Noone had slept for over 13 hours as they moved through the waters. The captain assured them of how close they would be to safer land and waters every few hours. He just finished talking with Grimm, and said that their destination was close, and that they would only have to wait another 2 hours. For soon land would be coming over the horizon.

For the time, everyone was to remain alert. Ezra and Nicholai stood to the left side of the vessel, watching over the side of the water for any potential return of the sea beast. Grimm and Garnet did the same on the right side. Katreena stood above and watched from the highest vantage point. Anabelle. She laid on the center of the deck.

Garnet instructed the mare take the potion she made every few hours. For they would need a better place and way to alleviate her of the pain she was enduring. Which worried Ezra more than the others.

All of the beds were too wet from the crash for them to even think of taking turns sleeping. So they each agreed to stay up for as long as needed until reaching land. Though Nicholai was already showing signs of drowsiness. He struggled to keep his eyes open so the sorcerer kept pacing back and forth in his area after he felt himself becoming sleepy.

The captain was worse. Though his many years of traveling helped him in times like these. Yet, it would all start to get better as he began to see the Dolsrin lighthouse coming over the horizon.

"Have we made it?" Grimm asked, appearing behind the captain.

"Seems so."

"Good I can finally get some sleep. Alright everyone huddle up." Grimm called the group. He then turned to Ezra. Waiting the young mans plan of course.

“So first we need to find some way to fix Anabelle up. Grimm? Any possible ideas?” Ezra asked.

“The best possible choice would be Alfheim Island. Nicholai already has to go there. So two birds.” Grimm answered. Assuring the first possible idea. Ezra nodded in confirmation of the idea. The next objective was Katreena.

“Katreena. I'm sure you spent this time thinking about what you plan to do? What’s it gonna be?” The dracion asked the tall girl.

She took a moment to look at the group she traveled with the past weeks. Wondered how much she could contribute to their adventures, or if there really was adventure she wanted to go on. The biggest thing on her mind was wanting a better way to thank Ezra and Nicholai. The two who saved her life.

“I-” Katreena began.

“Guys! We’ve got trouble!” The captain shouted to the crew. Everyone prepared for a fight. Rushing to the captain and looking forward to witness what the danger was. They were all expecting the sea beast to return by now, but instead something else was blocking their path. A fleet of warships. Each of them lined up outside the shore of the port town they were meant to dock at.

“What the hell is going on?” Ezra pondered as he gazed att the large ships.

‘Stop the ship captain.” Grimm ordered the man. The ship slowed to a halt. Grimm more than any other on the ship knew that there had to be a reason for such a blockade. Trying to get through would be nearly suicide. However Ezra was already thinking of a way around the fleet of ships.

“Hey. Isn’t there a way around? These guys clearly aren’t going to let any ships into the kingdom. But maybe there is somewhere else we can go?” Ezra proposed to Grimm. ‘In fact. Do we have a map of the Serx Empire. I think that’ll help.”

“We should.” Grimm pondered. He went down into the cargo hold and library. He rummaged through the water containers and books. Eventually he reemerged with a rolled up sheet of paper in his hand. “Got one. Luckily it’s not damaged.”

Everyone gathered to look at the map of the empire. Ezra was the first to point to their first possible chance of getting around the fleet.

“There’s Alfheim Island. Off to the coast of the kingdom above Dolsrin. It’s called Pensora. If we ride the boat off to the side of the continent we should be able to get there.” Ezra suggested. He looked up to Grimm for any confirmation, only to be met with the man shaking his head.

“That won’t be possible. See here. We’d have to pass through the waters of Muspelheim Island as well. And their waters are close to lava. This boat isn’t equipped to handle those waters like others are. You see. There are 9 islands that orbit the Serx Empire. Each of them are special in some way to the regular land. Which is why we build special boats to travel to each island.” Ezra cursed at Grimm's explanation.

Their only option was to move forward. But Ezra knew the same as Grimm that they couldn’t force their way in. Even if they got past the ground forces would be after them. He cursed again. The long days of training and now staying awake for too long has him more than eager to be anywhere that isn’t this boat. He checked out the fleet again. To his surprise, a group of knights had boarded a smaller boat and began rowing over to them. It seems their presence was acknowledged by the men.

“Hmm….everyone. Stay on your guard.” Ezra commanded the team. The small boat came closer and closer. Ezra counted 6 men in the boat. 5 had hoods on while the last showed his face to the dracion. Their armor was of different color than the knights he battled in the Freelands. These men wore bright leather armor from chest to toe. Ezra noticed the material it was made from, and saw that most blades would not find their way through these sets of armor.

The unhooded man stepped forward to speak with Ezra. “Ahoy there. I’m Royal Commander Mones. What brings you all to the shining kingdom of Dolsrin?”

“We’ve come for the fun and entertainment. Is what I would be saying, but we have an injured among board and need to land to get them to the right place for healing. Hate to break it to you but traditional methods won’t work for my friend.” Ezra spoke confidently and truthfully. Mones assessed the young man's words.

“Well then I’m the bearer of bad news. We can’t anyone enter nor leave the kingdom. You see there seems to be a pandemic going around.” The knight responded. Shock crossed the dracions face as it did the others who were just listening. “I’m sorry. That’s the Royal General’s orders.”

“A pandemic!?” Ezra wooringly asked.

“Yep. We call it the Blood Breath. Those who get it start to cough red smoke and bleed from their mouths. It….it hasn’t been pretty. Which is why we can’t let anyone in.” Mones sadly said towards the dracion.

“Give me a moment.” Ezra said backing away from the knights to consult with the team. “Okay so now we know why. Thing is we still need to get there. Anyone have any ideas?”

Noone was able to respond at first, silence just filled the air as each of them came up blank to aid the situation.

“Wait. Did he say he was the Royal Commander?” Garnet asked.

“He did. That means one rank below the Royal General.” Grimm approved. “Mones could be our way in. We just have to convince him.”

“Convince him of what?” Nicholai questioned. Grimm turned to Anabelle, and got an idea.

“Convince the Royal General that we can help with this pandemic. If we can learn more about it.” Grimm presented a possible chance for them. All Ezra had to do was figure out what to do with it. And he knew what to do. The dracion returned to the knights.

“Hey. Would you mind coming aboard?” Ezra asked Mones.

“Of course.” Mones quickly responded. He and his men took the side ladder on the ship and climbed to the deck. They saw the rest of the crew, as well as the injured Anabelle spread out on the deck. “That’s the injured person. A horse?”

“That’s right. And we’re nowhere close to putting her down.” Grimm came in before the men could get off any troubling comment.

“Can you tell us a bit more about this pandemic? How it started, where it originated from?” Ezra pondered to the commander.

“Well….it began about 6 months ago. Apparently a small village had undergone the infection overnight. Even though everyone in the town was completely healthy the day before. However, other than that info. I’ve got nothing. The Royal General might know more, but he’s keeping us in the dark.” Mones explained sorrowfully.

“I’m going to make this simple. My friend here is in a condition I rather she not be in. Meaning I will do anything to make her better. Which is why I’m asking that you let me help in this pandemic.” Ezra requested.

“Are you insane kid? Our best doctors, alchemists, and brewers can’t so much as even figure out a cure. What makes you any different?” Mones chastised.

“Well. They’re trying to cure something they don’t even know about. Have you done any investigating on where this disease came from? Actually don’t answer that. I know you haven’t or else the Royal Commander wouldn’t be standing on a ship watching the water.” Garnet chastised the knights back.

“Why you! Who the hell do you think you are?” Mones angrily yelled to the witch. “And why the hell would we even let you through. You’d catch the Blood Breath same as everyone else.”

“Not me.” Ezra said. Making the commander confused. “I can’t catch diseases, I’m a dracion.”

Ezra’s words shocked all the knights simultaneously. Yet, they quickly subsided and gazed at the larger young man with intrigue. If his words were right. Then they may have had an answer to their problems. As well as someone else's. Mones stood back straight, letting the excitement fade away from him. He had a mission, and he would complete it.

“Is that so?” He asked Ezra. Who nodded in reply. “Well that’s grand. I heard stories of dracions but never thought I’d meet one in person. I must say you really fit the image. In other words. You have a deal. We’ll take you to meet the Royal General.”