"Freeport brings back a lot of memories." Brand said as he stood and looked at the new inn, The Winderchaser's Port.

Caleb and his childhood friend, Wintercloud, owned the original Winderchaser's Port over three years ago, but in the year Brand joined them, the inn was burned to the ground. The inn was rebuilt and now was owned by the old head maid, Lanie, since Wintercloud and Caleb were both gone. The human took over the management in honor of her deceased friends.

"Ssshall we go in and sssay hello?" Slith waved his hands towards the doors.

"No. We have to get to Rivervale. We can't delay or Lielay may never be rescued." Brand sighed and started to walk away.

"How long it is too Rrriverrrvale?" Kel trotted to keep up.

"Too long for you, feather-butt." Slith tripped the griffin.

"I hope the sssun frrriesss you till yourrr crrrissspy, ssso we can have lizard-on-a-ssstick." Kel waved his wings and took flight.

"That wasss a good one, griffin friend." Mirk laughed aloud.

"We could alssso have fried chicken too, birdbrain." Slith angrily shouted up.

"Enough!" Aubrey turned his head back and stared Slith down.

"What happened to your sssense of humor and wild daysss, Aubrey?" Mirk quickened his pace to walk with his human friend.

"It died with my brother, Yumil, and Albain." Aubrey held his head up higher and walked in silence.

Not another word was spoken as the group left the Freeport gates and headed towards the Commonlands. Kelvren soared lightly through the clean afternoon air with the sun shining down on his glistening feathers. The crown of golden feathers on his head gleamed brightly like an undying, radiant light that never failed to shine.

Shaking the neck of his thin woolen robe, Slith gazed ahead and welcomed the sight of trees and shade. The barren lands that lay in front of Freeport were just too hot and depressing for the lizardman. Stepping on the grass that began the boundary line for the Commonlands, the iksar sighed with relief and wiped the sweat off that was forming on his scaly forehead.

Mirk slowed for a bit to follow behind the others he traveled with. His dark gray eyes swiveled to and fro looking out for any dangers that might befall on them. Mirk looked towards the sky for a brief moment to see if Kel was going to land soon; he was right. The griffin was circling above the trees searching for a place to land.

The group moved on slowly through the vast ocean of tall trees and chattering wildlife. At first the path was scarcely surrounded by the forest, but soon enough, the mighty trunks closed in and the air became dense. Sporadically, there was a large gap in the canopy that allowed the five to see the sunlight and breath easier. But those occurrences passed quickly and yet again they were trudging along, taking deeper breaths because the air was so condensed.

*****

Wiping away the single tear off her cheek, Lielay furiously glared at the high elf, Papsworth and forced herself to walk. The two dark elves that worked for Papsworth were flanked on either side of her so she wouldn't try to run away again. The male, Vinx, eyed her and gave a small chuckle.

An hour before, Lielay's hands were untied after having the crude ropes dig into her flesh for the past couple of days. No sooner did she get the ropes off, Lielay pushed the female dark elf, Victoria, to the ground and took off running. She would have turned around and casted a harmful spell, but her powers were forever gone, so Lielay continued to run. Lielay was very fast, but not long after her escape, Vinx caught up with her and lunged for her legs. Lielay fought like an animal, but in the end, Vinx over powered her.

Papsworth strutted before her like an over-arrogant warrior that has just won a competition. Lielay snarled and turned her head so she didn't have to stare at the pompous ass. Her silky brown hair fell over her eyes as she looked to the ground to avoid the sigh of Papsworth. She gazed at the dying grass of the Karanas with a lost look in her eyes.

"This next task is just to humor myself." Papsworth said aloud as a farm appeared ahead of them.

"Why do you play games, Papsworth? Are you too afraid to face and battle me fairly?" Lielay spat.

"Oh, in time I will battle with you or your rescuers, but in this moment in time, I will leave a trail for your precious friends to follow." His light green eyes flared.

"What does this farm have to do with the next clue?" Vinx grumbled as the large fenced property came very close.

"I have paid this farmer a wealthy sum to help me. After out friends get the clue from Rivervale, they must come here, find this farm, and.do some chores for the farmer." Papsworth laughed at the thought of it.

"What kind of chores?" Victoria arched her eyebrows as her purple eye scanned over the numerous farm animals.

"In due time, you'll find out." Papsworth walked up to the large farmhouse door and knocked. The door opened and the man that answered smiled widely and welcomed the four in. Lielay was pushed rudely through the door and it shut quickly behind her.