Kapitel 30: Risk Taking
The journey began on the outskirts of Frosthaven. At that point, the snow-blanketed mountains of the Frostpire Range loomed. The air was crisper, biting through Zmey's skin and causing irritation to Aura's lotus scale.
Zmey cursed himself once again for not having worn anything thicker.
The dragon soared past the kingdom's edge. Afterwards, they descended into the Ashfall Timberlands. Of all the landmarks between kingdoms, this was one of the best known.
People believed it to be home to evil spirits, undiscovered by humans. Zmey felt thrills at the sight of the blackened trees and drifting ash.
Jagged slopes drifted here and there, and he could have sworn he saw a cranium down there. The air was foul enough to make him throw up from that height.
As a matter of fact, Aura sped faster as well.
They pressed further south. They went deeper into the Whispering Pines. Ancient olive trees swayed in the wind. These trees were small to medium in size.
They had silvery-green leaves and twisted trunks. Laden with small white flowers (ripe olives).
The silence was obvious. Yet, whispers from unknown sources broke it. Zmey wondered—so this tree he read about in a historical book exists in this world?
From his knowledge, he believed that the goddess Athena considered this tree sacred. It symbolised peace, wisdom, and victory. Myth says the goddess gave the olive tree to Athens. It became a symbol of prosperity for the city.
He smiled. A wave of something washed over him. 'I will know more about this world very soon!'
During the journey, Zmey saw the sun rise from behind the dark cloud. The sight was both surreal and nice to him. The light filtered through his corneas as the sun rose.
It was now at its biggest after it had set. It glittered with a bright intensity along Aura's white lotus scale. Zmey felt absorbed by it, being a smaller entity.
They journeyed on, and it seemed the sun was following them like a silent accompanist.
Pressing on, they reached the proximity of the Serpent's Run River. The river had emerald-green water. It carved through the land like a silent serpent. On the outskirts of the river, the air was alive with the scent of wildflowers. Aura could feel it—Eldengrove was near.
Finally, the emerald-green river opened up to a kingdom bathed in golden light. None other than the rumoured Eldengrove. Towering buildings loomed before them.
Builders constructed some from black and brown stones. Others were well-carved wood. Thundering sounds of notice bells screamed in the distance. The air was alive with the scent of burns at some points and food at the other.
Zmey patted the dragon's back with a gentle touch. He glued his eyes downwards. "Can you lower the height a little?"
He waited for a few seconds before realising his request wasn't granted. It dawned on him that this kingdom was different from others.
He now recalled it with clarity. The settlements were below him. This was the kingdom 'he' had plagued years ago. Tamers and Exorcists were more concentrated here. Lowering the height would attract Aura's attention.
He straightened his back. 'Right to have got ignored...'
A day later...
Aura Drakeborn had found a safe location in a wood in Eldengrove to land. That was when they knew the kingdom was not crowded. It was also full of traps. Not by anyone worth mentioning other than treasure hunters who might also kidnap.
Aura had almost fallen into a pit covered with green leaves. They camouflaged it with the natural surroundings. Zmey held her back when he noticed it a few seconds earlier.
They strode with caution until they exited.
In need of shelter, Aura sold her phoenix jade for five thousand gold coins in the kingdom's vibrant heart. The jade was the gift given to her by her friend years back.
But today, he was also the one who prompted her to sell it. She had always strapped it around her waist until that day. Then, she sold it to a merchant who dealt in swords and expensive jewellery.
The money wasn't worth the grade of the jade. But it was enough for a person to call themselves an average civilian.
They lounged in a hotel; one that was two-storey, built from wood. They located it in a medium-sized compound. The main rooms were on the second storey, having no more than ten different ones. The dealer had told them they were lucky to get there on time.
A bar was situated on the first floor.
It had been a day in this kingdom now. Nero, to everyone's surprise, didn't get aggressive when he woke up. The view and atmosphere told him they were in a kingdom different from Frosthaven.
His lack of aggression didn't mean he trusted these people. One was an aggressive lady who called the other her lord. Their relationship was unclear. He only excused himself, usually taking a stroll outside and coming back close to the evening.
Nero still had a grudge against them for knocking him out to get him to this kingdom. But he knew that they had helped him. Besides, there was nothing he could have done.
Wouldn't it have been venting so much that he later would end up losing his life? The past had made him sour, but he was one who adapts with ease.
Besides, the fury in him finally had forced him to have a target for the first time. A target other than surviving as a cowboy.
Zmey and Aura had spent the past three days researching this kingdom. From the political system to the information about the Magic Sanctuary. But they didn't get that much. They met people who exhibited a personality like Norman's. Money mongering.
On the third day in Eldengrove, Nero later came around. They all sat together and discussed things. From the little they had got, Aura had said,
"People can either tame or exorcise by attending the programme in the Magic Sanctuary. Both the political unit and the enigmatic one control that place.
But, the problem here is... death will befall a person who fails to pass the test. Not that the examiners would kill, but... Ehm, this is the thing."
She had sat straight with focus. She explained how a serum would inject candidates. It would make them unconscious. Then a surreal realm called the Soul Land would create an illusion of their past.
If one falls to their inner demon, acknowledging it, that would mean automatic success. Because they believed that every fighter must have a reason to continue fighting. Otherwise, they would be a pawn in the dirty worldly game.
The stakes were high. But Nero, as well as Zmey, dared to take the challenge.
Gulping a hefty amount of wine from a wood-carved jug, Nero affirmed, "I will take the test, no matter what! I have got my reasons!"
Aura had glanced at Zmey. She had raised her brows, and Zmey had shrugged back at her. He didn't have to say anything.
Then, Aura looked at both of them one after the other. She had said, "They will conduct the test tomorrow. We move at daybreak."
Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein