Journey to Dravos (Heart of the kingdom)

The journey to Dravos, the capital of the Southwestern Empire, was set to take three days. The group rode through the harsh winds, led by King Darion. Behind him, the General and the King's Guard Commander followed, their horses keeping a steady pace.

As they rode, General Kaelor broke the silence with a teasing grin. "So, what's going on between you and the medic?" he asked, glancing at the King's Guard Commander. "Instead of her taking care of you, it looks like it's the other way around."

The Commander, clearly caught off guard, shot back, "Someone has to look after her too."

Kaelor chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're the best option, Commander. Don't tell me you haven't noticed?"

"Stop talking nonsense, General," the Commander muttered, hastening his horse to catch up with the King, eager to avoid further conversation.

Ahead, King Darion rode alongside a warrior from House Aleric, a sturdy man who seemed more curious than anything. "Tell me, Your Majesty," the warrior asked, his voice laced with skepticism. "What about this Ragnarök brother you speak of? Does he have horns? What's he really like?"

The King's lips curled into a faint smile as he glanced over at the warrior. "No, he's just a man—a strong one, yes. But he fights for what he believes is right, not because of some mythical destiny."

The warrior was less convinced. "A man who kills so many… with a name like Ragnarök? He sounds like a devil's son."

King Darion's gaze hardened, his voice steady as he spoke. "You should stop talking, warrior. You don't know his reasons, and you have no right to judge him from such a narrow view."

Behind them, Kaelor kept pace with the King's Guard Commander, his eyes flicking toward the medic, who was gently tending to the baby. Kaelor smirked and nudged the Commander. "Imagine the two of you, the medic and you, taking care of the baby. Looks like you're playing house, Commander."

The Commander, startled, blurted out, "What are you talking about, General? No, no such thing."

Kaelor laughed heartily, his infectious grin spreading to the others. The tension seemed to ease, at least for a moment, and the journey continued.

That evening, they camped under the cold night sky. The group took turns keeping watch, alert for any signs of danger. The next day was much the same—riding without much incident—until they reached the infamous inn known as Campnou. This inn, nestled just a few kilometers from the coast, was notorious for attracting a rowdy crowd, mainly pirates and smugglers who frequented the area.

As they approached, one of the warriors from House Aleric spoke with concern. "We can't just set up camp outside. If you're within a 3-kilometer radius of the inn, you're required to stay inside. If you don't, the pirates and burglars will attack anyone out here. They'll take everything."

Kaelor, always quick with a remark, raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's why they call it 'Campnou,'" he said dryly. "More like a pirate's den than a camp. They're making sure no one tries to camp outside."

The warrior frowned, clearly unsure whether Kaelor was joking or not. But the general simply shrugged, signaling the group to follow him inside.

Once inside, they were met with the usual chaos of the inn. The barroom was full of shady characters, murmurs of deals being made in hushed tones, and the distinct scent of sea salt and alcohol. Kaelor, ever the tactician, moved to the counter first. He placed his hand on the receptionist's desk and spoke in a theatrical manner.

"Three rooms," Kaelor said, his voice low but carrying. "This young lady," he gestured dramatically toward the medic, "has run away from her father's home with her lover and found herself in trouble, pregnant with his child," he paused for effect. "Her father is very rich," he added with a sly grin. "So rich, in fact, that he has vases with no flowers in them."

The receptionist eyed them suspiciously, but when Kaelor dropped the mention of wealth, the receptionist's eyes widened, and with a quick glance at the group, he handed over the keys to three rooms.

As they moved upstairs, the General leaned in to whisper to King Darion. "This place is full of pirates and thieves, Your Majesty. Some of them I recognize. We must stay on our guard."

The King nodded, his expression turning serious. "We will," he said. "Stay alert, and we'll be fine."

Inside the rooms, the group settled in, with Kaelor, the King, and the baby sharing one room while the Commander and the medic took another. The warriors of House Aleric were spread out in the final room, each one keeping watch.

Night passed without incident, but Kaelor woke up in a cold sweat the next morning. He rushed out of his room and found the Commander standing in the hallway.

"Did you notice anything strange?" Kaelor asked, his voice tense.

The Commander nodded slowly. "Nothing happened last night. It's odd. We were surrounded by danger, yet no one tried to attack."

Kaelor narrowed his eyes. "Or maybe they were preoccupied with something else. I saw a cage outside the inn and bags. They could be smuggling something."

"We should stay away from it for now," the Commander suggested. "Let's just get to Dravos."

The group left the inn as quietly as they could, and the rest of the journey to Dravos passed without incident. The final stretch felt less tense, and the group's vigilance paid off. As they approached the capital, Kaelor spotted a man with a young woman dressed in tattered clothes. He didn't stop to help, knowing the risks of getting involved with the wrong people at the wrong time.

The capital was within reach now, and as they neared its grand gates, they could see the spires of Dravos looming in the distance, signaling the end of their arduous journey. They were almost home.