Inside, crystalline pillars rose to meet the vaulted ceiling, their facets catching and refracting the soft sunlight so that delicate rainbows danced across the polished floor. The entire Order of the Thornbound formed a silent perimeter around the chamber. At the center of it all, kneeling on a fine woven rug, was the merchant in question. He looked haggard – an older man with a bushy mustache and a sparse crown of hair, sweat beading on his brow under the scrutiny of so many elven knights.

On the raised platform at the far end of the hall stood the crystal throne, its intricate edges shining in an otherworldly gleam that symbolized the lineage of House Ilythien. There sat Erenion, looking simultaneously regal and bored. He wore flowing silk pants and a high-collared tunic of blue and white, fastening snugly around his neck with shimmering buttons. The two siblings shared similar features, but Eren was handsomely beautiful while Elle was this cute, petite slip of a flower. One hand cradled his cheek while his green eyes observed the merchant before him. Eren stopped the human’s anxious rambling about the honor of standing in such a grand elven court. He rose from the throne elegantly, descending the steps to speak.

“We will repair your ship,” said Eren, his voice regal, poised, and resonant, “and you must leave tonight.”

The merchant lifted his gaze, eyes wide, face flushed from exertion and nerves. Now that she was close enough, Elle could see how his mouth quivered as he spoke. “Your Radiance, please…have mercy. Though fate has brought us here by a terrible storm, might there be an opportunity, an honor, to establish a trade route with your beautiful kingdom?” He bowed so low that his mustache grazed the rug beneath him.

Elle’s heart fluttered. She edged forward, catching a faint hint of salt on his clothes, no doubt from the ocean voyage gone awry. The Thornbound knights stiffened at her approach but did not stop her. As she came abreast of her brother, she nodded slightly in greeting. Eren’s gaze flicked to her, a faint, knowing exasperation in his eyes, yet his affection was just as clear.

The merchant appeared torn between continuing to plead his case for a moment or shrinking under the scrutiny of a princess he’d never expected to encounter. He cast one pleading glance at Elle, then returned his attention to the king.

Aer lingered behind Elle, posture alert, her curious gaze wandering over the human. A part of Aer found the man’s presence intriguing; another part remained cautious of all the tales she’d heard.

Elle wet her lips, choosing her words carefully. She had no intention of defying Eren in front of the entire court, yet she couldn’t simply ignore the palpable fear and awe emanating from the stranded man. “Brother,” she began softly, “his ship was caught in a storm, and he has come so far from his homeland. Might we…at least hear more of his story? Perhaps it would help us decide what to do next.”

Eren regarded her quietly for a heartbeat. She recognized the subtle tension in his eyes. Eren was torn between swift, decisive action and the empathy beneath his regal exterior. Finally, he inclined his head, allowing her to speak without breaking his composure.

Elle turned to the merchant, voice gentle. “What is your name, traveler?”

The merchant scrambled upright, his words tumbling out. “I am Elias Marwick, Your Highness. A humble merchant of the Eastern Continent.” His gaze darted from the knights to the king, then back to Elle. “I meant no harm by arriving unbidden. My crew and I only wish to fix our vessel so we can return home…though,” he added hopefully, “if Your Radiance would allow us to trade our wares, it could be mutually beneficial.”

A hush settled over the room again, the faint glow from the crystal pillars dancing across armor, silk, and the merchant’s rumpled clothing. In the corner of her eye, Elle saw Aer’s skepticism surface. Still, the ranger did not speak out of turn; she only observed.

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Eren inhaled slowly.

A single, stray thought rang in Elle’s mind: If a human can breach these shores, even by chance, then perhaps the wider world is not so far away. Elle felt that spark of hope within her glow a little brighter.

“No,” Eren announced. “There will be no trade needed. You will leave tonight.”

“But, but, Your Radiance—” the merchant stammered, voice cracking as he tried to plead his case.

Eren’s gaze slid to Commander Thalion Brightblaed of the Thornbound. He was a tall, strapping elf with short, light brown hair and striking grey eyes, stepping forward. He wore light plate armor forged from mithril, each piece engraved with subtle elven patterns.

“Brightblaed,” Eren said, “escort the merchant and his people back to their ship and help prepare them for departure.”

Though Brightblaed didn’t smile, his demeanor was respectful as he spoke to the human. “Sir Marwick, my men and I will see you have all you need for safe passage. We will keep you company until you depart.” He turned briskly to another figure among the knights. “Captain Wyndwisper,” he ordered sternly, “take your unit and patrol the docks.”

“Yes, Commander,” came the prompt reply.

Kalithra Wyndwisper was a tall elf with broad shoulders, blazing yellow eyes, and fiery red hair. The woman stepped forward. She bowed to Eren, crossing a fist over her heart. “Your Radiance,” she said in a rich, clear voice. Then she turned, offering Elle a more personal smile before bending at the waist with a perfectly precise bow. “Your Highness.”

When Captain Wyndwisper straightened, a crimson banner bearing the sigil of an expanding sun fluttered like a cape at her back. Armored boots carried her gracefully across the polished floor, and she donned her silver helm as she led her unit from the throne room. Her armor clinked lightly, but her stride was unbroken.

Commander Brightblaed followed suit, swiftly giving out more orders for the knights to divide into patrols across the palace grounds and the port beyond. One by one, the elven knights of the Thornbound Order bowed and filed out, leading the anxious Sir Marwick away. The human’s pleading words faded down the grand corridors until the heavy doors swung shut, leaving only Elle, Aer, and Eren in the now quiet hall.

A tense hush settled over the throne room. Silent guards, stoic and statuesque in their ceremonial regalia, flanked the doors. For a moment, no one spoke. Eren stood near the throne, one hand resting lightly on the carved arm of the crystalline seat. His expression remained poised, though a trace of weariness lined his brow.

Finally, Elle exhaled, her pulse still hammering. She took a hesitant step forward, searching her brother’s face. She began softly, “Brother, I realize we do not wish to open Elytheris to any…unwelcome changes. But…do you think perhaps the humans only want fair trade? Or even a chance to learn from us?”

“Enough,” Eren said gently, though his tone carried the weight of authority. He met Elle’s gaze, then Aer’s, and shook his head, remaining calm. “I must maintain order and preserve our realm. The humans will depart soon enough.”

Elle pursed her lips. She glanced at Aer, who met her look and gave a slight, regretful shrug.

“Of course, Your Radiance,” Elle said, bowing her head to him. “Thank you for hearing him out, if only for a moment.”

Eren inclined his head briefly. He said nothing further on the matter. Instead, he gestured toward the door, letting her know she was free to go.

Elle offered a final respectful curtsy, then turned on her heel, Aer following dutifully. Their footsteps echoed across the cavernous hall as they left. Aer exhaled with a slight huff as soon as they were in the corridor beyond. She ran a hand over her braided silver hair, searching Elle’s face.

“That was…tense,” Aer murmured, her voice still low, mindful that elven ears were everywhere.

Elle nodded. “Even if I expected as much from him, I still hoped he’d be more…open.” She sighed, glancing at a tall window overlooking the palace gardens. In the distance, she could make out the pinnacles of the city, beyond which waited the docks.

“The humans will be gone by nightfall,” Aer said quietly. “They will never return.”

Elle’s gaze flicked downward, and an ache of disappointment gnawed at her. She raised her chin. “Well, at least we know it’s possible. If a storm can bring them here, perhaps fate could carry us elsewhere, too.”

Aer’s lips curved into a slight, wry grin. “Still dreaming of the open seas, Your Highness?”

Elle laughed softly, just enough to echo in the corridor. “Always,” she confessed.