Lord Tasar's Warning

The charted course Lord Tasar planned out required a little over a month of travel.

Lord Tasar's aircraft which can accommodate himself and several of his servants, Mika's shuttle was merely a little bigger than Lady Lyra's two-seater.

Though it has a cargo bay, resting area, and a bathroom, there isn't much space to do anything else.

The landing breaks Lord Tasar scheduled in between to stretch their legs gave Mika the chance to continue her training in the sword and bow.

Earlier on in their travels, Lord Tasar saw Mika practicing and let her hunt with his guards for their meals to get some real action training.

Since then Mika's archery has seen a big improvement, on some nights she was the one who bought back their game for dinner.

Close to the last leg of their travels, Mika decided to forgo the hunt and gain some intel before arrival.

Joining Lord Tasar and his eldest son, Elmer, around the campfire they discussed the circumstances in the Steppes.

"The Wild Enchanted Steppes is located southwest of the Kaia Kingdom. Situated between three kingdoms, the Kaia, the Baeca and the Merid kingdoms the Steppes became know as the neutral plains. " Mika nodded her head in understanding, she knew of all this from her readings.

Elmer continued on when he saw she understood this much.

"As you know the Steppes have no leadership its control by the clans that reside here. The clans give their honey to whichever kingdom they do business with. No one controls the Steppes, but also no one protects the Steppes. The laws of the three surrounding kingdoms are groundless here because of this the Steppes have been a place of strife. To survive here, one must have a strong family clan or a strong backing."

Taking a resting to sip some nutty ticker honey tea Elmer let his father take over the conversation.

"Though the conflicts between clans have settled down a bit it doesn't mean that the danger is gone. With the way most clan's trees are dying nowadays people are bound to get desperate and envious of others. Plus the lands and animals here have their own power that can't be overlooked. These are the reasons the three surrounding kingdoms don't bother claiming authority over the Steppes. It's a free but dangerous life."

Mika listened to Lord Tasar and his son words, she couldn't help to wonder about the power everyone keeps talking about in this land. Since two weeks ago their party crossed the Kaia Kingdom's border entering into the Steppes.

During grounding breaks Mika would tour the land with the hunting party, and yet she still didn't see this mysterious power they talk about.

"You said the lands and animals have a power that everyone is wary of, what is this power?" Mika was a realist. Even in her past life, if she didn't see it, it wasn't worth her time and attention.

Seeing the doubt but curiosity in Mika's eyes; Lord Tasar figured he needs to scare her a bit before she gets any foolhardy thoughts in her head while being under his care.

"Miss Mikaela, because you have not gone to school yet you might not know this but the Steppes was the first land and settlement of the first generation ancestors." Slightly surprised, Mika looked around the area, she did not know that.

"It is also the place of the war between us and the Umuris Empire. Many people lost their lives and much Fae blood was spilled here." The temperature in the area dropped at the mention of these two occurrences.

"Many people believe because of these two circumstances this land is sacred and has a mind of its own. It welcomes who it wants and banishes who it doesn't. Families have lost their lives here not to other clans but to the lands. One minute the weather would be warm and sunny then the next a blizzard freeze everyone in its path. Family members who have lived here for years will suddenly disappear. Never to be found because the landmarks moved or changed making people lose their way home. The many plants and animals that can cure or cause harm to people, the majority of them have been found living here. " When this was said Mika took a look at her own body, and the reason she was here.

Silence descended around the campfire all that could be heard was the winds sounded like the wailing of the dead. Mika shivered in her cloak.

Looking back at Lord Tasar Mika asked "Lord Tasar, why has your family clan stayed in these lands?"

"My first ancestor settled in these lands and my clan operates well in these lands there is no reason for us to leave." Lord Tasar took a look at the people around him.

"Miss Mikaela, the reason I'm telling you these things is for your protection during your stay with me. But please remember that I am the Udava clan head, my responsibilities lay in taking care of the clan and the people who depend on me. Do not disrupt my duties with recklessness." Looking straight into Mika's eyes, Lord Tasar wanted to make his stance clear.