The night passed peacefully, and Nathan and Cosmo woke up to the morning sunlight streaming through the window, casting a warm glow in their room.
The city of Glimmerforge had already sprung to life, its streets filled with the hustle and bustle of daily activity.
Nathan, feeling well-rested, stretched and yawned before noticing Cosmo, who had been up for a while, curiously exploring their room.
With a hint of weariness in his voice, he turned to Cosmo and said, "Wake up, my friend. Today, we must return to our kingdom."
Just as he spoke those words, there was a knock at the door. Winston, standing outside, announced his presence with a polite "knock knock" and called through the door, "Nathaniel, are you ready? The cart is loaded, and we'll be waiting for you in the dining area. Once we've had our breakfast, we'll set off."
Still feeling a bit drowsy, Nathan responded, "Yes, Winston, I'll be there in a few minutes."
After a few minutes, Nathan and Cosmo were ready to depart. Nathan had dressed in his traveling attire, ensuring that he had all of his belongings.
With Cosmo perched comfortably on his shoulder, Nathan headed out of his room and down to the dining area where Winston and Liam were waiting. The rich aroma of breakfast greeted them as they entered.
Winston, already seated at a table, nodded approvingly and said, "Good to see you're ready, Nathaniel. Breakfast is served."
Liam, who was enthusiastically devouring his meal, waved to Nathan and said with a full mouth, "Morning, Nathaniel! We thought you were going to sleep in forever."
Nathan chuckled and joined them at the table. A hearty breakfast was laid out, and he wasted no time in enjoying the delicious spread.
As they ate, they discussed their plans for the journey back to their kingdom. Winston reminded Nathan of their itinerary and travel arrangements.
"We've got a long journey ahead of us, Nathaniel," Winston began. "Once we leave Glimmerforge, we'll make our way through the forest, and we should reach the city of Stonehaven in a few days. We'll resupply there before continuing toward the border."
Nathan nodded in agreement, fully aware of the importance of their journey and the delicate situation at the kingdom's border.
During the meal, Cosmo curiously examined the food on the table, occasionally reaching out to nab a small morsel with his dexterous hands.
Nathan laughed and said, "I think Cosmo enjoys our food just as much as we do."
Winston smiled and commented, "A unique addition to our party, indeed. Keep an eye on him, though, and ensure his safety during our travels."
As their meal concluded, they made their way to the cart loaded with their belongings.
The day was bright and filled with the promise of adventure as they set off from Glimmerforge back to the Vladyr kingdom.
As they continued their journey from Glimmerforge to Axum, the landscapes around them changed dramatically. Forests, rolling hills, and quaint villages gave way to the impressive border city of Stonehaven, nestled between two tall plateaus.
In Stonehaven, they restocked their supplies, replenishing their food and ensuring they had everything they needed for the next leg of their journey.
Traveling further through the forests, they spent nights under the open sky, enjoying the changing scenery and the company of their new friend, Cosmo.
The monkey's curiosity often led him to try and sneak a bite of their food during rest stops, much to Nathan's amusement.
After several days on the road, the grand capital city of Axum came into view.
The colossal castle gate stood tall and imposing, as it had when Nathan and his companions first departed.
The city's grandeur was a stark contrast to the humble forest camps and villages they had passed through.
Standing in front of the castle gate, Nathan, with Cosmo perched comfortably on his shoulders, turned to Winston and Liam.
Nathan's eyes held a mixture of anticipation and determination as he said, "Winston, Liam, I'm going inside to meet my father. I need to freshen up and have a talk with him."
Winston, now back in his butler role, gracefully bowed and replied, "Of course, Prince. I will ensure that everything is taken care of here. Please, take your time with the king."
Nathan nodded in appreciation and headed toward the imposing castle gates.
Nathan walked through the imposing castle gates, the guards recognizing him and allowing him entry.
Reaching the grand entrance of the castle, Nathan was greeted by the familiar faces of the palace servants. Giving him greetings delighted to see him return safely.
Nathan walked through the imposing castle gates, the guards recognizing him and allowing him entry.
Reaching the grand entrance of the castle, Nathan was greeted by the familiar faces of the palace servants. Giving him greetings delighted to see him return safely.
After a brief visit to his chambers to freshen up and change into more formal attire, Nathan, with Cosmo still perched on his shoulder, made his way to the study room.
As the heavy doors of the study room slowly creaked open, Nathan entered the spacious chamber. The room was lined with towering bookshelves, each filled with volumes of knowledge.
At the far end of the room, bathed in the soft, golden light of the evening Sun, sat his father, King Rodrick.
The aging but imposing king, with his distinguished appearance of blonde hair and amber eyes, was engrossed in reading scrolls provided by his advisors, his reading glasses perched on his nose.
Upon hearing the entrance, he lowered the scrolls, removed his glasses, and gazed towards the door. His eyes widened in astonishment when he spotted Nathan.
King Rodrick, his heart surging with joy and relief, pushed back his chair and swiftly crossed the room to embrace his son.
"Nathan, my dear son, you've returned," the king exclaimed, his voice trembling with emotion. "When I received the weekly report and was told you were lost in the caverns, I feared I had lost you."
Nathan, equally moved by the reunion, replied with sincerity, "I'm sorry for causing you to worry, Father. It was a challenging journey, but I found a new friend along the way, and I've returned unharmed."
Overwhelmed with emotion, King Rodrick gestured for Nathan to stand beside him. As they faced each other, the king's gaze shifted to the unique creature perched on Nathan's shoulder.
His eyes widened with curiosity, and he inquired, "Is this little companion the new friend you mentioned?"
Nathan couldn't help but notice the intrigue and curiosity in his father's eyes.
With a warm smile, he replied, "Yes, Father, this is Cosmo. I found him in the mines when I was searching for a way out, and he helped me. He's a remarkable creature, and he's been with me throughout our journey."
King Rodrick observed Cosmo closely, his expression thoughtful.
"Cosmo," he mused, "a unique name for a unique friend, tell me more about him" as he was caressing Cosmo's head.
Cosmo responded with a series of playful "ki ki" sounds, seemingly acknowledging the attention.
Nathan, now standing beside his father, decided to continue the conversation.
"You should sit down, Father. There are many things to discuss and much to share," he said with a gentle and respectful tone.
The king, still intrigued by Cosmo but trusting his son's judgment, moved back to his seat and gestured for Nathan to continue.