High up, up in the mountainside the town sits above the clouds. It is a picturesque sight from far away. The early sunlight creeps over the tiny town of windmills. Thousands of little windmills are twisting and whirling with the wind. Each windmill is hidden between neat little houses and buildings in the town. Even at such an early hour there is life everywhere from the townspeople just starting their day. The laugher and voices of the townspeople fills up the air with cheer. As Tokey rushes down the path to Windy Townville, I linger and study all the little paths leading to it. It is a network of paths that look like a spider's web. All the paths dart in and out of the thick willow forest around the town. I pause before a sign that reads, "Welcome to Windy Townville, town of windmills, the study of weather, and wind of course."

"Young people always have good health!" Genko huffs and puffs behind me. The old pelican creature leans on his walking stick. "Are you sure you want me to go with Tokey to scout around for the place?"

"Yes, I will take care of Albert," I gladly call Genko, "We will see you at twilight in front the town square."

"Are you really sure you do not want to trade places?"

"Yes, you promised you would go with Tokey if I made him stop for midnight snacks."

"Very well. . . But do not lose Albert," Genko sighs as he charges off into the town with Tokey. I look down the path and straighten up my back. Now one might wonder what of Albert the vampire? What do we do with him during the daytime? He cannot be in sunlight or else he risks death. Well. . . I turn to a large box and Albert's bag of book. I pick up the box carefully by its leather strips; next I grab the bag, and begin walking. A knocking comes from the inside of the box and Albert's voice weakly whispers, "Good morning Kino. . ."

"Good morning. I hope you will sleep well," I answer, "Sorry for the new setup."

"It is no problem. I understand we must double our efforts now to keep moving . . . It is good that you got an agreement between Tokey and us," Albert softly says. "I will see you at night."

"Albert?"

Silence and then snoring follows. I laugh and walk on. As I near the town, more and more people (or rather goat like beings) are hurrying along back and forth to get along with their day. It is unusual to find the average farm animal dressed like a person. Not that I haven't seen strange creatures before nor I am one to judge. One little goat creature girl stands upright before me and she holds up her toy bird. Her little yellow dress flutters in the wind as she runs. The girl's mother comes along on all four hoofs and stops as she sees me walking. I wave to the girl as she runs behind her mother.

"Hello there traveler! I am the gatekeeper's wife, Sola. This is my daughter. How are you doing?" The goat woman chirps. She stands up and fixes her apron and dress.

"Hi! I am Kino. I am looking for a place for me and my friends to stay for the night. Are there any inns in town?"

"Ah, yes! There is the Wild Berry Inn. It is next to the baker and the blacksmith."

"Thank you. I will be going now."

"Oh traveler, wait a moment. Do you mind me asking what your business here is in Windy Townville? It is not often we get travelers in these parts," She eyes the large box on my back, the large bag I am carrying, and then on my markings.

Her daughter darts further behind her mother's side and shouts, "Mommy, that lady has a gun!"

"Hush now Kelly, I am sure she has her reasons for that weapon," Sola utters to the girl, "Right, Traveler Kino?"

"Yes, it is for protection. You know with the war going on and all. It is wise to use more modern weapons," I quickly cover up the gun, "Well . . . I am traveler that likes to study different types of subjects from plants to weather. The box contains some tools of mine. I am traveling on behalf of Black River Tribe. The tribe is always seeking ways to expand its knowledge of the world," I grin and open up the bag filled with books, "My friends also like to explore other pursuits. One of them is a person of learning, another holy monk, and the last of our group is well. . . He's a type of artist, if you please."

"So you're a scholar! That is great. Check out the town library you and your friends would love it," She lightens up, "As for your other friends, I am sure that they will enjoy the sights and sounds of the town while you stay. How long will you be staying?"

"Just long enough to find something we need to get along our path," I shortly answer.

"Have a nice day," The gatekeeper's wife says and hurries off with her daughter.

I smack my head. I have forgotten the warning of the Black River Tribe elder that among the people of the Harley Mountains guns are uncommon weapons. They can cause alarm easily. I fuss with my coat for a time to cover the weapon. Time and time again Genko has tried to rid me of it because of the trouble it can cause. However, it is the only link I have back to my life as a human. I am afraid if I let it go I just may forget my reason for my journey to begin with. After all, it is the only token I have of my family.

Wandering through Windy Townville is pleasant. There are plenty of people going in and out of building and living their lives. And there are tons of little cottages and shops here and there. I stop before the different window fronts and marvel at a top shop. It has many toys of dolls, birds, lions, and kites. It has been a long time, since I have seen a toy shop. I spy a cute white teddy bear sitting on the front display. I look closer at the bear and see a family inside laughing together. I back up and I sigh.

At last I come to the inn and get rooms for the night. Once inside one of the rooms, I close all the shades and blinds to make it dark. I put down the box and pop it open. Sleeping happily Albert falls out of the box; I quickly catch him and put him on a bed. The sleeping vampire makes no motion of waking up. I throw myself to the second bed in the room. I push off my sunglasses and move my hair out of my eyes.

It has been a long journey with very little sleep. I just cannot doze off like Albert during the day, nor can I sleep during the night. I guess I have too many thoughts running around in my head when I am finally alone. I scan about the dim room (rather bright room for me). It is a simple place, with simple decoration. It is nothing impressive. I roll over on the bed over to Albert's bag of book. I grab a random book on the study of languages. It is dry. I toss it back into the bag. Again I search around for a different book. I stop searching as I hear a melody from nowhere. It is a melody I know!

I gather up my sunglasses, listen to where the music is coming from, and pause, "Albert! I will be right back!"

"Huh . . ." The vampire groans and rolls over.

I dash toward the door and go into the hall of the inn. The music drifts as if magically echoing everywhere. I wander pass the check in area, pass the bakery, and out towards a park. There in park, a small group of people gathers. Now the melody is clear as day. I push my way in gently and make it to the front. The people are clapping softly for two performers.

The first is of average height. It is clear that this person is of mix blood (meaning he's part elf, part creature. Or maybe even rarer half human, half creature.) He moves his hands quickly with the tune of his harp. His short hair pops oddly to the left under a yellow bandana. His almond shape eyes hardly open as he hums. He wears a baggy tunic and black pants. His blue cloak flaps in the air, the music picks up pace.

Second is a little dancer. She is also mixed blooded girl. Her green eyes flash brilliantly under her crimson hair. Her lavender dress spins around with her. The little dancer smiles widely hopping far and wide with a cap out for donations. The crowd throws in a few coins and then leaves. I stay as the crowd leaves. The two performers gather up their blue cloaks. On the back of both the cloak it reads, "Frost Forest Elves." On a bit of a side note it is common for groups, tribes, and families to mark members that look human with family crests. It keeps creatures and others from attacking human like people. These two in practical are from the area of the elves.

I drop a few coins into the cap. The little girl smirks, but stops as she looks up at me. I return the girl's smile, "Pardon me, but where did you learn that song?"

"It is rude to start introductions with questions," the little dancer huffs.

"Oh I am sorry," I blush slightly. "I am Kino. It is nice to meet you. And you are?" I kneel beside her.

"I am Tsu and the big guy is Toby. He's my brother."

"Hello Toby," I get up and offer my hand. He plainly stares at me. Toby whispers something to Tsu.

"Toby doesn't speak the common language. He only speaks elfish," Tsu giggles at me.

"Oh . . . Could you translate to Toby for me? I need to ask him something."

"I guess. . . For a price," Tsu slyly smirks.

I drop a few more pieces of copper into the girl's cap. She shakes it and grabs a coin. Carefully she exams it and bites it. Tsu turns to Toby and quickly gestures and whispers in elfish. She says to me, "What is it you want to know?"

"Where did you learn that song?"

Again they whisper.

"He said he learned it from a human man a long time ago."

"Does he remember the name of the man? Can he recall what he looks like?"

Whispers.

"He says how much is it worth to you?"

"What if I treat you two to breakfast? Would that be enough to learn more about the song and the man he learned it from?"

"Ahhh . . ." Tsu whispers to Toby, Toby to Tsu. "We want to choose the place!"

"Okay."

Soon, we are seated at the bakery next to the Wild Berry Inn. Funny enough that Tsu and Toby have a sweet tooth for baked breads. Tsu has piles of sweet breads surrounding her as she greedily eats every one of them. Toby on the other hand eats one slice of bread seriously. I have never seen anyone be so serious about eating bread. Well I take that back, Tokey eats bread in the way. I wait quietly for the girl to finish her meal. It might have been easier to just ask Albert to translate for me what Toby is saying. But that would have taken longer.

Tsu finishes her seventh bread and sighs with contentment. She holds up her cap filled with coins and pokes her brother with a proud expression. Toby takes the cap and empties it. Tsu frowns as he places it into a wallet and hands her only four copper coins. He states something firmly to her in elfish. She sticks out her tongue. Tsu rolls her eyes, "Toby wants to thank you for the food. He says that he will answer any question you have now."

To Toby I say, "Please tell me about the human man you said who taught you the song. And if you can tell me his name."

Toby rapidly begins, with Tsu translating, "The man he learned it from was a tall sort of fellow. He had black hair with a short beard. He wore the most extraordinary clothing made out of metal. His name he believes was Salgo, Salgo Yul."

"Really!?" I excitedly say, "How long ago did you meet him?"

"A few years he says."

"Oh. . . I see." I sadly close my eyes.

I hear Toby chatting with his sister. He gets higher in his voice. Finally Tsu dryly says, "He wants to know if you have meet Salgo too?"

"Yea. . . I knew him very well-" I get cut off as the door flings open. There stands a wet and dripping Genko and Tokey. They stare at each other. Genko comes forward, steals a slice of bread from Tsu, and grabs my arm. I wave good bye to the performers quickly. Once outside Genko eats the bread in grave silence. Tokey makes several attempts to speak, but remains steaming. The monk opens his mouth, "Next time I go with Albert and you stay with this boy!"

The monk furiously releases me and spits at Tokey's boots. The young man shouts at the top of his lungs and goes for his daggers hidden under his cloak. I restrain Tokey quickly as the monk sticks up his bill in the air and storm off. In disbelief I say, "Genko never gets mad. He never even shouts. He didn't even say anything about lunch. What happened to both of you to make him so upset?"

Tokey pulls himself free of me and gazes at me. He holds up the soaked map and drops it into my hands. Then very slowly he strips off his wet cloak. Shaking his head side to side causing me to get wet too, I step back avoid being rained on. Tokey simply answers, "We have found the rumors are true about the flying mounts. But the owner of the business is a very crabby old woman who won't let just anyone use her animals. You have to outsmart the woman in a game of wits. Guess what happened?"

"You lost?"

"Yes we lost! Oh we lost big time!" Tokey bellows "She threw us into a lake! An ancient old hag threw us into a lake for not answering a riddle right! By the Gods, Kino, I am going back over there and I am going to kill her!"

"Now, Tokey, calm down a second. You are saying a little old lady threw two men into a lake by herself over a wrong answer for a riddle?"

"Yes!"

"What was the riddle?" I ask more curious, than consider with Tokey's pride.

Tokey scowls, "The riddle went like this: Only one color, but not one size, stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies. Present in sun, but not in rain, doing no harm, and feeling no pain. What is it?"

"I know the answer! I am good with riddles," Tsu shouts out as she leaves the bakery. Toby is trailing behind her. She continues, "It is really simple. It is a shadow! Okay, now tell me another riddle!"