Jiehong thanked Charlez for his observations. Turning in for the night, Jiehong made sure Zan was in a good place before getting into his cot. Jiehong sleep deeply that night, though his rest was tainted by concern for Zan.

Camp was quickly packed. No animals or worse had disturbed them through the night, so it was an easy clean up. Zan seemed more cognizant of himself, and could form words, but his eyes were clouded. He still writhed like a beaten creature whenever someone touched him, so that wasn't good. Like yesterday, though, Jiehong hauled him to the back of his exo-suit cage and didn't move until he was sure Zan was fine.

Again, on the road, for the first half of the day, Jiehong and Charlez did nothing but travel. Small talk could be done once progress toward their destination was made. No sense in tiring yourself before one advanced oneself. When it was about lunch time, a big fat serving of nothing was all theirs. Berries from a nearby bush was all Jiehong had. That and something called 'mineral crackers' from Charlez.

"Where is our destination? Are we close?" Jiehong asked.

"Yes. We are close. Around a few more bends are we are there," Charlez asked as they shoved off from their berry break.

"I didn't realize how far away the city was... it is extraordinarily kind of you to bring me to a city so far away," Jiehong said.

"It's no problem. To us Wood Elfs, it is not nearly as far. We live longer than you humans, after all, and when not encumbered by our traveling mates' limited mobility, we can travel times as more miles as your folk."

"Handy," Jiehong quipped as they crossed a tame river by foot.

There was something about Charlez's statement which triggered something in him. Wood Elfs could travel many times further in a day than Other Kinds. As a human, Jiehong couldn't keep up, sure. That was a given. But Jiehong had something normal humans did not. He had a special bike.

Stopping for a moment to unfold the bike, once the bike was ready to use, Jiehong said, "On the bike I will be able to keep up. Go faster and I will try to keep up. I can imbue this bike with magic to make it go faster. Since the Slipstream is out, I will not have an issue with keeping a faster-than-normal pace. Ground forgiving, that is," Jiehong said, hoping the terrain would be agreeable to his newly remembered mobility.

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"You sure? Alright..." Charlez said as he started to run or fast walk.

As he expected, Jiehong, especially with a thinned magic flowing through his body, which he put into the bike, kept up with the Elf. The terrain was smooth. It long ago stopped being that overgrown, rooted land which made bike riding so difficult.

"Wow! You ride well. I have to say, though, I did not expect to see eldritch technology being used by humans," Charlez spoke, shocking Jiehong.

"Eldritch? What are you talking about?" Jiehong said, coming to a stop after a few hours of biking. "This is the technology of my Order."

"It looks like eldritch technology. That's all," Charlez replied bluntly.

"Which doesn't necessarily mean it is eldritch technology. A passing resemblance is hardly one-in-the-same."

"True. But that bike of yours is eldritch technology... I know eldritch technology when I see it. Your bike is eldritch technology -- which isn't a bad thing!"

"Not a bad thing? How so?" Jiehong asked.

"It just... isn't? I know you Humans are suspicious about everything which isn't holy in nature, but eldritch entities are little different than divine entities. Different strokes for different folks, ya know?" Charlez said, speaking as though he were talking to a child.

"I am not sure I would agree with that," Jiehong stated, trying to keep himself true to how he was raised.

"Why not?"

Once again, Jiehong did not want to respond. For he had no good response. What could he say? He was raised with a certain set of beliefs, beliefs he himself did not come to, and wants to stay with those beliefs despite them, perhaps, not making sense to the rest of the world? Jiehong didn't want that. So, he took the other road: "I do not want to talk about this right now, Charlez. I will respect your beliefs, but legitimating pro-eldritch talking points is not something I am comfortable with right now. Let's save this for another time. Perhaps if we should meet again, for example."

"If that is how you feel then consider the matter dropped. Let's resume our path," Charlez replied.

Resuming their march, Jiehong and Charlez made good progress. Near the end of the day, the city heights were in sight.

Traveling with the Wood Elf, Jiehong had expected him to act like a human and keep pestering him about the 'eldritch bike' point. He did not, though. He dropped the issue and didn't try to bring it up again. Jiehong appreciated that about Wood Elfs. They were humble, simple Kinds with wholesome sets of social etiquettes. None of that psychodrama Jiehong admitted Humans liked to partake.

"Alrighty, there is your destination. The city of Hope-Ridge! One of the finer human settlements in this part of the country. I hope your friend makes a full recovery. I would go in with you, but I should start on my way back to my research site. If we should meet again, I will take you up on your word, and we will discuss the bike's origin. In the meanwhile, live well, and tread the soil of this world firmly!" Charlez said, taking off quickly.

By himself once more, Jiehong thought little of the Wood Elf with him out of sight. A kind stranger, Jiehong thought, thanking him silently.