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"Watch out, so those big ambitions don't squash you," Leila replied dryly and Erbrow added a loud, rumbling laugh. "Oh, Myron, my fellow, we do not know yet who will be following who," he said cryptically, but it probably caught the girl's attention more than their young realm traveler's. Leila pursued her lips, pulling cloak tighter around her body.

"So, tell us why you've decided to accompany us?" she asked in nonchalant tone to the black skinned male, after guards inspected them and let them past. "Oh, milady Leila, how can I pass the rare chance to spend time with such a humorous fellow and beautiful lady as you?" he chuckled, striding with long steps, but somehow managing to not run ahead of the other two.

Under the hood, the young woman rolled her eyes. The feeling there was more to the situation than it showed didn't leave her, but maybe she was simply getting too cautious... But was there even such a thing? Suddenly, Erbrow excused him self and disappeared in one of the side streets, after promising to rejoin them at the inn.

And so he did, with a bright smile, and moments later, he would have paid for their rooms and a meal - no, a feast. Apparently, the myth of dragons never spending their riches was not completely true... Or he had a lot of those.

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It would be few hours after the fruitless search for ship that an elderly man would come up to the duo, or whom of the two he could find. He was limping, the leg he must have lost years ago, replaced with strange metal device that was slowly stopping to function. But the man had not come to beg, he had come to offer a deal.

"I heard you are seeking a way across," he began cautiously, looking from one strange creature to the other. "I can take you across. It will take days three, two and half at best, but by the time we're there, you would have just started sailing if you waited for the big ship..." He coughed. "For a good pay, though, it is not easy preparing my boat for such travel..." Expectant look and tone was obvious.

Myron grinned proudly."Hey, Leila. I think he was talking about you when he mentioned the humorous fellow." He chuckled like a child who had just said a bad word. For the remainder of the travel towards the Inn he stayed next to Erbrow, though. The dragon was less likely to slap him over the head for such comments.

Back at the inn, both Myron's and Borris' jaws dropped at the sight of all that food just for them. Without words, the Djala ran for the table with his monkey, chomping down on whatever foods he could get his hands on."Borris, say thank you to the nice dragonman." Myron spoke with his mouth full. The little squirrel monkey looked at Erbrow, and then back at Myron, making a screechy sound."I'll thank him later!" Myron replied to it. Displeased, the monkey grabbed a hot potato and made way for Leila, as if to make Myron jealous. But the boy was too busy eating.

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The man's offer struck Baron Coldfire as a blessing. His disposition changed. He was much more friendly now."My friend, you are a gift from the heavens! We desperately need to cross the sea. Give us your price, and it shall be paid a thousandfold!" Gnashing Bones shook his head."Don't take him litteraly. But we do have quite some wealth on us. Get us across the sea as quickly as possible, and we shall reward you, and not just in coin."

"You're such a lady, aren't you," she replied dryly, either not harmed by the comment or just not bothering to hurt someone as puny as Myron. Other than that, Leila traveled silence and even when they were in tavern, she remained quiet, eating some of the food, but mostly playing with the little monkey whom seemed to have the most of her interest out of the bunch travelling with her.

Erbrow however - well, he ate and spoke a lot. And enjoyed songs from the local bard as well as had a good deal of drinks, but apparently dragons (or this particular one) had a very good resistance to alcohol, since he didn't seem to change at all. Or maybe he was always drunk? There was a gleam of friendly laughter each time he looked at the boy, enjoying all the delicious food. He questioned Myron about his world some more, but mostly, the evening was spent in chatter about this and that, but nothing certain.

When the meal was done and talks died down like the fire, Erbrow and Leila departed for their rooms. One slept as soundly as someone who had flied a good deal of distance, but other had a light, nervous sleep as if someone was about to attack her... Them. Something did make her awfully uneasy these days. In the morning, she looked even paler, slight circles under her eyes, lips in even thinner line than last night.

The dragon made sure there was glorious meal for breakfast as well, and now he seemed to be intent to have the two accept his offer of flight.
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The man looked taken aback by the sudden friendly attitude and generous promises, then grew a bit suspicious, but really, he had nothing to lose, so, the man spoke up: "Me thinks we start sailin' tomorrow, but we can tonight, if the sirs want so."

Myron gladly shared information of his home world, though most of it sounded cryptic and complex, just like this world was to Myron. Still he did his best to sound logical, though most things were simply different.

Djala in general weren't used to alcohol, and it didn't take long for Myron to drop his head on the table. Even with all the food he had eaten, the alcohol tuckered him out. When Borris noticed that, he put the Djala's hood back over his bald head and went back to feasting. It was amazing how much such a little creature could eat.

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"We sail tonight." Gnashing Bones spoke."We've wasted enough time as it is. We must get going as soon as possible." Coldfire seemed to agree and nodded."Yes. Take your time on the preparations. I've got something to do." The baron didn't even wait for a reply, he just walked off.

When Coldfire was alone in an alleyway he opened his coat, which revealed what he had hidden. Two blue glowing imps were gagged and tied down by rope, squirming about when they saw daylight, and next to them were small sticks. Coldfire took an imp and ungagged it. It screamed loudly in fear while the Baron expanded the stick to make it least two meters long."Oh, stop screaming. You're a goodbye present to this lovely town." He grinned as he pierced the pointy end of the stick through its heart, sliding it all the way to the middle. The poor creature was still alive and flailing about, but Coldfire didn't seem moved by it.

He threw the stick like a javelin, straight into the village's center, where it would remain for everyone to see... for now.

The black skinned man had brought young one up to Myron's room and put him in the bed, when the inn keeper grumbled about young drinkers and sleeping at table. But it wasn't very loud complaining, to not anger or annoy the generous patron who spent a nice sum each time he visited. Erbrow was not a stranger to this town, apparently liking to follow the ships to Mainland every now and then.

On top of that, they were with Shadow. If she would give one of her icy, long gazes to the innkeeper, he would fear for his life for at least a month. It wasn't known that she would kill random people in her way, but there were lot of rumors about her. Honestly, wandering around like this, not denying her work, was a challenge in it self. That woman had a lot of guts... Or she simply didn't care. In any case, those purple eyes scared many when they turned in their direction.

The two were sitting at table, discussing something now, when Myron came closer, he would catch the end of the conversation. "Fine, you will fly us to the Capital. One landing in Rasth," Leila said in a manner that clearly showed there would be no more debating about it. "Great!" Erbrow agreed, grinning and then greeted Myron. "How are you this morning, good fellow? Ready for another flight?" he inquired.

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The villagers looked warily and with disgust at the pair and their parting gift. Even the man that had offered his services looked uneasy, but didn't back out from the plan. His vessel was small and shaky, but could support maybe five people on the deck. It was half moved on with the force of magic, half by wind and water it self and seemed like the magic part was steadily failing. When the travel was about to begin across the stormy waters, the runes on mast kept blinking and the ship shook as if coughing few times, but then began moving and rather smoothly so.

Myron's head felt like it would explode any moment now. He really couldn't handle alcohol as well as he said he could. He slowly walked down the stairs when he caught part of their conversation, with eyes that proclaimed "kill me". He took a seat, and didn't even have an appetite."I feel like a horse just puts hot lead through my head and wiggled it around." He said as his head dropped onto the table."I'm good at drinking alcohol." He obviously lied."Your earth stuff is just way too powerful."

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((If you dislike this situation, it can easily get changed))

The pair seemed to trust the vessel well enough, and once they were far enough out in the sea. Coldfire grinned. His hand had turned glowing blue."Twas a shit town." He spoke as he clenched his fist. What happened then was disaster.

The imp in the middle of the street exploded. And in the distance ships could see the town completely freeze over. Icy spikes that looked like crystals emerged from the houses and reached into the air, making the place look like a crystallized castle. When the explosion happened everyone could feel a cold wind emerging from the little town.

Coldfire smiled widely, proud of his creation. Even Gnashing Bones didn't say anything about his action.

Leila's lips curved up in a slight smile, one that could be translated as "I knew it". She didn't seem to have much pity for the poor guy... Then again, getting drunk was one of the most despised things on the list of all things humans could do. Not that she generally expressed this particular dislike more visibly than all the other.

The dragon, on the hand, made a clicking noise with his tongue and shook his head slightly. "My my," he chided softly, then stood up and went over to the counter. Soon, Erbrow returned with fizzling cup of what looked like light green foam. "Should help, just drink it all up," was the simple note to that.

The drink was sour and sizzled in mouth, but did not burn Myron. Just tasted weird and after that, made his stomach make weird noises, but headache would retreat if he would drink it all up and upset stomach would calm down. "You better be able to endure the long flight," Leila muttered, glancing sideways.
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The man leading ship froze, nearly literally, but was afraid to ask any questions, in case their anger would not be thrown at him. He should have considered that right now, the strange pair needed him... Not that it ensured any safety after they arrived on Island.

Myron gladly accepted the miracle drink. Even though it tasted like a cat's barf, he drank all of it. It did indeed help as his appetite came back as well. He nommed down his food with glee before getting up."Alright, let's go fly and meet my people!" He said as he jumped a little. He didn't forget he was supposed to meet his worshipers.

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Baron Coldfire spoke to the clearly scared man."Remain loyal to your Baron, and you have nothing to fear from me. What you saw there was a town of disloyal pigs, do you understand?" The towering Abyssal spoke."You are different. You're loyal, and this deserves reward, not punishment. Get us to the other side, and you will gain enough money to start a new life better than this." With that he walked to the top of the deck, pointing his macabre wolf head on a stick. His feet were frozen in place, so the wild storm and waves did not move him from his place.

Gnashing Bones was down in the belly of the ship, reading through his gigantic tome. This would be what he kept doing until talked to.

Leila barely touched her food and drank only few sips of the water. The dragon gave her few looks, but she ignored them, or simply didn't notice, her eyes were more empty than the day before. In truth, the girl was holding her self in firm control or else her hands would slightly shake. Something was going wrong, with the medication and herself... The sooner they reached the capital, the better. That's why she had accepted Erbrow's offer, not slipped off with Myron in early morning.

When all had finished to eat and bills were paid, dragon returned, right to catch Myron's exclamation. "Your people?" Erbrow inquired in curious tone. "Are there more of your world here on Island?" Girl pulled the hood over her head again, fastening it under chin with intricate clasp with amethyst eye, so this time wind would not blow it off and the group moved out of the inn, towards the field again.

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The man did not seem entirely convinced, but did not say anything, just focused on the small ship that was swaying in the waves. The weather was not pleasant and soon, the captain was more like a wet rat than anything, but he was quite durable, not backing off until wind retreated before dawn. Few hours he slept and then returned to the post at steering wheel, when the waters became uneasy again.

It was a long, hard day when few times it felt like the vessel would be swallowed by the ocean or simply broken apart by them, but eventually, the weather calmed in the night and the old man could have some more of a rest.

"No. Just some folk who think I'm going to save their world. They can help me with getting to the Unconquered Sun, so yah. Time to be God." He laughed as he walked outside, where he'd crawl onto Erbrow's back to fly away.

The Djala did not notice Leila's trembling and would remain oblivious for a while. Borris did realize something was wrong though, and offered himself as a distraction for her.

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Once the weather settled down, Coldfire went to his bunk, complaining about how cold he was, like usual. This time it was Gnashing Bones who held the wolf's head pointed, but soon he had to ask the captain to hold it. He had no muscles after all, and it was a miracle he could even hold his Tome.

"Not god," Leila corrected, but did not elaborate further, even though the black skinned man asked for a deeper explanation. Since none was offered, his attention was turned back to Myron. "Our savior, you say? A huge task for a small newcomer, I say." He stepped deeper into the meadow now that the group was at the edge of it and stretched out, grunting low in pleasure as fingers reached for sky and then clasped in fist, as if trying to capture the clouds in palms. Next moment, the transformations began and Erbrow's body twisted and changed in what still looked awfully painful procedure, until the black scaled and quite magnificent creature stood before them. Soon, they were his passengers again and he took off to the sky that he indeed feel as his home.

"Indeed, indeed, seeing these followers now is my wish," he rumbled low as if a late afterthought, when wind already whooshed around them, tugging at hair and clothes. The dragon flew quickly, but smoothly, each powerful wing move taking them further up and away from the coast down. View was beautiful, even in this late autumn morn'. Mist was crocheted over the fields and meadows, like a coat around the patches of forests painted in various colors and only to the south, trees formed a massive gathering that reached to the horizon as far as the eye could see. Now they could see hills starting off near the coast that grew taller and steeper quickly - the premise of the mountain 'backbone' of the Island.

Leila's eyes scoured over the scenery and deep down, she was moved by it. It was not the first time she saw it from above, but not quite for so long and it indeed was beautiful, if cold, morning. She had settled in the yesterday's warm spot, sitting up straight like a match. For a moment, the girl even stopped playing with little monkey, but then her attention turned back to Borris.

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The man looked reluctant to do that, but agreed to help out for a bit, but soon objected that he can either keep the ship above the water or hold their 'fancy' staff out here. In a way, he really did have a point.

According to his own promises, it would be another day and half until they reached the coast, because the wind was not in their favor all this time. Still, it was much better than waiting back in the harbor as their captain quietly wished to remind them, in case strange passengers were displeased with these news.

Myron relished the view. This was as if he was flying in a First Age flyer, back then Solars created amazing machinery that achieved nearly as much as this world has. It was hard to believe Myron didn't find himself in the First Age, but another nearly similar world.. or dimension. It mattered little. He wanted to go home, and hopefully with new knowledge.

The Djala clutched himself to Erbrow's furry patches, feeling great in the direct sunlight."Were we going to do all this walking? Sheesh, luckily we got ourselves a dragon taxi."

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The pair of Abyssals waited patiently until they would reach dry land. The macabre wolf head's eyes seemed to stretch a little."hm. Something got them moving fast." Coldfire said."Double time, boys! He's not going to wait around forever!"

"There are other means of transport we would have used, but, yes, this is faster," Leila replied, voice nearly torn apart by the wind. The hood hid her face, seemed to swallow her even, as if there was just a frail, little girl underneath the thick cloak. And was it not the truth? Her hands were ice cold, fingers not so nimble now when playing with the little creature, but the movements were nearly automatic. It was strange, since the miniature wings sustained warmth quite well.

However, Myron's words had been heard clearly by Erbrow, bringing out a loud laugh. "Dragon taxi? An unique addition to the list of my nick names!" As they continued on, there was not much of consistent conversations, although Erbrow told random facts or myths of the places they flew over. Some were simply ridiculous, others had a note of tragic, but it was apparent it was just the top layer and simply chose to not delve further right now.

With passing time, weather had warmed up and sun cleared out the fog, revealing landscape in all its colorful glory. It didn't seem that the dragon got tired, only nearing the evening the flight speed lessened slightly and it was because they were near their first stop - Erbrow simply didn't have to rush anywhere anymore. In about half an hour, they could see the city clearly. It was much bigger than the harbor, settled among three lakes on a hill, various tower roofs glimmering in the sun.

If Soena was the Capital of the Island, then Raef that lay before them was the Capital of Mages and Wizards. All that was magical and did exist (no matter if it should or should not) was rumored to be located here. With at least three underground and another two sky levels, it represented both the glorious and horrible. That was the introduction Erbrow gave about this city. And as they flew closer, endless activity in the tall buildings and countless platforms (both floating and linked to ground and buildings in various ways) could be seen. Humans, elves, creatures that Myron probably didn't know the name of...

The dragon chose one of the largest platforms that grew out of one of the towers that apparently was something like a hotel and landed there, letting the passengers get off safely before transformed in his human form. It couldn't be beyond 5 o'clock in the evening, the speed of flight had surprised even Leila. She looked nearly disoriented and didn't push the hood off just yet.

"Oh milady, it tortures me to see you so tired, therefor I will take our good fellow off your beautiful hands for the rest of the day, so you can rest fully," Erbrow spoke, a grin lighting up his face and the girl finally took the hood off, purple eyes looking nearly black in pale face as she stared piercingly at much taller male.

There was silence for this moment between them and then she shrugged. "Fine. But I will see to that you are responsible if something happens to him, not me." That sounded a bit like a thread and probably was one, too.
"Milady, you wound me with your distrust! Nothing that should trouble your sharp, but tired mind will befall us!" the dragon passionately promised, bowing with hand to his heart and with that, they split their ways, Leila heading into the inn-hotel to rent the room.

"Good fellow, anything you would like to see or purchase for further travels?" Erbrow inquired to the younger man, mischievous glint in the jade colored eyes. Apparently, if Myron didn't have an idea, he did.

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"I be tryin' my best, really! The winds are against us!" their captain exclaimed, probably scared that the two strange wizards would turn their wrath to him if he didn't manage to raise the speed so they could hunt down whoever the unfortunate soul was they were chasing. "Maybe you cans do somethin' 'bout it?" he inquired shortly after in curious manner. If they could control the ice, maybe they could control the endless winds as well?

Myron had been looking with much interest, though about when Erbrow was explaining about the many places, Myron pretty much zoned out, thinking about a mechanical monkey clasping two cymbals together.

Once landed, the Djala was glad to be able to stretch his his legs, and so he did. He jumped around and flailed his arms about for a while until Erbrow started speaking to him. Though it didn't look like it, Myron had heard what was being said between Erbrow and Leila."That's not very professional, Leila. I thought we were becoming friends." He spoke with a fake sadness."You know, I've always wondered if you guys had pandas running around. Also I'd like to buy a shrubbery." He answered Erbrow, dead serious.

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Coldfire liked the man's fear. His show of fear was like respect for him."If I could do that, don't you think I would've done it already, peasant? Try to make the best of it. No exceptions." Gnashing Bones looked at the scenery without doing anything.

"Pandas, you say?" The dragon pondered for a moment, apparently trying to put an image to the name, then shrugged. "The black and white bear kind used to live on Mainland, I think, but there are just a few left, if any." Maybe later Myron would learn that this was the fate of most animals of Earth and especially the ones of endangered status even in the more prosperous times. However now Erbrow did not linger long on this matter - what was gone, was gone and could not be retrieved.

"But as for shrubbery... I know just the place!" His grin was mischievous again and he didn't even question why did his small companion desire to have a potted plant of his own. So, he took off towards one of the small platforms on the edge of the landing one. As they both stepped on it, it slipped away and down to the ground at medium speed and small railing came up to hold on. It didn't look very safe, though, and a person with acute fear from height could as well slip and fall, but maybe there was some emergency protection. It could never be known with these strange devices.

When they landed, Erbrow advised Myron to stick close and mingled with the mighty crowd. There were people of all races and colors (quite literally, as some feline-eque beings were black, but other with wild cat markings and some of the typical humanoids had dark skin with bright markings... And those are just some of the examples.) The dragon served like ice breaker as the crowd parted slightly when he moved forwards, but he was not the bulkiest of all men present. However, the trip was not far - they stopped on another platform that descended, taking them into underground.

This level was not less crowded and if one was to judge, people seemed to be even weirder here, but he continued to stroll in casual manner. Apparently, Erbrow knew well where he was going and why, even when he 'dove' in strange looking side street and took three turns (you could have sworn they weren't there before!) But finally, they arrived at something that looked like market. A huge one at that. Tents, items, sellers, little houses in not their best shapes, people, items, people, sellers... As far as eye can see. And oh the noise.

If Myron was not lost by now (in case he was, Erbrow would have realized it not very long after and began looking for the companion), they would continue onward. Stands of various things, starting from weird pets (a furball with mouth half of its size, full with teeth and ability to make awful sound was one of the cutest), strange furniture (you could bet it moved when you weren't looking (but it certainly was looking at you) and eyeballs in glass boxes were all arounds, forming even small streets, but in the end, they came across what seemed a plant seller. It was big, burly man with various scars on arms and even face, amid his plant and tree emporium looking both weird and fitting.

Some plants looked dead, some kept expanding in front of the watcher's eyes. Some blossomed with hypnotic flowers but others smelled like death... Or paradise. Erbrow exchanged few words with the man and he groaned something, but then disappeared at the back of shop and returned with arms full of pots. He put them down and displayed various potted bushes, some with flowers, other with berries. And one... One kept constantly moving and in the end, struggled out of the pot, standing on a strange arm with a hand, other two reaching around, apparently trying to topple the pot over and break it. "Pick what you like, fellow," Erbrow said with a laugh.

This place actually had people in it?! This wasn't exactly a structure they had in Creation. There was so much that was advanced here, strange even for a Solar who's mission it was to gather technology. Myron stayed very close to Erbrow, like a boy would stick to his mother in a very busy mall. This place didn't frighten him, but he had no idea how it would work. Myron's monkey didn't seem to have as much trouble with it. He stayed underneath the Djala's hood like a wig with a head.

Soon they had reached the shop, Myron looked around with interest."hmm... Nope, not the type of shrubs I expected." He said as he looked at them. Until his eyes landed onto one shrub that had a couple of red and purple leaves."Whoa! WHOOOAAA!" He suddenly yelled as he looked at it."WHAAAOOOOOW!" He stroked one of the leaves with the tip of his finger."Shrubsalesman, where did you get this plant!?" He asked with interest.

At first, salesman grumbled something about "customers that didn't even know what they want", when the young boy inspected his offer, but when one of the tiniest caught Myron's eye, brightened up. As much as a man with scar over his left cheek and mouth that makes his face stiff cheer up. "Ayy, that was lon' travel, it was. Went all across the land and... even beyond," last part was added with a chuckle, that sounded more like evil cackle than small laugh.

"If ya like it, grab it, just recently split it off a big ol' one, so it mighta be picky and bring a lil' trouble, but I'm sure capable guy like yerself can deal with it." And so, if Myron indeed favored this shrubbery over any other, it soon came to be in his possession, with help of rather heavy pouch being handed over. The salesman also gave some supplies, such as bag of 'soil and enrichment' for the plant. He also said that on occasion, Myron would also have to water it, but 'it does pretty well on its own'.

"So, my friend, what would you desire to see, do or achieve now that you have found a shrubbery to your liking?" Erbrow inquired, apparently not annoyed with how much the plant had cost. In fact, it seemed the choice of it had amused him - maybe he knew something about its kind that Myron didn't? Even if so, he probably wouldn't reveal it now.

Myron was grinning from ear to ear like a child who just received a lollypop."O boy o boy o boy boy! Once I harvest this beauty's leaves, I'm going to fire twice as powerful pellets!" He hopped around in joy with the shrubbery in his arms like a giant teddybear.

"Hey, Erbrowdude, you mentioned we're magic country, right? Is there some place in the wilderness that gives off the most magic radiance? Something tells me this 'ere plant is going to bloom once we find it." He grinned again. Should he have known just how much Erbrow paid though, he might have had apologized. But seeing as he has no idea how the currency here works, he ignored that fact completely.

The dragon was satisfied to see young companion so happy. Although Myron seemed generally cheerful and lighthearted, it was nice to know he had gotten something to really make him smile. Did Myron feel thrown out of the boat in this new world, scared or worried for the situation even if only in the deepest corners of his heart? Erbrow didn't know, but guessed there wasn't going to be much of those things in the near future - whatever Leila had gotten Myron involved with, it was not going to be easy and fun.

He liked pleasing and entertaining the people he met on his journeys. Mostly, humanoids were like his little cousin of sorts - annoying, foolish, but lovable and funny. Besides, it took a little bit of effort to bring a smile, to brighten someone's life. What goes around, comes back around...

However, when Myron asked about such a place, Erbrow frowned slightly, not able to give a direct answer right away. "There are quite a few, but in the far south, most big ones are located. They happen to be chillingly dangerous on top of that as well. The big marshes and La'ren forests... Yes, it could come from there." As the dragon spoke, he began walking again, out of the market and probably back to the hotel as the shrubbery wasn't exactly the best cargo to hauled around.

Myron for once listened attentively. Like the scientist he was back in Creation, he had a big hunch that these magical areas were what he was looking for; The Wylde. Or as he would call it "The Back Door." The Wylde was a place not many people dared cross for its unreliability. Many folks have had horrible experiences inside of that place, though some came out better, smarter, or richer, though most don't come out of it at all, turning into Mutants or simply dying.

Myron followed Erbrow."If it's too far, I won't ask you to bring me there. We wouldn't want to keep my people waiting now do we?" He grinned, the prospect of people worshiping him was a lovely one. Exalted usually got a bunch of worshipers or cultists somewhere in Creation, but Myron never truly had any. He preferred to keep his powers to himself instead of flaunting them about and getting Immaculate Monks chasing him as if he was the devil reborn.

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Meanwhile the duo could see lands in the distance. They were nearly there, and Baron Coldfire sighed in relief. This trip made him anxious, and he wanted to punish the sailors for that, though Gnashing Bones forbade it.