As he re-enters the village for the last time in a long time Rei looks about at the various inhabitants. [i]'I wonder what they did in the past to make the humans afraid'[/i] To his eyes they all seem rather tame and calm, the only raised voice those of children calling to one another, or a parent calling their child home. With a sigh he walks down the naturally formed stairs that lead down into the main meeting grounds. Each step is outlined by a tree root of a tree that's well over a thousand years old growing a few yards away. The entire village is so deep in the forest that the only lights are the ones the villagers themselves keep, and the luminescent plants scattered through the entire area. Large glowing mushrooms and bio-luminescent moss that grows up the walls of the finely crafted homes. 

As he moves swiftly through over the hard packed dirt of the meeting place he ignores the frightened looks and fleeing figures of his fellow fae and instead focuses on his house in the distance. His living space, barely more than a large hut, is settled near the central lodge where the leaders often meet to work out problems that community has from time to time. [i]'I know they keep me close to keep an eye on me, however it is all the more pleasant for me to be close to their hall of books'[/i] Climbing back up out of the meeting place he pauses to let that same group of children from before pass by, their instructor hurrying them along. She looks startled at his sudden appearance and her wide eyes stay upon him as they pass. Once again his eyes are drawn to one boy who does not seem to be frightened of him. He even stops to stare at Rei as he moves on towards his house.

Rei looks back, watching as the instructor darts back to grab the boy and drag him up with the others. [i]'If they are so afraid, they should not pass by my house'[/i] Finally he arrives at his house and pushes inside. He has no need to lock the place, though many of the locals have taken to doing so more often as of late. Other than his books, there is nothing to steal, and no one is really interested in them. Just inside the door there are a few steps leading downwards into a kind of cafe like area, surrounded on all sides by smooth thick roots the size of his torso and thicker. Most of the houses near the great tree at the north end of the town are somehow incorporated into the tree's root system, and his is no exception. Ducking under his only table he digs carefully past the books he has stored there for a leather bag. He'd purchased the messenger bag years ago when he bought so many books it was a little awkward carrying them in his arms.

[i]'Right where I left it'[/i] He wastes no time in pulling it out and packing the three books he does not want to leave behind. Once the bag is secure he heads back outside. A moment later he ducks back inside and rummages around for something to use as a headband. It takes some time but at last he finds a silk scarf he once used to strangle a man's mistress that he's pocketed because he liked the design. Folding it over a few times he tries it out to make sure it would work to cover his ears, looking at it in his small mirror over the wash basin. Giving a nod, the light glistening off of the snake design centered on his forehead, he unties it and slips it into the bag along with his books. [i]'Now I am ready'[/i] Slipping back out of the front door he makes sure it is secure behind him before stalking quickly over to the lodge. The building is twice as long as the great tree is wide, the tree itself centered behind it.

The great front entrance has no doors, symbolizing that all are welcome, however at the sight of him a few guards shift uncomfortably, the hands tightening on their weapons. The only place with guards is the lodge, the village maintaining an easy peace for many years now. He pauses, letting those who wish to flee flee before making his way over to one of the lodge workers he knows by sight. He pale blue hair shifts from one side to the other when someone whispers to her and she whips around to face Rei. She laces her fingers together nervously and waits for him to come within speaking distance. “Hello Rei. How may I help you today?” The girl is on edge, but the usual fear glinting behind the eyes of the other fae is absent in her gaze.

He gives her a nod. “I will be on a mission for a long time, perhaps over a year or so. I may find occasion to return from time to time, however if there is a use for my home while I am absent, feel free to make such use of it. I only ask that my books remain undisturbed.” His voice is low, thwarting most from overhearing what he says to the young woman. However a few catch what he says and soon a faint hum of murmurs and whispers break out around the hall and Rei knows that by the time he leaves the boarders of the village everyone within it's boarders will know of his leaving.

He eyes go wide and a faint smile finds it's way to her lips. “Oh, I see. Well, it is your home, and I can not think of anything right now to use it for, however I will tell the council of your offer.” She pauses for a moment then in a faintly forced nice tone she adds, “Enjoy you time away!” He simply nods in return and turns, moving swiftly out through the tall wooden arches. More people than usual watch him as he makes his way to the edge of town. Less seem to run from him, and a few even come out of their houses to watch him go. [i]'At least I can give them this little joy I suppose'[/i] A few paces from the edge of town he pauses. A faint chill runs up his spine and in a slow motion he turns around to look back towards the glowing wood. There, silhouetted against the blues and greens of the village is the young boy. They simply stare at one another for a long minute before they both turn, and walk in opposite direction. [i]'That one is different. I wonder why he is so interested in me'[/i] Shaking off the chill Rei begins the long trek back to the kingdom whose prince he will soon be in the employ of.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Getting into the palace this time is a little more difficult. Rei watches carefully as even in the middle of the night guards patrol the grounds inside the palace walls. [i]'Their formation however has several flaws in it. I suppose it would work for an invading force, but they know nothing of keeping out individuals'[/i] After watching for over half an hour, marking out the guard's patterns and keeping a sharp eye on all the overlooking windows, he at last drops down and moves like a shadow to the bushes beneath the prince's window. He had watched the open window for a any signs of movement within, and seeing no sign of the young man so often at the prince’s side he deemed it safe to make the trip past the guards. He watches for a particular guard to pass before starting a count. At the count of thirteen the guard passes out of sight and he has just enough time to scale the wall before the next one comes into sight.

Moving swiftly and silently he makes his way up the wall and in a few seconds he is inside, his feet making no noise as he lands in the stone floor. Before even looking to the other person in the room he checks to make sure none of the guards spotted him. With a nod he confirms that he was not spotted and turns so he is standing beside the window rather that directly in the moonlight. His breathing is slow and even, showing no sign of exertion. A quick sweep of the room confirms that the prince is the only other living creature. Finally his gaze settles on the young man and he tilts his head, waiting for instruction. Murmuring just loud enough for the other to hear he says, “The guard is much thicker tonight.”