Meanwhile in Sylica

[Anastasia]

"Where is this Sylica?" Your newfound friend asks, "Is it close to Arborea?"

[Ebiris]

"Yes," Marie nods. "It's a part of Ysgard so there's lots of portals to Arborea around and you can get a boat on the Oceanus to reach Aquallor easily from here."

[Anastasia]

"I will need to go there. I'd have little else," he admits openly, "Not after all this time."

[Ebiris]

Makes sense, it's what Marie would do as well. "I'm sure there are people there who remember you. The tales of mortal heroes are often told in the heavens," she says encouragingly. She'd heard of Alicia even before she got the familiar job after all. "We can provide for you to make the journey, or ask Faerinaal to send you an escort in advance if you like?"

[Anastasia]

"I'd like to make it...alone," A decision made, he sits up, "Thank you for everything, Lady Marielle."

[Ebiris]

"I had a feeling you'd say that," Marie smiles, getting up. "Wait here another minute? I'll get you some things for the journey."

Leaving she comes back shortly afterwards carrying some sturdy clothes in Maleas's size with boots on top, which she puts down at the foot of the bed, along with a bag. "There's some gold in the bag, not a fortune for an adventurer but it'll get you started - you should get yourself equipped from the shops here in Sylica before you venture into Ysgard since you'll definitely end up in a fight. I've included a map to the nearest portal to Arborea as well. I'll wait outside for you to change and I can show you out of the palace here."

[Anastasia]

It is all taken. "Thank you," Maleas says, then bows. "I've only known you but a few hours, but you are a woman of class and grace."

[Ebiris]

"Oh you!" Marie laughs gaily before she gives him some privacy to change. "Usually it takes more than a few hours for the facade to drop."

[Anastasia]

"My lady," Maleas calls, "It is no facade with you. You are a noblewoman of great refinement in heart, even if you are not in title."

[Ebiris]

"Keep talking like that and you'll have all the other eladrin swooning for you over in Arborea," Marie smiles at him before she closes the door and waits for him to come out after dressing.

[Anastasia]

Once done Maleas emerges, "May my fortunes be so bold and blessed!"

[Ebiris]

"That's the spirit," Marie cheers, leading him through Liberton's halls and out into Mercia, the city at the heart of Sylica. "There's armouries and other useful shops down that way," she points down a street leading away from the plaza outside the palace, all sorts of people coming and going around them.

[Anastasia]

It is indeed busy, people of all kinds about. The noises of city life and movement is everywhere, all under the backdrop of the Opal Mountain in the far horizon. Maleas takes it all in, before, "So lively," he says, "This is Sylica?"

[Ebiris]

"Yes. It used to be called Triel's Furnace, it was a gauntlet set up for the brave of Ysgard to pit themselves against for an unknown reward. Alicia and Syala were the first to ever defeat it, and they made it into what you see now," Marie explains with some pride on behalf of her goddess.

[Anastasia]

"The Furnace?" Maleas turns, a look, "I thought that was impossible to defeat. I heard and read stories of it, and all said that no one could manage it. That even the stars themselves would fight against any who made it that far."