"There it is."
"It's actually real."
"We're finally here."
"We made it." Trace, Flora, Natani, Keith, Zen, and Barret stood in awe. The morning sun caused the whole world to have an orange glow, and the trees popped with color. On their left was the ever present mountains, tall, watching, imposing. On their right was a vast forest as far as the eye could see, trees with red, orange and yellow leaves. And before them was a sight they thought would never come.
Lyn'Knoll.
"We should be there by noon." Zen said.
"We'll find an inn, then figure out what to do from there." Trace said. Everyone began walking, but Barret remained frozen. A few steps, and Flora turned around.
"What's wrong?" She couldn't hide the concern in her voice. "I thought you wanted to come here?"
"I… I do. It's just… Now that I see it, I can't help but wonder…"
"If you'll fit in?" Keith asked. "If you don't fit in with them, then you'll fit in with us. Now come on, we go together." Smiling, Barret followed.
The town of Lyn'Knoll was a shockingly big city. Walls of wood and stone surrounded it entirely, with three gates going in and out: one on the west, one south, and the last east. Buildings of gray and black stone were mixed with ones of wood and even clay, as though the buildings here were representative of every culture that had come through. Wide streets snaked their way from one area of town to the next, and small alleys, back roads, and pathways connected the rest. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the streets were filled with movement.
They approached the city from the west, and passed between two Tiger Keidran guards. A portcullis hung above, and a mix of human and Keidran guards patrolled the walls. Inside, the town was like any other they had seen: Humans, Wolves, Tigers, Dogs, Foxes, even a handful of Basitin roamed from one building to the next. No one really seemed to care that someone new had arrived. Flora was ecstatic, her eyes wide as she took in everything. Keith and Natani walked together, holding hands as they went up the road. Trace tried to pull Flora along, but ended up mostly being dragged behind her as she ran toward the middle of town. Zen and Barret pulled the rear, and walked calmly, taking it all in. "Well? Is it everything you dreamed it would be?" Trace asked as Flora pulled him over to a fountain at the center of town.
"I'm not sure! I haven't seen everything yet! Come on, let's look around!" He had barely had time to stand up straight before she was pulling him along again.
"That might be the last we see of them today." Barret chuckled.
"Don't worry. Trace gave me some coins. He figured this would happen." Zen walked over to the inn, and went inside. Cozy, small, just like any other inn. The sign outside said "Aelgo's Shadow", and a small bell rang as they opened the door.
"Ah, visitors!" A fox behind the bar said as he looked up. Setting down the cup he was cleaning, he walked around to greet them properly. "Welcome, welcome. The name's Kemnet, how can I help you today?"
"We need some rooms. Three, if you have them." Zen replied. Barret looked around the building in wonder and awe.
"Of course, of course. You have more friends walking around?"
"Yes. My sister and her Basitin, as well as our friend Trace and his fiance."
"Ah, lovely. Do you have bags to bring in from your wagon?"
"We didn't bring a wagon." Barret said, still taking it all in. "We braved open country. No roads, no cities, no people. No problem for us."
"Indeed? Surely you must be ready for a break from all that."
"You know what? For once in my life… I am." Barret smiled. "I've never been inside a building like this."
"Really?" Zen sounded shocked.
"Nope. I've lived on the road my whole life, I've been hunted my whole life. Anywhere I go I'm treated like an abomination, like an outcast."
"I assure you, my fine scaled friend: that will not happen here." Kemnet tossed a collection of keys to Zen. "Your room keys. You are visitors in our city. Tradition is that the first night here is free. Enjoy your stay, and let me know if you need anything at all."
"Oh! Thank you!" Zen and Barret headed up the stairs to their rooms. "108, 109, and 110. Trace and Flora, Keith and Natani, and the two of us?"
"Works for me, though I warn you that I snore like a beast."
"Who doesn't?" Chuckling, they opened the door. Two beds, a side table, a window, two chairs, and a rug. It wasn't a large room, but it was warm, had a roof, and they weren't in danger of being stabbed by anyone or anything. Claiming the bed on the left, Zen threw off his bag and flopped down with a sigh. "Oh, yeah. I've missed mattresses. Don't get me wrong, I like camping as much as anyone else does, but a good night's sleep is something wonderful."
Barret chuckled, and looked at his own bed. "It does look nice, but…"
"What? Have you really never slept in a bed before?"
"If I ever have, I don't remember it." Cautiously, he sat down. The bed creaked beneath his weight, but held. As he leaned back, his tail wrapped around his side, and a deep, heavy sigh came from him. "This… I'm going to need one." Zen laughed, and light laughter from the hall drew their eyes.
"Comfy?" Natani asked with a big grin. Zen tossed a key to her.
"Like you wouldn't believe. I feel like never moving."
"Well, you'd better not fall asleep yet. Kemnet told us he's making a feast for us, town tradition."
"I'd like that."
That evening, the six of them were answering dozens of questions. Trace and Flora had been running around most of the day seeing everything there was to see, from the walls to the markets. A good mix of humans and Keidrans filled the lower level of the inn, which, like most inns, doubled as a tavern. A wild boar had been roasted for them, and served with fruits, veggies, breads, nuts, berries, and sweets. Deep into the night they talked about their journey, their traveling together, how they all met, and how they decided that it would be beneficial to travel together. How they grew closer to one another, and how Barret was part of their chosen tribe now. How the Templars were mobilizing for war. How the bitter cold slowed them, how they survived, and how they were determined to see their journey through. Drinks were raised, toasts were made, and everyone, even Barret, ended the night smiling and laughing. They had made it. It took 45 days from the Legacy Estate, but they had done it.
They had made it.
The knocking hadn't come for two weeks. Eric had hoped it would be done. But as he opened the door, he found himself staring at seven Templar soldiers. "Can I help you? Or are you going to ask the same questions you've already asked me a dozen times?"
"Oh, we are not here to ask questions." A man with a blonde beard and moustache walked forward. No hair on top of his head, and a helmet under his arm bore an insignia that told Eric this was a Commander. "We just wanted you to know that there is an army of wolves about three days out, and we are trying to evacuate all civilians."
"I'm not going anywhere. I was given power over the estates defenses, and will keep this place safe until my friend returns. Wolves or no, I will not be leaving." Eric made to close the door, but the Commander stopped him.
"I can't make you do anything, I understand that. But the wolves might not. You have three days. Stay or leave, it's your choice." The Commander let go of the door, and stepped back, allowing Eric to close the door. Turning around, Eric heaved a sigh, and looked up at Mike and Evals, who had been listening from behind a plant. Their inquisitive looks asked everything they needed to without even saying a word.
"I… I need a drink."