ONE UP.

Eldwyn strolled down the street leading back to the apartment, groceries in hand—mildly swaying with his arm movement. His gaze darting from place to place. Although the people sort of seemed to be in almost abject poverty, it was lively.

Hey, who are those guys? Eldwyn scowled subtly. Twelve men moved in rigid pairs, like soldiers on patrol. Every few steps they moved, they'd turn to question a passerby or seller.

At the moment, all Eldwyn could think of was, it could be those men they had confronted before entering Uleneria. His steps hastened. One of the duos of the twelve caught on and briskly paced behind him.

I need to get them off my tail. His eyes scanning for an escape.

He noticed a crooked alley and took to his heels. He sprinted across, as if covering a sixty meter race track.

When the two men caught to the end of the alley, they looked both ways but—Eldwyn was gone.

"Are you sure he's one of them?" One of the men asked the other.

"Maybe..." he said, scratching the back of his head, "I don't really know. Let's return to the others for now."

"You're hopeless man. Sigh."

As they walked away, Eldwyn jumped down from the Balcony of a building.

Phew.

I need to tell the others.

Meanwhile,

In the kingdom of Lumin, Lady Rugal sat in a well furnished Cafe with Hordon Xen Chronos. A cup of coffee on both sides as they spoke. The background music soothing the atmosphere.

"Have you heard from Zrial?" Lady Rugal asked, taking a sip, eyes locked on Hordon.

"Nope."

"Mm. Well, that was just by the way. I plan to build an estate to house refugees and other homeless people."

The music in the background screeched, as if awe-struck by Lady Rugal's words. Then it smoothed out.

"And what brought this on?"

"I just want to," she smiled—but it didn't reach her eyes.

"That's nice. So, you've already acquired land?"

"I'm still searching actually. But I just wanted to inform you just in case I seek your aid in the future." She smiled.

"Well, you know my doors are always open for you." Hordon winked.

Although Lady Rugal wished she could stay longer, she still had to head to Uleneria. With that, she called the waitress and although Hordon insisted on paying the bill for their coffee, she still paid the twenty silver Merics then said her goodbye.

She stepped out of the cafe and there it was, her gold outlined carriage, waiting. She stepped in, settling into the cushioned seat. Then asked the coachman to head to Cryotown, Ulneria. Their carriage blended into the atmosphere of pedestrians and other carriage as they rolled out.

Back at Cryotown,

Eldwyn had informed the others about what transpired earlier in town. For a brief moment, they sat in silence—thinking. Their objective wasn't completed yet, should they forfeit and leave now?

Eldwyn spoke. "Wouldn't a confrontation make things quicker? With that we'll find out about the spearheads of the evils in Uleneria."

"Yes, but it'll provoke a direct confrontation—like you said, with them. Which we must avoid at all costs."

As for Sulivan, he stood at the entrance, checking if any of the men Eldwyn had described would come by.

"Okay, okay. What if we go speak to the King himself? I'm sure they haven't told him about us. Also, you did mention that things changed for the worse after his appointment so..."

Aizzy rolled her head, then said "Don't you think you're being pessimistic?"

"But—"

"Hold on, let me finish," she said with a smirk "But your idea is worth a try."

Yes! Eldwyn's inner voice screamed.

"What do you think Sul?"

They both turned to Sulivan.

Without a moment of thought, he replied "I trust your judgement."

"Alright then, we'll head there tomorrow at noon."

With that, Aizzy picked up a quill, dipped it in the container of ink beside, then began writing a formal letter to the King.

Did the king really not know about their presence?

A question they answered wrongly... or at least Eldwyn's hypothesis was inaccurate. Little did they know that Zarial had made his way to the King's side as Aizzy wrote her letter.

"Aa, Zarial what brings you here?" King Lumar said, eyes twinkling with delight.

"Thank you, Sire. I've been well," Zarial responded with a grateful smile, "There's something I need to discuss with you."

The wind blew over them, carrying with it the frangrance of the flowers around the arbor which they sat in. King Lumar nodded, permitting him to speak.

"Thank you, Sire. So, the thing is, few days ago, intruders snuck into Cryotown. And it seems they are investigating Uleneria." 

King Lumar's eyes narrowed. "So, what have you done about it?"

"We're still searching for them, Sire."

"Oh God...," King Lumar snapped, "Lady Rugal knows about this?"

Zarial nodded, pitifully. "She called, so I told her."

Their robes fluttered in the breeze as tension thickened.

"So, will she be coming here?" King Lumar asked, scratching his chin. Zarial replied affirmatively. "So now what?" He added.

"Well, ... I propose you invite them and offer residence at the Palace. As an act of hospitality to newcomers. Heh."

King Lumar, after a moment of thinking, accepted Zarial's proposal. But before they even left, one of the guards came rushing in, with a letter in hand.

He informed them about the contents of the letter.

This is perfect then. King Lumar thought.

"When they arrive here tomorrow, let them in." He said to the guard, a smirk forming.

"Okay then, I'll return now, Sire. So, I receive Lady Rugal properly."

"Yes, you better."

With that Zarial paid his respects and left.

The time for Lady Rugal's arrival drew ever nearer.