Falkner woke up to a cold morning with a cloudy sky stiff and sore Nyssa was already up.

“good morning after last night your flame eyes trick is boring” getting up

“You think this is funny?” Falkner demanded

“ya a little just think you have never done anything interesting till this winter I’m surprised you didn’t let him leave”

“he has survived ten years alone in the wilderness and what Farmboy says is true about the two southern kingdoms we will need him” and seeing a living legend also helped his favor king Hector was a mighty king no monster could threaten his kingdom I grew up on his stories and how he held both kingdoms under one crown

“So calculating” Nyssa said in disgust.

“can you two keep it down people are trying to sleep” Jezebel said drowsily

“we need to get moving anyway” Falkner announced everyone got up slowly rubbing the sleep out of there eyes Farmboy was the first ready holding his spear like a walking stick the metal glittering in the pale sunlight rubbing the pommel of his new sword it’s so handy I don’t have to sheath my sword to use my fire anymore I can’t believe me a Lord tried with a blade since I was eight only to stalemate by Farmboy and his spear he picked up one winter ago.

They soon left heading up the grassy hill towards the town with the moon owl flying ahead of them. He always seems to fly away from us during the day trudging up the slope. Aaron levitated past him several feet above the ground he never changed his height only the ground did the closer they got the thicker the mist became odd Falkner thought it looked misty but not very thick once they reach the palisade wall they had to go around until they found a wooden gate

“I can’t see if there's a guard up their or not” Falkner said

“me nether” Farmboy said “there is only one way to find out. hello up there can we enter!” Nyssa called no reply came. “Let us in, we are tired and sore!” William called, the gate started to swing inward revealing muddy streets walking two guards a fat bald man with his mail shirt only covering his upper gut and a lanky man with a red bread. In hat like helmets.

“Welcome, we didn’t see you coming from the south, so where did you come from?” The bigger guard said he didn’t react to their strange group, not even Jezebel or the celestial iron weapons. They were nervous by the way they stood and how they held their weapons

“We are from the north and we need supplies to head south” Falkner said “south! You want to head south ok its your grave” the lanky one said with that they walked away while the gates closed behind them

“That's comforting” Nyssa remarked

“What kind of gourds are they? They left their post” William scolded

“Let's just get what we need and go,” Farmboy suggested.

“We should stay until morning to plan out our next move. William and Aaron get a pot or pan so we can get something decent to eat and some salt. Hector get us a place to sleep I don’t care if it’s an inn or some farmers guest bed and Nyssa and I will get the supplies” nobody moved “I guess it's a good plan” Jezebel said Hector just stared at him confused before separating into their groups hopefully to do as he asked

“Wait, I need Jezebel’s moa” she handed him the bridle and shield from her back then went with Hector. The round homes looked a little rushed with low walls and almost all roof. The people of the town walked as if they didn’t want to be caught outdoors; they all seemed nervous. No children played in the muddy streets, only talked with each other and looked at them. The tallest building was the mill. They soon found the market to get some supplies or at least he thought it's the market. There were booths selling trinkets but the squire was almost empty with only a few bored merchants.

They approached a woman selling some kind of bread but it was flat

“we could fit more of those than the bread were used to” Nyssa remarked

“What can I do for you?” a middle age woman asked

“we need flat bread and some jerky and cheese” Nyssa asked

“sounds like you are in a hurry to leave I don’t blame you but we don’t know what's north”

“we are from the north we need to head south” Falkner replied she looked dumbfounded at them

“So young” she muttered

“ok as long as your coin is good then lets get you and your two moas of yours filled up with supplies” she got enough flatbread to fill three sacks on are moa and a sack of feed in case there wasn't any grazing to be had Nyssa got out a handful of copper and silver coins until she was satisfied then they got some cheese and jerky Falkner got all the supplies he could carry and Nyssa only had a few silver coins left as well as about a dozen copper ones they could fit all their money in a small coin pouch

“we need to get more money” Nyssa remarked

“And how are we going to get any of our money? its in another kingdom” Falkner said Nyssa had no reply walking the streets it wasn't a large town it would be surprising if the population excited two thousand wondering the almost empty streets for Jezebel or William.

The two guards from the gate were shouting at them and waving their arms at Falkner; they hurried to catch up to them.

“Our king will like to meet your group tonight” the lanky one said out of breath

“We accept” Falkner said quickly, with that they returned to their posts “if this is their capital where is the rest of the kingdom?” Falkner said this is ill news if the southern kingdoms are truly abandoned but how? Jezebel was with Safiya but with no Hector in sight they met in a back street where no one would overhear them

“Did you do as I asked?” Falkner said folding his arms across his chest Jezebel gave him a toothy sneer

“yes we got our rooms for the night but you have to pay for it sinch we don’t have a copper to our name” great

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“we should have enough” Nyssa said she didn’t sound sure

“so we are going to be broke tonight” Falkner said to know one in particular Jezebel placed a hand to her mace

“unless you sell that” Falkner suggested

“when you sell your sword”

“where is Hector he's not on a rampage I hope”

“don’t make fun it's serious” Safiya said

“I was”

“see you at night oh and by the way the king wants to meet all of us tonight” Nyssa said with that they left them with a stunned look on their faces

“hallfbreeds” Falkner muttered they didn’t answer my question

“let's find a stable to rest our pack animals” Nyssa said

“good idea” it was not easy to find. The streets were a maze as if the whole town had no plan when building came to think of it. it probably was. they finally found it Nyssa gave three coppers and handed them to the stable boy

“Just put our shields in a corner” Falkner said and left at noon

“What are we going to do till nightfall?” Falkner asked

“eat lunch then we take it from there” Nyssa said so they went off exploring the town.

As night time came, Falkner and Nyssa did next to nothing the whole day but listened to unhelpful gossip no one wanted to talk about the two southern kingdoms. it took forever to all meet up at their inn which didn’t have a name. They were all dirty and needed their clothes cleaned before visiting their king. The inn wasn't very fancy or big, just two stores of plain wood planks and floor round tables that were a little dusty. The place was abandoned except for the innkeeper, a few serving girls and one farmer drinking ale in the corner. The innkeeper was a short middle age woman with long blond hair and a simple orange wool dress the serving girls stood up at their arrival and dusted their apron

“hello we have three rooms” Falkner said

“oh yes it’s eight silver” handing all of his money to her.

“its enough and you have baths upstairs” with that they left to bathe and get their spare clothes the stars creaked at every step they made their way into one room it was crowded the room wasn't very big with only a chair, a bed, and a bowl to wash your face in

“what did you manage to get?” Falkner asked, turning to William

“Not much I had a little money around my neck so I got a simple pot, pan and a pouch of salt.” William said

“That will do” Falkner said everyone fell silent

“Why would the king be here?” Hector said breaking the silence

“he must be an exiled rival the one of the southern kingdoms” William suggested everyone agreed that must be it everyone put their stuff in their own rooms then Falkner took his only spare clothes and went into the hallway finding the bath was easily enough but there was only two so he waited with Farmboy William and Hector so the girls can go first halfbreed or not a lady still is a lady some of the severing maids went in and brought their clothes out to be cleaned after about forty five minutes the serving girls brought back their clothes they came out with new clothes and cleaned.

Nyssa wore her dark purple tonic blue leggings with her sword belt around her waist. Her hair was still wet. Jezebel wore brown breeches and a black shirt on her mace on her belt her horns were cleaned and raven black hair hung loosely Falkner had to admit some men might find her an exotic beauty. Safiya wore a riding dress which was clean but still had a few holes in the sleeves where you could see her tanned skin. He was about to enter but stopped himself.

“you first your majesty” Falkner said

“I haven't been a king in a decade” Hector said as he went in first the baths were amazing only lukewarm but it felt nice to be clean

“pass me the soap brush” Farmboy asked, passing it to him they stayed longer than they should. Once Hector got out and dressed, a serving man brought him his newly clean clothes and then left everyone else's and left without a word. his red breeches and white shirt with his red coat of fine cloth brown boots which were worn out from the travel. Farmboy were a simple dark orange tonic and white leggings Hector wore dark brown breaches and a rich looking dark green coat William were light green breeches and a dark green shirt with a gray coat.

they left and headed outside where the women were waiting for them

“What took so long? Did you need more beauty time” Nyssa teased “you took a longer than us” Falkner replied Nyssa just rolled her eyes at him. The two guards stepped out of an alleyway and approached. They were both fit. One had short blond hair and the other had long brown hair while wearing a mail shirt and wool breeches. As they got closer Falkner was shocked at how young they appeared; they both looked to be fourteen and fifteen.

“come with us we will take you to our king” the blond said with that they followed them through the misty streets no one was up at this hour beside the occasional night guard or a candle in a house they took them to the center of town were a small wooden keep stood three stories tall and slightly on a hill if you call it that its base was only five feet taller than the surrounding buildings.

He opened the gate with a key then entered. It was a nice place but worn out the wood looked nice but a little dusty. They climbed up to the third floor and into the king's throne room. It was small, it didn't even have a double door, just one the throne room itself was small with basic furniture and a desk with paperwork the king sat on a wooden chair which he realized was his throne. The king himself was young, about eighteen clean shaven wearing a rich coat similar to Falkner’s but less worn out and a thin gold crown on his brow once they stood in a wide line which they all barely fit. everyone gave their bows and curtseys the king raised a hand.

“Please, you need not pay homage to me. My title is an empty one for this town is all I govern. We don't get many visitors so I can visit everyone who enters my kingdom” the king said “my name is Fedrick the second. my what a unique group” the King said “a farmer a knight a woodsman a Lord two half breeds and a godling I hear you are heading south” Fedrick said

“yes we are this some very important business there” William said the king stood up and walked over the the balcony Falkner walked over and stood beside him looking over the farms and the lake that’s nearby he pointed further out a forest it lane along the the countryside in both decisions it looked wrong the branches held no leaf of steam even though spring arrived at least he thought the fog was thick real thick the whole place was misty but the woods over there looked wrong somehow I just can’t put my finger on it

“Is this why the southern kingdoms have gone quiet?” Nyssa asked joining them at the balcony everyone else was looking out the window trying to see the creepy woods

“I have no idea we lost contact with both kingdoms when my father was lord of this town when they didn’t send tax collectors in five years or any trade. the forest turn dark and anyone who went in don’t come back to us I have no idea if that forest is to blame or something else but I want you to know what going south entails” king Fedrick said with that he returned to his throne

“Excuse me but why crown yourself king if you have only one town?” Jezebel asked Falkner and Safiya glared at her

“My father crowned himself king. He tried to get things done and not wait around forever hoping they will come back. But if I may ask what is so important that you wouldn't hesitate to go to a dangerous forest and two kingdoms who haven't been heard of in over a decade?”

“Something worth a lot,” Farmboy said, reaching into his pouch. Falkner tensed up. don’t show him the power Falkner locked eyes with Farmboy seeing his worry took his hand out empty.

“I see It’s getting late and you have a long journey ahead of you goodnight” Fedrick said the guards hurried them out of the keep a long journey is right

“I wouldn't have shown him” Farmboy said walking besides Falkner back to the inn

“Quite” Falkner snapped quickly stopping Farmboy as everyone else walked by down the street looking around to see if anyone was listening “to start with how was I supposed to know that? and second, don't say that you have something valuable that we can’t speak about. great way for people to know if they want to steal from you don’t speak of it at all, don’t even say you are searching for anything, who knows what Fedrick wants or even believes you what you have” Falkner said firmly Farmboy grew stiff

“I don’t need you to tell me what to do your not a Lord anymore”

“Then listen to this, it's because of your big mouth that I learned about it in the first place. You farmers get something valuable and have no idea how to keep it hidden” walking briskly to catch up. To everybody I don't have time to deal with Farmboy but I have to do something before he gets us killed.