Narice hunted, Nick gathered, Tala set up camp.

Nick put his best foot forward, but when it came to survival skills in the wilderness, he was certainly clueless.

“How old are you by the way?” Narice asked.

"Fifteen and a half…” Nick responded.

Frail and malnourished, Nick caught a bunch of scratches from the brush as he attempted to gather wood, fruits and mushrooms. Tala started preparation of the ingredients with the dish. A lot of the ingredients were also the local nuts- and even some basic plants. Tala poitned out what kind of food they should get.

It was almost funny to see Nick tumbling so miserably. He'd seemed so mature when leading the assault in the kingdom- he was so responsible with the people and the children- and now he was tripping over branches and getting stuck with thorns. Even still, Nick seemed intent on learning.

Narice was happy to have him. Until he became better at wilderness skills - Narice and Tala would work a little bit harder to feed the three of them.

Narice also collected branches and helped in the preparations of a fire.

With Tala's magic the campfire was lit easily. While Narice was sure that K'atra had heard about the attack by now- because they were far off in the woods and protected by magic to obscure their camp - it was easy to finally relax next to the fire.

“Here,” Narice had just finished cooking a wild bird over the fire that he'd managed to catch and handed a part of it to Nick.

Nick took it cautiously, eyeballing it as if it were an ancient treasure in a way before munching down on it.

Tala, who had divided the portions into three and a few leftovers tried to give an extra serving to Nick.

“You must eat- brother,” Tala said when Nick tried to refuse taking the last bit of the food.

Narice looked at Nick- another thought came to mind. He'd only known Nick as a boy in the slums' but secretly he had once been a prince. Royalty was Nick’s birthright- heir to a throne. Narice didn't feel too much different about it however.

"Sorry- i'll probably treat you the same as when we first met..." Narice spoke, "i can't see you differently anymore."

“I gave up my rights to the throne already- I’m just like anyone else in the kingdom,” Nick replied with a smile while eating like a peasant.

Even still - Narice doubted that many people were like Nick- so good-natured. He'd met a fair amount that never would have chosen to live such a life with a birthright such as his. Nick was certainly exceptional- even if he didn't realize.

“Thanks for the meal guys..." Nick said. While they hadn't collected that much for three people- Nick certainly had filled up completely - it would probably take a while for his stomache to adjust to the increase in rations.

Narice saw Tala had the same thought with a glance his way and asked, “If you don’t mind- i have questions...

Nick sat back- finally full and content with the meal.

"What do you want to know?"

"What happened between you and Covian and what about you being a guardian?"

“Ah that…” Nick leaned backwards more and then looked up at the treetops.

“It’s a long story…”

Seventeen years ago.

‘Covian was adopted,' 'My parents had been trying to have a child for a couple years…’

“King Rovanna,” one of his subjects, a guard knelt before the king of Jubilee, “your brother…”

The king’s brother and wife had an accident, leaving behind their son, Covian. The king and queen who had never had a child of their own - decided to adopt and raise Covian as their own.

A year later, however... it actually worked that I was born. Also about the same time as me a servant had a child too, Tess.

'In the court chambers and around the castle it was always the three of us.'

The three grew up as friends. Covian, being older, took the role of leader.

“Covian was an older brother to Tess and me.”

Laughter could be heard across the courtyard. A young Nicholas and adopted brother Covian chased each other.

Covian held up a wooden sword as he caught up with Nicholas, “En garde!”

Nicholas parried it as well as he could. four years years younger, however, Covian ended up on top with sword pointed, “Aha!”

Tess sitting on the side raised her arm to Covian, declaring the winner as judge.

Covian grinned and Nicholas returned a smirk, followed by an extended hand for Nicholas to take back up.

“Oh, so you think you can just get out of it huh, Tess,” Nicholas spoke to Tess as he ran up to her, “Tag, you’re it!”

“Oh my gosh!” she spoke as she got up and started to chase the two through the hedges and grounds.’

—

“However…time was an enemy to Covian. Upon growing up, Covian was told he wouldn’t be anything more than a guardian to me, the true heir…”

‘Grumpily sitting in the castle grounds, isolated, Covian overlooked the kingdom from above.

“What’s up, brother?” Nicholas spoke.

“Why do you get the throne and I don’t?” his arms crossed.

“Haha,” Nicholas spoke, “I don’t really care who’s on the throne. When I become king, let’s all share it. You, me, and Tess!”

Covian turned his head dejectedly, however, still on good terms.

—

“Then, one day…”

“Covian!” Nick watched on as Covian stood over Tess, hand raised, a mark on Tess’s face.

“Your parents have shown their true nature, Nick,” Covian spoke darkly.

“What are you doing?” Nick spoke pleadingly as Covian picked her up and held a knife up to Tess’s neck.

However, greed set in. Covian’s soul had grown darker… in a harvest of seeded jealously- Covian and his ambitions led him to this moment- threatening Tess's life for Nicholas's place on the throne.”

“If you want me to spare her life…” Covian said, “You will denounce our rights the throne.”

“Take it!” Nick responded, “I don’t want the throne at the cost of this!”

“I want you to swear- publicly.”

'And that was my most foolish moment- i thought i was saving a friend... but in reality - i was destroying the kingdom.'

And that was when he made the declaration. Covian said that it was out of friendship that he let us live, however…

“Following this...as Covian became of age...he went to my parents…”

—

Narice looked on as the firelight illuminated Nick’s now distant look. Tala was silently in thought. Perhaps Tala was considering how terrible the outside world was compared to sanctuary.

—

The rest of the story was told to me by Victorious.

—

“If Nick understands, why can’t you?” Covian spoke to his parents.

“Covian… we love you just as mu-”

“If you loved me then you’d give me, the oldest the throne.”

Covian had already begun sowing discord among the throne- promises were made, alliances were drawn. He'd gained the support of the people by secretly pretending to help the common man and then started an uprising. With the servants and guard to usurp the throneroom Covian went up to the throneroom holding the parents to his blade.

Covian did it himself.

—

‘Young master, you must away…’ Victorious, the ever faithful butler told me, worried about my safety. He helped me in my escape, in the back of the closet, down a drainpipe, to the outskirts of the city. As he shoved me away' he handed me the water jewel- and told me about its meaning. Already the heirs of the throne know of the secret the jewels and K'atra. I hadn't trained to use the jewel - as i was too young for the responsibility it ensured- sadly.

As i first came out of the serwers - I stumbled upon the local urchins in the slums at the time, and from there, decided to take care of them- hiding my identity. We begged, and at times, we stole, we managed, to survive.”

“Right about now…” he thought in retrospect before prefacing. “While the years that followed were good to us, I never thought that raising up a bunch of kids on the streets was best for them…the night you two headed out of the city walls, I knew that i wouldn't be able to return to them. Thankfully- there was a wonderful lady who has donated to us and will help them find a good home- With the weather returning to normal-and the gates reopening to the world once again - it should be easier for them to be taken care of properly.”

“Ever since first arriving in the city depths,” Nick said, “I stayed -waiting to see what would become of the nation… hoping that despite how Covian usurped the throne he would lead it well; instead of getting better, it grew cold. Covian’s reign was filled with fearful tyranny, and that was when I decided… I would stay… to see it through to the end- until his reign was over. Thankfully i changed my appearance. I'm sure he would've looked for me if he knew how i'd escaped - but after a while of searching -he must have given up.”

—

“What happened to the girl?’ Narice asked. He and Tala had been immensely absorbed in Nick’s story.

“She and her parents left to an undisclosed location,” Nick said, "Thankfully - Covian let her go."

The three of them sat in silence for a few minutes.

"I hope you find her someday," Tala spoke- breaking the ice.

Narice replied, while looking at Tala, "Do you have any interests back home?"

Tala replied, "uh, my marriage was arranged since i was three- i believe."

"Marriage?!" Nick spoke.

Tala began to explain about the elven culture. Betrothals start at a young age, but the actual marriage happens much later. As elves live exceptionally long - they generally have little interest in the other gender until one-hundred ten or so. Until then - the two betrothed are simply friends- and raised to prepare for the relationship at a later time.

“When elves start a family, it usually starts around or a little before two-hundred.”

The concept was foreign to Narice. Aqayan marriages were much more similar to humans…”

“What do you even do for the first two hundred years?"

“Oh, plenty- we spend years honing multiple skills, magic, studies, laws. contributing our part in the community."

Having been a part of the village for a couple months - Narice could picture that pretty well.

"Alright guys," Narice said, "we'd better get to sleep... we have a long way to go." Narice spoke looking at the finder. It was still a dark red when he pointed it to the 'wind jewel'.

---

“So, where are we headed now?” Nick replied after they'd broken down the campsite. They were all ready now and starting to head in the direction of the 'finder.'

“That’s a good question,” Tala answered, “leader?"

"We're heading to the wind jewel... oh wait - let me double check something."

Nick watched as Narice yelled at the finder- 'Tree of Time!

The finder showed a black background and a compass point that constantly shifted away from a direction.

Tala explained to Nick "Narice dreamt last night about the tree of time."

“Yeah… I did- i was hoping it would show on the finder..."

Nick spoke, "Ah- the forest of mist..."

"You know about it?" Narice asked curiously.

He continued, “It’s a story passed down to all the ‘guardians of the five jewels’ as part of their lessons- so it must have some merit. It's been said that one can communicate with the past. Even with magic- i think that that sounds farfetched. I mean… who could make a spell like that? Or why... And if a person had access to the past- then is this the world they would have intended by changing the past? Is there anyone who would benefit from going there- and..."

Narice seemed lost as to Nick's explanation and questions. Nick's inner nerd was shining right now. Tala responded for Narice.

“I do not know,” Tala replied. “But a mystery girl asked Narice in a dream about going there."

Nick asked, "A mystery girl?"

Narice spoke, “Well. I guess we’ll just stick with what we’re going for right now. And that’s the next jewel.”

"Where is it going?" Nick took a look at the finder and adjusted his glasses.

Narice held it out for him for Nick to give him any suggestions, “Hm, the pointer is probably point toward Sky City…"

The arrow was tilted at an angle upwards- indicating that it was not only north-west- but also up.

"What do you know about it?" Narice spoke.

"Another secret passed to warlords... It exists in a hidden realm above earth but we have to get there through a portal on the earth that will teleport us to it. They have the school of wizards and a city up there.”

Narice had heard about them- wizards - but he'd never met one, “Wizards?”

“Yes… wizards were part of the old war, a powerful race. Some of them sided with Ka’atra- and others with the Council. Unlike Elfa- their magic doesn't exhaust energy, but a mana pool. They also can use artifacts to channel magic rather than their own mana as well-and find it easier to do so- as using magic without a channel is difficult for them. they consider their magic the highest form of magic and think themselves superior to other races."

"Hmm," Narice was curious about these 'wizards'.

Nick continued with his explanation, "The ones that were on the side of ‘good’ hid themself in the skies afterwards to limit their influence on humankind..."

"Any tips on getting to sky city?"

"Uh-" Nick replied, "I believe that we'll need a boat- and travel through the great ocean until we find the portal there."

“How do you know all this?”

“It’s a warlord's job to be passed down the information of the war- most Aqayans and wizards know nothing about each other or certain details- but guardians connected to the council or assigned to warlords are informed about the truth.”

“Okay…” Narice said as they continued towards the direction of the ocean. Narice trusted that the jewel was still pointing them to the nearest path- so if they needed a boat- the finder would guide them to a boat before the ocean.

—

Another day- another fire, Narice wondered if Tala was exhausting his magic by always helping setup camp and magical barriers around it. Not to mention - Tala had a habit of going all out when he used magic.

"How much magic are you down to?"

Tala responded, "I'm almost full."

"How?" Narice asked- Tala had certainly been using a lot to protect them.

"A good sleep honestly. Most of the spells i've casted to protect the campground require only an initial cast if i give enough power to it to last for a while- then i wake up refreshed."

“It’s quite useful,” Nick responded.

“Yes it is," Tala replied, "but unlike wizards -magic is not something Elfa pride themselves on as much as wisdom, sincerity, leadership, respect, grace, humility and the like."

—

Narice was glad to get along with Tala now- having Nick around certainly helped.

A second day passed as they walked through woods and a third.

They had been walking for two days now. Inserting little stories about their respective lives around the campfire.

Tala spoke about life in the village- how the Elfa of the village were those who sealed themselves away some time after a certain war long ago.

Nick spoke about his childhood a bit.

Then it was Narice.

Narice told them about how Aqayans looked down on humanity and how his family was shunned because his mother was human. He told them about his father- and how he was a guardian and how he was trained by his father to be a ‘Guardian’. He continued on about his mother but then decided not to mention his sister right now- even though she came to mind.

He told them a bit about life in human world. He skipped over some of the details about betrayal and such- he wasn't intending to tell them about how his feelings had been going through a roller coaster with betrayal and other things.

---

Another day- spent walking and another conversation started since they were getting closer. The finder was now a yellow-green color.

“What do you know about the wizards?” Narice asked.

Nick responded, “I think they live pretty well off- from what i've heard. so they’re probably the most advanced of all the races, because they haven't completely distanced themself from humankind- they're familiar with the technologies a bit more. Although i think they need a little more study to understand them. Human technology is something that would never surpass magic to them.”

“Are there any other races I missed?”

“Well, non-humanoids- there are a few species rumoured- but unseen- humanoids maybe- i believe there are goblins, orcs, giants... I don’t know of many others- and I believe most died out in the great war.”

It made sense- so many creatures in folklore. Narice wanted to be prepared. So… the wizards knew about the human technologies and had a unique magic hm? Would they have to fight at some point? if so then what was that fight going to be like?

They got ready for the trek again as they put on their bags.

Something else seemed to eat at him about Ka’atra. It didn’t make sense that he’d have a daughter, “Do you know anything about Ka’atra’s daughter?”

"I do not remember anything abourt K'atra... we were sealed away from time when i was very young." Tala replied

"Daughter?" Nick asked, "If that's true then it would have happened after he awakened. There wasn't anything about him being with someone else during.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well- I met her… but she seemed familiar for some reason since I met her. I was wondering if it was actually his.”

“It could be that she was taken in by him when she was young and risen as a daughter,” Nick replied.

Narice looked ahead. Something about Rei seemed slightly familiar.

---

The topic was abruptly stopped as a clearing appeared in front of them.

A thriving port city appeared in front of them.

They began to discuss between themselves.

“What’s the best way of doing this?” Narice asked.

“Can we book a passage with what we have?” Nick asked.

In response to this- Tala held his sack filled with gold and diamonds.

“Hmm,” Narice spoke, “that should be enough to buy our own boat?”

Nick responded to this.

“Uh at the price of gold and diamonds right now- we could probably negotiate down to three boats…”

---

The game plan was to see if someone could take them on their boat headed in their direction – which was very unspecific. If not- then they’d figure it out from there, perhaps buy one of their own.

They walked towards the dock as group of three- checking out the ships and trying to see if anyone there was going in the general direction…

They talked to a few and one offered to bring them that direction tomorrow for a certain pay

Afterwards they figured they would go to a local diner/pub and relax a bit.

Fortunately/Unfortunately- the rumor had gone around about them looking for a boat. It started positively- as people began offering their own boats- to which they politely declined.

Tala pulled out his coin to pay for the bill- with only pure gold coins- it wasn’t the accepted currency, but it was accepted regardless. It was a bit overpay as he handed them a small coin for the meal.

---

It seems they would have to wait a night here for the captain of the ship. They initially wanted to look for a place to stay –but they all just decided it would be simpler just to camp.

—

“Actually...” Narice spoke, I think we’ll need a ship one more time to go to the ‘tree of time’. He told Tala. “Would you mind if we just bought it with your coins?”

“Sure,” Tala replied.

In the morning on the way as they started to make their way to the docks once again – They pulled out the gold coins asking people around for a ship.

Almost immediately however- a group of unsavory characters showed up around them. It seems they’d been watching the three of them for a while now.

One of them stepped up. He looked a tough man- rugged and bulky. Perhaps on the illegal part of the ship trade- or perhaps a pirate.

“It’s been **** hard lookin’ for ya- we searched all the hotels,” he spoke- and about fifteen others came out from the edges.

Narice asked simply, “Sorry we don’t need a ride anymore –we’re looking to buy a boat.”

“Heh…” the man looked at one of his coconspirators as if he found.

“We have a boat, but what money do you have?”

Tala held up the pound in one hand – along with his hand on his rapier.

“Hmm,” the man spoke to the crew, “Thanks for finding our gold- Isn’t that your lost pouch Stafe?”

The man named Stafe nodded back to him- I think so, George.”

“Yeah, I think we’ll be taking that back from ye thanks,” George spoke.

“Oh, you will- will you?” Narice replied challengingly.

“Yes, it does,” the man inched forward along with the crew moving in closely. Narice smiled as he held his hand on his sword and the other two began to move forward.

“You two got this?” He spoke, “without killing them?”

“I’ve been itching for a fight,” Tala spoke.

----

A few moments later the twenty unsavory characters were in shambles on the ground. Mostly unconscious, or bound by magic, or just badly beaten.

Narice tossed up and down the bag that held their money in front of the leader.

“Now that I think about it…” he said as he tucked the money away and knelt down with the other two pointing their weapons at the man.

The man looked very scared at this moment, facing down the point of Narice’s sword.

—

“I got this,” Nick spoke as he turned on the boat. It seemed to be a smaller vessel- but it was motor powered and had enough room in a small cabin underneath along with some questionable cargo to which they ignored.

Nick sat in the driver seat- and started it up, “I drove a boat a couple times as a kid…my parents would sometimes take us on the… …yacht.”

At the mention of a yacht- Narice’s eyebrows raised.

“Is that a bigger ship?”

“Yeah…” Narice replied, “Much.”

Narice looked up at the skies. While the sky seemed to be okay right now it seemed that there was a distant sign of foreboding. It would be better if they left sooner than later.

“We’d better leave,” he looked at the ‘finder’ which had turned a lighter shade of yellow-green.

Nick pressed down on the gas with his foot.

Narice had only been on a sailboat- so this was a new experience. At first he was impressed- but he’d already seen cars before.

They traveled for an hour or so. The ‘finder’ slowly approached a blue.

“How far do we have?” Nick spoke.

“I’m not sure…” Narice replied, “At this rate- maybe ten or so more hours?”

“Ah,” Nick replied a little tired.

Tala interjected – “I will take charge if you need a rest.”

“Well. I guess we’ll take it in shifts and get some shut-eye while we can,” Narice said. “We may have to take it in two days.”

“Aye aye, captain,” they responded.

Talaena happily took charge of the vessel after Nick showed him.

—

They pushed ahead with breakneck speeds and the first day was a breeze. Then the boat began to start puttering.

“What’s wrong with it?” Narice spoke.

“It’s running out of gas…” Nick spoke.

Narice felt irresponsible for not having thought about extra gasoline before leaving. He looked at the finder- perhaps they could get to the destination before it ran out completely.

He kept his foot on the gas until it ran out.

Nick then used his magic and tried creating a current using the water jewel- never having done something like this however- it was slow as he started trying to find how to use the water to his advantage.

The ‘Finder’ was almost completely blue – as they looked around for some sign. As they inched closer their boat seemed to approach a dead zone. The water around them and wind had simply stopped.

Following this they felt a great force exert itself upon them – and they and their ship were lifted up and ported completely.

They found themselves in a dock- however this one was unique- many boats were tied to posts- and the boats along with theirs were simply floating.

“Unauthorized entry of Sky City- will be met with a meeting of the wizard council leaders.”

They saw quite people in robes with hands on wands pointed at the boat- and the boat was pulled into the shore.

As it stopped, some words were spoken by one of them, “Please exit the vessel slowly and with your hands up.”

Narice put up his hands. Romani and Nick followed behind the leader as their boat was taken into the shore- and the group of wizardsstood across from them- port authorities it seemed- all of them held onto some wand, staff, or tome of a sort- dressed in some sort of uniform cloak.

Narice spoke to the group of wizards as they circled around them, "Is it okay to talk to the wizard in charge?"