Most of the castle seem to be a more fortified outpost with a bigger keep than it needed. As a countess, Talia had a domain over a larger castle than the surrounding. After they woke up from their first night, in a different room against Kurt's objections.

"So you really are a big deal?"

"Of course," Talia said as they walked through the courtyard, a stables, and men sparing.

"I guess that makes sense," said Kurt.

"Kurt you have a whole horde of goblins doing this as well," said Talia, "you took down the fire clan, you're a big deal as well."

"I don't feel like it."

"Why do you underestimate yourself, you broke a wall with your bare hands."

"I'm sure several of your guardians can do the same."

Talia stopped walking, and put her arm out to stop Kurt as well, "no, Kurt, No a single one."

"That doesn't seem right."

Talia kept looking at Kurt like she wasn't understanding, "you really believe we have someone that can take down a castle wall bare handed?"

"Isn't it like that?"

"No, Kurt."

"Then why me?"

"I have no idea."

They never really figured that out. Kurt had assumed other guardians had the same power the entire time. But when he looked back at that particular feat, it was different: the water was red. He couldn't make it like that again, something about the moment.

Talia gave Kurt a tour of her keep, it was very similar to the Dutchery but grander, and stone and not wood. There were stables, guards. Many practiced the same earth magic Talia had used, to what Kurt could tell was very less proficient.

They were supposed to go to the next town, or keep. Her castle had a small set up outside. There were probably about 40 people there in all. But there was a train stop for them. The fae well needed to be apart from each other, and generally Kurt was feeling they had just a better set up then what they were trying to do. A lot more years in the game.

The train was technology coming from their continent, Kurt didn't know they had brought it to this side of the gate as well. He'd heard of the word, but never imagined the actual reality.

"So you've never been in one?"

"No, I've never seen anything like it."

"It's fun, a bit boring really after the first few trips, waiting till the next place."

"Better than running."

"Yeah, I would agree."

They had come to the station, some of the people were waiting as well. They had a private cabin for themselves, nobility and privilege was still apparent in the nation. But that wasn't Kurt's concern. He was excited about traveling , the cabin had seats and tables, and some compartments for luggage and items of food were presented. He was sure this was all uncommon, he snuck a peek at another car, and they were mostly lined with seats.

They took their seats, and the train jolted into motion, starting slowly and picking up speed, a loud whistle was heard. They went across the countryside, where there was the beginning of farming. There were pats tired with animals.

"I'm surprised there are so many people, I thought you were much smaller."

"Yeah it seems like more than it is, we are trying to find a way to live on this side away from the world in some ways, but we also want to work with our world. The people here are all members like you. We don't usually have many moving back and forth."

Kurt was still marveling out the window a little, he had heard about them before. Being on one was different, the trip was smoother than the best carriage ride he's ever had, and much faster than a horse could bring you. Kurt thought maybe at max speed he could reach it, but he wouldn't be able to hold it for long.

"It looks like a nice place to live," said Kurt.

"Well the interior valley took a while to clear out, what you see is basically what is safe, outside the chain of outposts there are many threats, big and small."

They continued through the countryside, making a stop they didn't have to get off at then started again. More about what Valentine's Land was about, what type of creatures they could raise here. A mixture from both sides of the gate.

"So how long did the railway take?"

"Years," said Talia.

"Hmm," said Kurt, "it would be nice to have something for us."

"We can talk about that sometime, we figured you might be interested a little, we are a business not just a clan. But can't we let Layla deal with that?"

They eventually stopped at one of the larger outposts, not quite as big as Talia but there was a small settlement around a walled structure. They exited the train, and Kurt took a closer look at the engine in the front, not really understanding much of it. But he thought it was cool.

There was a bakery in this settlement that Talia wanted to show Kurt and get some sweets to eat. They were supposed to be on a tour of the lands, so Talia and Kurt were welcomed to eat, and explore the town. Talia seemed to know the place well and many people would stop to say hi to her, and introduce Kurt. He saw a plethora of looks both positive and negative.

There was a man in full clan uniform that appeared eventually. He was following them but keeping his distance. Kurt assumed it was just natural surveillance of someone in their territory. But Countess Talia gave him a few stares and tried to act like she didn't see him.

"Who is that?"

"Just a messenger, I don't see why he's even here. They were supposed to leave us alone until we got to the Capitol. Such a pain."

"Do you think it's important?"

"No, if it was, he would come up. Just ignore him."

The man continued to follow close behind them for the rest of the time they were touring the settlement. Never coming up to say anything, but he had a very nervous look about him.

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