"Before you say anything, I am sorry for deceiving you," Conrad said once he and Tui got back in the carriage.

Rall looked at him thoughtfully while the mermaid averted her gaze. First, there was silence. Then the sound of wheels on the stone pavement of a street.

Sturmwater was the heart of the Empire's naval commerce in the Northern Sea. Strategically placed at the entrance of the Strait of Gladjiuk, it gave the Borian Fleet control over the trade of spices and minerals to the Kingdom of Aldia and many smaller countries on the northeast of the Continent.

The city itself was home to almost one hundred thousand people, mostly humans and lizardmen working as sailors, merchants, and shipwrights. Because of its port facing north, the usual system of towers around the walls would not be enough to protect the whole city from the Fog. Thus, at any time, at least two large yellow-colored ships would traverse the Gulf of Sturmwater, each housing a conscripted light mage.

Dawn had just passed, but the city was already bustling with people. The carriage passed through a market - all kinds of sellers were already setting up their stands with colorful dishes, works of foreign craftsmanship, and every other genre of merch possible.

It was the first time Rall had entered a large city, but his mind was somewhere else. He turned to the former Admiral, his eyes didn't show any emotion. "Are you serious about going to the Deep North?"

"I am," Conrad confidently declared, looking at the boy straight in his eyes.

Despite his youth, Rall did not avert his gaze. "Have you really been there?" He inquired.

"I have, twenty-five years ago."

"I don't believe you."

"It does not matter. Learn this lesson now, kid. Before it's too late. Whether you believe it or not, the truth does not change."

"How can I trust you? I have seen how effortlessly you lie," asked Rall.

"Once again, it does not matter. If you want to survive, you need me."

"In the Deep North, there is only death. I have better chances alone," said the boy, turning his eyes to Tui. She had been listening intently to the rapid exchange, not sure what to think herself. "You should come with me, this man is dangerous."

"And where will you go?" Asked Conrad sarcastically. "Half the criminals of the Continent are looking for you, while every soldier north of the Dragonfire Peaks is looking for her. You will not even last an hour without my help."

"Then what? Come with you and die? I have seen the way you act. You are not planning to return!" Argued Rall. The Admiral paused, surprised by the boy's insight.

"... you are right. I don't," confessed Conrad.

Tui's eyes opened as wide as they physically could.

"And what about us?" She yelled.

Conrad's eyes moved from Rall to Tui, then back to Rall. "I understand your doubts. Just give me one day. Tomorrow I will explain everything."

"Why not tell us now?" Asked Tui.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped. "Because we've arrived."

They had reached the port, the lowest level of the town though undeniably the most important for its existence. Tens of stone docks of various sizes invaded the Gulf of Sturmwater, most empty, a few still occupied. Fishermen's boats sailed far into the horizon, their job one that started way before dawn. Larger and sturdier ships rested in an isolated section of the port, the evident presence of cannons and the Imperial emblem on their sails signaled their identity as navy battleships.

Rall noticed several other three-masted ships in the distance, as well as two yellow ones idly navigating the calm waters of the gulf. With dawn shining behind them, Tui wondered what sunrise would look like against such a beautiful landscape. Unfortunately, dark clouds signaled that she would not get the chance to appreciate it.

Conrad led the way, followed by Rall, who still hid his Fairylight, and a wigged Tui. Hopps, instead, remained on the roofless black carriage, ready for departure at any moment.

They had stopped right under an iron insignia, on it the name of 'The Wrecked Vessel'. The story went that the founders of Sturmwater had first landed on these shores by accident. They were explorers of the Northern Sea, in search of hidden treasures and forgotten Theorzean artifacts. Their ship, the Golden Vessel, was attacked by a giant serpentine marine monster, the Leviathan. They ended up shipwrecked on in the gulf. Miraculously, the crew survived unscathed as if their ship had sacrificed itself to protect them. Now capsized onshore, that same ship became their refuge.

Today, the Wrecked Vessel was the most famous tavern in Sturmwater - its owner a supposed descendant of that legendary crew's Captain.

After passing the creaking saloon-style double-swinging doors, the group entered a large and mostly empty tavern hall. While evenings and nights were always chaotic at the Wrecked Vessel, it was still early in the morning.

A few customers who had rented rooms on the second and third floor of the ship-turned-into-building, sat around the wooden tables enjoying a warm meaty breakfast.

Rall recognized a couple of lizardmen sitting on some stools near the dark wood counter. Their bodies were humanoid in shape and size, upright with two legs and two arms, but their facial features and their scaly skin were definitely those of reptiles. One of them was shorter and covered in blueish scales with black stripes, while the other was taller, broader, and dark red. They both had tails, around ten centimeters longer than their legs but twice as wide and thrice as powerful. Those sturdy tails of lizardmen made martial masters of their species famously formidable adversaries.

Rall's eyes wandered through the rest of the hall. Most tables were empty, with chairs still turned over them for cleaning. A stone fireplace shone timidly on one end of the room, engaged in a losing battle against the cold of winter.

Behind the counter were a man and a young girl. The man was in his fifties, at least two meters tall, with short ginger hair and an unkempt beard. His cheeks were unnaturally redder than his otherwise tanned skin. Behind a black apron, decorated with the emblem of an anchor with its rope around it, was the inflated belly of an experienced drinker.

The girl beside him had a lot of the same characteristics. She was about twenty years old, also taller than average, with long ginger hair tied in a bun behind her head and freckles all around her face. Differently from her father, she was fit - from the sleeveless shirt she wore under the apron one could see defined shoulder muscles, as well as strong biceps and triceps. The two were washing glasses, mugs, and other dishes, while sometimes exchanging pleasantries with the customers.

When the former Admiral entered, followed by a young clocked light mage and a blonde boy, everyone in the hall turned their head at the ticking sound of a small bell. On most occasions, those eyes would have quickly turned back with disinterest. However, this time they lingered on the golden Fairylight floating behind the girl which illuminated the naturally lit hall in its precious gleam.

The man behind the counter immediately recognized Conrad and moved to greet him.

"By the Thunder! Admiral Delaux, is it truly you?"

"Good old Donny, it's a pleasure to be back," answered Conrad as they gave each other a friendly hug.

"Let me make you a nice meal, must have been tough traveling in this winter!"

"The offer is tempting, old friend, but I some business to take care of before. While I do, please show my honored guest and my beloved nephew a nice room to settle down," asked the Admiral pointing at Rall and Tui.

"Dora! Prepare our best rooms for the Admiral and his guests," said Donny.

"Yes, father," smiled the ginger girl. She quickly wiped her hands then moved to the light mage and the boy, "do you have luggage with you?"

Tui shook her head under the heavy cloak.

"Then come with me please," she said, turning around to the stairs at the left of the counter.

Rall and Tui followed her silently. Acting behind Conrad's shadow was their only option for now. They just hoped he would not betray them again.

When he made the first step up the stairs, Rall's sixth sense rang in alarm. Immediately, he turned around, his gaze landing on Donny. Instincts told him that the man had just averted his eyes, but then he discarded the idea. The last few weeks had made him paranoid. So, he turned back and followed Dora and Tui to the second floor.

The corridor floor squeaked under their weight, but the girl told them that the structure was reinforced with a tough metal frame and had never cracked. Soon they arrived at the door of a small but cozy room. Two single beds hugged one wall, a small desk and a couple of chairs occupied their left, while a small drawer sat on another. A small circular window facing the Northern Sea was the only light source in the room, Tui's Fairylight now adding another. Dora watched the golden orb, mesmerized, before turning to the two guests with an embarrassed look.

"If you need anything, I will down in the tavern."

The mermaid nodded, and the freckled girl left the room.

After a minute had passed, Rall looked around the corridor for unwanted ears, then closed the door. After which, he and Tui exchanged looks of concern.

"This is not good," started Rall.

"It sure isn't," agreed Tui.

"Do you have a plan? One that does not involve an expedition to the Deep North?" Asked the boy with a sliver of hope.

"I am sorry, but no. I know the King of all Skies. If they can't find me soon, he will wage war on the North. And if they find me..." she trembled at the thought, her mind wandering to her little sister's image "...no. It's better for Aroha if they think I am dead."

"Then what? We follow Conrad to the death?" Asked Rall in a loud whisper.

"Maybe we have more chances with him. Let's wait tomorrow and hear what he has to say. Don't worry, Big Sister will protect you!" Proclaimed Tui, putting her hands on her hips in a heroic pose.

"Eh?" Rall was surprised. Then he shook his head. "No, wait, those are my words. It's my fault you are here, so I will protect you!"

"It's not your fault," she said as she looked at her Fairylight, casually strolling through the air like it was whistling to feign ignorance. "The past is the past. We are in the same boat, so we need to support each other."

Her arm stretched forward towards Rall, who took her hand confidently.

"I promise. I will get strong enough to save your sister!" Declared the boy.

Tui's expression tensed again at the thought of her Aroha in the hands of the Avians. Then she smiled. "Right, but we have to survive first. Let's survive together!"

"Together!" Repeated Rall.

***

"Dora, take over the tavern for a while, there is someone I need to meet,"

said Donny to her daughter.

"Sure. Be back for lunch, or mom will get angry," said Dora jokingly.

The man made a show of rolling his eyes up, inducing a giggle from the girl. He took off his apron and exited the Wrecked Vessel.

With sure steps, he moved through the streets of Sturmwater exchanging greetings with the fishermen and the sailors he met along the way. The Sun was now up in the sky, a few rays escaping the dark shadow of black clouds. The wind was cold, sharper than the usual breeze, but those who lived on the coast of the Northern Sea were used to it.

Fifteen minutes later, Donny arrived in front of a humble temple. On its marble facade was the image of a faceless goddess whose brilliance illuminated the land. He was far from the main streets of the market or the port, alone in front of the small church. Still, he checked to see if unwanted eyes saw him. Satisfied, he sneakily passed through the main entrance.

His steps echoed in the empty room. It was eight meters wide, ten meters long, and six meters tall. Behind a simple altar were the statues of a light mage, his large Fairylight behind him, and a serpent coiling around him. The rest of the walls were undecorated, showing how little the Goddess of the Church of Light was venerated so far north in the Borian Empire.

Donny carefully hugged the right wall, surpassed the altar, then reached a door on the side of the wall. He opened it and sat in the tiny room, his large form almost unable to fit in it.

"I have information for you," he said, looking at an eye-sized hole in front of him. He waited in silence as tension rose in the cubicle.

Then, a yellow feline eye appeared through the peephole.

"Speak," screeched a hoarse female voice, startling Donny enough to make him jump.

"A-A blonde lad, around ten years of age, bright green eyes. He's in my tavern."

"Does he have a Fairylight?"

"I don't know. There is a light mage lass with him."

"Did they arrive alone?"

"He's with former Admiral Conrad Delaux. He says he's his nephew, but I know the man. He has not siblings nor children."

There was a minute-long pause, during which Donny felt his lifespan shorten by a few years.

"The Church of Light thanks you for your testimony."

Then, the eye disappeared.

Sweating profusely, Donny felt like the temperature was a lot lower than before. Careful to avoid any random passerby, he hurried out of the church and back to his tavern.