The sky finally lit, a sluggish gray glow that brought no joy. The camp rose and looked south, toward the great wall standing before them.

“We’ve got to get across that wall.” Demus said staring at it. The Arean wall was built high, as high as the trees, and made of sturdy red earthen stones. There was a path atop it and small houses every few miles for guards. There was no way to scale it.

“All we can hope to do is fool the guard into letting us in.” Tella said. “Any ideas there Collin?” Collin shook his head.

“You don’t get in the wall without loads of paper work and high authority’s permission. I remember when I went through the wall on my way to Betamy… No. We can’t fool them.”

“Well we have to get in someway!” Tella whined exasperated. The wanderer looked up at the wall.

“Why?” she asked softly. The group turned to her and stared in silence. She frowned and bowed her head, holding her staff closely. “Does it even matter anymore?” she asked.

“Of course it does!” a voice came form behind her. The wanderer turned to see Will, almost glaring at her. “We can’t stop now! Don’t you remember what Azrael said? We have to get to Avrai at all costs!”

“But he’s gone now.” The wanderer said.

“We… We don’t know that…” Tella said stubbornly. The wanderer closed her eyes and tightened her grip on the staff.

“I do. He’s not present in this world as he was. He’s gone.” She said.

“Even if he is,” Will said, “That doesn’t matter. We still have to get to Avrai. The mission isn’t lost yet. But I tell you one thing, if we quite now it certainly will be. Besides, we never know what the future will hold, so…” he smiled sadly, “We have to try our best to save this world.”

“But we don’t even know what we’re doing!” the wanderer cried looking up at him. “How can you say for certain that the mission isn’t lost? You don’t know any better than the rest of us what we’ll find in Avrai.” Will paused, watching her closely.

“I’m not quitting.” Tella said standing up. “I don’t care if what Lord Azrael had in mind for us is completely ruined, I told myself I would get to Avrai, and I’m going no matter what.” She paused smiling, “If I turn down this chance, even the slightest one that I might improve my country’s future, then how could I live with myself?” she said softly.

“I’m going to Area.” Collin said. “It’s the only place I can find answers and…” he paused, “I don’t really believe you’ll quite. And I’m bound to you and this group.”

“And you Demus?” Will asked slightly amused. “Everyone else has made a speech, what are your sentiments?”

“My sentiments?” Demus asked raising an eyebrow at Will, “…I suppose I’ve got nothing better to do than get myself killed.” He smiled slightly, “No, really, I believe that the lest we could do for Lord Azrael is finish this mission. Besides, I believe in this group. To be honest, we have over come a great deal already. We owe our world our effort.”

“That’s right.” Will said gazing at the wanderer, “So do you intend to quite?” he asked. “… Because, whether we admit it or not, you lead us. You hold the key to our world’s future, that’s why Azrael brought you here and allowed us to all set out on this mission in the first place. You have a power that we can’t know, because you aren’t bound to our world, yet, for some reason, you risk your life for us.” The wanderer looked up and met his eyes. Will stared evenly back. “What you’re doing for us isn’t simple compassion. It’s much more.” he smiled and laid his hand on her head, ruffling her hair. “Thank you.” The wanderer closed her eyes and smiled, standing up. Will dropped his hand away and gazed at her. She opened her eyes and watched him in near amusement.

“It seems you’ve already decided for me.” She said.

“Mmm… That’s a lie.” Will said. “You decided when you came.” The wanderer closed her eyes and laughed.

“Why do you suddenly know so much about me?” she asked. “But that’s right. I won’t give up. If I was going to give up, I might as well have never even come.”

“Then let’s go. We’re wasting time here.” Collin said turning from them.

“We still don’t know how to get over the wall though.” Tella mused. “I really have no ideas.”

“Mmm…” Collin turned to Demus, “Do you have that key pad with you still?” he asked. Demus nodded, reaching into his pocket and retrieving it. Collin plopped down cross legged and went to work on the key pad. He flipped the screen up and began pressing buttons. The other crowded around behind him, observing his mysterious computer knowledge in awe.

“I’m just checking the network to see if any of the muses are out of the country.” He said.

“Muses?” the wanderer asked. Collin nodded.

“Years ago they were revered fortune telling and inspiration giving types in Area… Then the war started and no body cared much about them anymore… But… They are still given respect out in the rural villages of Area…”

“So what?” Tella asked impatiently. “How does that help us?” Collin glanced up at her in annoyance.

“What I was trying to say is, the muses are given a degree of respect and are allowed to travel the world in search of knowledge and all that junk… They are allowed across Arean borders no questions asked… The only problem is, the number of muses out and where they are is watched closely. They don’t even tell other countries about the muses, scared that someone might try and get into Area posing as a muse.”

“Oooohh… That sounds good… We could do that? Couldn’t we?” Tella asked. Collin shrugged.

“It’s going to be hard…” he looked down at the screen and smiled, “Ah, but we are in luck. There are two such muses out somewhere in Hailia. Lady Clio and Lady Kalliope… I think maybe we can use this…”

“Alright! So we just tell them we’re muses?” Tella said, “And they’ll let us through?” Collin winced.

“Well, we have a little problem. Muses almost always travel alone… sometime they have maid servants… and the occasional ah… male servants they pick up…”

“Ohh…” Will grimaced. “Gross… Don’t tell me we’ve got to pose as… ‘male servants’…”

“N-no… We can’t do that.” Collin said. “Muses wouldn’t have… this many… I told you, only occasionally do they pick up one…”

“Jeez, and they just share him or something?” Tella asked. Collin nodded uncomfortably and squeezed his eyes shut.

“The only thing I can think we could do… is pose as maids.” He said. Will twitched.

“Uhuh! No way!” he started. “I’m not being a maid! I’ll pose as a muse!”

“You’ll still have to pose as a woman. What’s the difference?” Tella asked. Will pailed. Demus swallowed hard and asked,

“What do the muses wear?”

“Black robes.” Collin said. “But… I don’t think you or Will could pass for muses... You’re Hailian for one… That will make things rather difficult… And Will… Will’s not a good actor.”

“Hey! I am too!” Will shouted.

“Well, you don’t look like a woman.” Collin retorted.

“I do too!” Will shouted without thinking. Then realizing what he had said,  “U-Umm… No! That’s not! Aaah! I didn’t-”

“It’s alright Will.” Tella said smiling in amusement. “We understand…” she knelt down, rustling through her bag and pulled out a long dress. She stood examining it and held it against Will’s chest, closing one eye and cocking her head to the side.

“It might work…” the wanderer said observing. Will flushed and scooted back.

“I told you-” he stared.

“He’ll have to take his hair down from that pony tail.” Tella said plucking the ribbon out of his hair. Will’s hair fell foreword around his face, sticking out in odd directions.

“H-Hey!” he shouted, snatching the ribbon back and hurriedly tying his hair back in place.

“Collin, I think you’re going to have to dress as a maid as well.” Tella said. “But I don’t think I have any dresses your size…”

“Oh, I’m so disappointed.” Collin said scowling darkly.

“We can hem the ends and alter it. I can sew.” The wanderer said. “Have you got a needle?” Tella nodded, rifling through her bag.

“Yeah, it’s in here… Here it is. Hey, Demus, you’ll be our Hailian man slave, all right?”

“What?” he asked turning a strange pail color.

“Well, you don’t make a very good woman, and we can’t hide that your Hailian- darn long ears you know… So we’ll just say we picked you up in Hailia… Sound good?”

“I… Uh… Guess so…” Demus sighed.

“Hey! No way am I wearing a dress!” Will shouted. “I’ll be the man slave!” Tella glanced up at him through her eyelids.

“You wish.” She said going back to what she was doing.

“Get over it Will.” Collin growled. “We’re all being embarrassed. But we have to do this. In less you can think of a better way?” Will frowned at this.

“Well… No.” he said quietly.

“Well, here.” Tella said, tossing him his dress. “Go try this on and don’t take all day!”

“Mmm… Fine.” Will growled, walking off from the group, his dress thrown across his shoulder. He walked a ways into the woods, muttering under his breath, his eyes dropped to the ground. After a short distance he went silent, stopped walking and lifting his eyes up. Fairien sat on low sloping tree branch about ten yards away. His back was turned to Will and his body was completely still. Will watched him a moment, sadness creeping into his eyes. He continued walking, he movements quiet and gentle. He stopped behind Fairien and made a soft noise to acknowledge his presence. Fairien’s shoulder’s dropped slightly, but that was the only recognition he got.

“How are you?” Will asked softly.

“… Okay.” Fairien said. “It’s kind of-” he had begun to look up at Will, but stopped.

“What?” Will asked. Fairien’s eyes focused behind him, on the garment hanging in the tree.

“What’s that?” he asked. Will flushed, scowling.

“My dress.” He said. Fairien blinked at him a moment then smiled.

“Your dress? Do you have some habits I don’t know about?”

“Shut up!” Will growled. “If you had been paying attention and not back here sulking, you’d know what was going on!”

“Hmph. Now you’re being unreasonable.” Fairien scowled at him. Will closed his eyes and growled in frustration.

“They told me I had to wear a dress so we could get past the Arean wall.” He sighed.

“Oh. I see. Well…” Fairien said getting up. “You’d better get it on. Tella won’t want to be kept waiting.”

“Yeah yeah…” Will went to retrieve his dress. Tella had picked out a green and white one. At least it wasn’t pink and frilly, though Will doubted Tella had any pink and frilly dresses.

Fairien smiled as Will struggled with the dress. He realized that half of this act was to cheer him up, the other half was of course genuine frustration. Well, Fairien didn’t want to depress Will by acting any gloomier than he already had so he smiled.

“Those strings in the back have to be tied tighter.” Fairien told him. Will glared at him.

“It’s a miracle I got them tied in the first place. I’m not messing with them anymore.” He said. “Besides, what do you know about dress ties?” Will scowled. Fairien rolled his eyes and walked over to him.

“I’ve been well instructed. Avery, Tella’s top servant hated how Tella always found some way to untie the back of her dress so she could breath. He thought it was terribly disgraceful and told me that under penalty of death I was not to let her get away with it when she was in formal occasions. And of course Tella refused to tie her own tie, so I had to.” Fairien took the ties and pulled them tightly. Will heaved, gasping.

“Okay! Okay! Stop it! You’re going to chop me in half!” he choked. Fairien laughed and tied the ties back together. Will glared at him.

“Hmph. I left you enough space to breath.” Fairien said.

“Thanks.” Will said rolling his eyes and pulling the skirt down.

“So, how is your being in a dress going to get you past the Arean wall?” Fairien asked.

“I’m posing as a maid to Tella and the wanderer, who are posing as Muses. You ever heard of them?” he asked.

“Oh, yeah. Them.” Fairien said sighing. “They think they can predict the future.”

“So they can’t huh?”

“What do you think?” Fairien said shaking his head. “Humans can be stupid sometimes.”

“Hey!” Will scowled.

“I didn’t mean you. Some humans are okay.” Fairien said. “Anyway, I guess we should be thankful that enough people listen to them that you guys can pose as them and get through the wall…” Will made a noise of agreement as he brushed his dress off.

“Okay, done?” he asked. Fairien nodded.

“Yeah, just take your hair down.” He said.

“No!” Will protested. “I look like a girl with my hair down.”

“That’s what you’re going for.” Fairien reminded him. Will sighed and reluctantly pulled the ribbon from his ponytail, and let his hair fall down around his face.

“Wow.” Fairien said looking him over. “You’re actually quite attractive.” He said laughing. Will reddened and spun around, walking back toward his friends.

“I’ll see you later!” he called over his shoulder.

“Mmm. Okay.” Fairien called back.

 

The wanderer and Tella had already put on their black robes and were making sure Demus and Collin’s clothes were right.

“Demus, your going to have to take your shirt off.” Tella told him.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed Tella, but its gotten rather cold and by the time we get to the wall it will be even colder.” He growled quietly.

“Get over it. That’s what you’ll have to do to be convincing.” She said and turned to Collin. “Pull the skirt down like this and roll the sleeves up, yeah.” She said showing him. Collin looked miserably up at Demus.

“I’m not taking off my shirt until we get right up to the wall.” Demus said. Tella shrugged.

“Fine. Just don’t forget. Hey, wanderer, how’s the wig coming?” Tella called. The wanderer sighed.

“I don’t want to cut my hair Tella… Can’t we just give Collin some kind of cloak to put over his head?” she asked. Tella sighed.

“Yeah I guess…” she said, and went to rifling through their bags again. Will watched all of this from the side, wondering when they would notice them and hoping it wouldn’t be soon. Of course, that had no chance of happening. The wanderer looked up and saw him standing there and of course Demus and Collin, noticed the wanderer looking and turned to see him. Will dropped his eyes to the ground and muttered incoherently. This of course alerted Tella to his presence. She turned and blinked, observing him from head to toe.

“Goodness Will…” she breathed. “You’re convincing.”

“Hey…” he said, glaring at her.

“But you’ll have to try and speak in a higher voice.” The wanderer said smiling.

“Well, what about you all?” Will asked, trying to divert attention back to them. “How is everything coming?”

“Great. We’re pretty much ready to go.” The wanderer said.

“Good. Let’s get going. We need to be in Area by noon.” Will said.

“We’re not far from the wall, just about a mile.” Tella said. “Let’s just hope this works… Because I don’t know of any other way we can get in…”

“Right, so lets go…” Demus said, leading them toward the wall. They picked up their bags, packing everything up and began to walk. Tella dropped back beside Will and looked at him.

“Hey, you know… Once we get in Area, everything is going to get a lot more dangerous.” She said softly. He nodded.

“I know.”

“… I hate to say this, but the truth is… You really have no way to defend yourself.” She said. “Everyone else can… But you… What I’m saying is-”

“I’m a burden?” Will asked.

“Yeah. Basically.” Tella said. “If you go, we may not be able to defend you and you tend to get yourself into some pretty dangerous situations…”

“I can defend myself! Besides… I’m prepared to die.” Will said. Tella growled at him.

“Don’t say that idiot!” she spat. “None of us want you dead… I’m just saying that it might be better if you stayed behind.”

“… I’m not staying behind.” Will said.

“I know. I know. You’re a part of all this somehow now… right?” she asked sighing.

“Well yeah. You are too. We all are. None of us can just give up or leave now.” He said.

“There’s just… Nothing binding you to this anymore. Azrael’s dead and… This mission may be doomed. Don’t feel you have to go.” She said quietly. Will shook his head.

“No. There is something binding me to this.” He said. Tella looked at him curiously.

“What?”

“Friendship.” He replied. Tella sighed smiling.

“I guess it was futile to try and get you to stay… Oh well. I tried.” She shrugged.

“A noble effort.” Will agreed. They walked on, drawing nearer and nearer the looming wall of Area.  Tella turned her attention back toward Will.

“By the way, you did a really good job on those ties in the back. I wouldn’t have thought you would tie them right.” She said. Will flinched slightly.

“Well whatever…” he muttered. Tella laughed shaking her head as they walked.

Nice job Fairien… Will growled in his head. Fairien laughed. Will sighed and tried to think of something else.

Tella was right, he realized. Area meant things would get a lot more dangerous; and the Wall was the first of those dangers.

 

 

They approached the towering wall. Its bricks had at one time been brick red, but weather had dyed them a dull reddish brown. The wanderer shivered, watching the impressive structure. She could see Arean soldiers on the distant top, walking back and forth, while on the ground in a small gatehouse other guards sat, just now becoming aware of their presence. They turned, watching the group approach. Demus began whispering a soft prayer while the others tried to breath without hyperventilating. The soldiers rose, and stood ready to meet them.

“Wanderer, you and Tella must do all of the talking.” Collin whispered. “We can’t help. It would be strange to them if the servants were to speak.” The wanderer nodded.

“Hello!” the chief guard called, eyeing them. He spoke in Arean. Everyone understood him, except for Will.

“Greetings.” The wanderer said. They stopped a few feet from the guards. “I am Lady Kalliope.”

“And I am Lady Clio.” Tella said.

“We seek entrance into our home land of Area.” The wanderer said, her voice taking on a loudness that the others had never heard. The guards blinked in surprise and watched them.

“It is an honor, Ladies that one like yourself come to our gate. We would be pleased to let you pass.” The guard said smiling. “Of course, you must provide us with service.” The other guards smiled, some laughing. Tella flushed angrily.

“We are Muses! We shall not give you anything! If you know what is best for you you will-”

“Clio!” the wanderer shouted at her, cutting Tella off. She glared at her shaking her head and turned back to the guards, who were taken back by Tella’s outburst.

“You must excuse Lady Clio. She is not feeling well this week.” She said. The guards nodded, knowingly.

“Ah well, we will not ask anything of her then. May we humbly ask you then My Lady?” the guard asked. The wanderer blinked, wondering if she should agree.

“What is it that you ask of me?” she asked. The guards frowned.

“Well, that you tell our futures of course.” He said.

“Of course.” The wanderer replied confidently. Good, she thought. They’re ignoring the others. Now I just have to…

“It would honor me Lady if you told my fortune.” The chief guard said.

“Ah yes…” the wanderer moved foreword and took his hand, looking down at it carefully. She bit her lip trying to think of something to say.

“Well, you look like you’ll have a nice future… ah, lots of good things, yes.” She stuttered.

“Really?” the man said enthusiastically. “The last muse that came through here said I was going to die next week! Ha! That will show her!” he chuckled.

“I want to go next!” one of the guards yelled.

“No! You went last time! I want a go with her!” Another shouted.

“Be quiet the lot of you!” the chief guard yelled. “They’ve got to be on their way. We’ve troubled these nice Ladies long enough.”

“Thank you.” Tella said nicely.

“Eh, just one thing,” the chief guard said. “Our records show you didn’t have anyone with you, so who are these young ladies and this… eh,” eh paused looking at Demus, “Hailian…”

“Oh, just servants we picked up on our travels.” Tella said causally.

“He he, they got a good lively one, didn’t they?” the guards laughed eyeing Demus.

“Oh yes, he’s very good.” The wanderer said innocently. Demus swallowed trying not to make a face.

“And look at their maid…” the guards said nudging each other eyeing Will.

“Mmm… Looks like an Iyokian to me…” one said.

“Ooh, exotic…” another laughed. “That’s how I like ‘em…” Will watched them, not understanding their words, but not liking their looks towards him.

Are they saying what I think their saying? He asked Fairien. Fairien laughed, but didn’t answer.

“Well,” the chief guard said ignoring his colleges, “I’m not really supposed to let you by without registering your servants…” he smiled, “But I like to looks of my future, so go on through.”

“Oh, thank you sir.” The wanderer said politely.

 “Just step through here please,” he said motioning to a small entrance. Metal scanners surrounded the opening and a small screen could be seen, flickering inside a booth next to the opening. One of the guards went into the booth and took a seat, watching the screen. The wanderer moved foreword, everyone following her cautiously.

“What are you scanning for?” the wanderer asked casually.

“Weapons mostly.” The guard said. “You don’t have any, do you?”

“Oh no… I don’t think so.” Tella said, “Oh wait, yes.” She pulled out Demus’s large broadsword she had been keeping tucked in her cloak. “We picked this up in Hailia, wonderful isn’t it? An antique supposedly. I think it will look nice on the wall.”

“Oh, yes… Well, that’s fine. Swords aren’t really what we’re concerned about.”

“Oh?” Tella asked.

“Yes, we mostly are on the look out for things a bit more volatile, if you know what I mean.” He said. Tella nodded, not really understanding what he was talking about, but assuming it was some kind of Arean weapon. The wanderer stepped into the entrance, passing through without any trouble. Next went Tella, then Demus. Will went next, but as he passed though the guard in the booth frowned.

“Wait.” He said. Will blinked and stopped, assuming that’s what the guard meant for him to do.

“What’s the matter?” Tella asked.

“Well, its just…” the guard frowned. “Some kind of glitch I think. The energy sensors are screwing up. Ah, I don’t know…”

“Eh, send her through Rod. That little lady aint packing nothing that could send the sensors haywire like that.”

“…I guess.” The guard said. “Alright, next.” Collin walked through, with no further troubles. They now stood on the other side of the wall. In Area.

“Well Lady Muses, we wish you a safe trip home!” the guard said waving to them. The wanderer smiled.

“Oh yes. Thank you. Good bye!” she said as they walked off, disappearing over the hills. The guard looked out into the Arean terrain, as more guards walked up behind them. He smiled shaking his head.

 

This is the end of Music of the Woods Part One. Stay tuned for Part Two. ^^