Down the road, the party saw a figure in the distance. Standing off to the side of the road. More details came into focus as they approached the simple suit that was impeccably fit to him. He seemed out of place standing on the roadside with no steed or carriage. He had a pocket watch that he checked periodically. Looking up at the party as they got closer.

  “Well met, friend!” Kilek called. The stranger’s face fell to annoyance.

  “Good day,” The stranger called back. “Busy road?”

  “ ‘fraid not.” Kilek said. “There’s a foul curse flooding the forest now. I dare say it isn’t safe to be traveling alone.”

  “We’ve seen the ick in the trees.” Shaynen said, slowing as they approached. He felt something odd in the back of his mind slowing him down.

  “Thuk-Chisudo?” The man asked. He took out his pocket watch and checked it again. “Well, I’ve been waiting for my associate to show up for a while. But it seems unsafe, if you wouldn’t mind. I might accompany you to the city. For safety in numbers.”

  “That would be wise.” Kilek said. Shaynen pursed his lips. Still unable to think of an actual argument behind his hesitancy.

  “Much obliged.” The stranger said. The party passed and the stranger joined them. Shaynen fall to the back as he tried to follow that thread of doubt and fear that popped up suddenly.

  “Hello?” The stranger asked, tapping Shaynen on the shoulder.

  “What? Sorry, what did you say?” Shaynen asked.

  “I was talking about your dreamcatcher, it’s a holy symbol right?” The stranger asked.

  “It is, yeah.” Shaynen said, lifting the handmade dreamcatcher up for the stranger to see.

  “How does your spirit guide you?” The stranger asked. Shaynen’s cheeks went pink in embarrassment.

  “I uh. I don’t have one yet.” Shaynen said. “It’s funny, I didn’t think you’d recognize it.”

  “It’s from the Temple of Dreams, very popular around here for orphans.” The stranger said. “But I thought you only graduated when you received your spirit guide.”

  “My guide called me out to a pilgrimage.” Shaynen said.

  “Is that normal?” The stranger asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t stop to ask.” Shaynen sheepishly hid behind his hair. Trying to make his face stop heating up.

  “Lay off him.” Mayhem said. “The spirits work in weird ways and these are unusual times.”

  “Indeed, we can’t even begin to know the inner workings of the gods.” Kilek said.

  “Right, I apologize. I was just curious.” The stranger said, though his smile looked strained. “Are the rest of you from the Temple as well?”

  “No, we all met by happenstance.” Jiit said.

  “Ah, then you don’t understand.” The stranger said. “I’ve been a visitor to the temple before. They are very strict, I’m sure that the members of the church believe that you’ve abandoned your training and will never let you return.”

  “That is not true.” Shaynen said hastily.

  “Just because it’s unprecedented, doesn’t mean the rules still apply.” Thunder said, “He has every chance to explain himself and if the temple can’t see that then they aren’t worth the time.”

  “That very well may be true.” The stranger said, holding up his hands in mock defense. “But if you never find it, you’ll never be able to return. So you better be sure.”

  “I am.” Shaynen said, despite the gnawing doubt.

  “What a fucked up thing to say,” Mayhem said.

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  “What?” Shaynen asked, “What did I say?”

  “Not you.” Mayhem said. She pointed at the stranger. “You. What a nasty and fucked up thing to say to someone. You got something against the temple?”

  “No, no.” The stranger said, “I’m just being practical. I see this is a group of idealists. Luckily enough, it seems the city is in sight.”

  “Sure,” Mayhem rolled her eyes. The city’s walls were in sight and as they crested the hill, the whole city came into view, with a long line to the city gates.

  “Look at that customs line.” Kilek whistled. “That’s how you know there’s a royal event going on.”

  “You are certainly right, my friend.” The stranger said. “Getting in will be a real challenge without connections. And this is where I must leave you.”

  “Yeah? Not going into the city?” Jiit asked.

  “I am still waiting for my associate.” The stranger said. “But I wish you well.”

  “Yeah, good luck.” Mayhem said, though her tone didn’t offer much luck. The stranger walked away to the side of the city’s walls.

  “What the hell was his problem?” Mayhem scoffed once the man was gone.

  “Dunno, but I wouldn’t give weight to him.” Thunder said. She placed a hand on Shaynen’s shoulder. “He’s probably just having a bad day and decided to take it out on you.”

  “Why me?” Shaynen asked.

  “Who knows.” Thunder shook her head. “Something about you triggered him and decided to try and make you miserable. I’m sure you’ll be home soon enough.”

  “Well,” Jiit said, trying to be sensitive.

  “Homes aren’t permanent things.” Kilek said.

  “Yeah, homes are easy to lose. That’s why you gotta hold onto the one you ‘ve got.” Mayhem said. Shaynen looked at the three of them, Thunder giving them an equally confused look. Then she pat his shoulder.

  “They’re all crazy.” She concluded. Shaynen laughed.

  “You know, I have a small question.” Jiit said. “Why did you leave so fast? Why didn’t you say something to someone?”

  “I don’t really know.” Shaynen said. He played with his hair awkwardly. “It just felt so urgent that I had to go right then and there.” The party came to the end of customs line.

  “Line does seem to be moving at a reasonable pace.” Kilek pointed out. “Might make it into the city before nightfall.”

  “Oh, don’t count on it.” The person in front of them scoffed under their breath. The party waited in the line, moving a few feet every couple of hours. It was far from quiet, with vendors walking up and down the lines, crying to sell their goods. Almost all of them were for food and drinks, though one intrepid entrepreneur was selling commemorative ashtrays. A guard came round shouting what the wait time was estimated to be as well as reminders to have papers ready.Shaynen watched the guard pass then turned to the party.

  “What papers?” He asked. Jiit looked at him hard.

  “What do you mean, ‘what papers’?” He asked slowly. Shaynen shrugged. “Your identification. The papers that say who you are and where you’re from?” Shaynen continued staring in confusion.

  “Take a breather before you pass out.” Kilek said, clapping Jiit on the shoulder. “No papers is a pretty minor issue. I traveled with tons who never knew what they were. It’s pretty common in small towns and rural areas.”

  “He didn’t come from a small town or rural area!” Jiit hissed incredulously. “He came from an establishment! One that has to have papers for him!”

  “I mean maybe?” Shaynen said. “I never thought about it. No one really comes and goes from the temple frequently enough but I suppose the acolytes who go on their missions might receive papers before they leave.”

  “You think?” Jiit asked. Holding his claws out as if he was going to strangle Shaynen.

  “Kilek’s right, this isn’t a big deal.” Thunder said. “Let’s worry about getting our camp ready. It looks like customs are closing for the night soon.”

  “Great.” Jiit said dryly. “We can make a plan to smuggle him into the city.”

  “We won’t need to, I have his papers.” Thunder said. Jiit and Shaynen looked at her. Stunned. She was looking around at the people around them suspiciously. “Let’s get a tent set up and get ready for a long night.”

  “That’s right! We’d better hurry.” Kilek said. He pulled out a canvas tarp and some stakes. They all worked together to put up a tent while there was still light. Making a circle for a fire and getting it going.

  “Shaynen, I have some questions for you.” Thunder said as she sat down by the tent.

  “Sure, what do you need?” Shaynen sat down beside her.

  “Just a few basic questions,” Thunder said. “Things like your full name. First, last, middle.”

  “Shaynen.” Shaynen said.

  “Shaynen what?”

  “That’s it. I was orphaned too young to know anything else.” Shaynen said. “Why does it matter?”

  “Because it’s written on your papers.” Thunder said quietly. Jiit’s head snapped around and he stormed over and knelt down.

  “Are you doing what I think you’re doing?” He asked .

  “He needs to be in the city with us and what happens when we find cult activity?” Thunder said, “You think the royals will be upset at an innocently forged document when a whole cult is uncovered trying to ruin an event of this level?”

  “What if they find out and we get arrested?” Jiit asked.

  “They won’t. Not if you abide by the armistice we all agreed to.” Thunder said, looking at him warily.

  “Fine, but I’m overseeing this.” He said and sat beside Thunder. “Let’s proceed.”