- The Cliffward Pass

The road out of the outpost could have been said to be in a much better shape than the city itself. Endless followed the stone path outwards towards the rolling mountains and hills of the East. Their view was magnificent.

The morning light every dawn painted a golden glow across the sky, hitting the mountains like a mirror. The pale and blue morning light when the sun reached high in the sky told Lia all she needed to know about their history.

There was a reason the locals called these mounds of rock and dirt "The Blue Mountains." She saw their beauty with her own eyes.

"What's the fastest route to Kokono?"

Rian asked, his voice bellowing from the back of the line. He had volunteered to carry a lot of their supplies, claiming that it was good exercise for him. And while he was slower than the rest, he didn't seem to show any signs of exhaustion in his face.

"We'll have to head a bit south first. Then hop on the Wayward trail that snakes through the Crescent mounds."

Lukali began listing off the different places they would have to pass through, Wayward trail being the main one. A long and twisted trail that leads from one corner of Morden to the other.

From one coastal wall to the next, a fact that Lia was all too aware of.

Not only had Morden built walls and borders along two other kingdoms, constantly engaged in border wars and skirmishes with different people who got too close, but they had also defended their coast quite well.

From large stone walls to giant boats made of Redwood, they had created the perfect isolated environment for themselves. An environment they hoarded to keep the world out.

"Even then it will take a few days to get from one city to another."

At this, Rian sighed, the weight on his shoulders feeling just a little bit heavier.

"Great…three days of traveling from Neverdark to the Outpost, and now we've got to travel dozens more miles just to get to a f*cking village."

"It's not just any village Rian. Lukali grew up here, and it happens to be the 'safest' place in Morden at the moment."

Lia called out from her point on lead, Lukali between her and Rian with his bow at his side, ready to provide support.

"You couldn't have just sent them a postcard?"

He asked Luakli, somewhat exasperated in his voice, betraying the exhaustion they were all feeling inside from nearly five hours worth of walking.

At his words, Lukali chucked, his voice somewhat solemn.

"I wish I could. But unless we want someone like Four eyes to come back again, this time much worse, my father would want it to be in person."

Rian nodded his head, continuing on up the large dirt trail that followed the side of the mountain's cliff face.

"Yeah, yeah. When we get there though, I'm giving your father a piece of my mind. Let him travel seven bleeding days across Morden in Autumn weather."

Unlike up north, Morden was fairly well south, only the lands of Safaria and the Southern Isles father down wind. But, unlike the vast desert oasis that occupied Safaria, and the lush and beautiful sea beaches of the Southern Isles, Morden, being 80% coast and 20% bordered off by two kingdoms, they experienced some of the worst winter weather recorded in history.

At least what could be assumed due to their reclusiveness.

"Why can't we have f*cking snow for once. People across the borders get tons of snow and yet we rarely see a wink!"

Rian continued complaining about the lack of cool weather in the later seasons of the year, when snow and cool temperatures should have been natural.

"Yeah, you're right there Rian. Gods, you would think that since one side of the borders is full of snow, while the other is so dry and humid, there ought to be a blend of sorts, shouldn't there?"

Lukali gave his own opinion on the matter, believing that even the most northern parts of Morden would have some sort of cool winds or snow.

Lia however, hearing the details of the conversation, preferred to stay out of it. Anything to do with borders and border talk she didn't want any part of.

She trusted Rian and Lukali, enough that she would risk her life beside them, but even then she had kept the details of her home a secret. After all, had they known she came from a country that had once been their main enemies, she didn't know what they would think of her.

Much less being a princess.

'And right you are not to speak on that.'

Cain's voice was ever present in her mind, some form of supporting character to her head.

'It's not like I'm just going to pop out on them and say, 'Hey, you know your most hated enemies - the ones who liked to attack you several decades ago? Well I happen to be their unwanted princess! Sorry to keep it from you.' Yeah, like that would be a good idea.'

'Just making sure.'

'Cain, I'm not stupid here. I know when to keep these things to myself.'

'That's not what I'm worried about.'

Lia frowned, her pace slowing.

'Then what are you worried about?'

'I know you're smart enough to keep it hidden. And I know you're brave enough to think about the possibility of telling them. But Lia….'

'Go on.'

'...there will come a time when you will have to tell them. This isn't' about keeping it from them, or even mustering up the courage to speak with them. It's the fact that you have to tell them that worries me.'

'What's that supposed to mean?'

'Lia. Have you ever thought that, when this is all over, when you begin to believe that you're ready. Ready to go against your parents, to get back at them. Have you ever thought about what will have to happen then?'

'You mean telling them. Telling them…who I am.'

'Yes. What did you expect? Did you think that you would just continue doing what you've always done with them, pick them up and place them in a world they've never known? A word that has completely different rules and views on people?'

'I…I-'

'To some it might be adventurous, awe inspiring. But a majority of them will be afraid, scared and shocked. You'd be forcing them into something that they might not want.'

'I-I know that. Cain, you don't have to worry about me. When the time comes, I won't hide anything from them. I'll tell them…I will.'

'...that's not what I'm worried about, girl. It is how you will react when they say no.'

Lia didn't say anything, her head spinning in a swirl of possibilities, thoughts, and memories that made her afraid.

To combat that fear, she thought best to change the topic of conversation.

'You know how condescending it sounds when you call me 'Girl?' It makes me feel like I'm a child.'

'Your former master talked to you in this fashion. Al Shir wasn't afraid to call you that, nor were you offended by it?'

'Well…Al Shir is an old man. It sounds different when he says it compared to a person who looks like they could be my husband.'

Cain laughed aloud, his laugh echoing distantly in her head, like he was in a vast empty room with only one window to see the outside world.

'Lia, to me your both children. I've lived for eons, he's lived for what, 70 years. 80?'

She sighed, knowing full well that she was a fool to make the distinction that Al Shir was older than Cain, forgetting that he was a summons.

'He's 75 actually. And for his age, doing the things he does, it shocks me that he can still take on an army alone.'

'Well, having a Laviation at his disposal does make him a powerful warrior, and an even deadlier sea commander.'

She shook her head, imagining what that monster could look like at its home in the sea.

'It still shocks me that his summons is a scholar class. I have never seen a scholar class that big and deadly.'

'That's why his Laviation is one of a kind. I know only a handful of Scholars, but they are all less what you'd imagine than you think. Besides, his sea serpent is technically a beast, but is smart enough to be classified as a Scholar. He's one of those gray summons who doesn't really belong to one, as he does two.'

'The rules of summons still hurt my head.'

'They wouldn't if you would actually pay attention to when I teach you about something. I feel like I'm talking to a wall.'

Lia didn't bother responding, his eyes being attracted to small dots above the edge of the rising dirt path. Small gray and green rooftops made their appearance and instantly Lia knew they had arrived.

"Rian, Lukali! Hurry up!"

She turned to call back to them, the two still deep in conversation about something she didn't know. Probably the weather if she had to guess.

Trunking back to the rooftops she had seen just before, Lia hurriedly climbed the path, reaching the top in seconds.

There, before her eyes she found the sight of a small town, quiet and quaint, situated on the edge of the mountains side.

The two mountains beside one another, narrowed into a small V shaped path that snaked through the mountain's bottom. And along that path, a town was formed, small houses dotting in and out of the mountains sides, different buildings of different sizes and designs sitting on top of one another.

"Ciffward pass."

Lukali said, joining her in gazing at the sight from her side. Rian himself was leaning against a large rock breathing heavily, and Lia couldn't help but frown.

"You know Rian, if you want we can carry some of the stuff."

He waved it off, gesturing to the town.

"Nonsense. I'm only carrying fifteen pounds more than you both. Besides, we've reached a stopping point haven't we?"

"Yeah, but…fifteen pounds over five hours of walking can do some pretty nasty things to you Rian."

"What about you Lia?"

He said through labored breathing.

"You're caring what, 40 - 45 pounds. Well I'm only carrying 50, and you seem to be fine, and if you're fine, then I'm fine. Trust me."

Lia wanted to speak, but kept her mouth shut, seeing clearly how this was just something Rian had decided. He wasn't about to give up on something he said he would do, and Lia knew better than to ask him to.

Besides, she didn't want to tell him that it was Cain's magic keeping her from getting tried. In fact, the items on her back were mostly utilities. Pots, pans, tents and sleeping bags that Randolph had sold them. A payment of sorts for their efforts in taking care of Kara and the stampede.

Until now, they had only been using blankets to keep themselves comfortable, as they all packed light. It was nice to have something to sleep on for a change.

Lia turned to Lukali with a curious gaze.

"Is this the last stop before we reach Wayward pass?"

He nodded, motioning along the mountain's ridge line where Lia could see just a small outline of a path that led downwards to the ground.

"That trail will take us as far as the next nearest town. After that we should be on Wayward pass. This is a sort of Checkpoint for travelers, so it isn't very big."

"Lets just hope they have an inn with rooms to spare."

With that, she set off towards the town, her eyes sparing glances to every nook and cranny in the town's allies and shaded areas.

Though she didn't see too many people on the tail with them, Lia knew this was one of those back-routes people often took when they didn't want to be seen too often.

A trait she was all too wary of.

She had no idea how right she was, for rumors spread here like poison through the blood.