Entry to Cascrender

„How was Gunvar able to see them coming…?"

Midas spoke as Avalon shook him slightly, spurting out his thoughts as his consciousness began to come back to him. Between the uncountable amount of stems and thick fog accompanied by never-ending rain, Gunvar somehow sensed their presence before they even stepped out of the ride.

Avalon retrieved his hand again, pausing for a second as he was planning to ask the boy a question instead of answering one. Looking back at Gunvar, he exchanged a serious glance, seemingly unknowing about what the boy that saved him spoke.

„Well… There is a widespread Null-Ability that is used for tracking the concentration of mana in one's surrounding area… You simply have to accumulate mana into your eyes to make it happen."

Pointing to his sunken eyes, Avalon watched Midas lean back as he awed flatly at his explanation, the youth unable to try this new ability out, as his mana reserve was nearly completely depleted from his attack that saved the tall man next to Avalon. 

„I was actually going to tell you that Gunvar here is thanking you for preventing the attack… He'd offer you something in return for what you have done to protect him."

Gunvar bent to bow briefly; his somewhat stern brows made Avalon's words much more believable. His gloved hand rested on his stomach as his head sunk to the ground, the both of them knowing he and Midas wouldn't be able to understand each other.

„You said he was employed at the university?"

„Yes, that's right."

„What does he do…?"

„I suppose he ensures safety on university grounds…"

Midas kept his sight on the bowing man; he was free to choose his compensation for saving Gunvar. Feeling Avalon's unsure gaze, the youth paused for a while to think. If he wanted to get to Almas's brother as soon as possible, he'd have to focus on understanding the language. Gunvar was also the leader of the group of knights, probably commanding many more men than the two that checked on the beasts.

„Would he be able to give me lessons in speaking the water kingdom's language…? I'd be interested to learn more about fighting as well…"

Widening his eyes at the youth's words for a slim moment, he turned to Gunvar—his head already looking in his direction as he leaned into him. Giving him word, as he translated what Midas spoke. Shortly after, Gunvar straightened his back, nodding at the boy. Seemingly fond of his suggestion, he sat himself down next to the boy as the ride began to resume driving.

With Midas suggesting learning the language from Gunvar, the atmosphere in the ride changed somewhat. The youth felt slightly left out, chewing on some jerky that was handed to him by Avalon as he listened to the foreign-sounding words the two of them exchanged. Their conversation was eventually joined by the two tinier guards; their voices eventually combined into a murmur that was eventually broken up by loud laughter.

Getting some time to himself, Midas tried his best at another Null-Ability Avalon had shown to him long before they joined the guards, his left hand on his stomach as he was already done eating his ration, focusing the slim amount of mana to his gut. His attempt would hopefully aid in the process of regaining some needed energy.

The damp noise of rain hitting onto the straightened cloth that formed a roof over their heads eventually got to him—closing his lids automatically to get some rest.

His eyes widened again as he felt someone's arm around his neck, locking his head in between forearm and biceps, awakening him ultimately. Once Gunvar's loud laughter was over, sounding from right next to him, Midas was able to recognize the darkness of the night—the rain had vanished already with the sun.

Letting the boy go, Avalon turned to him—with a slim grin remaining on him, he turned his head from the other to the boy, who couldn't help himself but yawn. Midas's eyes were still tired, numbly glancing out at the opening in the back he sat right next to, focusing his sight as he was able to muster a large stone bridge that spanned across what seemed to be a lake.

The glass The lanterns on both of the bridge's sides were made out of darkened metal and blue-tinted glass, their shapes identical as the ride passed from one coast to whatever lay across the dark body of water. The lantern on the wooden floor of the area they sat in shifted slightly around; the bridge was dotted with pebbles—the rough texture of the road rattling him slightly.

The group turned to the old, bearded driver; his plump build and strong beard reminded him of the hunters he saw in the mountains when crossing the border. His rough, deep voice made Gunvar nod, which in turn made Avalon speak to him.

„We arrived at Cascrender Midas… Oh, just to make sure… do you have a surname?"

Shaking his head at Avalon in silence, Midas rubbed his lids, getting up to his knees to look out in the direction of the driver—in the distance, slim towers that stretched out from the land that was situated in the center of the lake. The city's lights shone out to them from afar; the sea that forcibly crowded the many buildings onto the plot of land was surrounded by highlands that stretched upwards, keeping the water in check—forming the lake the city lay in.

Avalon's question soon made sense to him, the two guards looking down at him with puzzled expressions as the ride stopped in front of the gate that led into the city. A carriage manned with skilled fighters from the north arrived at a late time—completely alone, bringing a child from the south with them.

Forced to greet Gunvar with a straight expression, the two young men quickly straightened their posture, spouting a bundle of words at almost the same time once their commander spoke. Opening the gate, Midas was stopped to be examined by the two guards.

With the help of Avalon, they gathered information about the youth that wished to enter, something that was necessary in order to stay inside Water Kingdom territory. A procedure that was usually done once a southerner arrived at the border. Actually giving them the information was easy; Avalon asked Midas directly—his answers were then returned back to the guards as Avalon translated.

Midas was only able to theorize about what one would do with the information about his age, eye color, information about where he came from, and where he would stay in, as well as who and what he would do in the future. Luckily, noting that he would attend the city's university was enough for him to be able to pass, as he had no idea what he would do to make an actual living—if he even decided to stay for the rest of his life.

Pulling him out of his thoughts, Alma nudged the sleepy boy, making him walk through the hefty iron gate that was pulled up by chains running around gears that squeakingly turned to drop it again as the ride continued to head into the center of the city.

Paved roads stretched from the gate to the much more near city, passing by light green fields and white huts that sat scattered arround the road they took. Eventually the scattered houses began to grow closer together, eventually gaining in size and height. Cobblestone made up their base, which slowly became higher the more they advanced into the center of the city; aged mortar held mismatched stone of different size, shape, and color.

The lanterns that dimly lit the bridge they crossed to get here also illuminated the wide street they passed through. Unlike Giv'Narva, however, no one roamed the desolate streets their ride made its way through. The hooves of the two woolly beasts that dragged them through the town clacked against the stone that plastered the ground.

Somewhat desolate, the dark streets of the town eventually lead them to a tiny burg, sitting somewhat far away from the center of town; the space surrounding it was freed by grounds void of grass, and wooden pillars were sat upright and bound together to form walls, transforming the old-looking burg into a compound for the water kingdom army.

The carriage was parked under a sloped hay roof; right next to it, the driver was binding the beasts onto a pole that would keep them in their stall. The broad wooden door that opened their way into the high-rising cobblestone building clunked open as Gunvar twisted the key into the keyhole.

The interior was held simple, a plain table stretched out in front of them, dark wood that dimly reflected the shine of the many lanterns that were up by chains—illuminating the entrance room of the building.

Exchanging words Midas couldn't understand, Avalon waved at Gunvar as he led Midas through the door that would lead to their room.

„I'll give you the details you'll need tomorrow… Make sure to get plenty of sleep."

Midas took Avalon's words to heart, his weight cushioned by the hay that lay under the slim cloth he rested on—his consciousness fading into sleep instantly.