Naia, finished taking her notes, Kayne gave Fennic the last fish he kept, and Kismet had closed up a small leather journal they’d not seen before and tucked it away in his jacket. Kayne and Naia gave each other a significant look of curiosity wondering what he’d written. But neither felt it was the time to ask about it. “Well you two, this may get a bit rough but I think we need to go down and find out what in Ifias burning pants is going on down there. I can’t think of a single reason why Piscalians would be raiding this city. Although if that’s the case it may be hard to get you in there Naia.” She nodded looking at her hands and feet which were a pale green color. “Fortunately you’ve spent less time in the water than most of your kind and can almost pass for human as long as we keep your head covered. And maybe… Fennic, could you help me out here a bit.” He looked at Kismet confused a bit and in reply Kismet scratched the ground with his foot. Tilting his head a bit when Kismet did this he then blew a short burst of fire on the ground causing it to blacken. Kismet looked at him and said, “ Thanks, you’re much better at that than I am. I’m sorry we’re out of fish but I think we could find you some in town.” Seeming ok with this Fennic laid his head back down where he had been resting.

Kismet looked at Naia and grimaced a bit. He reached down and grabbed a handful of sooty dirt then rubbed his hands together. He then took her arms and rubbed it all over them and she got the idea after looking disgusted for a moment. She then began rubbing it all over herself and her face. Any section of skin that might be visible. When they got done it looked like she’d gotten into a fight with Fennic. “To finish it off I want you to trade your sandals to Kayne and put on these gloves. That way no one sees your hands or feet.” They did so and set off towards the city gates. Kayne and Naia rode Fennic and Kismet had decided he preferred to walk the last mile or so. As he did so they noticed he had been rearranging what he wore and began casting a few spells. Before they reached the front gates he looked much fancier as though he might attend some formal occasion and they were unsure of how he’d done it.

They reached the gates in a short time and joined the queue to get in. Many people from the countryside had been evacuating their homes to seek refuge in the city from raiding bands of Piscalians along the rivers. They’d heard from one farmer. “Oh you’d not believe it. Such demons that came from the south. Burnt down me ‘ome dey did. Six foot tall dragon men. ‘Cept they weren’t men were they? Walked on all fours until they stood to fight ya.” Another farmer nodding fervently followed with, “Saw, me cousin frem down-a-road, ‘e tried to fight one of em, the beasty rose up on two legs and hacked ‘em in twain. Right through the middle he did.” The farmer drew a line on his stomach indicating the line that’d been cut.

Yet another group of farmers, carrying bags of whatever they could, spoke trying to hide nothing at all. “I heard they were using fire magic like it was nothing. My neighbor swears it was them Kindel tribesmen dressed up with masks and claws on their hands to scare folk back from their lands.” Another peasant guffawed in response. “That ole drunkard Torren? He’d just as soon tell you he’d been up on one of them long legged beasts they call their homes. He’s as drunk as he is tall.” Kismet brushed up to a man that looked like he was somewhat more well dressed. “Sir, what’s all the commotion? You look like a man who’d have the facts and not some tall tales of demons.” The man looked at Kismet with his bushy beard and brimmed hat. “And who are you? Some kind of minor lord that couldn’t afford a carriage?” He bristled his own, much more well groomed, mustache and stepped away with his nose in the air. Kismet swore under his breath and began working at his beard as he had done the rest of his clothes. In moments his tangles and bristles were much more finely groomed, a darker color, and adorned with a few gleaming silver rings. The two riding Fennic had to blink their eyes once again as though some trick had been played.

After some time the four of them made it to the gate where a guard in full armor stopped them to question their group. “Who are you and what’s your business here in Desmonde.” Straightening up and giving his best royal bow, which entailed a lot of cloak flourishing Kismet told the guard, “I am Kasaami Dorrunt the third! Lore master and royal entertainer. These two are my guards and assistants.” He waved at the three and as he said the word ‘royal’ he over accentuated the ‘r’ rolling his tongue exaggeratedly. The guard glared at him then leaned a bit to the side to glare at the two mounted on Fennic. Fennic glared menacingly at the guard and Kayne soothed him with a few pats on his head followed by a similar glare while brushing back his cloak to reveal a few of his blades. Kismet saw the smoke trailing from his mouth and quickly stepped in front of them.

“Ah, Pili-afi eh, I’ve never seen a human tame one but I hear some of them strange Alkins far to the west ride them on the plains.” the guard said. “Yes, well, when you travel as much as I do, to learn the legends of the lands, you meet interesting people. This one’s an odd kid. Doesn’t speak much. He was raised by a, seldom heard of, tribe what lives with the Pili-afi. In the mountains where the creatures are born.” Kismet told the man. “Any chance you could tell me where the busiest inn might be. Won’t make any coin sittin in the streets now will I?” He said with a wink at the guard and silver coin glinting between his fingers just inside his cloak where only the guard could see it. Taking a stern expression all the sudden the guard reached for the coin casually and pointed to the city with his other hand saying, “Right then sir, best inn around is The Tower Bridge Inn. It’s just over by the north bridge and keep this thing in line. Don’t need it burnin’ any houses down! Move it along, move along.” At that Kismet tipped his hat and walked past the man allowing Kayne, Naia, and Fennic to slide into step with him.

Once they’d gone a ways past the gates and around a corner Kayne leaned over towards him a bit to whisper, “Kasaami Dorrunt? Is that the name you give everyone?” Kismet gave him a knowing glance and replied, “It was the first thing I could think of at the time. It was some dwarf I met long ago. Made me sound regal though didn’t it?” As they continued walking what they didn’t see is the guard they’d encountered had looked at the silver coin in confusion. Seeing what markings were on it had made him skeptical and thus took to biting it to see if it were real. After which time he’d looked back at the four and vowed to have words with them later. A goal he’d never accomplish.

Walking through the city was fairly normal although there were many more peasants and beggars along the alleys and street corners than usual. More than once Kismet had knowingly snatched the wrist of a whiley cutpurse or beggar child attempting to fleece the unsuspecting looking man. “They’re as bold as brass around here. Things must be getting bad. Make your way to the inn and get us some lodgings. I have business to take care of, and keep her out of sight. We don’t know who to trust around here. I’ll meet you at the Tower Bridge Inn as the guard mentioned.” Kismet said, and without another word he vanished into the crowd. For such an old man dressed so inconspicuously he sure knew how to sneak about.

They continued through the streets and thanks to Fennic almost everyone steered clear of them as they were afraid of either getting stepped on or burnt to a crisp. While the streets were very busy they didn’t notice very many shops or vendors trying to sell their wares. Every water fountain in the city was crowded with people and a few carts manned by guards were handing out what looked like stale loaves of bread to hungry folk. The city overall seemed a very bleak place. Eventually they got close to the inn they were headed to only after asking several people for directions and then getting strange looks from each of them. Though the folk were mostly humans a few dwarves milled about as well but certainly not in as many numbers. In fact most of them were clad in stout dwarvish armor and were clearly part of a garrison contingent.

They found the inn a block or two from the towers that made up the bridge. They slipped down the alley a short distance behind the in and they finally got off Fennic. First Kayne slipped down one side using Fennics front leg as a step then he helped Naia off the scaly mount. He caught her by the hips first and then allowed her to slip down through his arms only becoming awkward when her blade and pack got tangled up as she slid down. Then he’d realized what he’d just done and where he’d touched her. He’d very obviously felt far too much skin due to the somewhat revealing nature of Piscalian garb. After they both realized what had occurred they both became very awkward and suddenly found something very interesting in complete opposite directions. Having allowed the moment to pass Kayne spoke first after having to clear his throat far too forcefully. “Oh, um, this looks like the place!” He said completely unnecessarily. She just nodded fervently and turned back to where she was removing the bed rolls from Fennics back as he turned his head to watch what she was doing. “I guess I’ll go inside to get us a room if they have any. Although this place is so nice I doubt any of the refugees could possibly afford it.”

Kayne went inside and spoke to the innkeeper while Naia stayed outside and worked at untying the makeshift rope harness they’d tied onto Fennic. After several minutes of tugging and tearing at Kaynes well made knots she finally got the rigging off Fennic and he bristled all over then shook like he’d been waiting all day for her to do that. She looked inside to see Kayne speaking with an innkeeper and pointing outside. At the same moment a few men in ragged looking armor and garb passed by and noticed her. One of the three said, “What ‘ave we here boys? Maybe some tough young gal that’d like a tumble eh?” The three laughed and jeered as they approached. She turned to look at them and her hand swept behind her to grasp the handle of her swallow blade. “Oh, see that, she’s got a mighty fine lookin blade too. I wonder if she knows ‘ow ta use it.” another of the three men said.

Before they could get any closer several things happened at once. Fennics long tail swept their feet out from under them and before anyone could figure out what had occured, he’d spun around her, similar to the way he’d done with Kayne back at the camp. Fennic loomed over the three men with his markings lit up bright red and smoke poured from his jaws. To give him an even more menacing look his eyelids closed and revealed more glowing orange markings they’d not seen before.

From the door to the inn Kayne shouted. “Hey you two, what are you doing over there?” They both turned and scampered over to him. As Naia did so she turned for a second look at the men to make a rude gesture at them with one hand. She turned back at Kayne with a cheeky grin on her face still hidden under her cloak and said, “So? Find us a room?” She asked him. It was not cheap and the innkeeper questioned me about our coins for some reason but, for a few extra copper chells he agreed to keep his mouth shut about it all.” Scratching Fennic under the chin in the soft spot he led them both around the corner. “It wasn’t easy to get him to agree to keep Fennic either but we came to an arrangement. Out back here there’s a spot behind the inn by the backside of the ovens. He said so long as he doesn’t ignite all the wood in the store house he should be ok to sleep there for the night and the ovens should be warm which, apparently, he enjoys.”

He came around the corner to see the hutt that the innkeeper was referring to. It was a couple walls built up with firewood and a roof to keep it all dry. And as he mentioned the back of the oven was exposed and put off a nice heat. Kayne showed Fennic the space and told him not to light anything on fire. He also said, “And when the men come for wood be nice. Don’t light them on fire either. I’ll send them out with fish later.” Looking somewhat dejected Fennic curled up against the ovens and enjoyed the heat, or so they thought. His markings along his ribs glowed gently as he flopped his head down in the dirt. The two nodded and Kayne led Naia into a back door where there was a kitchen entrance and two sets of stairs. One went down into a pantry and the other up to the back hallway where several rooms lined a corridor. They both made their way up into the room that Kayne then showed her. “Might be best for you to hide out in here, at least until Kismet returns from whatever errand he went on. I’ll head down to the common room and bring some food and drink up for you. It seems like we’ve been gone from home ages already.” Naia silently nodded to him as she dropped her gear and traveling cloak in the corner of the room. Kayne had already done the same and made his way downstairs.

In another part of the city Kismet wandered like he knew the streets of the city quite well making a turn here and there with a confident pace. All while he made his way through the crowds his senses were sharp and ready for anything. What he’s doing is searching for a shop he remembered from a previous visit to the town. At the time it was very old and quite renowned. Coming around a corner that he thought he remembered he found what he was looking for. It was very small and the sign hanging there couldn’t have been more than a few years old if that. Hanging from two chains, there was a carving of a book with an arrow pointing down to a door. There were two other shops crowding in around it which confused him. It didn’t look like there was room between the two for a third. Kismet stared for a moment at the odd situation and stroked his beard then removed his wide brimmed hat. He opened the door and stepped in. All his illusions that made him look like a noble wore off and he looked down at himself in surprise. “Hhhmmm…. That's not happened in a while.” He looked all around himself at the door jam and found several runes glowing on the top of it. “I guess I’d better be wary here.” He began inwards and down a flight of stairs into the dimly lit basement. As the door closed behind him he heard a magical chime down in the shop.

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He heard a shuffling as he came down the stairs and caught a glimpse of a figure covering themselves in a black hooded robe. “Welcome to books beyond the ages! Where we have books for all ages!” The hooded figure in the back of the room said in a mysterious tone. “Last I remember this shop was much bigger and above ground. But perhaps you still have what I’m looking for…” Kismet replied to the man behind the counter. He walked into the basement which was somewhat damp and poorly lit. Kismet found a lantern on the wall that was unlit and magically started it out of sight of the man. Holding it aloft he perused the books on the walls and said, “I don’t suppose you have a book about the local history do you? I must admit I’m a traveling bard and seek to understand this city and surrounding lands better.” He spent a few minutes examining books and pulling a few out momentarily to inspect them closer from time to time.

From the other side of the counter, the man stood there peering at him in unseen disbelief. Memories and conversations long past ran through his head as he racked his brain trying to place something. All while Kismet was completely unaware of what the man was considering. Something Kismet had said struck him as very odd. In his head he thought; “the shop? Above ground? But how? Where?” Standing up and remembering his shop duties the man strode over to a bookcase, near where Kismet stood, and found a volume he was obviously familiar with. “Um here we go, this one might suit your purposes.” He handed him a book with a picture of the city from above drawn on it. “Desmonde, a histoire and lineage,” it read in golden text across the spine and black across the top of the cover. Handing the book to Kismet the man got a good look at him. He almost dropped the book from shock. The man stepped back several paces to a spot near the counter where he previously stood and grabbed a staff that leaned against the wall.

He tapped it on the ground three times and muttered a word which caused a clicking sound from near where the entry was. He then muttered another word and tapped the staff on the pillar that stood in the middle of the basement shop. Hearing the first thing Kismet became very wary closing the book with one hand and his other going to a blade he kept on the small of his back along his belt. He looked around expecting more things to happen and a fight to break out. Without either party noticing the hand holding the book slipped into a pocket where Kismet deposited it like he did most things. The second spell then illuminated the whole room with blue and white light that came from lines in the walls and ceiling. Almost so much that Kismet could see the man's face.

“Sir? Please take a moment to explain yourself. I’m not here for trouble. Just a simple paying customer.” Kismet said calmly. The hooded figure only pulled back his sleeve all the way up to his shoulder where Kismet could make out a runic lettering that had been clearly meant to be obscured by a scar in the flesh itself. He gasped and realized two things. First, that the arm was clearly Kindel, it was dark in complection and lines ran up and down in patterns like it was carved into the skin as is their fashion. Second, that he recognized a symbol that he’d only ever read about. He didn’t know how to read the symbols but he knew what those two meant together. Stepping back slightly he bumped into a shelf and stood there just staring at the mark.

He then cautiously said, “but, you cannot be, it’s said you were all lost. Floated away none ever heard from again.” After pulling back his hood the man revealed the face of a male Kindel and replied, “I’m not sure which is more impossible, my being here or yours, ibhadi d’orlock.” He said with a gesture in which he touched his forehead with a slight bow. Slowly, somewhat agape, Kismet returned the motion to him with respect.

Kismet finally replied in a cautious tone. “What do you mean by here? Perhaps you’d better explain. None have heard from your tribe in close to thirty years.” Going behind the counter, where a table was with a couple chairs on either side, the man took a seat. “Perhaps you’d better sit down, this may take a while to explain. I’ll put on some tea and get you caught up on everything.” With that, he began puttering around grabbing maps and books and setting them on the table between them. All while setting out a few cups and plates for tea. They sat in the locked basement for several hours as he explained. The whole time Kismet made notes in the journal he’d pulled out earlier that day.

After several hours of discussion he finally stood up from the table. “May I take these scrolls of Kindel runes and the book? I think they may be helpful in the quest to come. Not one of us speaks or reads any Kindel.” The Kindel man also stood and proffered that he should do so saying, “Of course ibhadi d’orlock! If there is anything the Lafoaita tribe can do to try to absolve our sins it shant be enough. Our tribe has much to repay the world.”

Kismet made the gesture, again touching his forehead, and the man made it back. “Of all you’ve told me I haven’t gotten your name sir.” Standing and offering a curt bow to Kismet he replied, “Yumach, formerly of the Lafoaita tribe, that is… Before our own undoing. But enough of that now, I feel like the goddess Lumiara has a purpose for me and has guided me thusly. I’ve given good counsel to the lord of this city through these trying times. I'll send word for him to help you as needed. You say your path lies far to the West? I think your arrival here and the blockade of these Pisca Enriba is no coincidence. I must do what I can to help you and your party.” And with that he donned his robe once again and undid his magic that had locked them in the space some hours ago.

Laden with his new knowledge and scrolls, Kismet bade the man farewell and made for the inn they spoke of earlier that day after making mention of it to Yumach. After a short few minutes he arrived at the inn and stepped through the front door. Evening had begun to set on and patrons had begun filling the common room. Men and dwarves lined the room making merriment enjoying an evening meal. He made note that most everyone in the room looked like they weren’t the usual city folk. Well off merchants and mercenaries. A few well dressed guards were around the room in the livery of the city but, clearly off duty. After taking in the room he noticed Kayne speaking animatedly with a dwarf on one end of the bar table. He’d a mug of ale in one hand and a chicken leg in the other, waving it about wildly like a sword. Walking up behind him, Kismet put his hand on Kaynes arm, and spoke something in his ear. Understanding, Kayne chugged down his ale, grabbed the rest of his food, which was still a sizable amount, and led Kismet to their lodgings.

They entered the room with a short knock and came in, to find Naia sprawled out on one of the beds with the blankets strewn on the floor. Apparently Piscalians were as little a fan of bedding as they were of clothing. She woke with a start when they closed the door and a pillow sailed across the room striking Kismet square in the face. Kayne being somewhat buzzed broke into riotous laughter. Still somewhat groggy, Naia sat there rubbing her eyes until she realized that Kismet had returned. At which point, she became much more aware and interested in what was going on. There was a table on one side of the room which he pulled into the middle and cleared off. Setting down his bags, he began unloading the scrolls and books, Yumach had given him.

“Naia, pull out your maps please.” Kismet told her. She said, “ok?” and went to her bags. Rolling them out, Kismet also rolled out a scroll of runes so they could translate what was on it. “I’m somewhat familiar with this city as I said before and something seemed off.” He said in an educational tone. “I knew of a book shop here in town that specializes in rare and ancient tomes. And, while it was there, what I found was almost as odd as the guard using the ancient name of Desmonde.” As he spoke, Kayne and Naia stared at him in rapt attention. Pulling out a quill, he began making notes on the copy of the map that Naia had made using his scroll to translate what runes he could. “My knowledge of ancient Sacalian history was not nearly as thorough as I thought it was. The shop where I thought I might find a book on the subject was there but it was different. Much smaller, and for some reason underground.” Looking at him in confusion Kayne asked, “So? Most places have basements. It wouldn’t seem that strange to move it into a large cellar or basement.”

Kismet finished his translation of something and he excitedly circled it then moved onto the same notation on the other map copy. He more quickly translated the second circling it in the same way. “Don’t you two understand? Naia, did you hear the peasants at the gate describing what attacked them? Six foot tall ‘dragon men’ is what they said.” He looked at them now with a fervent expression on his face, somewhat crazed like he could barely believe his own revelation. “Kayne, did you read all the way through that book on ancient Piscalian history?” Kayne thought for a moment and nodded slowly. “Do you remember what it showed when it described some of the earliest forms? Tall almost dragon-like with more horns and scales and dorsal fins?” Just remembering it Kayne went to his bag and pulled out the book. “Hand it here lad.” He flipped through it very quickly and finally put it down on the table with the two pages that showed the two forms. On it they were labeled ‘Pisca Enriba and Pisca Enribata.’ On the left was the Enriba which looked more fishy in form but still far less human than Naia. And on the right it showed Enribata a very tall muscular dragon looking form with claws that looked like they would be better for running.

Shoving that book aside as the two were still in stunned silence he pulled forward the two maps he’d worked on. He’d only translated a few things on it. First was the city name where they currently were residing. The other was the strange notation in a box at the bottom left. His translation now showed: 16AC on the first map and 2580BC on the second. The two cities were as follows: Fargo on the first and Desmonde on the latter. They both saw it and neither had yet come to a conclusion. “W-what does this even mean Kismet?” Kayne asked, staring at the maps. “Kayne, how old are you exactly?” Remembering that he’d completely forgotten his sixteenth birthday during their escape and return to Raka village, the look on Naia’s face told her that she’d also come to the same conclusion. “Kayne! We completely forgot to celebrate your birthday. You turned sixteen while on the Yukishan and none of us even said anything.” Looking abashed and ashamed she simply and quietly said, “Sorry…”

“Well, we really did have better things on our minds during that time. Mother was dying after all.” Kayne said without mirth. Naia then chimed in with,“And if you think about it you were given some pretty great presents. And look at you now. You hardly even look like you did when we left the village.” At this he puffed up somewhat as they added to the ever inflating ego.

“Yes, yes, very sorry we missed your birthday Kayne. The point I was trying to make is… This first map shows your age and the notation of A.C. and the latter shows B.C. I can only assume that with all the information given to me by the shopkeeper that this map not only indicates our location on Sacalia but our location in time. I believe the reckoning is using an extremely major event in our lives. The ‘time crash’ at Aumatias door. Which! Is also the day Kayne was born into this world.” Kismet explained fervently. “Judging by the event and the year markers on the maps I’d have to guess these mean After Crash and Before Crash. And there’s something in this era of time we have to do to set it all back to normal.”

They both stood there looking completely shocked. Finally words found Kayne. “I-I saw Raka village.” They looked at him sadly. “Kayne, there was no Raka village, it wouldn’t even be built for another thousand years.” Kismet told him. He’d closed his eyes for a long moment remembering what he saw. “No, I saw it from the beginning. I told you of this when we stood in the grassy plains where we thought it should be. I think Lumiara has been blessing me with visions to help guide us. Somehow I knew we weren’t in our time. Nothing felt the same.”

Finally coming to understand the situation Naia looked light headed, swaying a little, she stepped back and sat on the bed behind her. “H-h-how do we get back?! How did we even get here? It can’t be! We just saw everyone a few days ago.” Kismet walked over and set a hand on her shoulder. “My dear… I’m not sure we ever will. But I know if we don’t charge head first into our destiny none of those people may ever even exist. We have some part to play here in this time and we’ve yet to discover it. All we can do is what we feel is right and follow our hearts.”

Joining in on the quiet moment, Kayne sat next to her, and allowed her to lean her head on his shoulder. “I’ve traveled many miles over the years, children and it seems we’ve now got a great many more ahead of us. We should take this time while we can as respite to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead. We can’t choose what fate falls before us, but we can choose to face it with full bellies and rested feet. I for one am going downstairs to entertain the room and drink to my heart's desire. I suggest you do the same. Naia, I don’t think you’re in much danger here as you look far different from these other ancient Piscalians. However, I suggest you put on Kaynes cloak. When I came in earlier it was nearly impossible to spot you until I think you saw me as well, if I’m not mistaken.” Kayne unfastened his precious cloak and laid it in her lap. “I think he’s right, people seem to have a hard time looking at me when I wear it. This way you can join us downstairs for a while as you see fit instead of being cooped up in the room all night.” And with that, the two made for the common room, leaving Naia with one last glance back at her from the door, heading for drink and vittles.