The port of Loralind grew larger as they approached. Darian watched with quiet determination. They were finally close. But he knew they had to stick to the plan.
Beneath his cloak, Vael peeked his head out to take in the view. He made small clicking sounds, as if he liked what he saw.
Kára walked up beside Darian, the sea breeze brushing her face as her hair moved softly in the wind.
—We're almost there —she said, watching the port draw closer.
—Yeah. Not much longer. We have to do this right. —Darian gave a faint smile—. But look at you. You already look like a proper sailor. Who would've thought? You were seasick at first.
—Yeah. The first few days were rough. And I didn't like the deck much.
—But Varkas felt great. Didn't get sick at all —Kára said.
—Well, he grew up on the water. I think I got lucky having Nox and Lumine. Thanks to them, I didn't feel anything.
Obviously. Without us, you wouldn't even handle the sea breeze, Nox said in his mind.
It's because we are deeply connected. That's all. Don't listen to Nox, Lumine added calmly.
—Well… thanks to both of you —Darian muttered.
Elias approached them.
—Let's get ready. We're about to dock.
—Let's go.
The city rose before them—a blend of nature and civilization. The buildings were white, clean. But the trees were untamed, growing wherever they pleased. It felt as if the city grew with nature, not against it. The walls stood tall and imposing, yet nature was still everywhere. Streets, buildings—everything adapted to the land instead of forcing it to change.
As they docked, sailors began unloading cargo quickly and efficiently. Varkas moved with the cart. Elias and Kára walked ahead, their hoods hiding their faces. Darian followed behind, hands near his blades, hood lowered. Beneath it, Vael stirred, eager to look—but Darian kept him hidden.
—Vael, stay still. I don't want them to see you —he whispered, adjusting his cloak.
At the dock, five elven guards blocked the path.
They were not like the Empire's soldiers. Tall. Slender. Silver armor. Bows on their backs. Their eyes were pale, almost translucent. They watched without blinking.
One of them, taller than the rest, bore a golden insignia on his chest. The officer.
—Documents before entry. Present your papers —he said. His voice was dry. Emotionless.
One guard took the papers. The others watched. A faint magical glow moved through the air around travelers—scanning.
Darian felt it brush against his skin like a chill.
Elias stepped forward first.
—Documents.
Elias handed them over. Another guard carefully watched his reactions. They were trained—hunters, not soldiers.
The officer reviewed the documents slowly. Painfully slow. Then returned them.
—Next.
Elias stepped aside.
Kára stepped forward.
She handed her papers over. She was slightly tense. One guard began circling her—quiet, predatory.
—Purpose of your visit?
—I'm a blacksmith. I serve the merchant who just passed.
The guard studied her. It made sense—but he wasn't convinced.
—Where are you from?
—Khazad-Val.
The guard stopped in front of her. Stared.
Kára held his gaze, though she felt cold sweat down her neck.
—Very well.
The officer glanced at the observing guard. He nodded.
—Next.
Kára stepped away, only breathing again once she was several steps ahead.
Varkas stepped forward next.
The guard looked him over. His marks. His size.
The officer frowned.
—Is this slave yours? —he asked Elias.
—He's not a slave —Elias replied firmly—. He's my companion. He handles the cart and horse.
The officer circled Varkas.
Varkas didn't move. His yellow eyes followed calmly. No defiance. Only restraint.
The observing guard took a step back.
—Does your master treat you well, beast?
Varkas said nothing.
Elias stepped in.
—As I said, he is not my slave.
A pause.
Then the papers were returned.
—Next.
Varkas stepped aside, fists clenched tight.
Darian stepped forward.
—Here.
The officer took his documents. The guards' attention sharpened.
His swords drew their focus. The crystal gleamed in the sunlight.
—And this one? —the officer asked Elias.
—My bodyguard.
One guard stepped closer.
—Those are unusual weapons.
—They are —Darian replied.
We can kill them, Nox growled.
Not now, Lumine answered.
Hold, Nox.
The guard reached for Lumine.
—May I see one?
—No.
Silence.
The guard froze mid-motion.
The officer looked up.
—What did you say?
—I said no. They're personal. I don't like people touching them.
Tension snapped across the dock.
Elias held his breath. Varkas shifted slightly.
The officer studied Darian.
Then:
—Very well. You may pass.
The tension broke.
Then—
Movement under Darian's cloak.
—You. Stop.
Darian froze.
More guards appeared. Six total.
Arrows drawn. Blades unsheathed.
—Hands off your weapons. Now.
Darian lowered his hands slowly.
—What are you carrying?
—Nothing that—
—Silence!
A blade pointed at his chest.
Varkas tried to move. Two guards blocked him.
Kára gripped her hammer. Elias stopped her.
Not now.
The officer stepped closer.
—Last time. What are you carrying?
Darian said nothing.
The officer reached for his hood.
And then—
Vael peeked out.
Everything changed.
The officer stepped back.
One guard lowered his bow.
Another dropped his blade.
Vael tilted his head. Clicked softly.
—A dragon… —one whispered.
—With a human?
Silence.
—Where did you get it?
—I found him. He was an egg. I raised him. He chose me.
The dock fell quiet.
Elves revered dragons. They were divine.
This made no sense.
—It's a hatchling.
—Yes.
A long pause.
—Stand down.
Weapons lowered.
Slowly.
—You may proceed.
They walked away in silence.
Only after several streets did anyone speak.
Elias leaned against a wall.
—We almost died.
—But we didn't —Varkas said.
—Thanks to Vael —Kára added, smiling faintly.
—I think he knew exactly what he was doing —Darian said.
Vael made a small satisfied sound.
That was fun, Nox said.
We almost died, Lumine replied.
That's why it was fun.
Darian shook his head.
They had passed the first obstacle.
They were inside Eldoria.
Far away, in the capital—
Aria sat in a tower.
Her father's small ferret slept beside her.
Suddenly, it woke.
It looked east.
It made a soft sound.
Aria watched it.
She didn't understand—but she felt warmth in her chest.
—Are they coming? —she whispered.
The ferret didn't answer.
But Aria no longer felt alone.