The journey to Lothaire from the border was long and would take them one week, so Damien insisted on getting a carriage for the two young women. While they enjoyed their ride in the carriage, the men rode on their horses beside them.
Damien explained to the girls all sorts of things to keep everyone entertained. For example, he revealed that this journey would usually take him half the current travel time in his wolf form because they had supernatural speed like vampires. Eliana was intrigued because she realized then that she had never used any of her potential powers.
Seeing Eliana's eyes gleaming with interest, he further told them that the Paxon people didn't know much about Agora because their borders were protected by witchcraft, something Paxos didn't have. Vampires used to hunt down witches for sport and degrade them whenever possible, creating an eternal dispute. Agoran people were the opposite who accepted and respected all kinds of species. It was a rare balance, and to protect that, the witchcraft securing the nation was created so that only creatures with goodwill toward Agora could enter it, which was why the witches helped the werewolves but not the vampires.
On top of those security measures, Agora's royal family strategized to spread rumors that their country was economically weak. Although Paxos' leaders could see through that, most of their people didn't. The two nations had an overall understanding, which had always been on a thin thread and could tear any moment. Both were anticipating a war…
"Do I understand correctly that you let us walk through that shield without letting us know it was a test?" Georgina asked Damien furiously from within the carriage while Eliana looked at her with warning gazes from the side. They had been enjoying Damien's stories through their carriage window.
"We had to be sure, but I knew you two didn't mean harm. But is that seriously all you heard from everything I just said?" He stayed cool and didn't get affected by Georgina's shrill tone.
Georgina ignored his question and sat back in the carriage, annoyed. "I have a question. Did the Paxon royal family never manage to break through the shield?" Eliana wasn't trying to divert the attention and was genuinely interested in the answer to her question.
Simon looked at Damien, worried he would open up about these things so soon. "Vampires are attached to their eternal life and avoid situations that could risk their precious lives. Since werewolves are the only beings who can kill them, they don't really seek that kind of danger. But sure, the royal family is curious about our circumstances and has tried to make others cross it, which only worked a couple of times. Those people usually ended up in prison or were killed."
Eliana's eyes widened at his revelation. It was hard to take in all this savagery both countries committed because of power. "How come werewolves can kill vampires?"
Damien looked at her intently for a few seconds before answering her question. "We can feel their presence while they cannot when we are in wolf form, making it possible for us to approach them quietly. And our teeth are built to penetrate a vampire's skin." He didn't know why she had been so invested in this topic, which slightly troubled him.
--
The rest of their travels continued peacefully, and the girls were impressed by the impeccable condition of the villages they passed through. One of the most beautiful towns was Dana, situated on a hillside, and it overlooked a breathtaking valley and was surrounded by rugged mountains. The buildings in the village were made of stone and had a distinctive design, with arched doorways, domed roofs, and intricate stonework.
In addition to its architectural beauty, it apparently was also known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The village had been inhabited for centuries and was home to several historic sites, including an ancient aqueduct and a 15th-century enchanter's school.
It was surprising to the girls to see how the people lived in good conditions and that it seemed as if the wealth was distributed relatively so that rich humans existed as well. In Paxos, humans had almost no rights and usually had no opportunity to elevate in the ranks. They also had seen some people who looked exotic with their greenish skin color and broader built bodies. According to Damien, they were from one of the colonized countries and minorities from one of the tribes that had relocated to Agora.
Even the climate was warmer, and to Eliana's surprise, the heat didn't bother her. She knew vampires usually preferred cool temperatures and didn't like standing under the shining sun too long. She thought that maybe by not drinking blood, all her vampire traits had been oppressed.
This time Simon was the one to speak. "You two should pay attention to not roam alone in our forests. We have more wild animals than in Paxos, which can become troublesome if not paid attention to."
"Yes, but most of the forests we left behind us. The extreme heat in Lothaire does not allow many plants to grow." Damien added not to frighten the girls too much and glared at Simon, who could only scoff at his behavior.
--
Finally, Lothaire came into sight, and the brothers asked the girls to look outside to see the city from afar. Looking out the window, the girls were astonished by what they saw next. Lothaire was built in a deep, rocky canyon surrounded by towering cliffs and mountains. It was an ancient city located in the very southern region of Agora, yet the sea was much further down and could not be seen from there. The ancient habitants had built the city precisely this way to protect themselves better from their enemies. From afar, they could already recognize notable structures, including the palace, the most prominent building at the top of the hill, and something that looked like an open-air theatre, all carved into the rock.
The closer they got to the settlement, the more people stared at the two princes. Oblivious to the fact that the two were royalty, the girls thought this behavior to be part of their customs. Entering the city, passing by two giant wolflike-looking statues placed on either side, it all became even more strange when the guards blew a horn creating an uproar on the narrow streets. People gathered around them and through flowers while cheering.
It was all very confusing, but there was no chance for the girls to ask the princes about the generous welcome they were receiving. Only when they stopped before the castle did the girls start to think something was wrong. Many soldiers surrounded the building and were heavily armed but saluted the two men. Without further ado, they helped the girls get out of the carriage, took each of them to their side, facing the building entrance, and stood still in the large square. Suddenly an older woman looking magnificent and carrying a crown stepped outside with an entourage following her from behind.
"Oh god, where did you drag us to?" Georgina whispered to Simon, who had placed her beside him and gave her a nudge on her elbow so that she would be quiet. He had begged Damien to tell them the truth so that this situation wouldn't happen, but Damien had been scared that the girls would not follow them to Lothaire if they did.
Eliana, who had lost all color from her face, looked at Damien in disappointment. She had trusted him and wasn't sure what was going on. On the other hand, he looked calm and smiled at her encouragingly. Once the older woman stood a couple of steps away, Simon and Damien bowed and greeted their mother, signaling the girls to do the same they curtsied as well. "Welcome back, my sons! What a lovely sight to see you two safe and sound back home."