Walking like an... oh god who built the pyramids.

Hours pass, and after what seemed like an eternity, we had passed the endless stretches of farms and fields just beyond an old defensive barrier, and outside of Bounty's countryside. Now the road leads into a heavily wooded area; thankfully, not the Wyrdwood, according to the map. We would be taking a long, winding path around that stretch of hellish greenery. Night had begun to fall upon us, just as the last of the fields had left our sight.

"We should set up camp for the night." Says Cilla; rummaging through her cloak.

Cloak... wait a second.

"Aw, Gods damn it. I grabbed the wrong cloak when we left." I grumble, looking over the grain-sack rag I was still wearing.

"Oops..." Scott whispers to himself; this happened before, didn't it...

Our fuzzy friend ignores my annoyances; finally pulling out two handheld, strange, metal boxes from her cloak, and walking into the treeline. After finding what she was looking for; an area to camp, I presumed, she placed the boxes in the grass.

"Campsite: On."

The miniscule clearing was filled with the *fwoosh* of two large tents suddenly appearing; magically constructed by the boxes in a single moment. Cilla then began gathering stones from the ground, placing them in a circle.

"Help me find kindling, unless you'd like to eat nothing but cold jerky tonight." Says my Handler, tossing a few dry twigs into the circle of stone.

Everyone begins searching for twigs of our own, until Sammy asked. "Why not just take those sticks?" Pointing at the branches on the trees.

"They're still alive." Answers Ashes. "The wood would be all wet and green on the inside; bad for a campfire."

"This is nice." Says Klyde, plucking up what seemed to be a patch of dead grass. "Reminds me of being a g... boyscout back home."

After enough kindling had been gathered, Cilla pulled out a small device, which looked quite a bit like the back of Zana's boomstick; the hammer that sparked each time she fired the magical rifle. With a click, a mass of sparks flew into the pile, starting a fire; contained in the circle of stones.

"Monster, could you go get some extra pieces to keep it going?" Asks our fluffy friend, pointing a bit further in the woods; she then began rummaging in her cloak. "And Ashes, you said you knew how to cook, right? I've got a cooking pot in here somewhere..."

I trek into the woods alone, away from the presence of the group, and the fire. Night had fallen completely by now, and the shadows cast by the flame behind me were putting me ever so slightly on edge; darting about like so many possible enemies. I found a good few chunks of dry, dead wood, leading even further into the woods. Squinting to see further along, I spot the source of the kindling; an old dead tree, which seemed to be falling apart.

Wanting to bring back a good haul, I walk towards the dead towering timber, watching my step as I went. My eyes were quick to adapt to the darkness, now that the fire was out of sight; allowing for a quicker gathering of further dead wood. I was elated to find a good sized branch, about as tall as myself, and begin breaking it down into easier to carry pieces. I hear a twig break to my left me, and spin to see what was approaching. Nothing was there; just the tree, dead where it stood. Looking over the decaying tower of timber, I see what appeared to be burns across it's body; killed by a bolt of lightning during a storm? Arson of some kind?

Finished gathering, and having had my fill of the scenery, I return to camp; keeping an ear out for further snaps or cracks. None came, and I rested the pile next to one of the tents, taking a seat with the others; with my stomach grumbling. The cause of such a rumble was the amazing smell coming from a massive cooking pot, hanging over the fire. A stew of some kind, with a few bits of our jerky, vegetables, and bit of spice added in.

Gabriella handed me a bowl as we all waited; the others chatting about whatever came to mind.

"So, you're in a Groundhog Day kind thing?" Asked Klyde, looking to Scott.

The Tailor looked at the earthling elf with an odd look. "Ground... hog... what?"

A conversation about something called a "movie" had started over with the two men, while to my left...

"You really made this shiny?' Asked Sammy, oggling Zana's prosthetic arm.

Ashes, stirring the pot of stew, answered with. "Yep. It's also a gun."

"You know me so well, Ashie." Giggles the mousey mage.

"So cool..."

It was heartwarming, seeing all of these people I had met, enjoying each others company. Ashes announced the stew was ready, and began pouring a serving into each of our bowls with the ladle she had been stirring with. After blowing on it a few times, I began gulping down the contents of my bowl; a hearty, warming meal. After we had each had a serving or two, Cilla stood up; all while Zana went around to collect the bowls.

"So, the tent on the left is for you three." She said, pointing to Me, Klyde, and Scott. "While the one on the right will be for Me, Gabriella, Ashes, Zana, and Sammy; since she prefers sleeping... condensed."

"I like sleeping in a bottle." Says the slime, smiling.

"Rocky will be keeping watch, and alert us of any intruders. In the morning, we'll pack up, and head down the road again; preferably making it to Bludbag as soon as possible."

Her announcement finished, the rest began tucking away their packs into their respective tents, and headed off to the Seknium for the night. The inside of the men's tent was rather nice; spacious enough to spread out the sleeping bags that had come with the tent's magical appearance. The cool air of the night found no purchase beneath the tent's folds, either; letting the air still to a middling warmth.

Seeing that the sleeping bag was made for someone without a massive pair of wings, I shifted my flapping limbs away; which caused Kylde to fall flat on his ass in shock. I was more surprised by how little pain the shifting had inflicted upon me this time; am I getting better at it, or is it simply nothing compared to my severe Vibrosis back in Bounty?

"You can just do that?!"

"Yes. Now go to sleep." I say, snuggling into my sleeping bag.

I close my eyes... opening them again; on the hill, with the tree, and picnic.

I look around cautiously; no sirens, Others, or succubi this time? It appeared not. I look down at the box of memories, and wonder if I should take a peak; then to the crackling campfire from Fawk's spell... maybe another look into the life of my "old friend" wouldn't hurt...