Lazheros sighed, "Let's get this over with."

"Agreed." Irzen deadpanned once more.

Alyson nodded in agreement stepping across the threshold of the portal, "Come on everyone."

"Over the river, through the portal and to Gnome-gnome town we go!" The kurori fluttered around Serna.

The Shield Maiden shook her head right before she charged through the portal, "Last one in is a rotten dragon's egg!"

Caliaphy giggled upon seeing Lazheros and Irzen as kids, "You are so silly, Bronze Boy!"

Lazheros narrowed his eyes at the kurori, "I would be very, very careful on what you say and how you say it, Caliaphy. I granted your wish to travel the Realm with Serna, I could always--"

Alyson tapped the dragon on the shoulder, "Or you'll do what? You're stuck in kid mode just like me and the swordsman, so just deal with it. And Caliaphy, don't push your luck. Got it?"

The kurori saw the fiery glow emanating from the elementalist, "Uh-huh!" And slowly hid behind the shield maiden out of sight.

"Serna, since you are the true kid here, what would you do? How would you go about finding out what is going on in Gnome-gnome town? This is your chance to be the leader and ask us for advice." Alyson asked the shield maiden.

"Well, I would walk right up to the first person I saw, introduce myself, tell them that I'm here to help and then ask them what's going on," Serna replied simply, "Wait a minute! I'm the leader now?! You mean, I get to boss you guys around and tell you what to do?!"

"Okay. I am willing to try it your way." Alyson said looking around the new area.

"I see this as a new lesson for the shield maiden to learn and to hone her skills with her weapon." The bronze man added.

"You have my sword, Serna," The Swordsman nodded at The Shield Maiden, "Command me at your leisure."

"Yes, you get to be the leader, Serna and tell us what to do within reason." The elementalist looked right at her.

"NEAT!" The Shield Maiden clapped her hands gleefully.

"Ooooo! Serna, gets to be the boss!" Caliaphy cheered excitedly.

"So, young one, lets see how you handle the situation based on what you've learned so far since leaving Deeping Dale." Lazheros said taking in the surrounding area.

Everyone could see the Tinder Mountains, a vast and heavily ever green treeline practically covered the entire area. There was a well traveled dirt road that went north and south across the winded plains outside of the ancient forest. Sounds of various birds and beasts echoed through the dense tree line.

"Well, let's follow the road south towards Gnome-gnome town," The Shield Maiden flatly declared before she turned to the others, "But first, we need a marching order! Caliaphy, I want you to fly ahead of us and scout the area for any friends or foes. I will take the lead with my shield at the ready. Alyson and Lazheros, I want you two to stay behind me but flank me on either side. That way you can keep a look out for anyone trying to ambush us. Irzen, I want you to have your sword at the ready and bring up the rear just in case someone tries to get the drop on us from behind. Okay?"

"That works for me, Serna," Alyson said flanking her on the left side.

"Sounds like a winner to me," Irzen shrugged as he brought up the rear.

Lazheros walked along side of Serna on her right while the kurori took point and scouted ahead. She went no more than fifty feet ahead of the shield maiden in case of trouble. There was none so far and occasionally would stop to listen while everyone caught up to her.

Serna was ever watchful as they moved forward down the road. She anticipated they might run into trouble before they reached their destination. So, the Shield Maiden readied her weapon just in case.

"Did you ever venture outside of Deeping Dale, Serna before we met you?" Alyson asked quietly as they walked down the road.