Tezaro approached the guard with his horse trailing, thus effectively blocking the elf's view of Aurora and shielding her all the while. Bringing his palms together before his face he quickly parted them as a sign of greeting among the elf-kind. "We seek to reach the Northern Pass through Kai'lym. The roads are not safe."

The guard did not return the friendly gesture. "And your names?"

"This is Master Pathfinder Owen Rokenar, his apprentice whose head is bobbing past the horse, Aurora Pastor, and his sister Erianna." As Tezaro indicated to each in turn the guard meticulously scribbled on the parchment without bothering to turn his eyes from them.

"And you are?" An elegant golden brow raised in question.

Refusing to use his former titles he answered, "I am Tezaro Bladewoods."

The scribbling stopped as the guard's eyes landed on the crest that hung openly on Tezaro's chest. Anticipating what would come next, Tezaro braced himself for the slur that was sure to follow.

"Blazewoods is more like it." Blazewoods. Another name he had not been able to outrun. It was name he despised. The fame of his family's fire sword had embedded itself to his surname long ago. But it described the sword and its dark origins and not the man, the true heir of the sword, behind that event.

When the guard lifted his forearm in a fist, the gates slowly opened and two rows of guards surrounded them. Out of instinct, Tezaro's hand reached for his sword.

Drawing their weapons, Eri and Tezaro quickly assumed a defensive stance. "I told you this was trap." She cursed underneath her breath.

"Set down your weapons, Blazewoods. You will find there is no need for them." As the soldiers parted, an elder red headed elf with narrow eyes wearing an officer's emblem walked straight at Tezaro, his sword still at his hip.

"We will set down our weapons, just as soon as your men set down theirs."

"You do not give the orders here, rogue knight. I know just who you are. Now lower your weapons, unless you care for me to release my archers on you."

Their eyes traveled upwards to the high and distant outpost hooded with narrow slits for archers. "As Gate Keeper, I swear to you that you will come to no harm." Reluctantly their weapons were sheathed once more.

"I will not call you by a forsaken title, but I will have the hand of the man that repeatedly put Lord Fennaris in his place." An outstretched hand greeted Tezaro, and he firmly shook it.

It was easy to recognized the look of respect from one soldier to another. This was not the blind admiration of those untouched by battle and war, but of one who knew the sacrifices and evils first hand.

"I am Captain Iothis, commander of this guard." The guard opened ranks for them as the companions followed. "Preparations are being made in anticipation of your arrival in Lathimnar. Our instructions were clear."

"By who?" Eri could not hold back her curiosity.

"By one of our own, of course." Though she was less than pleased with his answer, she she did not push the matter further. "Your horses will be tended to, and they as well as you will rest a while and continue on your journey to Lathimnar."

Past the gates, they stopped before the entrance of what appeared to be the main hall of the outpost. "We are deeply grateful for your hospitality, Captain Iothis, but we must press on."

Stony silence followed Tezaro's words until the captain broke. "You cannot blame an old warhorse for want of lack of use to talk of another. 'Til another time then. Sergeant Thomilar, bring the carriage to the gate."

Carriage? Eri mouthed to her brother in confusion.

"Yes, captain."

Tezaro persisted. "Captain Iothis, I assure you there is no need for a carriage. Our mounts are more than capable of making the journey."

"And they will, but you will arrive before them." He motioned for them to follow and stand atop a short platform. There was a soft pounding on the earth as the carriage neared. A barain harnessed to a floating carriage shuffled along with glistening blue and black scales.

Awe filled Aurora. "How is that possible?"

Owen smiled at her naïveté but did not miss the opportunity to educate. "Look closely at the carriage and you will see four runes, one at each corner." Aurora nodded in comprehension. "Do you recognize the rune?"

"Is it a lift rune?"

"Not quite. It's a floating rune. The carriage floats above the ground in the same way a boat does on water."

"Do all carriages float? I didn't see any in Morid."

"No. This is a skill used mostly by elves to accommodate the long swishing tail of barians." Master Owen led her before him to allow her a better view. The carriage had an elegant design along the exterior that cleverly concealed the runes as part of the design.

Sergeant Thomilar accompanied the driver that was seated at the front bench. Another guard stepped onto the platform and opened the door for them.

"I do not know what brought you to our borders, but I would regret it for the rest of my days if I did not ask you to see the blazing sword."

"The sword is not a parlor trick to impress young children and I only call it to life against one I consider my enemy." In his typical fashion, Tezaro found a diplomatic response to an unfavorable situation. Captain Iothis nodded and allowed them to pass.Without further delay, they climbed into the carriage.

It swayed to a start as they set of for Lathimnar. The rustic landscape soon gave way to vast greenery as the carriage sped on without rest. Into the night they rode on, thankful for the rest from weary legs but ever vigilant of their surroundings. Sleep eventually claimed them one by one as the carriage pressed onward to Lathimnar.

Aurora awoke before dawn kissed the horizon to find Tezaro gazing out of the curtained window. When his eyes shifted to her, she felt odd and out of sorts. Would there ever be a time when she'd grow accustomed to his gaze? Unlikely.

"What is it you want to ask me?"

"What makes you think I have a question?"

He cocked an eyebrow and exhaled. "Because you always have a question. What is it?"

"Alright, then. Why did you call me Pastor at the pass?"

"A common name for an common girl." His meaning drove into her with a steady gaze. There wasn't a moment where he wasn't protecting her. Her safety consumed his thoughts like nothing else.

Not wanting to disturb the others as the sunlight streaked in, they risked lifting the curtain slightly. The field they rode by was covered in golden morning light. The sun cleared the horizon and turned the grass hills into a sea of gold. In the distance, a bridge captured the rays of morning light in its spindle columns. It shined with encrusted spinel gems, blinding to look upon for too long.

"What is that?"

Eri and Owen awoke and looked out for themselves at the sights. "That is the Bridge of A Thousand Lights, one of the many bridges of Lathimnar, the elvin capital of Kai'lym." Owen closed the curtain once again and the view of the three tier city was gone.

All too soon they had crossed the bridge and entered the bustling city. They remained hidden behind the curtains, as Tezaro thought it best to not advertise the arrival of humans into the heart of the city.

The carriage finally stopped and the door opened. Deliberately, Tezaro slowly climbed out first to assess their location. What greeted him shocked him.

Eri jumped out quickly after, leaving Aurora and Owen to the end as a precaution. "This cannot be where I think we are?" Eri turned to Tezaro for a sign that she was mistaken, but was disappointed. "I cannot believe we're---"

"Inside the palace keep." Tezaro finished her thought. Twice before he had visited the palace acting as Protector of Armindia. It was easy enough to recognize the courtyard. There was no mistaking the three lustrous fountains that sang as crystal water rained down.

No sooner had their feet hit the ground before the carriage left and a somber elvin woman accompanied by six guards approached them.

"Why does this keep happening to us? Ugh!" Eri made to kick on imaginary rock in her frustration.

The elvin matron covered in darker shades of sea foam green robes stopped at the top of a flight of marbled landing while the guards flanked the steps downward as an honor guard. She clasped her hands and quickly parted them before her face, a gesture Tezaro mirrored as he remembered her dutiful face.

"Greetings, former Protector. If you will follow me, my lord has been expecting you for some time." Expecting to be obeyed she simply turned and walked into the gaping corridor.

Reluctantly they followed the elvin matron with the guards at their heels. They were shown to a large room with an open gallery and a round mahogany table that sat twelve. After they were seated food was ushered in by servants that came and went as quickly as the flapping of wings.

"Prince Valdor will be with you shortly." The door closed without a sound behind her, and they were alone.

Eri wasted no time in serving herself, "What? I'm starving."

Owen ignored his sister, "You've dealt with House Verakis before. Have you met him, this Prince Valdor?"

Tezaro shook his head and reached for a plate. "No. My dealings with House Verakis were with King Prathios and Prince Landros, the likely heir. I have never met Prince Valdor."

"Then what could he want with us?" Through all the problems they faced, finding an appetite had never been Eri's. Eagerly she munched on a honey covered biscuit while she grabbed other fruits.

Aurora sat beside her, quietly eating an apple that reminded her of her time with Lucas in the forest. "Is it possible Lucas told him about me?"

Eri and Tezaro exchanged another of their typical glances, before Eri answered, "That is more likely than him being royalty." She scoffed at her brother's earlier assumption.

"True, but she did approach me under my former title. They may simply not want to offend. Elvin hospitality customs are strictly followed and obeyed." Tezaro took another biscuit from the bowl Eri was hastily attacking.

"With luck a raven was sent in advance to advise them of our arrival. It could be that based on my former title this is just a small courtesy. We may as well be on our way the day after tomorrow, customs being observed."

Something about the way Tezaro spoke bothered Aurora. Every time he spoke with others outside the group he refused to say his given title of Protector. It was almost as if he did not want to acknowledge any part of his life connected to Larn's death. She understood loss as he did. Perhaps there was something that she could do to help him, but for now, "We need to find Lucas and Lily first."

"The best healers are here in the capital." Owen took a branch of grapes onto his plate. "I'm sure they will be easy to find."

The doors opened and Lucas entered with his usual flare greeting all at once then lifting Aurora out of her seat to give her a tight embrace, swaying her all the while. Finally releasing her, he took Tezaro's seat beside her and served himself a plate. "So how is everyone, hmm?"

"Where the hell have you been? Where did you leave Lily? How did you get here? How did you find us? And why are we here? What scheme are you plotting now?" Tezaro grabbed Lucas's hand just as he popped a grape into his mouth.

Two guards promptly flanked Tezaro. "Nah, ah, ah." Lucas taunted Tezaro. "I would not do that if I were you."

Tezaro was unimpressed with the guards, finding them unintimidating, but released Lucas regardless. Seeing the tension in the room, Aurora placed a calming hand on Tezaro's chest, urging him to sit before turning to Lucas with a chastising stare. "Tell us what is going on."

Lucas reached for her hand and gently placed his lips to it. "For you, anything." To which Eri rolled her eyes and Owen smirked at Tezaro.

"You need not worry about Lily. She is with the best of healers as we speak, my cousin. I will take you to her later, after she is rested from her session. They seem to drain her. Also, I have arranged rooms for all of you to stay here." Ignoring the rest, he began filling a plate.

"Unfortunately, I was not able to get you out of dinning with my cousin. He is determined to meet with you, but we will discuss that later." During his ranting, a third meat slice was washed away by a sweet berry juice he drained from the pitcher.

"How did you arrange for our stay?" Even Eri's large appetite seemed to have been squelched upon Lucas' arrival. "Are you a guest, too?"

Lucas took a large, crunchy bite of an apple and pointed at Eri, "I knew you would ask that. The Crown Prince," Lucas rolled his eyes, "does not have to invite me as a guest to be here, if you know what I mean." Wiggling brows answered for him.

Just as Eri was about to ask another question the elvin matron, Mauvis entered. "Prince Valdor," everyone looked around the room, "your presence is requested at court this morning."

Their eyes finally landed on Lucas. "Prince Valdor?" They each said in turn.

Owen chose this moment to lean to his sister, "I hope you left room in your belly for that boot you'll be eating tonight. Should I get the salt?"

Eri scowled at Owen's smile then turned her attention back to Prince Valdor. "You're the other prince? The elusive one, that not even the Lord Protector has been able to meet?"

"Well, to be fair it was not for lack of trying, but the Protector suddenly left. It was two years ago there about." His smiled broadened at Tezaro.

"You're a prince? You're name's not Lucas? You lied to me?" Aurora's eyes were saucers.

"Yes indeed I am a prince, pretty one, but like our stubborn protector here, it is a title I care not to flaunt. I apologize for lying to you, but it was a necessity at the time considering I did not know any of you. But I did not lie. My name is Valdor Hareil Lucas Verkias. As you can see, it's quite a mouth full so I tend to shorten it from time to time." He continued to munch on his apple.

Eri pressed on, "But if you are a prince that means---"

"Your cousin is Prince Landros the renowned healer." Tezaro took a moment to reassess him. So much about the persona of Lucas that they had met now made sense.

"Which makes him second in line for the throne." Owen murmured joyfully to his sister as his appetite increased with delight. "Pass me the biscuits." Eri ignored him.

Prince Valdor stood, "You are all welcomed in my home. Mauvis will see to your chambers and needs." He turned to Aurora, "I shall reunite you with Lily as soon as I return."

His demeanor from the gallivanting rogue they had met was replaced with aristocratic charm. Once again he kissed her hand then left with a beaming grin as Tezaro and the others bowed reluctantly to their unexpected royal acquaintance.