@SolaYou can read whatever you want to read. Might do you good to read some more recent stuff like you suggested? We're not too far along, I can give you the coles notes.
There's two parties, one on the West side of Abbaden, and the other on the East.
The West group consists of Calieo, Rebecca, Chambala, Denise and Helvyra. They met in Falke, all of them looking to leave the city on the same day and deciding to travel together for convenience, and safety. They are heading for the East side of Abbaden, all with their own destination, but they all need to navigate around the river and lake. Since traffic used to be over the bridge, this is not a well beaten path, and they are currently traveling through the Eastern Grasslands.
The East group consists of Veronica, Serena, Tirnea, Autumn, and Sage. Veronica and Serena are agents of the Choir from Tour de Rouge, assembling help in an attempt to track down the assassin(s?) of Aegea, their former leader. They have known Tirnea since meeting in Tour de Rouge, but Autumn and Sage are not yet acquainted with everyone or each other. They are all currently in Twilight Field where they are near the heart of the city, amid the shopping districts and alleyways.