Corin and the rest awoke early.

  As they prepared to leave they had one final request for information.

  “Any information on the Zifors?” Corin asked Oba.

  “No. The area around Baltro's rampage is much too damaged for us to be able to determine what happened. We don't know what happened with the other two who left the main group.” Oba replied.

  Corin felt uneasy about the news.

  “But if they had survived we would have seen them by now.” Oba added.

  “I doubt it.” Nanaua replied. “Once the trap was sprung they must have known their arrival was expected. Once they realized this I'm sure they took extra precautions to move around the forest.”

  Corin looked at her.

  “Despite that only two of them should not be as dangerous.” Corin replied.

  “They should be foes we could defeat, but never think of them as anything but dangerous.” Nanaua said.

  Corin was silent.

  “Now, now, we are sure to have many more dangers ahead, but let us leave before we die of old age.” Simeon interjected.

  Corin nodded. He turned to Oba.

  “Thank you and the thicket for all your help. And I'm… I'm sorry-” Corin began.

  “No need young one, and remember you are one of us now.” Oba interrupted him. “Go now, continue down this current.”

  With that the group departed. They continued down the path to Yranto.

  ***

  The group traveled through the forest without so much as an inkling of trouble after leaving the forest elves. They were grateful for the respite, but felt on edge. As they traveled through the forest they were careful of covering up their tracks and cleaning out any campsite they used.

  After five days of travel through the forest they found a road. They knew they were close to Yranto, and continued down the road heading west.

  “This is it, my boy. I can feel it.” Simeon told Corin.

  Despite their weariness and fatigue Corin saw something new within Simeon. He was teeming with excitement. Corin felt a different kind of way.

  “Worried about Yranto?” Simeon said.

  “Of course I am.” Corin replied. “Everywhere we’ve gone we’ve been followed by Tonatiuh’s Zifors. I don’t see how Yranto will be any different.”

  “Well that’s because we have never been to any other place like Yranto.” Simeon replied.

  “What do you mean?” Corin asked.

  “All other places we’ve visited have been small communities of furtives, but Yranto is nothing like that. It is a one of a kind place. Furtives have banded together to create a safe place for themselves. They will not be welcoming to agents of a Titan lord. An attack by Zifors in that city would be met with instant resistance.” Simeon replied with a sly grin.

  “And you know this how?” Corin asked.

  Simeon only laughed.

  “Because I can feel it.” Simeon replied.

  “Maybe what you're feeling is too much of that Iarro root.” Corin replied.

  Simeon laughed heartily.

  Corin just smiled in response.

  After several hours on the road the group stopped for a rest. As they sat down and ate, a wagon appeared on the horizon. It was being pulled by a horse and had a furtive riding it. The furtive was an apeman like Simeon. He was moving away from the direction that Corin and the rest were going.

  “Oh a group of travelers!” The furtive looked at them. If he was surprised by the make up of the group he did not seem to show it.

  “Do you mind if this humble merchant joins you?” He added.

  “Well I’ll be!” Simeon said with a large smile. “Of course you may join us!”

  Nananua was as stiff as she eyed the traveler suspiciously. She was poised and ready to strike.

  “Nanaua don’t attract too much attention!” Zhi whispered to her. Nanaua loosened up, just a tad.

  The apeman stopped his wagon near the group, grabbed some items from the wagon, and got down.

  “The name is Lucas!” Lucas introduced himself as he sat down near the group. “You may have heard of my store in the Glot District in Yranto, Lucas’ Earthenware!”

  Corin looked to Livia. She shrugged her shoulders. They did not know what to say.

  “Well actually we are all traveling to Yranto for the first time.” Simeon replied.

  “Oh newcomers to the city!” Lucas replied excitedly. “Where are you all from?”

  They all exchanged looks.

  “It’s a small town out east, I don’t know if you have heard of it.” Simeon said.

  “Oh well I travel a lot, I’m sure I have heard of it!” Lucas replied excitedly.

  “Ankur.” Corin replied.

  “Ankur?” Lucas repeated back. “Oh you must be coming from very far, because I have never heard of such a place!”

  “You said you were coming from Yranto, how far away is it?” Simeon asked.

  “Oh, well if you follow this road for two more days at some point you will reach a large stone obelisk. It will be hard to miss. Once you see it, head into the forest heading west. You'll go over a large hill and once you get over it, there you will find Yranto.” Lucas replied.

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  Corin could see Simeon’s face. He could not contain his excitement.

  “It will be hard to miss. The city is surrounded by walls, you will see them from the top of the hill.” Lucas advised.

  “The city is surrounded by walls?” Corin asked.

  “Oh yes, Yranto keeps track of all visitors. Yranto is home to many escaped furtives, and that brings about Zifors.” Lucas said.

  Just hearing the word sent a shiver down Corin’s spine.

  “While it would be impossible to know if those who enter are aligned with a Titan or not, we ensure that we do not let armed groups enter. It is not perfect, but we do a good job of keeping escaped furtives safe in Yranto.” Lucas said as he looked around the group.

  Neither Corin nor any of the others could think of anything to say in response to Lucas. Simeon was the one who broke the silence.

  “So Lucas, how long have you been in Yranto?” Simeon smiled easily as he spoke to the furtive.

  “Oh my, I have lived here almost all my life.” Lucas replied. “My parents both escaped from a Giant's domain before I was even born. It was actually the fact that they knew they were about to have a child that made them decide that they would try to escape. I'm forever grateful to them. Having heard stories from other escaped furtives I could not imagine what it would be like to live under those conditions.”

  “It isn't easy. I can tell you that from experience.” Simeon replied quickly.

  Simeon's reply raised concern within Lucas.

  “But I escaped many years ago. So no concerns about any Zifors hunting for me.” Simeon added with a laugh.

  The group continued conversing with Lucas for a while before he bade his goodbyes.

  “When you make it to Yranto, remember to visit Lucas’ Earthenware!” Lucas said as he rode off into the distance.

  After he left they continued down the road. The further they traveled down the road, the more signs of civilization they saw. They saw a handful of furtives coming in and out of the nearby forest. They would also see huts every now and then.

  Knowing that they were closing in on the city gave the group renewed energy to continue on their trek. Soon they could rest inside a proper establishment, and given what they learned from Lucas earlier in the day, they felt as if they did not have to worry as much about Zifors.

  They continued along the road for several more hours before breaking for the night. The thought that Yranto was so near to them made them all too excited, and they were not able to get much rest.

  The next morning, despite their restless night, they were up and ready to continue traveling quickly. The group moved at a furious pace, eager to find the obelisk that Lucas mentioned. Near midday they saw it in the distance.

  “That must be it!” Simeon shouted.

  As instructed they ventured westward just beyond the obelisk. Beyond them was a large hill.

  “I am looking forward to not walking again for a long time.” Zhi said as she stared at the hill.

  Undeterred the group pressed forward. As the sun continued going down the group reached the top of the hill, and were finally able to see it. As Lucas had mentioned they could see stone walls that covered an entire city. The city was also surrounded by a river that ran around it, and there was a long bridge that led to the entrance to these city walls. The city’s expanse was larger than anything Corin had ever seen made by furtives.

  As they all observed the city, Zhi plopped down, gasping for air.

  “If nobody in there knows about Belaran then I’m never leaving.” Zhi said as catched her breath.

  Simeon sat down as well. He sat cross legged with his full attention on the expansive city in front of him.

  “I wonder what kind of warriors live there.” Nanaua stated as she looked down upon the city.

  Livia seemed to observe every corner of the city that was visible from their vantage point.

  Corin sat down next to Simeon.

  The two of them were silent as they observed the city. No words were needed now. What they shared could only be understood by those who have inscribed it with the toil and sacrifice shared in achieving a great task.

  ***

  Corin and the rest approached the city gates by the long stone bridge. Along the bridge they could hear the rushing water underneath them, but there was also something else. The hustle and bustle of a thriving market at the city gates. Various merchants peddling their wares to those coming and leaving Yranto. Their wares seemed to range from foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables, to a small array of weapons, and some unique relics, some of which Corin recognized as being taken from Dragon Temples.

  Seems like those also fall around here.

  One of the many merchants spotted Nanaua’s pike and began to make her various offers.

  “I will give you two swords for that pike you have there!” The man yelled at her.

  “This weapon belongs to me. No other hands shall wield it.” Nanaua coldly replied.

  The merchant was not dissuaded.

  “How about the two swords and a crossbow?” The merchant continued. “That is much more than you will get for that blackened pike anywhere else!”

  “You do not understand, this weapon is mine until the day that I die!” Nanaua began to get heated.

  “Come now, come now.” Simeon urged her. “If you listen to all of them, we will be here all day.”

  Corin and the rest continued down the busy bridge to the entrance to the city gates. There was a large contingent of guards stationed at the gate, which seemed closed.

  As they approached the guard nearest to them, a dragoor, spoke to Nanaua first.

  “You. Did all of you escape from a Titan’s custody?” The guard began.

  “What if we did?” Nanaua replied.

  The guard ignored her reply.

  “A dragoor. Must have escaped from a dragon. Is that the case?” The guard asked Nanaua.

  “Why does it matter?” Nanaua asked.

  “We need to know if there might be any Zifors following you.” The guard replied.

  “Yes, we are on the run from a dragon lord.” Simeon chimed in.

  “Any suspected Zifor activity following you?” The guard asked him.

  “Oh if any Zifors were after us, I am sure they would have already brought us back to Telletiuh.” Simeon chimed in.

  The guard was quiet as he observed Simeon and the rest.

  “Telletiuh you say?” The dragoor asked as he looked at Simeon.

  “That's correct!” Simeon replied with a large smile.

  The dragoor eyed him and turned his attention towards Nanaua.

  Does he not believe us? Did we say something wrong?

  In the blink of an eye he pulled out his sword and swung at Nanaua. Nanaua parried the incoming blow, swatted the guard's sword away with the end of her pike and had the blade pressed against his neck. It would only take one swift movement and the guard would be dead.

  The commotion was not lost on the other guards. They all drew their weapons and aimed them straight at Corin and the rest.

  Zhi was the first one to react, but before she could conjure anything Simeon grabbed her arm.

  “Don't.” He muttered.

  They all stared around them. The guards, wielding everything from swords, to bows, to crossbows had all their weapons trained on them.

  The dragoor guard broke the silence.

  “Quite the skilled fighter you are.” The dragoor stated with a smirk.

  The guard did not seem fazed at all that Nanaua could end his life in a second.

  “You mean to make conversation with me now? When you attack me unprompted and threaten us?” Nanaua replied.

  “Well it's just curious.” The guard said. “I lived under Telletiuh’s wrathful watch for over fifty years and I do not ever recall encountering any of you. Especially no apeman.” The dragoor looked at Simeon now.

  None of them replied.

  “Perhaps no Zifors hunt your every step because you yourself are Zifors?” The dragoor asked.

  “Really? You think we could be Zifors?” Corin asked bewildered.

  The dragoor looked at Corin.

  “Looks can be deceiving.” The dragoor guard replied. “And all I know is that you have misrepresented yourselves. Many within these city walls have much to fear from Zifors. What else am I to assume? Unless you give us an honest answer we can only assume the worst.”

  Now they had attracted more than just the attention of the other guards. The previously loud bridge had begun to quieten as more and more looked upon the group.

  “You are correct.” Corin began. “We are not escaped from Telletiuh's domain. We came from the sea to the east. Our home is on an island called Trinixo. We greatly angered the Leviathan Arandu and we had to flee our homes. Please believe us, this is the truth. We only lie due to instinct.” Corin said to the guard.

  “Is that so? Trinixo?” The dragoor guard replied.

  “Wilhelm!” The dragoor guard shouted.

  “Captain Trung!” A guard from stop the gates shouted back.

  “Is Arandu the Leviathan that guards the seas around your former home, Trinixo?” Trung asked.

  “Yes sir!” Wilhelm replied.

  Corin tried to look at this Wilhelm that Trung spoke to. It was too far to make details out of the man, but he seemed like a regular human male.

  “And he destroyed a town there around ten years ago correct? What was it Bardia?” Trung asked in a carefree manner.

  “It was Bothia! My home!” Corin shouted angrily. Without even realizing it he took several steps towards Trung.

  Several of the guards quickly moved and stood in Corin's way, weapons at the ready.

  Corin looked with ire in his eyes towards Trung, he stared with an inquisitive look toward Corin.

  “That furtive is correct sir!” Wilhelm shouted from the top of the gate.

  “Stand down!” Trung shouted.

  The guards hesitated.

  “I gave an order!” Trung shouted again. “All of you stand down!”

  All weapons aimed at the group were put away. Those that impeded Corin's path to Trung moved out of the way. Nanaua was the only one left holding a weapon, still aimed right at Trung’s neck.

  “Do I still threaten you?” Trung asked Nanaua.

  She withdrew her weapon. Trung went and retrieved the weapon that she had knocked out of his hands.

  “I understand your reticence,” Trung began as he spoke once more to the group “but I must be sure that none who come to our city threaten its safety. You may think that your circumstances are unique, but I can assure you, there are many like you in this city.”

  As soon as Trung said that the group all exchanged looks. There was one thing they could all agree on. There was no other group out there that shared similar circumstances with them.

  “We thank you for being so understanding.” Simeon began. “I'm sorry for trying to deceive but as you can see it is hard for us to adapt to a different type of thinking. It gladdens us to know that there are others out there who might understand our plight.”

  Trung looked at Simeon with a leery look.

  “Of course.” Trung replied with a grin. “The instinct to do anything you must to survive, it is not easily overcome.”

  He waved his hand and the gate behind him began to open.

  “Are we free to enter?” Corin asked.

  “Yes, but first your names.” Trung replied.

  “Corin”,”Simeon”,”Zhi”,”Livia”,”Nanaua”

  “Hmm Nanaua, if I may.” Trung began. “If you ever think of staying in the city we could use someone with your talent. A former Lord's Protectorate will always be a valuable asset.”

  “Hmph, I don't know where you get the idea about any former standing I might have had.” Nanaua replied.

  “I'm many things, a fool on occasion, but I know a Lord's Protectorate when I see one in action. I've seen many come across here wielding weapons. Most I've seen are dull and have likely never seen combat, but yours is different. The weapon you carry is very uncommon, and you wield it with such skill as to make it seem an art form. But I do not bring up your former life as a threat, my offer is an honest one.” Trung said. “This city is always under threat, from skilled warriors such as yourself. You would be an invaluable ally.”

  “I am flattered, but my place is elsewhere.” Nanaua said as she looked toward Zhi.

  “I see.” Trung replied. “Well this city will still be here if you change your mind.”

  Nanaua led the way as they walked into the city. What lay ahead none of them knew.