looked to Jet. "I can see that. The people hear are talkative, that's for sure."

Both of them explored for a bit, listening to farmers trade their stock to several mobile traders that would take the produce to Lonava and the Empire. Jet started to see where certain stock would go. Produce that could survive longer in the cold went to the Empire, while just about any produce would be heading to Lonava.

Heyvl's stomach growled as they walked passed a bakery. Jet could feel his stomach yearning for food as well. He felt bad that he cost them their supplies.

Heyvl noticed Jet staring at his back where his bag should be. "Don't worry too much about the supplies."

"Are you sure? My Element cost us all the stuff your parents sent with us."

Heyvl shrugged. "It happens. We'll just have to find someone who might be willing to part with free food."

Jet liked Heyvl's optimism. It reminded him of Dustan.

"Did I hear you two wanted some food?" a voice asked.

Jet looked over to the side of the path they walked. Passed a few walking farmers, there was a girl staring at them. "Are you talking to us?" Jet asked.

"Well do you hear anyone else asking about free food?" she retorted.

Jet looked back to Heyvl. He looked unsure of what to say as well, so Jet didn't feel as bad. The girl continued to stare at them, her eyes a clashing hazel color to the dull surroundings. "Well?" she asked.

Heyvl shrugged as he returned a look to Jet. He didn't see a problem.

"Uh...yes?" Jet said unsure.

"Good," she replied as she tossed a few gold pieces their way. Jet reacted quickly and caught them. She looked impressed that he did so.

"So what do you want in return?" Heyvl asked.

"I need you two to help me load some crates."

Jet didn't see the problem. He figured they could get done before they needed to be back with Rujar. Heyvl agreed that it didn't seem like a problem. Both of them bought some bread and ate it as they followed the girl to her cart.

The cart was larger than the ones they had seen before. It sat on the side of a muddy road that ran through another neighborhood. The area smelled of muddy fruits and vegetables. It gave Jet mixed feelings because it made him think of the scraps he used to get once and a while in Calbar.

The girl wasn't dressed like a typical farmer that Jet had seen. She was wearing cloth and leather like a young squire or soldier. Jet's mind began to wander to when Rujar had mentioned raiders.

"These are the crates I need help with," the girl said as she pointed next to the crate.

"No one else would help you, huh?" Heyvl questioned.

The girl frowned. "I'm in a rush, so if you will. I need to get to Shnela with this stuff."

"We're going to Shnela too," Jet felt himself saying out loud without thinking.

"Is that so?" she replied. Jet didn't reply. The girl continued to frown. "I have to sell this stuff and see if anyone knows anything about strange dreams. I also need to see the Queen."

Jet's eyes widened as she said strange dreams. He wondered if there could be anyone experiencing what had when he fell out of the tower. The Plane visit did feel like a dream. Before he could ask, the girl motioned towards the crates and barrels.

Heyvl let out a drawn sigh, but he and Jet began to load the crates into the cart. They were filled with produce. It set Jet's mind at ease knowing she probably wouldn't be a raider.

Most of it was produce that Jet hadn't ever seen before. He wondered what they all tasted like. There were sharp orange vegetables, bumpy brown ones, and even tall green stalks.

It didn't take them long to load the cart up. The three of them finished it up in minutes. The girl then got on the front of it and looked back to them. "You both did well. Thanks for the help."

"Thanks for the gold pieces," Heyvl replied with a smirk.

Jet nodded and said, "Yes, thanks! We needed that bread."

"Glad I could help, so you could help me," she chuckled, "I'll be off now."

It was interesting to see the girl laugh, even if it was just for a second. Jet felt a strong presence when he was around her. It slowly faded as she took the reins and began to drive the cart away. He didn't think much more about it. They got food and helped someone, so that seemed pretty well.

Jet led Heyvl as they retraced their steps back to the carriage warehouse. As it came into view, Jet saw the pink haired man standing next to a carriage. Rerold stood beside Rujar.

Heyvl hesitated to continue in full stride when he saw the horses. He had never liked them much. He did his best to move around them.

"Ah, there you two are," Rujar started, "Just in time."

"We explored a bit and ended up helping some girl with some farming crates," Heyvl explained before Rujar asked what they had been doing.

Rujar's eyes widened at the sudden explanation. He then chuckled with a nod. The expression he shot back at Rerold seemed to just say 'kids.'

"Well we need to be heading out now, Rerold," Rujar finally said.

The two men shook hands. Rujar opened the carriage door and let Jet and Heyvl get in first. There was already a driver at the reigns. Rujar gave Rerold one more goodbye and he joined the two in the carriage. The driver snapped the reigns, and then they were off. Jet looked out the window. It was better than walking, but it was going to be a long ride.