Rise, and raise.

The rest of the night was spent trekking towards Bounty; the closer of the two cities, and the only one with an active Runacathy to register Carrie, as well as collect the bounty on the rogue Black-Hood Hunter. The bandit, named Gunther, rather than Carrie's name of "Goober", came along with us to confirm the Hood's identity; all in return for assurance that he wouldn't be arrested. He was silent during this time, too ashamed of having relented on being healed to fuss anymore. The act of leaving the dungeon was the hardest part; requiring those of us without wings to be carried, or the use of yet-more vines. The path afterwards, returning on the road and heading south, was a combination of drear from sleep deprivation, as well as lively; the stars above twinkling brighter than ever. Even more so, due to the fact we had brought with us a fair portion of the goods found in that Dungeon; loot is loot, after all.

"I must say, it is quite lucky that you happened upon us." Says Mako; twirling it's cage about on a chain (the thing could shrink, according to what I had witnessed the magical abode do mere moments prior.)

I rub my eyes. "Why's that?"

"Well, I was heading east; through the Pale Pass, and towards Krow, but it seems to have been collapsed; at least, that's is what our mutual friend told me with that feather." The bird-thing continues walking while I stop; Cilla doing so in turn.

"The pass is collapsed?" She whispers; Carrie still asleep in her arms. "And how could he tell you that, anyway? The feather only works one way."

"I'm a Spirit, just like his Pheonix. Holding a portion of that fine little lady is enough to speak with her." It says, waving its feathery wing, and dismissing the question. "How the pass collapsed is unknown; presumed to be the Dark's sabotage, of course. Either way, what I seek is seemingly no longer there; instead, it supposedly remains near Fawk's current destination; the land of the Mohun."

Ashes perks up; no longer slumping over onto Zana's hat as the two walked. "What are you looking for back in my homeland?"

"Forbidden lore, of course." Says Mako, acting as though such a thing we like tea-leaves or a nice meal. "I'm looking into the ancient myths of the Ninth Seats. Have any of you heard of them, by chance?"

No-one, not even Cilla, answers.

"Hmm, no 'Theorists' amongst you then." Mako says, sounding disappointed. "It's a radical proposition, but some, myself included, believe there used to be nineteen Gods in previous Pantheons, rather than the current seventeen. The change, according to my finding, would have happened with the founding of the current Order by Ihsrom, hence why I suspected Krow would have information."

I was almost too tired to ask; almost being the main word here. "What would Krow have to do with the Ihsrom? I thought they worshipped the Purity line."

"Ah! A historical illiterate." It coo's; irking my Handler, and teacher, ever so slightly. "It's well known that Ihsrom assumed the role of Death directly after the crashing of the Ark, and the soon-after founding of Krow. Isn't that right, Compuro?"

Eve looks down; hiding her screen. "Yes... The Ark; where the Ancients came from. It beached upon Ruyanei while sailing The Sea Above."

"That's water!?" I yelp; looking into the sky above us, with stars twinkling.

Carrie shuffles about in Cilla's arms; unsettled by my shout.

"Yell again and I'll break your tailbone." Hisses Cilla; eyes flaring red, before suddenly calming down. "Sorry... I don't know why I just lashed out like that."

Eve answers my earlier wail, ignoring the Red-Hood's outburst. "I believe it was recorded as a 'vacuum', but most of what we Compuro know is... in terms not yet understood. Our kind may have been created by the Ancients, but we can only learn through observing living organisms. If the people of Ruyanei did not know how to tie a knot, we would not learn how to tie a knot."

"So... is it true?" Asks Scott; who had perked up a bit when his people's ruined homeland was mentioned. "Krow was built atop a great sky-ship? The kings were of Ancient blood?"

Eve lifts up her face from her long staring match with the road; her screen now a smile. "Oh, yes. That I know for sure, Krownavin."

We pass the tree line, the oldest defensive wall of Bounty, and soon stand before it's gates; calling for entry. It is granted, and we stride out across the poorer, older section, and down towards the Runacathy.

Oh no... my legs are remembering this place again. My poor calves...

Wincing, at the thought, I push it away quickly once we enter the Runacathy; a familiar face greeting us within.

"Oh, hello dearies! I thought you would have left by now." Says a casually dressed Captain Thrusk, who had been chatting with a man in a White-Hood; the Father of the Bounty Branch. "And you've made new friends; how lovely!"

"We're here for a... well, a bounty in Bounty." Says Cilla; getting a chuckle from Gabbie. "We have proof the of the rogue Hunter's death; that, and this little dear."

Carrie yawns, opening her small, blue peepers. "Are we there yet?" She asks, tiredly.

"Yes, sweetie." Cilla flops down her still elongated ears

The Father approaches past Thrusk; a old, white-bearded human, by the looks of him, with a gentle, kindly nature. He seemed to be the sort of older fellow that the community would collectively refer to as "Grandpa" or "Pops."

He looks at the child in awe, his wrinkled hands gently clasping his mouth in surprise; a mouth, which according to his strange gummy lisp, lacked it's usual dentures. "Is this child... a Dungeon Core?"

Cilla nods. "Yes, Father Tardif."

He stumbles, starting to rush off deeper into the building. "We must inform our Ruya of this! This is such big news! And, of course, we need to get the poor thing a cloak. Do you know the Little One's favorite color?"

"Pink." Says Gunther, finally speaking after the long-silence. "She refuses to wear anything that ain't pink."

"Then pink it shall be." Says Father Tardif; a toothless smile gracing his face. "You should all get some rest. Go on then. Any empty room you please; we can do the paperwork in the morning."

Cilla kicks at the floors slightly.

"I... already did most of it."