Corin stopped to look to either side of the street. It was midday now and the streets were at their busiest.

  Nanaua bumped into Corin and almost made him fall forward on his face. Nanaua snatched his arm and began pulling him up.

  “Ah Corin, you need to tell me when you are about to stop walking.” She told him as she set him upright.

  “Don’t use my name! And I'm trying to navigate through this maze here!” He shot back. “Give me some credit.”

  “Ah sorry, but It is a team effort, do not get so frustrated.” She replied.

  “Team effort? Do you even know where we are right now?” He asked.

  Nanaua was looking over him, to see if she recognized any of the agents of Tonatiuh based on descriptions.

  “Did you say something?” She asked him.

  “Agh, nevermind.” Corin turned around and kept walking.

  He was following instructions given to him by Jaco on how to reach his home. Corin was nervous he would get lost, but he kept repeating the path he was told in his head.

  After you are above ground, turn right. Continue walking for three whole blocks. At that point there will be a street that cuts across. You will turn left. You will continue walking down that road until you see a building with two bells on top. The building you are going to stop at is on that same row, but four buildings after that one. Enter that building, go down the stairs at the entrance. At the bottom turn left and go through the third door.

  Corin did just that. He walked right. Passed three blocks. Turned left and began walking. And walking. And walking.

  “Are you certain this is the correct path?” Nanaua asked after a while.

  “I am following the instructions we were given.” He replied.

  That did not mean he felt very comfortable about their current trajectory either.

  Eventually Corin did see the building with the bells.

  “Aha we are near!” Corin said as he pointed out the bells.

  “Good job! I knew you would get us here!” Nanaua replied.

  One. Two. Three. Four.

  “Here.” He said to Nanaua.

  They were in front of a two story wooden structure. Corin opened the door and Nanaua followed in. They found a staircase in front with a path up and one down. Corin and Nanaua went down and found a door. They entered through it and turned left. They walked down one, two and then approached the third door.

  Corin knocked three times. The door was quickly opened.

  “Come. Quick” Daum said.

  Corin and Nanaua followed in quickly.

  Inside the home there were five others waiting for them. Daum, Simeon, Livia, Zhi and Jaco.

  “I, I, I see my instr-, instructions were good!” Jaco smiled at the new pair.

  “Were you followed?” Simeon asked.

  “I don't believe so.” Nanaua asked.

  “It was a good thing we split up then.” Daum replied.

  “How about you?” Nanaua asked them.

  “Not us.” Simeon replied for both him and Daum.

  “Or us.” Zhi spoke up for both her and Livia.

  “We-, well since we are all he-, here let me sh-, show you where I keep the scri-, scripts.” Jaco motioned them to follow him and they went to a room in the back corner.

  The room was wide open with various curiosities strewn about. Plates of armor, old rusted weapons, one very fine looking sword, and various broken pieces of what seemed to be larger artifacts. All of it was lit by light fruits placed around the room. It gave a unique aura to the items in the room.

  “What an amazing collection!” Simeon stated as he looked around.

  “Th-, thank you!” Jaco replied. “I, I get a lot of, of interesting items fr-, fr-, from our customers and I like to ke-, keep some here.”

  He walked over to a corner of the room where he had two distinct piles of items.

  “The-, these are dra-, Dragon script” Jaco motioned to one “and the-, these Giant.”

  “And the dragon script ones are the ones you have yet to completely decipher?” Livia asked.

  “Ye-, yes.” Jaco replied. “Spe-, specifically these.”

  Jaco began to bring out some items for the group to look at.

  In the crowded room it was hard to find space, but Livia and Zhi found a spot and began to collect the untranslated items. Jaco kept bringing them more of the various artifacts.

  Some were slabs carved with various etchings, some were strips of cloth printed with various markings, and Corin even saw a metal disc inscribed with some etchings.

  “This is amazing Jaco!” Zhi said as she looked over the various items.

  Jaco's face lit up.

  Zhi and Livia got to work looking through the various documents. Corin, Nanaua and Simeon would look at some of the discarded items to see what might be written.

  “On the occasion of Tierfira’s 500th year of reign” a metal disc read.

  “Execution of Ea-Nasir for the delivery of of low quality…” a clay tablet read.

  “How was it possible that you learned to read both Giant script and Dragon script?” Nanaua asked after she got bored of reading discarded items.

  “Oh dear!” Jaco exclaimed in a frightened tone.

  “Don't worry Jaco, Nanaua is just curious.” Simeon interjected.

  Nanaua was confused, she did not understand what about her approach had scared the furtive.

  “Oh, we-, well several ye-, years ago a spa-, saprrowling came to Y-, Y-, Yranto. She had, had escaped from the court of Br-, Brosot the Gi-, Giant.” Jaco, still whispered the word Giant.

  “That spa-, sparrowling, Kiroha, had, had learned to re-, read from to-, to-, tomes in the palace. When I me-, met her, I was much yo-, yo-, younger and didn't sp-, speak much. Ki-, Kiroha saw me looking at the to-, tomes of Giant“ he whispered “script, she had and of-, offered to teach me. I did-, didn't have many fr-, fr-, friends and Je-, Jeinna encouraged me to go wi-, with her and learn.”

  “Did she know Dragon script as well?” Nanaua asked.

  “No, ma-, ma-, many years later a customer brought in a clay ta-, tablet that had both Gi-, Giant script and an-, another script I did not recognize. It, it, took a while but I, de-, deciphered that it was Dr-, Dragon scr-, script based on other items I had. It to-, took me some time to de-, de-, decipher but I was sure bo-, both sides had the sa-, sa-, same message written in both scripts. So I was able to, to learn some Dr-, Dragon script wi-, with it.” Jaco smiled once he finished his story.

  “Impressive.” Daum spoke up.

  He could not read any of the documents and was focused intently on Jaco's story.

  “To think that you possess one of the few items known to furtives that can be used to translate between the scripts of the Titans and that you know to read the two of them yourself.” Daum continued.

  “Right you are.” Simeon added. “It seems our friend here is quite a force to be reckoned with.”

  Jaco smiled “Oh it, it-”

  “I found him!” Zhi exclaimed as she shot up.

  She held up a clay tablet in her hands. She held it delicately in between her hands.

  Livia was the first one to react. She quickly moved over Zhi's shoulder to try to read the tablet.

  She began to read quietly and then her eyes widened. It seemed to only confirm what Zhi had said.

  “Well?” Simeon asked excitedly. “What does it say?”

  “Sorry! Sorry! I'll begin reading from the top!” Zhi paused as she focused on the tablet. “On the present situation of power distribution on the surface of the continent. The following Giants are known to the great Lord Tullut. Baknero, Tonego Mountain. Bogetto, Halzt Fields. Belaran.” Zhi paused.

  “Serno Valley.” Livia added.

  “Serno Valley…” Simeon muttered. “Serno Valley…”

  “Did we not hear that recently?” He asked out loud.

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  “We did. Bellum reigns there.” Nanaua said.

  The room quieted.

  “Be-, Bellum?” Jaco asked.

  Daum looked at him. “I don't know either.” He said to Jaco.

  Corin turned to the two of them.

  “There is a story we have not told you yet. It concerns a Dragon we met.” Corin began.

  Jaco's eyes widened, but Daum seemed apprehensive.

  “You all met with a Dragon?” Daum asked. “And you're not dead? Impossible.”

  Corin told the two of them of their time in the mines. Of their encounter with the nameless Dragon.

  “Oh Dear.” Jaco whispered.

  “I… I can't believe it.” Daum muttered, as he looked around. He looked to Simeon, Nanaua, Livia and Zhi. He could tell by their faces that this was no lie.

  “So, so, so this Bellum, if he’s th-, th-, the current Lord of the Serno Va-, Va-, valley he must ha-, have the last piece of the art-, art-, artifact.” Jaco said.

  “Right you are Jaco.” Simeon stated.

  “This revelation makes many things clear now. It explains why not a soul knew of Belaran. It seems as if he has been dead for centuries, or maybe even more.” Zhi added.

  She looked at the clay tablet in her hand. Corin was not an expert on ancient artifacts, but he could tell that it looked as if it was older than most things still alive on this world.

  “It also points us to our next location, the Serno Valley.” Livia added.

  Everyone in the group looked at each other.

  “I take it none of us knows where it is?” Zhi asked.

  “I, I, I have an idea.” Jaco said.

  “You do?” Nanaua said.

  “Do you know where it is?” Zhi asked. Both questions came in rapid succession.

  “Oh dear.” Jaco muttered. He took several breaths.

  “You’re fine Jaco. Take your time.” Livia reassured Jaco.

  Jaco closed his eyes, calmed himself and then began speaking.

  “Th-, th-, the sparrowling who frequents our, our est- establishment. Ka-, Kadus. He us-, us-, used to ru-, run, a fl-, flying Pyornis op-, operation.” Jaco said.

  “A flying what?” Corin asked.

  “Pyornis.” Simeon stated. “Really, really big birds. They are a very rare sight. They live on very large mountains. I think myself I have only seen one a long time ago, and even then they were very far away.”

  “And what is this operation?” Corin asked.

  “The stories I heard were that you could hire some of these operators and they could fly you across the continent on the Pyornis. These operators were always sparrowlings. They had to tame these flying gargantuan beasts before they could convince them to fly other furtives on them. Never really believed it though.” Simeon added.

  “Hmph sounds very similar to the wyrm transports.” Daum added.

  “What is that?” Livia asked.

  “It's how us Zifors move between the surface world and the Dragon Temples. We fly to the surface world on top of what is essentially a lesser Dragon. Smaller than a real Dragon, but otherwise similar physically and of course it lacks the intellect of a real Dragon. They are used in the realms of all Dragons to ferry furtives to and from the surface.” Daum added.

  “I see. I always wondered how they were able to move from the skies to the surface.” Livia replied.

  “But I still don't believe the story about the Pyornis operator.” Simeon said as he looked to

  “Bu-, bu-, but it's true!” Jaco answered. “I kn-, know Kadus has run su-, su-, such a business himself!”

  “Did he tell you this?” Simeon replied.

  “No. Kadus has be-, be, been coming to our establishment fo-, fo-, for years. One d- day a hu-, hu-, human walks in looking for him. If you ha-, ha-, have seen Kadus you know he do-, doesn't react to any-, anyone. But as so-, soon as he heard this per-, per-, person Kadus got up. The human was fu-, fu-, furious with Kadus. It seems the-, the-, they hired him to move him and ot-, others, bu-, bu-, something happened and Ka-, Kadus had to abandon some of the fu-, furtives. After-, afterwards Kadus told me th-, th-, that was when he sto-, stopped run-, running Pyornis fl-, flights.” Jaco finished.

  The room quietened. They all turned to Simeon. He was deep in thought.

  Zhi went up to him.

  “I know you have some reason you think this is not going to work, so just say it.” She told him.

  “Me?” Simeon reacted surprised.

  “Yes we can tell something is on your mind so just tell us.” She followed up.

  “Oh not at all!” Simeon replied gleefully. “I just thought flying on a Pyornis was a myth until now! I was just thinking how amazing it would be to ride a Pyornis”

  “So do you think we should talk to Kadus?” Zhi asked.

  “Oh most certainly! You are right!” Simeon said. “It's just that the thought of flying sounded so amazing that I got distracted! Let's go!”

  ***

  The group surrounded the snoring Kadus, and Daum stood near the entrance, watching for any potential trouble. Aside from him there were only five other furtives in the entire room. Two of them argued in one corner about something in a language none could understand. One slowly ate from a bowl. Another slept on a table and the last helped herself to whatever she could find behind the counter.

  “Ju-, Juno!” Jaco chastised the other gesherin behind the counter.

  “Hey cousin, I didn't see you there!” Juno replied. “I kept waiting for you, but I thought you weren’t going to come!”

  “Interesting company you got there.” She said as she eyed the rest of the group.

  “I'm su-, su-, sure you know them.” Jaco replied.

  “Of course we do.” Juno smiled.

  “Well it's time I left.” Juno said. “I'll make sure Jeinna doesn't hear her little brother is spending too much time away from her nice establishment.”

  “What was that about?” Zhi whispered.

  Corin shrugged his shoulders.

  “Kadus?” Simeon spoke to the sparrowling.

  The sparrowling did not raise his head.

  “Does Kadus owe you anything?” The sparrowling replied without raising his head.

  Simeon seemed confused.

  “I don’t believe so. I just wanted to ask Kadus some information about an area of the continent.” Simeon said.

  “Well here I am.” Kadus raised his head.

  The sparrowing seemed half asleep. He had one eye half open and the other mostly shut. His beak was long and came to a sharp end. Along one side of it there was a large gash. Kadus was blue feathered but had red coloring around his eyes. His colors were slightly more muted than other hawklings, perhaps a sign of older age.

  Kadus looked to Livia and Corin.

  “Ah I see.” He said as he looked towards them and then Jaco.

  “Seems like you found your Giant eh?” He asked.

  “What makes you say that?” Corin asked.

  “Well weren't you here yesterday talking about finding a Giant? What was his name? Belaran?” Kadus replied. His head kept wobbling from side to side.

  “You were eavesdropping on our conversation?” Corin asked.

  “Well excuse me I didn't realize it was such a sensitive topic!” Kadus retorted. “If I had known I would have covered my ear holes!”

  Kadus did just that as he looked at Corin and the rest.

  “No, it's not that.” Corin replied. He knew they were relying on the sparrowling’s knowledge.

  “You just surprised us is all.” Corin followed.

  “So where is this Giant?” Kadus asked as he straightened himself up and put his feathered arms down.

  “Serno Valley.” Livia said.

  “Ah really?” Kadus replied.

  “Do you know where it is?” She asked him.

  “Sure I know where it is. Can't say I'm an expert in the area but I've been there. Many years ago, but it's hard not to remember. All those weird spires and that rampaging Giant. The weird ruins on the outskirts. Very memorable place.” Kadus replied.

  “What ruins?” Simeon asked.

  “Some sort of ancient city. Vivian or something like that.” Kadus replied.

  “Vivenah?” Corin asked.

  “Hmm.” Kadus said as he thought. “Yes, sounds about right.”

  Corin remembered the dream he had. When Cyril had told him about the wondrous city of Vivenah. He could not remember when Cyril had told him about it, but somehow he remembered it.

  “I take it you have heard about it?” Kadus asked Corin.

  “Have you heard of Vivenah, Corin?” Livia asked him. She seemed confused as to how her husband might have ever heard of such a place.

  Corin felt uneasy now. He could not explain how he had heard about it, but he was sure he had.

  “Yes,” he began. “I thought Cyril had mentioned it to me long ago. But perhaps I heard it from someone else and confused it with him.”

  “Word about it does tend to get around.” Kadus began. “But I don't recall that mad Giant being called Belaran.”

  “We had old information. The current lord of that region is Bellum.” Simeon replied.

  “Ah, Bellum, yes, now that name does sound familiar.” Kadus replied.

  “Co-, co-, could you help them?” Jaco interjected.

  That was the reason they were all there.

  “Ah of course, there comes the question. I thought you were only coming here to make conversation with an old man.” Kadus’ eyes showed hints of a smile.

  There was no reply.

  “You know, I would feel a certain way about leading a group of strangers I just met on a journey to their assured deaths.” He continued. “Whatever treasure this Giant has, I promise you, it's not worth your lives.”

  “You’re wrong about that.” Livia replied as she walked up.

  Kadus looked at Livia. His expression changed. He did not seem pleased at the challenge.

  “Am I?” He replied.

  “Tell me, what about stealing some sort of item from a Giant is worth risking your life over? Is it vanity that motivates you? Is it pursuit of glory? I can’t imagine what it is that you think you will find, and perhaps you don’t know this, but let me tell you something. When furtives challenge Titans there is only one outcome. Annihilation. Plain and simple.” Kadus replied to her as he stood up and looked at her, face to face.

  Kadus, like most other sparrowlings was short, shorter than Livia.

  “If you are so desperate to die, then don’t involve me.” He said.

  “You think you are the only one here who has lost something to a Titan?” Livia replied, staring him down. “Every single one of us that has come together for this purpose has lost something to a Titan. Our possessions, our homes, our livelihoods, our freedoms, even our families.”

  “Well I’m sorry about your losses, I really am.” Kadus replied, his tone honest. “But I cannot see the reason in your madness. The Titans may have taken your sanity as well.”

  “Perhaps they have.” Livia replied. “Perhaps. But what we seek is no mere trinket. This is no fool’s errand. What we seek is an artifact that will help furtives fight Titans. An artifact that will help us upend the order of our world. If you do not want to help us, fine, we’ll find someone else who will and we’ll stop bothering you.”

  Livia turned to leave, and the rest of the group was left speechless. As she began to walk away Kadus reached out and grabbed her by the arm.

  “Wait.” He said.

  Livia turned around. Kadus was quiet as he looked at Livia.

  “You never mentioned anything of any artifact that is meant to fight Titans. Is this true? Is that what your ultimate end goal is?” Kadus asked as he gripped Livia’s arm. He looked around to the others.

  “Yes.” Simeon replied. “What she says is true.”

  Kadus let go of Livia’s arm.

  “I’ll help. I’ll lead you there myself.” Kadus replied.

  ***

  Corin attempted to sleep but his restless mind would not stop ruminating on what lay ahead. He knew that tomorrow they would once again be out of the confines of the city and traveling through the open road. He was excited for what was to come, but also concerned.

  As he pondered what lay ahead he heard someone get up and walk out of the room. From the heavy footsteps he could tell it had been Nanaua.

  I wonder what she went out to do?

  Corin attempted to quiet his mind. He went to the place in his mind where he knew he would find calm and peace. He thought about the beach near his home. As far back as he could remember it was always called Wide Hill beach. There was no hill nearby, so he never knew where the name came from, but nobody else knew either. That had just been the name for ages.

  Corin focused on it. The beach he and Livia had spent so many days in. What else would they see? What lay in wait in Vivenah? What dangers would they encounter? Corin tried to think back on the beach. Going for a swim, laying next to Livia in the warm sand, listening to the crashing waves. Would they encounter another Giant along the way? How would they deal with Bellum?

  Damn!

  Corin could not think about anything else, try as he might. He decided he might as well try going for a walk to clear his mind.

  He made a quick dash to the surface, unsure of where exactly he would go. As he wandered the streets of Yranto in the dead of night, there was still plenty of activity.

  Corin mostly observed what was occurring around him without much thought as to where he was going. But he did realize, a little too late, that he had been following a route he had only learned recently. He had wandered dangerously close to Tonatiuh’s agents hideout.

  He only realized when he looked up ahead and saw a building with strange etchings on the door that he could read.

  Corin what the hell have you been doing!

  Realizing his mistake Corin tried to hurry out of the area as quickly as possible without raising any alarms. As he went down an alley he saw two dragoors speaking to each other in hushed tones. Despite their low voices he could tell they were arguing and without thinking he stood at the edge of the alley, out of eyesight listening to the bickering duo.

  “But why Nerua? Why did you join Throk?” One of the voices argued in hushed tones.

  Nanaua?

  “Why? You know why Nanaua.” Nerua said.

  “Nerua I never understood how you could be so level headed for some things, yet when it comes to Throk you could believe what he says!” Nanaua argued.

  “Who are you to cast aspersions on how I feel about Throk! You yourself abandoned your post because of your feelings for the Onsiel!” Nerua replied. “How is my love for Throk any different?”

  “Because he does not love you, Nerua!” Nanaua replied. “Throk has always cared about himself and no one else! When will you see that?”

  Nerua ignored what Nanaua said.

  “You know I could shout right now and have Tonatiuh’s men swarm this alleyway in an instant.” Nerua threatened.

  “But you haven’t.” Nanaua replied.

  Nerua was silent.

  “We were sisters in battle Nerua.” Nanaua said.

  “Sisters?” Nerua said. “Is that what you call our upbringing?”

  “I do. Who would I rely on during our training? Who was there for you when you lost against Traillo?” Nanaua said.

  Nerua was silent.

  “Nerua, I know we have been apart for a long time, and I know much has happened since, but you can join us!” Nanaua pleaded. “Your skill in combat is superb! To have you on our side would be a great boon to us.”

  “So what? I abandon Tonatiuh and join your rag tag group?” Nerua said. “You and the other rejects that are doing who knows what?”

  “Nerua, my companions care for each other, they care for me. And I know they would welcome you as well.” Nanaua said.

  “You are correct Nanaua.” Nerua told her.

  Nanaua awaited her response.

  “Much has happened since we last saw each other.” Nerua began “I am not the same person you grew up with. I have made many mistakes, some of which I will continue to atone for the rest of my life.”

  “Nerua, listen to me. What you did back then was not your choice. You only did what you thought was right because you were following Throk’s corrupt vision. Do not let him continue to dictate how you will live your life” Nanaua pled.

  Nerua was silent.

  “Please join us.” Nanaua continued.

  “Enough!” Nerua shouted.

  Furtives around the alley looked in their direction now.

  “Nerua-,” Nanaua began but was interrupted.

  “I am leaving now.” Nerua said. “The next time I meet you there will be no truce. I will kill you.”

  Nerua left. She walked past the alley and past Corin.

  She continued past the safehouse and into the streets of Yranto.

  Nanaua soon followed, she stopped right next to Corin and looked at him. Her face was not one of surprise, but of sadness.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…” Corin began.

  “You don’t need to apologize.” She cut him off.

  “Did you know I was here?” Corin asked.

  “Of course. I know your smell.” Nanaua replied disinterested.

  “Oh.” He said.

  Nanaua was silent.

  “I’m sorry about your friend.” Corin said. “I could tell she meant a lot to you.”

  “She does, Corin.” Nanaua said.

  The two were quiet.

  “We should go.” Nanaua broke the silence. “We don’t want to worry the others.”

  The two continued back to the hideout. No more words were exchanged as they walked back.