Lewis and Kate, once again, wandered back onto to the streets and gave everyone the unfortunate news. Rejected again by a restaurant. How many was that now, seven?

Lewis didn’t blame them, what places would be able to serve a group almost thirty strong without prior notice.

“What now?” Lewis asked, “Should we just keep going? Maybe we can get turned away by every place in Palgia. That’s got to be a record”.

“Such optimistic thinking” Kate replied. “But no. Give me a second and I’ll think of something”.

Lewis nodded and they headed back over to the rest of their group. They’d left Euna and Hafbor to entertain the children. A small smile broke across his face as Lewis watched Euna juggle kids with the air and Hafbor gave them turns riding on his shoulders. He’d asked the older teens such as Will and April if they wanted a go but they’d politely refused with bright faces, but Ava almost looked tempted.

“Alright I’ve got it” Kate exclaimed, attracting everyone’s attention. “Euna and Hafbor with me. Lewis take everyone to the coast, you’ll know the spot” she called out.

Lewis nodded and then turned to the rest of them, “Everyone follow me”.

Lewis led them away towards the coast while Kate guided the others elsewhere. Trusting the older kids to keep everyone together, they travelled through streets towards the beach he’d been to years ago. He made it to the edge of the city where they found descending steps onto the beach.

Despite currently being hightide there was still plenty of beach still available. The coast mostly consisted of large rocks that progressively grew smaller as you travelled towards the sea until it eventually became a field of shining silver sand and a glowing sapphire sea.

“If you’ve got any coats or jackets I’d used them to your seat more comfortable” Lewis stated, as he lead them down the beach.

“Can I use yours?” Eri asked.

“Sure”.

They stopped where the rocks became sand and the air was filled with a salty scent and the sound of crashing waves. Lewis took a seat on a group of comfortably organized rocks and the others quickly followed suit. With most of them taking a spot upon the sands, which glistened brightly under the moonlight. He threw his jacket to Eri.

“What now?” Eri asked, while laying his jacket on the rocks beside him.

“We wait” he said as his gaze relaxed into the stars. Despite not being as good as Elysia’s night sky it was still a hell of a view.

“Can we play?” a girl asked.

“Sure. Just don’t go near the sea, I don’t want to be playing lifeguard” Lewis told them.

Most of them quickly began either playing tag or with the sand. It was only the older generation that came and sat down near him.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Should we build a fire?” Will suggested.

“Are you kidding, I’m in the thinnest top I could find and am still boiling” April complained “What do we need a fire for?”.

“I don’t know … like the atmosphere” Will said.

“Actually I kind of like that idea” Ava jumped in.

“Same” Lewis admitted “Someone just needs to go find some fuel along the coastline”. Instantly they winced and began looking round at one another. He sighed. “Fine I’ll do it. Just keep an eye on everyone, I won’t be long” Lewis said as he stood.

“I’ll come too” Eri said as she jumped up and followed him.

They strolled along the coast collecting any viable wood they found. The chatter and shouts of children fading behind them.

“Should I keep this one?” Eri asked, presenting a piece of driftwood.

“Is it dry?” he asked.

“Yes”.

“Then add it to the pile” Lewis told her, and she quickly tossed the wood onto the growing pile in his arms. They continued a little further, gathering a few more resources.

“Alright that should be good” Lewis told her, satisfied with the collection, “Let’s head back”.

They turned and began walking back but then Lewis stopped. His gaze was pulled towards the city. From the shadows, beneath the city walls, two silhouettes emerged and casually approached. The moonlight hit them revealing a finely dressed tall man with a beard and greying black hair. Beside him was a younger man, of a more average stature, with messy blonde hair. They walked directly at Lewis and Eri.

“Lovley night for a moonlit walk is it not?” the man claimed, he had a deep and refined voice reminiscent of royalty. However, Lewis didn’t recognize him.

“It is” Lewis responded. As they got closer Lewis quickly became aware of how huge the man was, even taller than Eric and not that much smaller the Hafbor. It was his eyes confined Lewis’s attention though. A deep fiery red that burned like a crimson sun. Those eyes then focused down onto the wood pile in Lewis’s arms.

“Building a fire?” He politely asked.

“Yes” Lewis replied, “Just enjoying the Atlas games”.

“I just came out to enjoy the fresh air. Little did I know that I’d coincidentally run into the Lewis Athra” the man said.

Lewis’s eyes grew thin. ‘Coincidence my ass’.

“You know me?” Lewis questioned.

“I’ve heard stories” he said casually. The man stuck out a large and calloused hand, “Rothis Belteine” the man greeted.

“Do I know you?” Lewis asked as he shook his hand.

“No. I like to keep to myself, avoid the world’s conflicts. I’m your you understand” Rothis stated.

“Hmmm” Lewis mused, he turned to the young man beside him. “Is this your son?” Lewis asked.

The young man offered at his hand and Lewis took hold. “I’m Z” he told Lewis, “Big fan”.

Lewis’s face creased. Z’s gaze fell to Eri for a moment. Lewis felt the girl cower behind him and he repositioned himself in front of her.

“Well. We best be off” Rothis announced, “Big day tomorrow and I wouldn’t wish to be a tired. I’m an old man now” he chuckled to himself. Lewis nodded. “Maybe we’ll see you at the Great Coliseum” Rothis stated.

“Maybe” Lewis said. Rothis and Z then turned and walked back towards the city. Lewis waited until they merged with the shadows and vanished into the streets of Palgia. He let out a long breath and only then realised he’d been holding it.

“What just happened?” Eri asked, still clearly a bit shaken.

“Honestly. Absolutely no idea” Lewis admitted. He glanced down to see her still hiding behind him. “Come on let’s head back” he said and ruffled her hair.

They returned to find everyone still playing and enjoying themselves on the beach. Lewis handed all the sticks to Eri and swiped his arm through the air. Instantly the sand began to move itself to create a shallow pit and rocks glided through the air to form the outer rim of a firepit. Eri chucked all the fuel into the firepit Lewis snapped his fingers which sent spark zipping into the pile of wood. A great fire burst to life and bathed the surrounding area in a warm light. Lewis then altered the air to a comfortable temperature for everyone and sat back down.

“We’re back!” a voice called out. Everyone turned to see Kate, Euna and Hafbor walking down the steps to the beach. They were all holding bags of steaming food and drinks.