((This is a realm wide storyline open for everyone. Please join in!))

Years ago when airship technology was first invented, those who had never flown were wary of being up in the air. For a long time, the airships were just used to deliver cargo to the far towns surrounding Aleris. People were terrified over the idea sky pirates or flying beasts trying to interrupt the flights.

It was not just the fear of being high in the air that bothered Aleris citizens. It was also the price; people in the poorer sections of Aleris had little or no chance of getting on an airship. Though they would have liked to visit relatives or lands further away by airship, they lacked the funds and so relied on horses or walking to reach their destination. It wasn't until about two years after their invention that people got used to using this transportation method as anything other than cargo delivery.

In this time, King Alerion had stepped forward and issued an act of fairness which led to a fast increase in airship usage for travel. The costs had lowered and now even poor folk could buy a ticket (though in sections separated from the rich). Larisa was said to cast a heavy spell of protection on all voyages and a large number of men and women were also trained strictly in airship defense. The number of attacks from sky pirates lessened because of this and most of the large, winged beasts got used to seeing the wooden carrier floating casually through the sky.

People were rarely alarmed when seeing the great wing span of a Dragon fly by. Dragons mostly kept to themselves, some even casting a helpful eye out here and there for added airship protection. Children would press their faces to the round glass windows and smile as the silent beast flew onward. It was a rare - and some would say "lucky" - sight to see one flying through the sky since Dragons were so few these days. It apparently meant to most people the flight would make it home safely.

There had been no accidents since airship travel had become widely popular among the citizens of Aleris.

A fair haired boy pressed his button nose right up against the glass of the airship window looking out into a sky. There was something soaring towards them and now his tiny fingers were all over the glass leaving streak marks as he tried to reach out to the flying creature. It was just a speck in the distance, but it was gaining speed faster than anyone had ever seen a Dragon fly before.

"A Dragon! A Dragon!" the little boy shouted his mouth wide and full of squeals.

Some crew members turned an eye to the window and other children rushed to see where they could. Some adults cast an eye out the window in minor curiosity, while others paid no mind, content to read their books or whatever else kept them occupied. The few adults who had looked out the window started to notice something about the Dragon. Normally, the Dragons only bothered to fly along side of the airship, but this one was flying full speed towards the side of the airship.

Alarmed, some people alerted the defensive crew to take watch outside and to set up some sort of protection. However, it was an attempt that came too late. The dragon, less than twenty feet away from impact with the airship, seemed to take notice finally and tried to turn under it to avoid contact. It swooped low, and the Dragon's body seemed to make it under, but the tail did not.

The Dragon's tail hit the side of the airship, the spikes ripping through the wood and glass windows. Struggling to yank the tail free from the airship, the Dragon only succeeded in further damaging the ship and sending the now panicked passengers into circles looking for a safe place to hide. The tail came free, but upon wrenching it out, the airship lost control and spun into the Dragon's side. Propellers cut into the strong, armored scales and both airship and dragon spiraled to the ground in disaster.

The airship and the dragon made contact with the ground and hit hard right outside one of Aleris' cathedrals. The crew tried to make the landing as soft as possible, but it was to no avail. Some had been lost on the descent from the sky and others had been killed in the landing. Parts of the ship were crushed in impact, deadly splinters flying all over the place. Fire started to catch where ever it could consume the wood and those who had somehow managed to survive, were trying to help whoever they could out.

The Dragon that had collided with the ship had finally fallen free from the metal propellers of the airship. The beast tumbled forward, a few houses being knocked over in the way. When the Dragon came to a stop, dust and timber flying up everywhere, the beast let out a loud groan. The ground shook and cries could be heard from where the airship had fallen not far off.

People started to rush forward to the airship first. Most of them had the impression that Dragons were invisible; that the thing would probably pick itself right up and fly off again. However, this one did not move after it hit the ground. There was barely an ounce of strength left in the muscled arms and legs. At some point, the Dragon's horns had been broken off and there were some spikes missing. Blood from where the propellers had ripped open the beast's side started to stain the ground equal to the size of a small pond.

Though the Dragon could not muster anymore strength to do anything, it did curl up its talons and tried to tuck what it was defending under a, aching, heaving breast. Eggs, cradled protectively under the arm of the dying Dragon, were seemingly unscratched in the crash. It was natural for most mothers to be protective over their young, but this was different. The female Dragon had been afraid of something and whatever it was, it was trying to take her children away.

Finding Verial


It has been far too long since I've seen my eldest son.

Verial's last letter was in her hands as she contemplated. A while back when his letter arrived, she wanted to go after him. But alas, Mythras was still very much a baby and she did not wish to risk the journey through Oneiro. She was not certain what detained Verial for so long in that world. Perhaps he found peace there. Or perhaps he found trouble. He was so far that she could hardly feel him...worlds away.

Joshua was caring for Rook for time being, it seemed as though he had come to some kind of arrangement with the child's...'mother.' She did not wish to take the smaller children with her if she was to journey through Oneiro to seek out this Outer Gate of Aleris. If Joshua could not watch over them, perhaps Bansca's parents would. Ultimately, she would need to know how Bansca felt about it either way. Like her, he hated to be parted from the family.

She refolded the letter and slipped it into her bag. She would use it like a spiritual map to guide her in the path Verial took so that she would find her way. It was then that she had made up her mind. It would be one of those journey's where time as she left it would move differently than time where she would be going. World drifting was why many of the Children of Dreams did not know their true ages. She hoped that she would not be gone too long, and leave the rest of the family in wonder and sorrow.

She was almost certain Bansca would agree. As much as he loved to be rooted and still with his family where it was safe and uncomplicated, there was the wanderer in him that loved adventure. He had not left the serenity of the Valley since his return from that last war and had not indicated that he had any desire to either though. She could only ask and feel her way with him to be sure.

"Bansca.."

The soft ethereal voice of the half angel warmed the atmosphere as she approached the man she whole-heartedly deemed her husband.

"Do yew recall the letter I received from Verial some time ago..." she declared rather than asked.

"It has been a great amount of time since I've seen him beloved...and my concerns for him are growing. I know not if he has found peace or trouble there."

Her finger tips slipped up Bansca's face and ran across his jawline tenderly as she beheld his jade eyes in her own loving gaze. She was small in stature so she leaned up on her toes to lovingly press a kiss upon his lips.

"The only way I know to get to Aleris, is through one of the Outer Gates. The only one I know of is the one Verial went through when he was summonsed there. And it is in Oneiro. It will be dangerous but I have Verial's letter to guide me. I must know that he is well. He would not admit it, but I know he wonders why I've not come. He knows me well."

She searched his Sylvan eyes for the honesty of his thoughts.

"I would understand if yew do not wish to leave the Valley or our children."

Deep in her heart she felt he would not allow her to go alone though....

With all of the children gathered round, he had been begged to tell a story, so he had begun one, but in the middle of it all the kids ran around, starting to play again. "I reckon I"ll finish it later." he told himself, chuckling afterwards. He'd let them play a while longer, then have them finish thier lessons for the day. None of them had gone to public school, for the simple reason there wasn't one yet he had found he liked. Between him, Sorvy, his parents, Khem, and all of thier friends in the forest, who needed a fancy school? He had a mess of books, he'd been teaching them thier basics, but he knew they needed a good education.

He had the idea of having them educated, but that was something he would speak to Sorvy about. He wouldn't trust just anyone to educate his children. They would learn a lot at home, but there was so many things to study and each child had their different talents and difficulties. Perhaps he could find a willing scholar to educate them. Those thoughts were put aside as his beloved came down the stairs to join them, calling his name. What a lovely voice she had, he never grew tired of hearing her. He sensed something was on her mind, so he withdrew himself from his chair to stand.

"Down 'ere love. I was telling stories to the kids." Of course they'd beg for a continuation around bed time. Noticing the packing she had done, he tilted his head, curious as to what his 'Dreamer' was up too. Standing, he stretched after setting Mythras down and offered her a welcoming smiled. "..ello love. What have you there?" he inquired. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her own for a good long minute or three. The kids all giggled and Kyrian *'Ewwwwww'ed*, which made him chuckle. Looking to his grandson, he winked. "One day you'll enjoy kissing a lovely lady, I promise." he teased.

"No way!" piped up the boy, who dashed off to chase the other kids.

Wrapping his arms around Sorvy's waist, he stared into her eyes, listening to her. "Of course, did you ever write back?" Thought she had, but she knew his mind, he forgot the simplest of things at times. With as many memories as he had within his own head, one would think he should be insane. Considering all he's been through, his sanity was 'fragile'. That was the best way to put it. Jade eyes met her own soft blue ones, that smile still in place. As her fingers traced his jaw, his eyes closed briefly as he enjoyed the tender, affectionate touch of her soft fingers. Upon opening them, he still smiled adoringly at his soul-mate.

After she had spoken of everything, his mind raced as he tried to process all of it. He could understand how she felt, because he felt the same way about his oldest daughter, Shayde, whom he never saw anymore. Save very rarely. His concern was her and there was no way in all of Heaven or Hell he would allow her to travel alone. Many thoughts flew through his ravaged mind and he glanced back to the children. There was no way he could leave them here alone for a long period of time, even with his oldest son watching them. Josh not only had Rook to care for, and a young love of his own, Sabolin, but he had two other children as well.

Cupping her cheeks, he leaned down to return her kiss and upon breaking it a couple minutes later, he took her hands into his own. "We can either have Josh watch the kids until we find a place there for all of us to stay, send everyone to Uncle Khem's, go to stay with thier grandparents, or we pack up the entire family, grandparents and Khem included, and we all go check out this Aleris realm. I'm sure there will be plenty to do for everyone." Thinking on it a bit more, he nodded. "We'll all go. We'll make a vacation out of it." He loved the valley, but he wanted his children to meet all sorts of people and learn about the world.

"I'll get the letters to Khem and Mom written tonight, then me and Josh will go and get supplies, then get the wagons packed up. If you prefer to go by ship, I'm sure I can find one for us to go on. Maybe even an airship." Falling silent, he simply held her and wondered what she would wish to do. "Come on, let's go sit down on the porch and finalize the plans. We can make it a surprise for all of the children." he said quietly. Taking her hand, he led her out onto thier back porch, which afforded them a wonderful view of the mountains surrounding thier valley. Sitting down in his chair, he gently pulled her into his lap and waited to hear her replies.


The 'LightBringer' and family would soon arrive in Aleris!

When he asked if she had written back, she regretfully shook her head.

A soft "No...." was admitted.

She didn't have a good reason why, only that she put it off. Something inside her held her back. She searched her heart then as she looked into Bansca's jade eyes.

"I know myself, and I think I didn't write back because I would of told him he should come home. Verial is as free spirited as Kyrian's mother. But I cannot guilt my son into staying rooted in any one place. I must let him go where he is led to. Learn his own way. I only wish that he would not make the same mistake with Kyrian, as I did with my oldest ones."

As she listened to Bansca list their options, she realized he was on board with no hesitation. He was even making the journey through danger to an unknown world sound like a vacation.

"Thank goodness that you possess that ring beloved."

She grasped his hand and ran her finger over it admiringly.

"I do not know how much of a vacation it will be. Oneiro is a celestial world, unlike this. Selune fashioned it from herself, set it among the stars who guarded it for and by beings who were not born of flesh and blood but of magic and spirit. I know yew've been there once before. So yew know there are no natural means in which to go there. We must inform Joshua one cannot simply go by sea or air if he wishes to come. Kyrian was born there and I am not sure what happened to him there when he became separated from me, or even if he remembers. But he left there on his own, with a creature named Naime. Like me he will instinctively know the way. We can easily guide our family there without losing anyone."

She glanced to her bag, it was perhaps too light. But she was not thinking much of herself when she packed it. By appearances is seemed she certainly intended to leave that very hour regardless of who was coming or not.

"We should be able to make it through Oneiro unseen if we are careful." Her voice faded softly. Oneiro was a hard subject to talk about.

She released her grip on her bag and rest it upon a table while being led out to the porch. He seemed not to have the same reservations she did, or perhaps just was trying to be light hearted because he could sense her mood. In any case, he made her smile. Wrapping her arms about his neck, she settled against him almost like a child. Had it not been for her wings she could of easily curled up and gotten lost in him.

"We should give the older ones a choice to come or stay. I know it would be an interruption of studies and work but....life is the greatest teacher of all. We could hire extra hands to care fer the crops and animals. Although Joshua knows it all the best, and knows what to do. We can always trust him. And I am sure if yew tell him yew shall build him a house and he can pick the plot he will narry mind a'tall."

Post originally by Character_Calypso

The dark lady had been quiet for some time. Such phases came upon her, times in which she did not seek out interaction with others. Even deities need time for inward reflecting. She sat upon her throne in her temple. The air around her had grown frigid. Frost spread out across the floor and up the walls, clouding the windows. Her attendants made quick dashes in and out several times a day to see if she would ask anything of them. But the room was so cold that they could not linger beside her.

It had been weeks perhaps. Time meant little to her. But the pain of the dragon brought her back to the presence. Inky eyelashes slowly dip down, and then lift with a jerk. As if that mere blink of an eye has brought her completely back to an animated state, she vaults to her feet and quickly makes her way back to the private section of the temple into the fountain room. The flowing waters of the large fountain centered in this room lent her an omnipotent view of what was happening in her realm. It wasn’t actually necessary for her, she could see it with her mind’s eye as well. But the fountain allowed her priests and priestesses to see as well and did not require so much concentration.

The candles in the room flare to life as she storms in. Several of her priests and priestesses are present and jump away from each other as if she had caught them in the midst of some sort of tryst. A narrowed glance is sent their way as she steps up to the fountain and spreads her hands out flat over it, palms down. The water trimmers, then converges upon itself and the image of the failing airship and dragon suddenly springs forth.

For a moment, the dragon’s life was held in question. It was what had caught her attention. The impact of dragon and ship on the ground makes her shudder. The souls of those lost in the crash already pass through her. One, two.. perhaps even three at a time she could deal with and still continue whatever she is doing. But this number requires her to pause. The image falters briefly, just enough that her attendants send worried glances her way.

Then Calypso lets out a soft sigh. She glances back at the fountain only to jerk her hand in the air in front of it. The image disappears, and so does she.

The crowds that had gathered to view the wreckage suddenly gasp and step to the side when their Goddess of Death appears in their midst. They begin to call to her…

“Have you come to destroy the beast?”
“My grandson was on that ship, save him!”
“Will you save the dragon?”

Voices raise together. She turns her gaze on them, “Erect a memorial here, for those lost today. The dragon will bring you no harm. Whether she is healed… that is my sister’s decision.”

Larisa had not made an appearance yet, but Calypso thought there was a good chance she would take interest in the mythical beast. She slowly steps closer to the wreck, noticing the fires. It was in her ability to extinguish them. The thought brings a touch of a smile to her lips as she moves through the flames. Standing in the shadow of the cathedral, she simply watches for now, wondering what secret the dragon keeps.

((Bansca, I'm Jumping ahead a bit for the sake of progress))

With plans arranged; those who chose to make the journey to Aleris would speak their parting words to those who remained behind before departing from their Fair valley and journey to the smoldering desolation of Oneiro.

With Verial's letter between both hands, Sorvynia's concentration and focus became fixed upon it like a spiritual compass in their arrival within the celestial world of Oneiro. She hoped her party's presence would go unnoticed in the duration of their passing through. It was hard for the angelican to take in what met her eyes. For the sight of Star Fae's ruins would always be difficult to behold.

Something felt different though here and she could not put her finger on it. It was almost as if something or someone that had once been here no longer was. It was unsettling and left her with a gut feeling that she would sooner or later figure it out. Her eyes roamed the now graveyard city that lay in the distance. No, it is not something completely physical. It is something else. For a few short moments she reasoned with herself that it was just the stress of being there and everything it once meant but no longer was. Still, she could not shake it.

She contemplated visiting the tombs, to rest her hands upon the burial place of her son Sovereign. She had not done so since Necia lured her and Verial there so that she could reincarnate. It had been a couple of years since then. But she could not dwell for too long, it was important she maintained her focus on the guide to her son. In the distance to the East, where once Solarte's morning face burned warmly in the sky, now hung a motionless red dwarf. Now only a cool star. How depressing. On the horizon; just below the strange transparent sky, lay Star Fae harbor and its poisoned waters where the glow of a lesser light beckoned, that had not been there before. It was in that direction they carefully migrated to.

Upon reaching the location of the Outer Gate, they stood aback and took in the sheer magnificence. She had not expected the Outer Gate to Aleris to be so wide nor so brilliant. Like a lamp with a frosted glass shell, there was a warm and living light pulsing at least a quarter mile outwards in every direction. It reminded her of the life force of Selune.

She had many questions now, primarily how this Outer Gate came to be within this world. Had it been there, surely she would of known....

Passing through the Gate was a sensation like walking through water without becoming wet. They did not know what would meet them on the other side, or where the other side even led to within Aleris- hopefully it would be Aleris for that matter. She could only hope that Verial would sense her presence and find her first.

Silence reigned for a few minutes as he thought of the magnitude of things he had to do in order to prepare for the trip. He had to pack his own things, make sure they had enough supplies and funds, get his animal friends prepared, get everything for them. He had to send for his grandparents and Khem to come and help Josh watch the children. He also had to make sure that he didn't forget anything!

When his beloved was finally through speaking, he took his own turn, peering into her misty pale blue eyes every so often. He felt the old familiar stirrings for adventure and he honestly couldn't wait to see the home she so cherished. First, a few minutes were spent making plans of how the children would be cared for until they were sent for. He would purchase some land in Aleris for his family and build a home for them there as well.

Mentioned sending for his parents, and all of the other things he had to do. He asked her if she had everything and was done with her own preparations. She had packed lightly, which was good, but he only wished to make sure she had everything she needed. Once satisfied she was prepared, he grinned at her.

"Darling, I need just a couple hours to get ready. You'll see me in a mad dash, but give me just two hours. Then ~you~ can lead us to Oneiro. I'll follow your lead and once we've prepared a place there for everyone, we'll send for them." Kissing her sweet lips, he brushed his fingers against her cheek. "Gather the family, and we will tell them what's going on. Josh and Lin can follow with Rook, if they wish, but Ita, Kyrian, and Mythras will go to their grandparents for a little while." Letting her stand, he rose as well, pausing only to stretch for a minute. With his arm around her waist, they returned into the house and he escorted to the living room. "If that's agreeable with you."

~~~~~~~~~

About ten minutes later, he was holding Mythras and Ita, who were crying and begging to go. He had to reassure them that they wouldn't be gone long and that they would have surprises awaiting them in Aleris. When everyone's tears were dried, he allowed the kids to help him get things ready. He would have loved to taken them along, but he wouldn't put his children in danger. Josh, Khem, and his parents would keep them entertained and work with them on their studies.

A bunch of hugs later, he departed up to his and Sorvy's room to pack his things. Clothes, his kits for caring for his weapons, a well stocked first aid kit, potions, trail rations, and food for a few days. He checked, then double-checked his pack to ensure everything he wished to take was in there and in its proper place. Good thing it was like a Bag of Holding and could hold quite a bit. He packed his journal and writing box, jesses and all his falconry gear for Angel, his snowy owl.

Nothing had to be packed for Kit, she was a predator and would hunt for herself. Same for Angel, but he always carried her jesses and things for when he took her around people. Plenty of carrots, apples, oats, and even a large jar of honey was packed for the horses. Sugarcubes as well. In the end, he had what one would think was a full pack, but it weighed only a few pounds due to the extra-dimensional space within it.

Lastly, but not least, he adorned himself with his weapons. His scimitars had been ruined by Hellfire, and so he had acquired a pair of very light throwing axes. He had kept the hilts of his scimitars and had given them to Khementh, whom he had commissioned to reforge, repair, and re-enchant. His bow would naturally be taken along, and his arrows. A pair of plain, ordinary scimitars would be taken as well, for he expected Khementh to have his old blades reforged soon. He was used to fighting with a weapon in each hand, though he could use a variety of weapons and could often keep his foes guessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Letters would take a while to send, and so he had decided to use a different form of communication. His parents didn't live all that far away now, and so he vanished right from the bedroom, using his ring to arrive in their living room. When he called out for his mother, she was startled to hear him and ran to hug him. He hadn't told Sorvy he was dropping in on his parents, but he would once back home.

Roughly about twenty minutes was spent in making the plans with his parents and he was to deliver the younger kids here shortly. After hugging his mother, Lady SwanSong, and clasping his father's wrist, he disappeared once more, returning home. He called for Sorvy to help him get the children's things ready and within about a half hour, the kids and their things were ready to go.They were all so excited to be going to Grandma and Grandpa's. The children could hardly contain themselves. Josh and Lin would be making their own choice about staying or going.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The time came to leave and it surprised him that he was so emotional about it. He wasn't going off to war, but still, leaving home after being home for a few years struck a chord deep in his soul. He would miss his children while away, and hoped they could take care of business in Aleris and get the family together again as soon as possible.

After all of the goodbyes, and once the children were at his parents, they were soon the road. As promised, he let Sorvy lead. Kit strolled on ahead, Angel sat on her perch; the pommel of Thunder's saddle. For now, he simply held Thunder's reins in his left hand, and his wife's hand in the other. Perhaps soon they could speak their vows to each other, but there would be a time for that. Right now, their goal was simple. Get to Oneiro, find Verial. Whatever else came along, they would deal with accordingly.

(Previously)
It had been decided to take Kyrian, for once he knew they were going to see his daddy he had been unrelenting about the whole issue. She tried to explain to him where it was they were passing through, and strangely he had showed no signs of reservations about Oneiro. Perhaps Naime had done that well of a job of protecting him from emotional trauma. She herself was apprehensive of beinging the once prince of StarFae back to his origins. Unlike his father, Kyrian had been born in Oneiro. He was by birth an Oneiroan. It was for this reason she knew the evils that still lurked there would be drawn like a beacon to his blood.

(Presently)

Glory be to the Lady of Light, their passage had been a safe one. It seemed, at least by appearances that they had made it through the part of the trek that was Oneiro safely. She could only hope to say the same for the journey back. She hoped Verial would not upset that she had brought Kyrian, but often Verial reacted to things in a negative manner. Either way, it had been done. Ita would surely miss her dear childhood companion for a while, but he would be returned to her soon. Hopefully.

Another harbor lay out far before them, and instantly she knew it was not Star Fae's. The air was salty and fresh, and a warm sun simmered in the sky. With Kyrian sitting in front of her in Patch's saddle, she reached down to pat Joshua's handsome steed reassuringly on the neck. Their horses had done well in planar travel, and so had Kyrian. His eyes were wide with wonder when he reopened them. He had been very quiet up until this point, where he suddenly pointed out someone who almost looked like his father.

"No son, its not daddy. But we will find him I promise." She gave him a loving squeeze and glanced to her side to catch Bansca's loving eyes.

{He misses Verial so much yew can tell...} She did not want to talk about it in front of the child, so she would not translate her strong feelings. She had to remain confident, so that she would not ruin his expectations.

The catastrophe had been like a tidal wave of emotions for both goddesses, flowing through their bodies. From all corners of the great city of Aleris, people cried out to them for savior, to help those who had been lost in the crash or were still trying to escape.

The total wreckage did not subside after the crash. In fact, fires had started to spread past where it made impact. Parts of the ship that were infused with magic had created explosions when coming in contact with the fire. Burning wood flew everywhere into the city and people dodged the embers as they dried to drag the remaining survivors away from the wreckage.

Fires started to spread on a few nearby buildings. A famous bakery nearby, the cathedral close to the crash site, and even the building where the Aleris newspaper, The Chronicle, was made started to dance with flames. Those who knew minor magic spells started to do what they could; putting out as much flame as possible with water based spells. Healers came to tend to the wounded and usher them off the safer reaches of the city, but the fires were still lapping up the wooden parts of the building.

"Put the fires out!"

"Calypso, stop them! Stop the fires!"

"Larisa, help us heal the wounded... please!"

The cries within the city grew louder and an enormous wave of pain and remorse washed over the temples that housed the goddess of life and death. It was perhaps too intoxicating or dizzying for them to take immediate action.

Throughout all of the fires starting, the people had forgotten about the dragon that had descended with the airship. It was a small rest for the wounded beast, but the mother dragon started to get up, rocking back and forth uneasily on its feet. Holding the eggs carefully in her talons, she seemed to be staring at something unseen. At what was a seemingly feeble attempt, the dragon let out a threatening roar that shook the people that had gathered around.

It would do no good. The invisible target the dragon was watching had ripped through the beast, slicing across the stomach like a knife through butter. The wound was fatal and more blood poured onto the city streets. The dragon collapsed letting out wounded cry, blood spilling over barred fangs. Eyelids fluttered once, twice and then closed indefinitely. The dragon eggs rolled forward and the townspeople of Aleris, too stunned to do anything else, did not notice the previously invisible woman step forward and reach out to take the eggs with a devious smile curling across her lips.

----

Today was not the best day to travel to Aleris. At first stepping out of a gate, one might not notice anything but normal city life going on. But as the hour of the incident crept on, word had reached further throughout the city. The man who Kyrian had pointed to, thinking it was his father, met another person and then together both of them rushed off to assist in cleaning up the accident.

Where Sorvynia and Bansca had once smelled the salty, fresh air of Aleris' harbor, this would soon be replaced by the faint, but growing smell of burning flesh. Columns of smoke were rising up at the end of the city, spiraling into the sky. It was evident now, from no matter where you were, something was going on.