(In elven) "Not exactly. Do you remember the beasts that your people created?"

(In elven) Lynara says "Yes. The spiders wiped them out centuries ago."

(In elven) "No, actually they survived. I became their king and they gave me the crown."

(In elven) Lynara says "What? How did they survive when even we couldn't? Are you sure of this?"

To try and ease her confusion I tell her the full story, at least what I know of it. I also tell her about Core and what I have learned from her since I met her. As I am talking I notice the area around me has changed, I am now surrounded by shamans.

Most of them are just staring at me with their mouths hanging open while others keep rubbing their eyes. From the reactions I am guessing something about me talking to Lynara is unusual. Speaking this much is definitely helping to improve my elven, especially when Lynara corrects me on words.

(In elven) Lynara says "That is quite the series of events! I feel bad for Core being alone for so long, but it is good to hear at least one elf still lives."

(In elven) "Speaking of that, how is it you are still around? Did all the elves become spirits?"

(In elven) Lynara says "No, only those who had truly mastered an element. At our deaths we merged with the element that had become a part of our lives."

(In elven) "Do you mean those who had visited the temples?"

(In elven) Lynara says "That is part of it yes. To truly master an element requires a lot of time, and three visits to the temple of the chosen element."

(In elven) "That won't be possible anymore, I am destroying the temples."

(In elven) Lynara says "I know, I felt it when you destroyed the wind temple. It is alright, they have outlived their time. After all, the race who built them is gone and forgotten."

Dizara says "I'm sorry to interrupt, but did the spirits really used to be living beings?"

"Yes. They were from a race of beings called elves. They ruled these lands before the humans came here."

Dizara says "What was that about them creating beasts?"

"So the beastmen were made by giving cores to humans, the elves instead gave humanoid forms to beasts."

Dizara says "And these beasts are still around?"

"Yes. In fact Zheka over there is one of them."

Dizara says "In that case I will be sure to speak with him. But I do have one last question. Just how are you able to speak with the spirit?!"

It is only when Dizara brings it up that I notice something about the shaman all around me. There is not one single guy among them, all of them are females. It would seem that among the rat tribe only females are born with the ability to speak to the spirits.

(In elven) Lynara says "It is because he has been to the temple of wind. His attunement to wind is much higher than even yours, Dizara."

Dizara says "Where is this temple? Is it possible for us to visit it?"

"No, the temple is gone. It was at the very peak of the sacred mountain."

(In elven) Lynara says "My time is running short. The shamans are running out of energy. Before I go I wish to give you a gift. Consider it a thank you for all you have done!"

Lynara drifts over to me and reaches out to touch my forehead as she mumbles something. Instantly I feel a cool wind surround my body and then flow into my stomach. As the wind enters my body I feel a surge of energy flow through me, it is quite pleasant.

Mana Pool +100!

(In elven) Lynara says "Be blessed by the winds!"

(In elven) "Thank you! That is very helpful!"

(In elven) Lynara says "Farewell, Ash! I hope we meet again!"

As Lynara disappears I hear all of the shamans around me let out a sigh of relief. It would seem that keeping a spirit around for more than a few minutes is quite the burden. However, it was totally worth it, one hundred mana is a huge help.

Dizara says "In all of our history the spirits have never given a blessing to anyone! It seems Amat made the right choice when he submitted to you."

"What makes you say that?"

Dizara says "If you did that much for an almost extinct race, you will do a lot more for a living race."

"I suppose that is one way to look at it."

Dizara says "Now, what did you originally want to talk about?"

"Oh, right. We have been having problems getting information from the human cities in the empire. I had the thought that using rats to spy might be worth trying."

Dizara says "That is something we can do easily."

"Excellent! That will be of great help!"

With the conversation over, two of the younger shamans help Dizara to her tent to rest. By then it is dinner time so I decide to see just how much food my pouch can provide. It turns out I really can feed an army, or at least an army of rat beastmen.

During dinner everyone ends up spread out and chatting with different people. Kechara, Lizzy, Windy, and Zheka are talking magic with the shaman. Asuna is keeping an eye on Ekard and Haku, who are playing with some of the tribe's children.

Amat and I are discussing what I want for the future of the beastmen. Once we are done discussing my plans Amat spend some time talking about his hopes and dreams for his tribe. It is plain to see that he truly loves his people and is joining me for their sake.

Amat gives me the impression that he is a really good leader and that he could be very useful. However, I won't make any decisions about him until I verify things from another source. Until then I will treat him and his people just like the other tribes that have joined me.

In the morning, after providing breakfast to the tribe, everyone gets ready to move. The rat tribe is breaking camp to head north to the city area and my group is continuing south. The next tribe we are going to meet is the lizard tribe, but on the way I hope to find a mana beast.

The lizard tribe lives in a desert area of the beast lands, but to get there we will cross the plains. The plains are marked on the map as a location for one of the mana beasts that is ready to evolve. The problem is the entire plains are marked, meaning it is probably a beast that wanders.

Since I don't know what kind of beast it is, all I can do is hope that we come across it by luck. Otherwise we would have to wander around looking and that would take up too much time. As we set off after saying our farewells I ask Kechara to scout around along our path.