20

(Previous Post: 19)

"Which route is the most perilous?" You ask. "Which will take the longest? And which do you recommend?"

The noise you hope is a laugh again falls from her lips “You are wise to be careful, Koa. The Land of the Silver Key and the Six Kingdoms therein are fraught with dangers...

“The caravan route to the north will take us to the city of Ilarnek, where many people worship me and will ensure safe passage to the River Ai. From there we can float through the land of Mnar, but the river winds and bends in such a way that its path is longer than would be expected. This is the longest of the paths and, if not for the length it adds to the journey, it would be the path I recommend.

“I know of a guide in Ilarnek who speaks of the city of Aira to the northwest, and has spoken of the speed in which the Hyaline Nithra flows into the Cerenerian Sea. But the city may be nothing more than a fable, and the path is completely unknown. And, I understand the route takes us near the Bnazic Desert, where the forgotten denizens of a nameless city lie jealous of my power. This may be the most perilous of the paths.

“Uthar, to the northeast, is along the smooth waters of the River Skai. But, to get there we must walk through the Cydathrian city of Teloth where travel is considered a blasphemy, and one such as you may be regarded with suspicion. Then, past the Karthian hills, to Oonai, the city of lutes and dancing. There, the worshipers of Limpang-Tung have been sheltered for far too long, and I am considered a threat to his teachings.

“The same path would be taken to reach Dylath-Leen, which lies at the mouth of the River Skai. But, we may be able to hasten our travels by heading southeast from Teloth to the land of Parg, where men are taken to be sold by the pound. From there we may easily reach Dylath-Leen, and can follow the boats as they pass the nameless rock. This may be the simplest of paths, second only to the Ai. And it may be the fastest of paths, second only to the Hyaline Nithra. But it is not without its risks.”

• If you choose to travel North through Ilarnek, go to 21
• If you do something else, place your next action in comments below and your story will continue as soon as possible.

19

(Previous Post: 18)

“Honestly? I don't know.” You answer, gingerly pushing off your bent knee and rising to a standing position. Your legs feel stiff. “My memory appears to have been lost somehow. But swimming sounds pretty good to me.”

You look around, the gray stones of a broken city quietly watching you. A city rises above the far shore of the lake behind the god, its tallest towers hidden by the base of the moon. “Do you think I might join you in a swim past the creatures, or is it too far? I'm curious to learn more about this world.”

“They live,” Kihawahini's voice echoes in your mind, “on a nameless rock in the Cerenerian Sea. I would enjoy your company, but this lake is fed by no stream, and out of it no stream flows. To reach the sea, I travel on the wind and rain, which is not yet possible for you.”

She glances into the sky, a light steam flowing from out of her mouth. “If you so desire, we may travel by dreams, but you must decide the route. To the north is a caravan route to the winding River Ai, which flows into the Cerenerian Sea. To the north and west, may be the rumored city Aira, where the Hyaline Nithra could be followed, but we would require a guide. To the north and east is the land of Uthar. From there, we can float down the River Skai into the Southern Sea, which connects to the Cerenerian. To the south and east is the city of Dylath-Leen, where boats which pass the nameless rock gather, bound for Inquanok.”

• If you ask for descriptions regarding the routes, go to 20
• If you do something else, comments below and your story will continue as soon as possible.