Chapter 1

“I still don’t understand what we’re doing here in Dunmouth,” Taliesin sighed.

“There’s work here, Taliesin - might as well get some coin while heading north. There’s no harm in it.” His companion, Bran, led the way.

Elowen, the newest addition to their traveling group watched Bran curiously. “Look how happy he looks. This man is on to something Tally. Or he’s possibly on something…” Elowen smirked, “tell me again, Bran, what kind of herb did you find outside of Granthers? Was it Aetherleaf? Is that what you’ve taken now?”

“Look,” the brown haired victim replied in protest, “everyone knows that if it’s purple and green, then it means it’s safe and clean.”

Taliesin snickered at his friend’s erroneous mnemonic.

“Really?” Elowen jeered, “then what does pink and green mean? Does it mean you speak gibberish and consume anything that’s barely edible and then puke it all out a few hours later? I think - and I could be wrong here - that the saying goes, if it’s purple and green, then it’s a dangerous thing. Green and Pink, means it’s safe to drink.”

Taliesin’s snicker exploded into full-blown laughter. He doubled over, his vision blurred with tears as he fumbled for something to steady himself.

Bran, increasingly sheepish, “you could have warned me you know.”

“We did!” His friends objected.

“I mean, before I ate it.”

Elowen rolled her eyes and tried to share a look with her other partner. It took him a few moments, but he finally wiped his eyes clean of any tears. “Come on now, tell me why you begged me to come over here. There are so many better routes around Shone’s wall.”

“This route, my dear Taliesin, has the most options. We can make another attempt through the wall with all these here tools.” He made a motion with his hands as if he revealed Dunmouth’s grand market. “And there!” He said giddily, “an inn, next to a Gryfalcon station, next to a carpenter, next to a blacksmi-”

“We have eyes too.” Elowen snorted.

“Get coin!? You’re here to spend it!” Taliesin complained. Then he snapped a suspicious look towards his friend. “I hope you don’t think I’ll cover it.”

Elowen snapped her eyes towards the local tavern.

“Gryfalcon’s Perch!?” Elowen squealed. “Oh I’ve heard their Frostfeather’s mead is to kill for.” She started to run off, “sorry, gotta go, looks like I’ll have Renet’s blessing tonight.”

“It’s the middle of the day! You can’t keep drinking like this!” Bran shouted. To no avail, she kept her long stride until she disappeared into the tavern. He shook his head then faced Taliesin. “There’s a woodworker here we need to see.”

“You couldn’t have mentioned it earlier?”

Bran started to lead the way over to their destination. “I wanted to be quiet about it. I didn’t want the Aelorian to hear our secret.”

“She’s barely Aelorian, you know that.”

“Whatever, thank Renet she’s an alcoholic,” he muttered, “the woodworker - he and I have… a history… but he sources his wood north. He’d be the best person to find alternative routes to Shone.”

“Wait, what do you mean, by history?”

“Uh - let’s just say it was me not him.”

“What?”

“Turn back around Bran!” A voice shouted. The pair reached a wooden shack on the edge of the market. The roof was low enough for Taliesin or Bran to touch with outstretched arms. It was littered with a plethora of tools. Many of the tools were hung in a lackadaisical manner, as if the owner was too bothered to put them in their rightful place. The man himself wore a sawdust ridden apron, which made it hard to discern the original color. He waved a chisel, aimed at Bran’s face.

Bran, unbothered by the hateful mannerism, continued his advance towards the man. Bran raised his palms towards the sky. “I just want to talk, Elias, pretty please?”

“Two years, without a word, no letter? Now here you are, with what?” He readjusted his chisel to where Taliesin stood, “one of your, lovers?”

“Lovers!?” Taliesin almost choked.

“Come back now, to rub it in my face? Eh? He almost looks like me.”

“I do not!”

“You’re what I see whenever I come across a dirty mirror.”

Taliesin tried to find a rebuttal, “no, you’re what I see when I come across a dirty mirror.”

Bran put his hands together as if he were praying, “Elias, we’ll buy everything that’s for sale. Please, we just need to talk.”

“We,” Elias made a pointing motion between himself and his former lover, “can talk. Leave your lover out of this.”

“Taliesin, you better rush off.” Bran said in reply.

“Tell him I’m not your lover! Nor will I pay for everything!”

“Yeah, in a bit. And I’ll pay for most of it!”

“Oh? I get it now. Shoo coin purse, get out of here - go get yourself an actual profession while you’re at it.” Elias made a sweeping motion with his hands as he talked.

Obviously in dismay, Taliesin opened his mouth to continue his argument. But before any words came out, he decided it wasn’t worth the energy. There’s much to do in the area, and arguing with Bran can be done in any location.

He turned away from the pair of ex-lovers and headed over to the main market area. He scouted around. He was hoping to find a leather worker, perhaps a swordsmith, and maybe a general store wouldn’t hurt either.

He stopped by a Gryfalcon. They were large bird-like beasts. About twice the size of a normal horse. He watched one as it cleaned itself, each feather was roughly the size of Taliesin’s forearm. The giant bird peaked its head out its wing to inspect Taliesin. The bird cocked his head, keeping one of his eyes trained on the man.

“I think Borus likes you,” a soft voice said. “He probably thinks you taste good.”

A woman appeared from behind the gryfalcon. Dirt and other things were shoved in small pockets of her disheveled hair. Her hair was short - it was cut right below her chin - it looked brown. But after closer inspection, hints of blonde could be seen underneath the dirt. Besides the clear feminine voice, Taliesin would’ve mistaken her for a boy. She looked young, slightly younger than Taliesin, so just reaching adulthood perhaps a few winters ago. Her eyes were hidden behind her desheveled hair.

“I don’t think I’ll taste good.”

“He needs a healthy diet of people. Why do you think it’s only me working here.”

“You can’t be serious, because if so, your promotion might be short lived.”

The woman chuckled, “yeah, the master gryfalconer is just getting some supplies. What do you need?”

“I’ve never seen a gryfalcon up close like this. We don’t have them where I’m from.”

“Yeah, Haford likes to keep them close. We’re the only ones that west-most from them that has a gryfalcon. A couple years ago the gryfalconer found him wounded near Shone, must’ve gotten hurt trying to pass over.”

“I’m guessing he won’t want to go back?”

“No luck, even if the gryfalcon was ok with it - the gryfalconer wouldn’t allow it. Why would you even want to go that way? Shone has closed itself off from all of Taeleer’a, and has threatened anyone that comes near.”

“Yeah… I’m aware. What about north of Shone, like Ormstormyard or Soneley?”

“Yeah - the falconer wouldnt mind taking you over to Ormstormyard, but you’ll have to wait till he gets back. Bout a week or so.”

“Say, since we’re here - do you know of any odd jobs here and there?”

“Eh, I don’t go out often. But you could ask our carpenter, Elias. He sometimes goes out to other towns. Pretty social person, I’d say. Really kind soul too - he’ll surely help you-”

“Uh, anyone else?”

She tilted her head with curiosity. After a moment she said, “yeah the blacksmith has contacts all over, he might be your next best bet. But- he’s out today - something about seeing some relatives.”

“Who’s in today?” Taliesin sighed with slight frustration.

“You know how it is. Bout to start getting cold again. Tell you what though, Gryfalcon’s Perch got ton of travelers that come in and out.”

“I’ll try it out then.” Taliesin started off down the road. “Thanks - I’ll be back in a few days then”

The woman nodded. “It was nice to talk to someone other than Borus.” Borus softly cheeped when he heard the sound of his name. The woman turned to reply, “yeah, Borus, you are a great conversationalist - but you’re gone often here and there, you know.”

Taliesin barely passed a few wooden structures before smelling a faint scent of sweet yeast and cooked meat. The sun painted the sky a scarlet hue as it started to disappear behind the horizon. The wind gave Taliesin a chill, warning him of the coming months.

As he opened the door to the tavern, the murmurs of voices swelled into a cacophony. He scanned around, a pair of men sat in the far left corner of the tavern. The grislier of the pair looked around anxiously - as if he had to be worried that someone was listening. Near them were a group of travelers. One wore a light shade of green that, it was barely noticeable under his dark skin. The other two looked like they were arguing. On the other side of the wooden building, bar stools lined up against the polished counter. Elowen could be seen in the deepest corner, nearly face down on the counter. On the other end were a pair of two soldiers. A human male wore a leather pauldron on his right arm, while the other was a Sylwean female. They talked between flashes of coy smiles and glances.

A large oblong table rested between the counter and the bar. Roughly ten sat at the table, each deep in conversation with their fellows. Identical wool tunics and a disciplined demeanor. Some of them were bouncing in each other’s conversation as if they all had shared experiences.

On the other side of the wooden building, bar stools lined up against the polished counter. Elowen could be seen in the deepest corner, nearly face down on the counter. On the other end were a pair of two souls. A human male wore a leather pauldron on his right arm, while the other was a Sylwean female. They talked between flashes of coy smiles and glances.

A large oblong table rested between the counter and the bar. Roughly ten sat at the table, each deep in conversation with their fellows. Identical wool tunics and a disciplined demeanor. Some of them were bouncing in each other’s conversation as if they all had shared experiences.

Taliesin scooted by them to get to get to the counter. “Mum,” he thought he heard his friend mutter. He sat next to her, intrigued by her drunken murmuring. Unfortunately, she looked up before saying anything else.

“Elowe, I think it’s time to get you to bed.”

“The night’s still young, Tally” Her breath nearly poisonous.

“That means you’ll have plenty of rest when the morning comes.” He attempted to help her out of the stool. Reflexively, she made an attempt to stop him. With ease, Taliesin avoided her rebellious manner and managed to sling her arm around his nape until her hand rested near his shoulder. He noticed her mug wasn’t fully empty, “one for the road,” then finished the rest. The mead coated his tongue in a sweet ensemble, barely a bitter aftertaste remained. Behind the mug, he saw the bartender standing expectantly.

“Sorry.” Elowen said with a sheepish smile. Taliesin sighed, and patted down his companion until he heard coins rattling. “Careful don’t there, you’ll make me bl-”

“Please, stop talking.” Taliesin exhaled - unable to hold his breath any longer.

He placed four Taelmarks on the counter. The man didn’t attempt to take it. Five? Six? Ten? The man reluctantly took the ten coins and empty mug while huffing disappointedly.

They managed to squeeze past the table of men. A few of them inspected the pair. Once they managed to get through, Taliesin swore he heard them whisper his name. He shot back a glare - but they looked disinterested as if they weren’t watching him before.

The door swung open as soon as they reached it.

“Bran, help me.” Taliesin grunted.

Immediately the red haired companion tucked his head under Elowen’s other shoulder.

“Again Elowen? Nosterafu is going to sell her soul if she keep drinking like this. Why do we keep dragging her along?”

“We wouldn’t be able to find our way outside town if it weren’t for her.”

Bran kept the door open with his foot as the pair dragged their limp companion, “there’s a group of smugglers that operate out of Ormstormyard’s port, we can grab a carriage out towards Brumerid and then travel on foot to the port.”

“You ever travel by Gryfalcon?”

“I hate flying!” Elowen protested nearly puking.

“See? Only issues with her,” said Bran, reaching for the inn’s door, “that’d be perfect though. We’d be in Shone by the time winter hits.”

“We just need to wait a few days until the gryfalconer can take us. But I’ll have to talk to a blacksmith about a job for us to do in the meantime.” They moved towards the corridor of rooms. “Take my Taelmarks and pay for three rooms.”

Bran undid Elowen’s arm and reached for Taliesin’s pocket. “Actually,” he took out Taelmarks for only two rooms, “I have a place for the night.” Taliesin saw his friend flash a devious grin.

Taliesin shook his head, “fine, I can take it from here.” Before Taliesin finished his sentence, Bran was already out of the inn

With much effort, Taliesin managed to assist Elowen into her room. It was dimly lit - some moonlight came from a small window - opposite of the doorway. There was a bed and chair alongside the left wall.

Taliesin leveraged Elowen’s own weight, abruptly maneuvering her into the bed.

“Gently!” As her head smacked the pillow.

Her friend chuckled and pulled the blanket over her.

“My boots are still on.”

“You’ll be fine.”

The woman puffed her cheeks then turned away. Taliesin waited for a second, making sure his friend was settled. Then, he turned to leave.

“Wait.” Elowen begged before he reached the doorway.

“Elowe - I’m tired.” He looked back with irritation. However, he saw his friend’s eyes glazed over, and beads of tears started to form.

He sighed and sat in the chair that was adjacent to the bed. He shifted in the chair, trying to find a comfortable position. He was unsuccessful.

“I’d kiss you goodnight, but you’d probably finally accomplish killing me with your breath.”

Elowen’s expression eased, and her eyes started to close. More tears continued.

“We’ll get them, I swear… Elowe.”

Elowen didn’t respond. Taliesin was confused why her tears prolonged, even more so, when he noticed that she fell asleep wearing a faint smile.

Her mouth moved as if to say a word in her slumber.

“Home.”