Verana leaned against a tree on the edge of the forest, watching the river and the activity that was slowly starting to build across the water. The area immediately around the Star Stones was clear but not far behind them, the Humans had set up rows of temporary structures. Most of which contained roofs, two or three walls and tables filled with various goods.

 It was a temporary version of the Smith Street or Bakers Street inside Keepsal but there was an undercurrent emotion of celebration. Verana wasn't sure how the selling of things outside was any different than the every day pattern of Human lives but they enjoyed it.  They were joyous, laughing amongst friends, seeming to thrive in the close contact with strangers and acquaintances alike.

The amount of newcomers swelling the town overwhelmed her. Most amongst them, the armed men wearing various colours, which she had worked out to represent different houses, families or tribes. Some greeted one another with genuine friendship and companionship, others used formality to mask their distaste or dislike of one another but all of them appeared to respect the King's rules.

 Or they were forced to, with the King's guard walking or standing throughout the area, watching everything. Though the guards greeted people they knew with stoic nods, they remained sentinels surrounding everything. 

Sitting still in the river despite the strong current, was what Duke Oliver referred to his 'little racer', though it was bigger than any boat she had seen or used to cross water, with one tall pole in the centre that held a great deal of rope and fabric. 

Shaktay had told her that when the fabric was let loose, they used the wind to pull the ships along through the water. He had seen it from the cliffs of his part of the Wild, overlooking the ocean. He had also agreed with the Duke's thoughts that it was a small ship, saying he had seen some with three or four of those large poles, carrying dozens of people.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Shaktay slipped silently out of the woods to stand beside her, accompanied by two of his fighters. They were sisters born at the same time, that moved together as if they communicated in their minds. They were usually silent amongst others but Verana had trained with them for a winter and the firm nods and brief smiles they allowed her were more than most received.

 Verana returned the gesture and looked at Shaktay, raising one brow. "What's this?"

"I've been watching them, these Humans. As safe as it is, every single one of those men that lead the rest, they never walk alone in these crowds. Human law or not, they believe they need protectors and they are not you. " Shaktay offered, his eyes moving to the far shores, lifting his nose into the air, "and the food smells too interesting to not inspect further."

Verana thought about his words for a long moment before nodding slowly. She had noticed the difference herself. Even the King was surrounded with a large group of guards and usually both the Duke Oliver and Shelby as well. "We follow their Laws, Shaktay. Most humans react with a great deal of fear and distrust when they first see us."

He gave her a look that conveyed his annoyance at her caution. Her friend knew all this, they had spoken about it before. But he merely replied, " I would like to thank the woman who made me these blades. And these two want to see if she can make them blades, they're different than the other weapons. They had almost thought they would have to choose a different style."

"Alright. Miss Greylin is a friend. I will take you to her and then we'll find Mirabel's stall. Ben said they were both there and relatively close together. Have you learned any of  the Human language?" When Shaktay shrugged in his noncommittal manner, she was surprisingly relieved. He hadn't expressed a lot of faith in prolonged interactions with them and despite wishing her all the success on her test, believed the Council had given her something that would never be achieved. She wasn't entirely sure that he wouldn't snarl insults at anyone who tried to speak with him. 

"We'll need to find a way up stream, the river is too wide here." Shaktay murmured, taking her by the forearm to stop her from stepping out of the woods. She sensed his uncertainty then, for all his confidence and indifference, this was something that he had not yet done. 

He had never shown himself or been around humans he wasn't hunting down for transgressions, "and know, you are my dearest friend. I will not let anyone near you, if I sense your dislike of them, if I sense violence from them."

Verana offered a terse smile, nodding. "Most of the humans I have met, are alright. Duke Oliver is a bit strange but he's tolerable when he doesn't try to flirt with you. We'll cross here. I can manage to give us solid footing across."

Shaktay frowned darkly as he thought about her words, glancing at the river and then back to her as if he was suddenly thinking this whole adventure was a bad idea. " You would tell me if it got to be too much for you, right?"

"It should be fine. Besides, Humans are more afraid of power than they are of us." Verana chuckled, drawing out the dark look of amusement on the three of their faces. She returned their grins, taking a bracing breath before turning again and stepping out of the woods and starting towards the bank of the river.

It took a few moments but by the time they were at the river, they had been noticed. There were some sounds of surprise and a brief moment of quiet from those unfamiliar with even the sight of her. But she heard the familiar sounds that were created by the voices of the occupants of Keepsal, offering statements of reassurance or even just normality and slowly the rest of the Humans carried on with what they were doing. There was still tension but they followed the lead of their friends for now.

Summoning her power, she created a low bridge out of the air over the water and began stepping across, motioning to her companions to walk behind her. She continued to watch the far bank, though a great deal of her concentration was put into holding her and her companions above the raging waters inches below her feet. That concentration initially prevented her from noticing the group of armed guards that had descended from the Market to meet them. 

The men were wearing the uniform of the King but she saw Sir Benchan and some of Lord Shelby's men mixed within the group. All of the men were those who had volunteered to spar and train with her over the past days. As she stepped onto the far bank, shifting out of the way for the other three Feysha, she found herself relieved that they had chosen only those completely comfortable around her to approach other Feysha.

Benchan stepped forward out of his group, though stopping at a respectable distance when he saw Shaktay step up beside Verana with teeth bared ever so slightly. The two sisters shifted behind her, positioned to move if there was a threat. Benchan had a brief moment of fear run through him, but responded to her presence with the Feysha greeting. "Earth's blessing. Lady Veranandein."

"A soft wind upon you and your men," She returned it and fought a smile as Shaktay did as well. But, knowing that he would make a point of being not nice if she paid too much attention to any kindness shown to the human, she left it alone. "Sir Benchan, these are my friends, Shaktayleva, Winseli and Pyxey."

Benchan grinned thoughtfully, his warrior's eye taking stock of the three companions she had. His expression showing that he appreciated what their real purpose was and looked as if he was going to comment as such. Though he did not. "M'lord, Ladies. I am commanding the Guard the King has set aside for the Feysha. We won't get in the way but we'll be with you wherever you go and hopefully become acquainted enough with you that more Feysha feel comfortable joining us."

Verana translated his words, glancing at Shaktay, who frowned to her and murmured. "They are here to enforce the King's Law?"

"Yes, Shaktay. And if the others decide to leave the Wild, the guard here will most likely cross the river to do the same. They will make sure the Humans follow the law, even around us." Verana replied, letting out a cautious breath. "I trust them. Sir Benchan has been a friend here and his men are those I have been sparring with."

Shaktay nodded at that, offering a smile to the Humans, still speaking in Feysha. "They smell alright."

Verana nodded to Benchan, "I was going to take them to see Greylin and Mirabel."

"Smart." Benchan nodded his approval, motioning to his men, who turned and spread out into the market ahead of them. They appeared to walk easily on patrol as the other Guards were but stayed in a loose circle around the five of them as they made their way closer and then into the Human crowd. "There's going to be a bit of fear, from the people who thought we were all crazy, talking of Feysha when they realize you really do exist. And there are those who haven't been exactly accepting of the concept, who might make more noise now that you are actually real."

Verana translated his words, drawing a vicious smile from Shaktay, then turned back to Benchan. "They will not be too many for your men?"

Benchan smirked, shaking his head as he directed them through the Market, ignoring the stares and wide berth given by the Humans they walked past. "No. They would have to be suicidal to violate the King's law. Without good excuse, an offence here, is a direct assault on the King himself. Most punishments result in death."

"Death?" Verana looked at the man for a long moment, then glanced to Shaktay and translated it to him.

Shaktay offered a shrug, indicating that he was unmoved by the fate of anyone stupid enough to violate an order from their ruler or his confidence that death would not be from the King's hands. She wasn't sure which was more reassuring.

In front of them, the crowd suddenly broke apart to leave a wide open space. It was an informal gathering centre, around which the little shops circled. Verana could pick out Mirabel's on the far corner and saw Greylin in the last shop of the Smiths. The woman had a forge and was busy working at it, as a small young woman was helping a customer.  Though everyone in the area had stopped and turned to look at them as it stepped into the square. 

The humans from Keepsal  easily continued what they were doing, urging any friends from afar to continue as well but a large group of other Humans were milling about, watching the strange new creatures who had wandered among them.

"Sir Benchan!" A call came from across the square, preceding a tall man with pale hair, wearing black laced with silver and two large swords over his back. The expression on his face looking friendly, his intentions smelling of cruelty and anger laced with fear. "And I thought you were one of Shelby's best men!" It was intoned to sound like humour, but the words were meant to insult.

Even if she hadn't been able to sense everything that was wrong with the man approaching them, or the dark looks of his guards that walked behind him, she could see Benchan tense.  And heard his barely breathed curse, not to mention the sudden scent of disgust. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Benchan's men shift out of the crowds and more into view and even noticed Greylin had picked up one of her large hammers and stepped to the front of her shop.

"Lord Kavenay, enjoying the market, I see?" Benchan offered a polite bow as he spoke, though his face didn't change from stony professionalism.

Shaktay shifted to stand completely beside Verana, whispering lowly. "I do not like this one."

"Neither does Ben." Verana murmured back, watching her Human friend scan the square for a moment, weighing the situation.

"I am starting to understand the language more." Shaktay murmured back, inclining his head. "If I don't, I will ask."

Lord Kavenay stopped in front of their group, grinning to Benchan, "I was. So these are Shelby's forest pets? The feared Feysha? They look about as dangerous as sugar sprites."

If Shaktay understood the words, Verana congratulated him for not growling then and there. The man spoke words of confidence and cruelty but stunk badly of fear. That contrast made her realize that most of the anger coming from him was driven by his uncertainty about her and her three Feyshan friends. 

That understanding combined with the sudden anger rising in Benchan, prompted her to step forward and incline her head. "Lord Kavenay, we have not had a chance to make acquaintance."

The man blinked in surprise at her words, he had not expected her to understand nor speak back to him. Fear washed over him at a deeper level, his eyes searching her face for a moment, before he offered her a deep bow. "And you must be the Lady Veranandein, forgive me, I did not realize you had been here long enough to learn the language."

"And you must forgive me for ruining your market experience. I realize how overwhelming it can be to experience something so drastically different than what you are used to and how unsettling it can be. It can make one act out of character and forget common courtesy and protocol." She offered a vicious, teeth baring grin, "we do not wish to cause any discomfort with our presence. We merely want to allow Humans to become more accustomed to us and us to them."  

The man looked chastened, opening his mouth but making no sound.  She knew the silence would be short lived as the shock faded back into anger and cruelty. "I hope the rest of your experience here is as enjoyable as ours. I am sorry for interrupting your day and I am sure you are as busy as my companions and I are, so I will not delay you any further."

And with that, she inclined her head and turned, walking towards Greylin's booth. She could feel the man's anger and confusion wash over her, trailing her as she fought to keep her composure calm. But she didn't turn back,  even as she pictured herself ripping the man's throat out. 

Beside her, Shaktay was as silent as death, his expression so dark and promising so much violence that it caused a thrill of fear to go through her. She heard Benchan offer a polite goodbye as well and turn to follow them. 

Beyond the anger in him, there was a dark sort of satisfaction, a humour that shone in his eyes as he joined her while she was greeting Greylin and introducing Shaktay, Winseli and Pyxey.