yeah, I know what a dragon is. Holy crap, are there really dragons here? Are they big? Do they breathe fire?”
“ Ye sound like ye want to encounter one. If ye did, ye would not live to see another day. Very dangerous, are dragons. Thankfully, there are none in these parts.” Kornal pointed to the mountains far to the north. “Ye would have to journey many days into the Bohanis if ye truly wanted to see one.”
Steve thought a moment. “Okay, no dragons around here. What other types of animals live in this land? We saw a pair of griffins yesterday. I was almost dinner for them.”
“ Aye, there are plenty of griffins in these parts. They can be very dangerous if provoked. Ye are not allowed to hunt or kill a griffin. Considered to be sacred. Not sure why.” Kornal scratched his beard. “There are no shortage of griffins here, that is for sure. The best advice I could give ye would be to steer clear of ’em.”
“ How many people live here? Are there others like yourself and your wife?”
“ There are several large villages. The closest can be found to the west. Avin. ”
“ Kornal, think carefully, have you encountered any other travelers that appear to be total strangers, like us? More specifically, an old man named Simon, or a woman named Grace?”
Kornal thought a moment. “We do not get many travelers throughout these parts of the mountains. Of the few that we have met and spoken with, there has not been anyone calling themselves by those names.”
“ What about people that looked completely out of place, such as ourselves? Do you get many visitors like that?”
“ Nay, no one like that.”
Steve suddenly brightened. “What about points of interest? If someone were to come to this place from a far away land, what do you think they would like to see? ”
“ A‘poynt o’ intrehst’?”
“ Okay, okay, let me think. What about a ruler? Someone in charge? If a distant traveler came to this land looking for the representative of…” Steve paused a moment. “Exactly what land is this? What do you call it?”
“ Ye are standin’ smack in the middle o’ the kingdom o’ Lentari.”
“ Kingdom? Then there must be a king and queen?”
“ Aye, Kri’Entu and Ny’Callé.”
“ Where do they reside? I mean, how would I find them? They might be able to help us.”
“ Their majesties are very kind and generous. They would find a way to help ye. The king and queen hold court in R’Tal. That’s several days journey from here, due east as the griffin flies.”
“ How difficult do you think it is? I mean, do you think Sarah and I could make it?”
“ Aye, there are several roads that will lead to R’Tal. We will give ye enough supplies so that you can make it there.”
“ Thanks. Again. We really do appreciate all you’ve done for us.” Steve paused for a moment. “Is there anything that can pose any problems to us on our way there?”
“ There is always a chance that somebody or something would do ye harm if given a chance. Their majesties, however, have enchanted the roads to keep folk from harm.” Kornal’s look became stern. “Do not risk yer lives. Do not stray from the passageway, at least until ye have the castle safely in sight.”
“ If the roads are safe, then we have nothing to fear, right?”
Kornal shook his head. “Friend, ye do not have knowledge of our kingdom nor our ways. That in itself will put ye in grave danger. Just get to the king an’ queen as soon as ye can. Do not stray,” Kornal repeated.
“ Stay on the road. Got it.”
Kornal went around to the back of the hut to clean the rypo. Suspecting their host was going to prepare the fish for breakfast, Steve wisely walked the other direction, deciding to seek out Sarah. He was pretty sure he’d be unable to eat the fish if he saw the poor thing cleaned.
He ducked back inside the hut and discovered his wife and Nilhanu seated at the table, chatting away as though they were the best of friends. It
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