It happened again.
Today we're departing from Selenith and heading to Rathen to visit their academy. The problem? I have no idea where the academy is. I don't even know its name.
I know Rathen is to the west of Selenith. That's it.
This is getting ridiculous. I should ask Eldrin before we leave. I make another mental note to be better with details. Actually, while I'm at it, I should ask about the trade talks in Respera too.
I find Eldrin in the common area, reading through some documents.
[Wright] "Eldrin, quick question. Where exactly is the academy in Rathen? And what's it called?"
He looks up from his reading.
[Eldrin] "Rathen's Royal Academy. It's located in their capital city, Thornhaven."
[Wright] "Thornhaven. Got it. And the trade talks in Respera?"
[Eldrin] "Those will be held in Respera's capital, Mariselle."
[Wright] "Thanks. I promise I'll be better about keeping track of these things."
[Eldrin] "It's fine, Wright. You have a lot on your mind."
I appreciate that he's not judging me for constantly asking basic questions.
We continue talking about the itinerary until the kids appear. They look subdued.
[Yuki] "We said goodbye to everyone."
[Aiko] "It was harder than I thought it would be."
[Takeshi] "Yeah. We made some good friends here."
Yuki looks particularly sad.
[Yuki] "I really bonded with Elowen. I can't wait to actually enroll next semester."
[Wright] "You're really set on the Magic Academy?"
[Yuki] "Definitely. Elowen promised to help me get settled in when I arrive."
Before we can continue, Supreme Mage Lysara appears at the entrance.
[Lysara] "Ah, there you are. I wanted to thank you all for visiting Arcanis Academy. It's been a pleasure hosting you."
She turns to Yuki with a warm smile.
[Lysara] "And I'm very much looking forward to having you join us next semester, Yuki. I think you'll do wonderfully here."
[Yuki] "Thank you, Supreme Mage!"
[Lysara] "Are you all prepared to depart?"
[Eldrin] "Yes, we're ready."
[Liora] "All packed."
[Seraphina] "As ready as we'll ever be."
[Lucien] "Prepared."
[Vesper] "Sure."
We gather our things and head out of the mansion. The morning air is crisp and cool.
We step onto the transportation station's circular platform.
[Lysara] "We'll head to a plaza near the main gate."
She taps a rune and the platform glows brighter. There's that brief lifting sensation, like being caught by a gentle wind, and then we're standing on a different platform with the city's main gate in view.
Carriages are waiting for us. Several of them, enough for our entire group.
We turn to Supreme Mage Lysara.
[Wright] "Thank you again for your hospitality, Supreme Mage."
[Liora] "Your academy is truly magnificent."
[Seraphina] "The accommodations were exquisite."
[Lysara] "You're all most welcome. Safe travels, and I hope we'll see each other again soon."
[Yuki] "I'll be back in a few months!"
[Lysara] "I'm counting on it."
We board the carriages. The drivers take us through the city and out beyond the walls to a large open field.
Ignatia transforms. Her body expands rapidly, growing to her full massive size. Scales gleam red in the morning light, wings stretch wide.
[Ignatia] "Ready to depart?"
[Yuki] "Ready!"
She lowers her tail. We climb up, settling into our usual positions along her back. Yuki casts her wind barrier.
Once everyone is secure, Ignatia spreads her wings.
[Ignatia] "Hold on."
She launches into the sky.
---
We soar through the air, Arcanis growing smaller behind us. The landscape below shifts from orderly farmlands to more varied terrain. Rolling hills, patches of forest, the occasional river cutting through the land.
Eldrin moves closer to where I'm sitting.
[Eldrin] "Since we're heading to Rathen's Royal Academy, I should tell you more about Thornhaven and the academy itself."
The kids perk up immediately. Takeshi and Aiko especially.
[Eldrin] "Thornhaven is Rathen's capital city, located in the western territories. The city was built alongside nature rather than replacing it. Beast folk have always valued the natural world, so you'll see architecture integrated with living trees, buildings constructed around rock formations, and waterways that flow through the city."
[Aiko] "That sounds beautiful."
[Eldrin] "It is. The Royal Academy reflects this philosophy. The campus isn't separated from the city by walls. It flows into the surrounding area. Training grounds blend with natural clearings, study halls are built into hillsides, and the library is partially underground."
[Takeshi] "What about the students? You mentioned before it's diverse."
[Eldrin] "Extremely diverse. Since Rathen was founded by beast folk, the academy has always welcomed all races. You'll find humans, elves, beast folk of every variety, dwarves, even the occasional demon or mixed heritage student. It's one of the few places where you can see such a complete mixture studying together."
[Lucien] "The historical significance is notable. Few institutions can claim such inclusivity."
[Eldrin] "Indeed. The academy's curriculum reflects this diversity as well. They don't focus solely on magic like Arcanis Academy does. Instead, they provide a balanced education. Combat training, magical theory and practice, history, diplomacy, practical skills like survival and tracking. The goal is to produce well-rounded individuals who can adapt to any situation."
[Takeshi] "That's exactly what we wanted! Combat and magic together, not just one or the other."
[Aiko] "And the practical skills sound really useful too."
Yuki looks conflicted. She leans toward them.
[Yuki] "But you should come with me to Arcanis Academy!"
[Takeshi] "Yuki, this academy is more suited to what Aiko and I want to learn. You're going to be great at Arcanis Academy."
[Yuki] "But—"
[Aiko] "Besides, you already made friends there. Elowen really likes you. And you met other students during classes, didn't you?"
[Yuki] "I... yes, I did. There were a few people who were really nice."
[Aiko] "See? You'll be fine. And we can visit each other during breaks."
[Yuki] "I guess you're right. It's just scary thinking about being there without you two."
[Takeshi] "You'll make more friends. You're good at that."
Yuki nods, though she still looks anxious.
The conversation continues. Eldrin answers more questions about Rathen. The culture, the government structure, what to expect when we arrive.
Hours pass. The landscape below continues to change. More forests now, thicker and wilder than what surrounded Selenith. Mountains rise in the distance to the north. Rivers cut through valleys and gorges.
Then, ahead, I see it.
Thornhaven comes into view gradually. The first thing I notice is how green it is.
Massive trees rise within the city itself, their trunks thick as towers. Buildings are constructed around them, platforms built into the branches, walkways connecting different levels. Some structures are carved directly into living wood, the trees still growing despite being shaped into habitable spaces.
The city follows the land's contours. Buildings cascade down hillsides in terraces. Waterways flow through channels lined with stone, creating a network of streams and small waterfalls. Gardens and green spaces are everywhere, woven into the architecture.
Near the city's center, a broad hill rises above the surrounding districts. Its face is shaped into a massive terraced structure built directly into the stone. Wide levels step downward, broken by open courtyards, balconies, and formal gardens. Water channels run through the terraces, feeding fountains and pools before spilling back into the city below. The stone looks smoothed and reinforced by magic rather than roughly carved. Whatever the place is, it feels important.
The Royal Academy is visible on the eastern side of the city. It's built into and around a series of low hills. I can see training grounds that look like natural clearings, buildings that blend with the landscape, and what might be a coliseum carved into the hillside.
[Takeshi] "Whoa. That looks amazing."
[Aiko] "It's so different from Arcanis. This feels... alive."
[Yuki] "All those trees! And the buildings are built into them!"
[Liora] "It's beautiful. I can feel the natural magic from here."
[Eldrin] "Thornhaven has always been remarkable. They've achieved a balance between civilization and nature that few other cities can match."
Eldrin points.
[Eldrin] "Queen Vorath said she'll receive us in that coliseum."
[Ignatia] "Preparing to land."
Ignatia begins descending, angling toward the coliseum.
As we get closer, I realize there's a massive crowd.
The coliseum is packed. Spectators fill the tiered seating that curves around the arena floor. The noise hits us even from up here. Cheering, shouting, the roar of excited people.
On the arena floor itself, people line up in formation. Beast folk with wolf features, their ears alert and tails swishing. Cat beast folk with sleek fur patterns visible on their arms and faces. Bird beast folk with feathered crests and sharp eyes. Rabbit beast folk with long ears and twitching noses. But it's not just beast folk. I see humans in the formation and elves with their pointed ears visible. Dwarves with their stocky builds and elaborate beards. Even a few demons with their distinctive horns and dark coloration.
There's a section with a large water pool where merfolks wait, their scales glinting in the sunlight.
Standing ahead of the formation is a towering figure. A lion beast folk with golden fur. Amber eyes gleam with intelligence and authority. Her build is lean but powerful, muscles clearly defined beneath her ceremonial armor. The armor bears an emblem, and she wears it with the ease of someone completely comfortable with her own strength. Her posture is regal, commanding. Everything about her screams leader.
That has to be Queen Vorath.
Ignatia descends into the arena. Her massive form takes up almost the entire space. The moment her feet touch the ground, the crowd erupts. Cheering becomes deafening. People are on their feet, shouting and pointing.
Ignatia lowers her tail. Eldrin, Lucien, and Seraphina don't bother with the staircase. They jump off directly, landing with practiced ease before heading toward Queen Vorath.
The rest of us use the tail. I walk down with Liora, Vesper, and the kids. Snow and Umbra are with Yuki as usual.
The noise from the crowd is still overwhelming. I make my way across the arena floor toward where Eldrin and the others are greeting the Queen.
Queen Vorath's presence is even more imposing up close. She's tall, easily towering over most people here. Her amber eyes are sharp, taking in everything.
[Vorath] "Welcome to Thornhaven! I am Queen Vorath, ruler of Rathen."
Her voice carries easily over the noise. Deep, confident, commanding without being harsh.
[Wright] "Thank you for having us, Your Majesty. I'm Wright."
I gesture to the crowd filling the coliseum.
[Wright] "I have to ask though. Why the crowd?"
Queen Vorath smiles. Then she laughs. It's a full, hearty sound that comes from deep in her chest.
[Vorath] "It's not every day someone gets to see a dragon, let alone one of this size! When word spread that the Ancient Fire Dragon Queen herself would be landing here, well, people wanted to witness it. Can you blame them?"
Fair point.
Behind us, Ignatia probably hears the queen's words. She definitely hears the crowd still cheering for her.
She raises her head high and lets out a massive breath of fire straight up into the sky. The flames roar upward, brilliant red and orange, creating a pillar of fire that reaches impossibly high before dissipating.
The crowd loses their minds. The cheering somehow gets even louder.
[Yuki] "Ignatia! Calm down!"
The dragon lowers her head, looking pleased with herself. Then her form begins to shrink. In moments, she's back to her smaller size, about as big as a large housecat. She settles onto Yuki's shoulder.
[Ignatia] "I was merely providing our audience with a proper display befitting my station. One must acknowledge the adoration of one's admirers appropriately."
Queen Vorath laughs again, clearly delighted.
[Vorath] "That was grand! Absolutely grand! Thank you for such a magnificent display, Ancient One."
[Ignatia] "You are most welcome."
The crowd is still going wild. I look at all the people cheering and pointing and talking excitedly.
This is a lot.
[Wright] "I'm glad you're enjoying this, Your Majesty, but could we maybe move ahead to the academy? Get away from the crowd?"
[Vorath] "Of course, of course! I imagine all this attention is a bit much. Come, we'll head to the academy. I'll show you around personally."
She gestures and the formation of people begins to disperse. The crowd starts to settle, though there's still a buzz of excited conversation.
We follow Queen Vorath out of the coliseum.