Through the gloom, Kryos began to notice that the trees were beginning to be more spread out. He was nearing the border of the Red Forest, and he would be glad to get out into the open plains of Raiaera. Hopefully, he would be able to clearly look upon the moon within the hour. However, he couldn’t allow that small comfort to lower his guard. He could end up in a fight at any moment, and slow reactions would be fatal.

Yet his journey to the border was smooth. He paused about a hundred feet from the end of the trees, giving his muscles a quick rest. While he did so, he studied what he could of the plains beyond the trees. The ground rose and fell in gentle rises, clustered here and there by an occasional tree, whose leaves were still red, but not at vibrant. He took a drink of spring water to quench his slight thirst, and gazed through the light canopy at the stars. Some shone brightly, yet spaces of black moved across them, clouds stealing their light. His own silver eyes mirrored them, and he wondered again what lay ahead of him at Valinatal.

Suddenly, a cool breeze whispered from the direction of the plains. It wasn’t the wind that startled Kryos, but the quick words that it carried. He snapped his head toward the source, eyes narrowing in concentration. But he could make out nothing. Quickly, he activated Moon Gaze, and widened his field of vision to its extreme. There, at the end of his vision, moved a small group, heading his way. He couldn’t pick up any words at that range, but the group was most likely silent anyway. They were coming at a good pace, and, if their path remained the same once they entered the forest, would pass right by him. He strode to a spot that would intercept them, and waited in the shadows to see if they were friend or foe. He slid his muandrian from its sheath, wincing as it rasped against it. He did, however, leave his eyes stained with silver, incase others joined the small group, as well as to monitor the current group’s approach. His eyes glowed softly as he prayed that they were allies.