Lizard Called Jora

The following morning, my uncle and a few other visitors woke me up. The Royal Lizards came to the decision, hence their visit. "We'd like to use both methods, since that'd make the course much more unique. We really like the concept of using glass for some of these slides or loops, this will surely make the course stand out", one of them said.

Since the Royal Lizards approved my plan, the work could begin. Though the sand had to be sourced, stones were already available. Moreover, they promised to send a few people to the site. Some extra help would be really useful during the initial stage of the project, especially since we'd work with stones.

Once me and Curly arrived at the designated area, a few Lizards were already there. "We'll be helping the princess with the stones. There will be a few Atols arriving soon, since their expertise is better than ours. Please let us know where to start from", one of them said. "No need to be so formal, I'll be helping out as well. Anyway, we'll start from the very beginning. Here are the plans, have a look and tell me what you think", I replied.

The Lizards took a look, then proposed various ways to tackle the job. We chose the most suitable method, then moved and shaped the stones one by one. This would be time consuming, but since more people were on the way, the time required would of course decrease.

A few days went by like that. The Lizards were really helpful and hardworking. Moreover, they were proud to be part of such a project. They also grew accustomed to me, and stopped calling me 'princess' all the time. The progress was slow at the start, but when the group of Atols joined us, everything sped up considerably. Slides, loops and obstacles sprouted left and right.

They had experience, but more importantly skills. The plans were too easy for them to read, while jobs were carried out with much more efficiency. This was an experience for me too. They showed me how to better manage people and their strengths. How certain methods could make things easier for us, and so on. 'It's safe to say that without Atols, the project would take at least a month longer', I thought while looking at the progress.

Even though there was one such project behind my belt, working with stones wasn't easy. During the first project, we solely used the Formations in order to accomplish everything. The second project was a different story. We were actually building the course with our own hands.

About two weeks into the project, the first batch of sand arrived. The Atols in my team were skilled with stones, not glass. That meant, we had to figure out the proportions, duration and even temperature. I was in charge of that, since my Formations were of great use during the process.

"Don't worry about me, I'll manage. You continue with the plan. Gil, Redam and Pamal, you three should be able to handle the stones without me. Once I'm able to make the glass, we'll test out a few ways to apply it. Fenal, can you keep me company? I'll need someone to take notes of the proportions and whatnot. Besides, two people are better than one person", I said.

Gil, Redam and Pamal were the three most skilled Atols in our group. They knew much more about stones than me or anyone else on the team. Fenal was one of the 'leaders' for the Lizards' workforce. Since he and Jierm usually instructed others, I figured Jierm should be alright on his own. "Of course, I'll note everything", Fenal agreed.

We started out slow. Small proportions of sand to relatively small amounts of fire. That made us realise we needed a lot more fire or source of heat. Through various trials lasting a few days, we came up with a solution. In essence, we had to melt the sand like smiths melt the ore. There was a difference. Molten ore would act more like a liquid, whereas molten sand would act more like a putty. We could shape it with the use of tools, but moulding it was much harder than we expected.

Things like glass coated spirals, slides and whatnot, would become a nightmare to shape. 'We are almost a month into the project, yet the course has no glass incorporated at all. Moreover, I still need to place loads of Formations after the stone and glass work is done… I'll be here another two or three months, provided the glass coating works out well'.

That was considerably longer than the timeframe for the Woody's Course at Sedon. Though the reasons were good, I'd be really sweating if not for the Atols. With their expertise, at least the stone parts would be done much sooner. 'I'll probably take a break once the glass coating is done. After all, I promised them to come back home at least once'.

With that in mind, the work continued. Of course we tried coating things outside of the course first, just to make sure everything worked. The testing period alone took us another two weeks, but then we were ready to apply our experience to the real course. The process was slow and difficult. Glass could easily develop cracks, which in turn could break the whole coating. More importantly, someone could get injured, and that wasn't something we strived for.

Day in and day out, we worked tirelessly to complete the whole course. My estimates turned out to be completely off. The glass coating alone took us two months, not counting the preparation and testing period. We were well over three months into the project, but the basic structures were finally completed.

Mistakes were inevitable, but we learned how to repair small defects. Curly was a huge help during this phase. She'd run around the course the whole day, and notify us about any cracks or defects. Thanks to her alone we saved a few good days.

"You guys did a great job. This project was truly unique, so take pride in what we achieved. Now that the basic structures are there, the only part remaining is Formations. That's something you can't really help me with, but I'll be sure to invite you all once it's complete", I said. "No, the pleasure was ours, miss Anna. We believe this course will stay for years to come, and our names shall be remembered. That is the best reward anyone could bestow on us", Fenal said, while other Lizards nodded in agreement.

"We also learned something new. This project was truly eye-opening. The techniques to process and produce glass might come really helpful after people witness this course. We are also glad to have taken part, and shall await the completion", Pamal added.

"There's one more reward I'd like to give you guys. Just like my previous project, this one requires a name. Think about it guys, and try to find a suitable name… I guess don't choose too quickly, since Formations will change a lot, hehe. We'll see each other around, and surely after I'm done with those Formations", I said before bidding them farewell.

"You did great as well. With your help, we were able to save a few days… Yes, I can tell you want a reward as well. Hehe, I'll think of something. For now, let's head back home", I told Curly while heading towards the Quick Travel Formation room. There was no need to tell my uncle, since he was always busy with work. Leran on the other hand, left for Sedon. He and his friends had performances to take care of there.

Though visiting him wouldn't be a bad idea, he already told me not to worry. 'Perhaps our whole family should go. I haven't seen Leran perform ever since that day. Sure the crowd's there, cheering him, but his family is missing. I'll talk with mom and dad about it. Besides, Dante would be happy to see some performances, I'm sure'.

"Princess Anna, are you here to use the Formation?", one of the guards asked. After a slight nod, he told me there was a queue while pointing at another Lizard further away. The Lizard was mostly black in colour, but there were a few golden strands here and there. 'He must be one of the Royal Lizards, but seems a bit off compared to them', "No worries, I'll wait. A few more hours will change nothing for my parents", I replied.

To my surprise, the Royal Lizard approached us. "We should be heading the same way. I don't mind the princess joining me". "...Oh, I see. You must be on your way to talk with my parents about something. I'd be happy to go together, this will save me some time", I agreed to his proposal. Though Royal Lizards' visits were really rare, it wasn't out of the question. Besides, he had a business with my parents, not me. Otherwise, he'd already state it.

While we waited for the Formation to charge, I couldn't help but say, "You're going to meet my parents for some business, right? You guys don't visit often". "I don't leave Arangard often these days, but my purpose isn't business oriented. I'm simply going for a visit to an old friend. Oh, I should introduce myself. My name is Jora, the general of the Royal Lizard Army", he replied.

There was no need for me to introduce myself, he knew who I was but he never met Curly. "I'm sure you know my name, but this is Curly. She's my companion, and a very curious creature, right?", "Arf! Arf, arf…", Curly tried to disagree. "Yes, I've heard about the young princess who carries the cutest thing on her neck… Now that I think about it, no wonder so many females around Arangard wished to get their hands on one. Hehe, I pity the Humans who come here now, they'll be pressured with requests for such a creature", Jora said with a bit of chuckle.

"I don't think this sort of idea is proper. After all, Curly followed me on her own free will. These people will only try to harm and capture them by force. I don't care about profits or needs. If any Human dares to forcibly catch marten, I'll execute them myself". My words were serious, without a shred of hesitation. I've seen these people, how they treated others like profits.

"...You are his daughter after all. Behind this pleasant and modest front, there's a beast lurking deep inside. I wouldn't expect anything else from his child really. Hehe, I wouldn't stop you, since that's none of my concerns. Humans have been crossing the line lately. After all, they don't know your father returned. They still suspect that he's gone, what a bunch of fools. The North is strong, the Endrosian Empire thinks too highly of itself", he said.

"Though that could've been much different in the past", he added out of nowhere. My enquiring look made him continue. "Well, the North was a bit… Selfish in the past. Eterians, Furians and even Vanauts were our enemies. The Humans could easily take over our Obsidian Mountains, then perhaps Sedon and Boltier. The only reason they didn't was due to the barrier and Furians of course".

"Then your father came along. Let me tell you, the Royals hated him. They hated but also saw him as a good partner. Someone they could use to their advantage, but your father was no fool. He actually used them instead, no, he used everyone he saw fit. He didn't simply plan ahead, he knew people too well. He knew greed, yearning and other emotions that steer almost any race known to me. That's why we are so strong today. In reality, your father changed much more than you can see on the surface. We act as the Great North, not as Lizards, Shades or Voltars. That one change made a huge impact", he explained.

"That must mean, some people were not happy, right?", I asked. "Hahaha. Yes, indeed that's true. The pure embodiment of those who wish to have more for themselves, without a care for others. They were dealt with. Whether Royals Lizard or not, they were either locked up or executed. Perhaps that's a harsh treatment, but we were willing to change. Everyone was willing to cooperate but a few individuals…".

"We are not enslaved here… Other than the barrier trapping us inside. My view is a bit different though. Without that barrier, Humans would surely invade this place a long time ago. We might be prisoners, but at least we are free. A weird thing to say, isn't it? People will be allowed to leave the North sooner or later. Your father doesn't want to imprison us here for eternity, after all the barrier is mostly useless now. Hydra is gone, right? He simply wants the North to be strong, let others leave without a worry…".

"Some people doubt him, but I believe him. When he joined the deciding battle here at Obsidian Mountains, he promised to stop the war. That's exactly what he did. He actually pulled it off. He became the Dark Traveller, and even took down a being much stronger than himself. Those who witnessed that moment, hold him in the highest regards. He fought for us, even though he could simply leave this place. That alone is worthy of a legend", he narrated.

'He must know my father, since he speaks like that. Though, I feel that he's a bit angry at him'. I was about to ask him some things, but the guard interrupted us. "The Formation is ready, you may proceed", "In that case, shall we?". I followed Jora to the tunnel, and into the Formation room. "Hehe, a whole city had to pay for such Formation, yet you guys get one for yourselves", he said with a laugh. "Perhaps that is the case right now, but what about the future?", I asked.

He seemed a bit confused. "Why should we stop at major locations? Right now, Formation masters might be required to produce such Formations, but what about the future? Maybe we'll have better Formations, and these will become easy. Alternatively, more masters will arise. Maybe in another fifty or a hundred years, all areas will get a few of such Formations. Haha, I can already see people complain about walking or using Tauruses as the means of travel", I explained.

"Hehe, perhaps you're right. These Formations are rather new. With time, more people will learn how to produce them, and therefore more Formations could be placed. I'd like to witness that in my lifetime… Oh, you guys called your place Varia? What a weird name", he said. "It's from Hal Whstar, the language Frosty and my father speaks. Varia means something like variety, since a lot of different people come to visit us, and different animals as well as races live there", I explained. "Neat… Varia… Varia… Has a good ring to it. Alright, let's go", he nodded before activating the Formation.