Maiwyn steps over each prickly bush, leading the walk through the woods and climbing uphill.

  Aleena follows leading Snowdrop with a rope. Faylin and Lyrian are behind her leading their horses with the carriage still attached. Branches are losing their leaves and grass is getting increasingly brown but with a mix of pale green. Sweat drips from the burning rays of the sun.

  Faylin's head droops and her tongue dry, "ugh, guys, I need water."

  Maiwyn hands Aleena her metal flask with a small glare, "here, give your human some water."

  Aleena sends it flying behind her shoulder, to Faylin. She almost doesn't catch the flying flask, making her drop her rope and waking her up even further. Faylin twists it open and guzzles down all the rest of the water.

  She hands it back to Maiwyn, "thank you."

  Maiwyn grabs back her empty flask and peeks through the opening, "hm, drank it all. No sense of survival or courtesy."

  Aleena gives Faylin a nasty look, making her guilty. But all fades when a mid-tone chirp interrupts them, sounding like a sort of bird. It chirps once, then trills it's haunting medium tone. Ambience of the forest are of small tweets from birds, but the warbles standing out comes more from the ground.

  Aleena's ears perk up and she looks to Maiwyn for a sense of support, "another Dinosaur? I know that is not a bird."

  Maiwyn is calm and settled, "yes. It is sad, and lost. You can hear it."

  Aleena is in shock how Maiwyn can distinguish the behavioral sounds, "how can you tell?"

  "Shh, listen again," she whispers.

  The trill is fast but slowly diminishes speed. Snowdrop whinnies, shaking her head at the sound with a sense of danger but Aleena puts a hand on the horse's snout, which quickly calms her down. She notices the rhythm slow down, "how did you know?"

  "Dinosaurs are becoming more frequent Aleena. Wood elves are already starting their studies," she explains.

  "I don't get it, where are they? All there is, is birds in the trees."

  Maiwyn points in the direction of more forest, "Northeast from here. No one knows why and no one has been there yet. But every once and a while they wander out from their territory, and some will attack."

  "Maiwyn, the forest is changing, it shouldn't even be this hot," Aleena looks around at some dry brush spots, some trees have empty branches and small pale grass clusters, "our plants are dying! Animals are dying, we saw a whole pack of dead lions in our way here. I can't imagine what Northeast looks like, you need to deploy scouts."

  Lyrian notices Aleena's sadness once again and puts a hand on her shoulder, but also doesn't know what to say. He stays silent and Aleena hangs her head.

  Maiwyn lowers her brows, annoyed and irritated, balling her fists, "I am aware, but I don't have all the answers Aleena. I don't know what is going on with our forest. We're dealing with it."

  Aleena moves closer to Maiwyn getting annoyed at her held high, "you act like it's not even a big deal."

  She stops her by a hand, clamping her arm, "then stop being weak."

  Aleena yanks her arm back, "I see you haven't changed. What about other northeast clans?"

  "Either dead or have moved because of the heat, or other environment changes."

  "Someone has to go after them," Aleena says.

  "Then tell Elder Kyrza." Maiwyn sighs her way back to her restful demeanor and takes a step forward, crunching twigs, "come, we must be careful. That thing could attack us. I already don't like how close it is to camp."

  Maiwyn continues on to lead through the camp, brushing her sandals through hairy and soft leaves of weeds and plants. The group follows, pushing back branches for their horses. Squirrels scatter up trees in their path and birds watch them pass.

  Lyrian walks through the brush, following Aleena. Bundling birds flock around another one, lying dead in the dirt, again with no wounds. He raises his head to the tall branches. Ravens, robins, sparrows, and songbirds sing, as flying squirrels glide from branch to branch.

  Wildlife blossoms at sights of cotton tents behind bushes. A grizzly even strolls up to Aleena for a pet, lowering his head as she chuckles and scratches his fur.

  Maiwyn stops in her tracks on the dirt road. Deer skips through the bushes to open a path and separate along the clearing of the elven camp.

  The four emerge from the dense forest into a clearing where an encampment lies nearby. Small, crudely constructed wooden structures on wheels surround a central square. Scents of food, and smoked vegetables wafts through the air. Incense and rosewood is fresh.

  Grass is much more greener, and bushes and trees are much more nurturing to the fresh air around.

  Faylin and Lyrian leaves the carriage, parked with Snowdrop tied to wooden stables.

  An elven warrior, dressed in traditional garb, stands guard atop one towering buildings to keep watch over the distance, while also keeping guard to their sacred animals that elves hold dear to them.

  "The village seems nice enough, a bit underdeveloped and unprepared," Faylin notes.

  "Underdeveloped?" Aleena replies. "We're nomadic and rely on our surroundings rather than permanent stone buildings, like you humans. You build huge buildings and tear down forests for your fancy civilization and farmlands. Do not lecture me on being uncivilized."

  Aleena turns to Faylin and Lyrian with a lowered head and avoids their eyes in frustration, "please be on your best behavior. Otherwise, they won't let you in."

  The group approaches the elder elf who's not exactly old but a male in a studded leather robe. He greets the group, looking sternly towards Faylin and Lyrian.

  "Althara," the male elf bows in his greeting. "I see Maiwyn found another one of ours. I'm the elder of the Red Leaf clan. Kyrza is my name. I do have to wonder about these strange others you bring before me though."

  Aleena approaches with a bow, "good day to you Elder Kyrza. Aleena from the Aeirwood clan, and survivor. These humans helped me come this far and I owe them. Without their aid, I would be lost to the wilderness."

  "A survivor from the Aeirwood clan? But the humans," he points.

  Faylin introduces herself in front of Kyrza.

  "I'm Faylin, a blacksmith, and this is my partner and friend, a mage Lyrian," she smiles nervously and nudges Lyrian in front.

  Lyrian gulps and awkwardly waves slowly.

  "Humans, disgusting," he scoffs, his voice deep, "what need do we have of outsiders?"

  Aleena interrupts, "please elder. They've been a great help to me and even helped me fight an assassin who was out to kill me. They've provided very useful information, helped with camping, and interactions with others in human villages. If it weren't for them, I'd be dead."

  "I see," he turn to Faylin and Lyrian. "And what have you learned on your travels with a wood elf?"

  "Um," Faylin hangs her head and fidgets with her pocket.

  Lyrian answers, "I've learned about the simple life. It's a beauty to me. Time is valuable because it's something you cannot get back, especially for us humans who have shorter lifespans than elves. Sometimes, it's better to just do nothing instead of living fast lives in the city. And stuff like family, Faylin for example, is my family and I'm willing to help her and her family stay afloat. I know she needs it, and it's important. I'm not tiring myself, or neglecting anything, it's just something I'm called to do. I'm pushed by my fellow humans and called lazy, all the time for it."

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  Aleena listens and starts feeling guilty as Lyrian looks to her. She turns her head towards the grass, away from Lyrian's gaze.

  Lyrian continues, "and sometimes an underachiever, and someone who's gullible and a target for scams and gypsies. But heck, I'll achieve my dreams when I feel like it because I live in today and not the future. I don't have to worry like some do."

  "Wow Lyrian," Aleena says in awe with her mouth open.

  The elder smiles with sparkling relish, "at least mages can be well respected among our people for their wisdom. Thank you Lyrian for sharing that with me."

  Lyrian exhales and steps back with a smile.

  Kyrza turns to Faylin, "and what about you blacksmith? What have you learned from the wood elves?"

  Faylin is nervous as the elder stares her down.

  "Oh uh, w-well... I haven't had much experience with any of the elves until recently with Aleena," Faylin smiles as she thinks. "When I first met Aleena, she was really cautious about me. She taught me about giving and not asking anything in return. Like planting a good seed that will blossom for generations."

  "I handed her some coin at first," she giggles, "but she slapped it out of my hand. We were just trying to pass through Aeirwood clan and she promised to let me pass if I gave something. So I gave her a toy dragon I made, and she gave me a lecture about making something verses buying something. The time spend on making something is way more valuable than coin. And she gave me the toy dragon back. I was touched and through our travels I met a former coworker of mine who I had disagreements with and had to fire. His name was Serrill and his sister Luminitsa. Instead of buying him something at the bar, I was able to invite him for dinner. And I cooked steaks and Aleena prepared fruit on the side. And I was able to treat them to a nice dinner and let them know that I don't hate them."

  Faylin is grateful to herself at her story but also notices Aleena crossing her arms with annoyance.

  "Steaks?" the elder raises a brow, escalating his skepticism. "And what animal did you butcher to cook such a thing?"

  "Um," Faylin gasps internally, perking up over to Lyrian and Aleena.

  They both nod their heads for Faylin to proceed. Faylin sweats, "we went to a bazaar, in a human town, and bought cow meat for coins?"

  The elder's mouth is open in such distain of sproglet behavior, "I suppose Aleena didn't eat any of this currency traded cow flesh?"

  Aleena crosses her arms and lifts her chin, "I would never eat such barbaric foods elder. I only had a bowl of fruit."

  "Faylin you have a lot to learn," Kyrza glares at Faylin. "A business woman, and blacksmith, and human I presume. Humans have tainted ideas and spread greed wherever they go. Perhaps Aleena can teach you more about humility."

  Faylin drops her shoulders and looks down, dejected by her story.

  The elder continues, "but giving without anything in return is a nice story to hear. Perhaps it is a start. Very well Faylin. All I ask of Aleena is that you watch this one closely."

  Aleena nods to the elder's request with a serious look, "of course I will. Thank you Elder Kyrza."

  "All that over a steak?" Faylin comments to herself but Lyrian bumps an elbow to her, signaling for her to shut up.

  "Please relax amongst yourselves," the Elder says. "Help out around here and do your best."

  "We plan to stay here for a short period of time," Aleena adds. "But I'll be glad to help during that time."

  Kyrza turns to Aleena with sorrow, "my condolences for your clan Aleena. At the very least, I'm glad that there was one survivor."

  "Thank you. Speaking of that, have you caught sight of the beast that attacked my clan?"

  "Yes. A Mapusaurus is what it is called by the word that is spreading. And yes, they passed by the edge of our border last night but never came inside the campsite. They haven't appeared again."

  "What about the beasts that actually attacked your hunters?" Aleena asks.

  "You mean the pack of monolophosaurus?" Maiwyn asks. "That attack occurred about three days ago."

  "Yes, those beasts. Where are they now?" Aleena responds.

  "That pack of predators, like the Mapusaurs, never crossed our border and fled into the thick foliage," Kyrza adds.

  "Are you sure it fled to safety and that it wasn't a diversion?" Aleena asks.

  "No one knows, except the Beastmaster," he says.

  "Any signs of the beastmaster?" she questions.

  "Not that we've seen. As I stated before, the Mapusaurs just stopped by the border and left. Other than that, we haven't heard anything else," the elder says.

  "The red leaved forest must have become a sanctuary. In the event that another attack comes, you're fully aware of the danger?"

  "Yes. We already have our warriors on standby, patrolling the outer edges of our territory. But in the event that the magical curse of heat destroys this part of the forest, we will be moving soon."

  "What? That's it? That's your battle plan? Elder, we need to find this beastmaster," Aleena says urgently. "She poses a threat to all of us, and to all elves across this land. She threatens this very forest we swore to protect. Please help me hunt down this person and kill her."

  "I cannot order anyone to leave our borders for dangerous missions. My clan mates must agree to this mission. But these creatures are just to large. We don't have enough soldiers to take down this many large predators at once," Kyrza gives her a serious but heart felt frown.

  "It could be the end of elves forever. Our forest forever," Aleena argues. "Elder please help me!"

  "No is no Aleena," Maiwyn speaks up.

  The entire group spot another elf man running up to them with rubbery leather armor and the clanking of his wooden bow and quiver.

  "Elder!" the elf soldier calls. "We're under attack."

  Kyrza drops his crossed arms in surprise, "what is it this time?"

  "A large beast with feathers."

  "Maiwyn, stay back and lend support, Aleena you stay behind the soldiers and help rain arrows." He turns to Faylin and Lyrian, "you two, what might be your skills?"

  "Skilled with a dwarven war hammer and shield sir," Faylin prepares herself.

  "And I'm skilled in most geomancy Kyrza," Lyrian says.

  "Then Faylin, join the front lines, and Lyrian will provide earthen artillery behind our archers."

  Faylin's eyes widen and she turns to Lyrian in panic, "wait, I don't know anything about war. I never fought without you guys by my side and I'm supposed to join the front lines?"

  Lyrian assures, "Faylin, it'll be okay. It's just one beast. I'm sure we've faced worse."

  "Let's go, move," the elder urges and everyone scatters to a second entrance where the path leads to the heavy forest.

  Archers are at the ready, pointing their arrows and three warriors with swords stand in front. Faylin is behind the warriors, but she grips her hammer with nervous tension.

  A Nanuqsaurus is calm, staring the elves down. It's mouth is closed, just focusing with beady eyes on the elven hunters, hoping to each individual. The beast drops it's head with desperate attempt. Bows flinch with a step back. A sudden growl releases despite it's curiosity.

  His belly is very skinny. White feathers are matted and splotchy with an excess of oil. The Nanuqsaur looks like it hasn't eaten for months. Hungar for the search of food is first priority for Nanuqsaur. It has one last chance.

  "Looks like a starving demon," Kyrza says.

  Lyrian is next to Kyrza and Maiwyn a small ways away from him. He reads in the Limerock dinosaur book he has, "a Nanuqsaurus... there's only one problem, his environment is in the arctic."

  "So it'll be an easy kill then," Kyrza stands tall.

  The Nanuqsaur keeps his head down, and splits off towards the small elven army. Small-scale eyes are widened with a craving for food.

  Arches let their bows fly, piercing through it's feathers, and it moans a mid-tone. It's anger only increases and starts sprinting faster to grab a hold of one of the warriors. Teeth chomp next to a warrior and Faylin watches.

  The warrior slashes his sword and the others join in.

  Archers pull on their bows and point to the sky. Rain of arrows shower from the air and onto its back as the warriors dive out of the way.

  The Nanuqsaur snags the legs of a warrior but the other warrior grabs a hold. Taste of flesh feeds it's starvation.

  Lyrian hauls a large boulder, showing off his determined magical strength to the elves, and launches it into the air. The boulder shatters upon the nanuqsaur, letting go of the warrior. It hisses and squirms in terror under the rubble.

  What would be easy to shake off dirt, slowly turns to a lack of energy and weakness. Defeated and depressed, he yowls one last whine.

  Another wave of raining arrows fires on but Aleena still holds her arrow in her bow, pulling back even further for a precise shot. She let's go.

  Streaming through the air, it passes above the shoulders of archers, passed Faylin who is frozen in place, and above the heads of the scattered warriors. The arrow lodges deep through a bullseye middle forehead hit, and the warriors stick their swords in the head.

  The nanuqsaur twitches still stuck under rubble and dust, finished off, lying limp on the ground. It's last growling breath is full of depression and woes, trilling an exhaling growl and humming it's eyes to sleep.

  With that, Kyrza lowers his stern brows and makes his way to the dead nanuqsaur, his archers making a path for him with Lyrian and Maiwyn behind.

  Aleena follows, bumping her shoulder to Faylin in a rude gesture on the way, "good going, you did nothing the entire time."

  Aleena stands furious at Faylin, who feels guilty and can't face Aleena's eyes. But she narrows her eyes and crosses her arms mixing her anger within. Aleena turns to leave her.

  Elder Kyrza pats the clumped sticky feathers of the lifeless nanuqsaur.

  "Mage, you said that this creature is an arctic being?" Kyrza says to Lyrian.

  "Yes," Lyrian responds.

  "Then what is it doing here?" he speaks over gritting teeth. "No wonder it was starving and weak."

  "Perhaps the beastmaster is experimenting," says Maiwyn.

  "This is an abomination to nature. This person person has no empathy, a villain to nature bringing back such a being who doesn't belong. Look at the depression that this creature left behind," he stands profound by the creature never seen before by any other, left to die in such a confusing environment.

  Aleena speaks up to Kyrza, "now do you see why we need to fight back?"

  "Negative, my hunters, our clan would never..."

  "Elder!" Aleena breaks down with a yell.

  "Aleena!" Maiwyn approaches Aleena and begs, "unlike you, I would never vouch for your banishment. Please listen to our elder."

  Aleena mutters a whine, her stress more ridged and she scratches her arm. But Maiwyn lends a gentle hand to hers, her palm soft.

  "Come, lets have some food. It might calm your nerves," Maiwyn says to Aleena.

  "Maiwyn," the elder calls, "be sure you handle our warrior's wounds first."

  "Yes Elder," Maiwyn obliges, leaving Aleena with a final sentence. "Meet me at dinner dear."

  Aleena and Elder Kyrza

  Nanuqsaurus