His bag was laden with many things: rope, firestarters, maps, pots and pans, a tent and bedroll, a heavy blanket, and a journal. It wasn't much, and as much as he loathed the thought, it was practically everything he owned now. He had tried to find somewhere he could put his meager belongings when he didn't need them, but there was so little he could carry all of it during the day. Even a few months later, he was still staying in a temporary home, not having bothered looking for somewhere to settle in for himself. The very thought of staying here wasn't distasteful, he just didn't feel like he fit in, and yet he couldn't see a future where he could leave. Between the Templars branding him a traitor, his role in Edinmire, and the upcoming war against Nemurnal, Fennel just couldn't bring himself to leave.

Still, he had a job to do. Six days ago the Fox clans had shown up, and he was very persuasive in making sure one of them came along. It was actually easier than he had anticipated, with a few coming to him to offer their help. While he was happy to have them all, he turned them away. It was his idea to make sure there was someone from each tribe, one of each race that went with him. He wanted to make sure there was no single people who were left out, make sure every race felt equally involved. Keiren agreed that it was the right thing to do, and while Fennel had done a decent job recruiting more than just Keith and Natani, he still was missing someone.

The dragonfolk were like him in a lot of ways, and he wasn't sure whether he liked that or not. They had come from somewhere they did not want to go back to, trying to put their past behind them and start a new life. Despite their actions, they were still somewhat of outcasts in the community, but at least they had each other. Some were well versed in the art of trading, while others had great physical strength, and still more had other, less impressive, but still useful skills. As he wandered through the market, he saw one sitting behind a table with a hammer and chisel, creating beautiful wooden sculptures, while another tossed some wild greens in a large pot, the rich aroma tempting him dearly.

The streets were rather packed, and while he was wandering around, he wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for. After a while of meandering from one side to the other, his feet grew sore from the stone street. Taking a seat next to the large statue in the center of the plaza, he watched the crowd. While you were in it, it seemed to move impossibly fast, but watching from the outside, it moved at a snails pace. He thought back to a few months ago as he rested, how much things had changed.

He was still in a temporary home, one of many that had popped up as more and more people arrived, and yet there were also those who did not wish to stay in tents and large, cramped buildings. Beyond the town, scattered through the tents and fire pits were small homes of wood, with some of the older ones being made of stone. The changes were obvious even here in the market, as the roads were lined with merchants of all races and kinds, some who had been on their corner for years and others who were new. As he sat, some looked down at him with curiosity and others with kind smiles, and a few with anger or judgement in their eyes as they saw the Templar crest on his bag.

"I've never liked crowds like this. I always feel like I stand out too much."

Fennel looked over to see Haelith sit down next to him, her arm hooked in another's. "Scales always stand out, but yours are particularly vibrant. If you wanted to avoid attention, why not wear a cloak?"

"In this heat? I'll pass, and besides, I know that I'm not going to be gutted in a back alley for just existing here. Too many soldiers, no one would dare try anything."

"And you have me." Barret had not sat down, standing just beside Haelith to give her shade from the blistering sun. "If not my reputation, then my strength will keep you safe."

Fennel smiled. "You must be Barret. I remember you, sitting in the corner after the battle. We never really talked, but I've heard about you."

"And I've heard about you too. Found everyone for your scouting party yet?"

"Afraid not. Keiren and I want to make sure there's someone from every clan and race, but I'm having a hard time finding one of you scaled folks to go with me. Not that I particularly blame them. Wandering into human territory with someone branded a traitor to go toward the mountain of death isn't exactly inviting."

The two fell silent, and Fennel could see them glancing at each other, making the smallest of movements, a conversation without words. Barret seemed to be asking a question, and Haelith shook her head, but then seemed to relent as he stared at her. "I could go." he finally said, leaving Haelith stiff and uncomfortable.

"Really? You'd be willing to come with us?."

"I've seen the mountain, I've fought and destroyed Sentinels before. Never alone, but I'm far more capable now than ever before. And I grew up in the backwoods, wandering wherever I pleased. I know how to survive in the wilds. If we're forsaking roads, then traveling through the woods will be our only option, and I can make that far easier. There are a few others that I would think to be capable, but their courage is lacking. I'll come with you."

"I see. And what was that little chat you two had? You know each other well enough to talk without words, but to the rest of us, you need to actually speak."

They both glanced around to make sure no one was paying enough attention to them before Haelith sighed. "This is a dangerous mission. We still have to live the rest of our lives. I don't want to lose him."

"I know what I'm getting into, and it scares me. The thing is that I'm not sure anyone else would be willing to go with you, or would have the skills to survive. And I have to make it back. I won't leave my family; chosen or blood."

"Our plan is only to scout ahead, find out what we're up against, and if we can, find a tactical advantage. Personally I'd like to avoid being seen at all, though I doubt that'll happen."

"What do you mean by tactical advantage? How close are you planning to go?" She could not hide the concern in her voice.

"We aren't going to go to the foot of the mountain, but we are going to get close. Hopefully we're not going to be in too much danger, and I plan to get us all out at the first sign of trouble. All goes well, no one will even have to fight."

"I hope you two know what you're doing. You'd better come back. Both of you. I already kept you alive for fifteen hours, and pulled a dagger out of your chest. I've fought too hard to keep you both alive, and have no plans to go and fetch your bodies to do it again." Barret chuckled, shaking his head at his beloved's conviction.

"We'll come back, I promise. When do we leave?"

"First light tomorrow. I'll have to spread the word to the other scouts. Meet me by the northern gate before dawn."

…

He had finished packing a few hours ago, and was just waiting for her. It was going to be a two week trip, and they both wanted to make sure they had everything they needed. Who knew how long they were going to stay, and what or who they might run into. Raine was determined to take everything she could, but her bag was full to the brim already. "You aren't going to need a map of Durlon, we aren't even going there."

"I didn't think I would ever set foot in that city, and yet I have. Can you really blame me for being ready?" Richard simply shook his head, and looked at his hair in the mirror on the wall, which had grown to be a mess of red. It had been far too long since he'd been in the academy and had someone who could cut it properly.

"Still, we need to prioritize things we know we're going to need. You've barely packed any spare clothes, and you don't even have your tent." Raine stopped and looked down. He was right, she had forgotten the most basic of necessities in her focus on preparing for everything else. "I wonder if Trace has a spare bag? We still can't take everything, but we could share the load."

Raine shrugged, sighing heavily. "Are we really going to do this? Morlin's Hall isn't exactly going to be hospitable."

"The Templars won't be hospitable. The city is fine, we're just going to have to tread extra carefully. With a bit of luck, we'll be in and out without any issues."

"Is it worth the risk? Surely there's other libraries we could go to, other cities that would do just fine."

"Of course there's other cities. Of course there's other libraries. Of course we could go somewhere else. But is it worth it to risk even more time going somewhere that most likely still wouldn't have the answers we need? This is largest library in the world. If there's a book to be found, it would be there."

She could find no fault in his argument. "Alright. I'll go find another bag, you pack up the necessities in this one. I can put extra things in the spare." Raine left the room, and thought for a moment. There weren't closets with things just laying around, and the summoning runes weren't going to help either. In the last few months, there had been less and less things getting put into the magical storage, simply due to the fact that it was Mike who was in charge of it. He had to spend much time caring for other parts of the property, and was only one man. Regardless, she walked down the stairs, and caught a snippet of a hushed conversation.

"...soon enough. We can't keep it secret forever."

Barret sounded frustrated, and Haelith exhausted. They were below the staircase in the lobby, where only people right above them would be able to hear. "I know. But I'm not ready yet. What if something goes wrong? What if I get sick, and lose them? What if I lose you?"

"What happened to you being so sure of me that I would conquer death just to be with you? I would still do that. I will do anything to come back to you two. I promise, I will come back. You aren't going to lose me, and you aren't going to lose them. I know it's scary, but they will figure it out on their own. I'd like it to become known on our terms, if they haven't figured it out already."

"What do you mean? Am I really starting to change that much?"

Raine could hear Barret chuckle, and could imagine his smirk. "Only enough that I notice for now. I see a little strain on your scales. They don't quite lay flat right there. Normally, you keep them covered, but they'll start to show more and more."

"And does that change how you see me?"

"The more our child grows, the more I love you both. I fell in love with who you are, not just what you are. No matter what, I will love you."

She couldn't help but smile, so happy for them, but then something Barret said stuck out to her. She gave a gentle knock on the side of the stairs, walking around with a big grin. "You really should tell people. It's not fun having to keep it a secret. I'm so happy for you both, and want the rest of the world to share in that joy."

"I didn't know anyone could hear us." Haelith said, blushing.

"I only heard you because there was no other noise, and because I happened to be walking past at the right time. I don't suppose either of you know where there's a spare bag?"

"No. Where are you going?"

"Richard and I are going to go to Morlin's Hall. We haven't been able to find anything about Sentinels here, despite how many books Trace has. We've been talking about it for a week or so, and finally decided that it was time to just… what are you chuckling about?"

Barret shook his head, a grin on his face. "Your timing is just… too good. I was about to get packed to leave as well. Fennel's team is about to head out, and I'm going with them. It would just be convenient for you both to come with us. If I recall, it's not too far out of the way, and it's safer to travel in groups."

"I suppose you're right. It will be nice to travel with you both again, just like-"

"Just Barret. I'm not going to go." Haelith's voice was small, and there was a hint of sorrow. "It's going to be even more dangerous this time. They're going to scout the mountain, see if there's anything that might give us information. Barret will go. I won't."

There was silence. This wasn't goodbye, but it was still hard. "We'll come back. All of us will. I promise." Raine proclaimed, the conviction in her voice gave them all hope, as though they would change Fate itself to make sure she wasn't lying.