Gumus was used to being a giant in his own right but the beasts here were regularly twice his size. They had to dodge and stick to the shadows, following small paths through thick underbrush to reach heavily guarded outposts. Kirmizi had transport papers from Dong Tochi so the only hard part was reaching one of the outposts without having to engage Chim or other wild animals. On several occasions they had to make a run for the outpost after being spotted and chased all the way to a fortified gate. There the guards were keen to keep Chim and animals away and repelled the attack while cursing Kirmizi and Gumus for not being more careful.
For Gumus there was a particularly nasty animal that plagued him. A tiny specimen that bit his ankles and caused them to swell. That only lasted through the heavily wooded areas. Next on their journey came a shore line they followed for days and then a hot, dry volcanic landscape that stretched on forever. When the landscape finally changed to another heavily wooded area, Kirmizi announced. "We're almost there."
"This trip has taken us many months. How do we even know they're still there?" Gumus asked.
"I've checked at the outposts along the way. There is communication with Dong Tochi. Mavi Ay said they arrived by ship and the ship left again but with no Mikachiari on board. They had to have made camp somewhere outside Seo Jog Mo Seo Li."
"Any sign of Asistan Ti?"
"No, but they just need scouts. The Grey and White hats both have spells similar to the Black hats. They can use magic to transport long distances as long as they've been their once and set up a marker."
"How do we fight their magic?"
"We don't. The Mikachiari were right. Although the Black hats are still on their side they cannot be fully trusted. Nwa Chapo Fo Dife said as much because the Prezidan still holds some kind of power over them."
"There must be some weapon or shield the Black hats can help us make."
Kirmizi shook his head. "None that I know of and they wouldn't make one that could be used against their own kind. The Asistan Ti do not possess magic. Maybe in the beginning it was so but not now. Now they are magic. The most I've seen them do is make small objects that hold power for the Manskliga and Elyun. The Black hats made the Suk Chae that powers Dong Tochi. What works in our favor is the White hats can only cast protective and enfeebling spells. The really strong ones like Blan Chapo Yon Sel can revive the dead. Since the Black hats revolted against Prezidan Jules, he created Grey hats. Their magic is similar to the Black hats but far less powerful. It is unclear if they can kill anyone but they definitely can maim."
"But the Black hats can still kill."
"Yes."
"Good thing they're on our side."
"Yes, for now."