With the fare across the lake at an end and the rowboat securely tied to the dilapidated pier with an even older looking length of frayed rope, Bartlon sets off into the treeline with all the confidence of a cawing cockatoo, leading me to where he lives. From what I can see, there's no visible path on the dense jungle floor, there's barely any clearings at all, yet Bartlon moves through the green foliage like a swift breeze, dancing around trees and plants without even looking at his footing or surroundings. A seasoned jungle veteran.

Stupid Bartlon and his stupidly long legs. My legs don't even reach up to Bartlon's knees!

+1 Endurance +1 Strength

I'm no jungle veteran, 4 minutes of full-speed sprinting is already 4 minutes more than I can handle. Why won't he slow down?! At least carry me on your head or even your shoulders! I've never had to run this fast before in my life! It's taking all my energy just to stay this close and not lose sight of him!

Gosh golly is this exhausting! How I wish I could Cinder above this stuffy jungle like the majestic pheonix I am, birds are made for flying, not running around like blankets, walking is against my nature. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for my jungle guide, he's stuck to the ground like how clouds are stuck to the sky. If I were to fly above the thick canopy then I wouldn't be able to see him at all, and that wouldn't be good, it's kinda hard to follow when I can't see him. My only other option would be to fly through the trees as the other birds do, not above them, which sounds tempting, but if I were to, I wouldn't be able to say for certain that the jungle would remain un-ablaze. I can't fly without Cinders and it's too hot to use safely. So I'm stuck with running my short legs, just like I was yesterday and the day before that, and before that... a grounded bird. Just when I thought I was making progress! I still can't fly when I want to! Frustrating!

And he still won't slow down!

"Bartlon pleeeease!" I wheeze to the flickering visage of Bartlon's back, my feathers dislodging and littering the green carpet behind me from the exertion.

"Almost there" comes a cheery voice from ahead.

"NoooOOooo!" I whine in a drawn-out cry and then immediately regret because my breathe is better spent fueling my gelatinous legs than complaining. This is torture.

"Hang in there!" he reassures me.

Crying freely, I urge my lungs not to explode and for my legs not to melt with sheer will-power and fear of abandonment alone. You're a terrible guide Bartlon. Thinking back, I'm pretty sure the same thing happened when we 'landed' on the Harou Tree, he just jumped off the boat and left me behind. Which worked out in the end now that I think about it because I was forced to try Fire Flapping, but I don't see anyway of fixing this situation with fire! All he needs to do is slow down! Just a little! He doesn't need to leave me in the dust like this!

"Bartlon!" I wail pitifully to the jungle in front of me.

"We're close" comes Bartlon's eager voice in response, without a single trace of exhaustion "Just a tiny bit longer and we'll be there! Can't wait to make you that pouch, I thought of an amazing idea just a moment ago and I don't want to forget it"

I don't care about the silly pouch! Or the coins! "I'm going to DIIIEE!" I cry.

+1 Endurance

Thanks for the support, but not now Mr. Squiggle, I'm dying. I don't wanna die again, not after surviving a whole day and night without dying! Please... just drag me along the ground or something.

I run and wait with growing hopelessness for Bartlon's reply, one that never seems to arrive. What does eventually arrive, is a mini-heart attack as Bartlon's wrinkly face pops out from the bowels of a large, yellow fern directly in front of me. He gives me a weird half-frown half-smile before promptly asking me something he should've asked me decades ago. "Should I carry you?" he says meekly.

My belly grazes along the soft earthy floor as I slide to a complete stop near the base of Bartlon's yellow fern, nodding furiously. Thank you Bartlon, you're a saint again.

Bartlon scoff-chuckles heartily as he leaves the bright fern and bends down and grab me. Using one hand he scoops up my limp body and tucks me tightly under his arm with his forearm beneath my belly so I won't slip out. It's a nice spot. For the first time I get to see the jungle from the perspective of someone far taller than me. Instead of seeing obtrusive plants in every direction, I see even MORE huge plants in every direction! Not useful at all, but at least I'm happy to sit down and be carried.

Finally, I get some much needed- "Gah!"

Without a word of warning my wrinkly vehicle suddenly dashes along whatever unseen track he's following at a brisk jog, far faster than he was moving before he picked me up and spooking me terribly. The jarring up and down motion of his wide gait, coupled with the constant side to side swaying as he flows between the trees and thicker foliage makes for a very uncomfortable and treacherous ride at first. It takes what feels like forever for body to adjust to the unpredictable, rocking movements of Bartlon, but once I do...

I hum contently to myself as trees, plants and tiny nameless critters quake before my freeloading advance! This is how it should've been like from the start! No bird should bring themselves down to the level of a blanket! "Onwards!" I chirp happily, relishing the sweet relief as my poor aching and overworked muscles heal from the torture.

With an affirming grunt Bartlon squeezes me a bit tighter and speeds up his long-strided jog to fluid run, all while sporting an devilish grin. A sheen of sweat coats his wrinkly forehead and his breathing comes heavily from the intense movement, but the huge smile on his face shows just how much fun he's having. Good for him, I'm having fun too.

I wonder how he runs this fast in the first place? Is the secret in his long legs or maybe it's a kind of magic like the Rattling Worms? They move really quick too, way faster than I ever could, yet I have absolutely no idea how they do it! Even when I tried wiggling around on the ground exactly like them I wasn't able to get anywhere, it definitely must be magic, I guess I'll never know the secret now, a shame. Although... if I got Bartlon to carry me everywhere then I won't need to know the secret! Maybe I could even ride on top of a Rattling Worm! Problem solved! I'm a genius! Secrets are nothing when faced with my greatness!

Bartlon continues running deftly through the gradually thinning jungle scenery for several more relaxing minutes before his 'home' suddenly comes into view. A small, out of place, brown building nestled in the embrace of three large trees, with walls built from thick horizontal logs and a roof made of scratchy, light brown thatch that instantly reminds me of my bed's bed back in the tunnel. There's a tall, slightly ajar door made from what looks to be pieces of bark woven together and a single open window the shows nothing other than the darkness inside.

It's very... quaint.

I wonder if anyone else lives nearby? I remember seeing lots of different buildings all bunched up together from up in my mountain, but there's nothing here other than the foresty jungle, or jungly forest. The area hasn't even been cleared out! there are plants growing everywhere! Does he live alone? I hope that poor Bartlon isn't lonely.

Bartlon's pace slows down to a walk as he moves towards his home, he huffs and puffs and even chuckles a bit while bending down and placing me back down on the floor, much to my silent disappointment. "Phew..." he sighs, throwing his hands in sky and stretching backwards in exaggeration "Today's been full of work-outs, I'd say about four years worth" he scoffs, waving a hand in front of his mouth to coax out a yawn.

You're telling me?! Did he actually expect me to be able to run all that way by myself? He said we were 'almost there' 10 minutes ago!!! I would've died for sure if he didn't carry me! Why does he live so far away anyway? No one could find this place other than him. So silly.

"Dose anyone else live nearby?" I chirp while hopping along at the feet of Bartlon.

"Not that I know of" He replies with certainty "but, the village is close by, so if you're worried about my promise to give you seeds... don't, you'll get them tomorrow I promise" he smiles reassuringly.

Not what I was meaning to say, but that's ok! Seeds! Seeds! Seeds! I love seeds! Yummy yummy seeds! Pouches too! Pouch! Pouch! Handy dandy pouches! Ahh! Coins! Tasty, tasty coins! I can't wait to try them! What will they taste like? Oh... and it's nice to know that Bartlon isn't lonely.

As we approach the barky-door Bartlon springs forward and swings the door open in a grandiose manner while announcing to me loudly and warmly, swelling with pride "Make yourself at home as my very first guest! It's not the cleanest thing, but I built every inch of it myself!".

I squawk in shock and fear as a snarling, brown blur of muscle bounds out from the darkness in the tiny home and lands before me, scattering sticks and dirt under its hefty frame.

I'm only given a split second to tremble at the starving eyes, bared teeth and gleaming claws before the feral beast lunges at me with its powerful jaw spread wide.