A soft, lilting tune drifted through the veil of Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s dreams, a gentle thread pulling him toward waking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Oh, the fair maiden of Geldanos, with hair like the shining sun,<\/em> The song wrapped around him, sweet and rustic, painting pictures in his half-sleep of endless fields, of a sun-haired girl twirling in the light, her brown boots kicking up the dust of the harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s obsidian eyes blinked open slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The soft creaking of a moving carriage greeted him. Above it, the song continued. Anders, perched at the head of the wagon with the reins loosely in hand, was singing the old Geldanos ballad in a low, pleasant voice, smiling faintly to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric, seated across from Alvinnu\u00e9 inside the carriage, caught the young warrior stirring and gave a warm grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGood morning, Alvinnu\u00e9,\u201d Aelric said, his blue eyes\u2014clear as the summer skies sung about in the song\u2014bright with amusement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the opposite corner, Hakun adjusted the worn seal of Sariyaz tucked carefully into his belt and gave a nod. \u201cMorning, lad,\u201d he rumbled, voice as rough and steady as the road beneath them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 stretched, wincing slightly as the soreness from the fierce battle with the Half-Giant settled deep into his muscles. His limbs were stiff, and the fatigue of the fight weighed heavily on him. He allowed a rare small smile to cross his lips despite the discomfort. \u201cI was dreaming of golden fields and maidens,\u201d he said dryly. \u201cAnd boots. Lots of boots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anders chuckled from the front seat without turning around. “A true dream of Geldanos, then. You’ll fit in just fine.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I\u2019m not sure frolicking is in Alvinnu\u00e9’s nature,” Aelric teased lightly, tapping the butt of his sword against the carriage floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Nor mine,” Hakun said, grinning under his gray beard. “But a full stomach and a soft bed? That, I could get used to again.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The wheels rumbled on. Beyond the dusty windows, the sun climbed higher, illuminating the endless rolling fields that framed their path\u2014a golden sea leading straight toward the gleaming walls of the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The city rose ahead, proud and beckoning. The city grew closer now. The banners on the high walls fluttered in the wind \u2014 crimson fields, golden wheat. The smell of horses, bread, and distant smoke filled the air, bustling voices carried faintly on the breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside the carriage, Alvinnu\u00e9 rubbed the sleep from his eyes and turned to Hakun. Hakun gave a low chuckle, shaking his head. Alvinnu\u00e9 frowned, struggling to recall the hazy end of that fight. Aelric leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Alvinnu\u00e9 sat back slowly, absorbing the words. Part of him felt a flicker of pride. Part of him \u2014 the colder, wiser part \u2014 weighed what it had cost him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun jabbed a thick finger toward him with a gruff grunt. Alvinnu\u00e9 managed a faint smile, the corner of his mouth lifting. He inclined his head solemnly. From the driver\u2019s bench, Anders chimed in, still half-humming the Geldanos ballad under his breath. The others chuckled softly, the carriage rattling along the worn road. Beyond the dust-smeared windows, the capital\u2019s gates loomed large \u2014 a city alive with color, sound, and the heavy pull of destiny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The laughter faded, and a thoughtful silence settled in the carriage as the city neared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun shifted in his seat and reached into the folds of his travel-worn cloak. Alvinnu\u00e9 took it carefully, unwrapping the rough linen to reveal a hand-carved wooden totem \u2014 no longer than his palm. The figure was simple but strong in its detail: a towering giant, an axe slung across its back, a deer draped over one broad shoulder. The lines were sharp and primitive, but there was undeniable craftsmanship in the form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA Half-Giant hunter,\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 said, softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s for the promise Gorimugh made. Said you earned it.\u201d Alvinnu\u00e9 studied the totem, his fingers brushing the carved grooves. It felt heavier than it looked \u2014 not in weight, but in significance. He didn\u2019t understand it fully, but he didn\u2019t need to. Not yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He gave a small nod and carefully placed the totem into his hip sack, tucking it securely among his belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ll carry it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outside, the road widened, and the noise of the capital grew louder. Bells rang in distant towers. The scent of roasting meat drifted through the open carriage window. Geldanos was no longer a far-off dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the carriage rumbled on, Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s gaze wandered out the window, though his mind was far from the bustling city ahead. He could hear the clatter of hooves, the occasional shout of a vendor in the distance, but his thoughts lingered in the past \u2014 in the shadows of his own journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shanda-Wold, his homeland, was an island surrounded by endless sea. Grey skies, darkened waves, and towering cliffs that seemed to hold the weight of time itself. The land was harsh and stark \u2014 cold winds biting through the air, thick forests casting their long shadows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, Alvinnu\u00e9 had trained alone, isolated in the Black Forest that had swallowed him whole, its silence heavy, its shadows endless. The only sounds he had known were the whispers of trees and the distant cries of creatures lurking in the horizon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His training had been brutal. It had to be. In the Black Forest, with no one but the wilds to guide him, he\u2019d learned how to fight, how to survive, how to embrace the darkness and move through it. He had become one with the shadows, a master of stealth and strike, but even then, he had felt the sting of loneliness, the longing for something more. There had to be more to life than this endless solitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The memory of finding Hakun on Mount Kan-alon still lingered, the old soldier\u2019s blood-soaked body a stark image in his mind. The wound had been deep, but Hakun had been strong. He\u2019d been the first face Alvinnu\u00e9 had seen that hadn\u2019t been shadow or stone. And in that moment, a bond had formed \u2014 a bond that would lead him here, into the heart of Geldanos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there was Aelric. Their paths had crossed by chance\u2014or perhaps by fate\u2014but Alvinnu\u00e9 could no longer deny the pull of camaraderie that had begun to take root. Aelric had spoken with the ease of someone seasoned by experience, and at first, Alvinnu\u00e9 had been wary. He hadn\u2019t understood then what it meant to truly trust. But now, seeing Aelric\u2014who he had only known for a very short time\u2014risk his life by offering to fight in his stead, something shifted. A strange warmth stirred within him\u2014a sense of brotherhood he had never known, now beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And now, here he was \u2014 rolling into the capital of Geldanos. The world seemed to burst into color, as if the very air had shifted. Bright banners, the scent of baked bread and fresh hay, the sounds of laughter and conversation in the streets. It was the complete opposite of his homeland, where life was sparse, and every movement was tempered by the cold. It was… overwhelming. Yet, there was something freeing about it \u2014 something that made him feel, for the first time in years, as though he might belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The golds and reds of the city streets seemed to beckon him, pulling him from his reflections and into the present. Perhaps it was time, he thought, to embrace the warmth of this new world, to stop hiding in the shadows and learn what it meant to truly live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The city of Geldanos unfolded before them like a tapestry of color and movement. The city gates, wide and welcoming, stood tall against the morning sky, framed by bustling merchants and travelers coming and going. Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s eyes widened at the sight \u2014 this was a world unlike the one he had known. The streets were alive with the sounds of laughter, the calls of traders selling their wares, and the rich scent of fresh bread and roasting meats that filled the air. The walls, once distant in his mind, now felt so close, so full of life. The buildings stood in contrast to the greys of Shanda-Wold, their vibrant hues of gold, red, and blue catching the light. He could hardly comprehend the sheer volume of life here \u2014 people were everywhere, moving with purpose, crossing paths, speaking in voices that seemed to echo off the stone streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the carriage approached the gates, two guards in polished armor stepped forward, their stance rigid and alert. They wore the blue and gold of Geldanos, tabards crisp over chainmail, each carrying a long spear capped with steel that caught the morning sun. One of the guards, a broad-shouldered man with a neatly trimmed beard and a scar over his right brow, raised a hand for the carriage to slow. \u201cNames,\u201d he said, his tone firm but not unfriendly. His eyes scanned each passenger with a soldier\u2019s instinct \u2014 lingering a moment longer on Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s black leather and Hakun\u2019s weathered face. The other guard, younger and leaner, kept his spear upright but rested the butt against the stone, eyes flicking from wheel to boot, assessing with quiet scrutiny. Aelric offered a calm nod but said nothing, choosing instead to let Hakun handle the introductions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The older guard narrowed his eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s your business in the capital?\u201d he asked, directing the question toward Hakun with the steady tone of someone used to trouble arriving in carriages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun shifted slightly, adjusting the folds of his cloak to reveal the seal of Sariyaz affixed to a leather pouch at his side. \u201cI carry a message for the King of Geldanos,\u201d he said. \u201cIt must be delivered by my hand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The younger guard stepped forward with a touch of eagerness. \u201cI can take it for you. We\u2019ll see it reaches the throne.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s voice hardened. \u201cNo. I must deliver it myself. It bears the mark of Sariyaz and the weight of a message with great importance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The older guard\u2019s eyes darted to Alvinnu\u00e9, who sat quietly, cloak drawn close. \u201cAnd what about the kid?\u201d he muttered, his expression tightening. \u201cHe looks strange.\u201d There was no malice in the words \u2014 just caution, the kind born of years watching for trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Alvinnu\u00e9 could speak, Aelric leaned forward slightly, his tone casual, almost amused. \u201cStrange? Perhaps to you,\u201d he said with a faint smile, \u201cbut only because you\u2019ve never set foot beyond these walls. He\u2019s Shanda-Woldn \u2014 and under my protection.\u201d There was a quiet authority in his voice, not boastful, not forceful, but confident. The kind that made the younger guard\u2019s posture stiffen ever so slightly and the older one glance again, more thoughtfully this time. \u201cWe\u2019ve come a long way,\u201d Aelric added, \u201cand we don\u2019t intend to bring trouble to your gates. Just words the king needs to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The older guard studied Aelric for a long moment, then gave a short grunt, half-amused, half-wary. \u201cYou can try,\u201d he said, stepping aside with a nod toward the inner gate. \u201cBut good luck getting an audience. The king\u2019s court doesn\u2019t open doors for just anyone these days \u2014 not even messengers with seals and strangers in shadow-cloaks.\u201d His gaze lingered once more on Alvinnu\u00e9, curiosity still not quite settled. \u201cStill\u2026 I\u2019ve seen odder folk with less purpose. Move along.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The younger guard stepped aside as well, tapping twice on the gate with the butt of his spear. With a creak and a clatter, the ironwood doors began to part, revealing the vibrant pulse of the capital beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carriage rolled forward through the gates, and the city of Geldanos unfurled before them \u2014 a vibrant rush of color, sound, and motion. Market stalls lined the main avenue, their striped canopies flapping in the breeze as merchants shouted offers in thick local dialects. Children darted between carts, chasing each other with sticks, while a street performer balanced on a barrel, juggling polished stones for a ring of laughing spectators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun leaned forward, eyes scanning the familiar sprawl. \u201cHaven\u2019t visited in a long time,\u201d he murmured, his voice tinged with both nostalgia and caution. \u201cDoesn\u2019t look the same as I remember it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric remained silent beside him, his gaze fixed on the towering inner walls in the distance \u2014 the high arches, the glint of gold on the spires, the banners of the royal house fluttering in the wind. Something in his expression tightened, just slightly. This city was his home once. Now it stood before him like a place remembered in dreams \u2014 familiar, but no longer his.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9, meanwhile, pressed his face closer to the carriage window, eyes wide with wonder. His head turned left and right in rapid succession, trying to take in everything at once \u2014 the fabrics, the scents, the sounds, the sheer number of people. It was overwhelming and dazzling all at once, and for a boy who had grown up in shadows, it was like stepping into a dream. He looked almost giddy \u2014 like a teen set loose in an arcade of wonders he never knew existed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carriage wheels clattered over the cobblestones as they rolled deeper into the heart of the city. Through the narrow window, buildings loomed close\u2014old, proud structures built of thick stone, bearing the weight of centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric leaned slightly, gazing out with a calm familiarity. He began naming the districts as they passed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “That’s Bradel Quarter\u2026 just past that, Lorn’s Crossing\u2026 and up ahead, the Merchant District.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “You know these streets well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric gave a small, almost wistful smile. “I lived here once. A long time ago.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the carriage turned, the wide avenue of the Merchant District came into view. Grand buildings flanked the road, their walls fortified not just for structure but status. Bustling crowds moved between stalls and storefronts. And among them, a distinct group stood out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing. Through the glass, he spotted a formation cutting cleanly through the crowd\u2014a troupe of goblins in richly colored garments, gold chains glinting under the sun. Towering beside them marched orcish guards, their heavy armor polished and ceremonial, yet clearly functional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 gestured toward them. \u201cLook,\u201d he said, voice calm but curious. \u201cIs that the Grun\u2019Dor merchants?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric nodded without hesitation. \u201cIt is. Goblins for trade, orcs for protection. You\u2019ll find no better dealmakers\u2014or worse to cross.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun gave a low whistle, watching the entourage pass. \u201cDidn\u2019t think they\u2019d be allowed this deep into the capital,\u201d he muttered. \u201cNot without some treaty I didn\u2019t hear about.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re permitted during High Trade season,\u201d Aelric replied. \u201cAnd only through the Merchant Gate. Grun\u2019Dor sends their best when the coffers of Geldanos are open \u2014 and they always leave richer than they arrived.\u201d His voice held a mix of respect and wariness. \u201cDon\u2019t let the size of their trinkets fool you. The goblins will haggle a man down to his last bootlace, and the orcs don\u2019t flinch even once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 studied them a moment longer before sitting back, a quiet tension in his jaw. He had trained his whole life imagining orcs as enemies, beasts of the wild. Now they walked in the heart of a human capital, calm, proud, and guarded by gold instead of chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis land,\u201d he murmured under his breath, \u201chas many faces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carriage turned once more, leaving behind the lively noise of the Merchant District. As the sounds of trade faded, a hush seemed to settle over the streets, as if the city itself held its breath near its heart. The cobbled road widened into a grand promenade lined with statues of old kings and queens, their faces weathered but proud, each mounted on pedestals of white stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the far end, rising behind wrought-iron fencing and thick garden hedges, stood the castle of Geldanos \u2014 a vast stronghold of ivory-colored stone, crowned with towers and banners bearing the royal crest: a golden lion’s head of over a shield of blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carriage slowed as they neared the castle gates. Here, the guards were different \u2014 clad not in simple chainmail but in polished breastplates inlaid with blue enamel. Their helms bore the sunburst sigil of the royal guard, and their spears were taller, tipped with gleaming steel that shimmered in the light. Their formation was precise, their eyes sharp, and they made no move to welcome the approaching carriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of them, a captain by the look of his plumed helm, raised a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cState your business at the castle,\u201d he said, his voice formal and ringing, trained to be heard across a courtyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun straightened in his seat, the weight of the seal at his side a constant reminder of the responsibility he carried. He nodded toward the captain, his expression steady. “I bear a message for King Edmon Geldanos,” he said, his voice firm but respectful. “It is of urgent importance and must be delivered in person.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s eyes flickered briefly to the seal, then back to Hakun\u2019s face, narrowing slightly. \u201cAnd who exactly are you to carry such a message?\u201d he asked, his tone taking on a harder edge. \u201cI don\u2019t see any royal insignia on you, old man, nor do I recognize your face.\u201d His gaze moved to the others, lingering on Alvinnu\u00e9 and Aelric with a critical glance. \u201cYour company is… unconventional. You\u2019ll forgive me if I\u2019m cautious.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun’s jaw tightened, but he stood his ground. \u201cI am Hakun of Sariyaz. I was stationed at Fort Sundalo. I\u2019ve traveled far, through battle and blood, to bring this message to the king. It is not a request, captain \u2014 it\u2019s a necessity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s hand remained on the hilt of his sword as he looked down at the small group, sizing them up. \u201cYou seem to think you\u2019re important enough to demand an audience,\u201d he said coldly. \u201cBut this is the castle of Geldanos. We don’t allow just anyone to waltz in with demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s eyes flashed briefly, the weight of years of soldiering and the fires of battle flaring behind them. He knew the castle\u2019s rules, but there was no time to waste on pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou may deny me entry,\u201d Hakun said, his voice low but unwavering. \u201cBut I will not leave until I speak to King Edmon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun’s eyes narrowed, and he gripped the armrest of the carriage with the same resolve he had in battle. The captain\u2019s skeptical gaze burned into him, but Hakun didn\u2019t flinch. \u201cI\u2019ll not repeat myself,\u201d he said, voice steady but edged with the weariness of someone who had seen far too much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain, however, wasn\u2019t swayed. His hand tightened around his sword hilt, and his voice grew colder, sharper. \u201cYou\u2019re either very bold or very stupid, old man. You think you can just waltz up to the gates of the castle and demand an audience with the king?\u201d He took a step closer, his posture stiff and ready. \u201cI don\u2019t care where you came from, or what message you\u2019ve got \u2014 there\u2019s a chain of command here. And you, with your ragtag group, aren\u2019t anywhere near the top of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s gaze sharpened as the situation escalated, but he remained quiet for now, his posture casual yet alert. His fingers twitched slightly, as if he were ready to act at any moment. He looked at the captain with a quiet, assessing stare, though he held back his words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9, noticing the rising tension, glanced between the captain and Hakun, his body tense with readiness. The atmosphere thickened, and he could feel the stirrings of conflict in the air. He didn\u2019t know much about palace protocol, but the hostility was impossible to ignore. It seemed the captain wasn\u2019t going to back down without a fight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun stood his ground, his voice growing darker. \u201cI\u2019ve delivered messages through enemy lines, fought through battles where the odds were against me ten to one \u2014 and I\u2019ll be damned if I\u2019m stopped by a single guard who thinks his duty is to question me.\u201d His tone was a thinly veiled threat, and for a brief moment, the air between them felt charged, like the stillness before a storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s lips curled into a sneer. \u201cWe\u2019re not in your war camp now, soldier. I suggest you move along, before you make me enforce the king\u2019s laws.\u201d His hand hovered dangerously near the sword hilt. \u201cYou\u2019ll get no closer without a better reason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s gaze never wavered, though his posture relaxed just slightly as he spoke in a calm voice that carried an air of command. \u201cCaptain, while I understand your duty, I assure you that this matter is of utmost importance. The man you\u2019re speaking to has traveled far and risked much to bring his message directly to King Edmon.\u201d His voice remained smooth, without a hint of threat, yet the weight of his words lingered in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s eyes flicked toward Aelric, the tone of his voice still skeptical. \u201cAnd who exactly are you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s lips curled into a small, almost indifferent smile. \u201cLet\u2019s just say I\u2019m someone who knows the importance of loyalty and duty.\u201d He paused for a beat before adding, \u201cAnd you\u2019ll want to be certain that nothing stands in the way of this message. Trust me on that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s lips twisted into a cold smile, the sneer barely concealing the growing hostility. “You had better leave now,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Or suffer the consequences.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sound of approaching footsteps signaled the arrival of reinforcements. Other royal guards, clad in polished armor, appeared from around the corner, their eyes locking on the group. Their presence made it clear that this was more than just a simple disagreement \u2014 it was quickly escalating into something dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun\u2019s gaze flicked toward the approaching guards, but he didn\u2019t flinch. His voice was steady, unwavering. “No,” he said flatly. “I will not leave. Not until I\u2019ve delivered this message.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain\u2019s hand moved toward his sword, unsheathing it just enough for the blade to catch the sunlight. His stance was aggressive, ready to draw it fully at the slightest provocation. \u201cThen you\u2019ll regret your decision,\u201d he hissed, eyes locked on Hakun\u2019s. The tension between them crackled, and for a moment, it seemed like the entire street held its breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But before things could escalate further, Aelric\u2019s voice rang out, cutting through the air like a whip. \u201cCaptain Ranald, Enough!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The captain froze mid-motion, his hand hovering just above the hilt of his sword. The guards behind him paused, looking toward their captain in confusion. Aelric\u2019s tone, though calm, carried an undeniable authority that rang with familiarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric stepped out of the carriage, his posture relaxed, but his gaze was as unyielding as stone. “This is not the way, Captain,” he continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You will stand down.” His voice was firm, but there was a hint of something deeper in it \u2014 a familiarity with the captain\u2019s name that was impossible to ignore. It was as if Aelric had just invoked something far greater than just a simple order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Ranald\u2019s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of recognition flashing across his features. The grip on his sword tightened for a heartbeat, but then slowly, reluctantly, he lowered it. “What is this?” he demanded, his voice still low, though the threat had eased from his tone. “Who the hell are you?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric stepped closer, his eyes unwavering as he met Captain Ranald\u2019s skeptical gaze. \u201cI knew you when you were just a sergeant,\u201d he said, his voice smooth but carrying the weight of recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Ranald\u2019s expression remained fixed, confusion and suspicion clouding his features. He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he examined Aelric\u2019s face \u2014 the features that seemed so familiar, yet he couldn\u2019t quite place them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, Ranald\u2019s gaze flicked downward to the sword at Aelric\u2019s side. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened, a whisper of disbelief escaping his lips. \u201cIt can\u2019t be…\u201d He took another long, searching look at Aelric\u2019s face, the realization dawning slowly. \u201cBerunding? The Fire Speaker?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s lips curled into a faint, knowing smile. He didn\u2019t respond verbally, but his hand moved to his waist, where the legendary blade was sheathed. He drew it out just enough to let the captain see the hilt, marked with intricate runes and ancient symbols. The moment Berunding glinted in the sunlight, the truth hit Captain Ranald with full force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a moment, the captain stood frozen, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief. But Aelric didn\u2019t stop there. With a fluid motion, he reached into his cloak and produced a badge \u2014 one that gleamed with the unmistakable seal of the royal house. It was gold, the lion\u2019s head emblem sharp and proud, with a blue shield behind it and a green field beneath. The insignia of the house of Geldanos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a symbol of my birthright, Captain,\u201d Aelric said, his voice quiet but unyielding. \u201cI am Aelric of Geldanos, son of King Edmon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Ranald\u2019s eyes widened further as the weight of Aelric\u2019s words settled in. His mouth opened, but for a moment, no sound came out. He glanced from Aelric\u2019s face to the badge, then back to the sword, before bowing his head, his tone now humble and respectful. \u201cYour Highness… I… I didn\u2019t recognize you.\u201d He took a step back, looking completely thrown. \u201cI am at your service, my prince.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric held up a hand, a subtle but firm gesture that silenced Captain Ranald. His expression softened, but there was an undeniable finality in his voice as he spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDon\u2019t call me that,\u201d Aelric said, his gaze steady. \u201cI gave up that title a long time ago. I\u2019m no prince.\u201d He glanced down at the badge for a moment, his fingers tightening around it before he tucked it back into his cloak. \u201cI haven\u2019t been \u2018Aelric of Geldanos\u2019 for years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Captain Ranald hesitated, the weight of Aelric\u2019s words sinking in. His surprise still hung in the air, but he bowed his head again, this time in acknowledgment of Aelric\u2019s wishes. \u201cUnderstood, Your\u2014uh… Aelric,\u201d he corrected himself, clearly struggling with the shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Behind them, Hakun stood with his mouth hanging slightly open, clearly flabbergasted by the revelation. He had fought beside Aelric and trusted him without knowing the full truth. Now, hearing it aloud, the shock was written across his weathered face. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll be damned…\u201d he muttered under his breath. \u201cA prince… and he never told us? Not a word?\u201d He shook his head, trying to process the magnitude of the revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s face went completely blank for a moment as Aelric spoke, processing the words like they were a riddle he couldn\u2019t quite solve. He blinked a few times, mouth slightly agape, then sputtered, \u201cWait\u2026 What? A prince? You<\/em>?\u201d His voice was a mix of confusion, awe, and something bordering on disbelief, like the concept had just shattered his reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHold on\u2014Aelric, a prince<\/em> of Geldanos? You?!\u201d His hands flailed a little, like he didn\u2019t know whether to point, laugh, or just sit down. \u201cYou\u2019re royalty<\/em>?\u201d He looked around at Hakun, his expression a mixture of ‘I can\u2019t believe this’ and ‘What do I do with this info?’ “No way, you\u2019re pulling my leg. Right?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric couldn\u2019t help but chuckle at the reaction, though he gave a slightly sheepish shrug. \u201cI suppose it\u2019s a bit much to take in all at once.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 shook his head furiously, his voice rising a little, \u201cI\u2014How? Why? All this time, and you didn\u2019t think to\u2014?!\u201d His words tumbled out faster than he could form them, clearly overwhelmed by the sheer absurdity of the situation. He looked up at Aelric, half-grinning and half-shocked, trying to process that the guy he\u2019d fought alongside was, in fact, the prince of the nation they were in. “You\u2019ve been keeping that secret this whole time<\/em>?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric\u2019s smile faded, his eyes shifting to a more somber expression as he looked at Alvinnu\u00e9. The lightness of the moment slipped away like a shadow, replaced by something deeper \u2014 an apology long overdue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d he said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of years of regret. \u201cI should have told you both, Hakun, Alvinnu\u00e9\u2026 about who I really am. About why I left.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He took a slow breath, his gaze sweeping over his friends. There was no humor in his eyes now, no playful deflection. Just the raw honesty of a man facing the people he cared about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI ran away from my responsibilities,\u201d Aelric continued, his voice steady but laced with sincerity. \u201cNot just the title, but the people I left behind. My father, my kingdom\u2026 I left them all without a word. And for that, I\u2019m sorry. You didn\u2019t deserve to be kept in the dark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun, still processing the whole royal revelation, said nothing at first. His eyes softened, though, the hard lines of his face showing a flicker of understanding. Alvinnu\u00e9, too, had gone quiet, his earlier shock replaced by a kind of silence that was both uncertain and thoughtful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric met their gazes one by one, his posture relaxed but his tone more serious than they had ever heard it before. \u201cI\u2019ve never wanted to put this burden on you, but you both deserve the truth. You\u2019ve fought by my side, trusted me without knowing who I really am, and I owe you that much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 swallowed hard, the weight of Aelric\u2019s words settling in. He\u2019d never seen his friend, or prince<\/em>, in this light before. \u201cI\u2014\u201d He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck, his earlier amusement replaced by a strange mixture of awe and awkwardness. \u201cI don\u2019t know what to say. I mean, I get it\u2026 but this is a lot to take in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric nodded, his eyes softening. \u201cI know. And I don\u2019t expect things to change overnight, but I wanted you to know. I can\u2019t take back what I did, but I can promise that I\u2019ll be there when it counts \u2014 as your friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tension in the air had shifted, but the situation still held the weight of the unknown. With Aelric\u2019s revelation of his true identity, the royal guards had parted, their initial resistance melting into something closer to a reluctant respect. As Captain Ranald stepped aside, he gave one last look at Aelric, a lingering mixture of disbelief and resignation. He didn’t say anything more\u2014his words had lost their power, replaced by a stiff understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The palace gates opened before them, the large wooden doors creaking as they parted to reveal the grand hallway beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inside, the royal halls were magnificent, gleaming with intricate tapestries and polished marble floors that seemed to shine as if they had been cared for with the utmost devotion. Massive columns stretched up toward the high ceilings, adorned with gold leaf and fine sculptures. The air smelled faintly of incense and old wood, a combination of royal opulence and history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aelric moved with confidence through the halls, his presence commanding more attention than he had anticipated. He was no stranger to the royal court, but it felt different now, like stepping into a world that had long forgotten him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alvinnu\u00e9 followed close behind, still processing Aelric\u2019s words, his mind racing, but also taking in the grandeur of the palace. It was a far cry from the rustic surroundings of Shanda-Wold. The gold, the silks, the luxury\u2014it was overwhelming in its own way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hakun, on the other hand, was clearly feeling the weight of this place. His eyes kept darting around, more alert than usual, and his posture stiffened as they moved deeper into the palace. He was a soldier\u2014used to rougher environments, but this place… this was not his world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As they reached the grand doors to the throne room, they paused for a moment. Aelric\u2019s hand lingered on the handle, but he hesitated for a breath. His friends were beside him\u2014Hakun and Alvinnu\u00e9, both of whom had come to trust him. And yet, despite the years that had passed, the role of prince still felt distant, like a weight he hadn\u2019t quite shed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He opened the doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n King Edmon Geldanos sat upon the throne, a man of imposing stature, dressed in regal splendor. His crown glinted in the light, and his eyes were sharp, holding the wisdom of someone who had ruled for many years. His gaze fell upon Aelric, and a flash of recognition crossed his face, though it was quickly masked with the cold, unreadable expression of a monarch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Well,” King Edmon said, his voice carrying authority, “it seems that you have returned at last, Aelric.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A soft, lilting tune drifted through the veil of Alvinnu\u00e9\u2019s dreams, a gentle thread pulling<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[133],"class_list":["post-3030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-alvinnue"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3030"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3215,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3030\/revisions\/3215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jsantos.net\/_blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
She danced in fields of golden grain, where cobbler\u2019s work was done.<\/em>
Fine boots of leather, brown as earth, for nimble feet so light,<\/em>
Her eyes the skies of summer’s day, her laughter pure delight\u2026”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their journey to the heart of Geldanos was nearly at an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat happened after the battle?\u201d he asked quietly. \u201cAfter… Gorimugh and the Half-Giant bandits?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“You collapsed, lad,” he said. “After that stunt you pulled, you hit the ground like a stone. Scared us half to death.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And… Gorimugh?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I spoke with him,” he said. His blue eyes caught the morning light, earnest and calm. “He allowed us passage. Gorimugh honored your duel \u2014 their kind still believe in old codes of respect and debt. You won that challenge, Alvinnu\u00e9. Clean.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“But promise me this,” he said, his voice dropping lower. “Never pull a stunt like that again. Charging a Half-Giant, alone and wounded? You’re lucky you’re still breathing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I promise.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Good. I’d hate to sing at your funeral before we even reach the first tavern.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“There’s something else,” he said, his voice quieter now. He produced a small object wrapped in cloth and held it out to Alvinnu\u00e9. “From Chief Gorimugh. For you.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He paused, then added, \u201cYou\u2019re to take it back to the elders of Shanda-Wold. He said they\u2019d know its meaning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n