Ezra and Nicholai were packed with some supplies in their own tote bags ready to board the miniature boat with the knights. The group decided that someone else should go along with the dracion, despite his strength. Ezra chose Nicholai as backup. For he saw it was more capable to protect him in the case of any infection, and for the fact Nicholai bragged on how he has never caught a cold, and weird healing.

The two began descending the ladder onto the boat. Before Ezra could go, Grimm and Garnet we’re before him.

“This might take a while. Getting used to the land may require some back and forth, but I’ll do my best. Anything else you wanted to say before I left?” Ezra asked the two adults.

“Yeah. I’m going to need a blood sample. A good blood sample. Don’t just go up to the first sick person and bring me back some spit in a rag.” Garnet ordered.

“Okay...I’ll do my best. Grimm?” Ezra responded.

“Yeah. Good job on handling that situation.” Grimm praised.

“Thanks. I know nobody wants to spend another moment on this boat. Keep Anabelle warm for me.”

“You got it. The medicine should keep her well until you situate things. You keep Nicholai safe.” Grimm assured the young swordsman. Ezra nodded to him, then began to descend the ladder onto the small vessel.

They both watched as they drifted further and further and too the shore. During the small boat ride the knights were eagerly filled with questions to ask Ezra. If they could carry his sword, which none of them were capable of. What type of magis he knew, or even asking how to keep his hair so well toned. That one he kept a secret.

There was no port town like the Freelands, instead a simple station for any incoming vessels. As well as numerous carriages for transporting any cargo stowed away. Ezra saw the mares as strong and well fed. He cared not for them, only thinking of Anabelle and how much more beautiful her red skin and fur. She was a much more majestic being in his eyes.

“So how long until we get to the general?” Nicholai asked. Ezra broke from his trance of the horses and began to listen. Mones pulled a piece of paper out from underneath the seat. It was folded in half twice, once unfolded it revealed a map of the kingdom.

“We lie on the southern coast of not just the kingdom but the whole continent.” Ezra and Nicholai were amazed by the information. Mones then point upward towards a marker on the map. “Here is Dreamlight. From here we have about a few hours. By carriage.”

“Well then let’s wait it out. Nothing like sitting down while someone take me somewhere. I’m just glad to be off the damn boat.” Ezra smiled as he laid his head back on the warm seat. He could feel himself starting to fall asleep, but rose quickly. For someone had called his name. “Nicholai?”

“Huh? What’s up?” The sorcerer replied.

“You called me?”

“I didn’t.” Nicholai said worryingly to Ezra. “You might still be on edge. Just relax for now.”

Ezra heeded his friend's words. Both of them rested their heads on the windows, and the ride became silent again. Though the swordsman was sure of someone speaking to him. Anabelle couldn’t be projecting her voice all the way out here he was for sure. The knight before them had already run out of questions. All this thought was only able to keep him awake for so long. Eventually, he did doze off for an hour. Nicholai did the same.

The two young men were then jolted awake by the sounds of people all around them crying out. There were tons of screaming voices. People were banging on the carriage in fury. Ezra looked through the window to see the riot outside his reach. The people looked like simple commoners, screaming to the knights within and outside the carriage.

Nicholai looked out the front window of the carriage and saw more people piled together before a great wall. Standing atop were more knights, each armed with crossbows and already aimed at the people who yelled at them endlessly.

A large pair of golden doors opened leading the carriage in. The people attempted to flood inside by finding it impossible, as mages above blocked them off with a barrier. Only the carriage was allowed through.

“The hell is with all these people?” Ezra asked Mones.

“If I had to guess. They are trying to escape the infection outside.” Nicholai answered before Mones could. Yet the knight still had more to say.

“That’s true. Dreamlight is just one of the safe havens in the kingdom right now. However as you can see.” Mones began, then he pointed out the window. The young men looked through, to find an unspeakable horror. Just within the first street of the city, there were more than 30 piles of bodies higher than the homes in the area. “We already have our hands full, and those are just the ones who have died.”

They continued to pass through the city. Finding corpses and living people lined up for food, and sleeping in both the streets and homes. Parts of the city were lit up as Grimm described them. However no one was acting as they expected. More men who had knight attire were roaming the streets, yet they had masks on. The mask was crafted from gold and shaped to cover their mouths and nose. Nicholai gazed through the front window again and found themselves getting closer to a large palace.

They were surrounded by knights to await the carriage arrival. Mones popped his head out the window and confirmed for them to let them through. He guided the two off of the carriage. Where they had been immediately presented with masks.

“I’ll be fine. Get him one.” Ezra told the knight as he handed a mask over to Nicholai. Now, they had been allowed into the palace.

The inside of the palace looked nearly as Grimm told them the city would look. The first floor was covered by a golden floor where the two could see their reflections perfectly. At each corner lay table for either card or dice games. Though no workers were there. Especially as they knelt down and touched the golden floor, being amazed by every inch of the palace they came across.

The knights watched as the two admired every set piece, waiting for the younger men to get back on track. Yet, their general appeared from the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Like the place don’t you?” The two stopped their ogling and turned to the man. He stood as tall as Ezra, and dressed much lighter. An all black tuxedo with golden lining, and the man stood with a cane.

“Hey. You must be the general. Awesome get up.” Ezra complimented.

“Thanks, Helps me when I need to move in a fight. Name’s Juro. You must be the dracion i’ve heard so much about.” He asked.

“That’s right. I decided to come and help with the current situation. Me and my friends want to dock but due to this pandemic we’ve unallowed entry. So I thought to just solve this crisis.” Ezra explained for the man.

“Quite the air of confidence this one has. Very well. The magistrate will be excited to hear about this. In fact. I should send a swiftraven to him. I’ll do so after you’ve met the king.” Juro said.

“Meet the king?” Nicholai pondered.

“Why yes. The king would be very delighted to see a dracion before…..before he dies.” Juro's words became more sorrowful as he spoke. The two became surprised at the information.

“The king is dying?” Ezra exclaimed.

“Yes. Yet it isn’t from the infection. Come. I’ll show you.” Juro led the two up to the highest floor of the palace. Where all the bedrooms lay. From here no one would be able to hear the business of the lower floors commotion from the gambling and games. They were brought before another large golden door. Inside. Lay a messy room of empty glass bottles and tissues covered in blood. Juro brought the two up to the bedridden king.

“Who….are you?” He spoke through pained breaths.

“Gentlemen I present you, King Gartham IV.” Juro introduced. Ezra leaned over to the king.

“My name is Ezra. I’m a dracion who has come to save this kingdom from this pandemic. This is my friend Nicholai.” Ezra introduced the both of them.

“A...dracion. Why. I haven’t seen one for many years now.” Gartham spoke through more pained breaths.

“My lord. I thought you’ve never seen a dracion.” Juro confusingly responded.

“There are a lot of things I haven’t told you. Guess now may be the best time to get them out before I end up like my son.” Gartham said more easily.

“Your son died?” Nicholai questioned.

“Yes. Shortly after the outbreak. We’ve been dealing with this pandemic for nearly 4 months now. My young Miros was part of the first batch. Now I fear I may die before I can save my kingdom.” Gartham sadly said aloud.

“Well that’s why I’m here. If I can find out how all this started, and how to cure it. Then maybe things can go back to normal. How does that sound, your lordship?” Ezra said confidently to the king. Who had no expression but awe in the young man. Which then turned to a smile,

“Very well. I’ve seen my share of boys who think they can do anything. You can test your mettle here. Let’s see what you can do.” The king laughed. “By the way. That blade of your is insane. Slay your fair of monsters with that thing?”

“Of course I have. Let me tell you about this lightning beast I fought while Nicholai here took out the necromancer controlling it!” Ezra ecstatically spoke with the king. Nicholai followed along with them.

“You two sound like an unstoppable duo. What I'd give to be in my youth, fighting beasts, drinking the best ale, and keeping the best looking girl in the crowd by my side!” Gartham boasted.

“Hey seems like you still do one of those.” Ezra said looking back to the empty bottles. “And I wish I had the chance to face you.”

“Oh. My swordsmanship has been pasted down from one child to the next. See that blade over yonder.” Gotham pointed to a beast of a weapon. The blade was large with it’s center cut out. Its hilt was crafted from enchanted gold and inscribed with text. The left side of the blade colored bright yellow with half a sun carved in. The right side was pitch black with half a moon and miniature stars. Ezra was in awe at the weapon. “I slayed more monsters than I’ve had women in this bed. It was meant for my son.”

“Now this is a weapon. Nicholai you seeing this?” Ezra asked his friend.

“Yeah. Rivals your’s in terms of looks.” Nicholai teased.

“Hey!”

“Juro get these two a room. It’s getting late. Let’s rest for the night. Oi! You two. Come see me first thing after you get the briefing from Juro. He’ll fill you in on everything.” The king ordered.

Juro quickly worked. Ezra and Nicholai were staying in a room on the same floor as the king. They had a view of the kingdom under the moonlight.

“First day in the Serx Empire and we’re already neck deep in some job.” Nicholai said to Ezra, who was looking out the window. Yet he didn’t gaze at the bright moon, but back towards the shoreline.

“Yeah. It was quite the day.” Ezra said getting into bed.

“The king said he met another dracion. I’m sure he fought them.” Nicholai said.

“That’s possible.”

“You know. I really can’t believe we’re here. It may be a bit gloomy. But at least it isn’t Fayspell. I wonder what else we’ll see. I really can’t wait to meet the other dracions in your home village.” Nicholai exclaimed happily.

“Yeah…..I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.” Ezra said, though a little worrisome. It was the last thing he said that night. As both of them quickly dozed off to sleep in the place meant to be the bright city of happiness.

While the dracion and the sorcerer slept they found themselves unaware of the man right outside their door. The one who had one hand covered in the flames of remembrance. He placed the hand on the door, and burnt the door in one spot. Then started to move away. Leaving the palace entirely, then gazed up to the moon himself.

“The flame will reach you soon. Young dracion.” He spoke aloud, though the only one that could hear was the swiftraven leaving the palace with word to the magistrate.