After putting Ekard into the shadow pocket, I mount Lizzy and then pull Windy up as well. The extra weight won't even be enough for Lizzy to notice it, let alone slow her down. The only reason for us to move slowly is that it is getting dark, but even that doesn't slow Lizzy.

After all, she doesn't have to worry about her footing, the ground smoothes itself out for her. She can literally run at full speed while blindfolded and she will never trip. While I haven't actually tried that out, I am fairly confident that I am right.

Under Windy's guidance we make a large circle around the weasel's territory. Then we turn north until we reach the wall, which is where Windy is at a loss. The weasels normally go under the wall, but their tunnels are too small for Lizzy.

That was within my expectations, my plan was to fly over the wall and summon Lizzy, but that isn't necessary. As we approach the wall the stones twist and turn until a tunnel through the wall forms. I was assuming that worked and enchanted stones wouldn't listen to Lizzy's power, looks like I underestimated her.

Thanks to it being dark Lizzy is able to pass through the wall without alerting the human guards on the wall. While I am fairly sure I would be recognized and allowed to pass it certainly saves us some bother. It also leaves Windy staring open-mouthed at Lizzy in surprise.

Windy says "Amazing! How did she do that?"

"Lizzy is a master of earth magic, she bends the earth to her will."

Lizzy says "Actually, it would be more accurate to say the earth sees me as a friend and does what it can to help me."

Windy says "Either way it is amazing!"

"So, Windy, which way now?"

Windy says "Um, actually, I have lied to you."

"You don't know where the enemy camp is?"

Windy says "Nope! This is the first time I have ever left the village!"

"Figures. Lizzy, think you can track them down?"

Lizzy says "Sure, I just need to know what I am looking for."

"Windy, do you know what these enemies look like?"

Windy says "Yeah, they look like snakes, except they have a set of arms below their heads. Oh, and they are about twenty feet long."

'Weasels versus snakes? Seriously?!'

Lizzy says "I can smell a lot of snakes, should I track them?"

"Yeah, it's our best shot."

Windy says "I'm sorry I lied. I just can't let my brother die without trying everything I can."

"It's fine."

Lizzy moves out again, but much slower this time, she can't move too fast while tracking a scent. We continue moving north throughout the rest of the night but still haven't found anything. When the sun comes up we stop to take a break, I feel bad pushing Lizzy so hard.

Lizzy has the endurance to handle it, but I still think it is better to let her rest and eat. Windy is actually the one in the worst shape, it is obvious she isn't used to exerting herself. Since we are having breakfast I wake up Ekard and feed him as well.

As soon as he is done eating he wants to run off and explore the new area. So I tell Lizzy and Windy to take a nap while I follow Ekard around and keep him safe. As we are exploring I start teaching Ekard how to move quietly and stalk prey.

He learns quickly, but still lacks the patience to actually use the skills I am teaching him. That is fine, it isn't like he needs to provide for himself, but I still teach him anyway. Even if he doesn't use them, learning skills should help improve his mentality.

After letting Ekard burn off his extra energy, which takes two hours, we return to camp. Then I wake up Lizzy and Windy and we resume tracking the snakes. Not long after we have our first encounter with them, it is a patrol of five snakes.

Dismounting, I draw Blitz and walk towards them, they don't try to communicate with me. The five of them rush at me in an attempt to overwhelm me, but their movements are slow. At least to me they are slow as they rush at me and attempt to wrap their bodies around me.

From this I can see that they do not have a poisonous bite, and even though they have arms they don't carry weapons. After easily dodging their bodies it only takes a few swings of Blitz to decapitate all five of them. I was hoping for more from them, but they are no challenge at all to me.

5 Rank 2 mana beasts defeated! 1,000 Exp gained!

'They aren't even good exp! I would have to kill thousands of them to gain anything decent!'

Windy says "Wow! You are amazing!"

"Not really, they are just weak."

Lizzy says "They may be weak, but they smell tasty!"

"If you are still hungry, go ahead."

Lizzy walks over and takes a bite, then she gets a look of surprise on her face. She quickly takes several move bites, Ekard seems curious so he runs over and takes a bite as well. Soon they are both gorging themselves while Windy looks like she is about to puke.

"They eat your people, why is the sight of them being eaten bothering you?"

Windy says "I am not sure, it is just terrifying!"

"Is it both of them or just Lizzy eating that bothers you?"

Windy says "It's definitely Lizzy!"

"Ah, that explains it. You are just reacting to seeing a real predator for the first time. Your body is trying to tell you to run or you might be next."

Windy says "Why would this have such an effect on me?"

"Probably because you are a sheltered princess with no real experience."

Windy says "Don't call me a princess!"

"Why not? Aren't your parents the king and queen?"

Windy says "I refuse to acknowledge them as my parents!"

"Whatever you say."

Windy starts sulking and refuses to talk to me anymore as we wait for Lizzy. Lizzy eats moderately, but Ekard stuffs himself until he can no longer move. In the end I have to walk over and pick him up to put him in the shadow pocket.

Then I mount Lizzy and we continue moving deeper into the snake's territory. The next few snakes we encounter are on their own so I don't bother doing anything and let Lizzy handle them. Then we reach what looks like a cave entrance, but when we enter it turns out to be a large cavern.

There are snakes all over the cavern either coiled up or lying in piles, at least a hundred of them. It doesn't take long before they notice us and start hissing, waking up the sleeping ones. I quickly dismount and move Windy off to the side, then I summon Bones to protect her.

With Bones protecting Windy, Lizzy and I are free to charge into the cavern and begin the massacre. To my surprise I quickly start losing, Lizzy is killing them faster than I am. She is like a tornado of claws and teeth, everywhere she passes the snakes are all shredded.