Kael stood outside The Rusty Lantern in the dim light of dawn, adjusting his backpack for what felt like the hundredth time. His fingers fumbled with the straps, pulling them tight across his chest and shoulders as he tried to ensure all his newly acquired gear was secure. He had no idea how to properly use half of it, but somehow, just having it made him feel a little more prepared. He could only hope the tools Elowen had packed for him would come in handy—hopefully not in a life-or-death situation, but then again, this was the Tower.
He glanced back at the door of the inn, where he had just said his goodbyes to Maria. The warmth of her hospitality lingered with him, almost like the comforting embrace of an older sister. The past few days at the Rusty Lantern had been unexpectedly pleasant—a stark contrast to the terror and uncertainty that marked his early days in the Tower after waking up from his slumber. The kindness he had been shown here was something he hadn't realized he needed so desperately, but now, standing at the cusp of a new journey, he knew how much he would miss it.
His thoughts drifted to Seer, the strange man who had thrown him into his first trial. Kael hadn't seen or heard from him since then, and a part of him wondered if he ever would again. Their brief encounter seemed so distant now, almost like a dream. The memory was hazy and disjointed, leaving him to question whether Seer had been real at all. Still, the lessons from that terrifying trial—about survival, power, and the brutal nature of the Tower—stuck with him like scars etched into his very soul.
He then thought of Feysreach and the odd assortment of people he had met during his short stay. Every person here had been stranger than the last, each with their own peculiarities, and yet it fascinated him. The city itself was a marvel, a living, breathing place, built into the massive trees and seamlessly blending with nature. It wasn't just a collection of buildings and streets; it felt like a part of the earth itself. The ethereal glow of lanterns suspended from the branches, the towering trees interwoven with homes and shops—it was nothing like he had ever seen.
The more he thought about it, the more Kael realized how much Feysreach was tied to Terra's Grasp, the Authority of nature and the earth. He didn't fully understand what an Authority truly entailed, but he had grasped the basic idea. If Terra's Grasp was all about controlling the earth and nature, it made perfect sense that the city would be built this way—an extension of the Authority's power. He had heard vague mentions of a ruler of Feysreach, though he hadn't learned their name. Still, whoever they were, they certainly had left their mark on the city.
Kael shifted his weight, glancing down the quiet, empty street. He was waiting for Elowen, who would soon arrive to take him to the landing spot for the Raven's Gate Caravan Company. The company would be his way out of Feysreach, the first step in what he imagined would be a much larger and more dangerous journey.
He replayed the conversation they had over dinner last night, where Elowen had explained more about the caravan. Apparently, the Raven's Gate Caravan Company specialized in travel between regions, transporting goods and people across vast distances in the Tower. They were traders, merchants, and guides, skilled in navigating the dangerous territories between domains. Kael didn't really know what he had expected, but the idea of riding in a caravan across unknown lands filled him with a sense of excitement he hadn't felt in a long time.
He smiled to himself at the thought of Torvyn, the gruff old dwarf who led the caravan company. Despite his prickly exterior, Elowen had assured Kael that Torvyn was a good person at heart. It was comforting to know he'd be traveling with someone competent, even if Torvyn wasn't exactly the warmest or most welcoming guide.
Still, a small twinge of sadness pulled at Kael. His time with Elowen was coming to an end, and though they were technically strangers, he couldn't help but feel a connection with her. She had been his guide, his protector, and the closest thing he had to a friend since arriving in the Tower. A part of him dreaded the thought of parting ways with her. How long would it be before he saw her again? If ever?
He shook the thought away. He couldn't afford to think like that. The Tower was unpredictable, and he had no idea what his future held. For all he knew, their paths might cross again sooner than he expected, or they might never cross again at all. Either way, he had to focus on the journey ahead.
As the sun rose higher, Kael noticed a figure in the distance. He squinted, recognizing the familiar silhouette—Elowen. She strode down the street with her usual confident gait, dressed in her combat garments, her axe strapped to her back. Her raven-black hair swayed gently in the morning breeze, catching the early sunlight in strands of dark sheen.
Kael couldn't help but smile, feeling a mixture of anticipation and melancholy. He raised a hand and waved at her. Elowen, still some distance away, raised her hand in return, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Kael took a deep breath, tightening the straps of his backpack one last time. He glanced back at The Rusty Lantern, a place that had offered him a brief respite in a world of chaos, and then turned his gaze back toward Elowen.
As she drew closer, Kael's heart raced. The next step in his journey was about to begin. He didn't know what lay ahead, but for the first time, he felt ready to face whatever challenges the Tower had in store for him.
With a final breath, Kael stepped forward, toward Elowen—and toward his future.