The Keepers of the Elements

Ashlyn

"Sooo... do you think we can still shop?" Alex asked hopefully. Blair had left a few minutes earlier to journey back to her village and make sure everyone was okay. Alex was gripping the map tightly.

Ash scanned their surroundings. "Well, maybe they'll give us discounts."

"Pippy and Alex literally messed up every street vendor cart thingy here-" Huro said.

"But we got rid of the Shadow dudes so," Pippy did jazz hands. "Discounts!"

Huro sighed. "Fine. Does anybody want to take Pippy to get new clothes?"

Ash hooked arms with Alex and began to rush off. "Sorry, you're stuck with her!" She turned to Alex. "Let's go get some food."

Alex nodded and unrolled the map. Ink smudges covered the yellowing parchment. Zydian was located on the far left, and just below it, Skylar Wood. Even farther down was Gisae Falls. A river led from there, through Brook Forest, to the moat surrounding The Cast, a gloomy settlement full of people that don't have anywhere else to go. Hardly anyone ever crossed the moat, either because they never made it through the mountains or they didn't have enough money to pay the ridiculous fee.

"Don't you think somebody would have tried to get to the falls before?"

"Yeah, definitely. And it doesn't look that hard to get to... you just have to pass through Skylar Wood. And I've been there before. It's like a place we'd go to for picnics."

Alex squinted at the map. "This is so weird."

"Yeah, tell me about it. A day ago we didn't even know Tulii and Huro."

"Or knew we were part of the five most powerful people in the land."

"That are destined to beat a giant army full of dangerous people that want to kill us."

Alex laughed. "We have some fun times ahead of us."

"That we do." The pair made their way to a stall with loaves of bread. The townspeople had recovered from the battle surprisingly well, and were already selling their goods again. The merchant's eyes widened when he saw them approaching his stall.

"M'lord! M'lady!" He bowed. "Forgive me for asking, but are you really Keepers?"

Ash and Alex exchanged glances. "Yes, I guess." Ash shrugged. "Can we get some bread?"

The man stared at them for a few seconds, as if he had to process what they said. Then he began to pile a stack in front of them.

"Whoa- that's a lot." Alex said, catching a loaf that had tumbled off the side. "We really only need," He turned to Ash. "How many do we need?"

Ash counted on her hands for a good minute before saying "Fifteen maybe?"

Alex frowned. "And how are we going to carry fifteen loaves of bread around with us?"

"We buy a bag."

"Dear Zya- Everybody is going to complain about carrying a bag full of bread and then I'm going to be the one that ends up with it."

The princess rolled her eyes. "We'll all take turns. Fifteen loaves please. How much will that be?"

The man looked at them nervously. "How... how much? I- free! Free of course!"

"Aw, nice." Ash said, beginning to grab the bread. "I was right about discounts."

"Wait no-" Alex slapped her arm. "Sir, we need to give you something."