The sun rises high in the sky, illuminating the vast ocean and casting its warm rays over the deck of the ship. The group of sailors and soldiers set sail from their previous port, eager to reach their destination.
The soldiers on ship were filled with excitement and nerves. They had been a newly formed troop, and this was their first time leaving the boundaries of Enchanted Elysium. The soldiers were excited to visit the royal city because it was the epicenter of the kingdom, where many important decisions were made.
Additionally, they were eager to experience the different cultures and traditions of the different regions in the kingdom, as well as the opportunities for trade and commerce that could be found there. The city was renowned for it's festivals and events, such as the annual magic tournament, where the best young mages from all over the kingdom would compete for prizes and recognition.
They were also looking forward to visiting the famous markets, where they could purchase exotic goods and sample the local cuisine. They hoped to make new friends and allies, and to learn from the experiences of the residents of the royal city. In short, the trip to the royal city was an opportunity for the soldiers to broaden their horizons and to see the world beyond Enchanted Elysium.
As they sailed, the soldiers struck up conversations with each other, discussing their expectations of the city.
„Do you think the city will live up to it's name?" one soldier asked.
„Of course it will," replied another soldier with a grin. „I've heard the towers are so tall, they reach the sky."
„And the streets are paved with gold!" added another.
One soldier asked, „What will we do when we arrive?"
„We'll se what our orders are," replied a more experienced soldier. „I've heard the palace is a sight to behold," he said, „with walls made of gold and a roof that sparkles like the stars."
Another soldier chimed in, „I've heard that the king hold court in a grand hall, where he sits upon a throne of diamonds and rubies."
Just then, Kael emerged from his quarters and made his way up to the deck. The soldiers quieted down as he approached, curious to hear what he had to say.
„Gentleman," Kael began, „I have some news. The duke allowed us to visit the colosseum while we're in the royal city. There, we will be able to watch the enrollment for a magic school."
„Not the royal magic academy, mind you," he added, „but a second-rate one. Nevertheless, it should still be an exciting experience."
The soldiers erupted in excitement at the news. They had all heard of the legendary magic schools, where young mages learned to harness their powers and hone their skills. To be able to witness such a thing was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they couldn't wait.
Kael further explains for those that haven't heard of them that the magic schools focus mainly on teaching young children magic and help them develop their abilities. This is a stark contrast to the training that takes place in Enchanted Elysium, where soldiers are trained in various forms of magic and physical combat. Kael explains that due to limited resources, Enchantra only teaches the basics of magic to each new generation of soldiers and hires mages from magic schools to serve as guards. The soldiers of Enchanted Elysium are tasked with smaller matters such as patrolling the territory and hunting low-level beasts.
As the soldiers listen to Kael's explanation, they understand why they are visiting the magic school enrollment. They are fascinated by the idea of children having the ability to harness magic at such a young age, and they can't help to wonder what kind of future they could have if they were taught the same way. They chat amongst themselves, sharing stories of their own experiences and dreams for the future. Some even express a desire to enroll in a magic school themselves, despite their age. Kael smiles, happy to see that his fellow soldiers are eager to learn and grow.
As the ship continued on it's journey, the soldiers chatted excitedly about the magic schools and all the wonders they would soon see. They sang songs and told tales, each one more grandiose than the last.
…
The atmosphere on the ship was lively, with the soldiers singing a sailor's ballad in harmony. The sounds of their melodic voices filled the air, and their laughter echoed across the waves. The rhythm of the waves crashing against a hull of the ship and the creaking of the wooden deck added to the melody of the song.
A week has passed since they set sail, and the group encountered a rare sight. In the distance, they saw a group of creatures with fins and scales, lapping their tails in the water. As they approached, they realized that they were mermaids, fleeing from something.
The group was filled with wonder and curiosity as they have never seen these creatures before. The mermaids, who were once playful and carefree, now looked scared and desperate. It was then that Enchantra noticed that they were being chased by a group of humans who wanted to capture them and sell them into slavery, their beauty and uniqueness a valuable commodity.
Enchantra and the crew could hear the mermaids' pleas of help, but instead of interfering, Enchantra had a different reaction. He stood on the deck of the ship, watching the scene unfold. He couldn't help but reflect on the fact that he didn't see these demi-human creatures as equal to humans. In his mind, humans were superior, the rulers of this world, and other creatures like the mermaids had to abide by their rules.
The mermaids tried to fend off their pursuers, using their unique charm ability to allure and beguile them. Enchantra watched, captivated by the scene, as the mermaids used their gifts to try and save themselves.
This encounter made him ponder about the nature of charm and love. He compared the love of the mermaids and that of humans. While mermaids could charm and make people fall in love with them, their love was also selfless and unconditional. They would do anything to protect their loved ones, even at the cost of their own lives. On the other hand, humans could fall in love, but when their love was threatened, they were often too quick to prioritize their own selfish interests, sometimes even going as far as to harm their loved ones.
This realization caused Enchantra to reflect on his own motivations. He was arranging a marriage between his daughter and a prince, driven by greed for power and wealth. As he thought about this, he realized that he was not much different from the humans hunting the mermaids. The difference was only that he sought to use love as a tool to attain his goals, while they sought to capture and exploit the mermaids for their beauty and rarity.
In the end, Enchantra understood that his own greed was a necessary part of his ambition, and that it would make him stronger. He is a man driven by his ambition, and will not stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Enchantra's ambition stems from a number of sources. One of the main drivers is his pride as a member of the royal bloodline. He takes pride in his heritage and is determined to maintain the status and reputation of the royal family at all costs. This sense of pride compels him to seek power and strength, as he believes that having these qualities will help him protect and defend his family's legacy.
Along with his pride, Enchantra also has a strong sense of greed. He wants to amass wealth and resources, both for his family and himself. He sees power and strength as means to an end, and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means making sacrifices and setting aside his own emotions.
In the past, Enchantra had little control over his life and often felt helpless and powerless. However, now that he has achieved success and built a powerful territory, he is determined to never lose control again. He sees his ambition as a way to maintain his grip of power and ensure that he remains in charge.
…
The mermaids were swimming as fast as they could, their tails flapping in the water with a rhythmic motion. Despite their speed, the hunters were closing in, their boats moving towards the mermaids.
„We need to get away!" cried one of the mermaids, her voice ringing with panic.
„We can't, they're getting too close!" replied another, her eyes fixed on the boats behind them.
The hunters were shouting amongst themselves, pointing and gesturing towards the fleeing mermaids. „Look at them, they're as fast as fish," one of them said, a sly grin spreading across his face.
„Yeah, but they're not as smart," replied another, his hand moving to the harpoon at his side.
„Don't let them get away!" cried a third Hunter, his eyes alight with excitement.
The mermaids were trying their best to escape, but it was no use. The hunters had surrounded them, trapping them in a circle of boats. The mermaids huddled together, fear etched onto their faces.
„What do we do?" one of them asked, her voice trembling.
„We have to fight," replied another, determination on her face.
But their efforts were in vain. The hunters were experienced, they were too strong. In a matter of minutes, the mermaids were captured, their tails tied and their bodies lifted onto the boats.
The hunters cheered, their voices ringing with triumph. „We did it!" one of them cried, his eyes shining with delight.
„Yeah, we finally caught those mythical creatures," replied another, a smug smile on his face.
The hunters stood over the mermaids, their breaths heavy from the chase. The sun was setting and the sky was painted with hues of pink and orange.
„Look at them, they're worth a fortune," said one of the hunters, a tall man with a bushy beard. „The lord's daughter will be pleased with her birthday present."
„We'll keep them in a cage until we reach the lord's estate. The lord has promised us a hefty reward for bringing them in."
The mermaids, hearing the hunters' words, began to weep. They knew they would be displayed as nothing more than a show for the lord's daughter. Their beauty and their songs reduced to mere entertainment for a wealthy human.
„Please, let us go," begged one of the mermaids. „We've done nothing wrong. We're just trying to survive."
The hunters merely chuckled at the mermaids' pleas. They continued to discuss the reward they would receive and how they would spend it, completely disregarding the lives they had just ruined.
…