Ride with Amara.

After the exchange of coin, the dwarven man supplies the saddles and reins, and with your party's aid, the emus are suited up in record time. Each pair has their own colour. First is Eva riding with Niki's arms wrapped around from behind, on the back of a deep purple beast. Next to them sits Xiaoqing, though Snow is the one in front holding the reins, and they've found themselves a sleek obsidian-feathered emu to ride. They all pull up, ready on the road ahead, as you take up the rear as the final two riders.

You place your hand upon the neck of the golden bird. This close, her feathers do almost divine. She looks down to you--mighty and tall--though doesn't resist your approach. She trusts you. Then with caution at first, you hoist yourself onto the saddle, though once aboard, you take a confident hold. After a pat upon the creature's head, you help Amara climb up next. She takes a moment to comfortably wiggle into place before embracing you gently. Her legs rest off to the side.

Her touch is always so soft and affectionate. You can feel the tickle of her long, blonde hair against your neck.

"I am ready when you are," she whispers. "Thank you for choosing me to join you, Kyle. I feel so... safe here, sitting with you."

You aim the creature towards the gate and guide it into the road. "Of course. Keep holding me tight, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"That sounds like a lovely trade."

"The flow of your new dress as we start going will be a sight to behold. You wear it so well, Amara. It's beautiful."

"If you keep complimenting me like this, I will start kissing you."

"Finally!" Eva shuts, proudly grasping the reins of her mount. "No more trying to strip me, okay? You're gonna get us to Tanver's Crossing safe and sound, and fully clothed."

Meanwhile, Snow seems to be struggling. "I d-don't understand--" she mutters out as her mount hurries over to Eva. It snaps out, narrowly missing her dress, just like the others.

"Wha--Control your emu, guys!" Eva yells.

"Steady!" Niki shouts.

Snow gasps. "Sorry. I don't know why, but it went right for you."

"I guess they really love you after all," Niki says with a snicker.

"Of course," says Amara. "It is Eva. What is there not to love?"

The western exit of Avana is your destination. It takes no time at all to circle around and depart from the city. Once they have room to move, these emus are swift! They move more quickly than any horse. Their wings may not word, but it feels as if you're flying. Before you know it, even the acres of farmland are in the distance. It all disappears behind grassy hills. With the Western Pecho Peaks being as close as they are, the terrain is still rather uneven. The road itself is fine, though there are turns above dangerous drops, and enough rocky cliffs and up and downs that neither city is in site from where you ride.

It's feels great, however, to be out in the open air on the back of such a speedy beast. You take a deep breath and let the wind flow back through your brown hair, as you get to feel Amara's constant touch.

"Just think," Amara speaks up. "Today we should come to the Pecho Stream. It flows straight into Silverleaf. So in a way, we have already seen it during our trip to Morniwo."

"Oh yeah. That's right," you reply. "We should visit there again sometime."

"Maybe without a threat to face, we can simply enjoy ourselves. I do wonder then how my mother is doing now."

"Next time we run into her, we'll have to offer her a FONE."

"That would be wonderful, but I would also not want to bother her too much."

"I really don't think any call from you would be a bother."

Snow looks over from her own mount, almost directly beside your own, and speaks up. "So, Kyle. You seemed confused before. So you don't have these back on Earth?" she asks.

"We have emus, but they're definitely not this size. Temperament is about the same though."

"They're one of the fastest ways to get around, but a lot of people still prefer other mounts, because emus not only aren't great at pulling wagons, carts, and the like, but they tend to refuse outright to try. So they're useless to merchants and other people transporting goods."

"Perfect for us though," you say. "Compared to if we went on foot then, how long of a trip do you think this will be?"

"A few days walking. But with emus? We'll likely only have to sleep on the road once before arrival. In an emergency, emus could probably run long enough between Avana and Tanver's Crossing before the next sunrise, though it would exhaust the poor creatures."

"No rush!" Eva calls out.

Niki grips her tight from behind. "Yeah! We should just enjoy--"

"Y-You're squeezing the life out of me," Eva whimpers.

"Oops. Sorry about that."

"You know, there's something special about all this," Xiaoqing chimes in. "Whether it's near kingdoms far from here, or even the world I came from, the world feels similar when you're out in nature. There are still trees and rocks, squirrels and birds. It's wonderful."

Amara smiles. She whispers near your ear, "She is correct. It would be quite lovely to dance naked beneath the sunshine."

You glance an eye back. "Is that what elves often do?"

"No, silly. I just wanted you to picture it in your mind."

"I thought you were supposed to be heavenly, not devilish."

"There is nothing more divine than your lover's tease."

"I'm about to pull this emu over and make everybody watch."

"What--" Her cheeks flush. She lays her head upon your back, and tightens her grip while remaining silent for a moment. "You know, I have never spoken this way to anybody in my life before meeting you, Kyle, nor have I tolerated it in turn. Now I wish for it every time you open your lips. It is like you have cast a spell upon me."

After riding for hours, you spy a bridge ahead. From what you can remember, that's the one which crosses the Pecho Stream. Just like Amara said, it runs straight into Silverleaf. The emu's talons bang loudly against the old yet solid boards of wood, and you continue for a short distance passed. Though around that time, you all decide it's the perfect opportunity to have a break. The emus shouldn't be made to run from dawn to dusk, and even the riders are starting to ache. Different muscles are used than if one were to walk, but it's still tiring.

You dismount first. Then with a hand out-stretched, you guide Amara down into your arms.

"I'm gonna go dip my feet in the stream!" you hear Eva call from closer to the bridge.

Amara gestures ahead. "That sounds lovely. Let us follow."