As Anastasia stepped through the portal, the familiar rush of energy surrounded her, the world twisting and shifting. But this time, something was different. When the light faded, they were not in the halls of an unfamiliar palace. Instead, they stood in the heart of a bustling city. Tall buildings lined the streets, their stone and glass facades reflecting the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. The air buzzed with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, the clatter of wooden carts over cobblestone, and the distant toll of a bell. Unlike the quiet, isolated places they had encountered before, this city was alive—brimming with movement and voices.
As Anastasia admired the city, Marriane's weak voice broke through her thoughts.
"Guys… I think I need a doctor," she muttered, clutching her arm, where a thin trail of blood seeped through her sleeve.
Jeremy glanced at her injury, then at the rest of them. Their clothes were covered in dust and grime from the Ancient forest rough journey. With a sigh, he said, "I think we need a place to clean ourselves too. We look like a mess."
As Anastasia listened to them, she pulled off the ring she was wearing and handed it to Jeremy.
"Take this and find a place to stay," she said firmly. "If you exchange it, you'll get quite a bit of money. I'll catch up with you after I assess the situation."
However, Jeremy shook his head, his expression firm. "No way. You're injured too, Anastasia. You need rest just as much as Marriane does."
He crossed his arms, refusing to let her go. "We're not splitting up, especially not in an unfamiliar place."
Jeremy let out a sigh and said, "Let's just find an inn. It'll be a better place for us to rest, and we might be able to gather some information too. Inns are where travelers and merchants pass through, so we could learn something useful."
Anastasia hesitated at first but eventually agreed. Together, they began searching for an inn, asking the locals for directions. After a bit of wandering, they finally arrived at a modest-looking establishment.
As they approached the front desk, the receptionist eyed them warily, taking in their disheveled and dirt-covered appearances. With a slight frown, he said, "We don't have any available rooms."
Without missing a beat, Jeremy pulled out the ring Anastasia had given him and placed it on the counter. "Will this do?" he asked, his tone calm but firm.
As the receptionist took the ring greedily, his eyes gleaming with interest, Marianne let out a quiet sigh of relief.
As they made their way toward their room, Jeremy suddenly stopped and turned back to the receptionist. "Oh, and one more thing—send a doctor, some clean clothes, and, most importantly, something to eat."
The receptionist, still admiring the ring, quickly nodded. "Yes, sir."
With that settled, they finally arrived at the room where they would be staying.
After some time, a doctor arrived, quickly assessing their injuries before leaving just as swiftly.
Marriane let out a relieved sigh as she looked at herself in a mirror, brushing her now clean hair. "Finally, we're looking like human beings again."
Anastasia nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "We seem to be in Lenil," she explained. "It's a city near the port, connected to the ancient forest via the river. Lenil also shares a border with the Holy Kingdom and Iskaria."
The weight of her words lingered in the air. The proximity to these powerful kingdoms meant that Lenil was not just a trade hub, but also a place where tensions could easily rise. News from both kingdoms would pass through here, and anyone looking to gain favor—or stir conflict—could find their way to this city.
Jeremy's eyes sharpened as he processed the information. "So, this is a strategic spot. If we're not careful, we could attract unwanted attention."
Anastasia nodded in agreement. "It's a crossroads for both trade and politics. We'll need to keep our heads low until we figure out more about this place.
Marriane, now looking more composed but still wary, turned to Anastasia. "So, what should be our next move? Should we tell someone who we are or hide our identity?"
Anastasia considered the question carefully, her mind weighing the potential risks. On one hand, revealing their identities might open doors—alliances could be formed, and they could gain valuable information. But on the other hand, it also invited danger, especially with the political landscape so volatile.
"For now, we hide our identities," Anastasia said, her voice steady. "We don't know who we can trust here, and revealing too much could attract unwanted attention from the wrong people. Let's keep a low profile and gather information first."
Jeremy nodded in agreement. "Let's gather some more information first. Once we know a bit more, we'll head toward Solmera."
Marriane said, "Why the territory of Duke Ravenshore?"
Understanding Jeremy's intentions, Anastasia replied on his behalf, "If we move toward Solmera and somehow come into contact with him, maybe he can help us get back to Aurelia."
Jeremy nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's a risk, but it might be our best option. If Duke Ravenshore is as connected as we think, he could be our link back to Aurelia.
Marriane, still worried, voiced her concerns. "But isn't Duke Ravenshore rumored to have ties to spies and assassins? Will he really help us?"
Anastasia paused, considering her words carefully. "It's true that his connections can be dangerous, but we don't have many options. If we can gain his trust, he might be our best shot at getting back to Aurelia."
Jeremy added, his tone firm, "We need to be cautious, but if we're careful, we can use this to our advantage. Sometimes the best allies are the ones with the most questionable connections."
Marriane sighed, still unsure but nodding. "I guess we don't have much of a choice..."
With that, they decided to get some sleep, their bodies and minds exhausted from the journey and the events of the day. The room, though simple, provided the rest they desperately needed. As they settled in, the weight of their decisions lingered in the air, but for now, rest was their only refuge.