The two girls headed out to the barn where Alyon had spent the night setting up for the journey. Upon the two horses were the typical saddle and satchel arrangement with the packs containing various tools, equipment and resources that they would need for the journey ahead.

"It's not going to be a long journey in order to get to Vemrahm, probably about a day, but I don't know how long we'll be gone for so I figured it'd be best to be prepared," Alyon knew there would be a chance that this stop could lead to more and she didn't want to miss that opportunity to find out once and for all what the deal was with these artifacts.

"So you two are off now?" Alyon's father spoke as he entered into the barn, leaning on a cane.

"Yes," Alyon replied.

"Well take care of yourselves."

Alyon hopped on her horse, making sure to show Fraya how it was done, before the two girls headed out towards the horizon.

Fraya gave a curt nod she made her way out of the kitchen and towards the barn with Alyon, she was surprised by just how prepared the girl had been to leave already. She wondered if the girl had always intended to go to Vemrahm even if she had refused to go at all.

"Thanks for this Alyon, I don't know what I would have done if you were not coming along with me..."

Her tail swayed from side to side as she moved up towards the horse in order to get ready and jump on. However when the voice of Alyon's father was heard she took pause, making sure to turn around and smiling brightly

"Thank you as well. You accepted me into your home and gave me some great advice! I hope to come back soon for more food! "

Watching Alyon get onto the horse she followed suit and got onto it as well in the same manner, making sure to wrap her arms around the girls waist so that she didn't fall off. It was clear she was rather uneasy riding the animal just like she was when riding the train for the first time.

The horse galloped for most of the day with only the occasional stop for a short break and some food. Alyon made sure that they stayed well rested for their trip and didn't overstretch their stamina. Arriving at a place like Vemrahm exhausted was ill advised considering they would have to concentrate so much on avoiding the people and notice of others, but for the time being they simply enjoyed their journey.

Their trip consisted on a long stretch over the fields to a large mountain ridge. Vemrahm was on the northern side of the divide, resting in the shadows of the earth and dirt. Because of this it had a very eery sort of feel, like a city that lost it's soul. To the locals they didn't notice anything different, but to outsiders it had a presence that could only be described as claustrophobic.

The two girls had followed a path up the mountain and reached the crest when they spotted the town. As close as it felt to them, it still was a fair distance away and they would just be able to reach it by late afternoon if they kept up with their current pace.

"Make sure you keep yourself covered. No horns, no tail, and walk as normal as possible. We don't know what it's going to be like in there." Alyon told Fraya as they continued down the mountain at a steady pace. She knew that this trip was crucial to their adventures, but it would be their most dangerous task yet.

Fray enjoyed the trip across the many fields with Alyon, her company being but more enjoyable now she wasn't worrying about how she would effect the girl with every movement. Her farther had given him great advice and she was going to make sure to use it to its fullest while they were together from now on. Though she kind of wished they had a different destination at the end of this trip, it was good while it lasted!

However soon that eery feeling started to wash over her, that same kind of feeling she got from the sterile land; soullessness. As if all culture was ripped out of the world she stared down towards the city as they went along the mountain path, a worried look coming over her face.

Grabbing a hold of the girls waist Fray gave off a small sigh before she heard her start talking about keeping herself covered, which her horns and tail were the only things she could not magically remove. They would be like if she wanted to transform into a six legged being; she just didn't know how to live without those traits and so her magic refused to remove them. "I understand, I will keep as covered as possible. I still have the silken cloth and the like to cover myself up with" Looking out over the city they would travel for a few more hours before coming closer to the gates of the human only city. "I will let you do all the talking ok?"

Fraya and Alyon entered through the large, iron gate that stood on the edge of the settlement. The gates themselves connected to a stone ledge that shared the traits of the village's proud heritage and the moss that covered them, showing how much of that history had been neglected. While the two trotted into the town on the horse they could feel the prying and judging eyes of every inhabitant that stood in the street. With their shadowy and long drawn faces they stopped to look at the two and made sure that these girls were human. Fortunately Fraya was doing her best to cover herself and the glances of curiosity were dismissed as time wasting.

"The libary is up ahead," Alyon whispered, pointing towards the towering building that nested itself within the mountainous ridge. It's insides connected deep within the mountain, showing that it's grandness could never be sized up by the naked eye. Alyon didn't know it, but the chamber in the very center of the library was said to be the source of a grand artifact and that this whole town was built to safeguard the device.

Alyon stopped the horse and gently let herself drop to the ground. She pulled the reign to the side of the pathway and found a safe securing point to tie off the animal. With a steady heave she lifted her bag and sword off the back and placed it upon her own. "This way," she whispered to Fraya as the girls entered into the structure and past the librarian at the front. He gave a subtle nod, carefully sizing up the girls and lookimg over them as they wandered past his presence.

"Wait," he spoke out, stopping them as they just passed his body. Alyon held her breath for a moment and turned towards the gentleman, curious to what it was that he was needing. He had his hand pressed on a pad of paper with a list of names written down. Each name had a time next to it, indicating the time it was that they entered the building.

Giving a subtle sigh of relief, Alyon signed hers and Fraya's name down (giving a false surname for the girl). She took a small glance as the man pulled the pad back to analyse their signatures and noticed one name that had entered the library earlier that day.

Toskin?

I know that name... she wondered to herself, Could it be? She turned to Fraya, showing a slight sign of worry before proceeding forward away from the Librarian. "This is bad... He's still alive?" she whispered towards the girl.

Fraya lowered her profile to try and avoid attention, the huge iron gate looking overhead making her feel rather small in comparison. Even while they were being judged by the prying eyes of every person that stood in the street made her feel this place... How was anyone meant to feel welcomed in a place like this? Still she made sure to keep herself covered as to not be discovered by the populace, thinking that it would be much worse for her if she was discovered than just feeling oppressed.

Staying with Alyon all the way to the libary, the door built into the very rock showing just how important the contents within were "A little scary..." She commented as she started to feel something, something akin to the very stone they had, something that was meant to be long lost to their world. However given she was told about the artifacts she just guessed it was from the sheer number of them than just one big one.

Once they came to a stop they entered into the structure and past the librarian at the front, her eyes remaining downcast as he didn't spot anything about her, and yet she jumped ever so slightly when she heard his voice! Though it seemed he only needed them to write something down, giving a small sigh of relief as Alyon went to take care of it, since she couldn't write properly still. When Alyon turned around to look worried at her Fraya moved up to see what it was, then gave a rather comical blank look when she realized she couldn't read what she was worried about... Looking back to the guy she nodded before she was guided away by her friend "Hmm? Who? The one that has been after us?"

"Yeah, Toskin. So it looks like we won't be spending a huge amount of time here. This will have to be quick."

Alyon shuffled her way through the Library along the hard, marbe floor. Occasionally she would look back, ensuring that Fraya was following close behind and tried to keep as subtle as possible so the other patrons around them wouldn't grow suspicious. Eventually, after following several signs and marking, the two girls arrived at a closed off iron gate that would lead down to a chamber below the library. Alyon grabbed the door, noticing that the lock was open and that it was almost inviting them to enter into the lion's den.

"This doesn't look good," she spoke as she gently pushed open the door, slipping her body behind the caged area. The steps felt cold and damp, leaving her the impression that this area of the library received little attention to care and cleaning. Carefully she pushed on down the corridor, not knowing what would lie ahead.

The sounds of voices could be heard off in the distance. A sound of several people arguing, but in a tone that sounded more like a political dispute. Alyon peered around the corner and saw off in the distance a large open area that viewed down onto a stone pillar. As she grew closer she pressed her body to the ground and came to a ledge that both his her from view, but also allowed her a sight of the events below.

It's him! she thought in surprise and fear as she saw the fimilar hooded style of Toskin, this time with a large gun strapped to his back rather than dual swords. Along with him were several other people, some of which looked similar to those that the girls encountered before, others unlike what they had witnessed. From the looks of it, one of these men was questioning Toskin's authority, standing up over the hooded figure in a way to show his dominance... but Toskin showed little fear in his emotions.

"If you wish to question my motives, then I would appreciate it if you would first learn your position."

With a swift motion Toskin swung around the gun, using it like a staff to crack the butt up into the man's jaw, before tapping hard on the side of one knee. The male dropped to the ground in a kneeling position instantly demonstrating that he had no control over the situation at hand, his face furious from the embarrassment.

"Now you thilthy mutt... If you have any other ideas on how to activate this Artifact, then I'm SURE you will share them with me."

Fraya made sure to follow after Alyon as close as she could get to the girl without tripping her up, though it sort of made her stand out a little as a result. The cowl that draped over her form made sure to obscure any of her more 'unique' features from view, the long flowing fabric making the perfect cover as a person of the arts. The place, though dangerous, was oh so grand in scope and features that it gripped her attention the entire way to their destination, the large iron gates between them and the artifacts.

"Do you think that he is already here? They always seem to be one step ahead of us.."

Though she did feel this way she was sure that there were more than just the small group they had met, so unlike them there were tons of the group that could be anywhere and everywhere. Being outnumbered did not concern her but the feeling of always being the last ones there was... Frustrating to say the least, but never the less she moved in with the girl into where the artifacts lay.

"Voices..."

There was someone here just like they had suspected, though it was not a huge shock it was a complication that they would have to take care of if they intended to get anywhere. Then again from the sight of them arguing she had a feeling that they may not have had to do anything at all at this rate. Still even as they argued there were still patrols going around the room, making sure that no one wondered inside more than likely. Peering up towards the ceiling Fraya could not help but smirk as she noticed the rafters, though she didn't know but it was only old places like this that had them sticking out like that.

"Hold on and keep silent."

She said in a almost commanding tone as she wrapped a arm around Alyon's waist and then her mouth in an attempt to keep her quite as a patrol was heading right towards them! However with a graceful yet powerful leap she would try to bring the pair of them into the rafters, her claw digging into the wood before pulling them onto the beams. With a grin she made sure that the girl was comfortably on before helping to guide her closer. This was the same tactic that this same group had used before, so she thought it would be useful~

Fraya grabbed Alyon's body with a tight squeeze, locking it into her own. Instantly Alyon's eyes dilated as Fraya's hand pressed up against her mouth. With a short mention of "Hold on and keep silent" Fraya made a leap for the rafter's above, grabbing hold and swinging the frightened partner onto the beam.

Alyon grabbed the beam, holding on for dear life as the two sat there waiting for the patrol to pass. She looked at Fraya with a glare, mouthing the words "Warn me next time!" so that their voices wouldn't alert the guards standing below.

This move of Fraya's played a huge advantage to the girls. With them being above the patrol men they were able to sneak around and avoid their views, but best of all they could take each one out one by one in order to minimise the people they would have to deal with overall. Alyon wrapped her legs around the rafter and swung her body so that she was hanging upside down. With a swift movement she pulled out her sword and held it above the man's head, taking her aim.

Don't kill him, just knock him out, she thought as she readjusted her grip so she was holding the blade instead. With a heavy swing she hit him clear in the head, sending the body limp and watching him fall to the ground. Looking back up, she made a reach for the rafter so that she could pull her body back up onto the beam and meet up with Fraya again.

"We have to move!" she whispered sternly, knowing that patrols would find the man soon; but the advantage was that they would be looking around the vicinity which would give the two girls enough time to find a clearer pathway to the meeting below.

Fraya tilted her head with a combination of worry and 'sorry' as she spotted Alyon's glare towards her for giving little warning as to what she was going to do. Though it was not like she had the time to even speak a warning with how close the patrol was to finding them, still in the end of the day getting up above of them was a huge advantage. There was a reason that they had used height to an advantage, after all people did not tend to look up for danger~

Watching as Alyon dealt with one of the gaurds Fraya had the small feeling to try the act herself, though she knew better than to take risks that were unneeded by this point... Ok well maybe only this time because she was so on edge within the video that so hated anything other than human. Crawling across the beams at the command of Alyon she slowly made her way towards their intended destination, her movement were almost animal like in their grace. However once they got closer she held up one of her clawed hands to stop Alyon from going further, noticing that the man seemed a little... odd? It was only a feeling but she felt like if they were careless in getting close to the artifact with that man still there they would likely regret it. "Careful.." She commented and motioned for Alyon to lead the way.

Alyon gently lowered her body onto the rafters, using what Fraya had said as a guide for how she should move forward. Carefully and slowly, she spoke to herself, making sure that she didn't let her slowly elevating heart rate take over with an unwanted rush of adrenaline. The last thing Alyon wanted was to make a sudden move and give away their position. She slowly moved forward ahead of Fraya, placing her hand one in front of the other, moving quieter than a mouse. She had made it a few meters when she felt the damp surface of the rafter below her fingertips. She held up her hand, motioning for Fraya to stop before the two would bump into each other.

"The timber is wet!" she mouthed back quietly, looking to Fraya for ideas. They were close. The artifact was just within their sights with Alyon seeing the gentle glow that was radiating from the object itself. It stood proudly on a pedestal but the number of guards around, it was going to be difficult.

Alyon looked at the man that Fraya had told her to carefully avoid. He was below them, to the side a little, but still below. Slowly she shuffled forward, placing her hands ever so gracefully on the timber surface for her petite body to cross. Alyon could feel her muscles begin to shake and shudder from the fear. One false move and they were going to fall down onto the floor below, and just as if her own thoughts had jinxed her, Alyon felt the short jolt in the rafters.

"CRACK!!!"

The timber must have been wet for some time because the rotting inside it gave away their position. The sound echoed throughout the chamber, repeating it's tone as it echoed down the corridors.

"Shit!" Alyon swore, knowing that their element of surprise was gone.

Fraya came to a stop when Alyon directed her to do so, though she rolled her eyes when she was warned about the wet timber. She showed the girl her long dragon esk claws that were currently dug into the wood below her, keeping her firmly secured on the beam. She wouldn't be slipping anytime soon, and she would make sure to catch the girl before she slipped just in case. However it seemed fate was fighting against them as the timber was not simply wet, no it had been weakened over the many weeks from the leak in the stone ceiling above!

"CRACK!!!"

The beam they were on buckled under their combined weight, causing a loud crack to echo out the otherwise silent hall, alerting all to their presence! With eyes widened in shock everything seemed to slow down all at once, her attention was first on Alyon to be sure she wasn't falling, and if she was at least stable her next target was clear... Digging her claws into the wood below she let out a primal growl as she launched herself towards the artifact with hand outstretched! If they were going to be forced to either fight or run away she was going to make sure they were at least the ones that had the device!

Alyon heard a large beast like roar from Fraya as she leapt forth towards the Artifact. The girl knew that this moment was going to be dangerous for her companion and Alyon's new role now was to protect her at all cost while she did whatever she had to do. Alyon grabbed the ledge, swinging her body underneath and into a nearby guard who was not fully expecting the kick to the face.

She dropped to the ground ripping out her sword and holding it in front of her body, she showed that she meant business and that she was willing to fight.

There's no reason to be scared by Fraya.
There's no reason to be scared of a fight.
There's no reason to be scared of killing someone...

The thoughts repeated throughout her head as her first opponent came up to her. He pulled out his weapon, an axe, and rushed forward with an overarching strike that spoke clearly of inadequate training. Alyon grinned as she threw her sword up in a parry motion, hitting the handle with the edge of her blade. With a swift movement she twisted her wrist and proceeded with a reverse slash that passed over the man's chest, spilling blood on her weapon and the floor below.

Alyon's eyes were however closed. This was the first time she drew blood on someone and she didn't want to witness the effects of her own actions.

Fraya's clawed fingers were so close to the devices she could feel it barely touch, but just before she could properly grab the device she felt something slam into her side! She tumbled across the floor and came to a sliding stop as her claws dug into the marble ground to stop herself from moving. "Grrr..." She grumbled and stood up, casting off the cloak that was covering her body, showing off her non human form as her eyes locked onto the one that had knocked her away.

"Dammit, it couldn't be simple could it?"

With another low growl as readied herself and dashed forwards, being intercepted by another one of the guards that tried to get in her way. However the blade he was carrying was deflected and his face grabbed within her claw, using the man as a made shift shield against any other oncoming attacks! Tossing the man to the side she engaged the other, though her eyes did go towards Alyon, leaving her distracted but still at least able to defend herself. After all the girl had no experience in combat.. wait did she? She felt like she did and she did fight like that, how odd.