IT'S A LONG ROAD TO THE DWARVEN KINGDOM

Everyone looked towards master Talya in sudden shock.

"We're going all the way there like this?"

"No!"

"But, why can't we just take a teleportation pad!"

Titania was obviously distraught. There were many conveniences these days with teleportation arrays that could take you across the globe or even flying mounts or carriages carried by flying beasts. However there was obviously the old style dirt road path as well.

The road to the south led towards the mountains that made up the dwarven country and the jungles of the Beastman Empire. But both couldn't be reached without crossing The Star Swallowing Desert that stood before them now.

The only alternative was teleportation as there were constant fierce sandstorms that sprung up at random so traveling through the sky was nearly impossible.

Also there were many fierce beasts and many different stray tribes full of all types of strange races that aren't part of the main eight races of the elves, dwarves, fairies, humans, beatmen, dragons, witches, and giants.

These stray tribes with their often exotic races could be neutral, hostile, or even friendly but there was no telling until you actually ended up in somebody's pot after eating drugged food from "friendly" tribesmen. Plus there were many other unique and powerful things, entities, and encounters throughout the desert.

"We don't have any other choice," master Talya replied carelessly. She tightened the reins and with a flex of her will the pegasi they sat upon, whose fur which had been uniformly white and pristine had their fur change color to match the surrounding sand.

"There off we go now," master Talya said pleased with her work she started forward, and not wanting to be left behind, her three charges followed swiftly behind. Titania spared a quick longing glance behind her at the portal that had already disappeared.

Not satisfied with the answer Titania spoke up again a moment later. "Why!?!" Her question was one simple word but it was clearly loaded. Master Talya frowned, displeasure flashing dangerously in her eyes, but besides swallowing nervously for a moment, Titania refused to back down. Sighing master Talya finally relented.

It was a fair question after all and besides she'd rather not have that "princess" pestering her about this the whole time.

"Well 'KING' Titania! Firstly you can't simply teleport to one of the nine countries simply because you want to as I'm 'SURE' you know. It requires the royal teleportation pass for anyone not a citizen to even access any of the teleportation hubs in other countries. Secondly! I just so happen to need some ingredients that are in this desert. And 'THIRDLY'! My precious apprentice has yet to start his cultivation and we'll be going to some dangerous places! It's a long road to the dwarven kingdom and I intend to use this opportunity to start his cultivation as well."

After saying so master Talya sped her pegasus up carrying ahead so that Titania and the other two had to focus on keeping up and no longer had time to barrage Talya with questions.

They rode on like this for another hour or so before stopping to make camp near a small oasis they had finally come across.

Titania went off on her own to the edge of camp to start sharpening a shining bone white short sword she seemed to have pulled from midair.

Jared summoned Skye from his soul space and took him for a walk away from the camp to search for somewhere for Skye to relieve himself.

Meanwhile master Talya went straight to Azaire and the two relieved the pegasi and Azaire brought them into his spatial ring where they could graze and rest. After that task was done it was nearing sunset and the temperature began to drop drastically.

The shining golden sand around them was soon shaded by the twilight sky and the first stars began to twinkle out.

"Hmmm. This should be as good an opportunity to start as any. Let's begin your cultivation now."

"First we'll do some meditation beneath the stars, then I'll have you do some exercises, and finally there are some flora and fauna tomes that you've read I'll be quizzing you on."

"This is not your cultivation training per say yet but do not worry I already know what method I will be giving to you I simply want to conduct one final test. We will not start your actual cultivation until tomorrow however. When we do start I'll need you to be very well rested as it will take a lot out of you, but after these tests I will at least let you know what you will be doing for your cultivation. Any questions?"

"No?"

"Good. Begin!"

After her lengthy but rushed speech master Talya immediately set Azaire to work apparently not wanting to waste any more time today. As Azaire began his pre-training/training, Titania had already began doing her own self-training practicing sword forms and fighting imaginary opponents most likely utilizing some imagery training.

Jared and Skye had come back from their walk long ago and besides playing and cuddling they seemed to enjoy watching Azaire as he trained.

They probably could have come up with something to do, and Roran who seemed to have disappeared had long since convinced his brother before they had even come close to stopping to let him into his spatial ring as he couldn't handle the unbearably hot desert.

Unlike his mother Azaire had had no problem telling his brother about his ring or what it could do.

If you couldn't trust family then who could you trust?

Master Talya kept an eye on her charge and judged his progress as she set up a barrier around their temporary camp to keep out wildlife that wasn't their own and started a camp fire and a little cooking area.

Finally heading back to her charge to start his exercises. Jared who had already proved his excellent culinary skills took over making dinner and took time off of his Azaire watching to go hunting with Skye and after bringing back food he began cooking up a good meal.

It wouldn't be often where they could have a fresh meal and there was also no telling how long their food supply might need to last so it was better to save the prepared food they'd brought for later.

After making a scrumptious meal Jared went back to watching Azaire in his training and Azaire had ended up taking off his shirt after a while so now he was sweating and shirtless and it made it suddenly clear just how ripped the young man was.

It wasn't easy to see Azaire's nicely muscled and wiry frame when he wore his baggy clothing but now every glistening detail was made bare to the light.

'Sweet Mother Teresa where did this come from!?!'

Jared's thoughts were full of exclamation points as the young man gave him yet another shock!