The road led them out of the caves and into a vast grass garden that stretched as far as the eye could see. Wildflowers swayed in the breeze, colors painting the land like a living carpet.
Mira and Lori were the first to run ahead, their laughter echoing as they gathered handfuls of flowers. Lori, still clumsy in her excitement, nearly tripped, but Mira caught her hand and pulled her along, both of them tumbling into the tall grass with giggles.
"Hold still, Lori!" Mira grinned, threading stems together with practiced little fingers. Soon, a crown of daisies rested on Lori's head. "There! You're a flower queen now."
Lori touched the crown gently, eyes wide. "It… doesn't hurt anyone?"
"Nope," Mira said proudly. "See? You're shining, but it's gentle now. Just light, like the sun."
Lori's glow shimmered faintly, soft and harmless, and she smiled, really smiled, for the first time.
A little ways back, Kael sat down on a flat rock, stretching his legs. Masha joined him, folding her skirt neatly under her as she sat. For a moment, they simply watched the two girls twirling in the flowers.
"They look like sisters," Masha said softly, resting her chin on her knees.
Kael gave a small chuckle. "Yeah. Like they've known each other forever. Guess kids don't need much time to find family."
The wind tugged at his hair as he glanced at Masha. She was braiding a stray stem between her fingers, calm and focused.
"You're good with her," Kael admitted. "With Lori. Not many would have gone near her."
Masha smiled faintly. "No child should be alone just because of something they can't control. She just needed someone to believe she could be more than her light."
Kael studied her for a moment, then looked away toward Mira and Lori again. "You talk like you've done this before."
"Maybe I've just… been alone too," Masha answered quietly.
Silence settled between them, warm but thoughtful, as Mira and Lori ran back with flower crowns in their hands, one for each of them.
Mira and Lori, still laughing from their flower games, rolled down a gentle slope of the grassy garden. But their laughter cut short when they bumped into someone solid—someone who did not move an inch even as the two of them collided with him.
Mira sat up first, brushing grass from her hair. Lori clutched her crown nervously.
Standing above them was a young knight, tall and broad-shouldered, his armor glinting faintly in the sunlight. His long blue hair spilled like a river down his back, his eyes sharp and cold as winter ice. He looked down at them, expression unreadable.
"…Children," he said flatly. His voice was deep, steady, and carried no warmth. "You should not be wandering here."
Lori shrank behind Mira, her glow flickering faintly with unease. Mira, however, frowned up at him, refusing to be intimidated.
"We're not wandering! We're adventuring," she declared, puffing out her chest.
The knight tilted his head slightly, studying her as if she were a strange creature. "Adventuring, is it? Dangerous games for such small ones." His gaze shifted briefly toward Lori, lingering on her faint light. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And… dangerous company."
Before Mira could retort, Kael and Masha arrived, jogging down the slope. Kael's hand hovered near the hilt of his dagger out of habit, his eyes narrowed cautiously at the knight.
"Who are you?" Kael asked firmly.
The knight straightened, placing one hand over the crest on his chestplate. "Sir Aelric. Knight of the Azure Order." His tone was still cold, his posture rigid. "And you? Travelers, or troublemakers?"
"Maybe both," Kael muttered under his breath, eyeing him.
Masha stepped forward quickly, her kind voice breaking the tension. "We're travelers. We didn't mean to disturb you. The children were only playing."
Sir Aelric's gaze flicked between them all. For a moment, the wind rustled through the grass, filling the silence. Then, with a small movement, he extended a hand—not to Kael or Masha, but to Mira, who was still sitting in the grass defiantly.
"Get up," he said simply.
Mira blinked at the cold knight's gesture, then slowly took his hand. His grip was firm but careful, as if despite his coldness, he was not careless with children.
Sir Aelric released Mira's hand once she was standing again. His blue eyes swept across the group, the carefree children, the gentle Masha, and the ever-alert Kael. After a moment, he spoke:
"You wander without rest. That much is plain. If you continue this way, you'll break before your journey truly begins."
Kael's brow furrowed. "We've made it this far just fine."
"Barely," Aelric replied bluntly, his gaze flicking to Lori, who leaned against Masha's side, her light faint from exhaustion. "Children and those still learning their strength cannot endure endless roads."
He turned his head toward the east, his long hair catching the late sun. "There is a kingdom nearby. Seranth. A stronghold built where the rivers meet the hills. Go there. Rest. Gather your strength. And if fate wills it… you may find allies."
Masha tilted her head curiously. "Seranth… I've heard of it. Isn't that the place with the white towers?"
"Yes." Aelric's expression softened for just a moment, pride slipping past his cold demeanor. "Its walls are carved from pale stone that shines in moonlight. The towers reach high as if to touch the heavens. Markets bustle with traders from across the lands, spices, silks, stories… it is a place where many paths cross. And within its heart, the Silver Court protects both knowledge and law."
Lori's eyes widened, her glow flickering brighter. "It sounds beautiful…" she whispered.
Mira was already bouncing with excitement. "A real kingdom! With towers and markets?! Can we go, Kael? Please?"
Kael rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at Aelric warily. He wasn't one to trust knights easily, but… resting in a safe place sounded better than endless wandering. He sighed. "Fine. But only for a few days."
Sir Aelric gave a small nod, satisfied. "Wise. Seranth lies two days' journey from here. If you follow the river's curve, you'll see its towers before you hear its bells."