As the first rays of dawn kiss the tranquil land, we rouse from our slumber, greeted by lush surroundings of grass fields with Moonshade Forest behind us. To my surprise, amidst the subtle misty morning haze, Mister Kal materialises in a puff of magical smoke and settles himself behind me on my majestic glowhorn stag.
With a glint in his emerald eyes, Mister Kal stretches his front paws languidly, his feline posterior pointing skyward. I can't help but chuckle at his playful antics. 'Well, I suppose you’re not so bad as company, yourself,' I quip, unable to suppress a smile.
‘I’ve been meaning to thank you, for when the glamonkeys were about to attack me. You did your magical flea bomb thing you do, and it deterred them away from me. I suppose I owe you one,’ I express my words full of genuine appreciation.
Curiously, I look over my shoulder to gaze at Mister Kal, only to find his penetrating gaze fixed intently upon me. Astonishingly, a deep, resonating voice echoes in my mind. 'You're welcome,' he purrs telepathically, his voice resounding with a richness that defies his small stature.
Startled beyond belief, I lose my balance and tumble off my trusty stag, hitting the ground with an undignified thump. The abrupt commotion catches the attention of Xander, Janie, and Imogen, who halt their own stags, their eyes widening and eyebrows raising.
As I regain my composure and dust off the remnants of leaves, twigs, and dirt from my dishevelled attire, I point an accusatory finger at Mister Kal, locking eyes with Janie. 'Mister Kal just spoke to me!' I tell her in a voice of disbelief.
Janie tilts her head, her eyes squinting in contemplation, as she mulls over the situation, her index finger pressed gently against her lips. 'Oh, oops, didn't I tell you?' she finally responds, a nonchalant shrug betraying her forgetfulness.
'Oops? Oops!' I protest, my irritation simmering just below the surface. Rising to my feet, I brush off the remnants of nature's debris with purposeful strokes. ‘No, you didn’t tell me!’ I say, annoyed at her.
‘Calm down, Rose,’ Xander says, rolling his eyes. ‘All familiars can use telepathy to communicate. ‘It is common knowledge here,’ he says.
‘Well, as you know, I am not from Felderia and only possess the knowledge that you bothered to share with me!’ I retort.
Two bluebirds flutter away from a nearby tree and fly towards the west.
‘It’s only since we entered Felderia that Mister Kal started speaking to me,’ Janie says. ‘I guess with everything that’s happened while we’ve been here, it didn’t cross my mind to tell you,’ Janie adds remorsefully.
Mister Kal and I lock gazes, blinking in unison as I try to fathom the profound connection that has unfolded between us. I reach for the sturdy pommel, my foot finding its place in the stirrup as I swing my leg over, effortlessly mounting my steadfast stag.
‘Let’s continue on our way,’ Xander says, flicking his reins.
Our path leads us through the captivating landscapes of Sunfire Plains, a place teeming with life and magical encounters. Fellow travellers cross our path. Their eyes are full of curiosity. Every now and then, a witch soars overhead on her broomstick, casting a whimsical shadow over our procession.
Wooden wagons, drawn by sturdy glowhorn stags, meander along, brimming with a cornucopia of vegetables and grains. Fae creatures of various shapes and sizes tend to the fertile fields, their presence lending an otherworldly charm to the landscape. To the right, rows of tall stalks bore a striking resemblance to the yellow crescent vegetable that had delighted Janie's dinner at the previous tavern.
We press onward, following the stone path as it winds through the village nestled amidst the sprawling plains. The landscape is adorned with charming huts that seem to have sprung from the pages of a fairy tale, creating an enchanting atmosphere, but then I remember I am kind of in a fairy-tale being in Felderia, so I shouldn’t expect any less magical sights to behold.
As we approach closer, the Starry Hearth Tavern stands proudly, its doors swinging open in a warm invitation. The tantalising aromas of delectable delights waft through the air, teasing our senses and stirring our appetites.
Opposite the bustling tavern, a row of magical stores beckons us with their alluring offerings. The first is the Crystal Cauldron with crystals, stones, and artifacts.
The second store is called Spellbinding Books. Its shelves are adorned with a treasure trove of tomes and spellbooks filled with incantations, rituals, and arcane spells.
Just beyond are owls, flufflehorns, and other creatures called the Familiar Haven, which appear to specialise in small creatures that a spellcaster can choose to bond with. My mouth gapes open as I see a miniature baby dragon looking out the window at me. It's so cute I want to jump off my stag and run into the store like a raving lunatic and squeeze all the hugs I can out of it, but knowing Xander, he probably won't even allow me to even pet it.
Next in line is a store called Elemental Essence. I can see shelves brimming with sparkling vials and jars containing elemental essences—fragments of fire, water, air, and nature.
Next, I see a clothing store. Enchanted Apparel are the words on its wooden sign. It's a boutique selling garments, from plain cloaks to dresses that shimmer with ethereal beauty.
Incantation Ink is next. I watch skilled scribes create magical scrolls and spell parchments that hover and float in the air. Some magically roll themselves up. I notice maps like the one Xander has on display while feather quills spin as if dancing.
At the Elemental Forge, bear folk diligently craft weapons and armour as fae infuse the weapons with elemental powers. Blades crackle with lightning, shields become impenetrable to fire, and there’s armour that grants strength.
The final store we see is called Elemental Gardens. It has mystical plants and herbs growing, each possessing unique magical properties. I can see igloo dirt huts with builderbulbs bopping their heads up and down like mushrooms. I bite my lip, and my eyebrows furrow as vine-like plants slither and move like snakes. At the same time, another plant has teeth, like a Venus fly trap but more horrifying. It spits out a whiskerwisp which appears dazed as it sits up. Yeah, I think I will definitely pass on visiting that store.
Finally, at the end of the line of stores is an open area of flat stone with a small market of Felderian fruits and vegetables.
We dismount from our loyal stags and venture into the stables nearby. This time, it's a young fae girl tending to the magnificent glowhorns. Her cascading waves of hair dance with an ever-changing array of pastel colours, casting an enchanting spell on all who behold her. With a radiant smile, she greets us warmly, introducing herself
'Welcome to Sunfire Plains, esteemed travellers. I am Poppy,' she beams, emerald eyes sparkling with genuine joy.
Xander hands her a small pouch of gleaming gold coins. Poppy's smile widens, 'Fear not, sir. I shall ensure that our noble stags receive the finest care,' she assures Xander, her voice brimming with determination. Mister Kal jumps from the stag onto a pile of hay, curling up in a ball to sleep.
Leaving our loyal companions in Poppy's capable hands, we follow Xander's lead.