"Owlyn, do you think you can lead us the way into the Wood?" Vasilisa asked the bird.
"I'm afraid the path is lost to me, too, my lady," Owlyn said sadly. "In the World Beyond, only Feathered Serpents and the fiery falcon, Raróg, have the power to travel fast and wide. And the warlocks, with their portals..." The white owl stopped and sighed.
"If we're fortunate, we might find the fire falcon," Vasilisa mused to herself.
"There couldn't be another serpent nearby?" Cassandra asked.
"No," Owlyn said and swayed. "There are no other great houses where they have serpents anymore...except the Land of the Elves in Ardrélin Valley."
"Elves!" Ruslan gasped. "Very good! I would absolutely love to see them."
"Well, child," Owlyn said. "Ardrélin Valley is so isolated, and the Chaotic Zone to the
