It took some time, but Zan explained everything to the Screen Master and to Sigma-Prime. It was a story. Zan wasn’t even sure he yet believed it. And he lived it!

The Screen Master spoke first and told Zan, “These turns of events are disturbing. When I charged the room with energy to transport you into the Backroads, I only set your destination for just outside of the command center. Outside the center is where the lodestones are and where our perimeter defenses are strongest. By the laws of our order, and by the laws of how lodestones operate, it should have been impossible for you to go anywhere other than the lodestones.”

Zan listened to the Screen Master speak, but nothing he said phased him. Zan replied, “So, what does that mean?”

“It means…” the Screen Master spoke, then suddenly halted. “I do not know what it means. It could mean many things. Each is as unlikely as the last.”

Zan threw his hands up. Just as he thought he was getting used to everything, it all goes up overhead, and everyone is laughing at you. Or, in Zan’s case, lecturing. But the point stood.

“What now?” Zan asked, feeling like monosyllabic words were all he had said to Simulacrum recently.

“I will investigate this matter further. Regardless of the outcome of this investigation, however, our course of action cannot change, Zan. Even if an outside power has somehow managed the impossible and altered the state of the Backroads, we cannot forego using the Backroads as a tool,” the Screen Master replied.

“Why not? If someone has tampered with it, wouldn’t that mean we are vulnerable?” Zan asked.

“Yes, Zan. It would mean we are vulnerable. However, without the Backroads, circumstances would force us to wage our campaign in a traditionalist manner. Which would be costly in terms of both time and life. Think of the time it would take you to only traverse your homeland, let alone if you decide to persecute this war beyond the hallowed borders of your country. Considering the still small nature of our burgeoning enterprise, we cannot risk foregoing a tool capable of multiplying many times over our efficiency. It is a risk we will have to take — for now.”

“Okay!” Zan said, tired, and simply over all the back-and-forth.

Continuing, Zan asked a final question. “While you are conducting your investigation, what should I do?”

“I have an undertaking for you, although I do not believe you will like it,” the Screen Master said, already causing Zan to groan in anticipation of some new nonsense finding its way to him.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Fine. Lay it on me… ought to get it done and over with,” Zan said.

“The lodestones are vital to the Backroads. I think I have made this much clear by now,” Simulacrum said. Adding, he told Zan, “I mention this because only through the activation of these lodestones, what you have called ‘way stones,’ will you be able to use the Backroads. Think of the lodestones as guideposts and a seaport rolled into one. Just as merchants need directions while traveling from city-to-city, and just as ships need a dock to port, you need lodestones to travel effortlessly between locations. Currently, we have no lodestones active other than those which surround the command center. Hence my surprise when you took so long within the Backroads.”

“No, I imagine,” Zan replied. “You were expecting me to take a tiny, little stroll, and I ended up going on a hike!”

“Correct: hence, in order for your travel means to grow, you will need to locate, and imbue with, a small sum of magic, more lodestones. Once you have imbued a lodestone with magic, you will gain the power to travel to that location from the Backroads. Ergo, while I investigate this encounter you had, you can still advance our cause by locating and building up our lodestone network. Do you understand?”

He thought everything over. Lodestones, the Backroads, the two as being connected; traveling between said locations… yeah, Zan thought he had it all down. It wasn’t a complicated notion. So he shook his head affirmatively.

“I got it… any ideas where I should begin looking?”

“I do: lodestones emit a frequency when a Ranger-Knight walks near; this frequency comes from a reaction with the crystal within. Hence, this frequency, although not detectable by human ears, myself and Sigma-Prime, can hear the sound. Should you discover a frequency in your travels, Sigma-Prime and I will hear it through your earpiece, and I will let you know and you can investigate an area more thoroughly,” Simulacrum said.

Zan shook his head. Not exactly what he wanted to hear. “So no actual leads?”

“I understand this is not as concrete an answer you would like, but it is the most I can offer you. Remember, Ranger-Knights are ‘road warriors,’ Zan. As a leader in our order, you will spend much of your life on the road. During your adventures, you will discover many lodestones, if only by chance. For the time being, simply investigate the areas of your childhood,” the Screen Master told.

‘Simply investigate the areas of your childhood,’ as if those areas weren’t under military occupation. Zan groaned. So, he had to walk a bunch, at random, while under threat of attack at any given moment? Wonderful, to his safety; but also wonderful to a huge old-time waste.

“Okay, sure. Sounds good,” Zan said.

Ending the conversation with the Screen Master, it was only the situation which caused Zan to become testy. Less so with the actual filler material they expected him to perform so idly.

What else could Zan do, he thought? Nothing came to mind.

‘Well, if I am going to explore the region while the Wardens probe the Backroads issue, then I need my best friend. Where is Jiehong?’

Suddenly realizing the time, Zan said, ‘Well, he is probably asleep! When did it become nightfall?’

Which was a good question. Reflecting on his day, Zan’s body lagged behind his mind. It was evening, but only early. His body, though, felt like it had gone through the wringer.

One thing was sure, there would be no travel tonight.