Krystal and Onyx were waiting by the fountain when Drake and Dri made it down. They said nothing, only followed her on the way out of the city. It's too early to really have a conversation anyway. As soon as they left the gates, they all followed the path that would lead them north, with a bridge en route to cross the river.

The walk was oddly peaceful, with the only sounds being made by the oxen or their feet. They even managed to avoid any bandits. Most bandits didn't start looking for coin until later in the day when most people would be on their way doing business.

Although it was peaceful outside, Dri's head was spinning. She was thinking about the slate, Duke Vedris himself, and Drake. Her thoughts also went to updating Benita on when they would return to Cassardis and any news from the capital, before she realized they were at the bridge. Crossing it, she pulled out her map.

"Which way, Master?" Drake asked.

"We head right. It will be past Windbluff Tower, according to the townsman. Well, let's head out."

As they started off, they all soon realized that this side of the river was not going to be as peaceful. There were the distant cries of harpies, along with more animal sounds. Pulling her bow off of her back, Dri nocked an arrow in case any harpies decided to attack them. Still they continued on, until a snow harpy flew out of a tree at Krystal's head.

Instantly, Dri released her arrow, sinking it in one of the harpy's wings. As Onyx and Drake rushed toward it, Dri nocked another arrow. If there's one, there's always more. Just as that thought was completed, another half dozen harpies flew at them, screeching. Dri shot as many arrows as she could into them, lest they begin to sing. Drake and Onyx handled the ones she took down, and Krystal made sure they were healed. Finally, the last harpy was dead. Dri replaced her bow onto her back, and led the others down the path.

Thankfully, they encountered no more harpies as they approached Windbluff Tower. Dri walked in, hoping to take a small rest before she and her party continued on. It was still morning, though the weariness from waking up pre-dawn had vanished. The soldiers greeted her, and gave her and her party a place to sit, rest, and eat a little before they continued.

After an hour of resting, Dri thanked the soldiers for their generosity, and continued to Hillfigure Knoll. As long as she headed north-northwest, she would be able to find it. No creatures, aside from a few goblins and more harpies, attacked them before Dri saw rock formations on the grassy plain. Is that a young man up on that one? she wondered. Once she was sure everyone was okay, she started toward it.

"Him who knows that I know what he seeks to know, knows it well, whiel he who knows not, knows not what I know, or know not." He stated, looking at the horizon.

"Okay?" Can't he just speak plain and simple?

Instead of speaking further, the man looked at Dri. She looked back, until she felt something odd in her chest. She looked down, and saw that it was glowing. Only this time, it actually began to hurt as well. Dri looked back, and instead of seeing the younger man, she saw an old one, with a familiar scar on his chest.

"You see me, yes?" he asked. Dri nodded. "Then congratulations are due. You have found the man you seek." He began walking toward Dri, still talking. "I am…or was, perhaps, like you." With this, the man bowed. "A child of man, bound to the dragon."

He was an Arisen as well? He could answer so many of my questions! The younger man stood beside him. Then this man must be his pawn.

"Well met, young Arisen. I am he who was forged by the dragon."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Come, let us talk more inside." The man waved them inside his home, and sat in an old stone chair.

Some hours later, Dri and her party reemerged from the Dragonforged's home. Her mind was spinning with the knowledge she gained on the dragon, what it meant to be the Arisen, and even pawns. She even had an answer for Ser Maximilian. Mind reeling, she dug in her bag for a ferrystone, and threw it into the air.

In no time, she was back in the Merchant Quarter in Gran Soren. Ferrystones are so useful and time-saving! Dri returned to the Noble Quarter to make her report to Ser Maximilian and begin another Wyrm Hunt task.