''I wish to know something about..um Shadow? What is it actually? And the hunter said I could learn more at here. I hope you can help me with it.'' Valentine said as she look on the funny looking being standing near the throne.

He regarded her cooly, of course she didn't have the greatest appearance either being draped in the hunter's cloak nor did he realize what she had been through recently either. He considered for the moment.

"You are from the Shadow? Of course you are," he answered his own question, nodded.

"The Shadow is a pseudo realm generated by this one where magic fails to exist, thus many people do not go there. From time to time some can inavertly walk the Shadow and essential move from one world to the next though often this is a deliberate process and requires one to be infused with magic or have some blessing in their lineage where the trait was based on in the blood. I assume that since you ask you are from the Shadow and came here by mistake? For one such as myself it is easy to walk the Shadows to get back.

"Recently the wife of the king, Alyina came from your world with her friend Kim, I do not think they choose to come here deliberately either so it would seem that something is going on if it's occurred twice now."

''So, I'm not the only one who've been here?...Did I get a chance to meet up with them?'' Valentine was hoping to ask directly from those who come from the same place. She stare directly at the being hoping to receive a positive answer from him.

"Unfortunately no, they both returned to the Shadow some time ago. Oberron saw them back, he is away now too seeing to the aftermath of the recent battle we've gone through. I could do it though I'm much too busy to be bothered right now, we have bigger problems to deal with at the moment with the goblins, loyalist to Sable, the last sovereign in these parts they attempt to reclaim what was her's.

"I suppose you could wait for Oberron, though there is no telling how long he will be, I doubt it will be more than a few centuries wait. Your best bet is probably seeking out the sage ... he has walked the Shadow and lives in the nearby forest, too."

''Centuries!!!??'' Valentine almost lose her hope until he mention something about the sage living in the forest. ''F..forest again? I..I don't want to go in there anymore!! Why can't I just met that Old Oberron right now?!'' Upon hearing to go back into the forest, Valentine forget about her manners in front of the being since she's just tsundere as ever.

Puck glared at her, he was a prince after all but he displayed no sudden out burst and took a second to compose himself. "Feel free to wait for father if you like, he is not here and thus you can be waiting an awfully long time. You see time does not mean the dame thing to fey as it does humans, centuries are nothing to immortal beings. I have other duties to see through and do not serve humans, thus you can wait or go find the sage at your own peril."

'' F..fine by me!! I..I'll go find the sage myself without your help! *hmph*'' Valentine yelled at Puck with her hand on her hips pose. Angrily, she leave the room herself walks towards the castle's exit in order to start her quest on finding the sage. ''If i get the chance, I'll definitely teach that brat a thing or two..*hmph!*''

"Hey! Wait up!" It was the hunter that was jogging after her. See Puck could careless about humans so Val throwing a little hissy fit didn't affect him any, he wouldn't loose any sleep about it.

Furthermore he knew how dangerous the forest still was as it was in it's transition from dark to light after being warped by Sable's magic. Once the hunter caught back up with her he was a little winded.

"Don't let Puck get to you, he's a bit racist and isn't even suppose to be in charge here but with his father gone he sort of muscled in on things ... the forest is still fraught with dangers and you and I both know that you can't watch out for yourself, and the goblins are amongst the easiest threat to deal with. Let me escort you, you know the sage is in the forest somewhere ... I know were he is."

''I..I'll go find that sage myself! I've already dared that brat that I would do it alone. I...I've had combat experience before when I was in my homeland..I..I'll be perfectly fine this time! You just need to tell me where is the sage's location..'' Valentine insisted on going alone without the help of anyone. She never wanted to let anyone despise her cause of her stature.

The hunter asked her if she were sure, told her that their were great dangers the but ultimately relented when she seemed adamant about matters.

"Leave the castle, head south until you come to an old trail leading into the forest. About half way down it the path forks, take the eastern most fork, follow that for a bit until you come to a boulder that's shaped like a head and use it to orientate yourself to the west. From there you won't be on the path any longer but you should come across the sage in no more than a half hour at most."

''Th..thank you for letting me know...Oh and, can I at least have a weapon as defend for myself..Um, a crossbow would be fine..'' Even though Valentine put up a tough front, she's still afraid to wander in the forest without any arms. She didn't knew or never used a crossbow before, but her thoughts told her it's the most similar to the folding rifle she used when she's in her homeland.

He unfastened his scabbard and turned it over to her. "I have no crossbow, jut the bow, a knife and blade. Is their anything further that you'd need before setting out into the forest. I still say it is best that you'd be better off with a companion.

He didn't think she would change her mind though it was out there. Weapons were easier to get at the castle too. He glanced away then looked back at her.

''I..don't know how to use a bow other than a triggered weapon...Maybe the blade will work, since it needs only to swing..''
Valentine took the blade from the hunter and thanked him for it. With a bow as an express for her appreciation, she continue to make her way to the castle door preparing herself to went back into the forest.

Valentine followed every instructions the hunter gave her and carefully taking every step in the forest. ''I've really pick a bad timing to come here..I'm unable to observe anything 50 metres ahead..'' The thickness of the fog prevent Valentine from seeing where she was going. With the blade clutching tight in her hand, she wanders around without any sense of direction.

The blade was more a cutting impliment reallying on the cutting power of the wrist rather than shoulders. Throughout her travels however she could hear the baying of wolves in the distance. The fog was thick but she followed the directions as best as she could manageing to get to the head shaped rock.

As much as she could not see the fog paid off for there was something there amongst it, a large figure was near it was a gray skinned hairless creature, a troll! So far it had not seen her, the fog serving to hide her from the creature as it moved about the forest in no particular direction.

It's...it's the head shaped rock the hunter told me! Luckily I've found it here..I thought I've lost in the woods..*choo* I..It's getting cold around.. Should've change my torn clothes than relying on this cloak..Guess I'll keep heading west then.'' After she mumble to herself, Valentine continues to push through the fog in search for the sage in the forest.