Jacquie's eyes adjusted to the sudden light and saw that they were in some type of desert bazaar. There were creatures everywhere around them. Jacquie only knew what a few of them were called, but she saw centaurs (obviously), satyrs, kappas, harpies, and even giant six-legged salamanders! Kyran led them through the bazaar, avoiding the scorpion tails, fire-breathing dragons, and suspicious looking giant toads.

"I'm hungry," Kirna whined.

Robin rolled her eyes, but Kyran agreed. "You're right," he said. "This trip may take days, and we will need food."

The gang followed Kyran to a stand, selling a variety of dead birds.

"Trust me, this is the only food here you would like," Kyran said. "Altair here serves every bird you can think of. Pheasants, kestrels, quails, ducks, you name it. Any bird around here, he's got it. So, do you have any preferences?"

"Um..." the group said, apprehensive to try the grotesque birds hanging from the stand's canopy.

"Quail it is then."

 Kyran faced the startling fox-man who ran the stand. "Eight quails and a pheasant, please. And can you make it a free meal?"

Altair sharply sighed. "I can't keep giving you these free meals, Kyran. You'll need to pay me back soon."

"I will. Just not today," Kyran replied.

"As you said last time. And the time before that. And the time before that." Nevertheless, Altair served their food. "Enjoy your meals."

//////////////////////

After eating, Kyran eventually led them to a stand protected by the sun by a giant tarp. A huge man was hunched over the table, counting an assortment of jewels. Behind him was a variety of weapons, ranging from swords and maces to arrows and bronze shields.

"Kyran!" the large man boomed happily as he saw the gang coming. "Long time no see!"

Kyran gave a huge grin and said, "Hey, Mike!" He turned to the others and said, "This is my friend, Mike."

Mike said, "Yeah, your friend and your uncle. Don't lie to your friends, Ky."

Riordan stared bug-eyed at them and said, "That's your UNCLE?!"

"Yep," Kyran said.

Jacquie too had a hard time seeing the relation. The only things they had in common were their eyes and huge grins.

"Anyway Ky, I know you wouldn't come here after all these years if you didn't want something. So, what do you need? Flaming sword? Poison arrows? Death spear?"

"Okay, all of those names sound terrifying," Kyran said, "but we're not here for any of those. We need 9 hoverboards."

"Okay, that'll be 98 jems, please."

"WHAT?" Kyran yelled. "I don't have that much!"

"Okay," Mike said, "I'll give you the nephew discount: free."

Kyran gave a sigh of relief. "Good. I thought you were gonna pull a fast one on me."

"Yeah," Mike chuckled. "You should have seen the look on your— Hey, Kyran. I just realized that you never introduced me to your friends."

"Oh," Kyran said. He pointed to everyone as he said their names. "That's Erik, Kirna, Daniel, Robin, Riordan, Johnathan, Maize, and Jacquie."

Mike eyed Jacquie's necklace carefully. "Hey, isn't that your mo—"

"No," Kyran interrupted suddenly and coldly. "Now could you give the hoverboards. We're in a hurry."

"Sheesh," Mike said. "No need to get moody. Then again, most teens are moody, am I right? You guys should know what I'm talking about." He looked pointedly at the gang.

He handed Kyran the hoverboards. He was about to wave them off, but he stopped himself. "Hey, Ky. Before you go, can you tell me how your folks are doing? They haven't brought you over for a long time."

Before Kyran could speak, he said, "And don't dodge the question. I know just how cunning you are."

Kyran paled and looked at his uncle and his comrades and back again. He took a deep breath and said, "They're dead, okay. Is that a good answer?"

When he didn't say anything, he continued saying, "It's not a lie, so if you don't believe me, don't. Now, don't ask about it again." Without another word, Kyran hopped on his hoverboard and sped off into the desert.