The morning sun hung high in the sky as the small regiment of soldiers forged their way up Merchant's Hill. As the tracks were rocky and uneven, they had to lead their mounts by hand. Far behind in the yonder, the rest of the Noxarians, along with horse-drawn carriages and soldiers in bodyguard formations made the trip through the flat but longer route.

Good thing the winds are strong, Zenvix thought, while scrutinising the faces of his men. His soldiers needed some reprieve from the long journey.

As the Prince surveyed his small squad of soldiers, he felt a sense of kinship with them. These men have accompanied him on an expedition outside Nox and even fought shoulder to shoulder beside him during his charge to save their homeland. Moreover, only men, who were orphaned from young, were chosen to be part of his personal troops. With no familial attachment, they had only the country, and each other, for whom they would fight tooth and nail.

If only more of them survived, Zenvix mused sadly.

Patting a young soldier by his shoulder, Zenvix offered his water skin.

"Here, take it Alfonso. You look like you are gonna pass out before your horse does," Zenvix said, keeping his tone light.

The budding soldier, who was still inexperienced in traversing long journeys, stammered in surprise. "B-but Your Highness, I can't possibly take your -"

"Take it."

Zenvix pressed the water skin into his hand, and looked ahead of him. They were making good time.

"Your Highness, Ceil is just after Merchant's Hill. We should reach it latest by evenfall," Sir Dylas reported.

"Excellent. Ensure that our men have comfortable lodgings and sustenance once we reach Ceil. I will head to the palace to meet Minister Zila."

Whether the politically complex and tough-as-nail Zila would meet him, or grant his people refuge, was a problem to think about when they were closer to the city.

"Of course, Your Highness," Sir Dylas's smile reminded Zenvix of the countless tutoring sessions that he underwent with the veteran knight when he was younger.

The knight had always been like a fatherly figure to him, teaching him the strategies of war to archery and swordsmanship. But what stuck with him the most were the lessons on leadership; the memories remain fresh in his mind.

"Zen, tell me what you think about leadership."

The young adolescent pondered for a short moment, before answering excitedly, "I have seen father in mock battle practices - he always goes "Men! Nock your arrows, on my command...FIRE!"", the boy shouted the last word with gusto, as if a regiment of archers was at his disposal.

The knight laughed. "Well, Zen, that is one part of leadership, but not the crux of it, I'm afraid."

The adolescent Prince looked confused.

"A leader commands respect. He does not demand it by way of authority or birthright. That's how you tell the true leaders and copy-cats apart."

"But...how do I command respect, Sir Dylas?"

"You earn it. Care for your men as they cared for you. Protect your men as they protected you. Serve your men as they did for you."

Sir Dylas placed a hand gently on the Prince's head.

"The heart of leadership comes from the heart." Sir Dylas concluded, smiling knowingly at the boy before him.

⧪⧪⧪

The summit of Merchant's Hill came into view, as the small group of Noxarians completed the last leg of their ascent.

"It's beautiful," Yurisviel said dreamily as she stood at the cliff edge and surveyed the vast expanse of land before her. Her hair fluttered out behind her in waves of rose-gold as the wind caressed it gently.

As she drank in the view, she could not help but notice ravens circling above them. A curious thought came into her mind.

She turned to speak to Zenvix, her brown eyes connecting with his, only for the Prince's eyes to shift away abruptly as he made a move towards his soldiers.

Yurisiviel pursed her lips tersely, and looked beyond Merchant's Hill.

No, it shouldn't be. Just a stray thought.

Ceil, the City of Order was but a few hours' ride away. Laying slightly to the north-west of Ceil was the Elarian Forest, known for its wide variety of summer fruits and bountiful game for hunting. The east of Ceil opened to the Snaking River, named so for its distinct 'S' bent shape in which the pristine water flowed.

To say that Ceil was in a prime location for resources was an apt remark many would agree with.

No wonder the city looks so polished and prosperous as compared to Nox. Yurisviel thought.

As she continued to enjoy the scenery before her, a sudden cold slithered down her back. Yurisviel's spiritual senses went on high alert, as she felt something odd in the air.

Looking up, she noticed that the ravens had broken formation, flying off rapidly in a synchronized manner.

Someone's found us. Someone skilled...and dangerous.

The unfamiliar presence was hidden from view, through magic or some unorthodox means by which Yurisiviel could not be sure. The rest of her regiment was still unaware of the potential threat as they continued their short break before the journey resumed.

Should she raise the alarm now? If she were to warn Zenvix, would the thing know? What if it was aiming for the Prince's life?

Keeping her eyes peeled, Yurisviel loosened her body in preparation for combat. She needed to stay nimble and flexible in case of a sudden ambush.

Her face contorted in concentration as she scanned her surroundings.

At first, there were only the sounds of chatter emanating from Zenvix and his group of knights and soldiers. Slowly, these mundane noises faded away as her senses sharpened increasingly to focus on the other-worldly.

It began with a low buzz, which grew to a soft distinct humming that could not be heard by ordinary human ears. Then, a convolution materialised in thin air, akin to a small rip in the fabric of the universe.

As a hooded man stepped through, Yurisviel burst into action. The man's reflexes were quick, however. He lifted his arms to shield against the lady's roundhouse kick before propelling himself away with magic to create some distance.

By now, Zenvix was aware of an intruder in their presence. He raised his bow at the new arrival. Behind, his regiment gathered, unsheathing swords and readying their bows. Despite his seasoned age, Dylas had flanked the hooded man from the right, sword at the ready.

"Beast manipulation magic," Yurisviel said, her voice laced with subtle hostility. "How long have your ravens been tailing us?"

The hooded man smiled at the remark as he contemplated the regiment before him.

"Truly, a keen observation from the Blood of the Valkyrie. I would not have expected any less."

"Cut the pleasantries. Who are you?" Zenvix asserted. He drew his bow, an arrow nocked at the ready.

The stranger raised his arms to signal no harm.

"Stay your arrow. I'm Alvaro Ulius, a survivor of the First Key's destruction. I have important information that must be heard by Prince Nighvicto."

"Failing which, Ceil will surely fall." Alvaro finished gravely.

⧪⧪⧪

In the house, Mirayoung made Jerius comfortable by directing him to a seat and pouring him tea, which she made hot again with a quick wordless spell. She then boiled a fresh batch of tea leaves and passed through a strainer made of horsehair into a new wooden container in her kitchen.

"My understanding of the ritual is incomplete. The Library of Nox held no such knowledge nor did I have the luxury of time to pursue the research before heading here," Jerius said suddenly. "Do you know where the Fifth Key lies?"

"The Strange Village within the Heart of Elaria," Mirayoung said, never pausing the tea preparation. "Have you heard of it?"

"Vaguely," Jerius replied, slightly surprised by the swift answer he received. "But I know nothing of the details."

"As the name suggests, it's a strange and terrible place. And the forest is even stranger. It's the safest in its centre but gets progressively more dangerous and sinister as you approach the edge, when it's the contrary for most other forests. All who had journeyed into this forest never returned, unless you go through the hidden portal near Tahoa called the Strange Door. It takes you to the safety zone within the Heart of Elaria, where you can make a trip to the Strange Village. You can find the details in The Lore of the Heart of Elaria: the Strange and Mysterious Incidents in the Grand Library. It's an old tome written by one of the Cabal when he was still an individual mage. It's probably the most authoritative book on the subject," Mirayoung said.

"I give my thanks, Mirayoung" he said, looking thoughtful as if something swam to the surface of his mind.

A faint smile touched her lips. "Respect, young Lyvia. I'm older than your master."

Jerius shrugged. "Lady Mirayoung, it is."

Mirayoung's expression turned sombre. "Be careful speaking about the Ritual of Keys with others you meet in the Guild. Some people in the Guild do not take such knowledge well."

"Do we need to care about theatrics? Every mage should be ready to fight," Jerius said.

"It's a serious accusation and there are reasons to open an investigation," Mirayoung began. "But we need to formulate a plan."

Jerius said, "I agree but I advise we make haste. Time is working against us. Destroy the five Keys and the realms of the living and the dead disconnect. I do not quite comprehend what that truly means but I do know that the natural order of the world does not take kindly to such an action."

"What motivates Aderis?" Mirayoung said, drinking her tea.

"I do not know and at this stage, I do not care," Jerius said, a steel edge in his voice. "What I do care about is to prevent‒no, kill Aderis. He turned on his vow, betraying Nox. He caused the deaths and sufferings of thousands. He murdered King Arcturius of Nox, his brethren from young, in cold blood. Do we need to debate on his goals when it's clear by his actions that he represents a malice which needs to be stopped?"

"I do not question that," Mirayoung said, sighing as her eyes glazed. "But...if you're to bring this to Cabal, you may put yourself at risk and nothing more."

"I do not understand," Jerius said.

Mirayoung said. "You'll understand in due course. Let me think through what you've said and come to a decision. In the meantime, you are free to roam the inner sanctum and appreciate the birthplace of your mistress Lyvia. You'll find many pleasant things, I'm sure. If anyone asks, tell them you're here as a guest on Lady Mirayoung's request. It's important you say that because only an archmagus' guest is allowed to roam freely. Understand?"

"I'll love to but my trip here bespeaks a great sense of urgency," Jerius said, looking incredulous. "For all we know, his accomplices have infiltrated the Guild."

"This urgent business will need to wait till I make a decision," Mirayoung said dismissively. "I will consider all the points you've raised and work out the case."

"How long will that take?" Jerius asked, his tone a frustrated one.

"An hour should suffice," Mirayoung said as she spun her finger in an apparent enchantment that formed beautiful eddies within her half-drunk tea.

Jerius nodded, returning his gaze to the hot tea before him. He appreciated the aroma and sipped the content.

Then she said, "While the Cabal stands at the top of the Guild's leadership, it is the powerful administrator Fermand Yaleheart, whom we should seek an audience."