There was a forced smile on Xedeth's face as he watched the carriage carrying his son pull away from the gates. The smile didn't reach his eyes, and once the carriage was out of sight, it faded completely. He turned to see Lara and Aurora, their eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without a word, he pulled them both into a tight embrace, his voice barely a whisper as he murmured, "It's going to be okay."
But even as the words left his lips, he wasn't sure if he believed them.
They turned toward the castle, the weight of the coming storm heavy in the air. Xedeth parted from his wife and daughter near the main hall, giving them a solemn nod before heading for the left staircase. Each step he took echoed through the empty corridors, the sound a haunting reminder of the dangers closing in. The cold stone walls seemed to close in tighter with every step, amplifying the tension clawing at his thoughts.
At the end of the corridor, the war room loomed. He hesitated for a brief moment before pushing the heavy metal door open. Inside, his four generals were already waiting, along with Livik and Rafeeth—the spy, one of the last vampires in the kingdom. Rafeeth's sharp yellow eyes glinted in the dim light, his shoulder long black hair framing his face. His sharp canines poked out slightly from his lips.
As Xedeth entered, the room fell silent. They all stood and bowed in respect, but he barely acknowledged them, his mood weighed down by far too much. With a quick motion of his hand, he gestured for them to sit. He made his way to the head of the table, dropping into his seat and resting his elbows on the cold surface, fingers steepled in front of his face.
"So," he began, voice low and rough, "Rafeeth, what do you have for us today?"
...
..
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Mazuka stepped off the ship, his boots landing with a soft thud on the weathered dock of Flowspur, the coastal city alive with the scent and sound of the sea. The city of fishing, they called it, and it was clear why. Men were everywhere, hauling in nets, loading boats, and calling out prices for their fresh catches. A steady breeze carried the tangy scent of saltwater and fish through the air, and the noise of trade and labor was constant—a hum of life that filled the docks.
Mayra, walking beside him, grimaced and waved a hand in front of her nose. "Ugh, the smell... How do people live like this?"
Mazuka glanced over at her with his usual calm expression. "Put up with it, Mayra," he said evenly. "It's part of being here."
She scowled but said nothing more. Aya, the quietest of the group, walked just behind them, her eyes taking in the scene without a word.
They continued down the busy dock, weaving between fishermen preparing to head out and others returning with their hauls. Barrels of fish were being unloaded, crates passed from hand to hand as buyers haggled over prices. Everywhere, there was the smell of brine, the slick sheen of water on the docks, and the vibrant energy of a city bound to the sea.
After walking for a short while, they reached what appeared to be the business area of Flowspur. Here, the chaos of the docks shifted to something more organized—merchants selling wares, shops lined with goods, and people moving with more purpose. It wasn't long before a woman passed by, and Mazuka raised a hand to stop her.
"Excuse me," he said politely. "Which carriages are heading to the capital?"
The woman pointed to a section of the street, where a line of carriages stood, clearly marked for travel. "Over there, just by the sign," she said, before continuing on her way.
Mazuka nodded in thanks, then turned toward the carriages. Before he could take a step, Mayra groaned loudly.
"Wait! Can't we go tomorrow?" she complained. "It's going to take a whole day to get there, and we just got off the ship."
Mazuka's brow furrowed in mild irritation. Ever since they had set foot on land, Mayra hadn't stopped voicing her displeasure about one thing or another. He turned to her, his voice still calm but with a hint of firmness. "I think the sea sickness is getting to you."
Mayra huffed, crossing her arms, but didn't argue.
Before he could say more, Aya, who rarely spoke unless necessary, chimed in. "But... she's right. We just got off the ship. It wouldn't hurt to rest a night before we travel."
Mazuka paused, glancing at her. Aya's quiet voice was always measured, and she only offered her opinion when she truly meant it. He considered her request, feeling the exhaustion from the sea journey tug at him as well. They had arrived earlier than expected, after all.
"Fine," he relented after a moment, exhaling softly. "I guess since we're ahead of schedule, it wouldn't hurt to take a break."
Both girls immediately brightened, their expressions lighting up with relief.
Mayra gave him a triumphant smile, clearly satisfied with the decision.
"Let's find an inn, then."
...
..
.
The inn Mazuka had chosen was modest but comfortable, its rooms lined with wooden beams that creaked pleasantly with the sea breeze. After settling in and securing their belongings, the sun had already begun its slow descent, casting a golden hue across the city of Flowspur. The late afternoon air was warm, but the breeze from the ocean carried with it a refreshing coolness.
Mazuka glanced out the window, watching as the shadows lengthened over the busy streets. They had the rest of the day ahead of them, and he wasn't one to waste time idling.
"Shall we explore the city?" he suggested, turning to Mayra and Aya, who were both in the room, already relaxing after their long journey.
Mayra, who had been lounging on the bed, sat up, her interest piqued. "I suppose that wouldn't be so bad," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "Anything to get away from the inn's scent of fish."
Aya, sitting quietly by the window, nodded in agreement. "It would be nice to see what Flowspur has to offer," she added softly.
With a plan set, the trio made their way down the narrow wooden staircase of the inn, stepping out into the fading light of the afternoon. The streets were still bustling, though the frantic energy of the docks had begun to taper off as fishermen returned from the sea and merchants began packing up their wares.
They moved through the heart of Flowspur, where the air was filled with the scent of brine, salt, and fish, mingling with the aromas of freshly cooked street food. Vendors lined the streets, selling everything from grilled seafood skewers to pastries filled with spiced fish. The sounds of clinking coins, casual conversations, and the laughter of children playing nearby filled the air, giving the city a lively, vibrant atmosphere.
Mayra wrinkled her nose again at the lingering smell, but she was soon distracted by the sight of a street vendor selling roasted shellfish. "Oh, that looks good," she said, eyeing the food stand with interest. Her earlier complaints seemed forgotten as her stomach growled in anticipation.
Mazuka, ever the practical one, glanced at her and nodded toward the vendor. "We can stop for something to eat."
They approached the stall, the vendor giving them a wide grin as he expertly flipped shellfish on a sizzling hot plate. "Fresh from the sea!" he declared proudly. "You won't find anything better!"
Mayra didn't need convincing. She handed over a few bronze coins and soon had a skewer in her hand, taking a bite and nodding approvingly. "Alright, Flowspur isn't so bad," she said between bites, her earlier moodiness lifting.
Aya, meanwhile, stood a bit farther back, watching the scene with her usual quiet demeanor. She had always been the more reserved of the two, content to observe rather than engage. Mazuka glanced at her, noting the way her eyes seemed to linger on the various shops and stalls. Despite her quiet nature, she seemed curious, taking in the surroundings with interest.
"Anything you want to try, Aya?" Mazuka asked, his voice steady and calm as always.
Aya hesitated, her gaze shifting to a nearby stall selling handmade trinkets—bracelets, necklaces, and small charms crafted from shells and polished stones. "Maybe… we could look at those?" she suggested tentatively, gesturing toward the stall.
Mazuka nodded, leading the way toward the small shop. The vendor, an elderly woman with a kind smile, welcomed them warmly. Aya browsed the selection, her fingers gently tracing the smooth surface of a delicate seashell bracelet. Though she didn't say much, there was a subtle glow of contentment on her face.
Mayra, now finished with her food, wandered over to join them. "You picking something up, Aya?" she asked, glancing at the bracelet Aya was holding.
Aya nodded shyly. "It's pretty. A small keepsake from Flowspur."
Mayra smiled, nudging her lightly. "I think it suits you."
Mazuka watched the two women with quiet amusement. For all of Mayra's sharp edges and Aya's reserved nature, they shared a bond that was hard to miss. It was moments like these that reminded him why they worked well as a team—each of them balanced the other in their own way.
After purchasing the bracelet, they continued their exploration, wandering through the winding streets of Flowspur. As evening fell, the city began to glow with the soft light of lanterns hung above the streets. The sea, now bathed in the orange and pink hues of the setting sun, shimmered in the distance, creating a serene backdrop to the bustling activity of the port.
They passed by the docks once more, where the last of the fishermen were securing their boats for the night, their tired faces lit by the warm glow of lanterns. Despite the city's constant activity, there was a peacefulness in the air—a sense of calm that came with the rhythm of the sea.
"We should head back soon," Mazuka said, glancing up at the sky as the first stars began to appear. "We'll need to leave early in the morning."
Mayra groaned, though it lacked any real frustration this time. "Fine, fine. But we're eating breakfast here before we go. I want more of those shellfish."