Waste from the factories empty into the canal then continue a winding journey to the harbour. As it absorbs the summer heat it expresses a suffocating stench over the docks. The mossy shade of water is dense and lifeless. But most brave the stink for the S.S. Fairwater; the vessel that ferries travellers between Lollardum and Alexanderia.

She falls inline behind the other travellers, following the signage to the jetty. The three-mast fishing schooner bobs before them. Sails furl in clumps along each mast. Webs of nets sprawl from gunnel to topmast. Each line curls like a fat cat along the planks.

“Hey Moira!” Chris’s cheery voice breaks the sombre air. He’s a head taller than the group between them and he waves when their eyes meet. He elbows Zack, “I knew she'd be here first thing,”

“Chris? Why are you here?”

“I’m taking him to Alexanderia.”

“After last night Zack thinks Lollardum may have too many dangerous people in it,” he winks. “So, I’m heading to Alexanderia for a vacation!”

“You’re getting on the ferry? No, I’m not going on there if he is.”

“Enough,” Eclipse interrupts, “this is not the time.”

“Fine, but you—” she points to Zack, “pick a side of the boat and stay on it!” She yanks Sara's hand and pulls her over the gangway: boarding the ferry behind the first group.

The ferry flees Lollardum’s pollution and crowds and sails towards a glimmering empty horizon. Moira gazes into the water, remembering how close she was to drowning the night before. There’s no question Zack is arrogant, but there’s more to the man than she expected.

His sword, a weapon forged with magic, is an item unheard of outside of myths. If he attacks again, she or her staff won’t survive. Last night’s encounter cracked the gem. Using her magic may shatter it or worse; unleash wild magic in the open.

“Are we ignoring the fight you were involved in last night? I smelled the magic on you, I warned you against pushing yourself—”

“The night got out of hand.” She passed out the moment her head hit the pillow but she still woke up exhausted. The well inside her, usually overflowing with her magic, runs dry. “Trust me, I never want a repeat of last night again.”

“Are my prayers finally answered? Have you decided to listen to me after all?”

“You can quit the sarcasm. What can you tell me about Zander’s Reaping Vengeance?”

“The mythical sword of the Old Ages?” his quizzical glance turns from her to Zack. “It is nothing more than a child’s tale.”

“I think I fought against it… and lost.” It isn’t a fable, and that worries her. “The Opal’s cracked.”

“Another issue to deal with,” he sighs, “on top of that, we are arriving in Alexanderia soon.”

She watches the happy waves splash across the bow with a heavy heart. Any other boat going anywhere else would make her heart sing. Instead, it hardens in preparation for her meeting with the king. As if sharing her grief Eclipse lays at her feet. She sits beside him, putting his head on her lap and brushes his fur.

“A copper for your thoughts?”

“How can you be calm at a time like this?”

“You know me, it’s all a cover,” she strokes his chin. “I’m terrified. You know as well as I do, what will happen the moment I pass through that gate. The Gods are forcing me into this direction, all I can do is follow their guidance.”

“I wonder if it is fate that every adventure ends the same way.”

“In death?”

“At the beginning.” He doesn’t speak for a while, then stands abruptly from her lap. “I have arrived at a decision.” He announces storming towards the others. “Moira. Captain.” She isn’t sure if it was Eclipse’s commanding presence or Zack’s military training, but either way, he stands when the panther addresses him. “I have come to a decision and my law is final.”

“Eclipse, what’s going on?”

“I have decided you two will become comrades in arms.”

“Um no, I want nothing to do with him.”

“That’s a terrible idea,” Zack agrees.

“I love it!” Chris exclaims. “No one could write a better pair!”

“Shut up,”

“All of you shut up!” Eclipse roars. “We are about to enter the Capital of our nation. I refuse to allow you two to fight like— “

“Cats and dogs?” Chris smirks.

“The point is, you two are an embarrassment. As much as I am amused by your squabbles, it cannot continue any longer. You are putting not only yourselves at risk but everyone else’s lives as well.”

“Eclipse, I don’t think—”

“Precisely Moira, you never think. You are a Mage for God’s sake. If you lose control, you can hurt hundreds of people. And you—you are a member of the Knights of Alexanderia and Captain of the King’s Guard. Show some restraint. Moira is not an army. Revisit how to be diplomatic.” No one speaks, both refuses to look Eclipse in the eye. “Very well, consider this: Moira, hand to hand combat leaves you at a disadvantage. And Zack, I guarantee, you want a Mage on your side. You two will work together whether you like it or not. But if you refuse to be allies at least promise not to kill each other.”

“Fine.” She knows there isn’t a way out of it but she can’t help but wonder if this is only about avoiding another duel. To her surprise, Zack agrees, if not reluctantly.

“If we’re all friends now I think it’s time to meet Charcoal,” Sara squeals, pulling the Eye from her pocket.

“No, Sara, I don’t think—” bright light ignites over the deck, “dammit.”

It bolts from the marble soaring across the sky, circling the bow before returning to Sara. As it fades, Charcoal materialises, first the tips of his wings, the long tail and then his pudgy snout. His black scales shine in the sun as he lands with a clumsy crash at Sara’s feet. Zack instinctively reaches for his hilt but she grabs his hand.

“Don’t, Sara will kill you.”

“Oh, my strong little man! Are you okay?”

“Is that a dragon?” Chris asks.

“His name is Charcoal,” Sara announces.

“And he’s yours?”

“Yup! He was my birthday present.”

“You gave her a dragon?” Zack shouts at Moira.

“I don’t do dragons, don’t believe me? Look,” when she motions to pet Charcoal, who, as if on cue, snaps at her hand. “See the little beast hates me.”

“He was from my Daddy. It's tradition.”

“Sara’s family has trained and bred dragons for centuries.” Eclipse adds. Despite Moira’s protest Chris crouches, offering the dragon his hand. To her horror the beast licks his fingers.

“Oh! He’s such a cute little fella!” He chuckles as he scratches the scales under his chin.

“I don’t believe this…”

“Let me get this right,” Zack pulls her aside, “the kid has a pet dragon she keeps in a marble. You’re the bossiest woman I ever met who has immeasurable magical abilities. And the talking animal here is your Guardian who keeps you in line and offers advice.”

“Yea… that pretty much sums it up.”

Zack, true to his word keeps himself on one half of the deck, but never out of sight. She ignores him, turning her attention to the tall gleaming masts poking from the horizon. Several vibrant Alexanderian Galleons bob from their anchor lines. The varnish and rich reds decorating the square trunk stern offers an opulence she hasn’t seen in a while.

Passing them, the ferry approaches Alexanderia’s harbour. The schooner navigates the welcoming waves as gulls come to greet them. Neat stone buildings line the busy dock, extending over steep hills along gravel roads.

Her gaze drifts to the ivory manor cresting the top of the hill. Tall overgrown willow trees overshadow the forgotten home. Her back molars slide against each other as her jaw tightens. She fights the memory swimming to the surface, grinding her teeth until it passes. Not now, she tells herself.

She turns to the lofty peaks piercing the skyline. The mountain range is one of the highest in the world, extending for miles until it reaches the Great Desert on the other side of the continent. Alexanderia, not the township before her, but the main kingdom is nestled in the middle of those peaks.

“It is as if nothing has changed,” Eclipse mumbles. She lingers on the abandoned manor, noting the shuttered windows, and decaying veranda.

“Are you surprised?”

The S.S Fairwater slips into the dock with the exuberant hustle and bustle of a trained army of sailors. Each shouting orders, climbing ropes and shuffling over the crowded deck as if a timed routine. With Sara in hand, she follows Zack off the boat. Passengers shove past them, greeting old acquaintances, or heading off on errands.

“So, this is it huh?” Chris shoves his hands in his pockets, inspecting the glittering flecks in the gravel. “I heard Alexanderia was made from gems, but I didn’t expect it in the dirt.”

“It’s just crushed by-product they shoveled from the mines. Not all that glitters is gold.”

“Oh, don’t I know it.” He smirks, causing her to chuckle. “Ho there,” he calls to Zack who waves a carriage to their position.

“What’s that?”

“A carriage,” Zack remarks patting the horse’s snout.

“I know it’s a carriage, but why not horses, they’re faster. I’ve wasted enough time.”

“Because Chris has never ridden—”

“I object,”

“A horse, Chris.”

“Right, carry on,”

“Before this goes any further, I need answers. I am not about to take you to the king, putting my reputation on the line, without knowing what I am about to get myself into. This way we all stay together and you can explain this business of yours.”

“Or you just want an excuse to lock me in a cramped box until your guards arrest me.”

“Look I promised to be nice, this is me being cordial.”

“Go ahead Moira,” Eclipse smirks, “he has a right to suspicion, it is a fair compromise. For all he knows we could be lying and he could be killed if he brought an assailant into the palace.” Zack didn’t see the humour in the panther’s joke.

“Alright, but just so you know Eclipse gets testy on long carriage rides.” She helps Sara inside while Chris holds open the door.

“I never get ‘testy,’” the panther mutters.

The carriage rocks side to side as it climbs the narrow inclines of the town. Immaculate stone homes with slate roofs past by. Sara waves at every face she sees and points out anything of interest. A well reminds her of her village. She spies miniature ponies specially bred for the mines. Even vibrant flowerbeds deserve a joyful outburst. As the town fades behind the hill the fishy smell of the harbour became a memory. She stares at the vibrant trees as they travel over the narrow rocky road, trying to ignore the knot twisting in her stomach.

“So, what’s this important business?” Chris smirks before popping a fig in his mouth. Their eagerness makes the cramp accommodations worse and her palms sweat. Her news may change the course of Zack’s life. But there isn’t any point in holding back now.

“I overheard the queen of Bellavere planning an attack with her general. The only one who will be able to stop them is Alexanderia, thus, I need to inform the king. Now you know.”

“Do you know how many warnings like these come across my desk? Most are false alarms, trust me; I investigated enough of them.”

“I’m not some conspiracy crackpot, I wouldn’t risk Sara’s life through Lunar Forest for something circumstantial.”

“Even if Bellavere’s general wasn’t missing, I doubt you overheard General Diamond discuss plans for an unjustified war. Whoever you thought you heard was not the general of Bellavere.”

“You know of Diamond’s disappearance?” Eclipse interjects.

“Did you assume a long-term friend of Lex Stone can vanish without us knowing?”

“I suppose not,” Eclipse agrees, “I am not sure if it is official, but Margaret replaced Diamond.”

“If this is true, then what’s the mystery general’s name?”

“Remo Kipling.”

The words hang in the air as Zack clenches his jaw. His nostrils flare as he sits back into his seat. Her heart races under his vigilant glare. It’s a name that strikes fear in the heart of Alexanderians. A monster who destroyed their sense of security, their livelihood, their families. But he isn’t afraid, which draws her in.

“Kipling?” Chris taps his chin, “isn’t that the name of the guy who killed your parents?”

“This isn’t the time for that.”

“Your parents are dead too?” Sara interjects. A sigh escapes his lips as he uncrosses his arms.

“My parents were among those killed during the Treason of Alexanderia. Kipling was one of the ringleaders during the revolt.” It was all he had to say, history told the rest. The decorated general turned on the king. Kipling, the second in command, rallied the dissatisfied country men, soldiers and miners to raze the kingdom to the ground. “Your parents have passed away as well?”

“They died when our village was set on fire.”

“Sara’s from Dragon Haven,”

“Impossible, I searched the debris myself, there were no survivors.”

“No, Moira took me away before the army came,”

“You were there?”

“It was a coincidence,” she explains, “we missed the massacre but just barely. Then we followed the army back to Bellavere and that’s how we overheard Margaret’s plans.”

“I hope you understand how serious this is. He’s escaped capture multiple times; our last reports place him on another continent. Are you sure it was the same man?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know he’s appointed general? Heard it in some bar?”

“No Nicole told us,” Sara answered.

“Nicole?”

“Yea the pretty princess, I like her.”

“Why would the Princess tell you anything?”

“Because they’re friends,”

“Are you serious?”

“Like she said, we’re friends.”

“How does a travelling Mage become friends with the heir to the throne of Bellavere?”

“First of all, don’t say ‘travelling Mage’ as if I’m some sort of country bumpkin with a stick. I was top in my classes at the Academy. And secondly, Bellavere’s court is active with the Kingdom of Ancients and the Council. Our paths crossed when we were younger, we discovered we had common interests and we’ve been friends ever since.”

“Is your information reliable?”

“I’m sworn to protect the Innocent. I know what Margaret is capable of, and what lengths Kipling will go for revenge. I don’t want what happened here, to Sara or to you, to happen again.”

“What makes you think the king will believe you?”

“I’m the only one he will believe.”

Sara’s squeal of excitement draws their attention to the window. They crest the steep hill, leaving the town behind. But ahead of them is what catches Sara’s attention. For the first time since she left her home, she spies mountains. Chris jams his face against the glass, and whistles at the miles of peaks. They stretch to the horizon; some round while others have a wild appearance. In the distance to the west are the mines. Miles of iron rails bisects the peaks and weave through the manicured paths.

A vast kingdom grows from the center of a valley. Roads crossing each other at right angles, neighbourhoods with lush gardens, bustling markets and all the life that comes with it. She glances at Zack whose eyes watch the Ruby Gate. Constructed of stone it stretches from mountain to mountain; the only other entrance into the kingdom.

It’s a story of legend and an architectural marvel. Cresting the top of the structure is the mythic crimson ruby, the largest in the world. Pulled from the mountains, it was so named Zander’s Heart, after the kingdom’s namesake god. Ever since Alexanderia rose from the rocks, it has stood for justice and peace. She only hopes it will stay that way.