"My dear Elly I found the most fantastic read for you!" He cheered, getting up to meet Elyn at the doorway.

"Really, what’s it about?" She was slightly curious about this supposed treasure that the tollkeeper had discovered. These moments happened quite frequently. The tollkeeper would discover some human knick-knacks, try another cuisine, or learn another bit of human knowledge.

"Elyn, my dear, have you ever heard of King Elzra?" The tollkeeper asked, except something was different; he seemed a bit more serious this time.

Elyn nodded. There wasn’t a person alive in Adamas who didn’t know of the great King Elzra. Legend has it that the wise old King visited Famuria, the realm where souls lie.

"That might be some useful insight." The toll keeper said, grabbing Elyn by her right hand and leading both to the desk.

For a book that’s apparently a thousand years old, it’s in pretty decent shape. Elyn thought, glancing at the book. The leather cover, not the whole book, seemed highly loved; after all, books were meant to be read,and the more worn and torn a book is, the more love it has been through.

"King Elzra was the first guardian." Elyn began picking up the book and reading the first few lines.

Akal mele doran mikakoylo za Famuria.

The paradise of the soul lies in Famuria.

She finished reading the first page of the book.

"Ahh, you speak the ancient truth." The tollkeeper replied, just as curious as ever.

The old ways, the ancient truth,the old tongue,the language that has been lost in time Not too many people knew how to read the words, including the guardians.

"My grandfather taught me and my brother the ancient truth... Elias could always write better than speak, and I am the exact opposite." She chuckled. It’s been awhile since Elyn laughed about anything.

"Your grandfather taught you and your brother the ancient truth." He asked in a tone that was slightly curious and slightly impressed. Maybe there were more people out there.

"Yeah, our grandfather was a priest before he left the order and met my grandmother." Elyn answered while still reading.

‘Your little apple is full of surprises, master."

‘ I have to agree." 

"Elyn, don’t forget we rise as the dawn and continue our journey to Mica." The tollkeeper said

Elyn nodded, not paying attention to anything else except the words on the page. Even when the tollkeeper left, leaving her behind.

The book of King Elzra was a compelling yet abnormal read. It spoke of how the living could visit Famuria, told of Elzra’s tales in the afterlife, and, of course, explained how and why the guardians were formed.

Bora zan lilackya bae zouave dolos ai de mor paron vauma caynen fairin.

"The cycle of death and rebirth, body and soul, are connecting; we are all connected Adamas to Famuria." Elyn read

Tian loya wuav lein soxa anzin ocol Adamas dorie Famuria.

"The guardians shall protect the cycle and protect the souls coming home."

With that last sentence, Elyn took a small breath and closed the book.

‘ He was right; this might turn out to be a highly enjoyable read. 

The Toll Keeper was always full of surprises; he had a way of bringing joy to most who met him, like a giggling child who wanted to spread happiness with everyone he met. His curiosity was contagious.

‘ Almost like brother.’

"Lillian, have you ever seen a train?" The tollkeeper asked The pair just finished with a most important purchase: two train tickets to Mica. In all of Lithium, the mechanical city of wonders includes mechanical humans toddling away, helping their humans improve their lives. A single machine powered by something as simple as steam has cut the travel time to Mica in half.

"Of course not, master. Hehe, I only see what you see, silly,"  she giggled.

"I wonder what the city is truly like and why I even heard some rumors about a flying contraption being built," Toll Keeper said with a slight skip to his step.

"Silly humans."