Percival and Faramaurea arrived three days later at Le Elyanme after an uneventful journey. They had cut cross-country to their destination, and in this way had avoided encountering any soldiers of Meneltarma, along the way.

To reach the City of the Skybridge, you had to first climb up the mountain trails, that in turn​ let to a small wooden bridge, which crossed over the gap between the mainland, and the semi-aquatic stone tower it was sitting on.

Percival and Faramaurea stood​ across the bridge from the citadel, observing their surroundings, and staring in wonder at the city before then. "Did you know," Percival asked Faramaurea, "that once the skies around this location were a florescent green, crackling with pure energy and radioactivity? They were, until our Grandfather, pulled it all down with some of his soldier's help."

Faramaurea smirked, and answered, "Yes, I was, and am. Grandfather told me the same stories that he taught you. Just as he told both of us how he single handedly destroyed the bridge that the city was named for." She thought for a moment, before continuing: "I do not think he exaggerated in his story much, Percival. He certainly was not exaggerating when he talked about the lack of life around here." She wrapped her brown and green cloak more tightly around herself, immediately prior to concluding, quietly, and aside to herself: "It feels so cold and desolate here."

Percival took her hand, and smiled empathetically, unsure how to comfort her. She may not like it, but I have to keep her safe, at all costs.

Still, the thought troubled him, because he loved his siblings, and wanted them all to be happy. That thought made him wonder where Metimafoa and Orónëminya were, and how they were doing.

Little did he know, that on the other side of the Land, Orónëminya was bleeding out, while Metimafoa did his absolute best to save her.

Dismounting from their horses, because the bridge could not support the weight, they crossed the wooden bridge, one person and horse at a time, with Percival going first to test the weight of the bridge's support.

When both of them had reached the other side, they stood before the two black stone gates, that barred their entry. The halfling sentry had seen their approach, and stated: "We don't get many visitors this far north." Staring at them curiously, he asked, "What business, do two teenage elves, have in the Skybridge?"

Percival glanced at Faramaurea slightly panicked, so instead she answered: "We lived on a small sheep, and grain farm, just West of Helkaluksor. Three weeks ago, a Red Dragon left the Radiation Fields, and destroyed our home on the way." She looked down at her feet, as though she was trying not to cry, but really she was just ashamed by the lie she was telling. "Luckily, we were off at the market at the time of the attack, but we returned home to a complete destruction of everything we owned, except that which we had on us. After deciding that we could not stay there, we traveled North, looking for room and work, but we were turned away everywhere, ending up here." Collapsing to her knees for dramatic effect, she allowed a few fake tears to slip out, before concluding, "You are our last hope."

The sentry signalled for the gate to be opened, and said. "Room we have, but work may be harder to come by. Meet me in the square in one hour. I'll see what I can find."

With that, he gestured them in, and they looked upon the Stone City in the Sky.

Inside of the wall, was the castle, if they continued straight, with the market and square in its center courtyard. The castle was oval in shape, with tall blue stone brick walls, that were split in half. In the first half, lied the courtyard, while the other half was was walled off, symbolising the fortress, and the throne room.

Outside of that, village style houses were sporadically placed. The streets bustled, but not too excessively, because after the war, many people had left, having no homes to stay for. During the war, the population of Le Elyanme had been over 500,000, but now there were less than 500 remaining.

"Well, I suppose we should wait in the square, for our comrade." Faramaurea said calmly, due to her continued practice of emotional control.

The important thing to realize about emotional control, is that it is not an overall lack of emotion, but rather the refusal to allow emotions to play a part in important decision making.

As the two elven siblings began to slowly progress onward, toward the square, they talked about their plans in the city.

"So," Faramaurea said, "what is the plan here, Percival? What do you have in mind, that you chose the Skybridge?"

Percival leaned toward her a little bit, and answered: "Canoelloestel, a general from our grandfather's era, took up residence in Le Elyanme, after the Last Great War. I hope to find him here, to have him further my evocation training. Although we completed our corresponding trials, I have much left to learn on the subject." Percival observed the city around him, taking in the details of this stone fortress, and memorizing every stone on its walls. "I also chose it, because it was the most secure, and the most safe, area in the entire Land Of Quendie Ar Aponar, and your safety is of the utmost importance. You must survive, Faramaurea, because you, of All Four Heirs to the Line of Estelondo, are the most fit to rule."

She stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, before responding feverently, "No! I do not want this throne which you offer me! I am unworthy to rule, Percival. Besides, even if I wanted it, you are the firstborn heir of the Line of Our Father and Mother. The throne is yours by birthright."

Percival stopped and looked her in the eye, his own probing deep into her soul for the legitimacy of her statement. "I promise you this, Faramaurea; should the throne fall into my lap, I will not hold it. I am too hot-headed to make the effective decisions of Kinghood, that are required for the land's continued survival. If you will not take it, than I will reinstate a Council of Le Nolga, to rule in the king's stead."

"You would reinstate that which our grandfather dissolved, because you don't trust yourself to rule? Percival, to do that would be to undo three generations of life, that occurred millennia ago. Do we, the children of our grandfather's son, have the right to undo his millennia of of efforts, made in the name of the people?"

Percival nodded. "It is better to change a failing system, than to waste time and resources into its draining maw. The Government of Meneltarma, must exist for the people who it governs, therefore, we must make it so that it is of the most benefit to the people. Our grandfather, Saironelloistya, may have ended the original council, but that just further proves that he understood that a government for the people must be adaptable to change. It is not our right, as royalty, to value tradition, over the benefit of the people."

"Your mind is made up in this, then?" Faramaurea scanned his facial details, looking for any signs of self-doubt, but she found none. "So be it. The Throne is your's, Percival, to do with as you see fit. " With that last word, spoken levelly, but expressively, she continued on their journey toward the square, with Percival on the follow.

When they reached the square, they spotted the halfling sentry, along with two armored sentries, and a few small bags on the ground near him. Picking up two of the bags, the sentry threw one to each of them, and ordered flatly "Come with me."

He began to walk down a western street, and then took a left turn, going into the residential district. When he turned down an alley, followed by the siblings, he turned to Faramaurea, and quietly reprimanded her. "I don't appreciate being lied to, Daughter of Saironellotoron II. I would have reported you to Gygax already, but you have a powerful friend in this city, who bid me to bring you to him. That, is where we are going, to meet with the wizard general, Canoelloestel." He paused for a second, as though contemplating whether or not to give them additional information. "A word to the wise; Canoelloestel is not the same man he was, 4,000 years ago. He has become more forgetful. Turns out, his great grandmother on his mother's side was half-elven, so he inherited human genetics. Although his elven genetics have bought him exceptionally long years, his days are rapidly coming to an end. He has... aged, to put it diplomatically, in both body, and spirit."

With that, he turned back down the road, and began humming, has his short, little, legs marched rapidly, with a destination in mind. Faramaurea grabbed Percival's hand, and dragged him along, while he stared in shock at the hobbit that was quickly gaining distance from them.

Percival whispered to Faramaurea: "He knows where Canoelloestel is! If any person in this entire land can protect us, it is him. We will be safe here, at least for the time being."

Faramaurea smiled, for the first time since they had arrived, at his barely hidden excitement. Quite frankly, she felt... dead. Usually the nature magic around her flowed through her in a torrent of energy like water flowing forth from the geysers of the OAT territory.

But here, in the Elyanme, where the only nature magic was from the moss and lichens that grew on the houses and walls, Faramaurea felt as though she was only connected to nature by a few strings, each one tense, stretched out, and ready to break. In fact, Faramaurea had been unwilling to spend anymore than a day here, until she saw Percival's pure, unabashed, joy, at their fortune. I will not complain, nor will I voice my discontent. It is not my place to rob my brother of what joy he has found, after what he has suffered, for this family.

Instead, Faramaurea put on a plaster smile, that Percival, in his excitement, didn't see through.

. . .

Percival's excitement was just for himself, though, because the true source of his joy, was in their safety. He believed that they had found a place, where they could finally be safe.

They walked into the small shack, that lay to the south-west of the market square. Inside of its dimly lit interior, was an old man, sitting in front of a small orange fire staring at it with a deep intensity. As they watched him, images of battles began to be visible in the flames, images so vivid, that Percival could hear the screams of agony, loss, and animalism, in his mind. The magical imagery was so intense, that Percival had to avert his gaze, at which point the lead sentry cleared his throat.

"Lord Trigdu, I see that you have returned, with our guests." Canoelloestel stated, without bothering to avert his gaze from the fire. "Dinner is ready, children, although, and I apologise for this, you have caught me a little unprepared. I'm afraid that all I had the time to whip up, was some ham steaks, green beans, and some leftover bread, topped with a sweet ham gravy." He stood, quickly for his advanced age, and form, and gestured for them to be seated, at the small table, at the other side of the room. "After all," he said, walking toward his seat at the far end of the table, "it isn't every day that the elven royalty drops by for a visit."

Faramaurea tensed up, but Percival squeezed her hand under the table, signalling her to come down. "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, how did you know that we had arrived?" She asked, allowing the wizened, elderly, veteran to serve himself, before Percival served her, and then himself.

The wizard swallowed, before frowning in embarrassment, and saying, "I may have paid some people to report back to me, on the status of any elven children, who entered the city." Then he smiled and teased, "I would recommend that you use pseudonyms, when you loudly discuss your futures in the streets of a crowded city. Or, you could avoid loudly discussing your future plans in the crowded streets of a city loyal to Gygax. It is entirely your choice."

Percival lowered his eyes, chastened, and having misinterpreted the teasing as actual anger.: " Sorry, sir. You knew our grandfather. When did you last see him?"

Smiling at Percival's misinterpretation, Canoelloestel didn't correct him, but instead turned to Faramaurea, as if he was evaluating her features. Faramaurea took after her mother in most attributes, but she had gained her grandfather's red hair, and his skin shade.  He responded: "i haven't seen your grandfather since i retired after the War, although the two of you here together creates a almost splitting image him." Canoelloestel turned back to Percival. "You came here willingly, but your intent is unclear. Why have you come?"

"We came looking for you." Percival replied, slightly distracted by his food. He downed a piece of the ham steak like a ravenous wolf, before continuing. "Interestingly enough, it seems that you instead found us."

Canoelloestel grimaced, and told him. "I am afraid, that I am not that which you sought. At least, not anymore. I am old, and have all but lost my skill at magic. Although I once was a evoker, the constant flow of energy has slowly whittled down my magical abilities. I am not the man that I once was; only in name, does he still exist."

"So you won't teach me then?" Percival asked, his smile flickering for the first time since their arrival.

"I said no such thing. I will teach you, all that I know, in hopes that someday, you will regain your throne. " He looked at the two of them, and concluded, "But then, you must leave. I will not have you endangering this city, which has been my home for millennia."

Percival went to protest, but Faramaurea held up a hand to stop him, and conceded, "So be it. When does his training start?" She went to stand up as she said this, and immediately fell to her knees, feeling dizzy. Glancing at the wizard questioningly, she noticed in that moment, that he had not yet touched her food.

Percival went to stand up, but immediately collapsed into a barely conscious stupor. Drugged. He thought, watching Faramaurea fall unconscious onto the floor.  We've been betrayed.

Canoelloestel knelt down beside her, and checked her pulse, before turning toward Percival, and gently pushing him into a prone position.

The last thing Percival heard, as darkness closed over his eyes, and his body fell into a state of sleep, was Canoelloestel's voice saying: "Don't you see, Elven girl? They already have."