Chapter 28 : Towards the Capital

"Will it be hard to leave the temple behind?" Oz asked in awe, everyone was buzzing about like busy bees.

Where hours ago everything was a cozy encampment, it was almost all broken down and packed up. She was shocked how quickly everyone agreed and started packing up. All that was left was the bathing house and the communal hut.

Those who were remaining were in the process of moving their huts closer to the temple. About a third of the settlement were coming with them, about sixty or so elves. 

"One of our mages is already writing a recall spell on the wall. We'll be able to teleport back within minutes." Selene dusted off her mittened hands on the snow.

"Then why do we have to pack to leave?" Oz asked, helping lift the broken down hut poles onto the sled.

"We don't have a proper spell back to the Capital. Nahern's recall was taken away by our Uncle. So we have to walk. " Selene sighed sadly, wiping her dirty hands off on her cloak.

"There are many who need to sell their own things, so traveling together is safer. We will have to go the long way. If we get stuck, this way we have supplies and protection from the dark knight. The remaining will keep an eye on the temple and continue the network of pipes."

Oz rubbed her cheek, "I've been meaning to ask…um…how advanced is this world? Like, do you have electricity? Or plumbing?"

Selene stared at Oz for a solid moment before she burst out laughing. Laughing hard enough she had to grab her sides. 

"Oh. Oh Saint, you are hilarious. Our world might not be as far advanced as yours, but we aren't like the tree dwelling nut eaters to the south."

Oz blinked at that, "wow racist much"

Selene shrugged as she tied down another pile of poles, "I can't stand them, they think every elf needs to be some delicate, wispy vision of the forest. Like nymphs in the air."

She makes a face before sticking out her tongue. "I'll stick to my meat and spear thank you very much."

To that Oz couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, alright."

"Still, aren't you scared?" Selene asked, curiosity twinkling in her eyes. Oz shrugged weakly.

"I'm still trying to work through what is a lie and truth. Nahern told me first it was a genocide of his people, then a hunting party, now all this." 

She sighed sadly, "I don't know what to believe."

Selene patted her arm gently, "Whatever Nahern said he meant it. He is a protective idiot over us. These good people didn't have to leave the safety of the capital and settlements to join him. He would have taken his banishment as a hermit willingly."

Oz frowned, "Why is he banished anyway?"

Selene shook her head, "That isn't my story to tell. Perhaps Nahern will open up soon about it." 

Oz turned back to the task at hand, helping to pack up the camp. She hoped it wouldn't be a long journey ahead of them, but she was determined to make it. She had to find a way to help Nahern clear his name and get his banishment lifted.

She owed it to him for everything he had done for her. Him and these good people.

As they packed up the camp, Oz couldn't help but think about all the things she had learned since she had arrived in this world.

She had learned about its own cultures and customs. She had learned about magic and the power within herself.

Oz was grateful for all the experiences she had had in this world. She knew that she would never be the same again. She was a changed person, for the better.

She was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

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The elves trudged through the endless fields of snow, their breath visible in the cold air. The only signs of life were the occasional speck of tree or rock outcropping, and the faint tracks of animals that had passed before them.

The elves were divided into three groups: a forward scout group, a slower group of families with all the supplies, and a group of young hunters to act as a vanguard. Many wanted the saint to stay in the safety of the middle group, but she refused to be left behind.

Oz knew that she was perfectly capable of defending herself, and she would not let others risk their lives for her. Instead, she joined Nahern in the front of the group. The few mounts they had, large white reindeer-like creatures with long donkey-like ears, were better used pulling the heavy sleds than carrying them.

The large rabbit bear was even put to work, lumbering beside the forward team, sniffing and digging out hidden dangers.

From what little she could gather from the forward scouts, it would be a quick walk back to the capital. Quick was subjective. 

For her quick was a two mile hike, for the elves their stamina was far higher than even hers. The capital was nearly a 20 mile hike through the ice and cold. Not as frigid as the Ice Flats, there would be outcroppings to keep the worst of the blizzarding winds off them.

The only trouble would be getting around the toll gates. Many of the lands of the kingdom were being broken up due to the new King's greed. They would bypass as many tolls as possible for the safety of the siblings. No one was explaining why they were kicked out, but Oz had spent enough years consuming enough media to understand it was probably due to royal blood lines or something as stupid.

She looked over to where Nahern walked, envious of how he barely seemed to sink into the snow with each step. There had to be an easier way, she was shivering like crazy even under the weight of the furs.

She had been walking for hours and her feet were starting to ache. She was tired and hungry and all she wanted to do was find a warm place to sleep. She sighed and kept walking. 

'There has to be something I can do to help.' She thought, as she trudged after. Twice within the hour she nearly tripped into another snow bank.

Three times a scout nearly had to drag her back onto her feet. 

After six hours of nonstop hiking, Oz had enough. She spat out another mouthful of snow from where she had tripped and growled. Enough!