The prairie skiffs careened through the grasslands as fast and as turbulent as the winds push their large sails. The skiffs were long wooden boats, not the size of the clippers that Koda was used to riding in. More like larger canoes or like smaller longboats. Tall masts caught the blustery gales that covered the massive plains of the Grassy Sea. Koda admitted to himself that it was the only way to travel long distances.

Koda pulled out a letter given to him before he left for his trip. It was written by Nora Greyblade. Eldest of Aemor’s children and serving mayor of Warren Town. Warren Town, a peculiar name given that its former name was Imperious, capital city of the Estinian empire. Koda wasn’t sure if Warren Town was an intentional jab to demasculinize its symbol of power, but either way, he liked the new name better.

Clutching the parchment as tight as he could so that the high winds wouldn't carry it away, he read the letter.

Dear King Dawnedge,

I would formally like to invite you as a guest in my city, Warren Town. It would overjoy me if you stayed with me as you challenged our prestigious Warren Town Wind Mage School.

The Dawnedge name is still despised by the Estinian people, so be wary of your welcome in my city. Not even I have an easy time walking down the streets, but I can assure you that no harm will come to you.

With warm regards,

Princess Nora Greyblade

Koda folded the letter and stuck it in his pocket. He turned to Elucard. “Could it have been possible that the Estinians hired the assassin?”

Elucard threw up his hood to keep his ears warm in the cool Southtail morning. “I suppose that would make a lot of sense.”

“I wish we weren't going to Estinia,” Wildeye whispered to herself, just loud enough for Elucard and Koda to hear. “Even if it is colonized now.”

Koda took a claw to comfort her. “Too many bad memories, my friend?”

Wildeye dropped her head. “Yes. The most dreaded nightmares of that prison cell still haunt me.”

“I am sorry, girl, but sometimes we must face that which frightens us most to move past it.”

Elucard nodded. “And I will be with you. I swear upon my blade no harm will come to either of you!”

“Is that a promise you can keep?” Koda snapped. “Already you failed us when we were abandoned in New Estinia.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Elucard turned pale. His eyes widened. “I-I” he stuttered, stumbling over his words. “I’m—I’m sorry, that was an impossible situation…” he finally said, defeated.

Koda narrowed his eyes and squeezed Wildeye’s paw tighter. Was he angry with Elucard? Or angry with himself for falling for such a simple trap? It wasn’t Elucard’s choice to travel to New Estinain. Did Elucard get him captured? Did Elucard spark the war to rescue him? Hundreds of his people and allies fell to bring him home, was that Elucard’s fault too? It wasn’t, it was his own fault.

“Elucard…” Koda started. “I forgive you.”

Elucard gave him a meek smile. He looked to the looming cliffs that rose from the horizon. “We are here.”

***

Koda stepped off the elevator onto the snowy, white ground with a crunch. Warren Town was situated high into the mountains of Eastern Southtail, once known as the imposing Estinia. Tall mountain walls surrounded the city acting as a natural defense from invaders that managed to make it up the dizzying tall cliffs. Roaming the clouds from their roosts were the flight of drakes for the Skyborne Military Operations, or SMO for short.

The wind was nearly unbearable so far up in the Imperious Cliffs. However, once Koda entered Warren Town, the makeshift valley blocked the blustery gale. Along with shelter for the wind, Koda’s escort was met with a warm welcome from the city guards, but not so much the citizens. Jeers, nasty looks, and rotten vegetables assaulted Koda. A loud chorus of boo’s swept over the escort as they traveled down the cobblestone street leading to the large castle centerpiece of the city.

“I can see why Nora didn’t want to meet us outside the castle walls,” Koda joked as he raised his voice over the rowdy crowd.

“Let’s just hope we make it there in one piece,” muttered Elucard.

***

“You made the trip unharmed?” greeted Nora as Koda’s escort entered the former Estinian castle’s throne room. She swept her arms open for a tight hug. “I am so glad you are here, Koda. Papa has told me so much about you!”

Koda grunted, crushed by Nora’s immense hug. Despite her size, Nora’s strength matched her father’s. “I hope all is good,” he managed to peep out.

Nora dropped the king. “We experienced some resistance when Papa first took over, that resistance has died down some since I was installed as mayor. We keep our security tight with a large military presence of ready and willing harekins, each with a stiff upper lip,” she explained.

Koda smiled. “I am glad things have run more or less smoothly after the war.” He turned to Wildeye and Elucard. “My friends. Wildeye my familiar and Elucard my most trusted bodyguard.”

Nora curtseyed. “I have heard much of you both. Although,” she tapped her chin in confusion, as if looking for the proper words. “I thought your familiar was a wolf, not a kanis.”

Wildeye chuckled and shook her head. “It is a story I don’t entirely understand myself. However, I am not a kanis, I am indeed a wolf—or was.”

Nora tilted her head, still perplexed.

“Perhaps we may discuss Koda’s trial with the Wind Mage Academy?” Elucard jumped in. “Will it be safe for Koda to challenge an Estinain school?”

“Or have all the Estinian mages been let go? Perhaps replaced by harekins?” asked Koda.

“No, of course not! The civil unrest would be greater than it is now,” said Nora accompanied by a nervous laugh, “Koda will be fine. Between Elucard, your royal escort, and my guards, Koda will only have to worry about his match.”

“Are you ready for your battle Koda?” asked Wildeye, “You haven’t really dueled another mage, beside Megan.”

Koda frowned. No, he was not ready. He never really practiced combat magic on other mages. Sure he beat Megan once and the draconian, Ro’Tan, but other than those two battles years apart, he never challenged another mage or fought another magical inclined opponent. Although, has anyone ever fought someone so attuned with raw Magi? He thought not!