The forest was cool, and smelled like honey and fresh dew.
Within a few minutes, they arrived in a small clearing in the forest.
A strange round cottage was built into a large mound in the middle of the clearing.
Smoke was slowly wafting up into the sky from the smoke stack.

Garalt and Drakon jumped off the cart.
"So where's this Taliesin then?" asked Garalt.
The door to the cottage opened with a creek, but no one stood in the door way.
Before they could turn around, the horse and cart was already moving off into the forest.

The two men walked to the door.
As Garalt entered, he noticed an old man sitting in front of the fire place.
"Come in Garalt, and you too Drakon," beckoned the old man.
"How do..." Garalt was cut short.
"How do I know you, or why you are here?" asked the old man.

Garalt and Drakon were puzzled.
As the two men came closer to the old man, they recognized him.
"You are that old man from the City!" exclaimed Drakon.
"We came here to see..." Drakon was cut short by Garalt.
"You are Taliesin, aren't you?" said Garalt.

"Very good Garalt, your a strong believer aren't you," said Taliesin.
"That I am, it is a pleasure to meet you sir," Garalt said as he bowed.
"You are here to find out where Tempi Frei is aren't you?" asked Taliesin.
"That we are, but I'm afraid we have come a bit unprepared," said Garalt sadly.
"Well I'm glad you have come to me then," Taliesin answered getting up from his chair.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.
The door opened and a man walked in, it was Covinth.
"Ah, Covinth, meet Garalt and Drakon, they are from the Kingdom of Ikros," pointed Taliesin.
"Andreena told me to come see you," said Covinth.
"Yes, I need you to guide these two to the Islands of Marnlai," Taliesin continued.
"I'll organize a party as soon as I can," answered Covinth.

Taliesin turned to Garalt and asked him for his shield.
"I do not have it with me at the moment," said Garalt.
"Hmmm, not to worry. Get one of your friends to bring it here while you make your way to the Islands," said Taliesin.
"But how are they going to find this place?" Drakon said with a puzzled expression.
"I will send a guide for them," answered Taliesin.

"Well I must be off, busy, busy, busy, always busy," Taliesin said.
With that, he disappeared out of plain sight!
Covinth looked at Garalt, "I hate it when he does that."
The three men headed outside.

"So what do we do now?" Drakon asked.
Covinth pointed towards three horses tied up beside the cottage.
The men climbed onto the horses, and rode off into the forest.

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