Nicoli walked the unblazed trail, he forged his own path when he had to and walked along animal paths when it proved convenient. He had a rough map, if it could even be called that. The map was faded and torn, written on animal skin. Any detail it once held had faded with the passage of time, still it was better than nothing and provided him a general direction. South, south and east. As long as he kept the river to his left and a mountain peak to his right he should come to his destination, if the map was correct.

His form was shrouded by his cloak, which swam with a multitude of colors, the magic of it was such that it could blend in with any natural setting. It wasn't perfect, but with his other abilities and magical items it added to his ability to remain unseen, because the gods knew he wasn't being nearly as quiet as he would have liked to have been. The thick foliage and and grasses always made some noise when they were moved from his path. 

Had he been so inclined he could have carved a path through the thick foliage. But that seemed messy, unprofessional to Nicoli, it was in his nature to leave no trace of his passing, not matter how bothersome it was. Still, perhaps he could cover more ground if he followed the river more closely, where the ground was clearer. Nicoli knelt down to rest, putting a water-skin to his lips and .... He paused and looked to his left hand which rested on the ground to help him maintain his balance.

Stone. Worked stone. He looked closer, brushing away dirt to see stone placed into the earth, and another next to that. This was the makings of a road, or rather what was left of one. He tucked the map away and moved a few steps further and found more stone. He moved left, then right finding the side of it. He stood up straight and looked behind and then before him. Yes, he could see it now. The jungle had overtaken it and grew around and over it, but he could still make out the faint edges of what was once there.

With a mental command he activated one of the charms around his left ankle, which lay hidden inside a boot. The result was an inky black substance that swirled with dark reds and blues, it would cover his features and allow him to see in the shaded jungle without difficulty. Pulling his cloak more closely around him he moved to the edge of the barely visible road and followed its path.

In time he came to something magnificent, spiraling towers that stood among the trees, both wrapped in vines. Where some buildings had collapsed on themselves other appeared to have survived the passage of time. He stood still for a long moment, watching the city, it has been abandoned for years.

Or had it?

Nicoli breathed in through is nose, inhaling deeply. Smoke. Someone was here. He looked around but was unable to see or hear anymore signs to navigate by. So, sticking to the shadows of the buildings as best he could he moved deeper into the long lost city, every so often he would stop and inhale, going to where the smoke was strongest.