It is early evening, when our heroes reach Fox Arbor. Galen is still sulking from their earlier encounter with Reeth. Adie is blushing, happy that Galen gave her his "prize" that he won from the weird girl. Edeline and Vi are looking at the town's map, for directions to the docks. And Faeda is relived to have finally made it to her next destination.

Galen: "So... what do we do now?" (;u_u)
Edeline: "We'll just follow this map to the docks. From there, we can rent a boat." (^_^)
Vi: "Do you have enough money, Faeda?" (o_O)
Faeda: "Uh-huh. I have plenty. Let's hurry to the docks." (^_^)
Adie: "Thank you, Galen, for giving me this flower." (*^_^*)
Galen: "What? ...Oh, yeah... whatever." (;u_u)
Vi: "We're on our way... Are you nervous, Faeda?" (-_-)
Faeda: "I once was... a long time ago. But I am ready to defeat darkness, for another generation. This is my destiny." (^_^)
Edeline: "Hey, with us by your side, nothing can go wrong!" (^o^)
Faeda: "That's true. I'm so lucky to have made such wonderful friends." (;^_^)

"Hey," frowns Galen "That sounded like an 'goodbye'! You're not gonna die at the end of this quest or anything like that?!" "No," giggles Faeda, "Though, it will be a difficult journey and I'm grateful I don't have to face it alone." "Whew..." sighs Galen, "That's a relief." Edeline mocked a gasp. "Why, Galen!" she grins, "You actually care about someone!" "Of course I do!" he growls, "Faeda's my friend too! ...And besides, if she fails, we're all doomed." Edeline frowns, Vi and Adie exchange looks, and Faeda smiles. "Yeah..." says Edeline, "That sounds more like you." "What's that suppose to mean?!" yells Galen.
They head for the docks, finding four fishing boats there. "Which one do we rent?" asks Adie. "Depends on who is willing to sell." shrugs Edeline. Galen approaches an old fisherman, as the man unloads a barrel of fish from the boat. "Hey," says Galen, putting on his best voice, "We're looking to rent a boat. Would you be interested?" "Well," says the old fisherman, "Where are you planning to go, young man?" "To The Bone Cliffs." nods Galen. "The Bone-!" sputtered the old man, "Are you mad?! NO ONE goes to The Bone Cliffs! Unless you're suicidal! That unknown island is COVERED with monsters!"

Galen: "I've been fighting monsters, since I was a toddler, old man!" (;u_u)
Old Fisherman: "Well, have you fought a hundred monsters at once?! Huh?" (-_-)
Galen: "Well... no..." (o_o)
Old Fisherman: "Didn't think so! And if you step one foot on that island, a whole swarm of a hundred or more will be there waiting for you! Not even an army of men could survive a trip to The Bone Cliffs!" (-_-)
Galen: "Sounds like a dumb camp story to me. Are you going to rent us your boat or not?" (u_u)
Old Fisherman: "If you want to die, that's your own business. But you're not taking my boat with you! Off with ye, now!" (-_-)
Edeline: "Was Galen just 'shooed'?" (o_o)
Adie: "Looks like it..." (;^_^)
Galen: "Forget you, old man! Who needs your crusty boat anyway?!"
W('O')W

Edeline quickly pulls Galen away. "Get off of me!" he growls. "Calm down," she sighs, "Do you want to scare off the other fishermen?" "Yeah," nods Adie, "So the old man's superstitious. There are three boats left. I'm sure we can rent from them." Adie walks over to a thin middle aged man. "Excuse me, sir." she smiles sweetly. "Hello, there." he nods, grinning slightly, "What can I do for a pretty lass, such as yourself?" "We need to rent a boat." blushes Adie. "No problem." he nods, "Where are you headed?" "The Bone Cliffs." smiles Adie. "WHAT?" yells the man, "That place is dangerous! Are you and your friends mad?!" "Not again." sighs Edeline, "Let's ask someone else... Come on, Adie."
This time it's Faeda, who walks over to a plump young man, who is struggling to tie down his boat. "Um," she smiles, "Excuse me, sir." He turns with an annoyed look, only for it to disappear when he faces Faeda. "Ma'am." he bows, slightly. "We need to rent a boat." Faeda says, holding her arms behind her back. "Oh," he smiles, "A pretty girl and extra wages! Must be my lucky day. Where are you headed?" ...After a long lecture, about how pretty girls shouldn't run into danger with irresponsible "lover-boys", they moved on to the last boat. Edeline and Faeda had to pull Galen away...

Galen: "I'll punch your teeth in, stupid fat punk!" W('O')W
Edeline: "Looks like we're down to the final boat..." (u_u)
Faeda: "What if this guy says no too?" (o_o)
Galen: "Hmph! 'Lover-boy'... what an jerk!" (u_u)
Adie: "How come the Queen didn't give you a royal letter or something? Would make things easier." (o_O)
Vi: "No... That would put the Queen under suspicion, if every once in a while someone showed up in Fox Arbor, with a royal decree." (-_-)
Galen: "Like I'd ever date more than one girl!" (u_u)
Adie: "Suspicion? About what?" (o_O)
Faeda: "In every generation of the Queen, a child is chosen to hide the key. And if people came here with decrees, it wouldn't be too hard to figure out the connection between the Queen and the key. And the wrong person knowing such a fact, can be very dangerous." (-_-)
Edeline: "I get it... if people, like Sonya, knew..." (u_u)
Adie: "There would be endless attacks on the Throne. ...That sucks." (u_u)
Galen: "Didn't want to ride on his bulky boat, anyway!" (;u_u)

"Wait," says Adie, looking over the last boat, "This boat doesn't look like an fishing boat..." Suddenly, there is loud singing from a man leaving from the boat. He was young, with brown spiky hair, wearing an orange bandanna and an elaborate costume. He didn't notice the odd stares of our heroes, at first, until halfway through the chorus. "Hang on," he says, with an obvious accent, "What's all this now?" No one spoke, just stared. "Cat got your tongue?" he asks, annoyed. "Oh, sorry!" blushes Faeda. Everyone talks at once.
The man whistles, getting everyone attention and stopping the overlapping chatter. "One at a time!" he frowns, "You there, bloke with the mop-top hair. You start." "WHAT?!" growls Galen, Edeline holds him back. "Heh," she laughs nervously, "Um, sir... We're looking to rent a boat. But I think we've made a mistake... you're not a fisherman, obviously." "Obviously." replies the man, "But I'm curious... where are you headed?" "The Bone Cliffs." smiles Faeda. "The-" gasps the man. Edeline sighs, Vi and Adie groan, and Faeda is disappointed.

Faeda: "What do we do now?" (o_o)
Edeline: "Don't panic... there must be another way to The Bone Cliffs." (o_O)
Young Man: "Well, love, I-" (^_^)
Adie: "There's another dock at Mossy Point." (O_o)
Vi: "That's way too far to travel. It would take us days to reach Mossy Point and even if we manage to get a boat from there, it would take us days to sail to The Bone Cliffs." (-_-)
Young Man: "Um, ladies?" (;^_^)
Galen: "Well, this sucks! Do you have to be there in a hurry, Faeda?" (u_u)
Faeda: "Time is pressing... I have to be there quickly." (-_-)
Young Man: "Pardon me..." (;^_^)
Adie: "Hey! I know! I could just teleport us there!" (^o^)
Faeda, Edeline, Galen, and Vi: NO!!! (o_o)
Adie: "Why not?!" (o_o)
Young Man: "LADIES!!!" W('O')W

Adie jumped and Faeda yelped, startled by the man's sudden outburst. "What do you want?" growls Galen, stepping forward. "I've been trying to tell you!" he shouted, "I can take you to The Bone Cliffs and back! Crazy twits!" "You can?" smiles Faeda, her eyes huge with hope. "Of course," he waves, "It's no problem, really." "But what about the 'horde'?" frowns Galen, "Aren't you afraid of the camp story?" "That's no camp story, mate." nods the man, "It's very true. But it sounds like fun, doesn't it! I would have visited that island, years ago... If only my crew didn't legged it, when I bought it up..."
"Um... okay..." says Adie, now becoming worried. "Besides," says the man, "I can tell that there is a seer among you." Faeda gasps, but then notices that the man's gaze was on Adie. "Me?" Adie gulped. "Don't worry, love." he winked, "I WON'T TELL A SOUL WHO YOU REALLY ARE!!!" "Then why are you yelling!" growls Galen. "I'm not yelling." says the man, honestly confused. "You just were." says Adie. "Was I?" he asks, in deep thought, "I don't remember." "Um..." says Edeline, "Well... Should we be going?" "Ah, yes." nods the man, with a bow, "But before we do, I'm afraid I haven't introduced myself. I am Captain Pete! Welcome aboard ladies and gent." They quickly climb on-board...

Galen: "Are you sure this is a good idea? This guy seems cracked." (>_>)
Edeline: "What other choice do we have? Faeda needs to reach the Bone Cliffs soon. It's either this guy or Adie." (-_-)
Galen: "Forget I said anything..." (u_u)
Faeda: (;^_^)
Vi: "Captain Pete? How long do you think it will take to reach The Bone Cliffs?" (o_O)
Captain Pete: "I'll have you there by early evening, promise!" (^_-)
Adie: "What will we do, if a hoard of monsters attack us?" (o_o)
Captain Pete: "Don't worry, love. You seers are always traveling with the best Bards!" (^_-)
Vi: (*^_^*)
Adie: "That's right! I forgot about-" (^_^)
Captain Pete: "The bloke will do fine, I can tell." (^_-)

"WHAT?!" screams Galen. Edeline and Faeda giggles. "Don't be bashful, mate." shrugs Captain Pete, "I once saw a Bard trap a foe, with a song. It was bloody wicked!" Galen swallowed hard, as the girls giggled, trying to choke back his anger. Finally he screamed, "DO I LOOK LIKE A BARD TO YOU!!!" "Wait..." thought the Captain, "Is this a dodgy question, like... 'does this make my butt look big'? I'm not answering it, if that's the case!"
"Stupid fisherman!" growls Galen, "I'm a MONK!" "I'm no fisherman, mate!" frowns Captain Pete. "Good," huffed Galen, "Now you know how it feels!" "How what feels?" asks the Captain, "You're one strange Bard, mate." "I'm not a Bard!" yells Galen, ready to punch the Captain. Edeline swoops in and pulls Galen away. "Calm down." she warns, "If you start a fight, we'll never make it to The Bone Cliffs. And, in case you didn't notice, we're in the middle of an ocean." Galen sat down, grumbling to himself. ...After a while, of pleasant sailing, they reach The Bone Cliffs.

Captain Pete: "Here we go, ladies and gent. The hoards will pick up our scent soon, so lets have fun!" o(^_-)O
Adie: "Fun?! This doesn't seem fun!" (o_o)
Captain Pete: "Still have the jitters, love? Don't worry, we'll put the bloke in front." (^_^)
Galen: "Gah!!!" W('O')W
Edeline: "Calm down, Galen! You'll alert the monsters we're here!" (u_u)
Galen: *grumble* (;u_u)
Faeda: (;^_^)
Vi: "Shh... do you hear that?" (o_O)

There was a low rumble and a slight vibration in the ground. "They're coming." grins Captain Pete, "Be on your guard." "Galen," says Edeline, giving directions, "You protect Faeda. Vi, you head up front and get ready. Adie, just sit tight. I'll take on the monsters that Vi can't stop. Whatever we do, don't split up!" Everyone nods in agreement and quickly gets into position.
Over the horizon, thousands of monsters poured towards them! They were all different species and sizes, some twice as big as men, some smaller than a squirrel. They had fearsome eyes, some with more than forty eyes on one head, and razor sharp teeth and claws. Others had huge bull-like horns, that twisted in odd shapes around their heads! "Whoo-hoo!" cheered The Captain, "These are my kind of foes!"
The monsters are closing in fast! "Vi!" screams Edeline, "Sing now!" Vi sings a single note and many of the monsters are frozen in their tracks. The few that get by, Edeline and Galen quickly finish them off. "Whew." sighs Adie, "It's over!" Captain Pete stares in awe, at the frozen monsters. "Bloody hell," he gasps, "That's some talent!" But Vi is staring at the monsters, not hearing the Captain's complement. "What's the matter, Vi?" asks Faeda, worried. Vi turns her head to the side and concentrates. Suddenly, a monster breaks free from the spell! "As I thought!" Vi gasps, "It won't hold for long!"

Galen: "You gotta be kidding me!" (o_o)
Faeda: "Why didn't it work, Vi?" (o_O)
Vi: "The monsters are too strong!" (>_<)
Edeline: "Let's go, NOW! Too many are breaking free at once!" (o_o)
Adie: "Quick! Into that cave!" (o_o)
Faeda: "Wait! Captain Pete! We can't leave him behind!" (o_o)
Captain Pete: "WHEE! Hahahahahaha!" \(^o^)/
Galen: "But he's having so much fun..." (u_u)
Edeline: "Galen, no time for jokes!" (o_o)
Galen: "Who said I was joking?!" W('O')W

Edeline gave Galen a dark look. He sighs and rushes off to rescue Captain Pete, while the girls head for the cave. "No!" screams Captain Pete, as Galen pulls him away, "I'm not done yet!" "Well," grumbles Galen, "You will be 'done', if you stay out here!" After shoving the Captain into the cave, Galen and Edeline blocks the entrance with a huge bolder, shutting them in darkness. Adie quickly lights a torch, with magic, without making a mistake for once. "Whew..." she sighs, "Another close call..." "Everyone okay?" asks Edeline, looking around the dimly-lit cave. "I'm okay." smiles Faeda, "Galen are you okay?" "I'm fine," he sighs, "Vi, are you okay?" "I'm okay," she nods, "Edeline and Adie?" "We're okay." sighs Edeline.
"Hang on," frowns Captain Pete, "You didn't ask me!" "Are you okay?" Faeda asks him politely. "Of course I am!" he huffed, "Why would you ask a seasoned sea Captain that!" "You-!" yells Galen, "You were just pouting that no one asked you!" "I was?" he asks, confused, "I don't remember." "He's a little too young to start loosing his memory." Adie whispered to Edeline, she nodded.

Galen: "So... now what do we do?" (u_u)
Faeda: "Don't worry... we're at the right place. I hear the song, nearby." (^_^)
Vi: "Yes, this cave leads to an tunnel. After we rest a bit, we can follow it to the key." (-_-)
Adie: "So cool! What is the chances of us fleeing into the right path?" (^o^)
Captain Pete: "Bloody hell!" (o_o)
Adie: "Um... it's not that shocking." (u_u)
Captain Pete: "The elven-girl is the Bard!" (o_o)
Galen: "I told you that, earlier!" W('O')W
Captain Pete: "Did not! You asked me if your butt looked big!" (>_<)
Galen: "No, I didn't!!!!" (@_@)
Edeline: "Alright! You two act just like little kids!" (;u_u)
Captain Pete: "Do not, infinity!" (>_<)
Faeda: "Do too, infinity, plus one!" (^o^)
Captain Pete: *giggles* (^o^)
Adie: "Faeda... stop playing with the crazy man..." (o_O)

"I have visitors?" says a voice. Everyone turns to see another strange man, standing by the tunnel. With gray hair, wearing a black feather cloak, his cold amber eyes seem to stare right through everyone. "Who are you?!" yells Galen, standing. "Your ending." he replies, raising his bow and arrow. Our heroes get ready for an fight, with this new stranger...