"Simona! Get down from there, you'll hurt yourself!" a dwarf shouted up a tree. "But, why? I can see out destination from here. It's . . . That way!" Simona hesitated, then pointed to the rooftops.

She began climbing down, her mind was wandering. She was gazing at the golden and auburn leafs surrounding her, it made her think of fire. Reality gave her a quick slap to the face of shock.

Simona's foot had slipped. She began falling down, grabbing at limbs or branches on the way.

She started to panic and reached for her knives. She dug them into the tree bark, halting her momentarily so that she could get a grip on the tree.

A smug chuckle signified that her companion had seen everything.

"So, 'Expert at climbing.' can be added to your abilities résumé." The dwarf greeted Simona as she got to the ground.

"You cheeky little..." Simona grumbled. "Gilia, if you want to show me how dwarfs climb and fall from trees, then you're welcome to this oak." Simona challenged.

"I would, but we're in a hurry." Gilia continued walking.

Simona shrugged and followed.

"What are people like?" she asked, after thirty minutes went by. "They have good taste in liquor and pipe weed." Gilia joked. When she saw Simona frowning, she added. "They're tall. Most of 'em are round about ten feet."

Gilia gave her a reassuring glance. Simona nodded, the city gate stood in front of them.

It looked like a very large door, looming up about twenty feet. It dawned upon her that this could be an average sized door to people. "Don't look so terrified. They wouldn't hurt a fly." Gilia smiled.

"But, didn't you say that they've slaughtered armies?" Simona looked puzzled.

The door opened to show and old gate keeper in rags. "Haven't seen a dwarf 'round 'ere for a while. What d'you want?" He spit on the dirt next to him.

"We're here for the festival." Gilia announced. The old man stepped aside and let them through, closing the gate abruptly.

"Are they all this ill tempered?" Simona whispered when they were out of ear shot. Gilia just shrugged dismissively and stepped into a shop.

The shop was filled with beautifully made swords and metal make. "Occupy yourself while I talk to the shopkeeper."

"Okay."

"Oh, and Mona."

"Yes?"

"Don't ... touch anything, okay?"

"Yeah, okay." Simona waved her away with a distracted hand. Her eyes were on a shiny iron sword with amethyst resting in the hilt.

She quickly glanced around before picking up the sword. It wasn't so big that she couldn't lift it, but it was a bit heavier than her daggers and short sword. Simona swung the sword, it cut through the air like a knife through butter.

"Some of my best work, ya know." someone commented. Simona jumped in surprise, practically bumping into a weapons rack. A dark haired boy grabbed her wrist, stopping her from falling into the spears and lances. "If I hadn't of been quick enough, you'd be payin' me for all those." He smiled.

Simona took her hand back and handed him the sword. "I- uh... It's a nice sword." She stuttered, not looking at him. He was about as tall as her, surprising since she had always thought they were ten feet or higher.

"Mind telling me what you're doing rummaging through my shop." He wondered as he set the sword in it's case. "I'm here with a traveling companion." She answered quickly, trying desperately not to seem suspicious.

"So, is this companion of yours a man?" He turned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Ah! Mornefindon, I couldn't find you. I see you've met Mona." Gilia greeted the boy. "Gilia, good to see you haven't been executed by orcs." Mornefindon raised an eye brow.

"They won't catch me yet!" Gilia laughed. "Oh, Mona this is Ciaran."

"Hello, I guess." Simona shook his hand awkwardly.

"You'll stay for the festival won't you?" Ciaran asked. "We wouldn't miss it for the world. Besides, this is her first time at a town like this." Gilia grinned and pat Simona's arm.