Sonhu jolted backwards. Banging his head against the wall of the cart. He grabbed the back of his head as he stood up.

  "Careful there." The crusaeder said passively. He grabbed one of the boxes in the cart and began carrying it away.

  Ketra stood up and reached out to Sonhu. He did not flinch as her hand graced his fur, and the dull pain in his head faded away. He looked up at her. Her brow was slightly furrowed in concern.

  "Thank you," Sonhu said after a moment. He then hopped out of the cart and turned to Ruffus, "I didn't realize there was Syrgerd presence in your commune."

  "Oh yeah," Ruffus said with a chuckle, "The Ilgen and his crusaeders sure keep the commune running strong. It was the Ilgen himself who founded this commune. Pander, you should meet him. I'm sure he'd love tah meet yah." He added with a smile.

  "I'm afraid we don't have the time," Sonhu replied.

  "Yah sure?" He asked, "I'm sure the Ilgen would love to have yah for dinner."

  "It would be good to get some food for you," Ketra said as she got out of the cart and stood next to Sonhu.

  "See, even the missus wants to stay for dinner. Best not to upset her, right?" Ruffus said with a cheeky grin.

  "You couldn't even begin to fathom," Sonhu replied with a dry tone and a slight glare at the small fey man.

  "Fathom?" Ruffus repeated, confused by the word.

  "I guess we can stay for dinner." Sonhu conceded.

  "That's just great," Ruffus said excitedly. "I'll take you to meet the Ilgen now. I'm sure he'll be excited to meet yah." He said as he beckoned for them to follow him down a small stone path that led into a small clearing in a wooded section where there were small huts and firepits.

  "Don't you need to finish unloading the cart?" Sonhu asked.

  "Nah, the crusaeder will finish that. Come on." Ketra started down the path, and Sonhu followed her.

  As they walked down the path, Sonhu noted the buildings they passed. Nothing impressive, small shabbily drawn storehouses, stalls, and huts. There was a well at the center of a clearing. A few fire pits littered the area. It was an odd makeshift town in the middle of the woods. The main peculiarity of the commune was its citizens. Mostly made up of odd fey-kin and beastfolk, but there were a handful of humans and even a wicken.

  An odd collection that Sonhu had never really seen gathered in one place, people with horns, long fangs, and odd skins. As they got further into the forest, the buildings grew slightly more refined before the center of the commune was revealed to be a single stone building with a canopy. It was much larger than any of the other structures, and the Sacred Tree was painted on its face.

  Sonhu eyed the symbol as they approached. A handful of the beastfolk and fey watched the strangers between quick glances as they made their way about.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  When they reached the stone building, Sonhu noted the wooden double doors as Ruffus pushed them open. They were much more well-crafted than the wooden stalls and fences towards the outer ends of the commune.

  The room they enter is an open space lit only by the windows. There are rows of pews facing a slightly elevated wooden platform. They follow Ruffus. He led Ketra and Sonhu to a wooden door at the back.

  Sonhu's ears twitched as he picked up on the sound of two muffled voices just behind the door. A male and a female voice. Sonhu couldn't make out the words, but the man's voice was calm and comforting while the woman's seemed shot and on the verge of a breakdown.

  Ruffus pounded on the door and said, "Mr. Pander, I brought some guests." He turned back to Ketra and Sonhu and gave them an enthusiastic grin.

  The people behind the door shuffled for a moment, then silence. The door opened, revealing a man who looked to be in his late forties, with graying short hair and a rough goatee. He wore intricately patterned Syrgerd robes with dirt and mud stains on the sleeves and the hem of the bottom of the cloak where it touched the ground. He was taller than Sonhu, probably of average height for a human.

  Behind the man was a thin woman with pale green eyes. Her hair was an auburn mess from which two curling horns protruded, a Satyr. She wore a simple dress, stained similarly to the priest's, with a few tears. Her eyes were a bit puffy and bloodshot, and tears welled.

  The woman walked around the man and then pushed through Ruffus and Ketra, covering her face with her hands and wiping at her tears.

  She quietly muttered "Pardon me" in a strained voice as she passed.

  The Ilgen let out a sigh as she did. Pity clouded his eyes. He reached up and rubbed his temples with one hand. He then turned and looked down at Ruffus.

  "What was it, Ruffus?" He asked with a weary smile.

  "I've got some guests with me," Ruffus repeated with excitement. The Ilgen looked up, taking note of Sonhu and Ketra.

  "I see that." He replied. He then reached out his hand and offered a handshake to Sonhu. “I’m Ilgen Pander. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  Sonhu accepted the handshake and replied, "Sonhu." The Ilgen then turned to Ketra and offered her one. She glanced at his hand disinterestedly. "And this is Ketra," Sonhu added to break the silence. The Ilgen retracted his hand and continued,

  "Well, it is a pleasure to have you in our commune. What brings you?"

  "We were traveling North and we met Ruffus. He offered us a ride and well… He said this was as far North as he could take us." Sonhu explained. The Ilgen chuckled.

  "I see, I see. I'm sure he was all too excited to bring you to the commune. I hope he wasn't too forceful with his enthusiasm. Last thing we need is to build a reputation for forceful hospitality." The Ilgen joked.

  "The blue one also said there would be a feast," Ketra added bluntly. The Ilgen looked a little surprised at the sudden comment.

  "Yes, we do have a feast tonight. We'd be more than happy to host you two for the night if you would like. We probably even have some sleeping bags and spots if you would like to rest here for the night."

  "We wouldn't want to be a bother." Sonhu replied, "We really shouldn't stay for long."

  "Oh, don't worry, it really is nothing." The Ilgen said, "The more the merrier, and I'm sure we would love to hear your stories. We don't usually get travelers. Especially not Talmari ones."

  Something about those words sent a chill down Sonhu's spine.

  "Ruffus, why don't you show our guests around the commune. Occupy them until our feast."

  "Alrighty." Ruffus said, "Why don't ya'll follow me this way. I'll introduce you to Mykel, Cole, Johan…" Sonhu followed Ruffus as he kept on listing names of people and things. Sonhu watched the Ilgen from the corner of his eyes while Ilgen returned to the room and closed the door.